Happy Birthday

Wishing you, Abang a Happy Birthday.

May Allah Subhanahuwata'ala bestow you, Abang and Kak In with the Blessing of Rahmat, Hikmah, Prosperity, Good Health and Guidance on the Straight Path, always.

Kasih dan sayang dari kami.

Amin Ya Rabbala'lamin.

The Ones Who Perished [2]

  The Ones Who Perished

 

By Ben Adam

The People of Moses and Lot

Description: Intriguing accounts of some of the past nations mentioned in the Quran and their prophets, along with various archaeological evidence supporting it.

“Pharaoh said: ‘O Haman! Build me a high tower that I may attain the means, the means of [reaching] the heavens; so that I may look to the God of Moses, for I do reckon him to be a liar!” [Al-Ghafir, 40:36-7 ]

For well over a thousand years, the only ‘Haman’ that was mentioned outside Islamic texts was a Babylonian courtier from the story of the Tower of Babel. Academics derided his mention in the Quran, citing it as proof of Muhammad’s supposedly inaccurately borrowing from the bible; mixing up the Babylonian legend with the much earlier story of the Exodus.

Then, in 1799, one of Napoleon’s captains in Egypt discovered a dark grey-pinkish granite stone in the port city of Rosetta. He showed it to General Abdullah Jacques de Menou, a convert to Islam, who sent it off to Cairo to be studied. The Rosetta Stone, which dated back to 196 BC, was inscribed in three scripts: Hieroglyphic, Demotic and Greek. Its discovery meant that scholars the world over were finally able to decipher Egyptian hieroglyphs. One result was the decoding of an inscription on a Pharaonic stela from the Mosaic period in Vienna’s Hof-Museum. Curiously, the name ‘Haman’ was inscribed on the stela [1], his given title: ‘chief of the stone quarry workers.’[2] Precisely the man whom a Pharaoh would ask to build a high tower!

“And [We punished] Korah, Pharaoh and Haman. And indeed Moses came to them with Clear Signs. But they sought greatness in the land, while they could not outreach [the wrath from] Us.” (Al-‘Ankabut, 29:39]

“So this day We shall deliver your body [from the sea] that you [Pharaoh] may be a sign to those who come after you! And verily, many among mankind are heedless of Our Signs.” [Yunus, 10:92][3]

“And We turned [the cities of Sodom] upside down and rained down upon them stones of baked clay. Surely, in this are signs for those who perceive. And, verily, they were right on the road [from Mecca to Syria, where the Dead Sea is now]. Surely, therein is indeed a sign for the believers.” [Al-Hijr, 15:74-76]

Prophet Lot was harmed by his people as he warned them against their homosexuality and oppression. Until, finally, God rained missiles of baked clay upon the Sodomites; lifting their land up from underneath them and throwing it upside-down upon them. The waters of the Dead Sea filled the huge cavity that was left in the wake of the terrible destruction. Today, only a few ruins remain from the peoples who once thrived in the land. A land that the sins of the Sodomites made into the lowest point on the face of the earth - in more ways than one! 

So read the Quran and take lesson from the stories of nations past; those who reached the pinnacle of civilization, amassing great wealth, power and prestige, only to be ungrateful and forget themselves and their Lord. They became decadent and corrupt, arrogant and haughty, cruel and oppressive, as they turned to falsehoods and false gods. God sent to them His Prophets, supported with miracles and revelation, to remind them of His Favors and to be dutiful to Him, and to be just and compassionate amongst themselves and creation at large. But they disbelieved in spite of His Clear Signs. They rejected their Prophets, mocked, scorned and abused them, even tried to kill them!

Finally, when they left neither hope nor excuse for themselves; when they hastened their own destruction by daring the One God to punish them; He did just that, and the earth was cleansed. Not only do their relics serve as an admonition for us today, they also prove the divine origin of the Quran itself. For none but a true Prophet of God, as Muhammad truly was, could have recited such details and with such certainty, except that he was inspired from above.

“For has the story not reached them of those before them? The people of Noah, ‘Ad and Thamud… and the overthrown cities [of the Sodomites]? Their Messengers came to them with clear proofs. It was not God Who wronged them, but they who wronged themselves.” [At-Tawbah, 9:70]

Footnotes:

[1] Walter Wreszinski, Aegyptische Inschriften aus dem K.K. Hof Museum in Wien, 1906, J. C. Hinrichs' sche Buchhandlung.
[2] Hermann Ranke, Die Ägyptischen Personennamen, Verzeichnis der Namen, Verlag Von J. J. Augustin in Glückstadt, Band I, 1935, Band II, 1952.
[3] The above pictures are those of an Egyptian mummy, supposed to be that of the Pharaoh drowned in the Red Sea. For further studies: Mummies of the Pharaohs: Modern Medical Investigations. By Maurice Bucaille. Translated by Alastair D. Pannell and the author. Illustrated. 236 pp. New York: St. Martin's Press.

[By Ben Adam, www.Quran.nu via IslamReligion.com]

The Ones Who Perished [1]

The Ones Who Perished

By Ben Adam

The Fate of the People of Noah, Sheba, Iram and Salih

Description: Intriguing accounts of some of the past nations mentioned in the Quran and their prophets, along with various archaeological evidence supporting it.

“Each one of them We seized for their crime: against some. We sent a violent tornado, some were caught by a mighty blast; some we caused the earth to swallow up, and some We drowned It was not God Who wronged them, but they who wronged themselves.” [Surah Al-'Ankabut, 29:40]

Noah and the Ark

An archeological study found the above 500 foot-long boat-shaped formation atop Mount Judi [1], some 20 miles south of Mount Ararat [where the Bible places the Noah’s Ark]. It has horizontal deck-support timbers at consistent intervals and evenly-spaced indentations resembling decaying rib timbers. Natural causes do not make such symmetrical formations!

“And it was said: ‘O earth! Swallow up your water,’ and ‘O sky! Withhold [your rain].’ And it was said: And the water was made to subside, and God’s Decree was fulfilled. And it [Noah’s Ark] came to rest upon (Mount) Judi.” [Surah Hud, 11:44]

All the wicked peoples of the earth were drowned while believer and beast were carried with Noah in his Ark. The ship remained intact upon Judi right until the dawn of Islam. What has remained today is still a thing to behold.

The Temple at Sheba

Another people whose sins were answered with a devastating flood were the People of Saba’ [Sheba]. They turned away from the Creator, God, to worship others. Now, all that remains of their once prosperous civilization [at Marib, Yemen] are the broken sluices of their dam, some Sabaean inscriptions, and the ruins of their temple. [2].

“Indeed, there was a sign for Sheba in their dwelling place: two gardens on the right and on the left. [It was said to them,] ‘Eat of the provision of your Lord, and be grateful to Him, a fair land and an Oft-Forgiving Lord.’ But they turned away [from God and became corrupted. So We sent against them the unleashed dam waters, and converted their gardens into gardens bearing bitter fruit and tamarisks, and a meager few lote-trees. That is how We rewarded them because they were ungrateful. And never do We reward in such a way except those who are ungrateful.” [Surah Saba, 34:15-17]

Ad, Iram, and Ubar

Did you not see how your Lord dealt with ‘Ad - (the people of) Iram of the pillars - the like of whom had not been created in the land [before]? [Surah Al-Fajar, 89:6-9]

The ‘Ad were a nation of giants. ‘Who is mightier than us in strength?!’ [Ad-Dukhan, 41:15), they would boast, tyrannizing people with their huge size while the Prophet Hud would command them to fear God and be righteous. For most historians, the story of Iram [3] was pure fable, a myth, an ‘Atlantis of the Sands.’

Until 1973, that is, when the 4,300 year-old city of Ebla was excavated in northern Syria. Some 2,500 cuneiform clay tablets [above] were recovered from Ebla’s palace library, containing records of all the nations Ebla traded with, including one called ‘Iram’![4]

“[Hud said to ‘Ad,] ‘Do you build monuments on every high place for amusement, and take yourselves palaces as if you will live therein forever?” [Ash-Shura, 26:128-129)

In 1992, using satellite images, the relics of a city correlating with the Quranic location and description of Iram were discovered deep beneath the desert on the edge of Oman. The city’s wealth was evidenced by frankincense burners, Parthian pottery and the 90cm-thick walls guarding them.

Excavations also showed that the city met with a catastrophic end when it half-collapsed into a giant sinkhole, above which the ruins of a fortress and eight once-towering pillars still stand . The ‘Ad was destroyed by a force of nature even fiercer than themselves. [5]

“So We sent to them a ferocious wind in evil days; that We might give them a taste of disgracing punishment in this world. And the punishment of the Hereafter is more disgracing, and they will not be helped.” [Surah Fusilat, 41:16]

The People of Thamud

“[Salih said to Thamud,] ‘Will you remain secure in what you have here? In gardens and springs, well-tilled fields and date- palms heavy with fruit; and while you hew dwellings out of mountains with such great skill?” [Surah Ash-Shura, 26:146-149]

“And to Thamud [We sent] their brother [Prophet] Salih. He said: ‘O my people! Worship God, you have no god [in truth] but Him. He brought you forth from the earth and settled you therein. So ask forgiveness of Him and turn to Him in repentance. Certainly, my Lord is Near, Responsive.’ They said: ‘O Salih! You had been among us as a figure of hope (as a future leader) till this [calling of yours to monotheism]! Do you (now) forbid us the worship of what our fathers worshipped? We are indeed in doubt as to that to which you invite us.” [Surah Hud, 11:61-2]

Prophet Muhammad SAW passed by the ghost town of Madain Salih, cut from mountain rock by Thamud, saying:

“Do not enter except that you are weeping, for this was a place of [divine] punishment.”

Kindred to the Nabateans of Petra some 300 miles to their north, Thamud violently rejected Prophet Salih. So God struck them with a sonic blast that killed them, but spared their homes: A truly eerie sign for later generations.

Footnotes:

[1] “‘Arkologists’ claim to have found Noah‘s Ark“, Martin Wroe. The Observer (London) 16 Jan 1994.

[2](http://www.yobserver.com/cgi-bin/yobserver/exec/view.cgi/1/8902), (http://www.viewzone.com/sheba.country.html), (http://www.ucalgary.ca/UofC/events/unicomm/NewsReleases/queen.htm)

[3] Also known as Ubar.

[4] Ebla: A Revelation in Archaeology, Times Books, 1979, Wiedenfeld and Nicolson, Great Britain.

[5] Around A.D. 300, a city called Ubar—a bustling center along the frankincense trade routes of ancient Arabia - mysteriously disappeared. According to legend, the people of Ubar became greedy and corrupt, refusing to change their ways. To punish them, God destroyed the city and erased all roads leading to it. Ubar was lost for thousands of years, but the legend lived on in Bedouin campfire stories, the Quran, and Arabian Nights. Many archaeologists believed the legend of Ubar was more than a tale, but searches for the lost city came up empty. That is, until the 1990s when NASA satellites and radar aided the hunt. NASA’s help proved to be the key to locating Ubar. Images from Landsat and SPOT (Satellite Pour l‘Observation de la Terre) remote sensing satellites showed tracks through the desert, identified as old caravan routes. These tracks converged at the village Al Shisr in the southwestern corner of Oman. An expedition followed the tracks to the virtual “X” in the sand and began digging. Discoveries of ancient pottery shards from distant lands, frankincense burners, and remains of a fortress confirmed the archaeologists’ suspicions—Ubar was real and its demise could be explained. Indeed, the legend was right: Ubar met a catastrophic end. Excavation revealed a giant limestone cavern beneath the fortress. The city most likely was destroyed when a large portion of it collapsed into the chamber below. Today, excavations continue to discover more about life along the frankincense road over 4,000 years ago. (By Marisa Larson, National Geographic Magazine, http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0304/feature2/index.html)

[By Ben Adam, www.Quran.nu via IslamReligion.com]

The Two Families

The Story of Prophet Lot

Prophet Lot ('alaihissalam)

Harun Yahya

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

We gave right judgment and knowledge to Lot, and rescued him from the city that committed disgusting acts; they were evil people who were deviators. We admitted him into Our mercy. He was one of the believers. [Al-Anbiya', 21:74-75]


Prophet Lot's Life

The Qur'an informs us that a number of prophets lived during the same period. For example, Prophet Aaron (pbuh) supported his brother, Prophet Moses (pbuh), in his struggle with Pharaoh and in relaying the divine message to the Children of Israel. Prophet Jacob (pbuh) and Prophet Joseph (pbuh) also were honored by God with prophethood during the same period.

Prophet Abraham (pbuh) and Prophet Lot (pbuh) lived in the same region. Although they lived among different people, they still supported one another. Our Lord reveals that:

He [Abraham] said: "You have adopted idols apart from God as tokens of mutual affection in this world. But then, on the Day of Resurrection, you will reject one another and curse one another. The Fire will be your shelter. You will have no helpers." And Lot had believed in him. He said: "I will emigrate to [the service of] my Lord. He is the Almighty, the All Wise." [Al-Ankabut, 29:25-26]

Immigration [hijrah] means to submit to God willingly, knowing that He is your only friend and guardian, and taking refuge in His protection. Prophet Lot migrated to our Lord by moving away from his unbelieving tribe. Like all of the prophets, he was a chosen individual who left an example for all people of sincerity and submission to God. Prophet Lot and Prophet Abraham (pbuh) were sent to different tribes. The Qur'an reveals that the society to which Prophet Lot relayed the divine message was steeped in homosexuality, a practice cursed by God.

Prophet Lot's Misguided People

To those who do not believe, the life of this world is painted in glowing colors and they laugh at those who believe. But on the Day of Resurrection those who fear (and respect) God will be over them. God provides for whoever He wills without any reckoning. [Al-Baqarah, 2:212]

In the Qur'an, God states "So set your face firmly toward the Religion, as a pure natural believer, God's natural pattern on which He made humanity" [Al-Rum, 30:30] and that He has created human beings with a specific disposition. Satan, on the other hand, asserts "… I will command them, and they will change God's creation…" [Al-Nisa', 4:119]. He seeks to turn people away from that disposition and to lead them into various prohibited practices.

One of the prohibited practices to which Satan incites human beings is homosexuality. Indeed, God describes the situation of those who follow Satan's urgings and live an immoral lifestyle: "If they see every Sign, they will not believe in it. If they see the way of right guidance, they will not take it as a way. But if they see the way of error, they will take that as a way" [Al-A'raf, 7:146]. As another verse states "God desires to turn toward you, but those who pursue their lower appetites desire to make you deviate completely" [Al-Nisa', 4:27], these people wish to draw everyone away from the true path. The Qur'an mentions the reward that such people will receive:

An evil generation succeeded those who neglected the prayer and followed their appetites. They will plunge into the Valley of Evil. [Maryam, 19:59]

This prohibited practice has appeared in many societies throughout history. The Qur'an specifically mentions Prophet Lot's (pbuh) tribe, who was well known for this custom. Prophet Lot (pbuh), an esteemed prophet who believed fully in our Lord and possessed the proper moral values and resignation to God, called on his tribe to fear (and respect) God, abandon their homosexuality, and live a life that would please Him. But they responded to his words with hostility. Due to their monstrous temerity and immorality, they fully merited our Lord's chastisement. As the Qur'an tells us, they met the following fate:

And Lot, when he said to his tribe: "Do you commit an obscenity not perpetrated before you by anyone in all the worlds? You come with lust to men instead of women. You are indeed a depraved tribe." The only answer of his tribe was to say: "Expel them from your city! They are people who keep themselves pure!" So We rescued him and his family-except for his wife. She was one of those who stayed behind. We rained down a rain upon them. See the final fate of the evildoers! [Al-A'raf, 7:80-84]

And Ishmael, Elisha, Jonah and Lot. All of them We favored over all beings. [Al-An'am, 6:86]

These people, who refused to abandon their sin despite being warned, threatened Prophet Lot (pbuh) and the believers with exile. Saying "They are people who keep themselves pure!" [Al-A'raf, 7:82], they imagined that they were mocking the believers. Despite their sinful lifestyle and excesses, however, Prophet Lot (pbuh) continued to relay His message in order to earn God's good pleasure.

Prophet Lot (pbuh), who was a patient, determined, and courageous servant, manifested his joyous faith in and respect for God. His tribe's mockery and attacks only reinforced his enthusiasm and determination. Like all of the other prophets, he continued to command what is good and forbid what is evil, thus scrupulously fulfilling his God-given duty. In the Qur'an, God reveals the following:

O Prophet. We have sent you as a witness, a bringer of good news and a warner, a caller to God by His permission and a light-giving lamp. Give good news to the believers that they will receive immense favor from God. Do not obey the unbelievers and hypocrites, and disregard their abuse of you. Put your trust in God. God suffices as a Protector. [Al-Ahzab, 33:45-48]

Then We sent Our messengers, one after another, at intervals. Each time its messenger came to a community, they called him a liar. So, We made them follow one another too and turned them into myths and legends. Away with the people who do not believe! [Al-Mu'minun, 23:44]

Believers must take Prophet Lot's (pbuh) superior moral values as models for themselves, always behave patiently when presenting His message, and explain religion's moral values to people in the most appropriate and effective way.

Prophet Lot Warns His Tribe

The people of Lot denied the messengers, when their brother Lot said to them: "Will you not guard against evil? I am a faithful Messenger to you. So fear [and respect] God and obey me." [Al-Shua'ra, 26:160-63]

Prophet Lot (pbuh) wished that his tribe would abandon their indecent acts and join him in worshipping God. Immediately after relaying the divine message, he made it clear that he expected nothing from them but their willingness to gain God's good pleasure:

"I do not ask you for any wage for it. My wage is the responsibility of no one but the Lord of all the worlds." [Al-Shu'ara, 26:164]

He then described his tribe's gross immorality:

"Of all beings, do you lie with males, leaving the wives God has created for you? You are a people who have overstepped the limits." They said: "Lot, if you do not desist, you will be expelled." He said: "I am someone who detests the deed you perpetrate." [Al-Shu'ara, 26:165-68]

Just like some people today, his tribe sought to portray the sin of homosexuality as acceptable and justified. In fact, such an attitude is one of the causes for the present moral degeneration all over the world. Muslims, however, live according to God's decrees and thus must adopt Prophet Lot's (pbuh) attitude toward this sin.

The Qur'an reveals that these unbelieving and immoral people, who responded to Prophet Lot's (pbuh) warnings with threats and attacks, felt secure due to their large numbers. People who live far removed from religion often have this erroneous perspective.

However, our Lord reveals that believers have always formed a small minority of people. As for the number of believers among Prophet Lot's (pbuh) tribe, God says: "But [We] found in it only one house of Muslims" (Al-Dhariyat, 51:36). However, God's support and help are always with believers, for our Lord promises that those who believe with a sincere heart, seek only His good pleasure, strive for the Hereafter, and spread religion's moral values will always be victorious. As the Qur'an states:

God has promised those of you who believe and do right actions that He will make them successors in the land, just as He made those before them successors; will firmly establish for them their religion with which He is pleased; and give them, in place of their fear, security. "They worship Me, not associating anything with Me." Any who do not believe after that, such people are deviators. [Al-Nur, 24:55]

Our Lord has always implemented this divine law, and small numbers of believers have always achieved enormous success against their far more numerous peoples. God gives the faithful the following glad tidings:

... How many a small force has triumphed over a much greater one, by God's permission! God is with the steadfast. [Al-Baqarah, 2:249].

The Angels Who Came to Prophet Lot

The angels who came to Prophet Abraham (pbuh) gave him the glad news of a righteous child and told him something about Prophet Lot's (pbuh) people.

When Our angels came with the good news to Abraham, they said: "We are going to destroy the people of this city. Truly its inhabitants are wrongdoers." [Al-'Ankabut, 29:31]

The Qur'an describes this visit in the following terms:

When Our angles came to Lot, he was distressed for them, very concerned for them, and said: "This is a dreadful day." [Hud, 11:77]

When his people learned that messengers had come to Prophet Lot (pbuh), they came running towards him and, as revealed in the Qur'an:

They even wanted to seduce his guests!... [Al-Qamar, 54:37]

Prophet Lot (pbuh) warned his tribe in these terms:

His tribe came running to him excitedly-they were long used to committing evil acts. He said: "My people, here are my daughters. They are purer for you. So fear God and do not shame me with my guests. Is there not one rightly-guided man among you?" They said: "You know we have no claim on your daughters. You know very well what we want." [Hud, 11:78-79]

Prophet Lot's (pbuh) reference to his daughters may mean his own daughters or else the tribe's young women. (God knows best.) In other words, he was recommending that his tribe to marry those women, as this is the type of relationship of which God approves. The expression "is there not one rightly-guided man among you?" shows that his entire tribe was caught up in this sinful behavior and excess. As an honorable and moral man chosen by God, Prophet Lot (pbuh) wished to depart from his immoral people:

He said: "If only I had the strength to combat you or could take refuge in some powerful support!" [Hud, 11:80].

However, our Lord used these angels to reveal to Prophet Lot (pbuh) that his tribe would be punished severely for their excesses:

He said: "You are people we do not know." They said: "We have come to you with what they had doubts about. We have brought you the truth, and we are certainly truthful men. Travel with your family in the dead of night, following behind with them in front of you. None of you must look back. Go to where you are ordered." We revealed to him the command We had decreed: that on the following morning the last remnant of those people would be cut off. [Al-Hijir, 15:62-66].

They said: "Lot, we are messengers from your Lord. They will not be able to get at you. Set out with your family-except for your wife-in the middle of the night and none of you should look back. What strikes them will strike her as well. Their promised appointment is the morning. Is the morning not close at hand?" [Hud, 11:81].

And Mary, the daughter of ‘Imran, Who guarded her chastity- We breathed Our Spirit into her and she confirmed the Words of her Lord and His Book and was one of the obedient. [Al-Tahrim, 66:12]

This verse reveals that Prophet Lot's (pbuh) wife would be destroyed, despite her position as a prophet's wife. Although God had honored and elevated her husband with prophethood, this blessing and honor gained her nothing because of her insincerity and denial.

Her death shows that such connections as being related to or descended from the prophets of God will be of no benefit in the Hereafter. Only one's deep faith, submission and obedience, and strong fear and respect of God will be of any benefit. If one's heart contains no sincere faith, one will find no salvation, regardless of his or her physical or familial closeness to God's prophets. Indeed, such proximity may well increase one's responsibility in God's sight, for God reveals this about the wives of the prophets:

O wives of the Prophet. If any of you commits an obvious act of indecency, she will receive double the punishment. That is an easy matter for God. But those of you who are obedient to God and His Messenger and act rightly will be given their reward twice over; and We have prepared a generous provision for them. O wives of the Prophet. You are not like other women, provided you guard against evil. Do not be too soft-spoken in your speech, lest someone with sickness in his heart becomes desirous. Speak correct and courteous words. Remain in your houses and do not display your beauty, as it was previously displayed in the Time of Ignorance. Perform [the prescribed] prayers and give alms, and obey God and His Messenger. God desires to remove all impurity from you, O People of the House, and to purify you completely. [Al-Ahzab, 33:30-33].

Our Lord cites the wives of Prophet Lot (pbuh) and Prophet Noah (pbuh) to serve as a deterrent in this matter. The verses also refer to Pharaoh's wife, who is a fine model of sincerity, fear and respect of God, and heartfelt prayer:

God has made an example for those who do not believe: the wife of Noah and the wife of Lot. They were married to two of Our servants who were righteous, but they betrayed them and were not helped at all against God. They were told: "Enter the Fire along with all who enter it." God has made an example for those who believe: the wife of Pharaoh when she said: "My Lord, build a house in the Garden for me in Your presence, rescue me from Pharaoh and his deeds, and rescue me from this wrongdoing people." [Al-Tahrim, 66:10-11].

The Destruction Is Sent

Prophet Lot (pbuh) first informed Prophet Abraham (pbuh) of the news he had received from the angels:

He [Abraham] inquired: "What, then, is your business, messengers?" They said: "We have been sent to a people of evildoers to unleash upon them lumps of clay earmarked by your Lord for the profligate." We brought out all the believers who were there, but found in it only one house of Muslims. [Al-Dhariyat, 51:31-36]

After they had fulfilled their mission to Prophet Abraham (pbuh), the angels visited Prophet Lot (pbuh) and told him that his tribe would be destroyed. A Muslim society, however, will be protected from such destruction. According to the Qur'an:

They even wanted to seduce his guests! So We put out their eyes: "Taste My punishment and warnings!" [Al-Qamar, 54:37].

When Our command came, We turned their cities upside down and rained down on them stones of hard baked clay, piled on top of one another in layers, each one earmarked by your Lord. And they are never far from the wrongdoers. [Hud, 11:82-83]

The expression turning upside down may be describing how the region was destroyed in a violent earthquake. Indeed, the Dead Sea (Lake Lot) is located in an active seismic region.

In the same verse, God reveals that He rained down on them stones of hard baked clay. Keller explains: “The subsidence released volcanic forces that had been lying dormant deep down along the whole length of the fracture. In the upper valley of the Jordan near Bashan there are still towering craters of extinct volcanoes; great stretches of lava and deep layers of basalt have been deposited of the limestone surface.” (Werner Keller, Und die Bibel hat doch recht [The Bible as History; a Conformation of the Book of Books], William Morrow, [New York: 1956, 76.])

“Do you come with lust to men instead of women? You are a people who are deeply ignorant.” The only response of his people was to say: “Drive the family of Lot out of your city! They are people who keep themselves pure!” [Al-Naml, 27:55-56]

Has the news of those who came before them not reached them, the people o Noah and ‘Ad and Thamud and the people of Abraham and the Inhabitants of Midian and the overturned cities? Their messengers brought them the Clear Signs. God did not wrong them; rather they wronged themselves. [Al-An'am, 9:70]

Perhaps turning upside down signifies the region's destruction by a powerful earthquake. The expression rained down on them stones of hard baked clay may indicate a volcanic eruption and the hard baked lava and stones thrown up by it. The same event is described elsewhere: "and made a rain come pouring down upon them. How evil is the rain of those who are warned!" [Al-Shu'ara, 26:173]. In other words, the tribe may have been destroyed by an earthquake followed by a volcanic eruption. (God knows best.)

Historians opine that the site of this great disaster is the shore of the Dead Sea, also known as Lake Lut. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, located alongside the Dead Sea, between the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Jordan, are regarded as the cities of Prophet Lot's (pbuh) mainly homosexual people. Archaeological research shows that these cities collapsed after a powerful earthquake. According to researchers, one area, shallower than the rest of the Dead Sea, houses the remains of these people, who entered the deep parts of the sea. (For further details, see Harun Yahya, The Perished Nations [Istanbul: 2002]).

The Fate of Pompeii

Pompeii was the symbol of Rome's moral degeneration. Just like Prophet Lot's (pbuh) tribe, the inhabitants of Pompeii, who had also strayed far from religious morality, chose a lifestyle contrary to the morals and life commanded by God. And so God punished them, just as He punished Prophet Lot's (pbuh) tribe. Every society that rebels against God inevitably is punished, either in this world or the next, for this is one of God's laws. As the Qur'an reveals:

... You will not find any changing in the pattern of God. You will not find any alteration in the pattern of God. [Fatir, 35:43]

Pompeii was destroyed when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 CE. Mount Vesuvius is the symbol of Italy, particularly the city of Naples. Dormant now for some 2,000 years, it is also known as the Mountain of Misfortune. Naples stands on the mount's western slopes, and Pompeii stands on its eastern slopes. This disaster struck Pompeii so suddenly that everything seems to have been frozen in time.

There are important lessons to be learned from Pompeii's fate. Historical sources reveal that before its destruction, Pompeii was a hotbed of vice and debauchery and was known for its widespread prostitution. Yet Mount Vesuvius wiped the city from the map in a single moment. Interestingly, despite its terrible eruption, nobody fled. It seems that the people were rooted to the spot, as if unaware of the tragedy. A number of couples have been found, among which are same-sex couples and young boys and girls. Some of the petrified human remains contain perfectly preserved facial features. Their general expression is one of surprise, for Pompeii was destroyed suddenly. God gives an example of the people of a city:

It was but one Great Blast, and [then] they were extinct. [Ya Sin, 36:29]

“My Lord, rescue me and my family from what they are doing.” Therefore We rescued him and all his family – except for an old woman who remained behind. Then We utterly destroyed the rest. [Al-Shu'ara, 26:169-172]

The Immigration [Hijrah] of Prophet Lot and Prophet Abraham

Prophet Abraham (pbuh) and Prophet Lot (pbuh), along with the believers, migrated at God's command and settled in a delightful new land. In the Qur'an, our Lord reveals their blessed fate:

We delivered both him [Abraham] and Lot to the land that We had blessed for all beings. And in addition to that, We gave him Isaac and Jacob and made both of them righteous. We made them leaders, guiding [them] by Our command, and revealed to them how to do good actions, perform prayer, and give alms. And they worshipped Us. We gave right judgment and knowledge to Lot, and rescued him from the city that committed disgusting acts. They were evil people who were deviators. We admitted him into Our mercy. He was one of the righteous. [Al-Anbiya', 21:71-75]

Hijrah is a religious observation that only devout believers can perform. People who live far removed from religion can never agree to suddenly leave behind everything they own and emigrate to an unknown destination. Their homes, goods, and property are most important to them. Yet wherever believers may go, since they know that God will meet all of their needs, they have no hesitation about leaving everything behind and emigrating for God's good pleasure.

Prophet Abraham (pbuh) and Prophet Lot (pbuh) demonstrated their submission to God in the finest possible manner. They renounced their material possessions and homelands to gain His good pleasure. In return, our Lord settled them in a good land and endowed them with the infinite blessings of Paradise in the Hereafter.

Believers, who trust in God and know that He will meet all of their needs at every moment, must follow the prophets' model of complete submission to God. That is because people who are attached to the world and are concerned about the future are far removed from religion's moral values. Our Lord gives believers the glad tidings that as a reward for not indulging in material interests, believers will receive matchless blessings in both worlds.

In addition, the Qur'an refers to the prophets' vast property as a blessing from God. Prophet David (pbuh) had a great deal of property, and Prophet Solomon (pbuh) possessed so much power and wealth that nobody could match them. God reveals that He gave Prophet Abraham (pbuh) and his line a lot of property:

Or do they, in fact, envy other people for the bounty God has granted them? We gave the family of Abraham the Book and wisdom, and We gave them an immense kingdom. [Al-Nisa', 4:54]

If only the people of the cities had believed and guarded against evil, We would have opened up to them blessings from heaven and Earth. But they denied the truth so We seized them for what they earned. (Al-A'raf, 7:96)

Anyone who acts rightly, male or female, being a believer, We will give them a good life and We will recompense them according to the best of what they did. [Al-Nahl, 16:97]

Goods, property, and power are always causes of arrogance and self-love among those who do not believe and are heedless. On the other hand, the prophets and the believers who follow them use their God-given goods and property to spread His religion, earn His good pleasure, and achieve their abode in the Hereafter. Furthermore, believers also know that all of their property belongs to God. When sincere Muslims are given blessings in this world, they thank our Lord. More importantly, when such blessings diminish they still thank God with all of their hearts and display the proper patience, for they know that this life is a test and that God will reward them in Paradise:

Those who believe and emigrate and strive in the way of God with their wealth and their selves have a higher rank with God. They are the ones who are victorious. Their Lord gives them the good news of His mercy and good pleasure, and Gardens where they will enjoy everlasting delight, remaining in them timelessly, forever and ever. Truly, there is an immense reward with God. [Al-Tawbah, 9:20-22]

Conclusion

In this book, we have described the joyous faith in God manifested by Prophet Abraham (pbuh) and Prophet Lot (pbuh), how they turned to our Lord in all of their actions, their superior moral values, and their difficult struggles against their pagan and sinful peoples. Prophet Abraham (pbuh) relayed the divine message to his tribe with great determination and, thanks to his submission to God, was patient and steady in all circumstances. Prophet Lot (pbuh) struggled patiently with his tribe, calling on them to believe in God and abandon their immorality. These prophets, made superior to the worlds by God, won His good pleasure due to the deep faith and superior moral values they exhibited throughout their lives. In the end, they achieved their true abode in Paradise, with its infinite blessings.

The greatest aim of each believer's life is to follow in the footsteps of the prophets, each of whom was a guide to the true way, and thus become servants with whom God is pleased. God gives the glad tidings of the reward awaiting such believers:

Whoever obeys God and the messenger will be with those whom God has blessed: the prophets, the steadfast affirmers of truth, the martyrs, and the righteous. What excellent company such people are! [Al-Nisa', 4:69].

In order to become God's friend and be with the prophets in the Hereafter, believers must live in accord with God's good pleasure, always trust in Him, and hold Him and His religion above everything else. Whoever demonstrates these virtues and thus lives according to Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) words that "I have submitted to the Lord of the worlds," can expect the greatest happiness from God and to reach salvation.

The fact that many people remain heedless of His existence must not deceive anyone. Prophet Abraham (pbuh) called on his pagan tribe to believe, even though he was alone, and our Lord praised this moral virtue: "Abraham was a community in himself…" [Al-An'am, 16:120]. Prophet Lot (pbuh), together with a very few believers, displayed his very superior submission to God and called on his largely homosexual tribe to abandon their immoral lifestyles and to believe [Al-Dhariyat, 51:36]. Those very few believing people, however, were much stronger than all of their people, for they had God's help and support.

The important thing is to understand that God controls everything that exists, all of which has submitted to Him, and to live accordingly. Prophet Abraham (pbuh) and Prophet Lot (pbuh) understood this truth and became His friends. Like them, all believers must seek to achieve the same level of deep faith and spirituality and make a serious effort to become His friend.

End.

The Sacred Muharram.

Muharram is the month with which the Muslims begin their lunar [Hijrah] Calendar. It is one of the four sanctified months about in which the Holy Qur’an says:

"The number of the months according to Allah is twelve [mentioned] in the Book of Allah on the day He created the heavens and the earth. Among these [twelve months] there are four sanctified." [Surah At-Tawbah, 9: 36]

These four months, according to the Hadith, the authentic traditions [Prophetic narrations], are Dzul-Qa'edah, Dzul-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab. All the commentators of the Noble Qur’an are unanimous on this point, because the Noble Prophet SAW declared in his sermon on the occasion of his last Hajj [pilgrimage to Makkah]: "One year consists of twelve months, of which four are sanctified months, three of them are in sequence; Dzul-Qa'edah, Dzul-Hijjah, Muharram, and the fourth is Rajab."

The specific mention of these four months does not mean that any other month has no sanctity, because the month of Ramadhaan is admittedly the most sanctified month in the year. But these four months were specifically termed as sanctified months for the simple reason that even the pagans of Makkah accepted their sanctity.

The sanctity of these four months was recognized right from the days of Prophet Ibrahim [Abraham a.s]. Since the Pagans of Makkah attributed themselves to him, they observed the sanctity of these four months and despite their frequent tribal battles, they held it unlawful to fight in these months.

In Islam, the sanctity of these months was upheld and the Holy Qur’an referred to them as the "sanctified months". Muharram has certain other characteristics special to it, which is stated below.

Fasting During the Month

The Noble Prophet SAW said: 'The best fasts after the fasts of Ramadhan are those of the month of Muharram."

Although the fasts of the month of Muharram are not obligatory, yet one who fasts in these days out of his own will is entitled to a great reward by Allah Almighty. The Hadith cited above signifies that the fasts of the month of Muharram are most rewardable ones among the voluntary fasts. It does not mean that the award promised for fasts of Muharram can be achieved only by fasting for the whole month. On the contrary, each fast during this month has merit. Therefore, one should avail of this opportunity as much as he can.

The Day of 'Ashura

Although Muharram is a sanctified month as a whole, yet, the 10th day of Muharram is the most sacred among all its days. The day is named 'Ashura. According to Ibn ‘Abbas the Prophet SAW when he migrated to Madinah, found that the Jews of Madinah used to fast on the 10th day of Muharram. They said that it was the day on which Prophet Musa [Moses]) a.s and his followers crossed the Red Sea miraculously and the Pharaoh was drowned in its waters. On hearing this from the Jews, the Prophet SAW said, "We are more closely related to Musa than you," and directed the Muslims to fast on the day of 'Ashura'. [Abu Dawud]

It is also reported in a number of authentic traditions that in the beginning, fasting on the day of 'Ashura' was obligatory for the Muslims. It was later that the fasts of Ramadhan were made obligatory and the fast on the day of 'Ashura' was made optional. ‘Aishah r.a said: "When the Prophet SAW migrated to Madinah, he fasted on the day of 'Ashura' and directed the people to do likewise. But when the fasts of Ramadhan were made obligatory, the obligation of fasting was confined to Ramadhan and the obligatory nature of the fast of 'Ashura' was abandoned. Whoever so desires should fast on it and any other who so likes can avoid fasting on it." [Abu Dawud]

However, the Prophet SAW used to fast on the day of 'Ashura' even after the fasting in Ramadhan was made obligatory. Abdullah Ibn Musa reports that the Prophet preferred the fast of 'Ashura' rather than the fasts of other days and that of Ramadhan compared to 'Ashura'. [Bukhari and Muslim]

Misconceptions and Innovations

However, there are some legends and misconceptions with regard to 'Ashura' that have managed to find their way into the minds of the ignorant, but have no support of authentic Islamic sources, some very common of them are these: This is the day on which Adam was created. This is the day when Ibrahim a.s was born. This is the day when Allah accepted the repentance of Adam a.s. This is the day when Doomsday will take place. Whoever takes bath on the day of 'Ashura' will never get ill.

All these and other similar whims and fancies are totally baseless and the traditions referred to in this respect are not worthy of any credit. Some people take it as Sunnah [established recommended practice] to prepare a particular type of meal on the day of 'Ashura'. This practice, too, has no basis in the authentic Islamic sources.

Some other people attribute the sanctity of 'Ashura' to the martyrdom of Al-Hussain r.a. No doubt, the martyrdom of Al-Hussain is one of the most tragic episodes of our history. Yet, the sanctity of 'Ashura' cannot be ascribed to this event for the simple reason that the sanctity of 'Ashura' was established during the days of the Prophet SAW much earlier than the birth of Al-Hussain. On the contrary, it is one of the merits of Al-Hussain that his martyrdom took place on this blessed day.

Another misconception about the month of Muharram is that it is an evil or unlucky month, for Al-Hussain was killed in it. It is for this misconception that some people avoid holding marriage ceremonies in the month of Muharram. This is again a baseless concept, which is contrary to the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah [Prophetic Tradition]. If the death of an eminent person on a particular day renders that day unlucky for all times to come, one can hardly find a day of the year free from this bad luck because every day is associated with the demise of some eminent person. The Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet SAW have liberated us from such superstitious beliefs.

Lamentations and Mourning

Another wrong practice related to this month is to hold the lamentation and mourning ceremonies in the memory of martyrdom of Al-Hussain. As mentioned earlier, the event of Karbala is one of the most tragic events of our history, but the Prophet SAW has forbidden us from holding the mourning ceremonies on the death of any person. The people of jahiliyyah [ignorance] used to mourn over their deceased through loud lamentations, by tearing their clothes and by beating their cheeks and chests. The Prophet SAW prevented the Muslims from doing all this and directed them to observe patience by saying "Innaa lillaahi wa innaa ilayhi raaji'uun" [To Allah We belong, and to Him is our return]. A number of authentic hadith [narrations] are available on the subject. To quote only one of them: "He is not from our group who slaps his checks, tears his clothes and cries in the manner of the people of jahiliyyah [ignorance]". [Bukhari]

All the prominent jurists are unanimous on the point that the mourning of this type is impermissible. Even Al-Hussain shortly before his demise, had advised his beloved sister Zainab not to mourn over his death in this manner. He said, "My dear sister! I swear upon you that in case I die you shall not tear your clothes, nor scratch your face, nor curse anyone for me or pray for your death." [Al-Kamil, Ibn Kathir vol. 4 pg. 24]

It is evident from this advice, that this type of mourning is condemned even by the blessed person for the memory of whom these mourning ceremonies are held. Every Muslim should avoid this practice and abide by the teachings of Islam as propagated by the Prophet Muhammad SAW.

©Islam web

Allah's Attributes

Mistake of Changing its Meanings

Abdul Wahid Abdul Muntaqim.

Ibn al-Qayyim, an Islamic scholar wrote that the love for a beloved originates in the beauty and perfection of the beloved. Hence, by knowing and becoming familiar with Allah's names, attributes and actions, one will love Him more and will enforce the 'Iman' [faith].

Ibn Taimiyyah in his deliberation cited the importance of being knowledgeble. He particularly emphasized on the needs of knowledge about Allah's Asma Ul Husna, beautiful Names of Allah, Allah's Attributes, which must be strongly embedded in one’s heart for the love, hope, fear and glorification. It is by knowing the One we worship enhances the degree of our Ibadah [worship] and that not knowing the attributes of Allah SWT makes our Ibadah and faith almost meaningless and misguided.

Allah SWT says:

"So know that La ilaha ill-Allah [there is nothing worthy of worship but Allah alone]... [Muhammad, 47:19].

In order to understand Tawhid, the Oneness of Allah, we need to have an understanding of Allah's Names and Attributes deeply.

According to the scholars of Ahl-Sunnah wal Jamaah, the correct Faith in Allah's attributes are:

1. Believing in them without denying them or their meanings [ta'teel],
2. Without interpreting them and changing their meanings [tahreef],
3. Without explaining [imagining] how they are [takyeef] or
4. Likening Allah's attributes to those of the creation [tamtheel].

Only a few scholars had slightly differed on this point, it is known that the consensus of the predecessors and leaders of this Ummah.

The best way to say what Islam is [or should be] is by pointing up its contradiction to what Islam is not [or should not become]. Therefore, the study of the misguided sects, our understanding of the Truth will be clearer and can improve, just like our understanding of Tawhid is greater when accompanied with an understanding of Syirik [Polytheism].

However, we have been warned of the great mistakes and sins of speaking about Allah SWT which we do not know.

Allah says:

"Say [O Muhammad]: 'My Lord has only forbidden indecencies, those of them that are apparent as well as those that are concealed, and sin and rebellion without justice, and that you associate with Allah in worship that which He has sent down no authority, and that you say about Allah that which you do not know.'" [Al-A’raf, 7:33].

So it is indeed a dangerous matter to explain an Attribute of Allah based on without proof from the Sources.

There is no doubt that all sects have deviated because they did not understand Usuluddeen [i.e. basic principles of the Islamic way of life]. Ibn Taimiyyah said: "God may be characterized by how He characterizes Himself and by how His Prophet SAW characterized him. The course to be followed [in understanding this doctrine] is the predecessors, the people of faith and knowledge and of the meanings understood from the Qur'an and the Sunnah. Confusion may led or even be a tantamount to distortion, disbelief, and perhaps abandonment of the real precept of Qur’an."

Imam at-Tahawi said in "al-Aqidah at-Tahawiyyah": Saying Allah in such a certain form is incorrect. As such, the safest way for a Muslim is to believe in all the attributes of Allah is without adding any interpretation. To negate the attributes of Allah SWT altogether or to compare Him to someone is a deviation from the right path of Tawhid. Our Lord is unique and without any equal at all."

Imam al-Asha’ari refuted many deviant claims of those who commit tahreef [interpreting them and changing their meanings] or ta'teel [believing in them without denying them or their meanings]. He wrote in "al-Ibanah `an Usuul ad-Diyanah" which he argued strongly against the different heretics, which represents the ‘aqeedah on which he proof of it and says that "Whosoever questions us and says, 'Do you believe God has a face?', [ Imam al-Asha’ari said that] the answer is: 'We believe it contrarily to the belief of the innovators; and His words [which Allah says] :

'And the Face of your Lord full of Majesty and Honor will abide forever…' [Al-Rahman, 55:27].'

While Ibn Kathir said in his tafsir of the verse of Ta-Ha,20:5, clearly stated that we should follow the understanding of the predecessors and not to commit takyeef, tahreef, tashbeeh, ta'teel and tamtheel.

Ibn Taimiyyah said, "The early generations of Muslims and their Imams were in complete faith that Allah SWT is a separate and distinct from His creation. He is to be described only with that with which He described Himself in the Qur'an or that, His Prophet SAW described Him, without distorting, negating, delving into the exact nature of, or believing them to be the same as something known such as human characteristics of the same names. Allah is described with all characteristics of perfection and no characteristics of weakness or imperfection. He knows that there is nothing comparable to Him, nor to His words in any of His characteristics of perfection."

To conclude, one must adhere to what Allah SWT clearly says about His Attributes.

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Say: He is Allah, the One and Only; Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He begets not; nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him. [Al-Ikhlas, 112:1-4]

Ibn Mas'uud said:

"He is the One Who has no cavity. The attribute of One [al-Ahad] means the One to Whom there is no one comparable. Thus, the name as-Somad entails all of Allah's attributes of perfection, and negation of any lacks or imperfections…"

©Islam web

See : Concept of God in Islam & Allah's Attributes.

Rules of Pure Monotheism

The pure worship and monotheism in Islam, is the worshipping the Almighty Allah alone, and surrendering, obeying and dedicating oneself sincerely to serving Allah SWT and no one else, but Him.

Allah SWT says:

"I have not created jinn and men but to worship Me." [Adh-Dhariyat, 51:56]

Once you know that Allah SWT has created you to serve Him, you will realize that there can be no service except with Pure Monotheism [Arabic: Tawhid]. Just as there is no formal prayer without purity, and there is no purity with unseemliness, so there is no worship of God while worshipping others along with Him [Arabic: Syirik].

By associating others with Allah Almighty, man's worship is spoilt, his deeds are vain and he is doomed to eternal Hellfire. If you are cognizant of all this, you will realize that your most important care should be to have all the knowledge pertinent thereto, that Allah SWT may save you from Hell's terrible abyss.

Allah Almighty Says:

"God will not forgive any the association of anything with Him; but He will forgive any lesser offense to whomsoever He chooses." [An-Nisa, 4:47]

It should be mentioned that Allah Almighty will forgive those who have ascribed partners Him, or worshipped others along with Him, if they repent from doing it before they die. Such pertinent knowledge consists of four basic rules, elaborated in Allah Almighty Holy Book.

First Rule.

The first rule is the knowledge that the unbelieving pagans whom the Prophet Muhammad, peace and grace of God be upon him, opposed, did acknowledge that Almighty God - May He be glorified - is indeed the Creator, Provider and Maker of this world. However, this did not make them Muslims.

Allah Says:

"Ask them: 'Who sends down for you your provision from the sky and grows it out of the earth? Who hears your prayer and sees your condition? Who brings the living out of the dead and the dead out of the living? Who directs the course of the world?' They will answer: 'God.' Answer: 'Would you then not fulfill your duty to Him?'" [Yunus, 10:32]

Second Rule.

The second rule is to know that the unbelievers claim that they do not pray to their objects of worship and call on them except to the end that they may intercede on their behalf with Allah SWT.

Allah Says:

"Those who worshipped others as patrons beside God, claiming that they did so only to come through their intercession nearer to Him, will receive the judgment of God in the matter they contend. God will not guide the ungrateful, the liar." [Az-Zumar, 39:3]

Allah also says:

"They serve beside God beings which can neither benefit nor harm, claiming, 'These are our intercessors with Allah SWT.'" [Yunus, 10:18]

There are two kinds of intercession, one illegitimate and the other legitimate. The former is that which is sought from sources other than God regarding matters where all the power lies in Allah Almighty alone.

Allah Says:

"O men, who believe, spend of that which We have provided for you before the Day when there will be neither sale nor purchase, neither favors nor intercession. The unbelievers are themselves unjust." [Al-Baqarah, 2:254]

The legitimate intercession is that which is asked of Almighty Allah, where the intercessor receives his power from Him, and the interceded for is he whom Allah SWT is pleased to accept as such for his word and deed.

Allah Almighty Says:

"No one may intercede with God except by His permission." [Al-Baqarah, 2:55]

Third Rule.

The third rule is the knowledge that the Prophet Muhammad, may God bless him and give him peace, appeared among people of many religious traditions. Some worshipped angels; others worshipped the Prophets and saints of God; others worshipped trees and stones, sun and moon. All of these peoples were fought by him, as they must, relentlessly without distinction.

Allah Says:

"And fight them, that there may be no aberration in religion, and all religion belongs to Almighty Allah." [Al-Baqarah, 2:193]

"Day and night, sun and moon, are His creation and sign. Do not worship the sun or the moon, but Allah, their Creator, if you seek the truth." [Fussilat, 41:37]

"Those unto whom they pray [i.e., the saints] themselves seek an avenue to their Lord's mercy, compete in coming close to Allah Almighty, and fear His punishment. Punishment of your Lord is certainly to be shunned." [Al-Isra, 17:57]

Fourth Rule.

The people who associate partners with Allah Almighty, in both belief and worship, in our own day are worse and hence guiltier than those of pre-Islamic times. For, the ancient ones used to only worship others besides Allah in prosperity and return to genuine faith in adversity, whereas the present day associations are constant in their unbelief, regardless of prosperity or adversity.

Allah Says:

"And when they ride in barks [in stormy seas] they addresses their prayers to Allah Almighty in complete sincerity, but relapse into syirik [i.e. associating partners with Him] when they reach the shore." [Al-Ankabut, 29:65)

© Islam web

See: The Categories Of Tawhid #8

The Essence of Tawhid.

Tawhid means believing that Allah SWT is the one and only God. It is sometimes referred to as monotheism, however in the purest sense in that no other entity can in any way have the attributes or be equivalent or even in competition with Allah.

All acts of worship that a person does should be to Allah or for Allah Alone. For example, prayer should only be to Allah, religious animal sacrifice should only be done in Allah's name, and fighting to establish and protect religion [Jihad]. Tawhid is therefore the central concept upon which all of the deen of Islam rests.

A. Importance and Benefits of Tawhid.

1. Tawhid Is The Essence Of Islam And The Foundation Of Its Strength.

All other related laws, beliefs and commands of the teachings of Islam must stand firm on this basic foundation. Without it, Islam becomes void and futile. Muslims must adhere to the basic principles of Tawhid in order to be categorized as a true believer of Islam.

2. Tawhid Is The Call Of All The Prophets To Their People.

Allah SWT says:

"And verily We have sent among every nation a Messenger proclaiming Worship Allah Alone and avoid all false deities." [An-Nahl, 16:36]

3. Tawhid Is The Only Reason For The World's Creation.

Allah says:

"And I created not the Jinns and Men except that they should worship Me." [Adh-Dhariyat, 51:56].

By declaring sincere belief in Tawheed, a disbeliever will become a Muslim. Conversely, a Muslim will become a disbeliever [kafir] if he rejects any aspect of it.

4. Through Tawhid We Would Achieve Salvation From Eternal Punishment In The Hereafter, Right Guidance In This World, And Forgiveness For Sins.

Allah states in the Qur'an: "Verily Allah does not forgive associating partners with Him [syirik] however; He forgives all other sins as He pleases." [An-Nisa', 4:48].

The Prophet Muhammad SAW said:

'The worshipper's right on Allah is that He will not punish those who worship none besides Him.' [Bukhari and Muslim]

5. Whoever Fulfils Tawhid Will Be Admitted To The Garden [Al-Jannah] In The Hereafter.

The Prophet Muhammad SAW has stated:

'Verily Allah has promised that whosoever does not commit syirik shall enter Al-Jannah [the Garden in the Heaven].' [Al-Bukhari]

6. It Is The Reason For Solving People's Anxiety.

The true happiness will be achieved if persons realise Tawhid within their heart. They will also never feel psychologically enslaved even if physically captive.

7. It Is The Only Reason For Allah's Pleasure And Rewards.

Allah says: "If you reject faith then know that Allah is in no need of you and He does not accept disbelief from His slaves." [Al-Zumar, 39:7].

Disbelief is nothing but a manifestation of syirik which is the opposite of Tawhid.

8. The Acceptance Of All Of One's Religious Deeds Is Based Upon Tawhid.

Allah states: "Whoever accepts a religion other than Islam it shall be rejected by Allah and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers." [Ali 'Imran, 3:85].

Islam is nothing if not an embodiment of the belief in Tawhid.

9. Tawhid Prevents Man From Eternally Remaining In The Hellfire.

The Prophet Muhammad SAW stated in an authentic hadith:

'Whoever dies and has so much as mustard seed of faith in his heart shall enter Al-Jannah.'

B. Sources of Islamic 'Aqidah [Belief in Monotheism]

The Qur'an is a Divine Revelation which Allah SWT sent down through angel Gibriel to His Messenger Muhammad SAW and has been passed forth to us both in form and in content in an uninterrupted transmission. It is the last scripture to be revealed to mankind. As the actual word of Allah in its original form in the Arabic language it is the first and foremost source of Islamic 'Aqidah.

Allah SWT says:

"And we did not send any Messenger before you but we inspired him [saying] none has the right to be worshipped but Me [Allah] so worship Me." [Al-Anbiya', 21:25]

Hadith in Arabic has the general meaning of speech whether pertaining to religion or not. Then it took a special sense [Prophetic traditions], comprising all the Prophet Muhammad's SAW speech, deeds, or tacit decisions.

In this regard, the term Hadith and Sunnah are synonymous. The Prophet Muhammad SAW, being the fountain from which both the Qur'an and the Sunnah spring, was the best to explain what each and every person should believe about Allah.

The Prophet SAW stated about himself: 'I am the most knowledgeable of Allah amongst you and the most fearful of him.' And he also stated: 'Every child is born on Al-Fitrah [true faith of Islamic Monotheism] but his parents convert him to Judaism, Christianity or Magianism.'

©Islam web

See: The Categories Of Tawhid #7

The Concept of Tawhid #3.

The Nullifiers of Tawhid [Islamic Monotheism].

2. Syirik of Supplication.

In relations to the Syirik of supplication, Allah SWT Says in the Quran:

"And when they embark on a ship they invoke Allah, making their Faith pure for Him only. But when He brings them safely to the land, behold they give a share of their worship to others." [Al-Ankabut, 29:65].

"And when harm touches you upon the sea, those that you call upon vanish from you except Him [Allah Alone]. But when He brings you safely to land, you turn away [from Him. And man is ever ungrateful." [Al-Israq, 17:67]

Ibnu Kathir says in his book of Tafsir [explanation of the Quran] in regards to this verse:

"'Ikrimah Ibn Abu Jahl fled from Allah's Messenger at the time when Makkah was conquered. He rode over the [Red] Sea to cross over to Abyssinia [Ethiopia], but [as they proceeded] a heavy storm wind overtook their boat, and huge waves came to them from all sides, and they thought that they were encircled therein. The people of the boat said to one another, 'None can save you except Allah. So invoke Him [Alone] to deliver you safely.' 'Ikrimah said to himself, 'By Allah if none can benefit in the sea except Allah, then no doubt none can benefit over the land except Allah. O Allah, I promise You that if You delivered me safe from this, I will go and put my hands in the hands of Prophet Muhammad SAW and surely I will find him full of pity, kindness and mercy.' So, they were delivered safely [by Allah] and returned to their seashore and came out of the sea. 'Ikrimah then proceeded to Allah's Messenger SAW embraced Islam and became a perfect Muslim."

Therefore, invoking other than Allah is major Syirik. Supplication is an act of worship and devoting an act of worship to other than Allah is Syirik. The Messenger of Allah said: "[supplication] is the [core of] worship" [At-Tarmidzi and Abu Dawud]

3. Syirik of Intentions and Will.

Allah Almighty says: "Whosoever desires the life of the world and its glitter, to them We shall pay in full [the wages of] their deeds therein, and they will have no diminution therein. They are those for whom there is nothing in the Hereafter but Fire, and vain are the deeds they did therein. And of no effect is that which they used to do." [Surah Hud, 11:15-16]

Ibn Al-Qayyim said, "As for Syirik of intention and will, it's the sea without a shore and few are among people who survive it. Whosoever intends for his deeds to be for other than Allah and intends other than worshipping Him and seeking His reward, thereby he has fallen into Syirik in his intention and will." [Al-Jawaab Al–Kaafi, p.200]. Syirik of intention becomes of the major type only for the one whose acts of worship [all of them] are intended for other than Allah. Whereas having showing off occasionally in his deeds is considered as minor Syirik.

4. Syirik of Obedience.

This means to obey others in disobeying Allah. In other words, when someone tells you to prostrate to other than Allaah, you obey him and thus disobey Allah, as Allah forbids prostrating to others than Him. Or if someone legalizes the actions made illegal by Allah, or forbids what Allah has legalized, then that is considered 'Syirik of Obedience'.

Allah Says: "They [Jews and Christians] have taken their scholars and monks as lords besides Allah and [also] the Messiah ['Isa a.s], the son of Maryam [Mary]. And they were not commanded except to worship one God; there is no deity except Him. Exalted is He above whatever they associate with Him." [At-Tawbah, 9:31]

'Adiy Ibn Haatim narated: "I heard the Prophet SAW reading this verse [9:31] above. So, I said to him, 'Verily, we did not worship them'. The Messenger of Allah SAW replied: 'Did they not make illegal what Allah made legal so you then deemed it illegal? And [did they not] make legal what Allah SWT made illegal and you therefore deemed it legal?' I said 'Yes'. The messenger said: "'That is worshipping them.' [Ahmad and At-Tarmidzi]

B. Minor Syirik consists of three types.

1. Swearing by others than Allah.

It is Syirik to swear by others than Allah.

Allah's Messenger SAW said: "Whoever swears by other than Allah has disbelieved or committed Syirik." [At-Tarmidzi and Al-Hakim]

Swearing by other than Allah such as a prophet, an angel, one's parents, etc, is considered minor Syirik. But if the one sworn by is glorified, then it is considered a major Syirik. Ibn Mas’uud said, "To swear by Allah while lying is more loved by me than to swear by other than Him while speaking the truth."

2. Saying "What Allah may Will and you may will".

'Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas narated: "Once a man came to the Prophet SAW and said: 'With the Will of Allah and [also] with your will.' The Prophet SAW then said: "Have you made me an associate with Allah? Rather, it is what Allah alone wills." [An-Nasaa'i)

The same applies here as in swearing by other than Allah. If one says, "with Allah's will and someone's will" while glorifying that someone, then this is considered major Syirik; otherwise it is minor Syirik.

3. Riya’ [Showing Off].

Showing off is practicing an act of worship in order to please the creation instead of the Creator or to boast in front of someone. It can be major or minor Syirik. If the person practices all of his good deeds in order to please others than Allah, then this is considered to be major Syirik. But if the person intends to please others than Allah in some of his good deeds, then this is considered to be a minor Syirik. Allah Says:

"Say [O Muhammad]: I am only a man. It has been inspired to me that your God is One. So whosoever hopes for the meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord." [Al-Kahf 18:110]

©Islam web.

The Concept of Tawhid #2.

The Nullifiers of Tawhid [Islamic Monotheism].

Some scholars says the nullifiers of Islam are around ninety matters and others classified up to four hundred, but all the theme falls under the following ten catogories.

Syirik [Polytheism, i.e. associating others with Allah in worshipping].

Allah Almighty Says : "Verily, Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with Him [in worship], but He forgives except that [anything else] to which He wills." [Quran 4:48].

"And verily, whosoever sets up partners [in worship] with Allah, then Allah has forbidden Paradise on him and the Fire will be his abode. And for the wrongdoers [polytheists] there are no helpers." [Al-Maidah 5:72]

It is also Syirik to sacrifice for other than Allah:

The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad SAW also defined Syirik to be the greatest sin made by man. 'Abdullah Ibn Mas’uud narrated: "I asked the Messenger of Allah SAW: 'Which sin is the gravest in the sight of Allah?' He replied: 'That you associate a partner with Allah [despite the fact] that He has created you.' He [the reporter] said, 'I told him [the Prophet] 'Verily it is indeed grave.' He [the reporter] said, 'I asked him what the next [gravest sin] was.' He [the Prophet] replied, 'That you kill your child out of fear that he shall join you in food.' He [the reporter] said, 'I asked, what the next [gravest sin] was.' He SAW said: '[The next gravest sin is] that you commit adultery with the wife of your neighbor.'" [Muslim]

Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah SAW said: "Avoid the seven destructing sins." It was said [by the listeners], "What are they, O Messenger of Allah?" He SAW replied: "Associating anything with Allah, magic, killing of one whom Allah has declared inviolate without a just cause, consuming the property of an orphan, and consuming of Riba [interest or usury], fleeing the battlefield during Jihad, and slandering chaste believing women who are unwary." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Syirik is also defined as "holding false gods as equals with Allah in His Attributes [Characteristics]". Falling into Syirik can be practiced in many ways. The Messenger of Allah SAW said: "Syirik is of seventy-some types…" [Al-Bazzaar]. This narration means that falling into Syirik could happen in many ways and not only by practicing one violation of Tawhid [Islamic monotheism], as many people mistakenly believe. Syirik could be practiced by associating others with Allah in His Uluhiyah [Divinity], Rabbubiyah [Lordship] or Names and Attributes.

Associating others with Allah in His Uluhiyah is by praying to others, supplicating to them, prostrating before them, slaughtering in their name, seeking their help in things which only Allah Almighty can do, calling on them in their absence or devoting any type of worship to other than Allah. Associating others with Allah in His Rabbubiyah is by ascribing to any of the creation management or control of the universe. For example: believing that someone or something can create, resurrect, give sustenance, move the clouds, bring down rain, move the wind, etc, of the things which only Allah Almighty can do .

Associating others with Allah in His Names is by calling someone by any of the Names of Allah, such as naming someone Allah, Ar-Rahmaan [The Most Merciful] or Al-Khaaliq [The Creator]. Associating others with Allah in His Attributes is to equate the creation with The Creator in His Attributes, such as believing that a certain person or Jinn knows the future, etc.

The Two types of Syirik: Major and Minor.

Some scholars add a third kind, which is the Unseen [Hidden] Syirik, but it is actually included in within the second type:

A: Major Syirik consists of many types, which falls under following Four major types.

1. Syirik of Love: This type means to love a creation as you love Allah, or even more so. Allah says in the Quran : "And of mankind are some who take [for worship] others besides Allah as rivals [to Allah]. They love them as they love Allah. But those who believe love Allah more [than anything else]." [Al-Baqarah, 2:165]

Ibn Taimiyyah said, "Whosoever loves a creation equal to his love to Allah, he has committed Syirik; and there must be a difference between loving for the sake of Allah and loving with Allaah." [Fatwa Sheikh Al-Islam; V15: P49].

Many people who claim to be Muslim have fallen into this type of Syirik by loving their leaders or pious people as they love Allaah, or even more so. When you ask one of them to take a false oath by Allah [swearing in Allah while lying] they may do so, but when you ask them to take a false oath by those pious people, they refuse. This is the Syirik of Love.

The Four Different Types of Love.

Firstly: Loving for the sake of Allah and loving what Allah and His Messenger SAW love. This is how a Muslim should be.

Ibn Al-Qayyim said about this type of love, "There are four types of love where one must differentiate between them and there were some people who have been misguided because they were unable to differentiate between them. They are:

A: Loving Allah only, which is not enough for surviving Allah's punishment and winning His reward. For, the polytheists, the worshippers of the cross, the Jews and others also love Allah.

B: Loving what Allah loves. This leads one to enter Islam and depart infidelity. The most beloved ones by Allah are those with much of this type of love.

C: Loving for the sake of Allah. This is a requirement of loving what Allah loves. And loving what Allah loves will not be complete except by loving for Him.

D: Loving with Allah, which is the 'Syirik of love'. Everyone who does not love something with the love of Allah, not for the sake of Allah, nor for Him, then he has associated a partner with Him. This is the love of the polytheists."

Secondly: Loving lawful things, such as food, clothes or drinks. This is normal love.

Thirdly: Sympathetic loving, such as loving your children or wife. This is normal love.

Fourthly: Loving others equal or more than the love of Allah. This is major Syirik.

©Islam web.

The Concept of Tawhid

It’s Categories.

The subject of Tawheed was classified by Islamic Salaf into three categories; the dichotomy is for a proper understanding of the concept of Tawhid. The three are interrelated, each one dependant on the other. One’s Iman [Faith] is not considered being complete until and unless all of them are acquired, as follows.

1. Tawhid ur-Rabbubiyah [Allah's Uniqueness in His Acts],
2. Tawhid ul-Uluhiyah [Allah's Uniqueness in our acts of worship] and
3. Tawhid ul-Asmaa was-Sifaat [Allah's Uniqueness in His Names and Attributes]

1. Tawhid ur-Rabbubiyah.

It encompasses the acknowledgement and firm belief that Allah the Sublime is alone in:

1. Creating
2. Owning and
3. Regulating and administering the Creation.

One should know that Allah has no partners in any of these actions and they are proved for Him alone. One should also know that the disbelievers in the time of the Messenger SAW affirmed all of the above but this did not enter them into Islam. The Messenger SAW fought against them.

The evidence lies in the Allah's words:

"Say [O Muhammad]: 'Who provides for you from the sky and the Earth? Or who owns the hearing and the sight? And who brings out the living from the dead and the dead from the living? And who disposes the affairs?' They will say, 'Allah'. Say: 'Will you then not be afraid of Allah's punishment (for setting up rivals in worship with Allah)'" [Yunus, 10:31]

"Say: 'To whom belongs the Earth and whatever is therein? If you do know!' They will say: 'It is Allah's'. Say: 'Will you then not remember?' Say: 'Who is the Lord of the Seven Heavens and the Lord of the Great Throne?' They will say: 'Allah'. Say: 'Will you then not fear Allah?' Say: 'In whose hands is the sovereignty of everything and He protects while against Him there is no protector, if you do know?' They will say: '(All that belongs) to Allah'. Say: 'How then are you deluded from the Truth?' [Al-Mu'minun, 23:84-89]

2- Tawhid ul-Uluhiyah.

It is the Unification of all the acts of the servants, such as Supplication, taking oath and making sacrifice [slaughter], Hope, Fear, Reliance, Aspiration, Repentance, Remorse and all other acts of worship whether actions of the heart, tongue or limbs, for Allah the Exalted alone. It is regarding this second type that dispute arose in both the ancient times and the modern, between the messengers and their respective communities.

Allah SWT says:

"And your Lord said: Call upon Me, I will respond to your [invocation]. Verily! Those who scorn My worship shall surely enter Hell in humiliation." [Ghafir, 40:60]

3- Tawhid ul-Asmaa was-Sifaat.

The firm belief in everything which is found in the Book of Allah and is reported in the Authentic Sunnah regarding Allah's Names and Attributes by which Allah has described Himself or by which the Messenger SAW described Him without denying any of them by Takyeef [enquiring into their modality], or Tamdzeel and Tasbeeh [likening them to those of the creation], Ta'weel [interpreting them in a way inconsistent with the Book of Allah, the Authentic Sunnah and the understanding of the Salaf], Tahreef [changing their meanings which are proved in the above-mentioned three sources], or Ta'teel [denying or negating the meanings proven by the above-mentioned three sources].

It also includes the belief that there is nothing like unto Him and He is the Hearer, the Seer.

Allah the Exalted said: "Say: He is Allah, the Unique The Samad [The Self-Sufficient Master, whom all creatures need, He neither eats nor drinks]. He begets not nor is He begotten. And there is none so-equal or comparable unto Him [Al-Ikhlas, 112]

"And to Allah belong the Most Beautiful Names so call upon Him by them. And leave the company of those who belie or deny [or utter impious speech] against His Names. They will be requited for what they used to do." [Al-A'raf 7:180]

And Allah also said: "There is none like unto Him and He is the Hearer, the Seer." [Al-Shura, 42:11]

©Islam web.