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be recompensed according to his evil,
no wrong shall be done unto them.
Say, ‘Truly, my Lord has guided me to a
Way that is straight, a correct religion,
the Path of Abraham, the true in faith,
and he did not associate other gods
with Allah.’ Say, ‘Truly, my prayer and
my service of sacrifice, my life and my
death, are all for Allah, the Lord and
Sustainer of the Worlds; He has no
partner. Thus, am I commanded, and
I am the first of those who submit to
Allah [in Islam].’” (6:159-163)
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Islam also urges its followers to respect
the feelings of those who differ with
them in religion, and it condemns
offensive language against those who
differ with Muslims in faith, as Allah
commands:
“Do not insult those they invoke other
than Allah, lest they insult Allah in
enmity without knowledge. Thus, We
have made pleasing to every community
their deeds. Then to their Lord is their
return, and He will inform them about
what they used to do.” (6:108)
Islam, therefore, commands Muslims
to attract the non-Muslims towards
their Faith with the beauty of its
precepts, by the guidance of comely
examples and behavior, as opposed to
the Guidance that only Allah bestows
on whom He will. The Almighty said
in the Qur’an: “Say, ‘The truth is from
your Lord, so whoever wills - let him
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believe; and whoever wills - let him
disbelieve.’ Indeed, We have prepared
for the wrongdoers a fire whose walls
will surround them. And if they call for
relief, they will be relieved with water
like murky oil, which scalds [their]
faces. Wretched is the drink, and evil is
the resting place.” (18:29)
Islam enunciates justice and dispenses
it even to those who do not believe.
Allah, the Almighty, states in the
Qur’an:
“So to that [religion of Allah] invite,
[O Muhammad], and remain on a
right course as you are commanded
and do not follow their inclinations
but say, ‘I have believed in what Allah
has revealed of the Qur’an, and I have
been commanded to do justice among
you. Allah is our Lord and your Lord.
For us are our deeds, and for you your
deeds. There is no [need for] argument
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between us and you. Allah will bring
us together, and to Him is the [final]
destination.’” (42:15)
Islam gave man the full freedom of
choice in terms of faith. They may
accept or reject any faith or belief.
Islam gave freedom to the People of
the Book and previous Scriptures to
maintain their faith and practices. Islam
forbids the dismantling of churches
and synagogues. Islam prohibits the
breaking and destruction of the cross
of the Christians. Allah’s Messenger
is reported to have said concerning the
people of the previous Scriptures:
“Leave them alone in terms of faith”.
(Tabari)
Islam gave the people of the previous
Scriptures the rights as their law
dictates, and to eat, drink and wear
what their religion permits them to
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do. Islam also entitles the people of
the previous Scriptures to practice
the rituals of their religion insofar as
marriage, marital relationship, divorce
and other relations are concerned.
To demonstrate a practical example,
Omar bin al-Khattab, the second
Caliph, applied such provisions when
he came to the Resurrection Church
in Jerusalem when the Muslim prayer
was due. Omar left the Church, went
outside, and offered the prayer outside
the Church, and informed the priest of
the church, “Had I offered my prayer
inside the Church, some Muslims could
have claimed in the future that this
Church is a place where Omar offered
his prayer and used that as an excuse
to destroy the Church, and build a
Mosque, in its place.”
[Reported from the History of Imam
ibn Jareer at-Tabari]
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Similarly, Omar offered a pledge of
trust as follows, “This is a pledge
of security offered by Omar bin al-
Khattab, the Leader of the Believers, to
the inhabitants of Jerusalem, in terms
of Peace. Omar gives them his pledge
of security and peace as regards their
lives, wealth, churches, crosses and all
their denominations. Their churches
are not to be occupied, destroyed,
reduced in size, nor to limit the Christian
owned properties surrounding the
churches. Their crosses are not to be
abused. The wealth of the Christians
should not be encroached upon or
possessed unlawfully, and Christians
will not be forced or compelled against
their own will [to accept Islam].”
[Reported from the History of Imam
ibn Jareer at-Tabari]
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04 ENCOURAGEMENT OF
FRUITFUL COOPERATION
BETWEEN MUSLIMS AND
THE PEOPLE OF THE BOOK
(JEWS AND CHRISTIANS)
Cooperation should always be based
on mutual interest and respect, and
oriented to serve the best interests of
society at large. Allah, the Wise, the
Almighty, states as a general rule:
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“Aid one another in righteousness and
piety, and do not aid one another in
sin and aggression. And fear Allah, for
indeed Allah is strict in punishment.”
(5:2)
Islam exhorts upon its followers to have
a meaningful and sincere dialogue with
those who differ with their religion, as
Allah, Most Wise, orders:
“And do not argue with the People
of the Scripture except in a way that
is best, except for those who commit
injustice among them, and say, ‘We
believe in that which has been revealed
to us and revealed to you. And our
God and your God is one; and we are
Muslims [in submission] to Him.’”
(29:46)
In fact, the approach that Islam
pursued to call people of other
Faiths is a constructive and objective
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dialogue that brings people together
to the Word of Allah and to His Divine
Message and Teachings, as He said:
“Say, “O People of the Scripture, come
to a word that is equitable between
us and you - that we will not worship
except Allah and not associate anything
with Him and not take one another as
lords instead of Allah.’ But if they turn
away, then say, ‘Bear witness that we
are Muslims [submitting to Him].’”
(3:64)
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05 SINCERITY AND PURITY IN
ADVISING OTHERS
All of the Messengers of Allah gave
sincere advice to their communities,
and sincere advice and purity of
intentions are the distinguishing
features of Islam. The Prophet, peace
and blessings of Allah be upon him,
said, as narrated by Abu Hurairah:
“Allah’s Messenger, peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him, once
inquired, ‘Who, amongst you, would
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carry the following words of wisdom,
act upon them, and teach them to
others who would also act upon
them?’ Abu Hurairah, may Allah be
pleased with him, volunteered. Upon
that Allah’s Messenger, peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him, held
the hand of Abu Hurairah, may Allah
be pleased with him, and counted
five items, as follows: 1) Avoid all that
is declared by Allah prohibited, thus
you become the best worshipper
of Allah; 2) Accept what had been
predestined for you by Allah, thus you
would be the richest man; 3) Be good
to your neighbor, thus you would be
characterized as a Believer; 4) Like
for others what you like for yourself,
thus you would be characterized as a
Muslim; 5) Lessen your laughter, since
too much laughter would cause the
heart to die.” (Tirmidthi)
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Islam calls upon all Muslims to tender
meaningful and sincere advice to all
people.
This point is based on a statement of
Allah’s Messenger
“Islam is the religion of sincerity and
advice.” The people inquired, “O
Prophet of Allah! To whom should
this be offered?” Allah’s Messenger,
peace and blessings of Allah be upon
him, said, “To Allah, to His Book, to His
Prophet, to the leaders of the Muslims,
and to the general body of Muslims”.
(Muslim)
In explanation of this tradition, we
can say:
Sincerity to Allah is to worship Him
Alone, wholeheartedly; to reject
and discard any rival set up to Allah,
in idolatry; to commemorate the
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remembrance of Allah by His Beautiful
Attributes and Blessed Names; to
accept fully that Allah alone is in
charge of all the affairs of all creatures;
to believe that whatever Allah wills,
would happen and whatever He does
not, would never take place; and to
follow the Commandments of Allah,
and cease all actions that He forbade.
Sincerity to Allah’s Book is to firmly
believe in the Divine Scripture revealed
to His Messenger, Muhammad , and
to accept all the laws therein. Sincerity
to Allah’s Prophet is to obey what he
enjoined, shun away from what he
refrained, believe his statements, love
and respect him, and respond to his
call, practices and instructions, and
propagate them amongst people.
Sincerity and advice to the leaders is
to obey the leaders as long as they do
not call for, or impose, any rules that
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disobey the commands of Allah and His
Prophet ; to assist them by guiding
them to all good things; not to rebel
and fight against them so long as they
enjoin the prayer and do not restrict
the practice of Islam throughout their
government agencies; and to offer
them mature and pure advice kindly
and gently. Sincere advice for the
general populace is to guide them
to the best in both their religious
and worldly affairs; to assist them to
achieve their goals; to prevent any
inconvenience to them; and to like for
them what one likes for himself, and to
hate to cause them any harm as one
would hate to cause harm to his own
soul.
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06 ENJOINING THE GOOD AND
FORBIDDING THE EVIL
Muslims are commanded to pursue
all appropriate means that lead to
enjoining good and forbidding evil,
based on one’s ability, knowledge,
and position of authority. The ultimate
goal is to secure peace, tranquility and
stability in the society and to counter
oppression, corruption and the spread
of the “Law of the Jungle.”
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Allah states:
“Aid one another in righteousness and
piety, and do not aid one another in
sin and aggression. And fear Allah, for
indeed Allah is strict in punishment.”
(5:2)
Allah’s Messenger said, “Whoever of
you sees an evil must [try to] change
it with his hand. If he is not able to do
so, then [he must try to change it] with
his tongue. And if he is not able to do
so, then [he must change it] with his
heart. And that is the slightest [effect
of] faith.” (Muslim)
The Messenger made a simile about
those who do wrong and harm others
by their sins: “The example of those
who observe the boundaries of Allah
and those who do not is like a group
of people who traveled in a ship. The
sailors of the ship decided to split
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the riders so a portion of them rode
on the upper deck, while the other
portion rode the lower deck. When
the people of the lower deck wanted
to get water from the river, they had
to go to the upper deck and ask them.
The occupants of the lower deck of
the ship decided that it would be
less hassle if they drill a hole in the
wall of their portion of the ship so as
to get water without disturbing the
others. If the people of the upper deck
permitted them to execute their plan,
they would all sink and drown in the
water. But if the people of the upper
deck refused to let them drill a hole
and restricted them, they would all be
saved.” (Bukhari)
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Allah, the Omnipotent and Omniscient,
informs us that His Wrath descended
upon previous nations as a result of
their negligence to enjoin good and
forbid evil:
“Nor did they forbid one another the
inequities which they used to commit.
Evil indeed were the deeds which they
did.” (5:79)
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07 ISLAMIC FORMS OF WORSHIP
ENCOURAGE BROTHERHOOD
AND EGALITARIAN VALUES
All forms of worship in Islam are
egalitarian in nature and promote
brotherhood and peace. The shahadah
(testimony of faith), salah (prayer),
zakat (alms and charity), fasting, hajj
(pilgrimage), commanding the good
and prohibiting the evil, and jihad
(exertion and struggle) are equally
obligatory upon all Muslims; those who
are able to fulfill their requirements.
To become a Muslim, the simple rite
is to declare the testimony of faith:
LA ILAHA ILLALLAH MUHAMMADUR-
RASULULLAH (there is nothing
worthy of worship except Allah and
Muhammad is the messenger of Allah).
In congregational prayer Muslims stand
next to each other in rows without
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any distinctions between them.
Zakah promotes generosity and social
cohesiveness between the richer and
poorer segments of society. Fasting
promotes realization of the basic needs
of all humans, and control of these most
basic physical desires. Hajj is the grand
equalizer since all clothe themselves
in simple white cloth and perform the
same rituals in remembrance of the
Prophet Abraham, and glorification
of the sacred precincts of Makkah.
Commanding good, prohibiting evil
and “Jihad” are for the promotion
and preservation of all that is good,
wholesome and decent, and for the
combating of that which is evil and
morally corrupt.
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08 NECESSITY OF ALL TO SEEK
BENEFICIAL KNOWLEDGE
Allah states:
“Is one who worships devoutly during
the hours of the night prostrating
himself or standing [in prayer], who
takes heed of the Hereafter, and who
places his hope in the Mercy of his
Lord, [like one who does not]? Say,
‘Are those equal, those who know and
those who do not know?’ It is those
who are endured with understanding
that receive admonition.” (39:9)
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Allah’s Messenger said:
“Seeking knowledge is obligatory for
every Muslim.” (Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah,
& Baihaqi)
09 ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AND
PRESERVATION
Islam commands Muslims to protect
and preserve the environment and
warns against wanton destruction and
pollution.
The general rule is as Allah says:
“Do not commit mischief on the earth
after it has been set in order and call on
Him [in prayer] with fear and longing.
Indeed, the Mercy of Allah is always
near to those who do good.” (7:56)
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Also, Allah, the Almighty, states:
“And of the people is he whose speech
pleases you in worldly life, and he
calls Allah to witness as to what is
in his heart, yet he is the fiercest of
opponents. When he turns his back, his
aim is to spread mischief everywhere
through the earth and destroy crops
and cattle. But Allah does not love
mischief.” (2:204-205)
The most precious natural resources
of pure water, air and fertile land are
protected for the general good and
utility. For instance, the Prophet
commanded for water conservation
by asking Muslims not to waste water
during washing and ablution even when
one is utilizing running river water, and
he forbade washing of the parts of the
body while making ablutions more
than three times saying:
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“Whoever increases on that (more
than three) does injustice and wrong.”
(Nasa’ee)
And Allah’s Messenger forbade
people to urinate in stagnant water.
(Muslim)
Islam also forbids people to place any
excrement, refuge, or garbage in the
middle of the public passages, or in
shady places which people use for rest
and recreation.
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10 SOCIAL WELFARE INCLUDING
SUPPORT OF ORPHANS, THE
NEEDY AND DESTITUTE
Allah, the Exalted and Almighty, said:
“So as for the orphan, do not oppress
[him]. And as for the petitioner, do not
repel [him].” (93:9-10)
The Messenger of Allah said:
“The orphan’s sponsor and I are in
Paradise like these (and he held his
two fingers, the index and the middle
fingers, together, indicating how close
they are).” (Tirmidthi)
The Messenger of Allah said:
“By Allah! One would not become a
Believer until he likes for his brother
what he likes for his own self”. (Muslim)
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11 PRINCIPLES OF ENDOWMENT
Endowments in Islam are of two
types:
Private Endowment: This type is
dedicated to the progeny of the
person who offers such endowment.
The progeny and family members
of the grantor would be well off, and
they would not need to ask others
to donate to them. This type has a
stipulation, however, that the funds of
the endowment would be given to the
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public interest as a charity upon the
death of the last person of the progeny
of the donor.
Public and General Endowment: This
type is dedicated to charitable works,
such as building hospitals, schools,
roads, public libraries, mosques,
community centers, orphanages,
elderly homes and other beneficial
projects of general public interest for
the community and the society at
large.
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To download and read the complete book,
click on the cover picture here.
This is an excerpt
of a larger book titled
“Islam is the Religion of Peace”
by Abd Ar- Rahman
bin Abd Al-Kareem Ash-Sheha.
55 Back to Topics
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