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Islamic Rulings -
Living Shariah Verdicts
Islamic Questions & Answers By Asmaa Umm Ahmad
(1) ALLAH IS THE CREATOR
الله الخـالق
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
All praise is due to Allah who declares in His most
glorified Book that Allah is the Creator of all
things…]
(Q39:62). Therefore, Allah is the originator of
everything; He created the universe with everything
therein, including the trees, the animals, the Sun,
the moon, the stars, the mountains and every other
creature that exist. It is Allah who created us and
the existence around us. Allah, the most sublime,
says: "O mankind! Adore your Guardian-Lord, who
created you and those who came before you, that ye may
attain righteousness; who has made the earth your
couch, and the heavens your canopy; and sent down rain
from the heavens; and brought forth therewith fruits
for your sustenance; then set not up rivals unto Allah
when you know (the truth)" (Q2:21-22).
The one who created us and our forefathers before us;
who created the different nations and ethnicities
which existed before our time is Allah, the Almighty.
He has created us for a purpose which is to worship
him. Allah, the exalted in power says:
"And
I (Allah) created not the jinn and mankind except that
they should worship Me (Alone)"
(Q51:56). It goes to show that it is Allah that
created the Jinn and mankind so that they will worship
him alone, obey and follow his commands, simply
because He is Allah, the
master of the dominion,
the God of manifest truth. Therefore there is no
deity worthy of worship except Allah, the originator
and the only one worthy of any form of subservience.
(2) THERE IS NO DEITY WORTHY OF WORSHIP
EXCEPT ALLAH
لا إله إلا الله
Allah, the Almighty, says:
"Know,
therefore, that there is no god but Allah..."
(Q47:19). It means; you should know, O dear mankind,
that there is no one other than Allah who is worthy of
worship in this universe
and everything within it
including the earth, the sky, the seas, the suns, the
moon, the stars, the planets, the trees, the
mountains, the stones, the day and night. There is no
other deity in existence who is worthy of worship
except Allah; He is the true Omnipotent, the God of
manifest truth. He is the only deity in whom we must
believe; him alone we must also worship. In doing so,
we must take no rivals beside him, neither the sun,
the moon, the grave, nor any other creature. We must
devote all our acts of worship to Allah alone, and we
must obey him and align our obedience with his
commands, because he is the one that created us and it
is he who will cause us to die. Therefore, none is
worthy of worship except Allah, the creator.
(3) THE COSMIC SIGNS OF ALLAH
آيات الله الكونية
The universe as a whole points to the existence and
oneness of Allah. Allah, the Almighty, says:
"Soon
will we show them our signs in the furthest regions of
the earth, and in their own souls, until it becomes
manifest to them that this is the Truth".
(Q41:53). It is Allah who created the cosmos with
everything that is within it. He is the administrator
and ruler of all affairs therein. We see the sun and
moon working according to a well controlled and
meticulous system. Allah, the Almighty and Wise,
informs us about this saying: "And
the sun runs his course for a period determined for
him: that is the decree of (Him), the Exalted in
Might, the All-Knowing. And the Moon, We have measured
for her mansions (to traverse) till she returns like
the old (and withered) lower part of a date-stalk. It
is not permitted for the Sun to catch up the Moon, nor
can the Night outstrip the Day: Each (just) swims
along in (its own) orbit (according to Law)"
(Q36:38-40). Every one of this planets and stars
functions within a very delicate and orderly system
put in place by Allah, the most High and the
All-knowing. Therefore, there is no deity worthy of
worship except Allah; the only one who is truthfully
worshiped.
Indeed, Allah the most High and Wise, commands us to
look and ponder on the earth, the heavens, the
mountains and the camels, when He says: "Do they not
look at the Camels, how they are made? And at the Sky,
how it is raised high? And at the Mountains, how they
are fixed firm? And at the Earth, how it is spread
out?" (Q88:17-20)
(4) THE SIGNS OF ALLAH THAT ARE
MANIFEST IN HIS CREATURES
آيات الله في المخلوقات
If you must ponder on the universe, including the
earth, the sun, the moon, the stars, the planets, the
mountains, the trees, the oceans and the animals, they
will surely point to the existence and oneness of
Allah, the most High and the most well acquainted of
all things. He is therefore the only deity who
creates and who is worthy of worship. It is he who
created all those things, the originator of existence
and the one besides whom there is no other deity. He
is the object of worship by all creatures. Everything
repeats his praises, even the birds. Allah, the most
High and Wise, says: "…and
the birds (of the air) with wings outspread? Each one
knows its own (mode of) prayer and praise."
(Q24:41). Allah, the exalted in mighty and Wise,
says: "...there is not a thing but celebrates His
praise; And yet you understand not how they declare
His glory!" (Q17:44).
It means that everything celebrate his praise,
including the animals, the inanimate and the earth,
all in a manner that we do not comprehend. We cannot
understand the manner in which the birds, the trees
and all other creatures, carry out such celebration of
praises, for everyone does so in its own tongue or
technique, which completely defies our comprehension.
But Allah, the most exalted, is well acquainted of
their methods. This drives us to ponder and
contemplate on the following saying of Allah: "Seest
thou not that to Allah bow down in worship all things
that are in the heavens and on earth,- the sun, the
moon, the stars; the hills, the trees, the animals;
and a great number among mankind? But a great number
are (also) such as are fit for Punishment..."
(Q22:18). Therefore, there is no deity worthy of
worship besides Allah, the Omnipotent, the true God of
manifest truth, the Creator who is worthy of
subservience; unto whom everything prostrate,
including the stars, the mountains, the trees, the
animals, the sun and the moon.
There is no deity worthy of worship except you. O our
lord! We worship none other than you.
(5) IT IS ALLAH WHO ALTERNATES THE
NIGHT AND THE DAY
الله يقلب الليل والنهار
Allah says: "Among
His Signs are the Night and the Day, and the Sun and
the Moon. Prostrate not to the sun and the moon, but
to Allah, Who created them, if it is Him you wish to
serve."
(Q41:37).
Allah, the exalted, says in His glorious Book: "He
merges Night into Day, and he merges Day into Night,
and he has subjected the sun and the moon (to his
Law): each one runs its course for a term appointed.
Such is Allah your Lord: to Him belongs all Dominion.."
(Q35:13)
Our lives depend on Night and day and it is Allah who
makes the night to overwhelm the day to make it
disappears and vice versa. When the night is overcome
by the day, the latter brings forth its light to
sustain the circle of life; night is followed by day
and vice versa. It is Allah that alternates them both
and He is your lord and to whom belong the dominion.
Allah, the Al-mighty, says: "It
is Allah who alternates the Night and the Day: verily
in these things is an instructive example for those
who have vision"
(Q24:44)
It is therefore clear that Allah is the master of the
dominion, the only deity worthy of worship and He is
the manifest truth.
(6) ALLAH
الله
Allah, the most exalted, commands us to believe in
Him, in his prophets, in the Day of Judgment, in his
scriptures, in his angels, and in predestination
whether or not it goes in our favour. Allah commands
and leads us to the right way in this life and that is
the way of Islam and belief in the Holy Quran and in
the apostle sent to the last generation of mankind,
who is also the seal of all prophets. His name is
(Ahmad) and (Muhammad), and Allah has informed about
him in the Torah as disclosed in His statement in the
Holy Book: "And
remember, Jesus, the son of Mary, said: "O Children of
Israel! I am the apostle of Allah (sent) to you,
confirming the Law (which came) before me, and giving
Glad Tidings of a Messenger to come after me, whose
name shall be Ahmad..."
(Q61:6). In Torah, which was revealed before the
Quran, Allah had foretold the Israelites of the advent
of a prophet who will succeed Jesus and whose name
shall be Muhammad and (Ahmad), and that they must have
faith in him, believe and follow him. Therefore,
there is no deity worthy of worship besides Allah, the
All-knowing and Wise, who informed of a prophet that
was yet unborn and even before he was sent. His name
was disclosed to the Israelites. Prophet Isa actually
informed them about him saying:
"O Children of Israel! I am the apostle of Allah
(sent) to you, confirming the Law (which came) before
me, and giving Glad Tidings of a Messenger to come
after me, whose name shall be Ahmad..."
(Q61:6). Prophet Isa (May peace and blessings of
Allah be upon him) had also informed of a prophet that
was expected and in whom they must believe by the name
Muhammad. Allah therefore commands us to believe in
the Prophet Muhammad and every Jew or Christian who
has faith in God is also required to believe in
Muhammad by testifying that there is no deity worthy
of worship besides Allah; that Muhammad is the
messenger of Allah; that Isa is the servant and
messenger of Allah. He must also testify that all
messengers of Allah were sent down with truth to guide
people to the true worship of Allah. It means that all
the prophets came with one objective which is to
instruct people to worship Allah alone without
associating partners in his worship, while at the same
time deserting the worship of anything beside Allah.
Humankind is therefore required to believe in all the
prophets starting from the first to the last of them
who is Muhammad (May the peace and blessings of Allah
be upon him). Everybody must therefore testify and
proclaim these great declarations with which they will
be saved from hell-fire after death.
I testify that there is no deity worthy of worship
besides Allah and that Muhammad is the messenger of
Allah.
(7) THE SIGN OF ALLAH IN THE DEPARTURE
OF THE SOUL
آية الله في خروج الروح
Anyone who ponders on the departure of the soul; that
is, death, will realize that no man knows the hour of
his departure; no man can defy death and live for
eternity. Therefore how can a man cheat death or live
without worrying about it? Actually, there is no
known remedy; rather every soul must expire in line
with the commands of Allah, the creator, the giver and
taker of life, who says: "Every
soul shall have a taste of death: and We test you by
evil and by good by way of trial. To us must you
return." (Q21:35). Death will overtake everyone and
our return after it is unto our lord.
Doctors and scientists have all failed to expose the
reality of soul and death, because the knowledge
concerning the reality of dying and the departure of
soul is only with Allah, the most High and Wise, who
has decreed death on every person. For every living
thing Allah has predestined the time and place of its
death. Such knowledge is only known to Allah, the
exalted in might and wise, who says in the revealed
Book: "And they ask you concerning the Ruh (the
Spirit); Say: "The Ruh (the Spirit) is one of the
things, the knowledge of which is only with my Lord.
And of knowledge, you have been given only a little.""
(Q17:85).
Let us imagine one of our acquaintances, with whom we
drink and dine, see him and play with him, and
suddenly the news of his death came to us! What is the
secret? His body is still present but has been
rendered immobile and lifeless because the soul has
departed the body by the command of Allah, the
exalted. No one can bring it back. Allah says:
"...The Ruh (the Spirit) is one of the things, the
knowledge of which is only with my Lord. And of
knowledge, you (mankind) have been given only a
little." (Q17:85)
Despite the advancement in medical research and
discoveries, no one will ever be able to stop the
departure of the soul (death) because it is a matter
ordained by Allah.
No deity is worthy of worship besides Allah; He is the
giver and taker of life.
(8) ALLAH CREATED LIFE
الله خالق الحياة
Anyone who ponders on this life will come to the
realization that we do not exist merely to eat, drink,
have fun and play, without an objective or purpose of
an existence
that is meant to
terminate by death. Allah, the most High and exalted,
while explaining that after the life of a man comes
death, says: "He Who created Death and Life, that He
may try which of you is best in deed:..." (Q67:2). It
means that it is He, the exalted, who created life as
well as death. Therefore the one who created death is
also the giver of life, but there is a question to be
asked: have we worshiped Allah in this life as we
should before death? Did we obey the messengers of
Allah by believing in them?
Therefore there is no deity worthy of worship besides
Allah, the creator that is worshiped in truth. Allah
says: "And your Allah is One Allah. There is no god
but He, Most Gracious, Most Merciful." (Q2:163)
(9) ALLAH IS THE TRUE GOD
الله الإله
A man must take a moment to contemplate on the words
of his creator, Allah the most exalted and High, who
says: "It is He Who brought you forth from the wombs
of your mothers when you knew nothing; and He gave you
hearing and sight and intelligence and affections:
that ye may give thanks (to Allah)" (Q16:78) Allah
also says: "But Allah has created you and your
handwork" (Q37:96). Allah further says: "Allah is the
Creator of all things" (Q39:62), "I have only created
Jinn and men, that they may worship Me." (Q51:56).
It means that Allah didn’t bring creatures into
existence except to be worshiped alone with
associating partners, through sincere devotion.
Therefore He is Allah besides whom no deity is worthy
of worship. Allah, the creator, says: "Allah is He,
than Whom there is no other god;- Who knows (all
things) both secret and open; He, Most Gracious, Most
Merciful. Allah is He, than Whom there is no other
god;- the Sovereign, the Holy One, the Source of Peace
(and Perfection), the Guardian of Faith, the Preserver
of Safety, the Exalted in Might, the Irresistible, the
Supreme: Glory to Allah. (High is He) above the
partners they attribute to Him. He is Allah, the
Creator, the Evolver, the Bestower of Forms (or
Colours). To Him belong the Most Beautiful Names:
whatever is in the heavens and on earth, doth declare
His Praises and Glory: and He is the Exalted in Might,
the Wise." (Q59:22-24). Allah, the exalted, also
says: "Say: "O People of the Book! Come to common
terms as between us and you: That we worship none but
Allah; that we associate no partners with him; that we
erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons
other than Allah." If then they turn back, say ye:
"Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing
to Allah’s Will)." (Q3:64). Here Allah is commanding
Muhammad to say to the people of the book; Jews and
Christians, to rally around a common term between us
and them; that is, we should worship none other than
Allah; that we associate no partners in His worship;
that none of us shall take one another as lords
besides Allah. In this verse, Allah the creator,
commands his messenger and prophet Muhammad (May the
peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) to remind
the people of the book; the Jews and the Christians,
that they must believe in Muhammad, the last prophet,
as well as all other prophets (Peace upon them) who
commanded the true worship of Allah, the manifest
truth. Allah, the exalted, says: "Say: "He is
((Allah)) Most Gracious: We have believed in Him, and
on Him have we put our trust..." (Q67:29), "... Is it
not His to create and to govern? Blessed be Allah, the
Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds!" (Q7:54).
Allah also says: "Behold! In the creation of the
heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night
and day,- there are indeed Signs for men of
understanding" (Q3:90). It means that in the heavens,
the earth, the alternating of day and night are signs
and clear-cut evidence for those who have living minds
that guide them to the right path as it guides them to
the belief in Allah, the exalted, and in his
messengers. Allah sent his messengers to command
people to worship Him alone, without associating
partners in his worship. They were sent to forbid
people from worshiping other deities besides Allah,
whether it is the sun, the moon, objects, idols,
graves, or any other creature. The worship of any
creature is not legitimate; rather all acts of worship
should be dedicated to Allah alone, which is why he
sent all his messengers, May peace be upon them, to
command people to do just that. While informing us
about his messengers, Allah, the exalted, says: "We
sent not an apostle except (to teach) in the language
of his (own) people, in order to make (things) clear
to them..." (Q14:4), "For We assuredly sent amongst
every People an apostle, (with the Command), "Serve
Allah, and eschew Evil":" (Q16:36)
(10) THE SIGNS OF ALLAH IN RESPONDING
TO SUPPLICATIONS
آية الله في استجابة الدعاء
A sane person realizes that Allah answers
supplications. Thus when a man wants to seek cure from
illness, he turns to Allah who created him and his
request is granted by the grace of Allah. So who
answers his prayers and provides
the cure he needed? It is Allah who provides cure,
and He says: "And when I am ill, it is He Who cures
me" (Q26:80) His answer to prayers is not restricted
to seeking cure, all requests and supplications are
fulfilled only by the grace of Allah; it is He alone
that grant your requests. Allah says: "And He giveth
you of all that ye ask for..." (Q14:34)
Allah has informed about the idolaters that when they
embark on a sea journey and they are met with bad
weathers which threaten their lives and they fear
drowning, they immediately call out to Allah for
help. Allah says: "Now, if they embark on a boat,
they call on Allah, making their devotion sincerely
(and exclusively) to Him; but when He has delivered
them safely to (dry) land, behold, they give a share
(of their worship to others)!" (Q29:65). It shows
that it is Allah that answers prayer even the ones
made by the non-believers, because they were saved
from the wrath of the sea when they call out to
Allah. The reason is because they did so sincerely
and devotedly, even though momentarily, calling to
Allah alone without associating partners. This is a
clear-cut sign that Allah answers prayers from human
beings and He is the one who deserves our worship. He
alone should be worshipped without associating
partners with him. He is the creator, the provider,
the giver and taker of life. We human should believe
in Allah, the exalted. In line with his commands, we
should also believe in his prophets and messengers,
beginning from the first of them to the last of them,
Muhammad (May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon
him) who is also the Prophet of the last generation.
We must obey Allah, the one who created us. We must
not die without ensuring that we accepted Allah as our
lord, Islam as our religion, and Muhammad as a
messenger and Prophet. We must all testify that there
is no deity worthy of worship besides Allah and that
Muhammad is the messenger of Allah before we die.
(11) NO
TRUE
DEITY IN EXISTENCE EXCEPT ALLAH
لا إله في هذا الوجود إلا الله
Allah, the God of manifest truth, says: "Know,
therefore, that there is no god but Allah,"(Q47:19).
You should know, dear mankind, that there is no other
god in this universe and in existence but Allah, the
exalted and high. It therefore behoves us to worship
him alone, follow his revealed doctrines, and align
our life with his commandments, because we cannot
worship except in line with his revelations with which
the prophets and messengers were sent (May peace be
upon them). Allah, the God of manifest truth, says:
"Allah bears witness that La ilaha illa Huwa (none has
the right to be worshipped but He), and the angels,
and those having knowledge (also give this witness);
(He always) maintains His creation in Justice. La
ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped
but He), the All-Mighty, the All-Wise." (Q3;18), "We
sent Noah to his people: He said, "O my people!
worship Allah. Ye have no other god but Him. Will ye
not fear (Him)?" (Q23:23). He says: "Say: "Verily, I
am commanded to serve Allah with sincere devotion;
"And I am commanded to be the first of those who bow
to Allah in Islam." (Q39:11-12), ""For me, I have set
my face, firmly and truly, towards Him Who created the
heavens and the earth, and never shall I give partners
to Allah." (Q6:79), "Not an apostle did We send before
thee without this inspiration sent by Us to him: that
there is no god but I; therefore worship and serve
Me." (Q21:25), "On the earth are signs for those of
assured Faith. As also in your own selves: Will ye not
then see?" (Q51:20-21). The earth abounds with signs
that point to the existence of Allah, the exalted.
This includes the mountains, the trees, the oceans,
the night and day, the sun, the moon, the stars, the
planets and animals "As also in your own selves: Will
ye not then see?" (Q51:21)). Even in ourselves, can’t
we marvel at He who bestowed us with the sense of
hearing and sight? It is Allah the creator, who says:
"Have We not made for him a pair of eyes? And a
tongue, and a pair of lips?" (Q90:8-9). There is no
deity worthy of worship besides Allah, the creator,
the God of manifest truth, in whom we must have faith
and worship, alone without partners. We must also
have faith in his messengers, beginning with the first
of them and ending with the last of them, Muhammad
(May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
Therefore, every human being including the Jews and
the Christians must proclaim these words of faith
that; none is worthy of worship except Allah and that
Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.
Everybody must declare the testimony and embrace these
two concepts which ensure his salvation from the
hell-fire
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