The Message of Islam
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THE MESSAGE OF ISLAM BY: Abdul Rahman -A- AL-Sheha Translated by: Ghalib Ahmad Masri Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 1422 H. = 2001 G. INTRODUCTION All praise is due to Allah. May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon His messenger Muhammad, his companions, his family and his followers until the day resurrection. I am very happy to introduce this book (the Message of Islam) to all readers (Muslims and non-Muslims) for two reasons: the first is that I know brother Abd al -Raman al -Sheha for about a year now. I have dealt with him and found him to be one of the finest people I have met. By the grace of Allah, he has a good character and he is dedicated to the cause of serving Allah to the best. The second is that I find this book to be interesting and beneficial. The reader, whether being a Muslim or not, will find a presentation that is logical, orderly, and supported with evidence. I also find this book to be easy to read while containing all the necessary information about Islam. The subject of this book is important not only because we need to refine our understanding of Islam, but also because many people don’t have a comprehensive and yet detailed concept of Allah’s way of life. Many followers of Islam limit the role of religion into mere act s of worship confined to the mosque or in times of hardships and difficulties. This is an incomplete and distorted understanding of Islam. Allah is perfect and his religion (or way of life) is complete and comprehensive. It is the fault of some followers o f Islam who project this great and beautiful religion in a bad image. As a reader, you need to read the entire book, so that you will know to what extent religion covers every aspect of our daily life. I am sure that at the end, by Allah’s grace, you will pray for the author and you will be inwardly and outwardly rewarded. I pray that Allah would reward my brother Abd al - Rahman Al - Sheha for writing this book and for all his effort in the cause of serving Islam, Muslims and humanity. All praise is due to Allah the Almighty. Dr. Ahmad Ibn Saifuddin Associate professor Imam Muhammad bin Sa‘ud Islamic University Riyadh, Saudi Arabia P r e f a c e In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, Most Merciful... Praise be to Allah, Peace and blessing s of Allah be upon His Messenger, Muhammad, and all his family and companions. Allah, the Exalted, says, the meaning of which is translated as: “Say: ‘O People of the Scripture! Come to a word that is just between us and you: that we shall worship none b ut Allah, and that we shall ascribe no partner unto Him, and that none of us shall take others for Lords besides Allah.’ Then, if they turn away, say: ‘Bear witness that we are Muslims.’” (The Qur’aan, Chapter Ali ‘Imran, 3:64). Islam is the religion of p ure human nature and clarity. It urges and calls its followers to ask about all things that are incomprehensible to them or the questions that occur to them. They are recommended to consult competent, knowledgeable authorities. In Islam there are no obscure or mysterious things that we have only to believe without being allowed to ask about them. Allah, Glory to Him says, the meaning of which is translated as: “…So ask the followers of the scriptures if you know not.” (The Qur’aan, Chapter An- Nahl, 16:43). As human beings, we have many questions in our mind that require answers, which should be logical, convincing and unambiguous ones... It is the Noble Qur’aan which provides such answers in such fluent, convincing, and incomparable style. Let us observe t hese basic queries: • If man inquires about his origin, he will find the answer in Almighty Allah's saying, the meaning of which is translated as: “And indeed We created man (Adam) out of an extract of clay. Thereafter We placed him as (a drop of) sperm in a place of rest firmly fixed. Then We made the sperm into a clot of congealed blood; then of that clot We made a (fetus) lump; then We made out of that lump bones and clothed the bones with flesh; then We developed out of it another creature. So blessed b e Allah, the Best of Creators.”(The Qur’aan, Chapter Al -Mu’minun, 23:12-14) • If he inquires about his status in this Universe and his rank among other creatures, he will find the answer in the following verse, the meaning of which is translated as: “And i ndeed We have honored the children of Adam and We have carried them on land and sea and have provided them with good and pure things and have preferred them above many of those whom We have created with a marked preference.” (The Qur’aan, Chapter Al -Isra’, 17:70). • If he also inquires about the cause of his creation, he will find the answer in the following verses, the meaning of which is translated as: “And I (Allah) have only created the jinn and mankind that they may worship Me (alone). No sustenance d o I require of them nor do I require that they should feed Me. For Allah is He who gives (all) sustenance, Lord of Power, the Most Strong.” (The Qur’aan Chapter Adh-Dhariyat, 51:56-58) “Did you then think that We had created you in jest and that you would not be brought back to us (for account)? So Exalted is Allah, the True King:There is no god but He, the Lord of the Throne of Honor!” (The Qur’aan Chapter Al -Mu’minun, 23:115-116). • If man then asks about this Creator Who is the only One worthy of wors hip, he will find the answer in the following words, the meaning of which is translated as: “ e is Allah beside Whom there is no other god, Who knows the unseen and the seen, He is the All - Beneficent, All -Merciful. He is Allah, beside Whom there is no other god; - the Sovereign, the Holy One, the Source of Peace (and Perfection), the Guardian of Faith, the Watcher over His creatures, the Exalted in Might, the Irresistible, the Supreme. Glory to Allah! (High is He) above all that they associate as partners with Him. He is Allah, the Creator, the Maker (of all things), the Giver of forms. To Him belong the Most Beautiful Names. Whatever is in the heavens and the earth, glorify Him:And He is the All -Mighty, the All - Wise.” (The Qur’aan, Chapter Al -Hashr, 59:2 2-24) • If he asks about the attitude he should assume with the things Allah has created for him in this universe, he will find the answer in the following verse, the meaning of which is translated as: “O you who believe! Eat of the lawful things that We have provided for you, and be grateful to Allah, if it is Him you worship.” (The Qur’aan, Chapter Al - Baqarah, 2:172). • If he inquires about the true religion that he should embrace and the path which leads to happiness in this life and in the hereafter, he will surely find the response in the Qur’aanic verse, the meaning of which is translated as: “And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.” (The Qur’aan Chapter Ali ‘I mran, 3:85) • If he inquires, too, about the path that leads to peace of mind/heart and mental stability, he will find the answer in the following words, the meaning of which is translated as: “Those who have believed and whose hearts find rest in the reme mbrance of Allah: verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” (The Qur’aan, Chapter Ar -Ra‘d, 13:28) • If he asks about the state (position) of those who lack belief in Allah, Glory to Him, and in His revelations, he will get the answer in the following, the meaning of which is translated as: “But whosoever turns away from My Reminder (i.e.:My Message), verily for him is a life of hardship and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Resurrection.” (The Qur’aan Chapter Taha, 20:124). • If he as ks about his destiny in this life, he will find the answer in these words, the meaning of which is translated as: “Every soul shall taste of death. And only on the Day of Resurrection shall you be paid your wages in full. Whosoever is removed from the Fir e and admitted to Paradise, he is indeed successful. The life of this world is but a comfort of illusion.” (The Qur’aan, Chapter Ali ‘Imran, 3:185). • If he inquires about the possibility of re -creating him, he will find a satisfactory answer in Allah's words, the meaning of which is translated as: “And if he has coined (compared) for Us a similitude, and has forgotten the fact of his creation, saying:Who will revive these bones when they have rotted away? Say: He will revive them Who produced them the fir st time, for He is All -Knower of every creation.” (The Qur’aan Chapter Yasin, 36:78-79). And in the following words, the meaning of which is translated as: “O mankind! If you are in doubt concerning the Resurrection, then Lo! We have created you from dust, then from a drop of sperm, then from a clot, then from a little lump of flesh shapely and shapeless, that We may make (it) clear for you.