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SPECIAL EDITIon! Al-Fajr

Nr. 6 — January-February-March 2002

ISLAM IS:

INTERNATIONAL IN THIS EDITION:

· It recognizes prophets being raised among all nations and requires to believe in them all. · THE · Truth and goodness can be found in all religions. treats all human beings equally justly, regardless of race, · ABRAHAM: PATRIARCH nationality or religion.

PEACEFUL OF MANKIND? · Allows use of force only in unavoidable self-defence. · Teaches Muslims to live peacefully un- · ECESSITY OF der any rule which accords them free- N dom of religion. INTERPRETING DREAMS TOLERANT · Gives full freedom to everyone to hold and practise any creed or religion. · Requires us to tolerate differences of · ... OR ? belief and opinion.

RATIONAL · In all matters, it urges use of human rea- · FAREWELL ADDRESS son and knowledge. · Blind following is condemned and inde- OF THE HOLY PROPHET pendence of thought is granted.

INSPIRING · Worship is not a ritual, but provides living contact with a Living God, Who answers prayers and speaks to His righteous ser- vants even today as in the past.

NON-SECTARIAN · Every person professing by the words La ilaha ill- Muhammad-ur Rasul- ullah (There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah) is a Muslim and can- not be expelled from Islam by anyone.

Photo: Ignaz P. Ahmadali

Institute for Islamic Studies and Publications

The Dawn, page 1

PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOUSE OF ALLAH

The annual to Makkah, the Hajj, is an obligation only for those Kabah complete one tawaf. who are physically and financially able to perform it. Nevertheless, about two million people go to Makkah each year from every corner of the globe Types of tawaf providing a unique opportunity for those of different nations to meet one another. Although Makkah is always filled with visitors, the annual Hajj be- There are five types of tawaf the gins in the twelfth month of the Islamic year, named Zul Hijjah (which is lu- pilgrim may perform: nar, not solar, so that Hajj and fall sometimes in summer, some- (1) Tawaf-ul-Qudoom is the initial times in winter). Pilgrims wear special clothes (ihram), simple garments tawaf which will be performed which strip away distinctions of class and culture, so that all stand equal upon arrival at the Masjid-ul- before God. in Makkah for the first The close of the Hajj is marked by a festival, Eid al-Adha, which is cele- time pursuant upon niyyah of brated with prayers and the sacrifice of an animal. This, and the Eid al-Fitr, a Umra or Hajj. feast-day commemorating the end of Ramadan, are the main festivals of the Muslim calendar. (2) Tawaf-ul-Ifadah is the tawaf Below, the rites of Umra and Hajj will be described in brief. the pilgrim will perform on the 10th of Zul Hijjah after taking pronouncement of the intention off the ihram and changing UMRA (niyyah) to perform Umra and into street clothes and before frequent recital of the Talbiyah returning to Mina for stoning. General thereafter. (3) Tawaf-ul-Wida (The Farewell tawaf) is the tawaf the pilgrim Umra (sometimes referred to as (2) Tawaf-ul-Umra of the Kabah fol- will perform immediately be- The Lesser Pilgrimage) consists of lowed by two rakahs salat-us- fore leaving Makkah for the the performance of a set of sunnah and partaking of the waters next destination following the devotional rites in the Masjid ul of Zam-Zam. completion of Hajj. This is the Haram in Makkah. These rites also (3) Performance of sai. last act to be performed in form an integral part of Hajj. Umra (4) Halq or taqseer, followed by Makkah. may be performed at any time of the changing into street clothes. (4) Tawaf-ul-Umra is the tawaf year and as many times as one may This will complete the Umra. which is performed as a part wish. of the rites of Umra. It is iden- tical to Tawaf-ul-Qudoom in HAJJ The following are the essential its essentials except for the elements of Umra: General niyyah. (5) Tawaf-un-Nafl is a devotional (1) Changing into ihram at Meeqat tawaf which can be per- (border), followed by the Hajj consists of the performance of a set of devotional rites in and around formed at any time. Editors: Makkah (i.e., in Mina, Arafat, and Riaz Ahmadali, Reza Ghafoerkhan ) in a prescribed order. The SAI rites of Umra, as described above, form Contributors: an integral part of Hajj. General Irshaad Djoemai, drs. Sharda Ahmadali- Doekhie Types of Hajj The devotional act of walking Subscriptions / reactions: seven times between the knolls of Phone: (597)422876 / 0881-1010 There are three different types of Hajj a Safa and Marwah, which are Fax: (597)550244 pilgrim may perform: Hajj-ul-Ifrad, Hajj- located some distance from the E-mail: [email protected] ul-Qiran and Hajj-ut-Tamattu. All of Kabah inside Masjid-ul-Haram, is these involve the performance of es- Internet: called sai. http://moeslim.8m.net sentially the same rites and acts of wor- ______ship. The difference consists basically According to tradition, Prophet ‘The Dawn’ is a publication of the Institute in the niyyah pronounced by the pilgrim Ibrahim left his wife, Hajar, and for Islamic Studies and Publications, at Meeqat. infant son, Ishmael, in the desert O’ Ferralstraat 9, Paramaribo, Suriname close to where the Kabah is ______TAWAF located today in response to a ‘The Dawn’ is a continuation of: divine revelation. Unfortunately, · Hakikatoel Islam (1934-1960, Urdu) The devotional act of circumambulating his wife and son were with few Editor: moulvi Shekh Ahmadali; (i.e. walking around) the Kabah while provisions. After her meagre · Al Haq (1971-1980) reciting prayers and supplications is supply of water was exhausted Editor: Mr. Basharat Ahmadali called tawaf. Seven circuits around the and her son started crying with

The Dawn, page 2 thirst, Hajar began looking for Muzdalifah and offer fajr there. Marwah is a tribute to the patience and water in the desert. In her Afterwards, the pilgrim will leave for fortitude shown by Lady , the desperation, she repeatedly ran Mina before sunrise on the morning mother of Ishmael. The throwing of between the hillocks of Safa and of the 10th of Zul Hijjah. pebbles at is a tribute to the re- Marwah, climbing them to get a sistance offered by Prophet Abraham better view of the landscape and, Mina (10th of Zul Hijjah) to the attempts of Satan to dissuade perhaps, also to see if there was a him from sacrificing his son, while he desert traveller in sight. Upon her The rites to be performed on this day was taking him to the place of sacrifice. return to her son after one of her are as follows: preferably before Again, while we recite the darud runs, she discovered that a spring midday, the biggest of three pillars, (invoking Allah’s benedictions) in fa- had miraculously sprouted near symbolising the , will be stoned vour of the Founder of Islam, the Holy the infant. This spring, called Zam- seven times. A sacrifice is now Prophet (peace be upon him), at the Zam, is located to the east of the required for Hajj-ul-Qiran and Hajj-ut- end of each prayer yet we also recite Kabah (and is now inside Masjid- Tamattu, and is recommended for the darud for Prophet Abraham (peace ul-Haram).

The pilgrim will retrace the steps of Labbaika, Allahumma labbaika. Labbaika la shareeka laka. Hajar in sai, in commemoration of Labbaika innal hamda wan-ni’mata laka. Wal mulka laka. her search for water and Allah's mercy in answering her prayers Laa shareeka laka. with the miracle of Zam-Zam. Here I am in Thy presence, O my Lord, here I am in Thy presence! There is no associate with Thee. Here I am. Verily all praise and MINA, ARAFAT, AND MUZDALIFAH (8TH - 13TH OF bounties and the Kingdom belong to Thee. There is no associate with ZUL HIJJAH) Thee. Here I am in Thy august Presence. The rites to be performed at Mina, be upon him) with the same zest and Arafat, and Muzdalifah are an inte- Hajj-ul-Ifrad. fervour. gral part of Hajj. The pilgrim will now proceed to UNITY AMONG MUSLIMS The pilgrim will stay at Mina, Masjid-ul-Haram in Makkah for Tawaf-ul-Ifadah and will return By restricting the Hajj to a certain pe- Arafat, and Muzdalifah in the riod, Allah undoubtedly has the aim to following sequence: afterwards and stay there until the 12th or the 13th of Zul Hijjah for the strengthen the unity among the Mus- stoning. lims. Allah indeed commands the Mus- (1) Mina: From after fajr (morning lims to form a unity (Qur’an 6:160, prayer) on the 8th of Zul Hijjah th Mina (11th - 13th of Zul Hijjah) 61:4, 3:102 and more). Therefore, it is to after fajr on the 9 of Zul a pity that some Muslim groups label Hijjah. All three pillars will be stoned after some of their Muslim brothers as (2) Arafat: From after fajr on the midday on all three days. Stoning on (unbelievers) and restrain them for per- th 9th of Zul Hijjah to slightly after the 13 of Zul Hijjah is optional. The forming the Hajj, despite the fact that sunset on the same day. pilgrim may return to Makkah after Allah mentions in Qur’an 4:94: th (3) Muzdalifah: From after sun- this ceremony on the 12 of Zul “Say not to any one who offers set on the 9th of Zul Hijjah to Hijjah to perform the Farewell Tawaf you salutation: Thou are not a after fajr on the 10th of Zul (Tawaf-ul-Wida), which will be per- believer.” Hijjah. formed just before leaving Makkah (4) Mina and Makkah: 10th -13th for the next destination. And despite the fact the Qur’an (22:25) of Zul Hijjah warns Muslims not to hold others back HAJJ COMMEMORATES THE SU- from fulfil their religious duties: (I) Arafat: PREME SACRIFICE OF PROPHETS “Those who disbelieve and hin- The pilgrim will have arrived at ABRAHAM AND ISHMAEL AND der (men) from Allah’s way and Arafat before midday. The Hajj LADY HAGAR from the Sacred , will not be complete without Qi- One unique aspect of the rituals of which We have made equally yam-ul-Arafat in accordance with pilgrimage is that in this high-point of for all men, (for) the dweller the sunnah of the Prophet Muham- worship, no memorable event relat- therein and the visitor. And mad (peace be upon him). One ing to the life of the Founder of Islam, whoever inclines therein to should spend as much time in the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace wrong, unjustly, We shall make prayers and remembrance of Allah be upon him), has been included in him taste of painful chastise- as possible. the ritual of Hajj. The sacrifice of an ment.” animal offered is a tribute to the spirit And despite the tradition of the Prophet (II) Muzdalifah: of sacrifice shown by Prophet Abra- Muhammad: The pilgrim will stay under the sky ham when he was ready to sacrifice at Muzdalifah. Seventy pebbles his son Ishmael in obedience to the "Whoever says, None has the right to will be collected here for the Divine command. The circuits around be worshipped but Allah, faces our stoning ritual (if not already col- the Ka’bah are made as a tribute to Qibla during the prayers, prays like us lected at Mina). Abraham and Ishmael for re-building and eats our slaughtered animal, then the Ka’bah. The sa’i (running) be- he is a Muslim, and has got the same The pilgrim will spend the night at tween the two hillocks of Safa and rights and obligations as other Muslims have" (Bukhari). The Dawn, page 3 And lastly, what the Qur’an says in 2:113 is him down upon his also interesting: forehead, and We called out to him say- “And the say, the fol- ing, O Abraham, thou low nothing (good), and the Christians hast indeed fulfilled say, the Jews follow nothing (good); the vision. Thus do while they recite the (same) Book. We reward the doers Even thus say those who have no of good. Surely this is knowledge, like what they say.” a manifest trial. And We ransomed him Sources: with a great sacrifice.” - SoundVision.com - The Alim for Windows The animal sacrifice - Article from Mr. Nasir that is offered by BA LL.B (Pakistan) Muslims all over the world every year (at Eid-ul-Adha) is in commemoration of the supreme act and spirit of ABRAHAM: sacrifice offered by Prophet Abraham in lieu of his son Ishmael. PATRIARCH OF MANKIND?

JUDAISM In many religions Abraham is a very important personality. We studied the place of this Prophet in four religions. According to A Concise Encyclopedia of Judaism by Dan the Kabah, Allah says this about it: ISLAM Cohn- Sherbok (Oneworld “Certainly the first house ap- Publications 1998), Prophet “Peace be to Abraham! Thus pointed for men is the one at Abraham is the father of the do We reward the doers of Bakkah, blessed and a guid- Jewish people. According to good. Surely he was one of ance for the nations. In it are Scripture, he was the son of Our believing slaves” (Qur’an clear signs: (it is) the Place of and the father of Isaac, who was 37:109). Abraham; and whoever en- born to , and he was also “And who is better in religion ters it is safe; and pilgrimage the father of Ishmael, who was than he who submits himself to the House is a duty which born to Hagar. entirely to Allah while doing men owe to Allah - whoever good (to others) and follows can find a way to it. And who- After leaving Ur of the Chaldees, the faith of Abraham, the up- ever disbelieves, surely Allah Abraham travelled to , right one? And Allah took is above need of the visited and returned to Abraham for a friend.” (Qur’an worlds” (Qur’an 3:96-97). Hebron. God appeared to him in a 4:125). vision. He promised Abraham that Many rituals of the Hajj can be traced his descendants would inherit the In Islam, Prophet Abraham is thus the to the Prophet Abraham. We know land. God’s covenant with friend of Allah, the father of Prophets the walking between the hills Safa Abraham is expressed in the ritual Ishmael and Isaac and the grandfather and Marwah in remembrance of of the circumcision. God tested of Prophet (6:85-87). He is also Abraham's wife Hagar, seeking water Abraham's faith by asking him to one of the ancestors of the Prophet for her son, Ishmael. We also know sacrifice his son. Muhammad (peace and blessings be the event, when Prophet Abraham upon him). received Allah's order in the form of a CHRISTIANITY vision to sacrifice his son Ishmael. According to the Catholic The Holy Qur’an (4:150 and others) Both father and son willingly submit- Encyclopedia Vol. 1 (1999, states that a Muslim should believe in ted to Allah's command. Allah substi- Kevin Knight, online version), and all Prophets: , , etc., and tuted a ram in Ishmael's place at the the New Testament (John 8:33, thus also in Abraham: last moment. This incident is men- 39), the generation of Jesus Christ tioned in Qur’an 37:100 -107: is traced back to Abraham. And “Those who disbelieve in Allah according to A Concise and His messengers and “My Lord, grant me a doer of Encyclopedia of Christianity by desire to make a distinction good deeds. So We gave him Geoffrey Parrinder (Oneworld between Allah and His the good news of a forbear- Publications 1998), Abraham is a messengers and say: We ing son. But when he be- great Hebrew patriarch and is believe in some and came of (age to) work with considered the common spiritual disbelieve in others; and him, he said: O my son, I father of the Abrahamic religions: desire to take a course in have seen in a dream that I Judaism, Christianity and Islam. between.” should sacrifice thee: so con- sider what thou seest. He said: O my father, do as thou The direction in which every Muslim HINDUISM must face when praying is towards the art commanded: if Allah please, thou wilt find me pa- According to the book Mu- Kabah (in Makkah, Saudi Arabia), hammad in World Scrip- which was rebuilt by Prophet Abraham tient. So when they both sub- mitted and he had thrown tures (vol. 1) by maulana Abdul and his son, Ishmael. With regards to Haq Vidyarthi, the Abraham of the The Dawn, page 4 Bible and the Qur’an is the same Jews refer to Abraham as the bore similar names. Compare person as the Hinduistic Brahma. Patriarch; Sarah with Saraswati and Hagar Maulana Vidyarthi makes a very in- - According to the Gopatha Brah- with Parvati, the latter two being teresting comparison, which we mana, Brahma prayed for off- identical in meaning and stand- quote in short: spring; likewise, Abraham ing for ‘a rock’ or ‘a hill’. prayed for offspring (Gen. 15:1- - The likeness in the name: Abra- Therefore, we can conclude that 4, Qur’an 37:100); ham and Brahma; Abraham was the patriarch accord- - Abraham had two sons: Ishmael - Abraham is seen as the patri- ing to four important religions; Juda- and Isaac; Brahma also had two arch, the father of the ism, Christianity, Islam, and Hindu- sons: Atharva and Angiras (through his son Isaac) and the ism. (Gopatha Brahmana); (through his son Ishmael); - Both Abraham and Brahma had likewise Brahmaji is seen as the Sources: children born to them in old age father of mankind, or the first of - SoundVision.com (Gen. 15:2-4 and Gopatha Brah- the (Mundaka Upanishad); - Muhammad in World Scriptures mana 1:1); - The Hindus have another name (Abdul Haq Vidyarthi) - Both Abraham and Brahma are for Brahma, namely, Parjapati said to have had two wives who (father of nations), whereas

and see how the sense or interpreta- NECESSITY OF INTERPRETING DREAMS tion of it turned out to be something quite different. Again, also keep in mind that when narrated his In the ritual worship of Hajj, in addi- vouring seven lean ones, and seven dream to his father, Jacob, who him- tion to the obligatory prayers (), green ears of corn and seven dry self was a prophet, he did not take there is greater emphasis on extol- ones (12:43). Now, the interpreta- the dream literally. Rather, the Holy ling Allah’s greatness and tion of Joseph’s dream turned out to Qur’an tells us that Jacob was given celebrating His praise, and that is be that his treacherous brothers, the a hint about the events that were to why, if we study the Qur’anic verses king and other members of the overtake Joseph and the high spiri- relating to Hajj, the words fuzkurul- ruling class ultimately bowed to his tual station which was to be vouch- lah (so remember Allah) have been authority. To one of his companions safed to him, though he was not used five times for this act of wor- in prison he said that he would find made fully aware of it at that time. ship instead of the usual word, deliverance and would be serving But all the same, he perceived the salah. The fact remains that, in real- the king, and the other was told that import of the dream that his son was ity, in Hajj there is a continuous affir- he would be hanged on the cross to later become a prophet, so he ad- mation of tauhid, or the unity of Al- (12:41). Similarly, he told the king vised his son accordingly and this lah, and one’s complete readiness to that his dream meant that there has been recorded in the Holy obey Allah’s commandments. These would be seven years of severe Qur’an in the following words: rituals are indicative of a man’s ex- drought and famine and the way for He said: O my son, relate not thy dream to thy breth- please bear in mind that a dream is always subject ren, lest they devise a plan to interpretation, because what one sees in a dream against thee. The devil in- deed is an open enemy to is all symbolic and the underlying reality may be man. And thus will thy Lord quite different. choose thee and teach thee the interpretation of sayings, treme sense of servitude and perfect survival was also described in the and will make His favour obedience to his Lord, and this is dream itself. In this context, we give complete on thee and to the why this act of worship has acquired hereunder the Qur’anic version of Children of Jacob, as He such an important position. the interpretation: made it complete before to thy fathers, Abraham and He said: You shall sow for PROPHET ABRAHAM FULFILLED Isaac. Surely thy Lord is seven years as usual, then THE DREAM Knowing, Wise (12:5-6). In this context, please bear in mind that which you reap, leave it that a dream is always subject to in- in its ear, except a little The knowledge of the Unseen is terpretation, because what one sees which you eat! Then after given to the prophets and the in a dream is all symbolic and the that shall come seven years righteous through dreams, visions, underlying reality may be quite dif- of hardship that will eat revelation and inspiration. At times ferent. For instance, Joseph saw in away all that you have these are hints in the form of a a dream that eleven stars and the stored beforehand for them, dream and at other times these may sun and the moon are making obei- except a little you have pre- be explicitly stated through words sance to him (12:4). Then, during served! Then after that will and messages. But in all circum- imprisonment, one of his two com- come a year in which stances, these people have firm be- panions saw in his dream that he people will have rain and in lief and complete faith in Allah and was pressing grapes and the other which they will press their spirit of obedience remains firm saw that he was carrying bread on (grapes) (12:47-49). and enduring. To wit, Allah kept on giving news to Jacob about Joseph, his head and birds were eating it Now, look at the apparent descrip- so that is why when Joseph’s (12:26). Again, the king of Egypt tion or events shown in the dream saw in a dream seven fat cows de- brothers got their younger brother, The Dawn, page 5 , arrested on a charge of and Jacob as stated in the Holy (7:106-109). theft and on their return they in- Qur’an in order to elucidate that And in the very next verse Allah formed their father about this inci- dreams are always composed of gives an assurance that anyone who dent, the impact the news had on hints and allusions and need to be does noble deeds is always granted Jacob is stated in the Holy Qur’an interpreted and explained. But Abra- abundant reward by Him: Thus do thus: ham and Ishmael were so enthusias- We reward the doers of good. And it tic and were imbued with such an And he turned away from is a living reality that this sacrifice extreme sense of obedience and them, and said: O my sorrow was so highly appreciated that the submission to the will of Allah that for Joseph! And his eyes memory of this act of sacrifice by they took the dream literally and got were filled (with tears) on Abraham and Ishmael was given ready to act upon it. account of the grief, then he eternal recognition through making it repressed (grief). They (the Now, see how Allah appreciated this an obligatory part of the rituals of the brothers) said: By Allah! extremely praiseworthy resolve of pilgrimage. Also, two raka’hs of Thou wilt not cease remem- Abraham - a resolve that was made salah to be offered at Maqam-i Ibra- bering Joseph till thou art a in response to a difficult test set for him (the place where Abraham prey to disease or thou art of him by Allah - and how Allah then stood) were made an obligatory part those who perish. He said: I rewarded him for such superb faith- of the ritual of pilgrimage as well. In complain of my grief and fulness: addition to the making of circuits sorrow only to Allah, and I around the Ka’bah, sa’i (running be- Surely this is a manifest trial. know from Allah what you tween the two hillocks, Safa and And We ransomed him with know not (12:84-86). Marwah) was also made obligatory. a great sacrifice. And We I have given a detailed explanation granted him among the later May Allah give us the strength to of dreams and their interpretation generations (the salutation), tread along the path of righteous- and the events that overtook Joseph Peace be upon Abraham ness and to do good to others. And may He also enable us to inculcate within us a spirit of submission and ISAAC… OR ISHMAEL? sacrifice in obeying His command- ments. This is the important lesson Towards the end of February 2002, Muslims throughout the world will Eid al-Adha tries to convey to us for commemorate Allah's command to Abraham to sacrifice his (Abraham's) leading a better and virtuous life. son, Ishmael. When Abraham was about to fulfill the command of Allah, May Allah bless all of us. Allah told him it was no longer necessary since Abraham had already proved his righteousness by his intention to obey Allah's command. In- Source: Article from Mr. Nasir stead of his son, Abraham was told to sacrifice an animal. Ahmad BA LL.B (Pakistan)

The Qur’an does not explicitly state the mountains which I will below) that Abraham and Ishmael that it was Abraham’s son, Ishmael, tell thee of” (Gen. 22:2). were circumcised when Abraham was who had to be sacrificed, as we see in ninety-nine years old. That Isaac is 37:102: “By faith Abraham, being not mentioned here is further evi- tried, offered up Isaac: yea, dence that he had not yet been born. “But when he became of (age he that had gladly received According to Gen. 21:4, Isaac was to) work with him, he said: O the promises was offering circumcised eight days after he was my son, I have seen in a up his only begotten born, as God had commanded Abra- dream that I should sacrifice son” (Hebr. 11:17). ham. Therefore, at the time Abraham thee: so consider what thou received the command of circumci- seest. He said: O my father, We will now examine, according to sion, Isaac was not yet born. do as thou art commanded: if the Bible, whether Isaac was in- Allah please, thou wilt find me deed the only son of Abraham DID ABRAHAM LOVE ISHMAEL? patient.” when this event took place. But what is the reason that the Bible encourages us to believe that Isaac, But according to 37:112 (And We gave “And Abram was fourscore and not Ishmael, had to be sacrificed? him the good news of Isaac, a prophet, and six years old, when Ha- Regarding this point, theologians usu- a righteous one), it can be concluded gar bare Ishmael to ally hold the opinion that Abraham that Isaac was born after this event. Abram” (Gen. 16:16). had to sacrifice the son whom he loved, and that this was Isaac (Gen. The Bible, however, contradicts itself “Abraham was a hundred 22:2). when narrating this event. The Old years old, when his son Testament explicitly states that Abra- Isaac was born unto We will now examine the vision of the ham had to sacrifice Isaac. As we read him” (Gen. 21:5). Bible regarding this point. in Gen. 22:2 and Hebr. 11:17: According to these quotations, we “And Abraham said unto God, “And he said, take now thy can conclude that Isaac was born Oh that Ishmael might live be- son, thine only son, whom fourteen years after Ishmael. There- fore Thee!” (Gen. 17:18). thou lovest, even Isaac, and fore, if Abraham had to sacrifice his get thee into the land of first son, it could only be Ishmael. “Wherefore she (Sarah) said Moriah. And offer him there for We also read in Gen. 17:23-26 (see unto Abraham, Cast out this a burnt-offering upon one of handmaid and her son. For The Dawn, page 6 the son of this handmaid ham, And as for thee, thou circumcised, and Ishmael shall not be heir with my shalt keep my covenant, his son” (Gen. 17:23-26). son, even with Isaac. And thou, and thy seed after thee the thing was very grievous throughout their generations. We thus conclude that, according to in Abraham's sight on ac- This is my covenant, which the Bible, Ishmael was the first son count of his son” (Gen. ye shall keep, between me of Abraham, that Abraham loved 21:10-13). and you and thy seed after him as his son and that Ishmael thee: every male among you was surely not an outcast. If the Bi- As we see here, Abraham surely had shall be circumcised. And ye ble states that Abraham had to sac- some feelings of love for his son, shall be circumcised in the rifice his first son, it could only be Ishmael. flesh of your foreskin; and it Ishmael. Therefore, it is strange that shall be a token of a cove- the Bible mentions Isaac as the only WAS ISHMAEL AN OUTCAST? nant betwixt me and son of Abraham at the time of the Another theory of the Christian scholars is that the sacrifice can be related to Isaac alone, because they “And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: behold, I have regard Ishmael as an outcast, an ille- blessed him, and with him a great nation.” gitimate son born of a slave. The (Genesis 17:20) Bible, however, does not support this opinion; rather, it regards Ishmael as one of the righteous, as we see in you” (Gen. 17:9-11). sacrifice. the following quotations: “And Abraham took Ishmael Another noteworthy point in support “And as for Ishmael, I have his son, and all that were of the fact that it was Ishmael, and heard thee: behold, I have born in his house, and all not Isaac, who was to be sacrificed, blessed him, and will make that were bought with his is that Muslims alone commemorate him a great nation” (Gen. money, every male among the sacrifice made by Abraham, 17:20). the men of Abraham's since they are the followers of house, and circumcised the Prophet Muhammad who descends “Arise, lift up the lad, and flesh of their foreskin in the from Ishmael. Had Isaac been sacri- hold him (Ishmael) in thy selfsame day, as God had ficed, Jews and Christians would hand. For I will make him a said unto him. And Abraham today be celebrating this grand sac- great nation” (Gen. 21:18). was ninety years old and rifice, since they are followers of nine, when he was circum- Moses and Jesus, who descend We also notice that the covenant of cised in the flesh of his fore- from Isaac. God with Abraham applied to Ish- skin. And Ishmael his son mael also: was thirteen years old, when Sources: he was circumcised in the - The Holy “And God said unto Abra- flesh of his foreskin. In the - The Bible selfsame day was Abraham

FAREWELL ADDRESS OF THE HOLY PROPHET MUHAMMAD

Sensing that his mission was done None can lead astray Every nation on this earth Since Sura ‘Fatiha’ had already come, And those that He doesn't All of mankind!" Seated on his she-camel None can show the way!" ”I call you all He did address "Hark yea and listen, To all that is good His followers, all in a Haji's dress, For I may not be around To what you shouldn't A hundred thousand strong, The next time you gather And what you should! United by a fraternal bond, In 'Arafat's hallowed ground! All the savage customs All kinds of men, So listen carefully to what I say Of pre-Islamic days, Fair, brown and black, And spread it around !" All the evil habits Chanting: Labbaik... All the filthy ways, Allahumma, Labbaik! "O men! Stand trampled under my foot Thus: Guard your duty to Allah Forever and for good!" "All praise is due to Allah Do guard it ever so well, Him do we praise Tread in His way fearfully "Hark yea, O Men!” From Him we seek assistance Beware of the fire of !!" "Just as God is One, From Him we seek grace! "He alone is worthy of worship, So was your father ! Repentantly we turn to Him I declare and testify, Let there be no question In Him we seek refuge, And I am His servant-apostle Of Arab over the ‘’! From the mischief of our inner selves He sent to pacify, Or, the colour of your skin From the effects of sins' deluge ! To reform and remind Descended from Adam, Whoso Allah Guideth

The Dawn, page 7 We are all akin! Four of these are sacred, is made an Amir over you, None enjoys any priority Having no fighting! Give him his due respect In the Eyes of Allah And obedience that is his due! "Hark yea! O Men!" Except through his piety, "Hark yea! O Men!" Or, what is called ‘Taqwa'! "Beware of Allah, All claims to excellence, Give your wives their rights, "There's no prophet after me, All claims to being fine, In Allah's name you've taken them (Neither old or new), Pride in your forefathers As your wedded wives! Nor another Ummah Glorying in your line, They should guard their chastity, Is going to come into view!" Stands wiped out And be faithful to you, "Hark yea! O Men!" By command of the Divine!" Good food, clothing and shelter

Are certainly their due! "Lovingly worship your Lord, "You are secure, if Allah you fear, Should they breach the trust Dutifully, offer prayers, five odd; If you don't, Chastise them lightly, Piously, observe Ramadhan, the The consequences you bear! Don't treat them cruelly month of fasting You are all born of Adam, Nor beat them brutally!" At least, once in a life-time, The progenitor, the first, Visit the house of God!" And he was just a mortal, "Hark yea! O Men!" A Handful of Dust!" ”Hark yea! O Men!" "As for the slaves, "Hark yea! O Men! And listen!" They are Allah's trust, "I leave something behind

Treating them with gentle kindness That will always remain with you, "Your blood, your property For you, it is a must ! Hold on to it firmly and your honour Feed them well and full And keep it in your view, Like this day, this city, With what you yourself eat, It's the Book of Allah, This place, this hour, Clothe them well and properly, And my Sunna, Are Sacrosanct!" Keeping them clean and neat!" A record of what I do!" "Soon you shall be standing "Hark yea! O Men!" Finally he posed the question in Allah's Court To Islam's mighty nation, Facing the reckoning "In matters of inheritance "When the Good Lord asks Giving your report!" He's fixed for all a share, you So none can now stipulate "Don't you lose the Way On the A bequest regarding an heir!" after me, Did My Apostle convey Striking each other's necks "A son inherits from the man My Mission? In rage and fury!" in whose bed he is born What would you And fornicator's punishment tell Him then!" "All the blood feuds of yore is laid down in the Qur'an!" "We shall say; he Are void and no more! accomplished the mission, Forgive and forget, "A husband's property Delivered Thy Message, a It's better for you, is a trust unto his wife, duty well-done!" I declare forgiven She must guard it carefully With one voice The blood of my nephew!" As she guards her life!" they responded,

"Return all trusts "Hark yea! O Men!" Islam's valiant sons! All interest, waive! "Debts should be repaid, But the principal of the debt He then, Things borrowed restored; Shall be duly met!" Lifting his finger A guarantor is liable Towards the sky, "All usury is banned For the sum he has assured! Addressed his Lord, By Allah's Command, By meeting a gift with a gift God And the first sum I write off Mutual affection is secured!” the High: Is my uncle's demand!" "Hark yea! O Men!" Spake thus:

"Verily, Satan and his evil band "A man is surely responsible "O Allah! Bear Witness! has despaired of being worshipped For the acts he has done, in this !!" O Allah! Bear witness!" The son won't pay for his father, "Beware of his machinations Nor the father for his son! Edited by: Capt. Abdus Salam Khan Lest he leads astray, Virginia, U.S.A. By suggesting minor sins "Hark yea! O Men!" He makes you lose the Way!" "Even if an African "The number of months is twelve with a sawn-off nose In Allah's reckoning, The Dawn, page 8