CENTRAL MUSLIM SPIRITUAL BOARD RUSSIA RUSSIAN ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY TUTORIAL IN ENGLISH, BASED ON THE INTRODUCTION OF ISLAM Initial training for educational institutions of secondary and higher level UFA, 2011 Published by the decision of the Editorial Board of the Russian Islamic University (Ufa) Tutorial in English, based on the introduction of Islam. - Ufa Publishing Division of the Russian Islamic University, 2011. - 000 pages. The book contains a mandatory minimum of knowledge, which every Muslim must possess: knowledge of the faith and order of worship to Allah. The book is intended for a wide range of readers. TsDUM Russia, 2011 PREFACE Endless thanks and praise to Allah the Most High, Who has created mankind and the entire universe with divine wisdom and for a great purpose. May blessings and peace be upon Muhammad, the means of compassion to the universe, the most distinguished intercessor and the most beloved Prophet of Allah the Lord, upon his family, upon his companions and upon all those who have followed and continue to follow his holy path. The content of this Introduction to Islam pertains to a branch of Islamic knowledge that provides information about faith (iman) and worship (ibadah). Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa-sallam)1, said that it is compulsory for every Muslim man and woman to acquire knowledge. The knowledge (Introduction to Islam) in this manual gives essential information about faith (iman) and worship (ibadah) which will guide its adherent to happiness both in this world and in the Hereafter. One cannot become a complete and perfect Muslim without learning and believing these essentials, known in Arabic as Dharurah-al-Diniyyah (Necessary Rules of Religion). A large number of major and minor books of A Concise Fiqh have been written and we too have 1 Muslims have been requested by Allah in the Qur'an to recite this phrase after pronouncing the name of Prophet Muhammad. In this text, from this point forward, it will be abbreviated as (s.a.s.). found it proper to compile this book with the aim of helping every Muslim child to easily learn and memorize the essential matters of the religion of Islam. May Allah, the Most Supreme, be pleased with us for our endeavor. Hasan ARIKAN Important Note Dear Reader, In this work are included some chapters (surahs), verses (ayahs) and supplications (duas) in Arabic along with their transcriptions in the Latin alphabet. This is done reluctantly in order to enable those who are unfamiliar with the Arabic alphabet to begin to read and to memorize the texts without delay. Nevertheless, it is essentially impossible to accurately write them in the Latin alphabet for correct recitation. Therefore, before memorizing them, our readers are strongly advised to learn their correct pronunciation from a qualified teacher. CAUTION: Readers must treat this book with the utmost respect and not place it at a low level or throw it down since it includes some verses and chapters of the Holy Qur'an. We request you to always keep this important point in mind. OUR RELIGION ISLAM RELIGION (AL-DIN): Our religion is a system of divine guidance which if chosen as a criterium for a way of life is intended to show mankind the way to happiness and success in both this temporary world and the eternal hereafter. Beginning with Adam peace be upon him (alayhissa- lam)2, the first man and the first Prophet and continuing through to Muhammad (s.a.s.), the last Prophet, Allah the Most High has revealed to man His divine religions. In essence, all these religions are Islam and the followers Muslims. However, since these earlier divine religions were later mixed with the incorrect sayings and ideas of some priests; their messages became corrupt and consequently lost their original purity and were no longer dependable for guidance. These messages were also meant for a particular people or time. For this reason Allah, the Most High, through His Prophet Muhammad (s.a.s.), revealed to the whole of mankind and all the jinns the 2 Later abbreviated as (a.s.). last and the most complete of all the religions, namely the religion of Islam. One who has entered into the fold of Islam is called a Muslim. We should thank Allah with praise (al- hamdulillah) for the fact that we are Muslims. ISLAMIC CANONICAL LAWS (AL-SHARIAH): Al-Shariah, which literally means 'the Path' or in other words 'the Religion', consists of rules regarding worship (al- Ibadah) and conduct (al-Muamalah). the FAITH (AL-IMAN) Faith (Al-lman) means to accept sincerely all the beliefs and orders that Muhammad (s.a.s.) communicated to us as had been revealed to him by Allah the Most Great. Al-lman is born of the confirmation of this process in life. However, it is necessary to recite the profession of faith (al-Kalimah al- Shahadah) with the tongue and to believe it in the heart, both during this earthly life and at the time of death in order to be regarded as a Muslim. Ash-hadu an-la llaha ill-Allahu wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan 'Abdu-hu wa Rasuluhu. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is his Servant and Messenger. The principles of faith (al-lman) are six. The Arabic text stating the principles, its transcription in Latin letters (roughly approximating its sound) and its meaning follow: AMANTU ARABIC TEXT "Amantu Billahi wa Malaa'ikatihi wa Kutubihi wa Rusulihi wa'l Yawmil Akhiri wa biP Qadari khayrihi wa shar'rihi min'AI- lahi Ta'ala wa'l ba'thu ba'dal mawti, Hak'kun ash'hadu an la-ilaha illallah wa ash'hadu anna Muhammadan Abduhu wa Rasuluhu." Translation: I believe in Allah, the Most High, in His angels, in His books, in His Prophets, in the Day of Judgment, in divine predestination and in fact that both good and evil occur through the will of Allah, the Supreme Being and that there will be life after death. I testify that there is no god but Allah, the Most High, and I testify that Muhammad (s.a.s.) is His servant and messenger. ARTICLES of FAITH 1. To believe in Allah, the Most High. 2. To believe in His angels. 3. To believe in His books. 4. To believe in His Prophets (a.s.). 5. To believe in the Day of Judgment. 6. To believe in divine predestination; namely that both good and evil are from Allah and that we shall have a life after death. One who does not accept any one of the above- mentioned articles of faith is regarded as having denied them all. For instance, one who has accepted the first five conditions but has rejected belief in life after death, cannot be considered to be a Muslim. BELIEF in ALLAH the MOST HIGH The first of the six articles of faith is to believe in Allah the Most Great (i.e. in His Existence), to believe also that His Divine Being possesses all the Divine Attributes each respectively in its perfect and unique form and furthermore that His Divine Being is free from all defects. The Divine Attributes of Allah the Most High are classified in two groups: the Divine Attributes of the Being of Allah (al- Sifat al- Dhatiyyah), and the Immutable Attributes of the Divine Essence of Allah (al-Sifat al-Thubutiyyah). AL-SIFAT AL-DHATIYYAH The Divine Attributes of the Being of Allah are six. They are as follows: 1. Al-Wujud: He is the Existing One, 2. Al-Qidam: He is the Pre-Eternal One, 3. Al-Baqah: He is the Everlasting One, 4. Al-Wahdaniyyah: He is the Unique One, 5. Al-Mukhalafatun lil Khawadith: He is Unlike the Created, 6. Al-Qiyam bi'nafsihi: He is the Self-Existing One. AL-SIFAT AL-THUBUTIYYAH The Immutable Attributes of the Divine Essence of Allah are eight. They are as follows: 1. Al- Hayat: He is the Living and Resurrecting One, 2. Al-llm: He is the All-Knowing One: Allah the Most High knows everything to such an extent that He even knows the secret intentions of the heart, 3. Al-Sami: He is the All-Hearing One: Allah the Most High hears everything, 4. Al- Baseer: He is the All- Seeing One: Allah the Most High can see a black ant crawling on a black rock in the dark of night and He can hear the sound of its moving limbs, 5. Al- Iradhah: He Has Absolute Will; Allah the Most High has the quality of Divine Determination so that He does whatever He wishes and in whatever manner He wishes, 6. Al-Qudrah: He is the Omnipotent, the Almighty One, and He has power over all things, 7. Al-Qalam: His Manner of Speech is Unique to Him; Allah the Most High speaks without need of letters or sounds, 8. Al-Taqwin: He is the Creator from nothing of all things and beings. BELIEF in the ANGELS The second condition of faith (al-lman) is to believe in the angels, who have been made from light. The angels are gentle, spiritual beings that can take any form they wish. They are neither male nor female nor do they disobey Allah the Most High in carrying out His orders. They do not need to eat or drink and they do not get tired. Some angels are charged with tasks in the heavens, some with tasks on the earth and some with tasks at the divine throne (al-Arsh). Only Allah the Most High knows the number of angels.