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E OUNDATIONS WHICH MAN WILL BE ASKED ABOUT IN THE GRAVE AND ON DAY OF JUDGMENT

Prepared by: Sh. Hmoud M. AI-Lahim

Translated by: Dr. Ibrahim S. Abu Nayyan THEFOUNDATIONS WHICHMAN WILL BE ASKEDABOUT IN THE GRAVE ANDON THE DADAYY OTOF JUDGMENT

Prepared by: Hamoud M. AI-LahimAl-Lahim

Translated by: Dr. Ibrahimlbrahim bin Sa'd Abu Nayyan

Modefied & Corrected Version

Second Edition: 14231423H-H - 20022002N4M Abu Abbas also related (in this regard), "Be Godly, forbearing and knowledgeable (about )".lslam)'. (Sahih AIAl Bukhari (1/25)(1125)

Since knowledge is the foundation for knowing Allah-theAllahthe One to be worshipped, the Creator and the Provider, His Deen (religion), and His Messenger, then seeking knowledge is a form of worshipping Allah the Almighty. Alrnighty.

Prophet Muhamma~Muhammad# had illustrated the virtue of knowledge when he said in a Hadeeth (the statement of Prophet MUhamma~)Muhamma#) as narrated by Abu Addarda.

"If"lf anyone travels on a road in search of know ledge, Allah will cause him to travel on one of the roads to (), the Angels will lower their wings from good pleasure for one who seeks knowledge. The inhabitants of the and the earth and even the whales in the water will ask Allah to forgive him. The s4)erioritystperiorityof the learned (of the Qur'an and ) man over the devout (without knowledge) is like that of the moon at night when it is full over the rest of the stars." (Addarami 1/43)1t43)

Abu Hurairah (radhi AllahuAllahu'anh)) 'anh)) narratednaffated a Hadeeth saying:saying."There is no man who goes on a path seeking knowledge but Allah made easy for him a path to Jannah." (Addarami(Addararni 1/83)

5

NOTE TO THE READER

This is the second edition of the book titled "Thelfrsr PrinciplesPrincioles\MrichWhich Man WllWill be Asked About in the Grave and On the DayDav of Judoment'lJudgment': The word "principles" has been replaced with the word

"foundations""foundations",I along with correctionsconectionsof other minor grammatical and typographical errors that occurred in the first edition. These changes were made according to recommendations given to the author from a reliable source: wevr,e thank them.

To familiarize the readers with Islamiclslamicterminology, terms or phrases used in this text are followed by an explanatory note, in parenthesis, on the first occurrence. A glossary is provided at the end of the book for the readers' convenience and reference.

The Our'anicQur'anic verses are taken from the interpretationinterpretationof the "Meanings of the Noble Our'an"Qur'an" by Dr. Muhammad T. AI-HilaliAl-Hilaliand Dr. Muhammad M. Khan (1993). The Ahdeeth (statements of Prophet Muhamma~,Muhammad#, his sayings, deeds and approvals) are taken from a variety of translations with some modifications.modifi cations.

II hopeyou will find this book beneficial. May Allah assist us in learninglearningour Deen (religion)(religion)and inin practicing what we learn.learn.AmeenAmeen (amen).(amen). Inln the the Name Name of Allah,Allah, MostMost Gracious,Gracious, MostMost Merciful

Certainly thanks are due to Allah. We thank Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. We seek His refuge from the evils of ourselves and from our bad deeds. He whom Allah guides, no one can lead astray; he whom Allah lets go astray, no one can guide (to the right path). I bear witness that there is no god other than AllahAlla[ alone with no associates. And I bear witness that Muhammact3MuhammadfI is the servant and Messenger of Allah-Allah may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, his famly and his companions.

Following is what I have written about the foundations that man will be asked about both in his grave and on the Day of Judgment. I supplicate to Allah to make it beneficial.

'salla 1I ~ffi ItIt means'r"un, salla Allahu alaihi was-salamwassalam: May AllahAIlah exalt his mention and renderrencierhim safe from every imperfectionimperf'ectionand protect him fromfiom every eVIlevrl.

2 IntroductionIntroduction

Issueslssues That MustMustBeBe KnownKnown

Before we talktalk about thethe foundationsfoundationswhich man will be asked about in the grave and on the Day of Judgment, therethere are issuesissues which e-.eryoneereryonemust know. They are:

A. Knowledge This relates to the knowledge of Islam,lslam,which leads to the attainment of goals. Specifically, itit isis what has come fromffom Allah through the saying of His Messengers. Allah, the Almighty says in the Qur'arr.Qufan

"50"So know (0(O Muhammad) thatthat therethercis no true god worthy of worshipworchip exceptexcept Allah and askaslr forgivenessforgiveness for your sin."sin.' (Qur'an,(Qu/an,47:19)47:19)

This issue of knowledge can be realized by learning. Those who learned it became learned individuals, and it is through learning that they became the heirs of the Prophets. The Prophets did not bequeath treasuries, but instead they bequeathedknowledge. Those who can earn it, gaina greatwealth.

3 Prophet MuhammadlAMuhammad6 said: "He who goes on a path in the pursuit of knowledge.knowledge,Allah makes the way to Heaven easy for him". (SahihlsaninAlAI Bukhari 243)

AflahAllah the Exalted has said:

It is only those fhose who have have knowledge among His slaves who fear Allah.Allah. (Qur'an(Qufan 33:28)33:28)

...... butbut none none will graspgrasp theirtheir meaning exceptexcept thosefhose who have knowledge. (Qur'an(Qufan 29:43) AndAnd they will say,say, Had we buthut listened listened or used used our intelligence,intelligence, we would not havehave beenbeen among thethe dwellersdwellers of the blazing fire." (Qur'an 67:10)67:10)

Say:Say: Are those fhose who know equal equal to thosethose who know not?" (Qur'an 39:9)39:9)

Prophet Muhamma~Jvluhsrnrngcl*t said: "If"lf Allah wants to do good to a person, He makes him comprehend the religion". (Sahih AIAl Bukhari 1/25)

Abu Thar (radhi Allahu anh- may Allah be pleasedpleasedwith him)hrm)said: "If "lf you put thethe swordon this (pointing(pointingtoto his back) and II thoughtthoughtof acting upon a word that I learnedlearnedfrom from thethe Prophet before you kill me, II would do it".it".(Sahih(Sahih AIAl Bukhari 1/25)

4 Another Hadeeth narrated by Abu Hurairah fradhi("adhi 'anh) AllahAllah'anh} said: I heard Propheti3Prophe@ saying "This life is cursed, and everything in it is cursed except (the following) the remembrance of Allah, whatever is close to Allah, the knowledgeable, and the knowledge-seeker."knowledge+eeker."(Ibn(lbn Majah 2/1377211377 H4112).

B. Action and Deeds After knowing the importance of knowledge and the obligation of seeking it, it is also necessary to know that the salesole purpose of knowledge is to apply it in actions and deeds. Any knowledge that is not applied will have adverse consequences on those who have it. In this regard, Allah the Almighty says:

oO you who believe!believe! Why do you say that which you do not do? MostMost hatefulhateful it is in thethe sightsight of Allah that you say what you do not do.do."" (Our'an(Qur'an61:2-3)61 :2-3)

In addition, Prophet Muhamma~Muhamma# has emphasized the importance of practicing knowledge when he said, as Abu Hurairah (radhi (adhi Allahu 'anh)'anh) narrated, "One of the supplications of Prophet MuhammacJ3Muhamma@ 'O is '0 Allah, I seek your refuge from a knowledge that does not benefit, from a supplcationsupplbationthat is not answered, fromfrorn a heart that is not humble, and from the soul that is never satisfied'." (Ibn(lbn Majah 1/921t92H250)

6 Also Abu Hurairah (radhi AllahuAilahu 'anh)'anh)said: 'The"The 'O Prophet~Prophet$ used to say, '0 Allah, benefit me with which you have taught me and teach me what will benefit me and increase my knowledge'." (Ibn(lbnMajah 1/921192H251\ H 251)

In another Hadeeth by Abu Hurairah (radhi AllahuAttahu 'anh)'anh) that Prophet Muhamma~Muhamma@ said: 'The"The example of knowledge that does not benefit (anyone) is like that of a treasure that is not spent in the path of Allah." (AI-Imam(Al-lmam Ahmad 2/499). 21499).

SuffyanSuffoanIbnlbn Oyainah narrated a Hadeethof Prophet Muhammad~Muhammadbsaying: "The most ignorant of people is the one who leaves what he knows, and the most knowledgeable of people is the one who applies what he knows, and the best of people is he one who is most humblehumbleto to Allah." (Addarami1/82(Addaramil/82 H337)H337\

C. Propagation or Daawah (calling people to Islam):lslam): Part of utilizing knowledge (mentioned above) is calling people to Allah. Every body of knowledge is in need for someone to call people to it and explain it to them (in order for it to be beneficial). OaawahDaawah is the responsibility of the Muslim nation, and it has a greatqreatreward. Allah the Exalted says:

oO Messenger (Muhammad)! Proclaim which has has been been sent sent down to you

7 from your Lord.Lord. And if you do not, not, thenthen you have not not conveyed HisHis Message. (Qur'an(Qufan 5:67)

And who is better in speech than he who invites to Allah, does righteous deeds and say I am one of the Mus­Mus lims.fims. (Qur'an(Qu/an41:33)

D. Patience After having understood the above mentioned issues, you have to bear in mird mid that seeking knowledge, acting according to it, and calling people to Allah require patience. Thereis plenty of evidence that shows the virtue of patience and encourages its practice. Allah the Almighty says:

oO you who believe,believe,endure and be more patient."patient." (Qur'an(Qufan 3:200)

SeekSeek helphelp in patiencepatience and prayer. Truly Allah is with thethepatient.patient." " (Qur'an (Qur'an2153)2: 153)

Only thosethose who are patientpatient shallshall receivereceive their rewards in full without reckoning. (Qur'an 39:10)

. The Prophet~ Prophet#said, "Patience is illuminatbn." (Sahih Muslim 1/2031 l2A3 H 223).223\.

8 All that was mentionedabove are summedupsummed-up in Surat AI-Asr.Al-Asr. Allah the Exaltedsaid;

By 'AI'Al Asr'Asr' (the Time).Time).VerilylVerily/ Man is in loss. Except those who believe believe and do righteousrighteous deeds, and recommend one anotheranother to the truth, truh, and recommend recommend oneone another to patience.patience,"" (Our'an(Qufan103:1- 3)

Infn this SurahSurah(chapter of the Our'an)Qufan) our Creator---­Creatop-- the Exalted and the Mighty, makesrnakes clear to us that all mankind are losers except those who have four characteristics:

1. The belief that Allah the Almighty is the only RabbRabb (Lord - see glossary for further explanation) of mankind and that only He and no other deserves worship.

2. This belief must be based on knowledge, followed by good deeds that are based on evidences fromfrom Shari'ahShan'ah(laws(laws of Isam),lshm), which was revealedrevealedby Allah to peoplepeoplethroughthrough one of His Messengers- the seal of His Prophets, Muhammad~.MuhammadB*.

3. The call to thisthisbelief beliefand the the encouragement of good deeds, with understandingunderstandingand wisdom which are partpart of guiding peoplepeople toto itit and committing one's self to righteousness.righteousness.

9 4. Patience in dealing with allallthese these matters.

THE FOUNDATIONS WHICH MAN WILL BE ASKED ABOUT IN THE GRAVE

In order to escape the eminent loss and to earn eternal joy.joy, we must know what we will be asked about after we departdepafi from this world and move to our final destiny. We are going to be asked about three matters:

1. The question concerning RabtJRabh who is the Worshipped and the True.

2. The question about Deen, which is the belief that is practiced in this life.

3. The question concerning the Prophet who was sent and whether we have answered his call to Islamlslamor not.

The condition of the Mu'min (believer) andand the Kafir (non-believer) at death and in the grave:

Itlt was related in the HadeethHadeeththatthat the Prophet said that man is attested in his grave. Man is asked: "Who is your Rabb? What is your Deen? andand WhoWlro is your Prophet?" One indicator of this is the saying of the Prophe~Prophet# which was narrated by AIAl Barra' Ibnulbnu Azib (radhi AllahuAllahu'anh). 'anh).

10l0 'We He said, "We went out with the tre Prophetli!\!.Prophets accompanying the corpse of one of the Ansar (people of Medina who helped the Prophet) until we reached the grave in which the niche was not yet carved. Then the Prophe~Prophet# sat down facing the Quiblah (direction towards thethe Ka'bah in Makkah) so we sat down around him and it was as if there were birds above our heads. The Prophe~Prophet6 had a stick in his hand, tapped it on the ground; kept looking at the sky and then on the ground, looked up and down three times. Then he said twice or three times, 'I'l seek Allah's refuge from the torture of the grave.'

He further said three times, "Oh Allah, I seek your refuge from the torture of the grave.' Then he said: 'When thethe Mu'min is in the state of leaving this life and approaching the hereafter, there will cescend&scend to him Angels from the skies with white faces, their faces are like the sun, and they have a garment from the garments of Heaven and perfume from the perfume of Heaven until they sit from him a distance as far as the eye can see. Then the Angel of Death (radhi A/lahuAllahu anh)anhJ will come and sit by his 'O head (of the deceased), and say: '0 the good soul 'O (and in another narration '0 satisfied soul') come out to forgiveness and pardon from Allah.' The Prophetli!\!.Prophet# said: 'The soul will come out as smoothly as a drop that comes from the mouth of a water skin, and the Angel will take if," it'."

J', , 'And Another narration says: 'And when his soul come out, every Angel between the skies and earth as well as every Angel in the skies will pray for him and the gates of the skies witwil open for him. There are no Angels of any gate but invoke Allah that He will bring his soul through their gate. When the Angel of Death takes the soul, Angels will not leave it in his hand, they will take it and put it in a wrap and perfume it.'

That is what Allah the Almighty refers to in the verse:

Our MessengersMessengers (Angels of Death Death and his assistants)assisfants) take hishis soul soul and they never neglect their duty.duty."11 (Qur'an 6:61)6'.61)

From the soul will come out a smell that is as good as the best musk found on the face of the earth. Angels will rise with the soul and every time they 'Who come to a group of Angels, who will ask, 'Who is 'This this good soul?' The Angels will say: 'This is so and so, son of so-and-so',soand-so',calling him with the best of names people used to call him in his life. When the Angels reach the first level of the heavens, they will ask for permission to bring his soul in and it will be opened. He will be escorted from one of the heavens to the next by each heavens' heavens'Angels,Angels, until he reaches the seventh heaven. Then Allah the 'Record Exalted will say, 'Record the book of My worshipper

12l2 in illiyyeeniIliween (The register in which good deeds are to be written)'."written)'.n

AndAnd what will make you know what illiyyun is?is? A register register inscribed inscribed to which bear witness those nearest nearest (to Allah, i,e., Angels)."Angels)." (Qur'an83:83:1*22) 19-22)

Then a book will be registered for him in illiyyeat.illiyyem. Allah will order the Angels to return him back to 'Retum earth, saying: 'Return him back to earth. I had promised them (mankind) that from earth I have created them, in it I will return them, and from it I will bring them out once again.' So the deceased will be brought to earth and his soul will be returned to his body. He can hear the footsteps of the peoplepeopteat his grave as they gOgq leaving him behind. Two Angels will come to him, sit him up and ask him: 'Who'Wtro isis you Rabb?' Tt-eThe deceased will answer, 'Allah'Allah isis my Rabb.'Rabb.'They will question him: 'lslam 'What'\Mat isis your Deen?' He will reply: 'Islam isis my '\ly'ho Deen.' Then they will ask him: 'Who was that man thatthat was sent to you?' Then he will say:say:'He'He is is thethe 'What Messenger of Allah.' Then, they will ask him: 'What 'He 'l are your deeds?' 'He willwillreply:reply: 'I have read Allah's book, believed in in it,it, and knew that itit isis thethe truth.truth. 'They 'Who 'They will question him: 'Who isis your Rabb? What isis your Deen? And Who\Nho isis your Proptet?'Prophet?'This isis thethe lastlasttrial trialthat that a believerbelieverwill bebe pres81tedpresertedwith. Allah the Almighty says:

ll AllahAllah will keep keep firm thosethose who believe, believe, with thethe word that that stands stands firm in thisthis world." (Qur'an(Qu/an 14:27)14:27) 'My Then the deceased will answer, 'My Rabb is Allah, my Deen is Islam lslam and Muhamma~Muhammad# is my Prophet.' At this moment, a call will comefrom the heavens saying: 'My worshipper has said the truth, therefore, furnish him bedding from Jannah,Jannah dress him from the garments of Jannah andand open a gate for him tolo Jannah.' Tt-enTfen an aroma fromfrom Jannah,Jannah its perfume, will come to him and he will be provided with a grave that is as spacious as far as his eyes can see. A man with a handsome face, beautiful clothing and a good fragrance will come to 'l him and say: 'I have glad tidings which will make you happy. Be joyful because of the pleasure of Allah and Jannah with eternal delight. This is the 'And day that you were promised.' So he will say: 'And what about you, who are you? Your face brings 'l good (news).' The man will say to him: 'I am your good deeds. By Allah, I know you for nothing but being quick in the obedience of Allah and slow in disobedience of Allah, so may Allah reward you well.' Then a door from Heaven and a door from will be opened for him. And he will be told: 'This is your place (Hell), should you have disobeyed Allah. Allah has substituted it for you with this one (Heaven).' So when he sees Jannah 'O he will say: '0 my Rabb, Rabb, hurry the Day DaY of

14t4 Judgment, soso II cancan gogo backback toto mymy familyfamily andand mymy Judgment, 'Rest possessions.'possessions.' ThenThen hehe will will bebe told,told, 'Rest inin Peace.'Peace.'

AsAs forfor the Kafir,when when he is in thethe state of leavingleaving thisthis lifelife and approaching thethe Hereafter, tough,tough, fiercefierce and black-facedAngels will descend on him fromfrom thethe skies, carrying with themthem thethe Masuh (garment)from hell. TteyThey will sit as far away from him as his sight can reach. Then the Angel of Deathwill come and sit by his head and will say; Oa you bad soul, come out to the Anger and Wrath of Allah. Then his soul will scatter all over his body and the Angel will take it out as he would pluck a burrbun with plenty of thorns from wet wool. So the soulwill tear with it the veins and the nerves.

Every Angel between the skies and earth will curse him, as well as every Angel inin the skies. The gate of the skies will be closed. All Angels of each gate will supplicate to Allah that this soul will not come throughthroughtheirtheir gate. The Angel of Death will taketake itit (the(the soul) and when he takestakes it,it, thethe other Angels will notnot leaveleave itit inin hishis handhand notnot a blinkblink of an eye beforebefore they wrap itit inin thatthat Masuh. An odor as horridhonid as thethe stenchcoming fromfrom thethe worst carcass foundfound onon earthearth willwill comecome outout ofof thatthat soul.soul. TheThe AngelsAngelswillwill ascendascendwithwith itit andand everyeverytime time theythey passpass 'What byby aa groupgroupof of Angels,Angels,thethe latterlatterwillwill say:say: 'What isis thisthisbad bad soul?'soul?' TheThe ascendingascendingAngelsAngels willwill answer: answer: 'This'Thisisis s.crand-soseand-sothethe son sonof of so-and-so',soand-so',callingcalling himhim thethe worstworst namesnames hehe waswas calledcalled byby duringduring hishis

15l5 lifetime. They will continue until they reach the closest skies. They will ask for permission for him to enter but the gate will not be opened Dr6r him. Then at this point, Prophet Muhamma~Muhammad# recited the verse:

The gatesgates of Heaven Heaven will not not be openedopened for themthem and they will notnot enterenter ParadiseParadise until the camel enters enters through the eye of a needle.needle.(Qur'an(Qufan 7:60)

Allah the AlmightyAlmighg will say, 'register his book in SijjinSr11in(the book of bad deeds) at the lowest earth.' 'return And He will say, 'return my slave to the earth for I have promised them that from earth I have created them, in it I will return them and from it will bring them out once again.' The soul (of the deceased) will be dropped from the heavers until it goes to its body. The Prophe~Prophet# recited the Qur'an.

Whoever assignsassrgns partnerspartners with Allah, Allah, it is as if he had had fallenfallen from thethe sky,sky, and thethe birdsbirds had snatched snatched him or thethe wind, and thrown him to a farfar off place.place. (Qur'an(Qufan 22:31)

Then his soul will be returned back to his body. lle?re 'Certainty narrator said, 'Certainty he willwlll hear the footsteps of the people at his grave when they walk away, leaving him behind. Two Angels who have terrible voices will sit him up and interrogate him: Who is

16 'Huh, your Rabb?'Rabb?' HeHe willwill answer,answer, 'Huh, HuhHuh- II don'tdon't 'What know.'know.' Then Then theythey willwill questionquestion him:him: 'What isis youryour Deen?'He willwill reply,reply, "Huh,"Huh, Huh- II don't know.'TheThe 'What AngelsAngels will will ask him, 'What do youyou say of thisthis man who waswas sent toto you?' AndAnd he willwill not rememberremember 'Muhammad.S his name.And the Angelswill say, 'Muhammad.~ 'Huh, He will answer,'Huh, Huh-|I don't know.I've heard 'You peoplesaying that'. They will say to him, 'You didn't know and you did not recite'. A call from the 'He Heavenswill say. 'He has lied. Providehim with furnishingsfrom Hell and open a gate for him to Hell.' ltsIts heat and scorchingwind will come upon him and his gravewill constricthim until his bones overlap. A man with an ugly face, ugly clothing and overlap. 'Bad nasty smell will come to him and say, 'Bad tidings are upon you that will make you miserable. This is the day that you were promised'. The deceased will 'And say, 'And you! May Allah bring you bad tidings. Who\Mto are you? Your face brings evil.' The man will 'l say, 'I am your bad deeds. By Allah,Altah,II have never known you but being slow in in thethe obedience of Allah and quick inin thethedisobedience of Allah, so Allah has compensated your evil.' Then a blind, blind, deaf and mutemuteman manwith a sledge hammerhammer inin hishishand handwill be be designated forfor him.him. Iflf hehe isis to strike a mountainmountain withwith thethe hammer,hammer,thethe mountainmountainwillwill turnturn intointo dust.dust' ThisThisman manwill willstrike strikehimhim withwith it it once,once,andand he hewill willturnturn intointodust. dust. ThenThenAllah Allahwill will returnreturnhimhim to to hishis formerformer state.state.TheThe manman willwill strikestrikehimhim again,again,thisthis timetime hehe (the(thedeceased)deceased) willwill give giveaa loudioudscreamscrem whichwhichwillwill be be

1717 heardheardby by everythingeverythingexceptexcept Aththaga/ain AththagataLn(mankind(mankind andandthe theJinn)". Jinn).(Abu (AbuDawood Dawood1/282)ttZB2)

Inln thisthis andand otherother similarsimilarHadeeth, Hadeeththerethere isis clearclear evidenceevidencethatthat manman isis askedaskedabout aboutthethe foundationsfoundations ofof TawheedTawheed(monotheism).(monotheism). HeHe will willbe be asked,asked,"Who,,Who isis youryour Rabb?Rabb? WhatWhat isis youryour Deerf?Deerl?Who Who isis youryour Prophet?".Prophet?".TheThe MuslimMuslimwill will answer:answer:"My"My Rabb Rabb isis Allah,Allah,Islam fslamis is mymy Deen,Deen,andand Muhamma~Muhammad#isis mymy Prophet.Prophet.AndAnd thisthis isis thethe meaningmeaningof what Allah Allahthe the Almighty said inin the the verse:

AllahAllah will keep keep firmfirm thosethose who believe, betieve, with thethe word thatthat standsstands firmfirm in in thisthis world and thethe Hereafter. (Qur'an(Qur"an14:27)14:27)

Therefore, a Muslim whether male or female, must know the following three foundations.

The First Foundation Man must know that Allah is his Rabb who created him, providedfor him and bestowedplenty of His bountieson him.And that Allahdid not createman without a purposeand did not leave him without guidance,but He sent a Messengerwho recitedto him the versesof Allahto show him the rightpath. The Messengeralso explainedb him thatthat Allah created man toto worship Him alone. Allah thethe Almightysays in in Qur'an51:56:51 :56:

l818 And II created not the Jinns andand MenMen excepttheyexcept they should worshiPworship Me.

AndAnd verily,verily, We havehave sent amongamong everyevery IJmmahUmmah (communitY,(community, nation)nation) aa MesMes­ senger (proclaiming):(proclaiming): Worship AllahAllah and avoid Taghout.( (Quran 16:36)

Upon knowingthatthat Allah has createdyou forfor His worship,you must bear in mind that He will not accept that you worship other than Him; neither would He accept to be worshipped along with others.In thisregard, Allah the Exaltedsays:

Verily Allah forgivesforgives notnot thatthat partnerspartners shouldshould be setsef up with Him in worship. ButBut He forgivesforgives exceptexcePt thatthat to whom He pleases. (Qur'an 4:48) And thethe mosquesmosques areare for Allah, so invokeinvoke notnot anyone alongalong with Allah (Qur'an(Qu/an72:18)72:18)

ItIt is is well knownknown thatthat Allah likeslikes believingbelievingWOFwor shippersshippersandand notnot thethe Kafireen.Kafireen.Therefore,Therefore, aa MuslimMuslim mustmustlikelike whatwhat AllahAllah loves,loves, rejectreject whatwhat AllahAllah dislikesdislikes andandhold holdanimosity animositytoto Kuffar Kuffarforfor what whatthey theyharbor harborinin theirtheir hearts.hearts.Hence, Hence,there there areare threethree issuesissues oneone mustmustknow: know:

1.1. ThatThatAllahAllah hadhad created createdpeoplepeople forfor His Hisworship; worship; HeHedid did notnotcreate createthemthem for for nothingnothingandand did did notnot

19l9 leave them aimless but He sent them a Messenger. Whoever obeys the Messenger will enterenter Jannah andand whoever disobeys him will enter Hell. Allah orderedHis Messenger to call people to worshipAllah aloneand to avoidthe worshipof Taghout.

Taghout is anything or anybody that is worshipped or followed beyond the boundaries of worshipping the real and only Allah.

The five most evil of all Taghout are;are',

a) Iblees/b/ees (the devil, Satan) who has been condemned by Allah and cut off from His mercy. b) Anyone who is pleased while being worshipped. c) Anyone who gives judgment according to rules other than that revealed by Allah. d) Anyone who calls people to worship him. e) Anyone who claims to know something of the unseen.

2. Allah does not accept anyone joining anything or anybody with Him in any form forrnof worship such as SalahSalah (obligatory prayers), Siyam (fasting), Sadaqah (charity), RukuRuku (bowing), SujudSuiud (prostration),(prostration),fear,fear, hope, seekingseking help and salvation, or in in anymatter thatthat only Allah can do.

20 3.3. OneOne mustmust befriendbefriend Auliya Auliya ofof AllahAllah (supporters,(supporters, helpers)helpers) of of thethe believers,believers, lovelove them,them, bebe inin theirtheir company,company, askask AllahAllah toto havehave mercymercy onon them,them, supplicatesupplicate toto AllahAllah forfor them,them, andand askask AllahAllah toto forgiveforgive them,them, especiallyespecially the the familyfamily ofof ProphetProphet Muhammadd#Muhammad" andand allall hishis companionscompanions starting starting fromfrom thethe wisewise successorssuccessors A/AI KhulafaaKhulafaa (the(the Caliphs);Abu Bakr, Omar, Othman, and Ali'Ali, followedfollowed by the restrest of thethe companionsand after them,them, alltheall the Muslims inin general.

On the other hand, one must hold animosity towards whoever is an enemy of Allah from amongthethe KuffarKuffarandand their supporters who claim Islamlslambut do not follow its jurisdictionand do not respect those who adhere to it. However, this animosity does not permit us to oppress them by taking over their wealth or slander them while they are not at war against us. But insteadinsteadwe must inviteinvitethem them toto Islam lslam and guide themthem toto righteousness.righteousness.We must observe theirtheir rightsrights and bebesincere sincereandand honest honesttowardtoward them.them' AllahAllahthethe Exalted Exaltedsays:saYs: AllahAtlahforbids forbids youyou notnot toto dealdealjustly iustly andand kindlykindty withwith thosethose whowho foughtfought notnot againstagainst youyou onon accountaccount ofof religionreligion andand drovedrove youyou notnotout out ofof youryour homes.hornes.Verily VerilyAllah Allahloves loves thosefhose whowho deal deat withwith equity.equity. ItIt is is onlyonly inin regardsregardsto to thoseffiose whowho foughtfought agahstagahst youyou

2121 onon account account ofof religion religion andand have have drivendriven youyou outout ofof youryour homeshomes andand helpedhelped toto drivedrive youyou out;out; AllahAllah forbidsforbids youyou toto befriendbefrtend them.them. AndAnd whosoeverwhosoever willwiil befriendbefriend them,them, thenthen suchsuch areare thethe DhalimunDha I i m un (wrong-doers).(wron g-doers).(Ouran(eu f an60:8-9) 60:&9)

YouYou (0(O Muhammad)Muhammad) willwill not not findfind anyany peoplepeople whowho believebelievein in Allah Allah andand thethe LastLast DayDay makingmaking friendshipfriendship withwith thosethose whowho opposeoppose AllahAllah andand HisHis Messenger /tfessenger (Muhammad)(Muhammad) eveneven thoughthough theythey werewere theirtheir fathers,fathers, oror theirtheir sons, oror theirtheir brothers,brothers, or their kindred."kindred.'(euf(Qur'an an58:22) 58:22)

And if anyone of the the Mushrikun (polytheists) seeksee/r your protection,protection, then grant him protectionprotection so thatthat he may hear the Word of Allah and then escort him to where he cancan be secure,securg that is becausebecause they are men who know not."not." (Qur'an(Our'an 9:6)

HowCould A WorshipperKnow His Rabb?

There are so many thingsthings in thethe universeand in oneselfby which one would know hisRabb. The AlmightyAlmighty says:

We willwill show shaw themthem OurOur srgnssigns inin the universe, andand inin theirtheir ownselyes,ownselves, untituntil itit

2222 becom*becomes manifest toto themthem thatthat thisthis isis thethe truth.truth. (Qu/(Our'an41:53) an 4'l :53)

TheThe nightnight and and thethe day,day, thethe sunsun andand thethe moonmoon andand thethe starsstars thatthat areare guidedguided byby HisHis commandcommand areare allall Signs of Allah.Allah. TheyThey provide evidence forfor His Being. TheThe AlmightYAlmighty AllahAllah saYs:says:

Indeedlndeed your Lord is Allah,Allah, who created the HeavensHeavens and the eafthearth inin six daysdaYs andand then He Istawalstawa (rose above) on the Throne. He coverscovers the night with the day, seekingseeking rapidly, and (He created) the sun, the moon,moon, the sfarsstars subjectedsuhiected to HisHis command. Surely,Surely, His is thethe CreationCreation and Commandment.Commandmenf. BlessedB/essed be Allah, thethe Lord of the AI-AlaminAl-Alamin (the worlds). (Our'an(Qu/an7:54)7:54)

Therefore, when thethe worshipper isis asked,Who isis your Rabb? He must say, Allah isis my Rabb who nurturednurturedmeme and providedprovidedforfor me,me, as well as for all mankindmankindand all creatures. HeHe created themthem and sustainedsustainedthemthem forfor HisHis worship.worship.Therefore,Therefore, theythey mustmust submitsubmit toto HimHim andand humblyhumbly obey,obey, withwith nono question,question, allall that that HeHe hashas ordained ordained forfor HisHis worshippersworshippersandand askedaskedthem them toto dodo inin HisHis exaltedexalted book,book, asas wellwell asas whatwhat isis inin thethe hadeethhadeethofof His His Prophet.!Jlt,Prophetbthat thathave havebeen beenprovenproven authenticauthentic throughthrough examinationexaminationbyby thethe MuslimMuslimscholars. scholars. ThenThen actingacting accordingaccording toto their their implications,implications,whetherwhether wewe

23 understandunderstandthethe significance significanceofof thethe orderorder oror not.not. OnceOnce wewe knowknow thatthat thethe worshipworshipis is forfor AllahAllah only,only, thenthen nonenone ofof it it shouldshould bebe directeddirectedto to other other thanthan Him.Him.

WhatW|"ratisis Ibadah/badah(Worship)?(Worship)?

Worship isis an inclusiveinclusivetermterm of all acts and sayings thatthat Allah likeslikes and isis pleasedpleasedwith, whether theythey are obvious or hidden.hidden.Itlt isis implementingimplementingof Allah'sAtlah's order according toto one'sown ability. Itlt isis thenthen thethe duty of thethe worshipper to follow thethe command of Allah and toto avoidHis prohibitions. Allah thethe Exaltedsays:

So keep your duty to Allah Allah as much as you can. (Qur'an(Qur"an64: 16)

Allah burdens not a person beyond his scope. (Qur'an(Qur'an 2:286)

Since abstinence bears no burden of any kind, one must avoid Allah'sprohibitions. The last Prophet Muhammadi:\li!.Muhammad# says; "Do what you can from what I ask you to do, and avoidwhat I askyou notto do." (Al(AI Bukhari8/143)81143)

Thereare manykinds of worship.Among them are: a. Du'aOu'a (supplications). Allah says:

24 lnvokeInvoke youryour Lord with humiliUhumility and inin secretsecret. (QufanT:S5)(Qur'an 7:55)

AndAnd invokeinvoke HimHim onlYonly makingmaking Youryour religion sinceresincere toto Him."Him."(Qur'an(Qur' an 7'.29)7:29) b.b. Khovr,fKhowf. (fear) (fear) andand raiaraja (hope).(hope). AllahAllah thethe exaltedexalted says:

So fear them not, but fear Me ifif you are (true)believers." believers."(Qu/an(Qur'an 3:175) So whoever hopeshoPes for the meeting with hishis Lord, Lord, let him work righteous­righteous ness and assoclateassociate none as a Paftnerpartner in thethe worshipworshiP of hishis Lord. (Qur'an 18:110)1B:110) c. AttawakulAffawakul(reliance inin Allah). Allah the Almighty says:

And put trusttrust inin Allah ifif youYou are believersbelieversindeed.indeed. (Our'an (Qur'an5:23)5:23) d.d. RaghbahRaqhbah(hope),(hooe\. Rahbah Rahbah(fear), ffear\,and and Khushu'aKhushu'a {humility).QU!L[!!y)Allah Allahthethe Exalted Exaltedsays:saYs:

Verily,Verily, theytheY usedused toto hastenhasten onon to to dodo goodgood deeds, deeds, theytheY usedused toto call call onon usus withwith hopehope andand fearfear andand usedused toto humblehumble themselvesthemselvesbefore beforeus. us"'U(Our'an (Qur'an 2121:90) 90)

2525 e.e. AllstighathaA/ /sfi'qhafha(invoking(invokinq AllahAllah for forsalvation) salvation)andand al a/ isti'anahrsfl'anah(seeking(seekinq helphelo fromfrom Allah) Allah)

AllahAllahthe theExalted Exaltedsays:says:

YouYou (alone)(alone)we we worshipworship andand YouYou (alone)(atone) wewe askaskfor for help.help.""((Qufan Qur'an 11:4) :4)

TheThe ProphetProphetsaid,said, "When"When youyou seekseekhelp, help,seekseek it it fromfromAllah" (AI(Al Imam lmamAhmad 1/307). 11307). ff. AI Isti'athahlsti'athah (seeking(seekinq Allah'sAllah's refuge).retuoe).Allah Altah thethe Almighty says:

Say:Say. I/ seek refuge refuge with (Allah) thethe Lord of mankind. "(Qur'an"(Qufan 114:1141) 1) g. SujudSurud (prostration), inhinarnhrna (bending) (bendinq)and Ruku (bowing).(bowinq).Allah says:

oO you who believe!believe! Bow down ,and prostrateprostrate yourselves,yourselves, and worship your Lord and do good that you may be successuccessful."sf u 1. " (Qu(Qur'an/ an 22.77)22:77)

And enter the gate inin prostration.prostration. (Qur'an(Qur'an2:58)2:58)

26 TheThe scholarsscholars inin theirtheir commentarycommentary ofof thethe Qur'anQur'an saidsaid that that inin thisthis verse verse Suiud Sujudmeansmeans bending bending youryour headsheadsdown.down. h.h. EmplovinqEmploying Allah'sAllah's Shan'ah Shari'ah inin resolvinqresolving disoutesdisputes amonqamong people.people. AllahAllah thethe Exaltedsays:says:

But know, by your Lord, theYthey can have no faith,faith, until theYthey make Youyou (Muhammad) iudgejudge inin all disPufesdisputes betweenbefurreenthem, find in themselves no resistance againstagainst your decisions and acceptacceptwith full submission.submission'"" (Qur'an(Qufan 4:65)

The Second Foundation: Man must know his Deen based on knowledge and certainty built on the authentic sayings and practices of Muhammad by whom Allah has concluded all of His Messages. Allah the the Exalted has revealedrevealedthethe Qur'an toto MUhammad~Muhammad# toto be studiedstudiedcarefullycarefully andand bebe guidedguidedby by it,it, forfor itit isis thethe guidanceguidanceandand thethe truetrue light.light. Islamlslam isis thethe truetrue religion;religion;therethere isis nono truetrue religionreligionafterafter the the messagemessage ofof ProphetProphetMuhamma~, Muhammad#,for for AllahAllah thethe ExaltedExalted says:says.

WhoeverWhoever seeksseeks aa religionreligion otherother thanthan Islam,Islam,it it willwilt nevernever bebe accepted acceptedof of him,him, andand inin thetheHereafter Hereafterhehe willwill bebe oneoneof of thethe losers."losers." (Qur'an3:85).(Qur'an3:85). 2727 WithWiththis thisDeen, Deen,AllahAllah has hasabrogated abrogatedotherother religionsreligions and accepted Islamlslam forfor hishis worshippers.Allah has has takentakenupon uponHimself Himselfthethe responsibilityresponsibilityof preservingpreserving thethe Qur'anQufan intact,intact, freefree from from any alterations or changes, as HeHesays:

Verily We: It lt is We who have sentsent down thethe dhikr and surely, We will guard it.it. (Qur'an(Qur'an15:9)15:9)

And We have sent sent down toto you (0 (O Muhammad) thethe Book (this Qur'an)Qur'an) in truth, confirming the the scripturesscriptures that came beforebefore it and Mohayminan (trus~(trust worthyworThyin highness, highness, and a witness)witness) over it (old scriptures).scriptures).(Qur'an 5 :48)

This day I have perfectedpertected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosenchosen for you IslamIslam as your religion."religion." (Qur'an(Q u r' an 5:3) 5.3)

And We have not sentsent you exceptexcept as a giver of glad tidings and a warner to all manmankind.ki nd. (Qur'an(Qur' a n 34:28)

28 The DeoreesDegrees of Deen This Deen comes inin threethree degrees;theythey are lslam,Islam, lmanIman (taith)(faith) and /hsanIhsan (perfection).

lslamIslam It means submissionand ridding oneself from ShrkShirk (polytheism)and it's practitioners.ltIt is belief and action; believing with the heart that the obedienceto Allah is obligatoryand acting with JawaihJawarih (the limbs) in accordance to Allah's Shari'ah.Shai'ah.lslamIslam has five pillars that we must believe in and physically practiced. These pillars are:

1. Bearing witness that there is no IIah//ah(deity)(deity) other than AllahAttah and that Muhamma~Muhamma@ is the Messenger of Allah. "La ilaha iliailla Allah"means no one is worthy of worship except Allah.

The phrase la ilaha disregard all other deities that are worshipped besides Allah, because theythey are all false gods. The fact isis trattfat anything thatthat isis worshipped other thanthan Allah isis BatjJBatil (false).(false).On thethe other hand, thethe phrase "ilia "illa Allah" confirms thatthat Allah isis thethe truetrue God who solely deserve worship. The meaningmeaningof the declaration thatthat Muhamma~ Muhamma@isis thethe MessengerMessenger of Allah, is is toto obey his his orders, toto believebelievewhat hehe told,told,to to avoidavoidwhatwhat hehe firmlyfirmlyorderedordered notnot toto bebe done,done, andand toto worshipworship AllahAllah accordingaccordingto to whatwhathe he conveyedconveyedinin Shari'ah. Shai'ah.AllahAllah thethe ExaltedExalted says:says:

29 Allah bears witness that la ilaha ila Huwa (none has the the right to be worshipped butHrt He), He), and thethe Angels,Angels, and thosefhose having knowledge (also give thisfhis witness); (He is always) maintaining HisHis creationcreation in Justice.Justice. La ilaha iliailla Huwa, the Almighty, the All Wise. (Qur'an3:18)

Verily, therethere hashas come unto you a MessengerMessenger from amongst yourselves.yourselves. It grievesgrieves him thatthat you shouldshould receivereceive any injury or difficulty. He is anxious anxious over you (to be rightly guided), for the believersbelievers (he is)is) full of pity, kind and merciful. (Quran 9:128)9:1 28)

2. Performing the five daily Sa/ah Their performance means we must do the complete prayers as prescribed in Islam.lslam.

3. (compulsory alms). Allah says:

And they were commanded not,not, butbut thatthat they should should worship Allah,AIIah, and worship none but Him alone, and offer prayer perfectlypertectly and give Zakat: and that isrb thefhe right religion. (Qur'an(Qu/an 98:5)

30 4.4. Fastingthethe monthof Ramadhan.Allahsays:

Oo you who believe! Fasting isis prespree cribed for you as ftit uraswas prescribedprescribed forfor those beforehefore you, that you may beb& come Al4luttaqunAI-Muttaqun (the pious).pious). (Qu/an2:183)(Qur'an 2:183)

The month of Ramadhan in which was revealedrevealed the Qur'an, a guidance for mankindmankind and clear clear proofs for the guidance and thethe criterion. 50So whoever of you sightssighfs the month, he must fast that month.(Our'an(Qur'an 2:185)

5. AIAl (pilgrimage). Allah the Almighty says:

AndAnd Hajj to the the HouseHouse is a duty that mankind owesovves to Allah, thosefhose who can afford thethe expenses.expenses.(Qur'an 3:97)

Imanlman

Imanlman isis saying,doing and believing.believing.Itlt increasesincreases throughthrough obedience and decreases throughthrough disobedience. Allah the Exalted Exaltedsays:

AndAnd wheneverwhenever therethere comescofnes downdown aa 5urah,Surah,somesome ofof themthem say:saY: WhichWhich ofof youYou hashas hadhad hishis faithfaith increasedincreased bybY it?it? AsAs

31 for those who believe,it has increasedincreased their faith and they rejoice." rejoice." (Quran 9:124)

ProphetMuhammad#Muhamma~ said, ""/manhas more than 70 branches,the summit of which is la ilahai1aha ilaita Allah,and the lowestof whichis removinghurt from peoples way, and hayaa (modesty) is one of the branches of Iman".lman".(Muslim 12/57)12157)

Imanlmanhas six pillars. They are:

1. The belief in the Almighty Allah, that He is the Creator of all creatures and the RatbRab of all mankind. They have no Rabb or anyone to be worshipped besides Him.

2. The belief in the Angels that Allah has created from light.light.They work in His obedience. They do not disobey Allah, but they do what Allah commands them to do.

3. The belief inin thethe books revealedrevealed by Allah to His Messengers. Among them are; the Tawrat (Torah)(Torah)which was revealed toto Moses and thethe Injil/nJil(Gospel) (Gospel)which was revealed revealedtoto Jesus. What is meant by belief here is is inin thethe originals of these twotwo books.books.Alteration, change, addition and reductionreductionhavehave beenbeenintroduced introducedtoto what isis beingbeingusedused today. So the the originalhashas been beenCORcon fusedfusedwith additions and reductions. reductions.

32JZ AnotherAnother bookbook oneone mustmust believebelieve inin isis thethe ZaboorZaboor (Psalms)(Psalms) thatthat AllahAllah hashas revealedrevealed toto DaoudDaoud (David).(David). The tastlast of thesethese books isis thethe Qur'anQu/aq whichwhich waswas revealedrevealed toto Muhammad#Muhamma~ and has been preserved up toto thisthis day inin itsits originalform.form. No alterationsor change have been introducedintroduced toto it.it. ltIt isis Muhayminan (dominant) over all thethe revealed books.

4. The belief in the Messengersof Allah as a whole and individrally,individually, who were concludedby Prophet tlltrh3rnrn3clNF.Muhamma~. The QufanQur'an mentions twentyfive of them.

5. The belief in the Last Day and in everythingthat Allah and His Prophet has told regarding the matters of the unknown.

6. The belief that AIAl Qadr (divine preordainment), whether bad or good, isis from the Almighty Allah. Itlt isis thethe belief inin thethe ccrnprehensiveconprehensive knowledge of Allah, thatthat He knows everything and thatthatwhat He He hashaswritten isis eminently going toto happen.happen.And the beliefbeliefthatthat whatever Allah wills to happen,happen,itit isis going toto happen,happen,and what HeHe willswillsotherwiseotherwise isis notnotgoing goingtoto happen.happen.HeHe isis thethe onlyonlyCreator Creatorofof allailthat thatis is created.created.

TheThe evidenceevidencefromfrom thelhe Qur'anQur'anconcerning concerningthesethese pillarspillarsisis found foundinin the thefollowing followingverses:verses:

3333 It is not not AI-Birr (piety and righteous­righteou* ness/ness) that you turn your faces towards towards the East andand West; butbut AIEirrAI-Birr is the ffie one who believesbelieves in Allah, the LastLast Day, thethe Angels,Angels, the Book,Book, the Prophets.Prophets.(Our'(Quf an 2:177)2: 177)

Verily We have created created allall thingsthings with Qadar.Qadar.(Our'an(Qu/an 54:49)

Whoever\A/hoeverdenies or rejects any of these pillars, would be considered to have rejected them all. Allah the Almighty says:

And whosoever disbelievesdisbelieves in Allah, HisHts Angels,Angels, HisHis Books, Books, HisHts Messengers,Messengers, and the Last Last Day, then indeedindeed he has strayedstrayed far away (Our'an4:136)(Qur'an4:136)

IHSANIHSAN AIAl Ihsanlhsan (perfection) isis one pillar but itit has two degrees, one isis higherthan the other. The first is to worship Allah as if you are seeing Him, and the second isis to worship Allah while you are certain that He actually sees you.

The evidence from the Sunnah forfor the three degrees of Deen isis foundfound inin Jibril's (alaihi(alaihi salam)salam) Hadeeth which was relatedreiatedfromfrom Umar V-adhi (radhiAllahu 'anh).anh).He said:

34-)(+ "Whilewe were sittingnear the Messengerof Allah a man appearedwearing very white clothesand his hair was black, who showed no evidenceof travel, and none of us knew him. He sat in front of the Prophet, with their knees touching. He put his 'O palms on the Prophet'sthighs and he said, '0 Muhammad#,Muhammad~, tell me about Islam.'lslam.' The Prophet 'lslam answered,'Islam is to bear witnessthat there is none worthy of worship but Allah, that Muhammad#Muhammad~ is a Messenger of Allah, perform Salah,Salah, give Zakat, fast (the month of RamadharljRamadharll and perform pilgrimage to the House if you are 'You able.' The man said, 'You have said the truth.' So we wondered about him; he asked him (Muhammad~)(Muhammad#; and confirms his answers! The man said: 'So tell me about Iman.' lman.' The Prophet responded: 'To believe inin Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Last Day and to believe in the Preordained, good or bad.' The man 'So asked, 'So tell me about the Day of Judgment.' The Prophet replied: 'The'The questioned isis no more knowledgeable about it than the questioner.' The man said, 'Tell'Tell me about itsits signs.'The Prophet 'The said, 'The slave woman willwili give birth toto her master and one will see the naked, bare-footed poor, who herd the sheep, compete in constructing talltall buildings.' Then thethe man left.left. So, II waited for for a 'lt while, thenthen thethe ProphetProphet said, 'It isis Jibril! ('alaihisalam),('alaihisalam),who came to you toto teachteach you your Deen'." (Sahih(Sahih MuslimMuslim 8/36-38)8/3638)

35 The Third Foundation Man must know his Prophet Muhammad3.Muhamma#. He isis Muhammad bin Abdullah bin AbdulMuttalibAbdulMuttatibbin Hashim. Hashim is fromfrom thethe Quraish. Quraish is fromfrom thethe Arabs, and thethe Arabs are fromfromthe the children of IsmaelIsmaef ibni bn IbrahimI bra h i m (Abraham-alaihiassalatuwasallam).(Abra ham-a bihi assatatuwasalam).

Muhammadli!\!.Muhammadffiwas born in in Makkah during the Year of the Elephant(571 years after Jesus birth, alaihi was-salam). He was dispatched with the Message at Makkah. Thirteen years later,later, he migratedto Madinah (Hijrah).(Hijrah)

The first revelation he recewedrecei'redwas Qur;an 96:96:1-5; 1-5;

Read!Read! Inln the name of your Lord who hashas created created (all that exists). exisfs). HasHas createdcreated man from a clot. clot. Read! Read! And your Lord is the Most Most Generous.Generous. Who hashas taught by thethe pen.pen. HasHas taught man thatthat which he knew not.not.""

With\Mth this revelation he became a Prophet, then Allah revealed the following verse:

oO you (Muhammad) enwrappedenwrapped (in a cloak). AriseArise and warn. (Qur'an(Qur'an74:1-2)74: 1-2)

This revelation was the beginning of sendinghim to allmankind.mankinci.

36 And We have not sent sent you (0(O Muham mad) exceptexcepf as a giver of glad tidings and a warnerwamer to all mankind, but mostmost of men know not! (Qur'an(Qufan 34:28)34'.28)

The Prophet lived for ten years after his migration to Madinah. He breathed his last after Allah had completed His Deen and blessings through him. He died at the age ci d 63. He had guided man to all good, and he had warned them from all evil. He is the last of the Prophets. No Prophet will come after him. Allah the Exalted says:

Muhammad is not thethe father of any man among you, butbut he is thethe Messenger/l'fessenger of Allah, the lastlast of thethe Prophets.Prophets. And Allah is Ever All-AwareAII-Aware of everything. (Qur'an 33:40)

Knowing Prophet Muhamma~ Muhammadffi can be accomplished through the examination of SirahStrah(his(his life),life), his biography and the way he lived,lived, which make the examiner totally convinced that Muhammad~Muhammad# isis a Messenger from Allah. Therefore, you find those who have the opportunity to know what has been narrated about him convinced of the truthfulness of what he conveyed fromfrom Allah, and that HijrahHiirahisis his Sunnah. HijrahHiirahin in Islamlslamisis thethejourney fromfrom thethe landlandof Kufrto the landland of Islam.lslam. Ittt is is obligatoryuntil repentancerepentanceisis no no

37 longer accepted by Allah; repentance however, could be accepted by Allah until the sun rises from the west, where it normally sets (this is a sign of the Day of Judgment).

Because nations today have established communication and have become closer to each other in business and dealings, it is better for a Muslim to search for a country where Islamiclslamic obligations are practiced the most, so he can perform his Islamiclslamic duties, such as worshipping Allah, calling others to the religion of Allah (Islam)(lslam) and do (struggle) in the cause or sake of Allah. This is because there is a strength to Islamlslam and Muslim in their physical assembly, in the unity of their voices and the solidarity of their ranks. Itlt is for this reason Allah had legislated Hijrah andand threatened who ignores it with Hell fire. Allah the Almighty says,

Verily! As for those whom thethe AngelsAngels taketake while wronging themselvesthemselves they say;say; In what (condition) were you? They reply: We were weak and oppressedopPressed on earth. They (Angels) say: Was not the eartheafth of Allah spacious enoughenaugh for you to emigrate therein? Such Such men will find their abode abode in Hell. What an evil destination!destination!

38l8 Except the weak ones among men, women and children who cannot devise a plan,plan, nor are they able to direct their way. For these there is hopehope that Allah will forgive them, and Allah is Ever on Oft pardoning, ofbForgiving."oft-Forgiving." (Qur'an 44:44 97­97- se)99) This has been an illustration of what man will be asked aboutin his grave,what he must believe in and.doand,do in this life in order to achievesafety and success in both this life and in the Hereafter by answering these questions properly.

THE FOUNDATIONS WHICH MAN WILL BE ASKEDASKEDABOUTABOUT ON THE DAY OF JUDGMENT

The questions that a man will be asked inin his grave will be repeated again, but in a different manner and to all people on the Day of Judgment. The new format will be as follows:

1. The question about what had been worshipped: whoever worshipped Allah exclusively will be saved and successful, and all who acted otherwise will be disposed toto punishment. Attawhid (Islamic (lslamic monotheism)rnonotheism)isis toto worship Allah alone. This worship mustmust be be inin accordance with what Allah Ailah hashas legislated legislated throughthrough HisHis Messenger Messenger Muhamma~Muhamma# with

39 sincerity.The worshipmust be purely for Allah; it must be free from Riya Riya (showing-off). Worship that is contaminated with Shirk, Shirk hypocrisy or is not in accordance to the Shari'ahShai'ahof Allah,and has no guidancefrom the QuranQufan or the Sunnah, Sunnah,does not benefit the performer and will not save him on the Day of Judgment. Allah the Almighty says:

And ParadiseParadise wiJIwill be brought near to thethe Muttaqun (pious and righteous). And the Hellfire will placeplace in full view of Ghawun (the erring). And it will be saidsaid to them lWhere'Where are those that you usedused to worship insteadinstead of Allah? Can they helphelp you or help help themselves?' Then they will be thrown on their facesfaces into thethe fire,fire, they and thethe Ghawun and the whole host host of Iblis. lblis. They will say while contending therein, 'By'By Allah,AIIah, we were truly in a manifest manifest error, when we held you as equals equals with the the Lord of the the Alamin.'AIamin.'(Qur'an(Qur' an 42:90-98)

Or have they partners?partners? Then letlet them bring their their partnerspartners if they areare truthful (Qur'an68:41)(Qur'an68'41)

ItIt was narrated in a Hadeeth by Abu Sa'eed AIAl 'anh) Khudry (radhi (ndhiAllahu Attahu'anh) "I"l heard the Prophet said: 'Allah'Allahwill lay bare His Shin (lower(lowerleg)leg) and all

40 believers male and female, will prostrate themthern selves before Him. But there will remain those who prostrated in the world for showing off and forfame. Such one will try to prostrate but his back will become a single bone (and will not be able to prostrate)'." (AI(Al Bukhari, Book of Tawheed, page 24 andandMuslim, Book of Iman,lman,page 302)

2. The second question will be about the deeds. Those whose deeds are purely for Allah, and in accordance to His rules, will be saved on the Day of Judgment.

Say,S"y, when they come (before their Lord at thethe placeplace of reckoning), He will say: 'Did'Did you deny My ayat (proofs, evidences, and verses) verses,) when you comprehended them not in knowledge or what was it that you usedused to do?' (Our'an(Qufan27:84)27:84)

Inln a Hadeeth Hadeelh narrated by AIAl Tirmidhi from Abu BarzahBazah AIAl Asiam, the Prophet said: "The feet of the slave (of Allah) will not take a step until he is asked about his life and how he had spent it; about his knowledge and what he had done with it; about his wealth and the source of earning it and how he had spent it; and about his body and how he had worn it. "

414l 3.3. TheThe questionsquestionsaboutabout answering answeringthethe callcallof of Allah'sAllah's Messengers:Messengers:thosethose whowho werewere followingfollowingProphetProphet Muhammad--Muhammad6in in theirtheirworship worshipwillwill bebe savedsavedin in thatthat situationsituation by by answeringanswering thethe quesionsque$ions correctly.conectly. AndAnd thethe answeranswerofof thosethosewhowho werewerenot not followingfollowingProphetProphet Muhamma~Muhammad$ willwill be:be: '('l don'tdon't know,know,I've I've heardheardpeople peoplesaysay somethingsomethingsoso II saidsaid it.'it.' ButBut thethe Mu'minwill say: "have'l have readread the bookbook of Allah and believedbelievedinin it.'it.' On thethe DayDay of 'How Judgment, peoplepeople will bebe asked: 'How did you answer thethe Messenger?"

And thethe Day (Allah)(Allah) will callcall toto them them and say:say: What answeranswer gavegave you toto thethe Messenger?llfessenger? (Qur'an28:65)(Qu r' a n 28.65)

What Must Be Known And Believed 1. That Allah isis the Creator of all that has been created and He is the RabbRabb of the whole universe. So He is the only One to be worshipped, and He will not accept from His worshippersto worshipother than Him, nor will He acceptto be worshippedjointly with others. Whoever associatesanything or anyone with Allahin his worship,Allah will rejecthim and his Shirk. Allah is the only One Who has the characteristicsof completeness,and He is too exaltedto be incomplete.A Muslimshould also know that Allah did not have a wife or a child, and that there is no mediatorbetween Him and His creatures. He is above all the universe,universe:

42 mounted on the throne. He is distinctfrom all that He had created;there is nothing like Him and He is the All-Hearing,AI~Hearing, AllSeeing; AII-Seeing; His Knowledge and Mercy prevails over everything.

2. Islamlslam is the true religion by which Allah has NasakhaNasakha(abrogated) all preceding religions; it encompasses all of them. Islamlslam includes all what was in the other religions from the AlmightyAtmightyAllah and Allah will accept no religion other than Islam.lslam.

3. Prophet MuhammadlillMuhammadi6 is the lastlastMessenger and his message is the seal of all Messages No Prophet will come after him, and that the revelation from Allah has stopped after the death of the Prophet. Whoever\Mroever claims that he receives revelation from Allah, is a Kafir.Kafir, What\Mat he claims to receive isis nothing but the evil whisper of Satan.

4. That the Qur'an isis the lastlast of the Books that were revealed from Allah, and that Allah has guaranteed itsits preservation. The Qur'anQur"anwill remain protected until Allah takes itsits verses away from the Book and from the hearts of people at the end of time, as was mentioned inin thethe Hadeeth narrated by Addrami fromfrom Ibn lbn Masaudi. 'There "Therewill be a night when each and every verse of the Qur'an,Qufa4 whether in a book or inin thethe heart of a person will be taken away.

43A1 (Addarami211352/135 & Sunnan lbnIbn Majah) WhoWhG ever claims that the Qur'ancontains additions or reductionsis Kafir and outside the fold of lslam.Islam.

5. That the conrpanionscompanions of Prophet Muhamma#Muhammadi' are the best mankindafter the Messergersand the Prophets. Allah is pleased with them,and had selectedthem for the companionship of His ProphetProphet#iitA and to support His religion. They have conveyed to us the Sunnah Sunnah of the MessengerMessengeri$iitA with trustworthiness and truthfulness, and they did not hide any of it. They are the ones who conveyed to us all of Prophet Muhammad'~Muhammad'sl#saying, doings and characteristics. They have informed all of these to people who came after them correctly and clearly, verbally without confusion or ambiguity. Whoever\Moever hates them, degrades any of them, or claim that any or all of them areareKafir, is is himself be a Kafir.

This is what has been compiled on thisthis subject. II asked Allah the Exalted toto benefit Muslims with it wherever they maybe and toto makeit it purely forfor His Glorious sake.

MayMay Allah bestowbestowHisHis mercymercyand peacepeaceupon upon our ProphetProphetMuhamma@1!,Muhammad#, hishis family familyand companions. Ameen.

44 GLOSSARYGLOSSARY

Adda'wah:Adda'wah: TheThe call call (Calling (Calling peoplepeople toto lslam).Islam).

Allah:Allah: TheThe properproper name name appliedapplied toto thethe onlyonly truetrue GodGod \MroWho existsexists necessarilynecessarily byby Himself,Himself, comprising comprising allall thethe excellentexcellent Divine names names and and attributesattributes ofof perfection.perfection. He isis thethe solesole Creator Creator andand SustainerSustainer ofof thethe universe.universe.

Alaihissalam:Peace be uponhim.

Alaihi assalatu wassalam: May peace and blessingof Allahbe upon him.

Alamin:Mankind, Jinns and all that exists.

Ansar: lit. Helpers (the people of Medina who offered their help to Prophet Muhammad at the dawn of his message.

Aththaqalain:Aththaqalain.Mankind and the JinnJlnn("th" is pronounced as in inthe theword "three")"three")

Attawakul: RelianceReliance inin Allah Aliah

Attawhid:Attawhid.Islamiclslamic monotheismmonotheism

Auliya:Auliya: Supporters,Supporters, helpershelPers

Ayah:Ayah.Proof,Proof, evidence,evidence, signsign

Batil,Batil al-batil:al-batil:false,false, thatthat whichwhich isis false falseinin doctrine doctrlne

4545 Birr,Birr, AI-birr: Al-birr: piety,piety, righteousness,righteousness,andand everyevery actact of of obedienceobediencetoto Allah. Allah.

Da'wah:Da'wah:a call (calling(calling peoplepeople toto Islam)lslam) 'religion' Deen:Deen: UsuallyUsuallytranslatedtranslated intointo 'religion' butbut itit refersreferstoto a whole way of lifelifeon every aspect of it.it.

Dhalimun:Dhalimun: oppressors, wrongdoers

Du'a: supplications totoAllah

Hadeeth, : statements of Prophet Muhammad f1!t"#, his sayings, deeds and approvals.

Hajj: Pilgrimage to Makkah

Hayaa: The term covers a largelargenumber of concepts. Itlt means modesty, self-respect, bashfulness, honorhonor......

Hijrah: migration, leaving a country under infidel rule to a Muslim country

Ibadah:lbadah:Worship; a term used for anything Allah likes or is pleased with (sayings and actions)

Iblis:lblis:thethe devil, Satan

Ihsan:lhsan:perfection, the highest level of deedsand worship llah:lIah: deity llliyun,IIliyun, :iIIiyin: register,the registerin which the good deedsof a lvluslimMuslim are written

4t)46 Iman:lman: faith,belief; the belief of the heart and confession withthe lips

Inhinaa: bending fonrardforward

Injil: the Gospel, the book revealed by Allah to His Prophet Jesus ('alai('alaihi hi issalam)

Islam:lslam: Submission of oneself to the will of the One True ,God:.God:Allah.Allah.

Istawa:lstawa: mounted on the throne in a manner that suits His Majesty.

Isti'anah:lsti'anah:seeking aid or help, imploring for help from Allah

Istighathah:lstighathah: invoking Allah especially for rain ("th" is pronounced as inin "three")

Istighfar:lstighfar:seeking forgiveness from Allah

Isti'athah:lsti'athah:seeking refuge;refuge, seeking Allah's refuge ("th" isis pronounced as inin"this")

Jannah: Heaven, Garden of Bliss

Jawarih: limbs,limbs, parts of the human body that perform deeds

Jihad: struggle inin thethe cause of Allah, or for the sake of Allah

47 Kafir: non-believer,one who disbelievesinin Atlah,Allah, His Messengers,all thethe Angels,all thethe holy books,the the Day of ResunectionResurrection and in thethe Preordainment

Khulafaa:theKhulafaa: the Caliphs

Kufhr,Kuffar, kafirin, kafirun: plural of kafir, takingtaking different formsforms according toto thethe grammaticalposition

Kufr:disbeliefKufr: disbelief

Khushu':Khushu': humility; humility of theheart to Allah

Khawf: fear; fear of Allah'spunishment

La i1ahailaha iliailla Allah: there ists no true god worthy of worship but Allah; this statement has been translated into English in several different forms, but the meaning remains the same. Some of those forms are: "There is none worthy of worship but AllahAllah..."... " "There isis no deity butbutAllah..."Allah... "

Masuh: painful garment for the residents of Hell made of woven hair

Muddathir: enwrapped

Muhayminan:Muhayminan:dominant

Mu'min:Mu'min:believer;believer; one who believes believesinin Allah,HisHis Angels, HisHis books,books,HisHis Messengers, Messengers,thethe DayDayof of ResurrectionResurrectionandand Qadr.Qadr.

Mu'mlnun:Mu'mlnun:pluralplural ofof mumin mumin

4848 Mu'mlnatMu'mlnat: pluralplural ofof mu'minmu'min (female)(female)

Munaflq:Munafiq: hypocritehypocrite

Mushrlk:Mushrlk: polytheist polytheist(singular (singular form)form)

Mushrikun:Mushrlkun: polytheists (plural(plural form)form)

Muttaqun:theMuttaqun: the pious

Nlfaq: hypocrisy

Nasakha:abrogated

Qadr:divine preordainment

Qadar:divine preordainment

Qlblah: the direction in which Muslims direct their faces during salahsa/ah towards the Ka'bah inin Makkah 'Lord'. Rabb: Usually translatedtranslated intointo 'Lord'. There is is no exact one word equivalent inin English. Rabb inin Arabic means thethe Creator, Owner, Provider, Master, Planner, Sustainer.

Rabbanlyun:Rabbanlyun:LearnedLearned menmen of of religionreligionwhowho practicepracticewhatwhat theytheyknow knowandand also alsopreachpreach itit to to othersothers

Raghbah:Raghbah:HopeHoPe

Rahbah:FearRahbah:Fear

4949 Raja:Raja: Hope;Hope; inin thethe Islamiclslamiccontext, context,it it meansmeanshope hope inin Allah'sAllah'smercy.mercy.

RadhlRadhlAllahuAllahu 'anh: 'anh:may mayAllahAllah bebe pleased pleasedwithwith himhim

Rlya:Rlya;Showing-off Showing-off

Ruku':Ruku':BowingBowing

Sadaqah:Sadaqah:CharityCharity

Salah: Obligatory prayers,prayers, performedperformed inin a certain manner five timestimes a day 'alaihi Salla Allahu 'alaihi wasallam: May Allah exaltexatt his mention and render him safe from every imperfection and protect him from every evil.

Shariah: the lawslawsof Islamlslam

Shirk: Polytheism; to worship others along with Allah

Sljjin:Sfiin: A register in which the deeds of the wicked are recorded.

Sirah: Biography; in Islamlslam it refers loto the life of Prophet MuhammadJ1lt,Muhammadffi

Siyam: Fasting; generally referringto the fasting of Ramadhan

Sujud: Prostration

50 Sunnah:Sunnah: Sayings,Sayings, .actions,actions, characteristicscharacteristics ofof ProphetProphet MuhammadSMuhammad lS\I

Surah:Chapter inin thethe QulanQur'an

TaghoutTaghout: anything or anybody thatthat isis worshippedor followedfollowed beyond thethe boundariesof worshippingthethe real and onlyAllah

Tawakul:trusttrust in Allah

Tawhld:monotheism; believing in the onenessof Allah

Tawrat: the Torah; the holy book revealed to Moses (alaihi(alaihiasallam)asallam) zakah:Zakah: compulsory alms; obligatory payment of excess wealth (2.5%)(2.5Yo\ under certain conditions zaboor:Zaboor:the Psalms given to David (alaihi(alaihiasallam) asallam)

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