When My servants question thee concerning Me, then surely I am nigh. I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he crieth - Quraan 2:186 (3)

"Our Lord! Bestow on us endurance, make our foothold sure, and give us help against the disbelieving folk." Quraan 2:250

رَبَّنَا أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وَانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ
البقرة : ٢٥٠

That was the supplication of the Israelis at the time of David when they faced Goliath and his army whom are believed to be the Palestinians at the time. Apparently Goliath army was much superior in number and strength compared to the Israelis, yet they were defeated by the Israelis because they were true believers and sought help from Almighty. This story is also mentioned in The Bible with more specific details in "1st Samuel".

"Bethink thee of the leaders of the Children of Israel after Moses, how they said unto a prophet whom they had: Set up for us a king and we will fight in Allah's way. He said: Would ye then refrain from fighting if fighting were prescribed for you? They said: Why should we not fight in Allah's way when we have been driven from our dwellings with our children? Yet, when fighting was prescribed for them, they turned away, all save a few of them. Allah is aware of evil-doers.

Their Prophet said unto them: Lo! Allah hath raised up Saul to be a king for you. They said: How can he have kingdom over us when we are more deserving of the kingdom than he is, since he hath not been given wealth enough? He said: Lo! Allah hath chosen him above you, and hath increased him abundantly in wisdom and stature. Allah bestoweth His Sovereignty on whom He will. Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing.

And their Prophet said unto them: Lo! the token of his kingdom is that there shall come unto you the ark wherein is peace of reassurance from your Lord, and a remnant of that which the house of Moses and the house of Aaron left behind, the angels bearing it. Lo! herein shall be a token for you if (in truth) ye are believers.

And when Saul set out with the army, he said: Lo! Allah will try you by (the ordeal of) a river. Whosoever therefore drinketh thereof he is not of me, and whosoever tasteth it not he is of me, save him who taketh (thereof) in the hollow of his hand. But they drank thereof, all save a few of them. And after he had crossed (the river), he and those who believed with him, they said: We have no power this day against Goliath and his hosts. But those who knew that they would meet Allah exclaimed: How many a little company hath overcome a mighty host by Allah's leave! Allah is with the steadfast.

And when they went into the field against Goliath and his hosts they said: Our Lord! Bestow on us endurance, make our foothold sure, and give us help against the disbelieving folk.

So they routed them by Allah's leave and David slew Goliath; and Allah gave him the kingdom and wisdom, and taught him of that which He willeth. And if Allah had not repelled some men by others the earth would have been corrupted. But Allah is a Lord of Kindness to (His) creatures." Quraan 2:246-251

أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الْمَلإِ مِن بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ مِن بَعْدِ مُوسَى إِذْ قَالُواْ لِنَبِيٍّ لَّهُمُ ابْعَثْ لَنَا مَلِكًا نُّقَاتِلْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ قَالَ هَلْ عَسَيْتُمْ إِن كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْقِتَالُ أَلاَّ تُقَاتِلُواْ قَالُواْ وَمَا لَنَا أَلاَّ نُقَاتِلَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَقَدْ أُخْرِجْنَا مِن دِيَارِنَا وَأَبْنَائِنَا فَلَمَّا كُتِبَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْقِتَالُ تَوَلَّوْا إِلاَّ قَلِيلاً مِّنْهُمْ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِالظَّالِمِينَ

وَقَالَ لَهُمْ نَبِيُّهُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ بَعَثَ لَكُمْ طَالُوتَ مَلِكًا قَالُواْ أَنَّى يَكُونُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ عَلَيْنَا وَنَحْنُ أَحَقُّ بِالْمُلْكِ مِنْهُ وَلَمْ يُؤْتَ سَعَةً مِّنَ الْمَالِ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ اصْطَفَاهُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَزَادَهُ بَسْطَةً فِي الْعِلْمِ وَالْجِسْمِ وَاللَّهُ يُؤْتِي مُلْكَهُ مَن يَشَاء وَاللَّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ

وَقَالَ لَهُمْ نَبِيُّهُمْ إِنَّ آيَةَ مُلْكِهِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ التَّابُوتُ فِيهِ سَكِينَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَبَقِيَّةٌ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ آلُ مُوسَى وَآلُ هَارُونَ تَحْمِلُهُ الْمَلائِكَةُ إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لآيَةً لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

فَلَمَّا فَصَلَ طَالُوتُ بِالْجُنُودِ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مُبْتَلِيكُم بِنَهَرٍ فَمَن شَرِبَ مِنْهُ فَلَيْسَ مِنِّي وَمَن لَّمْ يَطْعَمْهُ فَإِنَّهُ مِنِّي إِلاَّ مَنِ اغْتَرَفَ غُرْفَةً بِيَدِهِ فَشَرِبُواْ مِنْهُ إِلاَّ قَلِيلاً مِّنْهُمْ فَلَمَّا جَاوَزَهُ هُوَ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ مَعَهُ قَالُواْ لاَ طَاقَةَ لَنَا الْيَوْمَ بِجَالُوتَ وَجُنُودِهِ قَالَ الَّذِينَ يَظُنُّونَ أَنَّهُم مُّلاقُوا اللَّهِ كَم مِّن فِئَةٍ قَلِيلَةٍ غَلَبَتْ فِئَةً كَثِيرَةً بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ

وَلَمَّا بَرَزُواْ لِجَالُوتَ وَجُنُودِهِ قَالُواْ رَبَّنَا أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وَانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ

فَهَزَمُوهُم بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ وَقَتَلَ دَاوُدُ جَالُوتَ وَآتَاهُ اللَّهُ الْمُلْكَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَعَلَّمَهُ مِمَّا يَشَاء وَلَوْلاَ دَفْعُ اللَّهِ النَّاسَ بَعْضَهُمْ بِبَعْضٍ لَّفَسَدَتِ الأَرْضُ وَلَكِنَّ اللَّهَ ذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى الْعَالَمِينَ

البقرة : ٢٤٦-٢٥١

There are several Hadiths indicate that the number of the Israelis who fought in that battle was around 310 soldier, the same number of Muslims soldiers in Battle of Badr (624 AD/2 AH) whereas Quraish army was composed of around 1000 soldier, yet the Muslims won the battle!

Who is Allah/God? (5)

"He, is the Hearer, the Knower." Quraan 8:61

إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
الأنفال : ٦١

He hears everything and knows about all things.

Does Allah have ears?
We need ears to hear because we are made of materials unlike Him, He is beyond materials and laws of physics, He can hear everything but without ears; If you don't have something how can you give it?! He gave us the capability of hearing but our capability is limited where His is the ultimate.

Was Mohammad a true messenger of the Creator/God/Allah? (3)

"We verily sent Our messengers with clear proofs, and revealed with them the Scripture and the Balance, that mankind may observe right measure; and We sent down Iron, wherein is mighty power and (many) uses for mankind, and that Allah may know him who helpeth Him and His messengers, though unseen. Lo! Allah is Strong, Almighty. " Quraan 57:25

لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلَنَا بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ وَأَنزَلْنَا مَعَهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْمِيزَانَ لِيَقُومَ النَّاسُ بِالْقِسْطِ وَأَنزَلْنَا الْحَدِيدَ فِيهِ بَأْسٌ شَدِيدٌ وَمَنَافِعُ لِلنَّاسِ وَلِيَعْلَمَ اللَّهُ مَن يَنصُرُهُ وَرُسُلَهُ بِالْغَيْبِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ
الحديد : ٢٥

"Analysis of data from NASA's Lunar Prospector spacecraft has confirmed that the Moon has a small core, supporting the theory that the bulk of the Moon was ripped away from the early Earth when an object the size of Mars collided with the Earth.

Scientists presented this result and other findings today in a series of papers at the 30th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in Houston, TX. Their data show that the lunar core contains less than four percent of the Moon's total mass, with the probable value being two percent or slightly less. This is very small when compared with the Earth, whose iron core contains approximately 30 percent of the planet's mass.

"This is a critical finding in helping scientists determine how the Earth and Moon formed," said Dr. Alan Binder of the Lunar Research Institute, Tucson, AZ, principal investigator for Lunar Prospector.

Similarities in the mineral composition of the Earth and the Moon indicate that they share a common origin. However, if they had simply formed from the same cloud of rocks and dust, the Moon would have a core similar in proportion to the Earth's. A third theory suggests that the Moon was captured fully intact by the Earth's gravity.

Based on information first gathered during the Apollo era, scientists suggested that the Moon was formed when a Mars-sized body hit the Earth during its earliest history. "This impact occurred after the Earth's iron core had formed, ejecting rocky, iron-poor material from the outer shell into orbit," Binder explained. "It was this material that collected to form the Moon." LUNAR DATA SUPPORT IDEA THAT COLLISION SPLIT EARTH, MOON


The Quraan is composed of 114 Chapters (Surah), each Chapter/Surah has a name, Chapter 56 is named "Al Hadeed" which means "Iron", the numbering sequence of the chapters have never been changed since they were set up ~1400 years ago, neither their names. Was it a coincidence that Iron is forming the core of Earth and Surah (Chapter) Al Hadeed (Iron) lies in the center of Quraan in terms of the numbering sequence (114/2=56)? Could be, but could be not!

A Holy Commandment (2)

" O ye who believe! Eat of the good things wherewith We have provided you, and render thanks to Allah if it is (indeed) He Whom yeworship.

He hath forbidden you only carrion, and blood, and swineflesh, and that which hath been immolated to (the name of) any other than Allah.But he who is driven by necessity, neither craving nor transgressing, it is no sin for him. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful." Quraan 2:172-173

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ كُلُواْ مِن طَيِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ وَاشْكُرُواْ لِلّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ

إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَيْتَةَ وَالدَّمَ وَلَحْمَ الْخِنزِيرِ وَمَا أُهِلَّ بِهِ لِغَيْرِ اللّهِ فَمَنِ اضْطُرَّ غَيْرَ بَاغٍ وَلاَ عَادٍ فَلا إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ إِنَّ اللّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

البقرة : ١٧٢-١٧٣

Allah is not only asking us not to eat the Haram (forbidden) food but also is asking us to eat of the good food! In other words, He is telling us to enjoy this life as long as it's not something Haram (forbidden). Enjoy this life and be thankful to Almighty for the gift of living and for the good things He bestowed on us.

Also, He is affirming the fact that whatever have been forbidden on us are really few compared to what is Halal (permissible). Moreover, He's affirming how precious our lives are, He is telling us even though there are certain food that are forbidden on us, it's not a sin to eat from them if our lives will be jeopardized otherwise!

True Muslims/Submitters: The Magicians Of Pharaoh

"We sent Moses with our tokens unto Pharaoh and his chiefs, but they repelled them. Now, see the nature of theconsequence for the corrupters!

Moses said: O Pharaoh! Lo! I am a messenger from the Lord of the Worlds,

Approved upon condition that I speak concerning Allah nothing but the truth. I come unto you (lords of Egypt) with a clear proof fromyour Lord. So let the Children of Israel go with me.

(Pharaoh) said: If thou comest with a token, then produce it, if thou art of those who speak the truth.

Then he flung down his staff and lo! it was a serpent manifest;

And he drew forth his hand (from his bosom), and lo! it was white for the beholders.

The chiefs of Pharaoh's people said: Lo! this is some knowing wizard,

Who would expel you from your land. Now what do ye advise?

They said (unto Pharaoh): Put him off (a while) - him and his brother - and send into the cities summoners,

To bring each knowing wizard unto thee.

And the wizards came to Pharaoh, saying: Surely there will be a reward for us if we are victors.

He answered: Yes, and surely ye shall be of those brought near (to me).

They said: O Moses! Either throw (first) or let us be the first throwers?

He said: Throw! And when they threw they cast a spell upon the people's eyes, and overawed them, and produced a mighty spell.

And We inspired Moses (saying): Throw thy staff! And lo! it swallowed up their lying show.

Thus was the Truth vindicated and that which they were doing was made vain.

Thus were they there defeated and brought low.

And the wizards fell down prostrate,

Crying: We believe in the Lord of the Worlds,

The Lord of Moses and Aaron.

Pharaoh said: Ye believe in Him before I give you leave! Lo! this is the plot that ye have plotted in the city that ye may drive itspeople hence. But ye shall come to know!

Surely I shall have your hands and feet cut off upon alternate sides. Then I shall crucify you every one.

They said: Lo! We are about to return unto our Lord!

Thou takest vengeance on us only forasmuch as we believed the tokens of our Lord when they came unto us. Our Lord! Vouchsafe unto ussteadfastness and make us die as men who have surrendered (unto Thee). " Quraan 7:103-126

ثُمَّ بَعَثْنَا مِن بَعْدِهِم مُّوسَى بِآيَاتِنَا إِلَى فِرْعَوْنَ وَمَلَئِهِ فَظَلَمُواْ بِهَا فَانظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُفْسِدِينَ

وَقَالَ مُوسَى يَا فِرْعَوْنُ إِنِّي رَسُولٌ مِّن رَّبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

حَقِيقٌ عَلَى أَن لاَّ أَقُولَ عَلَى اللَّهِ إِلاَّ الْحَقَّ قَدْ جِئْتُكُم بِبَيِّنَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ فَأَرْسِلْ مَعِيَ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ

قَالَ إِن كُنتَ جِئْتَ بِآيَةٍ فَأْتِ بِهَا إِن كُنتَ مِنَ الصَّادِقِينَ

فَأَلْقَى عَصَاهُ فَإِذَا هِيَ ثُعْبَانٌ مُّبِينٌ

وَنَزَعَ يَدَهُ فَإِذَا هِيَ بَيْضَاء لِلنَّاظِرِينَ

قَالَ الْمَلأُ مِن قَوْمِ فِرْعَوْنَ إِنَّ هَذَا لَسَاحِرٌ عَلِيمٌ

يُرِيدُ أَن يُخْرِجَكُم مِّنْ أَرْضِكُمْ فَمَاذَا تَأْمُرُونَ

قَالُواْ أَرْجِهْ وَأَخَاهُ وَأَرْسِلْ فِي الْمَدَائِنِ حَاشِرِينَ

يَأْتُوكَ بِكُلِّ سَاحِرٍ عَلِيمٍ

وَجَاءَ السَّحَرَةُ فِرْعَوْنَ قَالُواْ إِنَّ لَنَا لأَجْرًا إِن كُنَّا نَحْنُ الْغَالِبِينَ

قَالَ نَعَمْ وَإِنَّكُمْ لَمِنَ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ

قَالُواْ يَا مُوسَى إِمَّا أَن تُلْقِيَ وَإِمَّا أَن نَّكُونَ نَحْنُ الْمُلْقِينَ

قَالَ أَلْقُواْ فَلَمَّا أَلْقَوْا سَحَرُواْ أَعْيُنَ النَّاسِ وَاسْتَرْهَبُوهُمْ وَجَاؤُوا بِسِحْرٍ عَظِيمٍ

وَأَوْحَيْنَا إِلَى مُوسَى أَنْ أَلْقِ عَصَاكَ فَإِذَا هِيَ تَلْقَفُ مَا يَأْفِكُونَ

فَوَقَعَ الْحَقُّ وَبَطَلَ مَا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ

فَغُلِبُواْ هُنَالِكَ وَانقَلَبُواْ صَاغِرِينَ

وَأُلْقِيَ السَّحَرَةُ سَاجِدِينَ

قَالُواْ آمَنَّا بِرَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

رَبِّ مُوسَى وَهَارُونَ

قَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ آمَنتُم بِهِ قَبْلَ أَن آذَنَ لَكُمْ إِنَّ هَذَا لَمَكْرٌ مَّكَرْتُمُوهُ فِي الْمَدِينَةِ لِتُخْرِجُواْ مِنْهَا أَهْلَهَا فَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ

لأُقَطِّعَنَّ أَيْدِيَكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُم مِّنْ خِلافٍ ثُمَّ لأُصَلِّبَنَّكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ

قَالُواْ إِنَّا إِلَى رَبِّنَا مُنقَلِبُونَ

وَمَا تَنقِمُ مِنَّا إِلاَّ أَنْ آمَنَّا بِآيَاتِ رَبِّنَا لَمَّا جَاءَتْنَا رَبَّنَا أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا وَتَوَفَّنَا مُسْلِمِينَ

الأعراف : ١٠٣-١٢٦

The verses above are talking about the story of Moses with Pharaoh, it also shows the attitude of the magicians of Pharaoh before they witness the miracle of Moses and their attitude afterward.

They were officially invited by the God of their time (what an eminent honor!). They attended as professional magicians to perform and expect a good fortune out of the show and also to maintain closer positions with who claims to be God (Pharaoh) at their time. They performed, so Moses did, once they realised that was real not magic they immediately submitted themselves! Not only that, Pharoah threaten them to cruelly torture them and then kill them but they didn't care! "They said: Lo! We are about to return unto our Lord!"

They were not prophets or messengers or saints! To the contrary, they were professional magicians, probably were even very bad people at the time! In spite of all that, once they realized the truth they submitted to it even though it would cost them their lives! That was a true submission! That was a true Islam!

When My servants question thee concerning Me, then surely I am nigh. I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he crieth - Quraan 2:186 (2)

"Our Lord! Give unto us in the world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and guard us from the doom of Fire." Quraan 2:201

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
البقرة : ٢٠١

Asking Allah for a good life and good afterlife. That's how we should live our lives by focusing on both not neglecting one and put all our focus on the other, enjoying this temporarily life but also not to forget why we are here in the first place, that there will be another eternal life.

There's a well known phrase attributed to Ali Ibn Abu Talib but apparently it was said by his son Hassan Ibn Ali:
"Build this life as if you were to live forever, prepare for the Hereafter as if you were to die tomorrow"

إعمل لدنياك كأنك تعيش أبداً، وأعمل لآخرتك كأنك تموت غداً
من موعظة الحسن بن علي لجنادة بن أبي أمية

There's a similar phrase attributed to Mahatma Gandhi using the same model but with different objectives:
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”

Whom Allah does not love? (2)

"Allah loveth not the impious and guilty." Quraan 2:276

اللَّهُ لاَ يُحِبُّ كُلَّ كَفَّارٍ أَثِيمٍ
البقرة : ٢٧٦

"impious" is equivalent to "Kaffaar" in the original (Arabic) verse, which means a person who is very ungrateful. "guilty" is equivalent to "Atheem" in the original (Arabic) verse, which means quite a sinner. According to the Arabic context, the verse is talking about a practiced and ungrateful sinner, a person who usually keeps committing sins.

Allah knows that mankind are not perfect, we do mistakes, that's expectable, but if you are an honest believer then it's also expected that you repent from the sins, which means you regret doing what you did and have no intentions of redoing them again. However, if you keep repeating the same mistakes then something is fundamentally wrong here; You would be the kind of believers the verse is talking about!

"Say: O My slaves who have been prodigal to their own hurt! Despair not of the mercy of Allah, Who forgiveth all sins. Lo! He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.

Turn ye to our Lord (in repentance) and bow to His (Will), before the Penalty comes on you: after that ye shall not be helped.

And follow the best of (the courses) revealed to you from your Lord, before the Penalty comes on you - of a sudden while ye perceive not!-

Lest the soul should (then) say: 'Ah! Woe is me!- In that I neglected (my duty) towards Allah, and was but among those who mocked!'-

Or (lest) it should say: 'If only Allah had guided me, I should certainly have been among the righteous!'-

Or (lest) it should say when it (actually) sees the penalty: 'If only I had another chance, I should certainly be among those who do good!'

(The reply will be:) 'Nay, but there came to thee my Signs, and thou didst reject them: thou wast Haughty, and became one of those who reject faith!'" Quraan 54-59

وَأَنِيبُوا إِلَى رَبِّكُمْ وَأَسْلِمُوا لَهُ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ الْعَذَابُ ثُمَّ لا تُنصَرُونَ

وَاتَّبِعُوا أَحْسَنَ مَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ الْعَذَابُ بَغْتَةً وَأَنتُمْ لا تَشْعُرُونَ

أَن تَقُولَ نَفْسٌ يَا حَسْرَتَى عَلَى مَا فَرَّطتُ فِي جَنبِ اللَّهِ وَإِن كُنتُ لَمِنَ السَّاخِرِينَ

أَوْ تَقُولَ لَوْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ هَدَانِي لَكُنتُ مِنَ الْمُتَّقِينَ

أَوْ تَقُولَ حِينَ تَرَى الْعَذَابَ لَوْ أَنَّ لِي كَرَّةً فَأَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

بَلَى قَدْ جَاءَتْكَ آيَاتِي فَكَذَّبْتَ بِهَا وَاسْتَكْبَرْتَ وَكُنتَ مِنَ الْكَافِرِينَ
الزمر : ٥٤-٥٩

Allah loves the steadfast

"Allah loves the steadfast." Quraan 3:146

اللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الصَّابِرِينَ
آل عمران : ١٤٦

"the steadfast" is equal to "Al Sabreen" in the original/Arabic verse.


Who are "Al Sabreen"/the steadfast?
"....Give good news to the steadfast,

When an affliction befalls them, they say, "We belong to Allah, and to Him we are returning." " Quraan 2:155-156

وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ

الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَالُواْ إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ

البقرة : ١٥٥-١٥٦

What does Allah say about them?
"These have deserved blessings from their Lord and mercy. These are the guided ones." Quraan 2:157

أُوْلَئِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَلَوَاتٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَرَحْمَةٌ وَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُهْتَدُونَ
البقرة : ١٥٧

Freedom of religion from Islamic perspective (2)

I explained previously that Islam guarantees freedom of religion. However, it's well known that if a Muslim converts to another religion then (s)he should be killed! How can that be justified? Well, we need to differentiate between the religion of Islam and a political Islamic regime.

Islam as a religion undoubtedly guarantees freedom of religion and that right is affirmed explicitly in Quraan itself. Nonetheless, the person will be punished in the hereafter.

"And whoso becometh a renegade and dieth in his disbelief: such are they whose works have fallen both in the world and the Hereafter. Such are rightful owners of the Fire: they will abide therein." Quraan 2:217

وَمَن يَرْتَدِدْ مِنكُمْ عَن دِينِهِ فَيَمُتْ وَهُوَ كَافِرٌ فَأُولَئِكَ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَالُهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ وَأُولَئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ
البقرة : ٢١٧

I investigated the issue in history and found no reliable sources indicate that somebody was executed or arrested or tortured because of conversion to another religion during the Prophet's life even though history mentions several occasions for a handful of people converted to different religions during the Prophet's life! I need to investigate this further though, I'll keep a weather eye on this and I will try to provide some known stories and analyze them in coming posts.

However, the case is different with an Islamic regime which is basically a regular political regime that enacts the Islamic laws (Shariah), this enactment is imposed on the people in case of the dictatorial Islamic regime and is voted for by the people in case of the democratic Islamic regime. Nonetheless, an Islamic regime doesn't represent Islam.

If a Muslim converts to another religion, proclaims the conversion and become antagonistic to Islam or the Islamic regime then as any regular political regime a Fatwa/verdict might be issued by a judge (not any person) against this person to either be killed or be punished in a certain way based on the threat (s)he represents. In other words, it's considered as a 'treason' that even at the present time many countries if not most of them still carry out the capital punishment against the traitor.

A Holy Commandment (1)

"O ye who believe! Seek help in steadfastness and prayer. Lo! Allah is with the steadfast. " Quraan 2:153

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ اسْتَعِينُواْ بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلاةِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ
البقرة : ١٥٣

Life is tough! Too many obstacles and struggles to achieve things for us and for our beloveds. Allah is asking us to seek help in patience and prayer.

How a prayer can help us?
As Muslims we pray five times a day, every time we pray we remind ourselves that we are not here to live, this life is just a temporarily life, it's a test, that we will leave it with nothing but a white piece of clothes that covers our bodies to be put underground into a little piece of land probably 2Mx0.25M! That's it! no money, no gold, no wife, no kids, no house, no car, no job, no authority, etc..!
So why the hell should I let these matters make my life miserable?! Do your best! Try to achieve whatever you can but always remember that there's an end and you will leave all these things behind. Simply, take it easy!

How patience can help us?
As explained before, this life is just a test and to come out successful you need to follow the instructions and guidance of Islam, to not lie, not steal, not hurt others, etc ..
In other words, to be a good person but that's really difficult in a world that has no appreciation to morals and ethics! You may feel lonely or stranger! You may encounter situations where you can do better or gain more if you just give up some of your principles! Just be patient and remember why you are in this life! It's just a test.

"Do men imagine that they will be left (at ease) because they say, We believe, and will not be tested with affliction?" Quraan 29:2

أَحَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُوا أَن يَقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَهُمْ لا يُفْتَنُونَ
العنكبوت : ٢٩

Who is Allah/God? (4)

"Lo! He is the relenting, the Merciful." Quraan 2:37

إِنَّهُ هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ
البقرة : ٣٧

Relenting means that Allah will keep relenting and forgiving the repentant as long as he is alive and honest with his repentance and has no intentions at all to recommit the sin, this approach towards the sinner shows how Merciful He is.

Allah does not love to punish/torture us! He doesn't even need to!

"What concern hath Allah for your punishment if ye are thankful (for His mercies) and believe (in Him)? Allah was ever Responsive, Aware. " Quraan 4:147

مَّا يَفْعَلُ اللَّهُ بِعَذَابِكُمْ إِن شَكَرْتُمْ وَآمَنتُمْ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ شَاكِرًا عَلِيمًا
النساء : ١٤٧

When My servants question thee concerning Me, then surely I am nigh. I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he crieth - Quraan 2:186 (1)

"...Our Lord! Accept from us (this duty). Lo! Thou, only Thou, art the Hearer, the Knower,

Our Lord! And make us submissive unto Thee and of our seed a nation submissive unto Thee, and show us our ways of worship, and relent toward us. Lo! Thou, only Thou, art the Relenting, the Merciful,

Our Lord! And raise up in their midst a messenger from among them who shall recite unto them Thy revelations, and shall instruct them in the Scripture and in wisdom and shall make them grow. Lo! Thou, only Thou, art the Mighty, Wise. " Quraan 2:127-129

رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا إِنَّكَ أَنتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ

رَبَّنَا وَاجْعَلْنَا مُسْلِمَيْنِ لَكَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِنَا أُمَّةً مُّسْلِمَةً لَّكَ وَأَرِنَا مَنَاسِكَنَا وَتُبْ عَلَيْنَا إِنَّكَ أَنتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ

رَبَّنَا وَابْعَثْ فِيهِمْ رَسُولاً مِّنْهُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِكَ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ

البقرة : ١٢٧-١٢٩

That was the supplication of Abraham & Ishmael while rebuilding Al-Kaaba.

Has the supplication been fulfilled?
Apparently yes. Mohammad who was from Mecca was sent as a Messenger, a massive Muslim nation was descended from Ishmael, and around two millions of Muslims perform pilgrimage to Mecca every year!

Whom Allah does not love? (1)

"Allah loveth not aggressors." Quraan 2:190

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ
البقرة : ١٩٠

An aggressor is a person who attacks first, that's whom Allah does not love and will very likely be punished later on in the judgment day depends on the kind of attack and its severity as some attacks might not get punished for but Allah still doesn't love who commit them. For example, hurting someone else feelings by being rude is an emotional attack, if you started it out of nowhere, like the other person did nothing wrong to you then that's theoretically considered an aggression which Allah doesn't love even though you won't be punished for because it's only Makrooh (undesirable) not Haram (forbidden). However if you start attacking someone physically then it's something Haram (forbidden) so Allah doesn't love it and will punish you for doing it as well.

How do you get treated when you are beloved? How when you are not? If you ask a person who does love you for a favor he will very likely do it for you, how about asking someone who doesn't love you? If you have been praying a lot for long and your prayers haven't been fulfilled then review yourself a bit and make sure you are not an aggressor because if you are then that could be why your prayers haven't been fulfilled yet even though Allah promised us to fulfill our prayers:

"And your Lord hath said: Pray unto Me and I will answer you" Quraan 40:60

وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ
غافر : ٦٠

Allah loves the righteous

"Allah loves the righteous" Quraan 3:76

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَّقِينَ
آل عمران: ٧٦

"the righteous" is equivalent to "Al Mutaqeen" in the Arabic (original) version of the verse.


Who are "Al Mutaqeen"/the righteous/the pious?

True Muslims/Submitters: Abraham & Ishmael

"My Lord! Vouchsafe me of the righteous,
So We gave him tidings of a gentle son,
And when (his son) was old enough to walk with him, (Abraham) said: O my dear son, I have seen in a dream that I must sacrifice thee. So look, what thinkest thou? He said: O my father! Do that which thou art commanded. Allah willing, thou shalt find me of the steadfast,
Then, when they had both surrendered (to Allah), and he had flung him down upon his face,
We called unto him: O Abraham!
Thou hast already fulfilled the vision. Lo! thus do We reward the good,
Lo! that verily was a clear test,
Then We ransomed him with a tremendous victim." Quraan 37:100-107

رَبِّ هَبْ لِي مِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ

فَبَشَّرْنَاهُ بِغُلامٍ حَلِيمٍ

فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ السَّعْيَ قَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ إِنِّي أَرَى فِي الْمَنَامِ أَنِّي أَذْبَحُكَ فَانظُرْ مَاذَا تَرَى قَالَ يَا أَبَتِ افْعَلْ مَا تُؤْمَرُ سَتَجِدُنِي إِن شَاء اللَّهُ مِنَ الصَّابِرِينَ

فَلَمَّا أَسْلَمَا وَتَلَّهُ لِلْجَبِينِ

وَنَادَيْنَاهُ أَنْ يَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ

قَدْ صَدَّقْتَ الرُّؤْيَا إِنَّا كَذَلِكَ نَجْزِي الْمُحْسِنِينَ

إِنَّ هَذَا لَهُوَ الْبَلاء الْمُبِينُ

وَفَدَيْنَاهُ بِذِبْحٍ عَظِيمٍ

الصافات : الآيات ١٠٠-١٠٧

Abraham/Ibrahim is a messenger that is well known as the Patriarch of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. He was getting old and yet had no offspring as his first wife Sarah was infertile, thus she offered him to marry her servant Hagar so he can have children. He married Hagar and had his firstborn son Ishmael through her, few years later God informed him that he will have another son through Sarah, he did and called him Isaac.

The verses above is talking about Abraham and how he almost sacrificed his son. Briefly, Abraham was long waiting to have children, finally the Almighty fulfilled his supplication and Abraham became a father of one or two sons. Some years later, he had a vision that he must sacrifice his son, as a messenger he must implement the vision. Thus, he informed his son about the vision and the son gave him the permission to do so. He was just about to slaughter his son, God substituted the son with a sheep!

The man was long waiting to have that son, finally he had him then he was about to slaughter him by his own hands?! How insane was that?! That's totally sane for him because he knew surely that he was a Messenger of the Creator, he knew surely that the vision was a request for him from the Creator so he tried to fulfill it without even arguing or doubting with himself!

However, what's even more inspiring was Ishmael's reaction, Abraham was a prophet at the time, he was the one who had the vision, he was the one who used to communicate with the angels and receive the instruction from God, so his reaction was not too much surprising given the fact he was a prophet, but apparently Ishmael was not a prophet at the time yet he believed in the Messenger of his time who also happened to be his father, so the Messenger (Abraham) informed the follower (Ishmael) about the vision and the follower submitted to it even though it would cost him his life! That's what I call a pure submission/surrender.

Theoretically, at that incident the submission of the follower (Ishmael) who also happened to be the son was greater than the submission of the Messenger (Abraham) who also happened to be the father.



Abraham is considered a Muslim in Quraan but not as a follower of Prophet Mohammad but as a true submitter who submitted and surrendered his will to God/Allah which what Islam (Submission) is all about.

"Abraham was not a Jew, nor yet a Christian; but he was an upright man who had surrendered (to Allah), and he was not of the idolaters. " Quraan 3:67

مَا كَانَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ يَهُودِيًّا وَلاَ نَصْرَانِيًّا وَلَكِن كَانَ حَنِيفًا مُّسْلِمًا وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ
آل عمران : الآية ٦٧

"who had surrendered (to Allah)" in the original verse is equivalent to "Muslim" in Arabic.


"And who forsaketh the religion of Abraham save him who befooleth himself? Verily We chose him in the world, and lo! in the Hereafter he is among the righteous,
When his Lord said unto him: Surrender! he said: I have surrendered to the Lord of the Worlds" Quraan 2:130-131

وَمَن يَرْغَبُ عَن مِّلَّةِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِلاَّ مَن سَفِهَ نَفْسَهُ وَلَقَدِ اصْطَفَيْنَاهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَإِنَّهُ فِي الآخِرَةِ لَمِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ

إِذْ قَالَ لَهُ رَبُّهُ أَسْلِمْ قَالَ أَسْلَمْتُ لِرَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
البقرة : الآيات ١٣٠-١٣١

Was the son Ishmael or Isaac?
Our brothers in Christianity and Judaism believe he was Isaac, we (Muslims) believe he was probably Ishmael even though there are some sources that also indicate he was Isaac. This is unimportant though, the moral of the story is to show what real 'submission' is all about.

Who are "Al Mutaqeen/Pious"? (2)

"Lo! those who ward off (evil), when a glamour from the devil troubleth them, they do but remember (Allah's Guidance) and behold them seers! " Quraan 7:201

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَواْ إِذَا مَسَّهُمْ طَائِفٌ مِّنَ الشَّيْطَانِ تَذَكَّرُواْ فَإِذَا هُم مُّبْصِرُونَ
الأعراف - الآية ٢٠١

To remember that Allah see, hear, and know you, that He will interrogate you in the judgment day, ...
To remember that this life is only a test, that we will leave it with nothing but our deeds and beliefs, ...


What does Allah say about them?
"Allah is with those who ward off (evil)." Quraan 2:194

أَنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الْمُتَّقِينَ
البقرة - الآية ١٩٤

How would you feel if the King or Queen or President or Prime Minister of your country is your company? How would you feel if the Creator of the whole universe is your company?!

Who is Mohammad? (2)

"Muhammad is but a messenger, messengers (the like of whom) have passed away before him. Will it be that, when he dieth or is slain, ye will turn back on your heels? He who turneth back on his heels doth no hurt to Allah, and Allah will reward the thankful." Quraan 3:144

وَمَا مُحَمَّدٌ إِلاَّ رَسُولٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِ الرُّسُلُ أَفَإِن مَّاتَ أَوْ قُتِلَ انقَلَبْتُمْ عَلَى أَعْقَابِكُمْ وَمَن يَنقَلِبْ عَلَىَ عَقِبَيْهِ فَلَن يَضُرَّ اللَّهَ شَيْئًا وَسَيَجْزِي اللَّهُ الشَّاكِرِينَ
آل عمران - الآية ١٤٤

During the battle of Ohod (625 A.D./3 A.H.) it was rumoured that the Messenger was killed and large number of Muslims retreated as a result of that! That verse was revealed after that occasion to rebuke those who retreated just because they thought Mohammad was killed!

In other words, Allah is telling people that even if the Messenger was really killed the Message itself was not! Why would you retreat?! Again, the verse is affirming the fact that Mohammad was a human being just like us that was selected by the Creator of the universe to deliver a message to mankind. He was not God, he was a messenger like previous messengers such as: Adam, Enoch, Noah, Eber, Shaloh, Abraham, Lot, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Jethro, Moses, Aaron, Ezekiel, David, Solomon, Elijah, Elisha, Jonah, Zechariah, John the Baptist, Jesus, etc....

Allah loves the repenters, and He loves those who are clean.

"Allah loves the repenters, and He loves those who are clean." Quraan 2:222

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِينَ وَيُحِبُّ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ
البقرة - الآية ٢٢٢

"the repenters" is the equivalent part of the original Arabic word "Al Tawabeen" in the verse which means "people who frequently repent".

"who are clean" is the equivalent part of the original Arabic word "Al Mutahireen" in the verse which means "people who frequently get cleansed"

Therefore, Allah love the people who frequently clean themselves up internally (heart & mind) and externally (body & appearance), tangibly (filth) and intangibly (sins & evil thoughts).

Freedom of religion from Islamic perspective (1)

What's freedom of religion?
"Freedom of religion is the freedom of an individual or community, in public or private, to manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance. It is generally recognized to also include the freedom to change religion or not to follow any religion." Wikipedia - Freedom of Religion

How does Islam regard freedom of religion?
"There is no compulsion in religion." Quraan 2:256

لاَ إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّينِ
البقرة - الآية ٢٥٦

"Say: (It is) the truth from the Lord of you (all). Then whosoever will, let him believe, and whosoever will, let him disbelieve." Quraan 18:29

وَقُلِ الْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكُمْ فَمَن شَاء فَلْيُؤْمِن وَمَن شَاء فَلْيَكْفُرْ
الكهف: ٢٩

As explained earlier in another post that mankind were created to be tested in this life to whether be grateful to their Creator or not,the message from the Creator of the universe which we call 'Islam' that was delivered through His messenger Mohammad tells us what the test is exactly and how to succeed in it. However, we need to be free to be tested properly, what's the point of the exam if I provide the student with the answers by programming his brain?! Or I ask him a question and provide him with multichoices but I force him to choose a specific choice?! I gave him no choice but to answer the questions according to what I want! Can I reward/punish him based on the results of this test?! To know which student is excellent which is not, I need to provide them with the resources, give them the freedom and the capability to study and research, it's up to them to study for it or not, then I can rank and reward them based on their results. Hence, freedom of religion is a fundamental core element of the whole philosophy of our existence from Islamic perspective .

That's the deal, He gave us freedom, He granted us the privilege and the capability to self-govern ourselves, to self-determine our ways, to self-run our lives then He sent His message through His Messenger Mohammad to inform us what are we supposed to do and it's up to us to follow or not, if we follow the message then we will be rewarded in the hereafter with an eternal happy life otherwise we will be punished with an unpleasant eternal life. The choice is ours, noone should force us to follow the message, not even the Prophet.

"And if thy Lord willed, all who are in the earth would have believed together. Wouldst thou (Muhammad) compel men until they are believers? " Quraan 10:99

وَلَوْ شَاء رَبُّكَ لآمَنَ مَن فِي الأَرْضِ كُلُّهُمْ جَمِيعًا أَفَأَنتَ تُكْرِهُ النَّاسَ حَتَّى يَكُونُواْ مُؤْمِنِينَ
يونس - الآية ٩٩

Who is Allah/God? (3)

"He is knower of all things." Quraan 2:29

وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
البقرة - الآية ٢٩

Isn't He the Creator of all things?

Life is merely a test: whether he be grateful or ungrateful!

What is the philosophy of life from Islamic point of view?

This life is a test, it's a temporary life that determines how we will live the eternal life (the hereafter).


"Verily We created Man from a drop of mingled sperm, in order to try him: so We gave him (the gifts), of Hearing and Sight,

We showed him the Way: whether he be grateful or ungrateful (rests on his will)." Quraan 76:2-3

إِنَّا خَلَقْنَا الإِنسَانَ مِن نُّطْفَةٍ أَمْشَاجٍ نَّبْتَلِيهِ فَجَعَلْنَاهُ سَمِيعًا بَصِيرًا

إِنَّا هَدَيْنَاهُ السَّبِيلَ إِمَّا شَاكِرًا وَإِمَّا كَفُورًا

الأنسان - الآيات ٢-٣

So we were created to be tested whether to be grateful or ungrateful. To be grateful that Allah blessed us with the gift of living, granted us the privilege and the capability to self-govern ourselves, put us in a nice planet to live on, etc... or not

The test is to follow His Message that was delivered through His Messengers, not to only believe in it but to practically implement it.

"Do men imagine that they will be left (at ease) because they say, We believe, and will not be tested with affliction?

Lo! We tested those who were before you. Thus Allah knoweth those who are sincere, and knoweth those who feign. " Quraan 29:2-3

أَحَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُوا أَن يَقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَهُمْ لا يُفْتَنُونَ

وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ الْكَاذِبِينَ

العنكبوت - الآيات ٢-٣

Does Allah/God need to test us?
No but that's what He has chosen to do. Allah does not need us in anyway, He's the Creator of the whole universe, we do need Him but He doesn't need us, whatever this universe has is all from Him.

"Had Allah willed He could have made you one community. But that He may try you by that which He hath given you (He hath made you as ye are)." Quraan 5:48

وَلَوْ شَاء اللَّهُ لَجَعَلَكُمْ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَلَكِن لِّيَبْلُوَكُمْ فِي مَا آتَاكُم
المائدة - الآية ٤٨

"And if thy Lord willed, all who are in the earth would have believed together. Wouldst thou (Muhammad) compel men until they are believers? " Quraan 10:99

وَلَوْ شَاء رَبُّكَ لآمَنَ مَن فِي الأَرْضِ كُلُّهُمْ جَمِيعًا أَفَأَنتَ تُكْرِهُ النَّاسَ حَتَّى يَكُونُواْ مُؤْمِنِينَ
يونس - الآية ٩٩

"And if their aversion is grievous unto thee, then, if thou canst, seek a way down into the earth or a ladder unto the sky that thou mayst bring unto them a portent (to convince them all)! - If Allah willed, He could have brought them all together to the guidance - So be not thou among the foolish ones." Quraan 6:35

وَإِن كَانَ كَبُرَ عَلَيْكَ إِعْرَاضُهُمْ فَإِنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَن تَبْتَغِيَ نَفَقًا فِي الأَرْضِ أَوْ سُلَّمًا فِي السَّمَاء فَتَأْتِيَهُم بِآيَةٍ وَلَوْ شَاء اللَّهُ لَجَمَعَهُمْ عَلَى الْهُدَى فَلاَ تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْجَاهِلِينَ
الأنعام - الآية ٣٥

"Had Allah willed, they had not been idolatrous. We have not set thee as a keeper over them, nor art thou responsible for them. " Quraan 6:107

وَلَوْ شَاء اللَّهُ مَا أَشْرَكُواْ وَمَا جَعَلْنَاكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَفِيظًا وَمَا أَنتَ عَلَيْهِم بِوَكِيلٍ
الأنعام - الآية ١٠٧

"Say - For Allah's is the final argument - Had He willed He could indeed have guided all of you." Quraan 6:149

قُلْ فَلِلَّهِ الْحُجَّةُ الْبَالِغَةُ فَلَوْ شَاء لَهَدَاكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ
الأنعام - الآية ١٤٩

"And if thy Lord had willed, He verily would have made mankind one nation, yet they cease not differing" Quraan 11:118

وَلَوْ شَاء رَبُّكَ لَجَعَلَ النَّاسَ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَلاَ يَزَالُونَ مُخْتَلِفِينَ
هود - الآية ١١٨

"And Allah's is the direction of the way, and some (roads) go not straight. And had He willed He would have led you all aright. " Quraan 16:9

وَعَلَى اللَّهِ قَصْدُ السَّبِيلِ وَمِنْهَا جَائِرٌ وَلَوْ شَاء لَهَدَاكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ
النحل - الآية ٩

"Had Allah willed He could have made you (all) one nation, but He sendeth whom He will astray and guideth whom He will, and ye will indeed be asked of what ye used to do." Quraan 16:93

وَلَوْ شَاء اللَّهُ لَجَعَلَكُمْ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَلَكِن يُضِلُّ مَن يَشَاء وَيَهْدِي مَن يَشَاء وَلَتُسْأَلُنَّ عَمَّا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
النحل - الآية ٩٣

The verses above are all affirming that had Allah willed to make us all true believers He could do so.


But why He chose to test us?
"He will not be questioned as to that which He doeth, but they will be questioned. " Quraan 21:23

لا يُسْأَلُ عَمَّا يَفْعَلُ وَهُمْ يُسْأَلُونَ
الأنبياء - الآية ٢٣

He just did! Face the reality!

Why did Allah create us?

"I was a Hidden Treasure and loved to be known. Therefore I created the Creation" Holy Hadith

Does Allah need to be known?
Off course no, He loved to be known, a love that is not stemming from weakness or deficiency like ours, He doesn't need us in anyway, do you have anything not from Him? Why would He need you or anything in you?

But Why?
"He will not be questioned as to that which He doeth, but they will be questioned" Quraan 21:23

Who are we to question Him? We forgot who we are (subjects/creation) and who He is (The Master/The Creator)?

Was Mohammad a true messenger of the Creator/God/Allah? (2)

"Have not those who disbelieve known that the heavens and the earth were of one piece, then We parted them, and we made every living thing of water? Will they not then believe? " Quraan 21:30

أَوَلَمْ يَرَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَنَّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ كَانَتَا رَتْقًا فَفَتَقْنَاهُمَا وَجَعَلْنَا مِنَ الْمَاء كُلَّ شَيْءٍ حَيٍّ أَفَلا يُؤْمِنُونَ
الأنبياء : ٣٠

"We have built the heaven with might, and We it is Who make the vast extent (thereof). " Quraan 51:47

وَالسَّمَاء بَنَيْنَاهَا بِأَيْدٍ وَإِنَّا لَمُوسِعُونَ
الذاريات - الآية ٤٧

Quraan was revealed to Mohammad ~1400 years ago. The verses above are affirming that heavens and earth (the universe) were one piece then was parted, it also affirms that space/heaven was built with great might and is still expanding.

Were the verses talking about the Big Bang?
Apparently yes.

"The theory that the universe began in a state of extremely high density and has been expanding since some particular instant that marked the origin of the universe. The big bang is the generally accepted cosmological theory; the incorporation of developments in elementary particle theory has led to the inflationary universe version." Sci-Tech Encyclopedia: Big bang theory

Is it possible that Mohammad knew about that fact ~1400 years ago?
If he was the messenger of the creator who created the whole universe then why not? Anyone knows about the universe better than its creator?

Who is Mohammad? (1)

"Say: I am (Mohammad) only a mortal like you. My Lord inspireth in me that your Allah is only One Allah. And whoever hopeth for the meeting with his Lord, let him do righteous work, and make none sharer of the worship due unto his Lord" Quraan 18:110

قُلْ إِنَّمَا أَنَا بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ يُوحَى إِلَيَّ أَنَّمَا إِلَهُكُمْ إِلَهٌ وَاحِدٌ فَمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو لِقَاء رَبِّهِ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلا صَالِحًا وَلا يُشْرِكْ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِ أَحَدًا

الكهف - الآية ١١٠

So Mohammad is basically a human being just like anyone of us, he was selected by the creator of the universe because of his qualities to deliver a message to mankind. He was the one who fully understood the message and the first one to perfectly implement it.

"Say: Lo! As for me, my Lord hath guided me unto a straight path, a right religion, the community of Abraham, the upright, who was no idolater,

Say: Lo! my worship and my sacrifice and my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the Worlds,

He hath no partner. This am I commanded, and I am first of those who surrender (unto Him)." Quraan 6:161-163

قُلْ إِنَّنِي هَدَانِي رَبِّي إِلَى صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ دِينًا قِيَمًا مِّلَّةَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ،

قُلْ إِنَّ صَلاتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحْيَايَ وَمَمَاتِي لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ،

لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَبِذَلِكَ أُمِرْتُ وَأَنَاْ أَوَّلُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ

الأنعام - الآيات ١٦١-١٦٣

"Verily in the messenger of Allah ye have a good example for him who looketh unto Allah and the Last Day, and remembereth Allah much" Quraan 33:21

لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الآخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا

الأحزاب - الآية ٢١

Because he was a human being just like us, a person who suffers from unpleasant things and enjoys the pleasant things, Allah is asking us to follow his deeds not only fulfilling the mandatory instructions and avoiding the forbidden ones but in all aspects that's related to implementing (not delivering) the message. In other words, if the Prophet could do it then we should be able to do it as well.

What does Islam mean?

'Islam' is an Arabic word that means 'Submission', the submission to the will of Allah/God.

How does this submission work?
If you are certain (belief is not enough, you need to be totally convinced) that there's a single creator for this universe and Mohammad was the last messenger of this creator, then you unconditionally submit your will to Allah and follow the guidance and instructions of His message which was delivered by His messenger Mohammad.

You become a Muslim by declaring Al-Shahadah
as follows:
"ASH-HADU ANLA ELAHA ILLA-ALLAH WA ASH-HADU ANNA MOHAMMADAN RASUL-ALLAH".

The English translation is:

"I bear witness that there is no deity (none truely to be worshipped) but, Allah, and I bear witness that Mohammad is the messenger of Allah".

How does this submission effectively work?
By giving yourself up to the will of Allah. There is five types of instructions in the message of Allah:
1. Haram (forbidden/prohibited): Things that you will be rewarded for if you don't do and punished for if you do, such as: to lie, to steal, to squander, drinking alcohol, drugs, eating pork, ...
2. Wajib (mandatory): Things that you will be rewarded for if you do and be punished for if you don't, such as: five prayers a day, fasting Ramadan, Hajj/pilgrimage, ...
3. Mustahab (diserable): Things that you will be rewarded for if you do and won't be punished for if you don't, such as: donation, to be clean, helping people, ...
4. Makrooh (undiserable): Things that you will be rewarded for if you don't do and won't be punished for if you do, such as: to be stingy, rude behavior, avoiding helping people when you can, ...
5. Mubah/Halal (permissible): Anything that doesn't fit into the four categories above, you don't get punished or rewarded for doing.

For instance, you may love drinking alcohol, you won't drink it because Allah made it forbidden/Haram, so you basically gave up what you like for the will of Allah.

Who is Allah/God? (2)

"Allah is able to do all things." Quraan 1:20

إِنَّ اللَّه عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
البقرة - الآية ٢٠

Isn't he the creator of everything?

Allah loves the charitable/perfectionist

How would you feel if you know you are beloved by Allah?

"Allah loves the charitable" Quraan 2:195

وَأَنفِقُواْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَلاَ تُلْقُواْ بِأَيْدِيكُمْ إِلَى التَّهْلُكَةِ وَأَحْسِنُواْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ
البقرة - الآية ١٩٥

The original Arabic counterpart of the word 'charitable' in the verse above is 'Muhseneen', the people who do 'Ihsan'.

Who are the Muhseneen?

"One day the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him and his household) appeared before the public that a man came to him and asked: what does al-Ihsan imply? the Messenger of Allah replied: That you worship Allah as if you are seeing Him, and in case you fail to see Him, then observe prayer (with this idea in your mind) that (at least) He is seeing you." Sahih Muslim - The Book of Faith (Kitab Al-Iman)

The 'worship' in the context above doesn't only mean the obligatory prayer but rather means anything you do for the sake of Allah.

What would be the quality of your work when your appreciative boss is keeping a weather eye on you?

Who are "Al Mutaqeen/Pious"? (1)

One high level of faith is 'Al Taqwa' which means avoiding evil, warding oneself off evil. Evil in this context might be equalised with whatever is Haram (forbidden action/thing by Allah). Muslims who reach that level of faith are called 'Al Mutaqeen', those are the kind of believers whom their faith manifests itself on their deeds, so who are they?

"Who believe in the Unseen, and establish worship, and spend of that We have bestowed upon them;

And who believe in that which is revealed unto thee (Muhammad) and that which was revealed before thee, and are certain of the Hereafter." Quraan 2:3-4

الَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْغَيْبِ وَيُقِيمُونَ الصَّلاةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ

وَالَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَمَا أُنزِلَ مِن قَبْلِكَ وَبِالآخِرَةِ هُمْ يُوقِنُونَ

البقرة - الآيات ٣-٤

What is the force behind their faith?
They are certain of the Hereafter, they know there will be a judgment day, they know there's a punishment and reward. Probably, like a good civilian who doesn't commit crime because he knows that he might get caught, then will be judged and punished--the only difference is that 'Al Mutaqeen' know for sure that they will get caught, because the judge (The Creator) is the witness, so there's no way out!

What does Allah say about them?
"These depend on guidance from their Lord. These are the successful." Quraan 2:5

أُوْلَئِكَ عَلَى هُدًى مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ

البقرة - الآية ٥

Was Mohammad a true messenger of the Creator/God/Allah? (1)

To become a Muslim besides acknowledging that there's only one Creator for the whole universe, you need to acknowledge that Mohammad was a Messenger of the Creator.

Who is Mohammad?
"(born c. 570, Mecca, Arabia — died June 8, 632, Medina) Arab prophet who established the religion of Islam. The son of a merchant of the ruling tribe, he was orphaned at age six. He married a rich widow, Khadijah, with whom he had six children, including Fatimah, a daughter. According to tradition, in 610 he was visited by the angel Gabriel, who informed Muhammad that he was the messenger of God. His revelations and teachings, recorded in the Qur'an, are the basis of Islam. He began to preach publicly c. 613, urging the rich to give to the poor and calling for the destruction of idols. He gained disciples but also acquired enemies, whose plan to murder Muhammad forced him to flee Mecca for Medina in 622. This flight, known as the Hijrah, marks the beginning of the Islamic era. Muhammad's followers defeated a Meccan force in 624; they suffered reverses in 625 but repelled a Meccan siege of Medina in 627. He won control of Mecca by 629 and of all Arabia by 630. He made his last journey to Mecca in 632, establishing the rites of the hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca. He died later that year and was buried at Medina. His life, teachings, and miracles have been the subjects of Muslim devotion and reflection ever since." Britannica Concise Encyclopedia


Do we exist in this planet for a reason?
We exist in this planet, that's a fact, there's a Creator for us and the whole universe, that's a certainty. Did He create us for a reason?

The possibilities here are:
1. Yes 2. No

If there's no reason for our creation and existence in this planet, then there's nothing to concern about, just live your life as you like. However, if there's a reason for our creation and existence then we should by one way or another be informed about it.

Have we been informed by the creator that we exist for a reason?
Apparently, yes. That's what religions are all about. History is full of people claimed that they were Messengers of the Creator sent to deliver a Message from Him to mankind.

How can we verify that whoever claims to be a Messenger of the Creator is a true Messenger of Him?
People won't just follow anyone who claims to be a Messenger of the Creator without any proof unless they are crazy. So he has to bring a proof to support his claim, a proof that really confirms he is sent by the Creator, like to do something only the Creator Himself can do--that's what we call a miracle.

What proof/miracle did Mohammad bring to people to prove he's a true Messenger of the Creator?
I believe Mohammad brought several proofs/miracles that proves he was a true Messenger of the Creator, some of them disappeared already others still exist or at least their traces still around. I'll talk about one of them today, will talk about the others in other posts.

People of Mecca challenged Mohammad to split the Moon for them as a proof that he is sent by the Creator of the universe, if he does then they would follow him. Mohammad told them that he couldn't do so as he was merely a human being just like them but he would ask Who (the Creator) sent him, so he prayed to the Creator to fulfill their request. The Moon got bisected/split into two parts, some of the people believed him others said Mohammad was an illusionist, that was just an illusion.

That incident is already documented in the history books and in Quraan itself in Surat 'Al Qamar' which means 'The Moon'.

"The Hour (of Judgment) is nigh, and the moon is cleft asunder,

But if they see a Sign, they turn away, and say, "This is (but) transient magic.",

They reject (the warning) and follow their (own) lusts but every matter has its appointed time." Quraan 54:1-3

اقْتَرَبَتِ السَّاعَةُ وَانشَقَّ الْقَمَرُ

وَإِن يَرَوْا آيَةً يُعْرِضُوا وَيَقُولُوا سِحْرٌ مُّسْتَمِرٌّ

وَكَذَّبُوا وَاتَّبَعُوا أَهْوَاءهُمْ وَكُلُّ أَمْرٍ مُّسْتَقِرٌّ

القمر - الآيات ١-٣

True, we didn't witness the incident but apparently the latest astronomical discoveries indicate that something like that had happened to the Moon. There's an area in the Moon called 'South Pole-Aitken Basin' is considered to be the biggest, deepest impact basin in the solar system. Herein what NASA says about it:
"The South Pole-Aitken Basin is the biggest, deepest impact basin in the solar system. This view is centered on the basin at 560S, 1800E. The rim crest is about 2500 kilometers in diameter, and the basin is up to 13 kilometers in depth in some places. Its average depth is about 10 kilometers." http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/multimedia/display.cfm?IM_ID=802

The South Pole-Aitken Basin is one of the most unique features of the moon, its formation and age are still under study by scientists. The Biggest Hole in the Solar System by G. Jeffrey Taylor

Who is Allah/God? (1)

"...., the Beneficent, the Merciful,
...., Lord of the Worlds,
The Beneficent, the Merciful,
Master of the Day of Judgment." Quraan 1:1-4

١..... الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

.... رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ

الفاتحة - الآيات ١-٤

Those verses are all from the first Surah (chapter) in Quraan which is called 'Al Fatiha' which means 'The Opening'. This Surah has to be recited by Muslims twice in each prayer, there's five prayers a day, means it has to be recited ten times a day, the word 'merciful' is mentioned four times in two forms (merciful & beneficent) so that's forty times.

Forty times a day Muslims remind themselves of how Merciful the Creator is and how we should be merciful among ourselves non-Muslims in general & Muslims in particular. The word 'Beneficent' is believed to be covering all the living beings and the word 'Merciful' is believed to be covering Muslims in particular.

The question is, do I practice what I recite? or I talk the talk and don't walk the walk? As a Muslim I need to evaluate my mercy between now and then to see how merciful I'm with people/things around me. I think the lowest level of mercy is not to be ruthless, if my mercy is below that level then something is fundamentally wrong with me!