THE CREATION OF MAN: By Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem al-Tuwayjri

ALLAAH created ADAM with His hand and breathed into him his soul created by Him, and told His angels to prostrate to him.

Allaah created Adam from dust, as He says

(interpretation of the meaning): 

“Verily, the likeness of ‘Eesa (Jesus) before Allaah is the likeness of Adam. He created him from dust, then (He) said to him: ‘Be!’ — and he was” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:59]

When Allaah had completed the creation of Adam, He commanded the angels to prostrate to him, so they prostrated, except for Iblees, who was present but he refused and was too arrogant to prostrate to Adam:  

“(Remember) when your Lord said to the angels: ‘Truly, I am going to create man from clay. So when I have fashioned him and breathed into him (his) soul created by Me, then you fall down prostrate to him.’ So the angels prostrated themselves, all of them, Except Iblees (Satan), he was proud and was one of the disbelievers” [Saad 38:71-74 – interpretation of the meaning] 

Then Allaah told the angels that He was going to place Adam on earth and make generations after generations of his offspring, as He said (interpretation of the meaning): 

“And (remember) when your Lord said to the angels: ‘Verily, I am going to place (mankind) generations after generations on earth’" [al-Baqarah 2:30] 

Allaah taught Adam all the names: 

“And He taught Adam all the names (of everything)” [al-Baqarah 2:31 – interpretation of the meaning] 

When Iblees refused to prostrate to Adam, Allaah expelled him and cursed him: 

“(Allaah) said: ‘Then get out from here; for verily, you are outcast. And verily, My Curse is on you till the Day of  Recompense’” [Saad 38:77-78 – interpretation of the meaning] 

When Iblees knew of his fate, he asked Allaah to give him respite until the Day of Resurrection:

“[Iblees (Satan)] said: ‘My Lord! Give me then respite till the Day the (dead) are resurrected.’ (Allaah) said: ‘Verily, you are of those allowed respite Till the Day of the time appointed’” [Saad 38:79-81 – interpretation of the meaning] 

When Allaah granted him that, he declared war on Adam and his descendents, made disobedience attractive to them and tempted them to commit immoral actions: 

“[Iblees (Satan)] said: ‘By Your Might, then I will surely, mislead them all, Except Your chosen slaves amongst them (i.e. faithful, obedient, true believers of Islamic Monotheism).’” [Saad 38:82-83 – interpretation of the meaning] 

Allaah created Adam, and from him He created his wife, and from their progeny He created men and women, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

  

“O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife [Hawwa (Eve)], and from them both He created many men and women” [al-Nisaa’ 4:1]

Then Allaah caused Adam and his wife to dwell in Paradise, as a test for them. He commanded them to eat of the fruits of Paradise but He forbade them to eat from one tree:

“And We said: ‘O Adam! Dwell you and your wife in the Paradise and eat both of you freely with pleasure and delight, of things therein as wherever you will, but come not near this tree or you both will be of the Zaalimoon (wrong-doers)’” [al-Baqarah 2:35 – interpretation of the meaning]

Allaah warned Adam and his wife against the Shaytaan, as He said (interpretation of the meaning): 

“O Adam! Verily, this is an enemy to you and to your wife. So let him not get you both out of Paradise, so that you will be distressed” [Ta-Ha 20:117] 

Then the Shaytaan whispered to Adam and his wife, and tempted them to eat from the forbidden tree. Adam forgot 

and could not resist the temptation, so he disobeyed his Lord and ate from that tree:

  

“Then Shaytaan (Satan) whispered to him, saying : ‘O Adam! Shall I lead you to the Tree of Eternity and to a kingdom that will never waste away?’ Then they both ate of the tree, and so their private parts became manifest to them, and they began to cover themselves with the leaves of the Paradise for their covering. Thus did Adam disobey his Lord, so he went astray” [Ta-Ha 20:120-121 – interpretation of the meaning] 

Their Lord called to them and said (interpretation of the meaning): 

“Did I not forbid you that tree and tell you: Verily, Shaytaan (Satan) is an open enemy unto you?” [al-A’raaf 7:22] 

When they ate from the tree, they regretted what they had done, and said: 

“Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You forgive us not, and bestow not upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be of the losers” [al-A’raaf 7:23 – interpretation of the meaning] 

The sin of Adam stemmed from desire, not from arrogance, hence Allaah guided him to repent and He accepted that from him: 

“Then Adam received from his Lord Words. And his Lord pardoned him (accepted his repentance). Verily, He is the One Who forgives (accepts repentance), the Most Merciful” [al-Baqarah 2:37 – interpretation of the meaning] 

This is the way for Adam and his descendents: whoever sins then repents sincerely, Allaah will accept his repentance: 

“And He it is Who accepts repentance from His slaves, and forgives sins, and He knows what you do” [al-Shoora 42:25 – interpretation of the meaning] 

Then Allaah sent Adam and his wife, and Iblees, down to the earth, and He sent down Revelation to them and He sent the Messengers to them.  So whoever believes will enter Paradise and whoever disbelieves will enter Hell: 

“We said: ‘Get down all of you from this place (the Paradise), then whenever there comes to you Guidance from Me, and whoever follows My Guidance, there shall be no fear on them, nor shall they grieve. But those who disbelieve and belie Our Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) — such are the dwellers of the Fire. They shall abide therein forever’” [al-Baqarah 2:38-39 – interpretation of the meaning] 

When Allaah sent them all down to the earth, the conflict between faith and kufr, between truth and falsehood, between good and evil, began, and it will continue until Allaah inherits the earth and everyone on it: 

“(Allaah) said: ‘Get down, one of you an enemy to the other [i.e. Adam, Hawwa, (Eve), and Shaytaan (Satan)]. On earth will be a dwelling place for you and an enjoyment for a time’ [al-A’raaf 7:24 – interpretation of the meaning] 

Allaah is Able to do all things. He created Adam with no father or mother, and He created Hawwa from a father with no mother, and He created ‘Eesa from a mother with no father, and He created us from a father and a mother. Allaah created Adam from dust, then He made his descendents from semen of despised water, as He says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“Who made everything He has created good and He began the creation of man from clay. Then He made his offspring from semen of despised water (male and female sexual discharge). Then He fashioned him in due proportion, and breathed into him the soul (created by Allaah for that person); and He gave you hearing (ears), sight (eyes) and hearts. Little is the thanks you give!” [al-Sajdah 32:7-9] 

How man is created in the womb, and the stages which he goes through, is a wondrous thing. Allaah mentioned this in the aayah (interpretation of the meaning): 

“And indeed We created man (Adam) out of an extract of clay (water and earth). Thereafter We made him (the offspring of Adam) as a Nutfah (mixed drops of the male and female sexual discharge and lodged it) in a safe lodging (womb of the woman). Then We made the Nutfah into a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood), then We made the clot into a little lump of flesh, then We made out of that little lump of flesh bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh, and then We brought it forth as another creation. So Blessed is Allaah, the Best of creators” [al-Mu’minoon 23:12-14] 

Allaah Alone creates whatever He wills. He knows what is in the wombs, and He decrees provision and lifespans (for His creatures): 

“To Allaah belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. He creates what He wills. He bestows female (offspring) upon whom He wills, and bestows male (offspring) upon whom He wills. Or He bestows both males and females, and He renders barren whom He wills. Verily, He is the All-Knower and is Able to do all things” [al-Shoora 42:49-50 – interpretation of the meaning] 

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

“Allaah has appointed an angel over the womb. He says, ‘O Lord, a drop of semen (nutfah); O Lord, a clot (‘alaqah); O Lord, a little lump of flesh (mudghah).’ Then if Allah wishes (to complete) its creation, the angel asks, (O Lord) male or female, wretched (doomed to Hell) or blessed (destined for Paradise)? How much will his provision be? And what will his lifespan be?’ So that is written whilst (the child) is still in the mother's womb.”  (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 318)

Allaah honoured the children of Adam and subjugated for their benefit that which is in the heavens and on earth: 

“See you not (O men) that Allaah has subjected for you whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth, and has completed and perfected His Graces upon you, (both) apparent (i.e. Islamic Monotheism, and the lawful pleasures of this world, including health, good looks) and hidden [i.e. one’s faith in Allaah (of Islamic Monotheism), knowledge, wisdom, guidance for doing righteous deeds, and also the pleasures and delights of the Hereafter in Paradise]? [Luqmaan 31:20 – interpretation of the meaning] 

Allaah has distinguished and honoured man with reason by which he knows his Lord, Creator and Provider, and by which he knows what is good and evil, what will benefit him and what will harm him, what is halaal and what is haraam. Allaah did not create man and leave him alone with no path to follow. Rather, Allaah revealed the Books and sent Messengers to guide mankind to the Straight Path. 

Allaah created people with a natural inclination towards monotheism (Tawheed – belief in the Oneness of Allaah). Every time they deviated from that, Allaah sent a Prophet to bring them back to the Straight Path. The first of the Prophets was Adam and the last was Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): 

“Mankind were one community and Allaah sent Prophets with glad tidings and warnings, and with them He sent down the Scripture in truth to judge between people in matters wherein they differed." [al-Baqarah 2:213 – interpretation of the meaning] 

All the Messengers called people to the same truth, which is the worship of Allaah alone and to reject all gods besides Him: 

“And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): “Worship Allaah (Alone), and avoid (or keep away from) Taaghoot (all false deities, i.e. do not worship Taaghoot besides Allaah).” [al-Nahl 16:36 – interpretation of the meaning] 

The religion with which Allaah sent the Prophets and Messengers was the same, i.e., Islam: 

“Truly, the religion with Allaah is Islam” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:19 – interpretation of the meaning] 

The last of the heavenly Books which Allaah revealed was the Qur’aan, confirming the Books which came before it, and as a guidance to all of mankind: 

“(This is) a Book which We have revealed unto you (O Muhammad) in order that you might lead mankind out of darkness (of disbelief and polytheism) into light." [Ibraaheem 14:1 – interpretation of the meaning] 

The last of the Prophets and Messengers whom Allaah sent was Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): 

“Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allaah and the last (end) of the Prophets” [al-Ahzaab 33:40 – interpretation of the meaning] 

Allaah sent Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to all of mankind: 

“Say (O Muhammad): ‘O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allaah’” [al-A’raaf 7:158 – interpretation of the meaning] 

The Qur’aan is the last and greatest of the heavenly Books and Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is the last and best of the Prophets and Messengers. Allaah has abrogated all of the heavenly Books with the Qur’aan, so whoever does not follow the Qur’aan and enter Islam and believe in the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and follow him, his deeds will not be accepted: 

“And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of  the losers” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:85 – interpretation of the meaning]

The religion which was brought by Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) confirms the message brought by the Prophets before him, in its basic principles and advocation of noble characteristics, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

 “He (Allaah) has ordained for you the same religion (Islamic Monotheism) which He ordained for Nooh (Noah), and that which We have revealed to you (O Muhammad), and that which We ordained for Ibraaheem (Abraham), Moosa (Moses) and ‘Eesa (Jesus) saying you should establish religion (i.e. to do what it orders you to do practically) and make no divisions] in it (religion) (i.e. various sects in religion). [al-Shoora 42:13]

The True Religion : By Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips

THE RELIGION OF ISLAM

The first thing that one should know and clearly understand about Islam is what the word "Islam" itself means. The religion of Islam is not named after a person as in the case of Christianity which was named after Jesus Christ, Buddhism after Gotama Buddha, Confucianism after Confucius, and Marxism after Karl Marx. Nor was it named after a tribe like Judaism after the tribe of Judah and Hinduism after the Hindus. Islam is the true religion of "Allah" and as such, its name represents the central principle of Allah's "God's" religion; the total submission to the will of Allah "God". The Arabic word "Islam" means the submission or surrender of one's will to the only true god worthy of worship "Allah" and anyone who does so is termed a "Muslim", The word also implies "peace" which is the natural consequence of total submission to the will of Allah. Hence, it was not a new religion brought by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) I in Arabia in the seventh century, but only the true religion of Allah re-expressed in its final form.

Islam is the religion which was given to Adam, the first man and the first prophet of Allah, and it was the religion of all the prophets sent by Allah to mankind. The name of God's religion lslam was not decided upon by later generations of man. It was chosen by Allah Himself and clearly mentioned in His final revelation to man. In the final book of divine revelation, the Qur'aan, Allah states the following:

"This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion". (Soorah Al-Maa'idah 5:3)

"If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah (God) never will It be accepted of Him" (Soorah Aal'imraan 3:85)

"Abraham was not a Jew nor Christian; but an upright Muslim." (Soorah Aal'imraan 3:67)

Nowhere in the Bible will you find Allah saying to Prophet Moses' people or their descendants that their religion is Judaism, nor to the followers of Christ that their religion is Christianity. In fact, Christ was not even his name, nor was it Jesus! The name "Christ" comes from the Greek word Christos which means the annointed. That is, Christ is a Greek translation of the Hebrew title "Messiah". The name "Jesus" on the other hand, is a latinized version of the Hebrew name Esau.

For simplicity's sake, I will however continue to refer to Prophet Esau (PBUH) as Jesus. As for his religion, it was what he called his followers to. Like the prophets before him, he called the people to surrender their will to the will of Allah; (which is Islam) and he warned them to stay away from the false gods of human imagination.

According to the New Testament, he taught his followers to pray as follows: "Yours will be done on earth as it is in Heaven".

THE MESSAGE OF ISLAM

Since the total submission of one's will to Allah represents the essence of worship, the basic message of Allah's divine religion, Islam is the worship of Allah alone and the avoidance of worship directed to any person, place or thing other than Allah.Since everything other than Allah, the Creator of all things, is Allah's creation; it may be said that Islam, in essence calls man away from the worship of creation and invites him to worship only its Creator. He is the only one deserving man's worship as it is only by His will that prayers are answered. If man prays to a tree and his prayers are answered, it was not the tree which answered his prayers but Allah who allowed the circumstances prayed for to take place. One might say, "That is obvious," however, to tree-worshippers it might not be. Similarly, prayers to Jesus, Buddha, or Krishna, to Saint Christopher, or Saint Jude or even to Muhammad, are not answered by them but are answered by Allah. Jesus did nottell his followers to worship him but to worship Allah. As the Qur'aan states:

"And behold Allah will say: "O Jesus the son of Mary Did you say to men, Worship me and my mother as gods besides Allah He will say-"Glory to you I could never say what I had no right (to say')" (Soorah Al-Maa'idah- 5:116)

Nor did he worship himself when he worshipped but rather he worshipped Allah. This basic principle is enshrined in the opening chapter of the Qur'aan, known as (Soorah Al-Faatihah, verse 4:)

"You alone do we worship and from you alone do we seek help".

Elsewhere, in the final book of revelation, the Qur'aan, Allah also said:

"And your Lord says:"Call on Me and I will answer your(prayer)."(Soorsh Mu'min 40:60)

it is worth noting that the basic message of Islam is that Allah and His creation are distinctly different entities. Neither is Allah His creation or a part of it, nor is His creation Him or a part of Him.

This might seem obvious, but, man's worship of creation instead of the Creator is to a large degree based on ignorance of this concept. It is the belief that the essence of Allah is everywhere in His creation or that His divine being is or was present in some aspects of His creation, which has provided justification for the worship of creation though such worship maybecalled the worship of Allah through his creation. How ever, the message of Islam as brought by the prophets of Allah is to worship only Allah and to avoid the worship of his creation either directly or indirectly. In the Our'aan Allah clearlystates:

"For We assuredly sent amongst every people a prophet,(with the command) worship meand avoid false gods " (Soorsh Al-Nahl 16:36)

When the idol worshipper is questioned as to why he or she bows down to idols created by men, the invariable reply is that they are not actually worshipping the stone image, but Allah who is present within it. They claim that the stone idol is only a focal point for Allah's essence and is not in itself Allah! One who has accepted the concept of the presence of God's being within His creation in any way will be obliged to accept this argument of idolatry. Whereas, one who understands the basic message of Islam and its implications would never concede to idolatry no matter how it is rationalized. Those who have claimed divinity for themselves down through the ages have often based their claims on the mistaken belief that Allah is present in man. They merely had to assert that although Allah according to their false beliefs, is in all of us, He is more present in them than in the rest of us. Hence, they claim, we should submit our will to them and worship them as they are either God in person or God concentrated within the person.

Similarly, those who have asserted the godhood of others after their passing have found fertile ground among those who accept the false belief of God's presence in man. One who has grasped the basic message of Islam and its implications could never agree to worship another human being under any circumstances. God's religion in essence is a clear call to the worship of the Creator and the rejection of creation-worship in any form. This is the meaning of the motto of Islam:

"Laa Elaaha lllallaah" (There is no god but Allah)

Its repetition automatically brings one within the fold of Islam and sincere belief in it guarantees one Paradise.

Thus, the final Prophet of Islam is reported to have said, "Any one who says: There is no god but Allah and dies holding that (belief) will enter paradise".(Reported by Abu Dharr and collected by Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim).

It consists in the submission to Allah as one God, yielding to Him by obeying His commandments, and the denial of polytheism and polytheists.

THE MESSAGE OF FALSE RELIGION

There are so many sects, cults, religions, philosophies, and movements in the world, all of which claim to be the right way or the only true path to Allah. How can one determine which one is correct or if, in fact, all are correct? The method by which the answer can be found is to clear away the superficial differences in the teachings of the various claimants to the ultimate truth, and identify the central object of worship to which they call, directly or indirectly. False religions all have in common one basic concept with regards to Allah. They either claim that all men are gods or that specific men were Allah or that nature is Allah or that Allah is a figment of man's imagination.

Thus, it may be stated that the basic message of false religion is that Allah may be worshipped in the form of His creation. False religion invites man to the worship of creation by calling the creation or some aspect of it God. For example, prophet Jesus invited his followers to worship Allah but those who claim to be his followers today call people to worship Jesus, claiming that he was Allah!

Buddha was a reformer who introduced a number of humanistic principles to the religion of India. He did not claim to be God nor did he suggest to his followers that he be an object of worship. Yet, today most Buddhists who are to be found outside of India have taken him to be God and prostrate to idols made in their perception of his likeness.

By using the principle of identifying the object of worship, false religion becomes very obvious and the contrived nature of their origin clear. As God said in the Our'aan:

That which you worship besides Him are only names you and your forefathers have invented for which Allah has sent down no authority: The command belongs only to Allah:

''He has commanded that you only worship Him; that is the right religion, but most men do not understand ". (Soorah Yoosuf 12:40)

It may be argued that all religions teach good things so why should it matter which one we follow. The reply is that all false religions teach the greatest evil, the worship of creation. Creation-worship is the greatest sin that man can commit because it contradicts the very purpose of his creation. Man was created to worship Allah alone as Allah has explicitly stated in the Our'aan:

"I have only created Jlnns and men, that they may worship me"(Soorah Zaareeyaat 51:56)

Consequently, the worship of creation, which is the essence of idolatry, is the only unforgivable sin. One who dies in this state of idolatry has sealed his fate in the next life. This is not an opinion, but a revealed fact stated by Allah in his final revelation to man:

"Verily Allah will not forgive the joining of partners with Him, but He may forgive (sins) less than that for whom so ever He wishes"(Soorah An- Nisaa 4:48 and 116)

THE UNIVERSALITY OF ISLAM

Since the consequences of false religion are so grave, the true religion of Allah must be universally understandable and attainable, not confined to any people, place or time. There can not be conditions like baptism, belief in a man, as a saviour etc., for a believer to enter paradise. Within the central principle of Islam and in its definition, (the surrender of one's will to God) lies the roots of lslam's universality. Whenever man comes to the realization that Allah is one and distinct from His creation, and submits himself to Allah, he becomes a Muslim in body and spirit and is eligible for paradise. Thus, anyone at anytime in the most remote region of the world can become a Muslim, a follower of God's religion, Islam, by merely rejecting the worship of creation and by turning to Allah (God) alone-It should be noted however, that the recognition of and submission to Allah requires that one chooses between right and wrong and such a choice implies accountability. Man will be held responsible for his choices, and, as such, he should try his utmost to do good and avoid evil. The ultimate good being the worship of Allah alone and the ultimate evil being the worship of His creation along with or instead of Allah. This fact is expressed in the final revelation as follows:

"Verily those who believe, those who follow the Jewish (Scriptures), the Christians and the Sabians any who believe In Allah and the last day, and work righteousness *hall have their reward with their Lord;They will not be overcome by fear nor grief (Soorah Al-Baqarah 2:62).

"If only they had stood by the law, the Gospel, and all the revelation that was sent to them from their Lord, they would have enjoyed happiness from every side. There Is from among them a party on the right course; but many of them follow a course that Is evil.". (Soorah Al-.Maa'idah 5:66)

RECOGNITION OF ALLAH

The question which arises here is, "How can all people be expected to believe in Allah given their varying- backgrounds, societies and cultures? For people to be responsible for worshipping Allah they all have to have access to knowledge of Allah. The final revelation teaches that all mankind have the recognition of Allah imprinted on their souls, a part of their very nature with which they are created.

In Soorah Al-A'raaf, Verses 172-173; Allah explained that when He created Adam, He caused all of Adam's descendants to come into existence and took a pledge from them saying, Am I not your Lord? To which they all replied, " Yes, we testify to It:'

Allah then explained why He had all of mankind bear witness that He is their creator and only true God worthy of worship. He said, "That was In case you (mankind) should say on the day of Resurrection, "Verily we were unaware of all this." That is to say, we had no idea that You Allah, were our God. No one told us that we were only supposed to worship You alone. Allah went on to explain That it was also In case you should say, "Certainly It was our ancestors who made partners (With Allah) and we are only their descendants; will You then destroy us for what those liars did?" Thus, every child is born with a natural belief in Allah and an inborn inclination to worship Him alone called in Arabic the "Fitrah".

If the child were left alone, he would worship Allah in his own way, but all children are affected by those things around them, seen or unseen.

The Prophet (PBUH) reported that Allah said, "I created my servants in the right religion but devils made them go astray". The Prophet (PBUH) also said, "Each child is born in a state of "Fitrah", then his parents make him a Jew, Christian or a Zoroastrian, the way an animal gives birth to a normal offspring. Have you noticed any that were born mutilated?" (Collected by Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim).

So, just as the child submits to the physical laws which Allah has put in nature, his soul also submits naturally to the fact that Allah is his Lord and Creator. But, his parents try to make him follow their own way and the child is not strong enough in the early stages of his life to resist or oppose the will of his parents. The religion which the child follows at this stage is one of custom and upbringing and Allah does not hold him to account or punish him for this religion.

Throughout people's lives from childhood until the time they die, signs are shown to them in all regions of the earth and in their own souls, until it becomes clear that there is only one true God (Allah). If the people are honest with themselves, reject their false gods and seek Allah, the way will be made easy for them but if they continually reject Allah's signs and continue to worship creation, the more difficult it will be for them to escape. For example, in the South Eastern region of the Amazon jungle in Brazil, South America, a primitive tribe erected a new hut to house their main idol Skwatch, representing the supreme God of all creation. The homage to the God, and while he was in prostration to what he had been taught was his Creator and Sustainer, a mangy old flea-ridden dog walked into the hut, The young man looked up in time to see the dog lift its hind leg and pass urine on the idol. Outraged, the youth chased the dog out of the temple, but when his rage died down he realized that the idol could not be the Lordof the universe. Allah must be elsewhere. he now had a choice to act on his knowledge and seek Allah, or to dishonestly go along with the false beliefs of his tribe. As strange as it may seem, that was a sign from Allah for that young man. It contained within it divine guidance that what he was worshipping was false.

Prophets were sent, as was earlier mentioned, to every nation and tribe to support man's natural belief in Allah and man's inborn inclination to worship Him as well as to reinforce the divine truth in the daily signs revealed by Allah. Although, in most cases, much of the prophets' teachings became distorted, portions remained which point out right and wrong. For example, the ten commandments of the Torah, their confirmation in the Gospels and the existence of laws against murder, stealing and adultery in most societies. Consequently, every soul will be held to account for its belief in Allah and its acceptance of the religion of Islam; the total submission to the will of Allah.

We pray to Allah, the exalted, to keep us on the right path to which He has guided us, and to bestow on us a blessing from Him, He is indeed the Most Merciful. Praise and gratitude be to Allah,the Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings be on prophet Muhammed, his Family, his companions, and those who rightly follow them.

The True Religion of God: By Dr. Bilaal Philips

WHICH IS THE TRUE RELIGION OF GOD?

Each person is born in a circumstance which is not of his own choosing. The religion of his family or the ideology of the State is thrust upon him from the very beginning of his existence in this world. By the time he reaches his teens, he is usually fully brain-washed into believing that the beliefs of his particular society are the correct beliefs that everyone should have.

However, when some people mature and are exposed to other belief-systems, they to question the validity of their own beliefs. The seekers of truth often reach a point of confusion upon realizing that each and every religion, sect, ideology and philosophy claims to be the one and only correct way for man. Indeed, they all encourage people to do good. So, which one is right? They cannot all be right since each claims all others are wrong. Then how does the seekers of truth choose the right way?

God gave us all minds and intellects to enable us to make this crucial decision. It is the most important decision in the life of a human being. Upon it depends his future. Consequently, each and every one of us must examine dispassionately the evidence presented and choose what appears to be right until further evidence arises.

Like every other religion or philosophy, Islam also claims to be the one and only true way to God. In this respect it is no different from other systems. It must always be kept in mind that one can only determine the true path by putting aside emotions and prejudices, which often blind us to reality. Then, and only then, will we be able to use our God-given intelligence and make a rational and correct decision.

There are several arguments, which may be advanced to support Islam's claims to be the true religion of God. The following are only three of the most obvious. The first argument is based on the divine origin of the name of the religion and the comprehensiveness of its meaning. The second deals with the unique and uncomplicated teachings concerning the relationship between God, man and creation. The third argument derives from the fact that Islam is universally attainable by all men at all times. These are the three basic components of what logic and reason dictate necessary for a religion to be considered the true religion of God.


THE RELIGION'S NAME


The first thing that one should know and clearly understand about Islam is what the word Islam itself means. The Arabic word 'Islam' means: the submission or surrender of one's will to the only true God, known in Arabic as Allaah. One who submits his will to God is termed in Arabic a Muslim.

The religion of Islam is not named after a person or a people, nor was it decided by a later generation of man, as in the case of Christianity which was named after Jesus Christ, Buddism after Gautama Buddha, Confucianism after Confucius, Marxism after Karl Marcx, Judaism after the tribe of Judah and Hinduism after the Hindus. Islam (submission to the will of God) is the religion which was given to Adam (PBUH), the first man and the first prophet of God, and it was the religion of all the prophets sent be Allaah to mankind. Further, its name was chosen by God Himself and clearly mentioned in the final scripture which He revealed to man. In that final revelation, called in Arabic the Qur'aan, Allaah states the following:

''This day have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your  religion.'' [Qur'aan 5:3]

''If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to God), never will it be accepted of Him.'' [Qur'aan 3:85]

Hence, Islam does not claim to be a new religion brought by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) into Arabia in the seventh century, but rather to be a re-expression in its final form of the true religion of Almighty God, Allaah, as it was originally revealed to Adam (PBUH) and subsequent prophets.

At this point we might comment briefly on two other religions that claim to be the true path. Nowhere in the Bible will you find God revealing to Prophet Moses' (PBUH) people or their descendants that their religion is called Judaism, or to the followers of Christ that their religion is called Chrstianity. In other words, the names "Judaism" and "Christianity" had no divine origin or approval. It was not until long after his departure that the name Christianity was given to Jusus' religion.
------------To be continue-------------

Knowledge: By Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez bin 'Abdullaah bin Baaz

Publisher's Note:

All praise is for Allaah; peace and prayers be upon Muhammad his family, his Companions and all those who follow in their footsteps until the Day of Judgement.

In the following pages is a short essay by one of the greatest scholars alive today on the merits of knowledge and the characteristics of the scholars. The Shaykh, may Allaah protect him, has beautifully described the importance of seeking knowledge, acting according to it and other related matters. It is hoped that this booklet will help to create a realization of the importance of knowledge and the status of the scholars.

The booklet has been published in Arabic under the title: Al-'llm wa Akhlaaqu Ahlihi. The translator, may Allaah reward him has added some useful footnotes and included an appendix containing some very valuable points, taken from the writings of Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah.

The author, Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez bin 'Abdullaah bin Baaz, may Allaah preserve him, is one of the greatest scholars of this age, who has spent his life calling to the pure Islaam, in creed as well as methodology, as understood by the Companions, the Successors and their successors - may Allaah reward him.

All praise and thanks are due to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds; and the good end is for the pious. Prayers and peace be upon His Slave and Messenger; the best of His creation, the faithful to His revelation, our Messenger and Leader, Muhammad the son of 'Abdullaah; upon his family, his Companions and whoever follows his way until the Day of Judgement. To proceed:

Indeed the virtues and merits of knowledge ('ilm) are well known to everyone. It is the most noble thing that one can ask for, and the best thing a seeker can strive to attain. Knowledge consists of many branches, but according to the scholars of Islaam: "What is meant by knowledge in the absolute sense is Islamic knowledge."

This is the intended meaning of knowledge in the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). In the absolute sense, it is knowledge regarding Allaah, His names and attributes, knowledge of His rights over His creation, and what He, the One free from all defects, the Most High, has prescribed for them. It is the detailed knowledge of the path that leads to Allaah; knowledge of the purpose of our creation; and the end which the slave will result in, in the Hereafter.

This Islamic knowledge is the best of sciences worth acquiring because through it Allaah is recognized and acknowledged, and by it He is worshipped. One who possesses this knowledge knows what Allaah has made lawful for him and what He has prohibited him from; what pleases Him and what evokes His anger. With this knowledge a person knows his result with Allaah and his end. From amongst the people, those who have taken upon themselves to observe the precepts of the Religion will result in Paradise and bliss, and the rest (which are the majority) will result in a place of disgrace, humiliation and misery. The people of knowledge have cautioned us about this and explained that knowledge is confined to this meaning.

Amongst the scholars who indicated this is al-Qaadi ibn Abil' Izz [Abul-Hasan Sadruddeen Alee bin 'Alaa-uddeen ibn Abil Izz al-Hanafee. He died in the year 792H] (commentator of 'Aqeedatut Tahaawiyyah) at the beginning of his commentary. Others have also referred to it, such as Ibn Qayyim, Shaykh-ul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [Shaykh-ul-Islaam Taqee ud-Deen Ahmad ibn Taymiyyah, one of the great scholars of Islaam, well known for his vast knowledge and piety. He authored many books on a variety of subjects. He died in the year 728H. Imaam lbn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah was one of his students, a scholar in his own right, who has written may useful books. He died in the year 751 H.] and a number of others.

It is very clear that the merits and virtues of knowledge vary depending on the extent of one's adherence to it. The greatest and most excellent knowledge is that which pertains to Allaah, His names, and His attributes, and this knowledge is known as 'aqeedah (belief). Indeed to Allaah, the Exalted and Supreme, belongs the best example, which is the highest description in every aspect of His essence, names, attributes and actions.

Following this is that which is related to Allaah's right over His creation, what He has prescribed upon them. Following this is what supports and bonds it in understanding such as knowledge of the principles of Arabic, Islamic terminology, principles of fiqh, hadeeth methodology and other sciences which are connected to this knowledge, which assist it in both understanding and precision.

The biography of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), Islamic history, biography of the narrators of hadeeth and of the scholars of Islaam are also part of this knowledge.

Allaah has honoured and extolled the people who possess this knowledge, and He has raised their status high. He made them bear witness to His Oneness with sincere devotion.

"Allaah bears witness that none has the right to be worshipped but He, and the angels, and those having knowledge (also bear witness to this); (He is always) maintaining His creation in justice. None has the right to be worshipped but He, the All-Mighty the All-Wise." [Soorah Aal-Imraan (3):18]

The people of knowledge bear witness to His Oneness along with the angels. The angels ('alayhimussalaam) and the people of knowledge, affirm Allaah's Oneness with sincere devotion towards Him, that He is the Lord of the worlds, the true deity worthy of worship and that worship of anyone besides Him is futile and void.

This affirmation in itself is sufficient proof to show their high station due to the fact that Allaah made them testify to His Oneness and the right for His worship. He, the Most High, explained clearly that none is equal to them: "

...Say: `Are those who know equal to those who know not?' It is only men of understanding who will remember (that is get a lesson from Allaah's signs)." [Soorah az-Zumar (39):9]

And the Mighty and Majestic says:
"Shall he then who knows that what has been revealed unto you (O Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)) from your Lord is the truth be like him who is blind? But it is only the men of understanding that pay heed." [Soorah ar-R'ad (13):19]

Therefore, the people of knowledge and the ignorant are not alike. The person, who has knowledge that what Allaah has revealed is the truth, guidance and a way to success, is not equal to the one who has been blinded to this way and to this knowledge. There is an immense difference between the knowledgeable and the ignorant. It is the difference between one who knows the truth and obtains insight through its light and acts according to its guidance until he meets his Lord achieving success with nobility, and one who is blind to this way and follows his desires taking the path of  Shaytaan.

The two groups are not similar. Allaah has clearly stated that He raises the ranks of the people of knowledge due to their effect upon the people and the great benefit that people draw from them. Thus some of the people of knowledge have said: "What is more beneficial than their effect upon the people! What is more harmful than the people's effect upon them!"

Their beneficial effects upon the people is their directing the people towards righteousness and guiding them to the truth, making sure that the guidance reaches them - and these are great benefits that are derived from them. Allaah [This means that He rewards them and forgives them their sins. For a detailed discussion refer to Sifaatullaahi Azzawajal al-Wooridah fil Kitoabi was Sunnati by Ibn 'Abdul-Qaadir.] thanks them and the believers thank them for their meritorious actions.

At the head of all the scholars are the prophets ('alayhimussalaAm) for they are the guides and the callers to Islaam. They are the most knowledgeable and learned of people with regards to Allaah and His Sharee'ah. The best people after the prophets are those who follow them; those who are well acquainted with that which the prophets came (i.e. the revelation); and those who call to Islaam in the best way, with patience and guide the people to it. The Most High says:

"...Allaah will exalt in degree those of you who believe and those who have been granted knowledge ('Ilm) ..." [Soorah al-Mujaadilah (58):11]

"And that was our proof which we gave Ibraaheem against his people. We raise whom We will in degrees..." [Soorah al-An'aam (6):83]

He, the Most High, explained that the people of knowledge fear Him as He ought to be feared, although this fear, generally speaking, is present within the believers and others. But the true and complete fear of Allaah is present only among the scholars, at the head of them being the prophets ('alayhimussalaam):

"...It is only those who have knowledge ('Iim) among His slaves that fear Allaah..." [Soorah Faatir (35):28]

That is, complete and perfect fear. The scholars have knowledge of Allaah, His names, His attributes and His Sharee'ah, which He dispatched the prophets with. Hence when some people who took the knowledge to which the Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was guiding to be insufficient and said: "We are not like you O Messenger of Allaah! Allaah has forgiven your past and future sins." The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: "By Allaah! Indeed I am the one who fears Allaah the most amongst you, and the most pious of *1 you."

*1[The full text of the hadeeth is as follows:]
Narrated by Anas bin Maalik (radiyallaahu 'anhu), he says: "A group of three men came to the houses of the wives of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) asking how the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) worshipped (Allaah), and when they were informed about that, they considered their worship insufficient and said: 'Where are we compared to the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) as his past and future sins have been forgiven.' Then one of them said: 'I will offer the prayer throughout the night for ever.' The other said: 'I will fast throughout the year and will not break my fast' The third said: 'I will keep away from The scholars are the most fearful of Allaah among mankind due to their knowledge of Allaah, His Deen, His names and His attributes. They are the most eager among men for the truth depending on the extent of their knowledge of Allaah. Further above them and the most perfect are the prophets, as they fear Allaah the most. The most perfect of them, with regard to knowledge, fear and piety, is our Messenger Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam).


There are many ahaadeeth showing the virtues and merits of knowledge. From them is his (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) saying: "Whosoever pursues a path to seek knowledge therein, Allaah will thereby make easy for him a path to Paradise."

So this shows us the great excellence of the students of knowledge. For whoever corrects his intention in seeking knowledge and desires only His Face, he is on a road to salvation (from the Fire) and happiness (in Paradise).*2

women and will never marry.' Allaah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: ''Are you the same people who said so-and so? By Allaah! Indeed I am the one who fears Allaah the most amongst you, and the most pious of you; yet I fast and break my fast, I pray and I sleep, and I marry women. So he who opposes my Sunnah is not from me." Reported by Imaam al-Bukhaaree in his Saheeh.

make easy for him a path to Paradise. No people gather together in one of the houses of Allaah (i.e. a mosque), reciting the Book of Allaah and studying it among themselves, without tranquility descending upon them, mercy enveloping them and angels surrounding them, and Allaah making mention of them to those who are with Him. Whosoever is slowed down by his actions will not be hastened forward by his lineage." Reported by lmaam Muslim is his Saheeh.

*2[The full text of the hadeeth is as follows:]
On the authority of Aboo Hurairah (radiyallaahu 'anhu) that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: Whosoever removes a worldly grief from a believer, Allaah will remove from him one of the grief’s of the Day of Judgement. Whosoever alleviates (the lot) of a destitute person, Allaah will alleviate his lot in this world and the next. Whosoever conceals the faults of a Muslim, Allaah will conceal his faults in this world and the next. Allaah will aid a servant (of His) so long as the servant aids his brother. Whosoever pursues a path to seek knowledge therein, Allaah will thereby Knowledge should be sought for the right reasons and for its implementation (acting according to the knowledge) not for the sake of ostentation (riyaa') [On the authority of Mahmood,bin Lubayd that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, "The thing that I fear for you the most is Shirk al-Asghar (the minor shirk)!" The Companions asked, "O Messenger of Allaah! What is Shirk al-Asghar?" He replied, "Ostentation (showing off)." Saheeh, reported by Ahmad. Baihaqee reported the addition in Shu'ab at-Eemaan: "On the Day (of judgement) Allaah will reward people for their deeds, He will say, 'Go to those people for whose attention and praise you did these deeds, and see whether you will find with them any reward!"'], fame, or for the sake of any other gain from the ephemeral gains of this world; rather, he learns it to be acquainted with his Deen, to have insight into what Allaah has made incumbent upon him, to strive to take the people out of darkness and into the light, so he seeks knowledge and acts upon it and teaches others about the good that a Muslim is ordered to do.

Every path that he takes in search of knowledge is a way to Paradise; this is true for every path, literal or otherwise: his journey from one country to another; going from one circle of knowledge to another; and from one mosque to another for the sole intention of seeking knowledge. These are from the ways of acquiring knowledge, likewise memorizing and studying Islamic books of knowledge, perusal and writing are also from the ways of seeking knowledge.

A proper student is concerned with all these paths that lead to knowledge. He seeks it, desiring the Face of His Lord, the Mighty and the Majestic. He wants to seek Allaah's pleasure and a home in Paradise; he wants to understand and reflect upon His Deen; he wants to know what Allaah has made incumbent upon him and what He has prohibited him from, then acts accordingly; he wants to know his Lord with insight and cognizance; he wants to rescue people (from the Fire of Hell); he wants to be amongst the guided callers striving for the truth; and he wants to guide people to Allaah through knowledge. So wherever he turns he is in great excellence with these correct intentions - even his sleep is from the paths to Paradise - if he sleeps in order to strengthen himself to seek knowledge, or to commit a book of knowledge to memory, then his sleep is regarded as worship [Shaykh-ul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah) says: Worship is a comprehensive term for everything that Allaah loves and is pleased with from among the sayings and actions, hidden or apparent.], contrary to the one who has an evil intention, for he is in great danger. [Umar ibn al-Khattaab (radiyallaahuu 'anhu) narrates that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, "Actions are but by intentions and there is for every person only that which he intended. So he whose migration was for Allaah and His Messenger, then his migration was for Allaah and His Messenger, and he whose migration was for some worldly goal or to take a woman in marriage, then his migration was for that which he migrated." Reported by al-Bukhaaree and Muslim in their Saheehs.]

It is related in a hadeeth that the Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: "if anyone acquires knowledge o f things by which Allaah's good pleasure is sought, but instead he acquires it only to get worldly advantage, he will not smell the fragrance o f Paradise on the Day o f Reckoning." [Reported by Aboo Daawood in his Sunan, with a sound chain of narration (Ibn Baaz).]

This is a great admonition for the person who has an evil intention. It is reported that the Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: "Whoever acquires knowledge in order to compete with the scholars or to dispute with the ignorant or to attract the attention of people - then the Fire! the Fire!"

Knowledge is acquired by studying [The Messenger of Allaah (W said, "Knowledge is acquired by studying..." See Shaykh al-Albaanee's Silsilatul Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah (I /605/342).], then implementing it for Allaah's pleasure because He has ordered it and made it a means by which the truth is manifested.

The first of the people who will be thrown into the Fire will be from amongst those who acquired knowledge and recited the Qur'aan for others besides Allaah, hoping that it might be said: He is a scholar or, it might be said, he is a reciter. [On the authority of Aboo Hurayrah (radiyallaahu 'anhu), who said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) say, "...[Another] will be a man who has acquired knowledge (Ilm) and has taught it and who used to recite the Qur'aan. He will be brought (on the Day of Judgement) and Allaah will make known to him His favours and he will acknowledge them. (The Almighty) will say: And what did you do about them? He will say: I studied knowledge and taught it and recited the Qur'aan for your sake. He will say: You have lied - you did but acquire knowledge that it might be said [of you]: He is learned. You recited the Qur'aan that it might be said [of you]: He is a reciter. And so it was said. Then he will ordered to be dragged along on his face until he is cast into the Hellfire..."] There is no power nor might except with Allaah!

For the complete hadeeth refer to Saheeh Muslim, at-Tirmidhee or an-Nasaa'ee.