Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi

The essence of all religions is to reach God or the Truth, or the Absolute Reality. The religions are like different rivers flowing into the same Sea. They may have different ways, but the destination is the same. Mevlana Rumi's message is still relevant after seven hundred years. Rumi was a great thinker/philosopher, poet, or Sufi in present day Turkey. I read this about Mevlana Rumi written by a journalist some years ago "If one were to ask Mevlana Rumi what exactly he was he might say "nothing but a lover of God".

His century was also a century of war and famine, where the Mongol hordes had wrecked havoc in Asia. Not much different from our own, where the majority of human race lives below the poverty line and is constantly at war. Mevlana Rumi had come from present day Afghanistan to Konya escaping the Mongol invasion. His family settled in present day Turkey. Mevlana Rumi soon became a very famous jurisprudent and preacher in Konya after his father's death. At this point in his life he was already an accomplished Sufi master but restricted his spiritual teachings to a small selection of disciples but never exposed this publicly.

Mevlana Rumi around the age of 37 came in contact with a very spiritual figure known as Shams Tabriz meaning The Sun of Tabriz (Tabriz a place in Asia). People say he was a wandering dervish in search of a companion who could share his gnosis and be a mirror to him, but in truth no one but Mavlana Rumi knew his secret. After meeting with Shams, Mevlana took a retreat from his daily life. He stopped teaching at the institute where he was in the modern sense the Chair of the college. He would spend days and night with Shams mediating upon the Eternal Truth not meeting his family and spiritual disciples for many days at length. After Mevlana Rumi's meeting with Shams, Mevlana said this about him "Today I have seen the God I have worshipped all my life in human form" and at another place he said that Shams was no ordinary vagabond he looked, he was an educated and well off Chemist who had left his profession in search of the divine truth.

Eventually, Shams disappeared. It is said that Mavlana Rumi's jealous disciples murdered him. No one really knows what happened to Shams but his effect on Mevlana Rumi had been that of a catalyst, Rumi was transformed. This separation appeared to be a separation of two humans but in reality it was the separation of men and God. Just like man has never been happy since he left his place of origin, he finds satisfaction only in the remembrance of God, likewise Mevlana Rumi longed for reunion with God. Professor William C. Chittick writes this of their separation "Separation from Shams was but the appearance; separation from the Divine Beloved was the reality."

Mevlana went into a state of ecstasy after this separation and would not meet anyone for many days', singing and dancing day and night, remembering the Divine Beloved. Poetry poured from his lips, which eventually was collected into collections such as the Mathnavi, Divan-e-Shams-i Tabrizi and Rubaiyaat. In Mevlana Rumi's own words "I was the country's sober ascetic, I used to teach from the pulpit - but destiny made me one of Thy hand clapping Lovers:" from the Divan.

Professor Nasr interprets the meeting and separation of Mevlana Rumi as " It seems that Shams was a divinely sent spiritual influence which in a sense "exteriorized" Rumi's inner contemplative states in the form of poetry and set the ocean of his being into a motion which resulted in vast waves that transformed the history of Persian literature."

Mevlana Rumi not only transformed the history of Persian literature but also fulfilled the prophecy of the great Sufi poet Fariduddin Attar (author of Conference of the Birds) who said to Mevlana Rumi's father "soon this son of thine will set the spiritual aspirants of this world afire.

Even after his disappearance Shams remained alive in Mevlana's heart. Mevlana Rumi probably never believed in Shams death and therefore went two times to Damascus in search of him. It is said that once a person came to Mevlana and told him that he had seen Shams. Mevlana gave away his cloak to him upon which his son said that this man is lying only to make you happy. At which Mevlana said, "I have given away my robe for a lie, I would give my life for the truth."

Finally Mevlana came to the conclusion that Shams was within himself and
said," Though in body I am far from him, without body and spirit we two are one light ...
Since I am he and he is I, why do I seek? We are one, now I will sing of myself"

After Shams disappearance Mevlana Rumi left teaching at the university and only taught his spiritual disciples the path of Love/ Sufism. He continued his inspired poetry till his last breath. Mevlana Rumi's name has now become very famous in the West. His poetry is widely read and in 1997 the Christian Science Monitor named his collection of poetry by Coleman Bark the best selling in the USA. Both people in the East and the West can associate with his message of Love, because it is a universal feeling for which mankind is thirsty.

"I am neither of the East nor of the West; no boundaries exist in my breast" - Rumi

"When someone mentions the gracefulness
of the night sky, climb up on the roof
and dance and say,
Like this.

When someone quotes the old poetic image
About clouds gradually uncovering the moon,
Slowly loosen knot by knot the strings
of your robe.

Say Like this. If anyone wonders how Jesus raised the dead,
Don't try to explain the miracle.
Kiss me on the lips.
Like this. Like this."

"I asked for a kiss you gave me six. Whose pupil were you to become such a master? Full of kindness, generosity... You are not of this world."

"The minute I heard my first love story
I started looking for you,
not knowing
how blind that I was
Lovers don't finally meet somewhere
They're in each other all along."

"Like the spear pierces the shield in a moment, I passed through nights and days. This is why all beliefs and religions are for me One and hundred thousand of years just a moment..."

"Come, come again, whoever you are, come!
Heathen, fire worshipper or idolatrous, come!
Come even if you broke your penitence a hundred times,
Ours is the portal of hope, come as you are."

"A nation of Love has a different religion, For them God alone is their nation and religion"

"By love, dead are made to live
By love, the sovereign is made a slave...
For Lovers the faith and religion is God"

And Mevlana's final message would be
"Get united... I came here not to divide but to unify."

Inayat Khan an Indian Sufi master says " The original words (in Persian) of Rumi are so deep, so perfect, so touching, that when one man repeats them hundreds and thousands of people are moved to tears. They cannot help penetrating the heart. This shows how much Rumi himself was moved to have been able to pour out such living words".

Some of the themes in Mevlana Rumi's Mathnavi are tolerance, love of the Divine and the remembrance of the Divine. The Mathnavi is a collection of stories of personalities such as Moses, Jesus and Muhammad and many Sufi's. The East and West need to build bridges of understanding rather than talk about the "clash of civilizations". We need to reach out to other civilizations and cultures. Mevlana Rumi's life, works and teachings are a great source of inspiration for this purpose. On what basis can the dialog of civilizations take place? From Mavlana Rumi's point of view people of faith from various religions and cultures can work for this understanding. As he said, "While beliefs vary from place to place, faith is essentially the same."

God says to Moses in the Mathnavi of Rumi
"Ways of worship are not to be ranked as better or worse than on another
Its all Praise its all right
Its not me who is glorified in acts of worship
It's the worshippers! ...

Forget phraseology
I want burning, burning..."

And Rumi also says,
"There are many languages in the world,
in meaning all are the same.
If you break the cups, water will be unified and will flow together"

Truly the need of this age is to break the cups, remove the misunderstandings and flow together in harmony. It is said that Mevlana Rumi after the death of his wife married a woman of Christian origin. The remarkable thing about this marriage was that it took place at the time of the Crusades when the Christians saw Muslims as number one enemies and vice versa. Not only did Mevlana Rumi talk about love for humanity he himself proved many times in his life that he was a great lover of humanity.

"To love human beings is to love God" - Rumi.

On the 16th of December Mevlana Rumi passed away to his beloved. Men of five faiths followed his funeral bier. People that day mourning his loss said, "he was the David, the Moses and Jesus of our age". This day came to be known as the Night of Union and is celebrated by his followers and a ceremony is held in his honor.

"When you see my funeral, don't say, "Parting and separation!"
for me, that is the time for union and meeting (God)."

Islam - The Fastest Growing Religion In The World - One In Four People Are Muslim

A recent report from an American think tank has suggested that one quarter of the world's population is Muslim. This is certainly surprising living in a western country. We always thought that Muslim people mainly live in small countries, like Saudi Arabia. In fact, the study suggested that approximately 61.9% of all Muslims lived in the Asia and the Pacific Region. In addition, the Middle East and North Africa (Arab countries) had 20.1% of the world's Muslim population.

In the western world like in Europe, it consists only 5% of the population (around about 38 million people) and half of the 4.6 million Muslims live in the United States.

Furthermore, the study suggests that Islam is perhaps one of the fastest growing religions in the world due to the enormous birth rate among these countries. Whereas, Christianity growth is slowing down because most of the country with majority Christians have a declining birth rate. However, Christianity is the biggest religion in the world and consists of 2.1 billion people. Another interesting fact is that there are 900 million Hindus and only 14 million Jews in the world today.

The whole idea that a typical Muslim is Arab is not really true. This report blast through that myth and confirms that Islam is perhaps one of the biggest religions of the world. Although this research is not entirely accurate, it does give a picture of the type of different beliefs people have. The researchers looked through and analyzed around 1,500 sources like general population surveys, census reports and demographic studies.

Islam - Christianity Comparing Their Doctrines of Salvation

The doctrine of Salvation or Soteriology is our focus for this comparative study. More specifically how Muslims (followers of Islam) and Christians (followers of Christianity), view Salvation and its inherent requirements.

The word Salvation can have many different definitions to various people and religions.

The definition for salvation we will be using comes from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition ;

1.Preservation or deliverance from destruction, difficulty, or evil.
2.Deliverance from the power or penalty of sin; redemption.

In plain English, we will define salvation as what it takes to get into Heaven or Paradise.

We will investigate the following questions.

1.What do the religions of Islam and Christianity teach in regards to salvation?
2.How is salvation gained by an individual?

The Koranic quotations are taken from by Abdullah Yusufali's translation titled The Meanings Of The Holy Qu'ran unless otherwise noted.

The Biblical texts will be from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, again unless noted otherwise.

By examining what both the Qu'ran and the Bible have to say on the topic of salvation we find that both use the word Grace to describe a mechanism of God's gift of Salvation.

Qu'ran Surah 8:29

O ye who believe! if ye fear Allah, He will grant you a criterion (to judge between right and wrong), remove from you (all) evil (that may afflict) you, and forgive you: for Allah is the Lord of grace unbounded.

Bible Deuteronomy 7:9

Know that Yahweh your God is God, the faithful God who keeps His gracious covenant loyalty for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commands.

Grace shall be defined as the following:

1.a special favor
2.the prerogative of mercy exercised (as by a chief executive) or granted in the form of equitable relief

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.

Grace is a therefore receiving something we did not deserve or earn through our own actions.

Islam and Christianity diverge however on our need for salvation based on their understanding of Sin.

Christianity teaches that all men and women are born in a fallen state and thus have no hope of the righteousness demanded by God. The Doctrine of Original Sin states that Adam by his conscious description to disobey God ushered death into the world.

Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all men, because all sinned. Romans 5:12

[The effects of this first sin were] (1) "shame, a sense of degradation and pollution; (2) dread of the displeasure of God, or a sense of guilt, and the consequent desire to hide from his presence. These effects were unavoidable. They prove the loss not only of innocence but of original righteousness, and, with it, of the favour and fellowship of God. The state therefore to which Adam was reduced by his disobedience, so far as his subjective condition is concerned, was analogous to that of the fallen angels. He was entirely and absolutely ruined" (Hodge's Theology).

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

Men and women do not just have a sin nature, they are conceived with a sin nature!

Indeed, I was guilty [when I] was born; I was sinful when my mother conceived me. Psalm 51:5

Thus the Biblical understanding of Sin, and our need for Salvation is one of desperation. Salvation is a condition that man can not resolve on his own. As evidenced by Jesus' reply to his astonished Disciples after His rebuke of the rich young man as recorded in all three Synoptic Gospels.

Those who heard this asked, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." Luke 18:26-27

The Qu'ran like the Bible, states that Adam sinned by disobeying God and eating the forbidden fruit. Adam and Eve admitted there sin and begged forgiveness. Allah forgave them, but also punished them with a mortal existence on Earth.

They said: "Our Lord! We have wronged our own souls: If thou forgive us not and bestow not upon us Thy Mercy, we shall certainly be lost."
((Allah)) said: "Get ye down. With enmity between yourselves. On earth will be your dwelling-place and your means of livelihood,- for a time."
He said: "Therein shall ye live, and therein shall ye die; but from it shall ye be taken out (at last)." Surah 7:23-25

Islamic Theologians teach that the nature of man is basically good, but prone to following this own will and not the will of Allah.

Qu'ran Surah 12:53

"Nor do I absolve my own self (of blame): the (human) soul is certainly prone to evil, unless my Lord do bestow His Mercy: but surely my Lord is Oft- forgiving, Most Merciful."

M.S. Laher in A Living Faith Published by I.M.S states “regarding the Islamic understanding of the nature of man As made by God, man is innocent, pure, true and free. He is not sinful by nature. He is born free from any so called "Original Sin," By nature he inclines to do righteous deeds. He is given true understanding about his own position in the universe and about God's goodness, wisdom and power. That is man's true self - just as it is the nature of the lamb to be gentle and of the horse to be swift.

But man is caught in the web of customs, superstitions, selfish desires and false teachings. These make him unclean, false, slavish, greedy, lustful and selfish. It is these that make him have strong desires for things that are wrong and forbidden. Man is diverted from the love of his fellowman, and the pure worship of the One True God. The problem is to cure this crookedness and to restore human nature to what it should be under the Will of God.”

The Christian view of Sin is that due to Adam's sin all men are born with the propensity to sin.

The Islamic view of Adam's sin is of a personal nature, what Adam did is not applicable to anyone but Adam. That our sin is personal and men have the ability to not sin and thus follow Allah's will.

The first step, which until now had been unspoken and that is Faith. What are the requirements of “Faith”?

The Muslim to be must first express his faith in Allah and his prophet Muhammad. The convert needs to make a declaration, known as la-shahaadatain. This declaration of faith has two parts one swearing fealty to Allah and the acknowledges his messenger Muhammad.
The Arabic transliteration is as follows;

1.Ash-hadu alla ilaaha illallah
2.Wa ash-hadu anna Muhammad-ar-rasool ullaah

The English translation would be :

1.I bear witness and attest that there is no god worthy of worship but the One God Allah
2.I bear witness and attest that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah
For the Muslim this is the required first step.

The Christian is called to an expression of faith in a similar fashion; Romans 10:9 states

“If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

John 1:12 further states

“but to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name,”

Paraphrasing the two verses they say, believing and confessing that Jesus is Lord and Saviour makes you a child of God. The words used are far less important than the sentiment expressed.

The Bible teaches that Christians are saved out of the loving kindness of God's good grace, nothing else is required.

But God, who is abundant in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. By grace you are saved! Ephesians 2:4-5

The Qu'ran actually has three additional criteria that must be met, these are

1.deeds
2.leading each other to the truth
3.leading each other to patience.

All of these are expressed in the 103:1-3. We will discuss only one of these requirements for brevity's sake and that will be deeds.

Qu'ran Surah 103:1-3

By (the Token of) Time (through the ages), Verily Man is in loss, Except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience and Constancy.

At puberty a ledger of good and bad deeds starts accumulating. This ledger of deeds is used by God to judge the persons fate. Islam teaches that our good deeds can position us to receive mercy, and thus admission to Paradise. The Muslim can never know which side of the scale is holding the heavier balance. That of his good deeds possibly leading to Paradise or that of his evil deeds pointing to Hell.

Qu'ran Surah 23:101-103

Then when the Trumpet is blown, there will be no more relationships between them that Day, nor will one ask after another! Then those whose balance (of good deeds) is heavy,- they will attain salvation: But those whose balance is light, will be those who have lost their souls, in Hell will they abide.

With no assurance they have done enough good to earn their way into Paradise,outside of martyrdom, Islamic concept of grace is more a reward than a gift.

The Christian can take solace in the words of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as recorded in John 5:24

"I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life.

The Greek word translated as “has” is echo (ekh'-o) and means to have, to own and to possess. Christ tells us we can be assured we are His. In Christianity the Child of God HAS everlasting life.

To summarize the questions we set out to answer;

1.What do the religions of Islam and Christianity teach in regards to salvation?

The Muslims need for a Saviour is non-existent due to the ability of each individual to choose to not sin. Islam teaches that humans are generally good by nature. Thus Salvation is a foreign concept in Islamic teachings.
The Christian teaching of Sin and are the need for an unblemished, right before God sacrifice, dictate the need for a Savior.

2.How is salvation gained by an individual?

The Muslim must have faith in Allah, do more good than bad, teach each other truth and patience.
The Christian must make Jesus Christ Lord of their lives.

The Other Face of Islam

The Ahmadiyyah movement (Ahmadi) is a sect in Islam which was founded towards the end of the 19th century in Punjab, India, and spread from there to different countries. Most members of the sect are centered in South-East Asia: India, Pakistan and Indonesia, and it numbers 15 Million believers.

The members of the sect preach enlightenment, peace, and brotherhood between nations and love of others. The Ahmadiyyah way opposes religious coercion, and therefore does not support spreading Islam through Jihad, "Holy War". They prefer placatory persuasion. The sect is named for its founder, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian (1835-1908), who, at the age of 40, announced that Allah has entrusted him with the task of renewing the Muslim religion and bringing justice and integrity to the world.

The Principles of the Ahmadiyyah obligate its believers to be loyal to their country of residence. A believer of the sect can not defy the laws of his country, so he can live in peace in this world. Muhammad Sharif, head of the Ahmadiyyah in Israel, explains: "As a citizen I am bound to obey Allah, the Prophet and those who lead the country even if I do not approve of the leader". The Ahmadiyyah are forbidden from joining demonstrations, even ones on behalf of peace.

Faced with the traditional Islamic belief, that Muhammad is the Final Prophet, the Ahmadis maintain that even following his death prophecy still remained, and it was transferred to the founder of the sect and his students. The Ahmadiyyah sees itself as a global religion that is supposed to include not only Muslims, but also Christians, Jews and Hindis.

According to Ahmadi belief, Jesus was a man who was neither crucified nor transported to heaven, but was taken down from the tree by his students, traveled to India, where he died at the age of 120 in Srinagar, Kashmir. Ghulam Ahmad, the founder of the sect, is in their eyes a reincarnation of both Jesus and Muhammad. He is the promised "Mujaddid". For his followers, he is the "Mahdi", a savior or a messiah, and there are those who see him as a prophet.

Once India split into a Hindu state and a Muslim state, the religious center was transferred to Pakistan. The movement was persecuted in Pakistan for years, and moved its religious activity to London. Today, centers of the Ahmadi movement can be found in many countries. During the hundred years of its existence, the Ahmadiyyah sect has managed to create a well organized movement, including missionary forces, educational institutions and cultivated religious centers, spread over many countries around the world: In Asia, Africa, Europe and America.

The Ahmadis in Israel

According to Muhammad Sharif Odeh, head of the Ahmadi in Israel, the sect has 1500 members in Israel. On the 17th of March 1928, the "Center of the Ahmadi Delegation to the Middle-East Countries" was transferred from Damascus to Kababir village on Mt. Carmel in Haifa. Today the village is a neighborhood of a thousand, surrounded by Jewish neighborhoods. The Ahmadi community in Haifa has a large octagonal Mosque patterned after the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. The current head of the sect in Israel is the son of its founder in Israel. The sect has a number of vehicles to spread its beliefs: A monthly magazine named "Al-Busra Al-Islamia Al-Ahmadiyyah" (The Ahmadiyyah Muslim Gospel); a website, as well as a satellite television station, mta.tv.

Although the sect's religious center hosts organized groups from the entire country, not many have heard of it. "It does not interest the media, because we provide no action", Muhammad Sharif Odeh tells Omedia, "Maybe because we do not throw rocks". It is possible that they are ignored because they broadcast a message of "Love for All, Hatred for None", while the media in Israel is deficient in its reporting methods and publishes mainly news items and articles of the "dog bites man" genre.

According to the Ahmadis, the main problem of radical Islam is the distorted interpretation of the Quran that the fundamentalists have adopted. According to Sharif, the problem in Islam, as in other religions, is the total adherence to the words of clerics, whose words are perceived as the words of Allah. "We believe that the interpreter can be mistaken. Let us return to the source rather than to interpretations that divide between people, as if a religious ruling of a cleric is the divine word, similar to what obtains in the Catholic Church, where the Pope is infallible".

Sharif notes that the perception of "Muhammad Baseif", i.e. the call to spread Islam by the sword, does not appear at all in the Quran, nor is it mentioned in the Hadith (Interpretations by Muslim wise men). "It is just an invention of some Sheikh. It does not obligate me, nor any other Muslim".

According to Sharif, the meaning of the word Jihad as it appears in the Quran means a supreme effort, endeavor, and not the interpretation adopted later. They are bound, so they say, by the original interpretation of the word. The call of Jihad, for them is: "Call to your sovereign, and argue with him in the best way possible. Islam clearly states that you can not employ coercion and force in matters of religion and faith".

Elastic Rules

Bu the problem of the Ahmadis is not with normal interpretation, but specifically with an interpretation that "contradicts the text". Sharif defines it: "An interpretation that harms the principles of justice or contradicts science. All the time you need to return to the source, reinvestigate the religion. In Islam the rules are not set in stone, but elastic, and dependent on the changing situation. If there is a scientific development that contradicts an existing interpretation then that interpretation is no longer holy". It should be noted that one of the recent Nobel Laureates in physics, Prof. Abdul Salam, is a member of the Ahmadi sect.

The Ahmadiyyah Movement published an ad opposing the latest comments by the Pope against Muhammad, but which also criticized the "barbaric" reaction, as Sharif terms it, to these comments. Sharif says it would have been better to respond to the Pope with words, "With scientific proof and not by burning churches (Such as after the caricatures in Denmark). Nobody has the right to injure another for no reason. The Quran clearly states that you are forbidden to damage the prayer locations of other faiths".

Radical Islam is a misrepresentation of Islam. The Ahmadi call upon their fellow Muslims "Let us return to the Quran. We will not find any verse in the Quran that forces anyone to accept the religion or a verse that speaks of a Muslim theocracy. The Quran clearly states 'if you are a ruler – rule justly'. If an atheist is fit to be a minister or prime minister, there is no reason not to choose him. I need to choose a person who fits the job professionally, not because of his religion and nationality. We should return to the Quran and not the interpretations that serve as a stumbling block by differentiating between religions and nations. This interpretation has transformed religion into a source of hatred and hostility – into a new form of Paganism. It is an attempt to conquer another in Allah's name". The Ahmadi sect, according to Sharif is a nonpolitical movement and therefore is opposed to involving religion being in political issues.

"As Muslims, We Have Made Terrible Mistakes"

Sharif does not deny Islam's militant past, and notes that "The Muslims have made terrible mistakes". However, according to him it can not be attributed to the core of Islam. The Quran teaches how to treat the enemy. The founder of the sect said, based on the Quran: "The principle is that in our heart we have love for all of humankind. Loving every human is the duty of a good believer. I love humankind as a mother loves her children. The Muslim within you is the part doing its best to bring happiness to all. And that is a universal message, rather than one based on sector".

Muhammad Sharif does not know where the Muslim insult to Jews "sons of monkeys and pigs" derives from. "Some very horrible mistakes resulted from interpretations which originated in Islam", and notes that the Inquisition in Spain and Portugal, furnishes a similar example of horrible deeds inspired by Christianity.

No Religious Distinction

According to Sharif, the Quran is a collection of all holy books which preceded it. "A Muslim has no qualms with any religion. There is no real difference between Chirstianity and Judaism and Islam. Each one complements the other". He states that in the Quran there is a call for an alliance between those who believe in one God, "that we have no god aside from Allah". The sect forbids looking down on others because of their religion and nationality. The prayers in the Ahmadiyyah mosque are the same as in any other mosque, but Sharif emphasizes that "once the rite becomes an end and not a means, religion transforms itself into a form of paganism".

When it comes to the sacredness of Islamic land (The Waqf), the Ahmadiyyah movement also takes a different approach. As Sharif explains: "The Prophet of Islam said that it is better that the Kaaba (The holiest location in Islam) be destroyed brick by brick, than to allow one drop of blood to be shed. Why die for Al-Aqsa? For the holiness of stones?

An Unequivocal Stance Opposing Terror

As a result of his approach, Sharif's stance on terror is clear. Sharif notes that those who executed terror attacks "Received legitimization from religious rulings" and notes that he has managed to make some people transfer from activity in radical Palestinian movement to adopting the Ahmadi views. "Not with Apache helicopters, but by proving to them that terror goes against the Quran". For example, a former terrorist from Tul-Karem, currently lectures at the Ahmadiyyah religious center.

In an interview to Omedia, Sharif also referred to September 11 unequivocally. "It is a terrible thing, even in the midst of a war of self defense. Islam clearly states 'God does not like to create hostility', but even during an attack and in a war of self defense, the Prophet of Islam said clearly to all 'do not kill women and elders, do not kill children, do not kill a woman, do not even harm a tree'. These are the words of the Prophet Muhammad. A true Muslim does not harm others, not by words nor by deeds".

Islam's Treatment of Ahmadis

In the Arab press the Ahmadis are venomously attacked: "They depict us as evil, as collaborators with the English, and even as creatures of the English. They also call us enemies and collaborators with the Jews", and they have even termed us the 'new Islam from Tel-Aviv'. The internet has hundreds of hate sites against the sect and the malevolent preaching against them in the Mosques, before mass audiences, continues.

The Ahmadis in Israel, unlike their brethren in the West Bank, are not ashamed for being part of the sect. "In the West Bank the members of the sect fear to reveal their identity, because there is a new religious ruling issued by the supreme council of the Muftis", says Sharif. "The Mufti of Nablus delivered a ruling last year against the sect characterizing us as converts. This is worse than being a heretic. In the orthodox Muslim approach, those who convert from Islam are sentenced for death".

Sharif notes that the newspaper of the Islamic Movement in Israel "Sauth Al Haq" also terms them converts. The Movement has also published a book against the Ahmadis. This situation has physical repercussions in the Muslim world. Last year, a terrorist entered an Ahmadiyyah mosque in Bangladesh and carried out a mass murder of worshippers during prayer.

Despite the war waged against them, there are new members from the West Bank as well – from Tul-Karem, Nablus, Bethlehem, East Jerusalem, and villages near Jenin. According to Sharif, a few also join from villages in the Galilee and the Sharon. He is happy to note that most of the new members are young and most of them are academics.

The Right of the Jewish People to the Land of Israel

Beyond noting the fact that Ahmadis are loyal to the country where they dwell, such as Israel, Sharif does not hesitate to mention the right of the Jewish People to the Land of Israel, as it appears in the Quran. "It is clearly written in the Sura (chapter) of the People of Israel that this right is granted them by Allah", says Sharif. And he adds: "A prophecy written in the Quran 1400 years ago, clearly declared that God will bring the People of Israel to the Land of Israel from all over the world, and there would be an ingathering of the exiles in the land of Israel – and this enjoins a true Muslim to enter a dialog with the 'People of the Book' (The Jewish People were first called so in the Quran – R.F.) and it states: 'Do not argue with the People of the Book, but only in the most appropriate of ways".

According to Sharif, the Quran does not call for harming a Jew because he is a Jew. He notes the opening Sura that states: "God, bless me as you have blessed them (The Jews)". As for the inter-religious dialogue, Sharif notes that despite his meeting with Rabbi Shaar Yishuv Hacohen, Haifa's Rabbi, there is no inter-religious dialogue of real depth. He believes that "If you know the other well rather than superficially, you will change your opinion of him".

Peace Begins with Moderate Islam

In light of the rampage of radical Islam, it is refreshing to listen to one who clearly corresponds to the definition of "moderate Islam" – the Ahmadiyyah movement. If there is to be a prospect for a better world in general and in our region specifically, it is important that the messages transmitted by the Ahmadis reach attentive ears in the Muslim world, especially Muslims in Israel, and even those within pre 1967 Israel..

The success of this progressive movement would gradually moderate the hate level radical Islam in Israel, i.e. the Islamic Movement and all its wings, including the Southern one (The Southern branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel is considered more moderate), so that it would harbor less hatred to Jews and the Jewish State. Then there would be hope for true peace in the region. It is also important for Jews to know of this sect, so that we may understand that there is a different Islam, and the desire for peace begins not only with us, but with them, as well.

Status of Arabian Women Before Islam

Status of Arab women before Islam.

Condition of Arabian womens before spreading of Islam:
Before Islam, condition, or status of women was low. Women were considered as slaves or property of men. Women were used for specific purpose and after meeting that purpose they were discarded. Women were considered unimportant and anything related to women were also considered unimportant. Women have no right take decisions of her life. A woman has to spend her life according to desire of her guardian or owner (who buys them); in the dark time men was treating with women as treat with animals. A woman has no right of owning of property on her name. In time of war women were treated as part of prize. At this stage we can say the condition of women was unspeakable.

Birth of Daughter:
On the birth of a daughter in a family was not considered as an event of rejoicing
But it was regarded as shame for family, and mostly female babies were killed at the time of birth or afterward and the killing rate was so high and uncontrolled. Even outside Arabia.

Outside Arabian:
Outside Arabia the status of women was not so better especially in all Europe, India, and Egyptian countries. Women were not regarded at as human being, they were regarded as animal and men treat with women as with animals. Women were regarded as slave or servant of men. A woman has no right to take decision of her life; she has to follow orders of her master or guardian.

Rights That Islam Gives to Women (After Islam):
In religion of Islam women is considered to be equal to a men like human being and they are partner in this life. In Islamic law a women has right of independence. She has right to take decision of her life, but there are some responsibilities of women towards herself and toward Allah (SWT)and she will be punished or rewarded on her sin or virtue. According to religion of Islam a women will be treated as same as men punished or rewarded.

In case of her marriage, she has right of choosing a partner for marriage and she has right to accept and reject partner for marriage. And her decision in this regard must be respected. Arab or Muslim women is not permitted to change her name after marriage, there will be no changes made in her name upon her marriage.

Right to go outside form her home:
Arabian or Muslim women are not restricted from going out or in public place or working community,
or visiting their relatives and female friends, if they are allowed by their guardian or husband. In order to go out from her home a women must be properly covered and behave according to instructions of Islam.

In the basics rights of a Woman in Islam, It is must for a woman to get education. In Islam seeking of knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim. The word Muslim is not used for specifically for male or female but they are twin Muslim.

Right to Go to the Mosque:
In religion of Islam Muslim women has right to go to Mosque. If someone wife asks from her husband to permission to go to Mosque, he must not deny it to her. There are some obligations for Muslim women before going to mosque they must be properly dressed and covered.

In the religion of Islam, the rights and responsibilities of a woman are equal to those of man.

Nazihah Rafaqat is from Dammam (KSA). Nazihah has done her masters in social sciences. Currently she is doing a research about Arab Culture and specially Women in Arab Culture.

Nazihah is running a blog where she blogs about daily life of Arab women from different parts of society. Her blog features Arab Girls who are studying, doing jobs and businesses. She want to promote Arab Girls so that people may give them respect.

Islam - Essay - Fundamentals and History

There are few people on earth today who have not heard something about Islam. Islam is one of the most prominent religions in the world today with at least 750 million people practicing. Islam is a voluntary relationship between an individual and his creator. Islam emerged in Arabia during the early 7th century. Islam means “submission” in Arabic, which is the basis for the religion---submitting to the Will of God. Islamic religion is formed on the foundations of Islamic life, variety and unity is Islam, and Islam and its nonbelievers. The Islamic people had a new faith in their religion and kept their hopes high to conquer and spread the religion. They changed the society that was used across the lands and brought a new religion that would keep the people high in assurance that they’ll always have a good spirit.

The foundations of Islamic life are based on a sacred text called the Qu’ran. The Qu’ran is a record of the exact words revealed by God through the Angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad. The Qu’ran is the prime source of every Muslims’ faith and practice. It deals with all the subjects which concern us as human beings: wisdom, doctrine, worship, and law, but its basic theme is the relationship between God and his creatures. At the same time it provides guidelines for a just society, proper human conduct and an equitable economic system. From the time the Qu’ran was revealed, until this day there has always been a large number of Muslims who have memorized all of the Qu’ran, letter by letter. Not one letter of the Qu’ran has been changed over the centuries.

Another source for the basis of Islamic life is al-Hadith, or sunnah. This is a vast body of transmitted stories and sayings attributed to the Prophet and his comparisons. Unlike the Qu’ran, these stories are not assembled in a single, absolutely accepted text. There are actually many collections of Hadith. Over time, during the first few centuries of Islam, it became obvious that many so-called hadith were in fact spurious sayings that had been fabricated for various motives, at best to encourage believers to act righteously and at worse to corrupt believers' understanding of Islam and to lead them astray. Since Islamic legal scholars were utilizing hadith as an adjunct to the Qu'ran in their development of the Islamic legal system, it became critically important to have reliable collections of hadith. While the early collections of hadith often contained hadith that were of questionable origin, gradually collections of authenticated hadith called sahih were compiled. Such collections were made possible by the development of the science of hadith criticism, a science at the basis of which was a critical analysis of the chain of (oral) transmission (isnad) of the hadith going all the way back to Muhammad. The two most highly respected collections of hadith are the authenticated collections the Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. In addition to these, four other collections came to be well respected, although not to the degree of Bukhari and Muslim's sahih collections. These four other collections are the Sunan of Tirmidhi, Nasa'i, Ibn Majah, and Abu Da'ud. Together these four and the two sahih collections are called the "six books" (al-kutub al-sitta). Two other important collections, in particular, are the Muwatta of Ibn Malik, the founder of the Maliki School of law, and the Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal, the founder of the Hanbali School of law.

The third source that provides an important basis for the faith is the biography of the Prophet of God---Muhammad. Muhammad ibnu Abdillah was born in Mecca in the year 569 CE. Orphaned at an early age, Muhammad was cared for by his uncle. He earned his living as a trader and a Shepard among the Bedouins, and was known by his people as al-amin (the trustworthy one). When he was 25, he married Khadija. When Muhammad reached the age of 40, the angel Gabriel came to him with revelations that established his prophethood. Muhammad was first ordered to instruct his immediate family on Islam, including his beloved wife Khadija, but eventually it was revealed to him that he should begin delivering the message to all of mankind. In the next 20 years of his life, he communicated the message of Allah to his people, and set an example for how each human being should lead her or his life. This is especially valuable since Muhammad is the last Prophet of Allah. In the year 632, the year of his death, the Prophet delivered his famous last sermon.

Is the Gospel on Fire in the Muslim World?

A number of news sites -- including faithtelegraph.com -- there are more and more headlines touting "revival" in the Middle East. Surprised by the word "revival"? Perhaps you aren't aware that, yes, there are in fact Christian churches in the Middle East that exist and can be "revived" by a move of God. Indeed, in Erbil, a "Kurdsman Church" was officially recognized by the government. This was apparently a "historic breakthrough." Moreover, some missionaries are projecting 10,000 churches in Iran next year!

As often seems to be the case when there is a new move of God in a new part of the world, signs and wonders abound. Muslims turning to Christ report having dreams in which "Jesus" appeared to them. Does that seem far fetched? Consider the Apostle Paul, who came to Christ through a vision (of sorts) or the Emperor Constantine who saw a cross before him, resulting in the transformation of the Roman Empire into a Christian nation. God is not above (or below) using dreams and visions to reach unbelievers in extreme (or even nonextreme) circumstances.

Whatever the case may be, the transformations are apparently stunning. Former Muslims have contrasted their previous desire to kill for their faith with the incredible love they now have through Christ. One man even recalls wanting to kill his wife because she did not cover her hair! (Tough marriage.)

So what, if anything, has changed? There have obviously been big political changes in the Middle East in recent year (e.g., the Iraq War). Those closest to the events in question, however, attribute this phenomon to, interestingly, prayer. Who'd have thought?

To take just one example of a Christian church on fire in the Muslim World, consider Dubai. Yes, Dubai, home of some of the world's most luxurious hotels and tallest buildings, is also the home of the biggest Christian church.

More than 75% of the Country is Muslim, and Islam is the official religion. In addition, it is illegal to share the gospel with Muslims. Moreover, printing the Bible or other evangelistic materials is not permitted, and there are harsh penalties for converting people from Islam.

Still, relative to other Muslim countires, Dubai is remarkably tolerant of the Christian Church. Like everything else in Dubai, Kings Revival Church is huge: 7,000 members, 24 pastors and 14 services, including 4 in English. It probably comes as no surprise that King's Revival is the largest evangelical church in the Middle East.

The church apparently does not balk at the restrictions on sharing the gospel, taking the attitude of being open to whatever God has for them in the circumstances they are in. And God reportedly has a lot for them: There are reports of remarkable miracles -- cancers being cured, the blind seeing. And the church supports charity and 170 pastors in the Middle East and throughout Asia. It seems likely that Kings Revival and other local churches in the Arab world are responsible for increasing reports of "revival."

Scientific Miracles Revealed in the Holy Quran

Proponents of all other religions will continually attack and slander the name of Islam. They will say that the Quran (Koran) is vague, is filled with vague prophecies, that it was from the mind of one man, etc. These claims are all false. They either come from ignorant people who have never objectively looked at the Quran, or from those who attack Islam because of hate. There are many passages in the Quran that prove that it is the word of Allah (God).

First, let's examine why the Quran is the word of God. In Surah (chapter) An-Nisa, Verse 82, it is stated, "Will they not, then, try to understand this Qur'an? Had it issued from any but God, they would surely have found in it many an inner contradiction!" Additionally, in Surah Fussilat, Verse 42, it is stated, "... no falsehood can ever attain to it openly, and neither in a stealthy manner, [since it is] bestowed from on high by One who is truly wise, ever to be praised." The tafsir (commentary) on this by scholars (tafsir is needed generally for the people who don't understand Arabic) is that the Quran is free from contradiction because it is sent from God.

Next, there are many scientific proofs that exist in the Quran, revealed about 1400 years ago in a time without microscopes, telescopes, sonograms, etc. Surah 51, Verse 47, states, "And it is We Who have constructed the heaven with might, and verily, it is We Who are steadily expanding it." In Arabic, the phrase "inna lamoosi'oona" translated means "it is We Who are steadily expanding it." The prefix "la" means "to a big extent." "Heaven" is translated from "space" or "universe" in Arabic. "We," translated, is the pronoun that isn't showing plurality, but showing the honor/majesty of someone. In this case, it refers to the majesty of Allah. Scientists have confirmed the Big Bang to have occurred, and have said the universe is expanding at a great rate.

In Surah 21, Verse 104, it is stated,"That Day We will fold up heaven like folding up the pages of a book. As We originated the first creation so We will regenerate it. It is a promise binding on Us. That is what We will do." "That Day" refers to the Day of Judgment. The Big Crunch, presented by scientists, says that "...at some point in the remote future all matter in the universe will converge into an infinitely dense point in space, resembling a massive black hole. The end of the universe would then resemble its beginning-a singularity at which the laws of physics as we know them no longer apply" (Encyclopedia of Science and Religion). This refers to folding up heaven. Like at the time of the Big Bang, the universe will return to what it was, referring to "regenerate it." God says that this will undoubtedly happen.

In Surah 41, Verses 10-11, it is stated, "Then He turned to heaven when it was smoke and said to it and to the Earth, 'Come willingly or unwillingly.' They both said, 'We come willingly.'" The Arabic word "dukhaanun" means "smoke." Scientists have said the universe came from a formation of hot gas, resembling the form of smoke.

In Surah 21, Verse 30, it is stated, "Do not the unbelievers see that the heavens and the Earth were sewn together and then We unstitched them and that We made from water every living thing? So will they not believe?" The arabic word "ratq" means "blended" or "mixed in each." Before the Big Bang explosion occurred, everything was collected uniformly. Only when it occurred was everything separated. So the universe and Earth were "sewn together" as one, and the explosion "unstitched" them.

There are more proofs about the universe and the paths that the planets follow, but there are scientific miracles in other subjects of study.

Surah 24, Verse 40, states, "Or [the unbelievers' state] are like the darkness of a fathomless sea which is covered by waves above which are waves above which are clouds, layers of darkness, one upon the other. If he puts out his hand, he can scarcely see it. Those Allah gives no light to, they have no light." The sea turns dark at a depth exceeding 600 feet, known as the mesopelagic layer, and is virtually dark beyond 3,000 feet, known as the bathypelagic layer. No human could dive this deep 1400 years ago. Scientists have also confirmed "sub-surface waves", which "occur on density interfaces between layers of different densities," and can only be studied through technology which indicates temperature or salinity changes (Oceanography, A View of Earth).

In Surah 39, Verse 6, it is stated, "... He creates you stage by stage in your mothers' wombs in threefold darkness. That is Allah, your Lord. Sovereignty is His. There is no deity but Him. So what has made you deviate?" Scientists have fairly recently said the embryo is developed in three stages, which can be called the pre-embryonic stage, the embryonic stage, and the fetal stage. This was discovered through microscopes, sonograms, and other inventions that are only available in modern times.

In all honesty, there are more miracles and proofs like this in the Quran. One has to just look at the Quran itself and learn the religion from those who practice it (i.e. scholars), instead of learning it from Christians, Jews, atheists, etc. You don't learn to play basketball from a football coach. Only listen and learn from the Muslims, the people that actually know the religion, and honestly, they will be very happy to teach it to you.

The Eid Festival

Mainly called Eid, Eid-Ul-Fitr (Arabic: Feast of the Breaking of the Fast), Eid is also called Idul Fitri (Indonesia); Shemai Eid (Bangladesh); Hari Raya Puasa, Hari Lebaran (Malaysia); Ramazan Bayrami (Turki).

Eid is a festival that marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. This year, Eid will be celebrated on 2nd October. Celebrated in many different ways depending on the country, some rituals are common to the festival including prayer, exchanging gifts, charity, and visiting near and dear ones.

During the fasting month of Ramadan, followers of Islam observe a very strict and hard to practice fast and take part in pious acts like forgiving those who have hurt them, giving food, gifts etc to charities or poor people, and forging stronger blood bonds. A time of deep spiritual renewal, Ramadan is a chance for all followers of Islam to seek the blessing of the Allah and seek His forgiveness of their sins. At the end of the 39 days fast, Muslims from the world over being a 3-day celebration to mark the end of the fasting period and this is called Eid Ul Fitr.

Eid ul Fitr falls on the first day of Shawwal, the next month after the Ramadan according to the Islamic calendar. Recognized for the various festivities, celebrations, and rituals, Eid is a time to reunite with family and friends and renew and forge new bonds.

Just as in other Islamic countries, Eid in Pakistan is celebrated with much fervor and enthusiasm. When the new moon is sighted the people break their 29/30 days fast and enjoy a hearty and rich meal, wearing their best and newest clothes but not before reciting Takbir and offering special prayers to praise the Allah. Lasting 3-days, Eid ul Fitr is also called 'The Lesser Eid' (Choti Eid) as compared with Eid Ul Adha, which lasts for a period of 4-days and is termed as 'The Greater Eid' Bari (Eid).

Typically, people wake up very early, offer the first 'Namaz' or prayer and then eat a small meal to start the day. After this, they visit the mosque or any other large open area (in their neighborhood) to attend the specially organized congregational prayers. These Eid prayers (salah) are short and mostly followed by sermons (khutba) followed by the forgivingness and mercy prayer (dua). Once completed, all Muslims greet and hug each other as a goodwill gesture and love. After these special prayers are complete, it's time for merriment and the 3 days long festivities that are observed in every home. During this time, people also visit their relatives and friend and thank Allah for blessings.

Eid ul-Fitr is a happy occasion with significant religious meaning, celebrating the accomplishment of enhanced devoutness. It is a day of pardon, moral victory, peace, fellowship, sodality and unity. Muslims commemorate not just the end of the Ramadan month, but also thank Allah for giving them self-discipline and strength. It's generally a time of sharing, giving, and forgiving. It's a time to enjoy what you have, to dress in holiday clothes, spend time with family, and in all this always thank God for his benevolence and love.

How to Become a Muslim?

Hello my precious brother,

I have frequently mentioned in my previous articles that Islam is accepting to receive His divine education by being subject to the will of Allah. Since the creation of the first human being, those who had adopted this divine education reached the peak of maturity and therefore became the owner of a perpetual happiness. Those who had not agreed to this divine offer and preferred to be the subject of their egos' worthless desires on the other hand, could get rid of neither the worldly nor the hereafter troubles. The latter also create inconveniences for the people around them in as much as they were in trouble themselves.

Must firstly believe in Allah, in his messengers and in all their messages

In order to accept Islam, in other words to become a Muslim, first of all it is necessary to believe in a unique creator, Allah (God) as well as to recognize that He has created all the material and spiritual alems (worlds), that He has absolute sovereignty over all things which were created by Him; and that He keeps them in existence by supplying their needs. Allah (God) does not have assistants, partners, coequals or similars. He always treats his creatures with mercy and justice; He is free from all defects and deficiencies and He is the owner of an endless power and might.

It is also necessary to believe all His prophets (including Mohammed aleyhissalam) and their messages which were sent to enable human beings to reach eternal happiness by making them go through a divine education.

The last ring of this prophet chain is Mohammed aleyhissalam. Mohammed aleyhissalam has corrected the false comments that came out in earlier times with the last book Qur'an that was revealed to Him. He also notified the human beings of the rules that are valid all the time and that make people happy eternally.

Anyone who believes in such manner and declares his belief with the words "Lailahe illallah, Mohammeden rasulullah" (There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is His prophet) can become a Muslim. This declaration of the faith is called the Shahada. This oral declaration is important in terms of the law and procedures, but indeed the belief is the essential element.

Messengers are salvation guides and none of them is God

It is also necessary to believe in Jesus, Moses, Abraham, Noah aleyhissalam and all other prophets, and their messages. All of them are the most selected creatures of God and all were sent to show the correct living style. It is necessary to respect and to be grateful to all of them. Yet it is very wrong to divinize the prophets (they were humans just like as us) and such manner is certainly not admissible before Allah. Allah is the only one God.

"Allah forgiveth not that partners should be set up with Him; but He forgiveth anything else, to whom He pleaseth; to set up partners with Allah is to devise a sin most heinous indeed." (Qur'an, Nisáa, 48)

"They say: 'Allah hath begotten a son!' - Glory be to Him! He is Self- Sufficient! His are all things in the heavens and on earth! No warrant have ye for this! Say ye about Allah what ye know not?" (Qur'an, Yunus, 68)

"Say: He is Allah, the One; Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him." (Qur'an, ikhlas, 1-4)

The fundamental of Islam: the God's unity faith

One must never be hesitant in the matter of "The Unity of God".

"No son did Allah beget, nor is there any god along with Him: (if there were many gods), behold, each god would have taken away what he had created, and some would have lorded it over others! Glory to Allah. (He is free) from the (sort of) things they attribute to Him!" (Qur'an, muminun, 91)

The fundamental of Islam is the "only One God" belief that is expressed with the words "There is no God, but Allah."

Becoming a Muslim is a very easy process. There is no need to apply to an authority or to conduct any religious ceremony. There is also no specific time or a specific location required. Any point of the universe is appropriate for becoming a Muslim, to live Islam, and to worship God, being clean is sufficient.

Cleanliness of the surroundings, body and heart is the basis of Islamic worships. The first step of the divine education after the Belief is the cleanliness. (Cleanliness is of faith. Hadith) For this reason, one must be cleaned with ablution by washing his mouth, nose and the whole body after accepting to receive God's divine education with the repetition of the shahada.

Since the essence of Islam is submission to the will of Allah taala, one should start all his work with Allah taala's name by reciting "besmele." He must also intend to do any work for the contentedness of Allah taala.

(Besmele is to recite "Bismillaahirrahmaanirrahim" "In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful")

Should first learn the essence of a correct faith

My dear brother,

A person must first learn the essence of the Islamic belief after becoming a Muslim (by saying the shahada). As I often emphasized so far, the fundamental of Islam is the "One God" belief and a correct faith. An individual should not try to learn Islamic knowledge through asking questions to any ordinary Moslem around him. He must learn Islam from the books written by ahl-i sunnah scholars. The correct faith is the belief that is underlined in these books. We must strengthen our faith according to the true knowledge in these books.

Then must try to obey the commands and refrain from the prohibitions of the religion

After learning the God's commands and prohibitions, a person must try to obey these rules as much as he can do. I have given briefly these commands and prohibitions in my subsequent article titled "The Golden Rules of An Eternal Happiness". A person should learn the details of these rules from the fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) books. In this way he reaches to maturity and perfectness in this world as fast as possible if he is sincere in learning and applying them. He becomes a truthful, dependable, well-mannered, polite and an excellent human being. He is loved and respected by everyone, everywhere.

A man who is sincere in his faith becomes also sincere in his acts, in his statements, in his friendships and in his love. If a man is genuine in his belief and his acts, and also tries to accomplish his worship duties as far as he can do within his knowledge, Allah taala teaches him the things that he doesn't know. "Allah taala teaches him the things that he doesn't know" means that He creates the necessary reasons for the one to learn.

Ramadan the Holy Month of Islam

Ramadan falls on ninth month of Islamic lunar calender. During this blessed month Muslims around the word abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs in the daylight. Muslims believe its time to purify the soul, focus attention on God and practice self-sacrifice.

Ramadan is the month of re-evaluation in which Muslims re-evaluate their life according to the Islamic guidance. It is the time to strengthen ties with family and friends and to clean up mind body and soul to lead a peaceful life. The Arabic word "Sawm" (Fasting) which literally means "to refrain" - It means not only refraining from food and drink, but from evil actions, thoughts and words.

Ramadan is the time to cleanse up the body and soul from all impurities and re-focus on self and God. During Ramadan every part of the body must be restrained to attain the purity. The tongue should be restrained from unwanted gossip and backbiting. Eyes must not look at unlawful things and hand must not touch or take anything that does not belong to it. Ears must not listen to idle talk and obscene words. In such a way, every part of the body observes the Sawm to attain purity.

Fasting is mandatory on every Muslim and starts everyday in Ramadan at the break of dawn and ends at sunset. The following exemptions are allowed as Allah does not want to put you to difficulties :

1.the insane;
2.Small children who are not adolescent;
3.the elderly and chronically ill for whom fasting is impossible;
4.pregnant women can postpone the fasting at a later time;
5.travelers can also defer their fasting.
6.fasting is also forbidden for women during the period of menstruation and should be made up later.

Tips to make Ramadan a special one :

1. Keep in touch at least once a week with your family, friends or with all your loved ones and share three Ramadan-related things you've done in the last ten days of Ramadan. Also don't forget to send Ramadan e-cards to all your friends and loved ones.
2. Help your friends or family members if they are facing any problem in their life, keep an open heart to others. Don't miss any small opportunities for gaining blessings.
3. Decorate your space with Ramadan balloons, banners and streamers and boost the environment.
4. Choose at least five goals to pursue this Ramadan. Try to curbing all your bad habit and start something good , doing this will help you to change for the better. It takes 21 days to establish a good habit. With Ramadan, we've got 30. Why not make the best of it by picking up the good?
Ramadan is a time for contemplation, spirituality and brotherhood, it unites all Muslims in fasting, feasting, worship and prayer. It. Set the mood of Ramadan and make it a special one.

Jeff Young is a freelance writer, who writes about events, relationship, love, friendship and other subjects revolving about what it means to be human. Visit to know more about the Ramadan e-cards

Online Holy Quran With Tajweed

Holy Quran says:

"In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding"

Well Holy Quran does talk about the desert some of it imagery describes the desert but it also talk about sea, stars, life and mountains. The Quran is the last revealed word of Allah and the basic source of Islamic teachings and laws. The Quran deals with the basis of creeds, morality, and history of humanity, worship, knowledge, wisdom, God-man relationship, and human relationship in all aspects. Comprehensive teaching on which, can be built sound systems of social justice, economics, politics, legislation, jurisprudence, law and international relations, are important contents of the Quran. Hadith, sayings and actions of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), meticulously reported and collected by his devoted companions. Explained and elaborated the Quranic verses.

The interesting attitude that exists in Quran repeatedly deals with its advice to the reader. The Quran informs the reader about different facts and then gives them advice. Quran is the miracles of Prophecies, Language, Style and Scientific Revelations.The Holy Qur'an is not only a Miracle. It is a Miracle Performer. It brought out the Miracle of transforming an extremely ignorant and backward society into the guardians of knowledge and learning.

If you want to know more about this or that or if you doubt what is said then you should ask those who have knowledge. This is a surprising attitude. It is not usual to have a book that comes from some one without training in geography, biology etc who discuss this subject and then advise the reader to ask men of knowledge if he doubts anything. Yet in every age there has been Muslims who have followed the advice of the Quran and made surprising discovery. If one looks the work of Muslim scientists of many centuries ago, one will find them full of quotations from the Quran. Their work stated that they had done research in such places, looking for some thing.

Is Islamic Fundamentalism a Code for Preying on the Weak

Many accuse all world religions for preying on the weak and further exploiting them using many tactics such as guilt to shape their minds into submission of the religious sect. Where as this has been documented throughout history, many still contend that religion is good as it is a bond, which holds together societies and civilizations with a code of conduct. Indeed, one cannot deny that is a said benefit of religion, yet it comes at the expense of the individual and freedom, civil rights and pursuit of happiness if it is abused. Recently this philosophical discussion came up in an online conversation and it was explored in detail and in every regard. One individual made an interesting statement and indicated that: “Islamic fundamentalism is code for preying on those who have very little in life and use it as an opportunity to spread an agenda.”

This is an astute observation indeed. And we must also realize that nearly any religion is a control mechanism where the individual is de-empowered and gives their life, tithing or commitment to the group, which is controlled by the leadership. Any religion like any human group needs to expand to remain a viable group and to do so without attrition must continue to exercise more control. We see this from Chimpanzee tribes to Mega Corporation, Dictatorships, religions and sports teams. So this should not surprise anyone. Think on this in 2006.

Jihad

Jesus spoke as much about Heaven as He did about Hell. What I would like to do is a little comparison of the Truth of the Bible over the Lies of The Jihad, as the Muslim Nations try to dominate the world with their false religion.

Islam believes that the world will eventually convert to Islam if all factions that are non-Islamic are removed [AKA, Killed]. To the Muslims the greatest threat to their world domination is Judaism and Christianity. Which both of these will eventually join together under one saviour Jesus Christ.

We will look at The militant interpretation of jihad, for it is the one that many are dieing for and of today. The militant interpretation of jihad, is to suggest a world-view in which hostile anti-Islamic forces [Judaism and Christianity.] are currently preventing Islam from realizing its full potential for peaceful global expansion--[Global Dominance]a world-view in which Islam will eventually be adopted by all mankind [Forced Upon] if these hostile forces [Jews & Christians] are confronted socially and militarily.

Offensive jihad is the waging of wars of aggression and conquest against non-Muslims in order to bring them and their territories [Conquer] under Islamic rule. This view is of forced servitude as with Hitler and Stallen. Having a view of God that is interpreted by a handful of men who will control all aspects of religion. The Saducies and Pharisees, lost power because of this same Ideology that the Muslims of Today are using.

"Offensive jihad" is, under classical Islamic law, a campaign that can only be declared by the lawful Islamic head of state, namely the Caliph. Breaking their own law for jihad there is no Caliph to ordane jihad. Tradition stipulates that while only the Caliph may declare an offensive jihad on another country, no authority is necessary for initiation of "defensive jihad" -- because, in this view, when Muslims are attacked, it automatically becomes obligatory for all Muslim men of military age, within a certain radius of the attack, to defend against any foreign attack (the size of the radius being determined by the military circumstances during the attack.) What is being waged today is not defensive jihad but murder. They do not attack military targets, as in real war, but they attack, women and children of all faiths.

The Qu-ran states that Jesus was a prophet from God, but they will not ad-hear to His teachings. Jesus Stated, very clearly; ”Mat 12:30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” "It was mentioned by Daraj Ibn Abi Hatim, that Abu al-Haytham 'Adullah Ibn Wahb narrated from Abu Sa'id al-Khudhri, who heard the Prophet Muhammad (Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) saying, 'The smallest reward for the people of Heaven is an abode where there are eighty thousand servants and seventy two wives, over which stands a dome decorated with pearls, aqua-marine and ruby, as wide as the distance from al-Jabiyyah to San'a. Many of the men who are suicide bombers are brane washed into believing that sex from 72 wives will be their reward in Heaven. But Jesus Stated again; Luke 20:35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage.

If Islam believed that Jesus was a prophet from God, then why do they not believe Him. Isn't this the same as with the Pharisees ? Jesus is mentioned in the Qu-ran 28 times, as being a man of God a Prophet and as being strengthened in the Faith. Then why do they not believe Him?

Mat 21:24 - 27; And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.
And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

The Jihad, is an excuse for murder and mayhem. Christianity has survived many wars in the past and many attempts by the spirit of anti-christ to destroy it and Israel but we still stand. The Jihad is just another attempt by the spirit of anti-christ to gain control of all world afaires. Rev 6:9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

Rev 6:10-11 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

John 16:2-3 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.

Islam And All Religions Teach Human Beings To Make A Peace In The World

In nowdays there are so much wrong coments about Islam and moslem. I have to say that it is not true that moslems are terorists. In fact, a terorism has no relationship with relogions, but it conected with politic, social and idilogy. Well, may be there are some moslem organizations that considered as terorist, for exemple alqoidah, but it does not mean that all moslems are terorists.

Allah The God says in Quran that every humanbeing has a freedom to believe or not in a religion.. The Propeth Muhammad, may Allah bless him forever, also said ( hadist ) that every moslem or believer has to love his neighbours, if he still can't do it , it means that his faith is not ferfect. It is wonderful, isn't it ?

In the bible Jesus also said that everyone has to love his neighbours as he love to him self. That is the second golden law. I am sure that all religions come from The God. So there is not religion that teach the follower to make destrucions in this world.

When Muhammad The Massanger lived in Madinah Al-Munawaroh, beside he is a propeth, he was also a leader of a country. May be in nowdays he was a president. His people containts of varity humanbeings. Majority of them are moslems, others are cristians, jaws and atc. He ordered to his own people like this :" Whoever attacks anyone 'zimmi citizen' ( the not moslem citizen but live in Madinah peacfuly ) it is just the same that he attacks me ". It proofs that Islam is just the same with another religions, It teach and order to make a peace.

Since now, Hi Ladies and Gentlemen, lets say to all humanbeings in this world to make a peace. Stop terorism, stop colonialism and also stop war. To Mr. President USA, please don't make a war anymore. To Alqoidah, please stop your terorism. Lets do what Allah order to us. To you Israel, stop your colonialism to Palestine. Give Palestine His own freedom.

Islam is More Than Just a Religion

Although many consider Islam a religion, indeed it is much more than that, as it is a way of life. Some have actually considered that point as well and even the devout say that it is more than a religion, more like a complete "operations manual" for those who follow it, to live their lives while on said planet. And in saying this, I am sure many will agree.

Although political correctness tells me to hold short of saying how messed up some of the customs and cultural traditions are, merely because I am not of that culture. Indeed each culture has different views of how to live their lives and there are as diverse as there are cultures.

Some say the writings of Islam do not make much sense, as other civilizations of humans, which have adopted more progressive approaches have far surpassed Islam and thus it appears that they have lost that Islam has lost their battle with the claim that it is the best way to live. This is because they have less in every regard than do other civilizations on the planet and for the most part many Middle Eastern countries are living back in the stone ages compared to other first world nations around the world.

Too bad really, worse off most of Islam does not wish to join the rest of the world, but rather change the rest of the world to fit Islam. Indeed that is not a positive step for humankind, as it means a continuous clash of civilizations. Of course personally I find fault with all religions on the planet and with the tales they the purport, as they do not jive with the observational realities of the known world in the present period and they are all holding back the human race in some regard. What are your thoughts on that? Perhaps we might consider all religions and the ramifications of their rule.

The Irrationality Of Islam

Had Pope Benedict XVI omitted the citation of Emperor Manuel II Paleologus'

remarks about the Prophet Muhammad bringing only what is "evil and inhuman" to the world, a quote he himself admits was marginal to his argument, he would not have emphasized as clearly as he has done the focus of his central argument - that is modern secular rationalism needs to heed the contribution of faith to enable it to break out of the narrow confines of absolutism and fundamentalism. Which is specifically the problem with Islam, both as a religious doctrine and as a ‘way of life'.

To understand this point, Non-Muslims must focus on the difference between Islam and Islamism. Islamism is a set of political ideologies that holds that Islam is not only a religion, but also a political system that governs the legal, economic and social imperatives of the state according to its interpretation of Islamic Law. For Islamists, the sharia has absolute priority over democracy and universal human rights. The terms "Islamist" and "Islamism" are used often in several publications within some Muslim countries to describe domestic and trans-national organizations seeking to implement Islamic Law.

There is intense debate in the Muslim world about the differences between Islam and Islamism. The controversy is rooted in differing answers to questions about how Muslims should live, the sort of governments they should support, and the proper role of Islamic symbols, ideas, and tenets in the modern world. Those who are called Islamists argue that Islam is inherently a political religion, and that the rules and laws laid out in the Al Qu'ran and Hadiths mandate Islamic governments.

In its bare essence, the substance of Pope Benedict XVI's argument can be summed up in the following syllogism: Islam is faith devoid of reason; modern secularism is reason devoid of faith; Christianity is a dynamic wedding of faith to reason. Both faith without reason and reason without faith can be very destructive. Ergo, both Islam and modern secularism should learn from Christianity the art of the mutual enrichment between faith and reason. Which, admittedly, sounds overall a little bit one-sided.

That said, however, the phenomenal overreaction of Muslim leaders and masses around the world to the Pope's remarks proves once again that Muslims do indeed have a problem with rationality. It is not by rioting on the streets and calling for jihad and the destruction of the Holy See and, in fact, of all symbols of Christianity and Judaism that Muslims can hope to re-build their tarnished image as well as the proper civil institutions, which could have both the capability and authority to respond effectively and in a measured way to the challenges facing them today.

Exaggerated reactions such as those to the Pope's speech or the ones involving the publication in the Danish newspaper Jyllands Posten some time ago of cartoons depicting and satirizing the Prophet Mohammed reflect the general inadequacy of the Islamic State and civil organisations, which lack both the authority and the effectiveness in dealing with the perceived challenges. They also reflect the deep ignorance of the Islamic masses and their aversion to anything and everything which they characterize as non-Islamic.

The failures of Islam, as correctly pointed out by the Pope, are multi-faceted and stand in the fact that Islam - both as a religion and as a way of life - has failed to achieve many of its goals. Raising standards of living, ridding societies of corruption (corruption in all its manifestations, incidentally, is expressly forbidden by the Prophet), freeing people from chronic, centennial poverty, failure to allow freedom of thought and expression even in their basic forms and even protecting Islam from what Muslim scholars have dubbed a ‘rampant Westernization'.

It is not through its inveterate Western-phobia, anti-Americanism and utter dislike of Israel that Islam will ever solve its own shortcomings. But, above all, it is through the embracing and acceptance of jihad or holy war as a means to spread the faith that Islam manifests its own irrationality in its entirety. And this is specifically what the Pope was referring to when he cited Emperor Manuel II Paleologus' remarks, which were rendered within the wider context of the subject of Christianity and Islam, and the truth of both faiths.

The message of the Pope was that faith is born of the soul, not the body. Whoever would lead someone to faith needs the ability to speak well and to reason properly, without violence and threats. To convince a reasonable soul, one does not need a strong arm, or weapons of any kind, or any other means of threatening a person with death.

Contrast this message with the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad in the matter of spreading Islamic faith to the rejecters of truth (infidels) after truth has become evident to them:

"Kill them wherever you find them and drive them out [of the place] from which they drove you out and [remember] persecution is worse than carnage. But do not initiate war with them near the Holy Kabah unless they attack you there. But if they attack you, put them to the sword [without any hesitation]. Thus shall such disbelievers be rewarded. However, if they desist [from this disbelief], Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. Keep fighting against them, until persecution does not remain and [in the land of Arabia] Allah's religion reigns supreme. But if they mend their ways, then [you should know that] an offensive is only allowed against the evildoers. A sacred month for a sacred month; [similarly] other sacred things too are subject to retaliation. So if any one transgresses against you, you should also pay back in equal coins. Have fear of Allah and [keep in mind that] Allah is with those who remain within the bounds [stipulated by religion]." (Qu'ran, 2:190-194)

About Islam - Prayers In The Quran

The Quran provides us with many specific prayers that we may use for ourselves. The Quran contains the Contact Prayers in Sura 1, as well as other various prayers of supplication and commemoration. A list of Quranic prayers is provided here. God advises us in Sura 2, Verse 186: When My servants ask you about Me, I am always near. I answer their prayers when they pray to Me…

In the name of GOD, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
The very first prayer we encounter in the Quran is the Contact Prayers. These are the specific words used by Muslims five times a day for Salat. Sura 1 (The Key), Verses 1-7: “Praise be to GOD, Lord of the universe. Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgment. You alone we worship; You alone we ask for help. Guide us in the right path; the path of those whom You blessed; not of those who have deserved wrath, nor of the strayers.”

Other Quranic prayers are;

[2:128] “Our Lord, make us submitters to You, and from our descendants let there be a community of submitters to You. Teach us the rites of our religion, and redeem us. You are the Redeemer, Most Merciful.”

[2:201] “Our Lord, grant us righteousness in this world, and righteousness in the Hereafter, and spare us the retribution of Hell.”

[2:250] “Our Lord, grant us steadfastness, strengthen our foothold, and support us against the disbelieving people.”

[2:286] “Our Lord, do not condemn us if we forget or make mistakes. Our Lord, and protect us from blaspheming against You, like those before us have done. Our Lord, protect us from sinning until it becomes too late for us to repent. Pardon us and forgive us. You are our Lord and Master. Grant us victory over the disbelieving people.”

[3:8] “Our Lord, let not our hearts waver, now that You have guided us. Shower us with Your mercy; You are the Grantor.”

[3:16] “Our Lord, we have believed, so forgive us our sins, and spare us the agony of the hellfire.”

[3:26-27] “Our god: possessor of all sovereignty. You grant sovereignty to whomever You choose, You remove sovereignty from whomever You choose. You grant dignity to whomever You choose, and commit to humiliation whomever You choose. In Your hand are all provisions. You are Omnipotent. You merge the night into the day, and merge the day into the night. You produce the living from the dead, and produce the dead from the living, and You provide for whomever You choose, without limits.”

[3:147] “Our Lord, forgive us our sins, and our transgressions, strengthen our foothold, and grant us victory over the disbelievers.”

[3:191-192] “Our Lord, You did not create all this in vain. Be You glorified. Save us from the retribution of Hell. Our Lord, whomever You commit to Hell are the ones You have forsaken. Such transgressors have no helpers.”

[3:193-194] “Our Lord, we have heard a caller calling to faith and proclaiming: `You shall believe in your Lord,' and we have believed. Our Lord, forgive us our transgressions, remit our sins, and let us die as righteous believers. Our Lord, shower us with the blessings you promised us through Your messengers, and do not forsake us on the Day of Resurrection. You never break a promise.”

[6:162-163] “My Contact Prayers (Salat), my worship practices, my life and my death, are all devoted absolutely to GOD alone, the Lord of the universe. He has no partner. This is what I am commanded to believe, and I am the first to submit.”

[7:23] “Our Lord, we have wronged our souls, and unless You forgive us and have mercy on us, we will be losers.”

[7:126] “Our Lord, grant us steadfastness, and let us die as submitters.”

[7:155-156] “…You are our Lord and Master, so forgive us, shower us with Your mercy; You are the best Forgiver. And decree for us righteousness in this world, and in the Hereafter. We have repented to You.”

[10:10] …Their prayer therein (in the Gardens of Bliss) is: “Be You glorified, our god,” their greeting therein is, “Peace,” and their ultimate prayer is: “Praise be to GOD, Lord of the universe.”

[10:85-86] “We trust in GOD. Our Lord, save us from the persecution of these oppressive people. Deliver us, with Your mercy, from the disbelieving people.”

[11:47] “My Lord, I seek refuge in You, lest I implore You …for something I do not know. Unless You forgive me, and have mercy on me, I will be with the losers.”

[12:101] “My Lord, …Initiator of the heavens and the earth; You are my Lord and Master in this life and in the Hereafter. Let me die as a submitter, and count me with the righteous.”

[14:35] “My Lord, make this a peaceful land, and protect me and my children from worshiping idols.”

[14:40-41] “My Lord, make me one who consistently observes the Contact Prayers (Salat), and also my children. Our Lord, please answer my prayers. My Lord, forgive me …and the believers, on the day when the reckoning takes place.”

[17:80] “My Lord, admit me an honorable admittance, and let me depart an honorable departure, and grant me from You a powerful support.”

[17:111] “Praise be to GOD, who has never begotten a son, nor does He have a partner in His kingship, nor does He need any ally out of weakness.”

[18:10] “Our Lord, shower us with Your mercy, and bless our affairs with Your guidance.”

[18:14] “Our only Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth. We will never worship any other god beside Him. Otherwise, we would be far astray.”

[23:94] “My Lord, let me not be one of the transgressing people.”

[23:97-98] “My Lord, I seek refuge in You from the whispers of the devils. And I seek refuge in You, my Lord, lest they come near me.”

[23:109; 118] “Our Lord, we have believed, so forgive us and shower us with mercy. Of all the merciful ones, You are the Most Merciful.”

[25:65-66] “Our Lord, spare us the agony of Hell; its retribution is horrendous. It is the worst abode; the worst destiny.”

[25:74] “Our Lord, let our spouses and children be a source of joy for us, and keep us in the forefront of the righteous.”

[26:83-87] “My Lord, grant me wisdom, and include me with the righteous. Let the example I set for the future generations be a good one. Make me one of the inheritors of the blissful Paradise… And do not forsake me on the Day of Resurrection.”

[27:19] “My Lord, direct me to be appreciative of the blessings You have bestowed upon me and my parents, and to do the righteous works that please You. Admit me by Your mercy into the company of Your righteous servants.”

[28:16] “My Lord, I have wronged my soul. Please forgive me.”

[28:21] “My Lord, save me from the oppressive people.”

[28:22] “May my Lord guide me in the right path.”

[28:24] “My Lord, whatever provision you send to me, I am in dire need for it.”

[37:100] “My Lord, grant me righteous children.”

[43:13-14] As you rest on top of (what you ride on), you shall appreciate such a blessing from your Lord, and say, “Glory be to the One who subdued this for us. We could not have controlled them by ourselves. We ultimately return to our Lord.”

[46:15] “My Lord, direct me to appreciate the blessings You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and to do the righteous works that please You. Let my children be righteous as well. I have repented to You; I am a submitter.”

[59:10] “Our Lord, forgive us and our brethren who preceded us to the faith, and keep our hearts from harboring any hatred towards those who believed. Our Lord, You are Compassionate, Most Merciful.”

[60:4-5] “Our Lord, we trust in You, and submit to You; to You is the final destiny. Our Lord, let us not be oppressed by those who disbelieved, and forgive us. You are the Almighty, Most Wise.”

[66:8] “Our Lord, perfect our light for us, and forgive us; You are Omnipotent.”

[71:28] “My Lord, forgive me and my parents, and anyone who enters my home as a believer, and all the believing men and women...”

[112:1-4] “He is the One and only GOD. The Absolute GOD. Never did He beget. Nor was He begotten. None equals Him.”

[113:1-5] “I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak. From the evils among His creations. From the evils of darkness as it falls. From the evils of the troublemakers. From the evils of the envious when they envy.”

[114:1-6] “I seek refuge in the Lord of the people. The King of the people. The god of the people. From the evils of sneaky whisperers. Who whisper into the chests of the people. Be they of the jinns, or the people."

[3:18; 47:19] GOD bears witness that there is no god except He, and so do the angels and those who possess knowledge ... "There is no other god beside GOD," and ask forgiveness of your sins and the sins of all believing men and women.