KNOW YOUR DEEN - ISLAM

Know Your Deen (Islam)!

Lessons From The Quran

‘Surah Muhammad’

(By: M. Javed Naseem)

Today, we are facing the problem of sectarianism. Almost a hundred sects (or group) are advocating (promoting) their brand of Islam and blatantly declaring the other sects as ‘non-Muslim’ or ‘Kaafir’. And their claims are based on ‘opinions’ of their favorite scholars; and their own interpretations. They are not 100% based on the Quran or the commands of Allah. There are many people who have political or financial motives, don’t have enough religious knowledge, but they have formed religious groups and are spreading ignorance in the name of religion. They are fooling simple Muslims who are not very well educated about Islam. They often quote fake, fabricated, weak or disputed Ahadith to support their claims. They cannot support their claims or arguments with verses from the Quran which is the main source of Islamic knowledge. The Islam which Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) preached and practiced, was totally based on the Quran – the Word of God.

Allah gives us lessons in every chapter (or Surah) of the Quran and they are easy to understand. It’s only the so-called ‘scholars’ who make them complicated with their own interpretations and confused explanations (Tafseer). Unfortunately, this is one of the many signs of the End Time. Here’s what Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) said about it:

 Religious Ignorance:

Vol. 1, Book 3, No. 81

Narrated by Anas:

Allah's Apostle said, "From among the portents of the Hour are (the following):

1. Religious knowledge will be taken away (by the death of Religious learned men).

2. (Religious) ignorance will prevail.

3. Use of Alcoholic drinks (will be very common).

4. There will be prevalence of open illegal sexual activities.

Vol. 1, Book 3, No. 82

Narrated by Ibn Umar:

I will narrate to you a Hadith and none other than I will tell you about it. I heard Allah’s Apostle saying: From among the portents of the Hour are (the following):

1. Religious knowledge will decrease (by the death of religious learned men).

2. Religious ignorance will prevail.

3. There will be prevalence of open illegal sexual relationship.

4. Women will increase in number and men will decrease in number so much so that fifty women would be served by one man.

All the above signs (portents) are very visible in the entire world these days. We are passing through the End Time approaching the Hour.

The Quran is called ‘Kalaam-u-Allah’ – the Word of God or ‘Allah’s Talk’. Did we ever ponder over it as to whom this Word or Talk is addressed to? Allah is not talking to Himself; He is talking to us – the mankind. As His creation, we are obligated not only to listen to Him but Obey His commands too. In the Holy Quran, Allah tells us what to do and what not to do; how to achieve success and avoid disaster; how to reap rewards and escape the Hellfire; and how to handle this world in preparation for the Hereafter. In other words, how to keep the balance on the Straight Path.

The finest example to be followed in this regard, is the example of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) who showed mankind how to please the Creator without hurting others and without violating the rights of fellow human beings, and our subjects. The life of the Prophet was simple but the perfect model of living by the Book. Allah, the Almighty, was very pleased with him and commanded us to obey/follow the Prophet.

Allah completed the Faith of Islam (our Deen) during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad when He revealed to him a verse of the Quran during Hajj: “This day I have perfected your religion for you and completed My favor upon you …” (Surah al-Maidah, Verse 3). Now, when Allah says that He has perfected and completed it, who are we (or any so-called scholar) to add or delete or change or edit it or interpret it differently? This Deen (Islam) was fine during the periods of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.), Abu Bakr (r.a.a.), Umar (r.a.a.), Uthman (r.a.a.) and Ali (r.a.a.) and even many years after. Just like people started adding things to religion 300 years after the death of Jesus (Issa), they started doing the same to Islam many years after the death of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.). They did it with the help of fabricated Ahadith.

Vol. 1, Book 2, No. 43:

Umar bin al-Khattab (r.a.a.) narrated:

Once a Jew said to me: ‘O the chief of believers! There is a verse in your Holy Book which is read by all of you (Muslims), and had it been revealed to us, we would have taken that day (on which it was revealed) as a day of celebration’.

Umar bin al-Khattab (r.a.a.) asked: ‘Which verse is that?’

The Jew answered: “This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you. And have chosen for you Islam as your religion (Deen) – al-Quran 5:3.

Umar (r.a.a.) replied: ‘No doubt, we know when and where this verse was revealed to the Prophet (s.a.w.). It was Friday and the Prophet was standing at Arafat (the Day of Hajj).’

Islam is a very simple Deen. Anyone who surrenders or submits himself/herself to the will of Allah, is a Muslim. In other words, Islam means obedience to Allah. And how do we achieve that? By simply following the commands of Allah and copying the lifestyle and actions of the Prophet (s.a.w.). If you study the Quran again and again, everything becomes clearer and clearer. You don’t need a middle-man (a religious broker) to guide you. Allah has promised all guidance in the Quran. And nobody else can guide you better than Allah Himself.

What Is Deen (Islam)?

Vol. 1, Book 2, No.47

Narrated by Abu Huraira:

One day while the Prophet was sitting in the company of some people, a man came and asked, "What is Faith (Imaan)?"

Allah's Apostle replied, “Faith is to believe in Allah, His angels, (the) meeting with Him, His Apostles, and to believe in Resurrection."

Then he further asked, "What is Islam?"

Allah's Apostle replied, "To worship Allah Alone and none else, to offer prayers perfectly to pay the compulsory charity (Zakat) and to observe fasts during the month of Ramadan."

Then he further asked, "What is Ihsan (perfection)?"

Allah's Apostle replied, "To worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you cannot achieve this state of devotion then you must consider that He is looking at you."

Then he further asked, "When will the Hour be established?"

Allah's Apostle replied, "The answerer has no better knowledge than the questioner. But I will inform you about its portents:

1. When a slave (lady) gives birth to her master.

2. When the shepherds of black camels start boasting and competing with others in the construction of higher/taller buildings.

And the Hour is one of five things which nobody knows except Allah. The Prophet then recited: "Verily, with Allah (Alone) is the knowledge of the Hour." (al-Quran 31:34). After that, the man left and the Prophet (s.a.w.) asked his companions to call him back, but they could not see him.

Then the Prophet said, "That was Gabriel who came to teach the people their religion." Abu Abdullah said: He (the Prophet) considered all that as a part of Faith (Imaan).

And that is Islam as verified by Gabriel!

Guidance:

Vol. 1, Book 3, No.79

Narrated by Abu Musa:

The Prophet said, "The example of guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth, some of which was fertile soil that absorbed rain water and brought forth vegetation and grass in abundance. (And) another portion of it was hard and held the rain water and Allah benefited the people with it and they utilized it for drinking, making their animals drink from it and for irrigation of the land for cultivation. (And) a portion of it was barren which could neither hold the water nor bring forth vegetation (then that land gave no benefits). The first is the example of the person who comprehends Allah's religion and gets benefit (from the knowledge) which Allah has revealed through me (the Prophets and learns and then teaches others. The last example is that of a person who does not care for it and does not take Allah's guidance revealed through me (He is like that barren land)."

And Now, the Surah Muhammad:

Don’t Reject Allah!

Make Your Deeds Count, Don’t Waste Them!

ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ وَصَدُّواْ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أَضَلَّ أَعْمَالَهُمْ
“Those who reject Allah (by disbelieving) and

hinder (people) from the Path of Allah, Allah

will render their deeds vain.”

(al-Quran 47:1)

وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فَتَعْساً لَّهُمْ وَأَضَلَّ أَعْمَالَهُمْ

“But those who reject (Allah), for them is

destruction; and (Allah) will render

their deeds vain.”

(al-Quran 47:8)

ذٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَرِهُواْ مَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ فَأَحْبَطَ أَعْمَالَهُمْ 
“That is because they hate the Revelation of

Allah, so He has made their deeds fruitless.”

(al-Quran 47:9)

But On The Other Hand:

وَٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّالِحَاتِ وَآمَنُواْ بِمَا نُزِّلَ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ

وَهُوَ ٱلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ كَفَّرَ عَنْهُمْ سَيِّئَاتِهِمْ وَأَصْلَحَ بَالَهُمْ
“But those who believe and work deeds of

righteousness, and believe in the (Revelation) sent

down to Muhammad - for it is the Truth from their

Lord - He will remove from them their ills

and improve their condition.”

(al-Quran 47:2)

Distinguish Truth From Falsehood,

Guidance From Ignorance,

And Right From Wrong !

ذٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ ٱتَّبَعُواْ ٱلْبَاطِلَ وَأَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ

ٱتَّبَعُواْ ٱلْحَقَّ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ كَذٰلِكَ يَضْرِبُ ٱللَّهُ لِلنَّاسِ أَمْثَالَهُمْ
“This because those who reject Allah follow

vanities, while those who believe follow the

Truth from their Lord. Thus does Allah set

forth for men their lessons by similitudes.”

(al-Quran 47:3)

The Faith (or Imaan):

“La ilaha illa-Allah”

Vol. 1, Book 2, No.42

Narrated by Anas:

‘The Prophet (s.a.w.) said, “Whoever said: “La ilaha illa-Allah” – (‘None has the right to be worshipped but Allah’), and has in his heart good (faith or Imaan) equal to the weight of a barley grain, will be taken out of Hell. And whoever said: ‘None has the right to be worshipped but Allah’, and has in his heart good (faith or Imaan) equal to the weight of a wheat grain, will be taken out of Hell. And whoever said: ‘None has the right to be worshipped but Allah’, and has in his heart good (faith or Imaan) equal to the weight of an atom, will be taken out of Hell.”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"And We have sent down to you the Book explaining all things,
a Guide, a Mercy, and Glad Tidings to Muslims".
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If You Believe In Allah,

He’ll Be Your Protector:

يٰأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُوۤاْ إِن تَنصُرُواْ ٱللَّهَ يَنصُرْكُمْ وَيُثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَكُمْ
“O you who believe! If you will aid (the cause of)

Allah, He will aid you, and plant your feet firmly.”

(al-Quran 47:7)

ذٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَوْلَى ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَأَنَّ ٱلْكَافِرِينَ لاَ مَوْلَىٰ لَهُمْ
“That is because Allah is the Protector of those

who believe, but those who reject Allah

(they) have no protector.”

(al-Quran 47:11)

Destruction Is The Fate of Evil-doers.

Learn From History!

أَفَلَمْ يَسِيرُواْ فِى ٱلأَرْضِ فَيَنظُرُواْ كَيْفَ كَانَ

عَاقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ دَمَّرَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلِلْكَافِرِينَ أَمْثَالُهَا
“Do they not travel through the earth, and see what

was the End of those before them (who did evil)?

Allah brought utter destruction on them, and

similar (fates) await those who reject Allah.”

(al-Quran 47:10)

ذٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَوْلَى ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَأَنَّ ٱلْكَافِرِينَ لاَ مَوْلَىٰ لَهُمْ
“That is because Allah is the Protector of those who

believe, but those who reject Allah have no protector.”

(al-Quran 47:11)

Don’t You Understand The Quran?

Help Mankind And Don’t Spread Mischief!

فَهَلْ عَسَيْتُمْ إِن تَوَلَّيْتُمْ أَن تُفْسِدُواْ فِى ٱلأَرْضِ وَتُقَطِّعُوۤاْ أَرْحَامَكُمْ
“Then, is it to be expected of you, if you were put

in authority, that you will do mischief in the land,

and break your ties of kith and kin?”

(al-Quran 47:22)

أَوْلَـٰئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَعَنَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ فَأَصَمَّهُمْ وَأَعْمَىٰ أَبْصَارَهُمْ
“Such are the men whom Allah has cursed for

He has made them deaf and blinded their sight.”

(al-Quran 47:23)

أَفَلاَ يَتَدَبَّرُونَ ٱلْقُرْآنَ أَمْ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبٍ أَقْفَالُهَآ
“Do they not then earnestly seek to understand

the Quran, or are their hearts locked up by them?”

(al-Quran 47:24)

Persevere Patiently And Trust God!

You Are Being Tested.

Thank God In Every Situation!

يٰقَوْمَنَآ أَجِيبُواْ دَاعِىَ ٱللَّهِ وَآمِنُواْ بِهِ يَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ

مِّن ذُنُوبِكُمْ وَيُجِرْكُمْ مِّنْ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ
“And We shall try you until We test those

among you who strive their utmost and persevere

in patience; and We shall try your true qualities.”

(al-Quran 47:31)

وَٱلَّذِينَ قُتِلُواْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَلَن يُضِلَّ أَعْمَالَهُمْ

“But those who are slain in the Way of Allah,

He will never let their deeds be lost.”

(al-Quran 47:4)

وَيُدْخِلُهُمُ ٱلْجَنَّةَ عَرَّفَهَا لَهُمْ
“And admit them to the Garden which He

has announced for them.”

(al-Quran 47:6)

Rejecting Allah Is Like Rejecting Forgiveness.

Better Die As Believers (Muslims):

يٰأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُوۤاْ أَطِيعُواْ اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُواْ ٱلرَّسُولَ وَلاَ تُبْطِلُوۤاْ أَعْمَالَكُمْ
“O you who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the

messenger, and make not vain your deeds!”

(al-Quran 47:33)

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ وَصَدُّواْ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ مَاتُواْ

وَهُمْ كُفَّارٌ فَلَن يَغْفِرَ ٱللَّهُ لَهُمْ 
“Those who reject Allah, and hinder (people)

from the Path of Allah, then die rejecting Allah,

Allah will not forgive them.”

(al-Quran 47:34)

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