Tuheed, Risalat, Akharat and Jihad

Tuheed: The Arabs say waahid, ahad and waheed, all meaning one. Allah is Waahid, meaning that He has no rivals or peers in any way. So Tawheed means knowing Allah is one, with none like unto Him. Whoever does not acknowledge Allah in these terms and does not describe Him as being one with no partner or associate does not believe in Tawheed.

Risalat: Muslims believe that Allah sent his Messengers/Prophets. The Messengers/Prophets were selected from the people for the people guidance. Muslims believe in these Messengers/Prophets, their names and their messages.

1)             Allah sent message through his Prophets.

2)             All are men not angels.

3)             All are men not female.

4)             Prophets are chosen from the people.

5)              Piety and innocents.

6)             Spotless past

7)             Prophet teach Islam

8)             The Angel Jibraeel the only to pass the messages.

9)             Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the last prophet.

10)      His teaching will remain till the last day of the judgment.

11)      All previous teaching were cancelled except some articles

12)      Universal teaching

13)      All in comprehensive

Akhrat: The word Ákhirah or Akhirat has a meaning of “the ultimate, the ending, finally”. It has opposite meaning of “before”. In Islamic literature, it is used to describe “after life, life after death and the other side”

The world here is the place for the living things and the Akhirat is the phase of afterlife. It is the ultimate home and residual place for all of mankind.

Allah (j.j) indicated in Holy Quran that this world has been created for temporal reasons. Finally, one day, everything in and about this world will be destroyed, the whole earth along with firmaments and mountains and grounds will be torn apart into pieces.

As Allah says in Quran, Surah Al-Anbiya v:16 “We have not created the heaven and earth and all that is between them for mere play”.

Jihad

The literal meaning of Jihad is struggle or effort, and it means much more than holy war.

Muslims use the word Jihad to describe three different kinds of struggle:

·         A believer's internal struggle to live out the Muslim faith as well as possible

·         The struggle to build a good Muslim society

·         Holy war: the struggle to defend Islam, with force if necessary

Many modern writers claim that the main meaning of Jihad is the internal spiritual struggle, and this is accepted by many Muslims.

However there are so many references to Jihad as a military struggle in Islamic writings that it is incorrect to claim that the interpretation of Jihad as holy war is wrong.

Internal Jihad

All religious people want to live their lives in the way that will please their God.

So Muslims make a great effort to live as Allah has instructed them; following the rules of the faith, being devoted to Allah, doing everything they can to help other people.

The five Pillars of Islam as Jihad

The five Pillars of Islam form an exercise of Jihad in this sense, since a Muslim gets closer to Allah by performing them.

Other ways in which a Muslim engages in the 'greater Jihad' could include:

·         Learning the Qur'an by heart, or engage in other religious study.

·         Overcoming things such as anger, greed, hatred, pride, or malice.

·         Giving up smoking.

·         Cleaning the floor of the mosque.

·         Taking part in Muslim community activities.

·         Working for social justice.

·         Forgiving someone who has hurt them.

What can justify Jihad?

There are a number of reasons, but the Qur'an is clear that self-defence is always the underlying cause.

Permissible reasons for military Jihad:

·         Self-defence

·         Strengthening Islam

·         Protecting the freedom of Muslims to practice their faith

·         Protecting Muslims against oppression, which could include overthrowing a tyrannical ruler

·         Punishing an enemy who breaks an oath

·         Putting right a wrong

What a Jihad is not

A war is not a Jihad if the intention is to:

·         Force people to convert to Islam

·         Conquer other nations to colonise them

·         Take territory for economic gain

·         Settle disputes

·         Demonstrate a leader's power

Pillars of faith

Pillars of faith: Faith” (al-iman) in the Arabic language means to affirm something and to comply with it. There are six pillars of faith.

1)  Belief in Allah: Islam teaches that there is only one God (Allah) who should be worshipped and obeyed.

2)  Belief in Angels: Muslims believe that Allah created unseen creatures such as Mala-eka (Angels). Muslims believe in their existence, in their names, their tasks and description as explained in the Quran and in the Sunnah (Teaching of Prophet).

3)  Belief in books of Allah: Muslims believe that Allah from time to time revealed books to mankind through his Prophets. Four prominent divine books are (1) Zabur (Psalms) revealed to Prophet David (AS) (2) Tawrah (Torahat) revealed to Prophet Moses (AS) (3) Injil (Gospel) revealed to Prophet Jesus (AS) (4) Quran revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

4)  Belief in Prophet of Allah: Muslims believe that Allah sent Prophet to all mankind as messengers for their guidance. Muslims believe in their existence, their names and their messages, as Allah and His Prophet informed about them.

5)  Belief in Yam-al-Qiyama (Day of Judgement): Muslim have believe that life of this world and what it will inside it will come to an end on one appointed day. Allah wills on that day resurrect all the dead; and Allah judge with perfect justice each person individually according to his good and bad actions that he did in his life. Every victim will have his/her rights. Allah will reward the persons who obey and purely worship Him or righteous life by sending them in paradise (Jinnah). All forgiveness that He pleases of those who disobeyed His command and punish him by sending him in Hell (Jahanum).

Qada-wal-Qada (Destiny): Muslim believe that the entire universe is working under the direction of Allah, the smallest to smallest and the greatest event happened is governed by Allah. Muslims trust in Allah only. They are required, however to do their best, and not simply sit back. They believe that whatever is to come, including death, cannot fail to come at its appointed time.

Fundamental Beliefs and practices of Islam

Fundamental Beliefs and practices of Islam:

Basic beliefs in Islam: Oneness of God: Muslims believe that there is only one God, the creator of the universe. In Islam believe in Allah is not only believe in Allah’s existence, but also to believe in Allah attributions to worship Allah alone and to obey Allah commands. Towheed includes the oneness of the Lordship, oneness of worship and oneness of names and attributes.

Oneness of Lordship: To believe that Allah is the only creator, provider and the commander.

Oneness of Worship: To believe that Allah is the only God who should be worshipped and obey as Allah prescribed.

Oneness of Allah names & attributes: To believe that Allah is perfect and His names & attributes are perfect according what Allah tells us about Himself in the Quran. The names are perfect and belong to Allah only.

Oneness of Mankind: People are created equal in the sight of Allah. There is no superior on one another except piety and rightness. Muslims are required to respect the dignity of mankind, regardless of religion, race, nationality or colour. All of mankind is honored.

People are not judge by their race, color, gender health etc. Islam teaches that human diversity is a sign of the richness of Allah mercy and the beauty of his creation.

In Islam there are no priests and no one has special access to sacraments, there are however, scholars who are knowledgeable of Islam, and their duty is to truthfully explain Islam to others. They are just advisors.

Oneness of the message: Muslims believe that Allah sent messengers to teach nations throughout the history of humankind. Messengers come with the same massage; to worship the one supreme God and to obey His commands.

Muslims believe that no soul is responsible for the sin of others, even if they are their parents, children, wives or husband. Muslim believes that forgiveness is always available through repentance. Muslim prays for repentance directly to Allah. Salvation in Islam is only through belief and practice. 

Main Characteristics of Islamic Ideology.

Main Characteristics of Islamic Ideology.

What is Islamic Ideology: An Ideology which enlightens the Islamic teachings of Quran and Sunnah, Islamic mode of life and culture is known as Islamic Ideology. Islamic ideology presents a complete code of life. Islamic ideology is simplicity, explicitness and highly realistic attitude toward problems. Islamic ideology considers the social, political and economic aspect of life in consonance with spiritual and moral ends as preached by Islam.

Mazhab & Deen: Islam is a system. Islam is not a “religion” in the sense of the word. Religion is the English equivalent for the Arabic word Mazhab, which does not occur even once in whole of the holy Quran. The Quran has, intend, used the word Adden (Deen) for Islam, which means a particular way of life.

Revealed Cod: As per revealed conceptions, God is a being who controls the entire universe and moves it on to its final destiny in accordance with certain inviolable laws. According to these laws everything in the universe from its initial stage, grows, and develops, like seed which grows gradually into a huge tree. To understand the essence of God; and know what He is, is beyond the scope of human intellect. What we can understand, however, are His laws which pertained to our development.

Man vicegerent of Allah

Man vicegerent of Allah:

The different religions define the universe and mankind/humans as under:

Buddhism it states that “the world is full of contaminates and the mankind too”.

Jew states that “only Bani Israeel is a superior nation”.

Christianity states that “Man is innate sinner”.

Hindu states that “Everything is God and the humans are bad and the inferior (Neecha) think of this universe”.

Islam: Islam is the only religion that gives most respect to the all human being. It states that “Everything belongs to God”. Human are created by Allah. God is superior. Man is answerable to Creator. Man is responsible for his own act. The human being, in the Islamic world view is considered a vicegerent of Allah. This vicegerency is declared before the creation of the first human being, as Quran states, Surah Baqarah V:30 “Behold, your Lord said to the angels: ‘I will create a vicegerent on earth’. They said: ‘Will place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood? While we do celebrate Your praises and glorify Your holy (names)? ‘He said: ‘I know what you know not”.

As above stated Ayat, the angels said to God that why he made man His vicegerent, this may be granted to them as they always glorified Him. Allah replied that they do not know the matters of the world/earth. As God taught all the names of all things to Adam, he then tested Adam with angels by asking some earthly questions. Adam being human and made/created of clay and teaching of Allah he (Adam) answered the Allah’s Question correctly. Thus Allah established that in spite of all weaknesses man alone was most suitable for managing the world/earth.

In this capacity as a vicegerent, the human being is perceived as the trustee of the earth. He is supposed to safeguard the earth in every sense. Life on earth has great responsibility. Being an embodiment of good and evil, he can choose the way of his choice. It is followed by either reward or punishment. As Quran said, Surah Al-Anam V:165 “It is He who has made you (His) vicegerent, of the earth: He has raised you in ranks, some above others; that He may try you in the gifts He has given you for your Lord is quick in punishment: yet He is indeed oft: forgiving, most merciful”.

It is rather clear, now, that the Islamic world view indicates that vicegerent on earth forms a test includes how human being fulfill the duties for themselves and each other. So, as a vicegerent and representative of the earth has a duty to follow the instructions of his master. His personality and precepts should reflect the values of his master. We have been taught that qualities and attributes of Allah include knowledge, mercy, appreciativeness, administrative ability, forgiveness, justice, love and power to protect and punish etc. In spite of inherent limitation, man can on the limited human scale develop in himself attributes of Allah. He can never be God, but he can exhibit Allah’s attributes in his character as Allah’s vicegerent. One can imagine if human can role really as vicegerent of Allah and perform his duties as a vicegerent is responsible, how high he can be rise as a human and the world too.  

Islamic Concept of Universe and Humanity

Islamic Concept of Universe and Humanity:

We Muslims believe that Allah create the Heaven and Earth. Allah creates the universe and He is the sustainer of the universe. As per Islam that Universe and whatever that in between it created by Allah and He is the solely the Supreme controller of the universe. “As Allah says in Quran, Surah Rad, V:16 “Allah is the Creator of all things: He is the one, the supreme and irresistible”.

It is also a fact and Islam concept that universe have a definite life period and definite objectives like other creations.

The picture of universe provided by the Big Bang Theory is fairly/somewhat accurate. According to this theory our universe came into existence about 15 billion years ago in a violent explosion. Quantum effects like quantum fluctuation caused the generation of energy from almost nothing. Quran Says Surah, Fussilat, V:11 He said to it and to the earth: “Come ye together, willingly or unwillingly.” They said: ‘we do come (together), in willing obedience”.

As Allah says in Quran, Surah Al-Anbiya v:16 “We have not created the heaven and earth and all that is between them for mere play”.

Quran demands from the man to think and reflect upon the creation of Allah to reach to the oneness of Allah and submit exclusively to Allah.

The fact that the sun and moon are each in the well-defined orbit is all made according to universal law that Allah created. Allah created Day & Night. The Quran raised the mind of the Muslim upon the fact that the occurrence of the same events is done according to fixed laws made by Allah, and He is the one who can change it if He wants.

The whole universe is surrendered with obedience to Allah. Allah says in Surrah Al-Bagarah, V:116 “For him is all what is in the skies and what on earth; all are surrendered with obedience to Him”. This has a great effect on the tarbiyah (Up brining) of man because all brings are obedient and submissive to their lord. So, man should be the first to submit and obey Allah.

Humanity: -

Islamic teachings on humanity have been codified in its Holy book known as Quran. These teachings have also been explained by the last Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) through his sayings and practices.

The Holy Quran expressly declares that the human race is one family. All of us are the children of Adam and Eve, whether our skin is white or black. As Quran says, Surah Al-Bakarah V:213 “All human beings are a single nation”.

The difference between humans i.e. physical, colour, languages, complexions, customs, dress and way of living arise due to climate and geographical territories.

The Prophets/the guides/the messengers of Allah were chosen from the people for the people to instruct that worship only one God who is omniscient, omnipotent and merciful.

Each person is composed of three parts, spirit, mind and body. Each of these needs to be satisfied. They are so interrelated and their needs are so different.

Fair in the eyes of men is the love of what they covet: Women, children, gold and silver, horses of mark and cattle. This characteristics and lust are implanted in us by the creator and we are not able to rid of them. But, this cannot mean that we (the people) to satisfy our/their lust are free to do as we/they please. We can change our inclinations by exercising of our free will and can control our lust and anger. Quran says (put a verse here of Quran).

Islamic attitude towards the physical needs of a man can be well judge from this hadith.

“Abdulah Bin Amr (AS) state that he asks Prophet (PBUH): whether it is correct that I observed fasts during the days and spends nights standing in prays. “Prophet (PBUH) said, don’t do that, keep fasting at times and break at times, offer prayers and go to bed also. Your body has right upon you, your parent’s rights upon you, your wife, your guest’s right upon you. Sickness hurts the body.

The soul of a truly happy person develops by knowing and loving Allah. True happiness cannot be reached unless all of the soul’s facilities and powers are purified and reformed. As if a body is completely health in all manners give you happiness of health, so, temporary purification and reformed of soul cannot result in true happiness.

Islam concept and meaning

Islam concept and meaning

Islam is the embodiment of the code of life which God, the creator & lord of the universe have revealed for the guidance of mankind. It is the religion which purely provides guidance for each and every aspect of mankind and the universe.

Islam is an Arabic Word means, submission, surrenders and pure obedience of Allah. The literal meaning of Islam is “Peace”. A person can achieve the true tranquility of both peace and mind only through his obedience of one God who is Omnipotent, Omnipresent and the sustainer of the universe.

BASIC CONCEPT OF ISLAM:

The basic Islamic concept is based on Tauheed and the belief that Muhammad (PBUH) is the last prophet sent by God as a messenger to guide and teach the mankind to the right path.

The belief of Tauheed is a revolutionary concept and constitutes the essence of the teachings of Islam. It means that there is only One Supreme Lord of the universe who is the sustainer of mankind. His presence and governess can be felt if we observe the scattered stars in the infinite space, the harmony of seasons, the vast panorama of nature with its charm and beauty all point towards one fact that this system of universe is being governed by only one God who has created all of the things around us. Truly Allah said,

"O, Mankind worships your Lord, who created you and those before you, so that you may ward off evil. Who has appointed the earth a resting place for you, the sky a canopy? and who causes water to pour down from the heavens ,thereby producing fruits as food for you? So do not setup rivals to Allah, when you know better".

The second part of the Islamic belief signifies that God has not left any man without any guidance for the conduct of his life. He has made revelations to his prophets who further became apostles of God and guided men towards the teachings of Allah. The Quran said,

"Every Messenger who was sent by Us was sent for the purpose that he should be obeyed under the sanction of Allah."

The third and very significant postulate of the Islamic concept is the belief in the life hereafter.
The world according to Islam is a place of trial and man is accountable for whatever deeds he performs in this world. It will be in life after death that man will be rewarded or punished for his deeds and misdeeds. Those who live in the present world a life in complete obedience to God will enjoy eternal bliss and those who disobey his commands will have to suffer for his misdeeds in the life of eternity.