What is the Islamic View on Suicide; "mercy" Killings and Abortion?

A true Muslim is satisfied with himself and his place in the universe due to the knowledge that he is not merely a worthless particle within an accidental existence or an insignificant creature with no purpose or role to play in life. he knows that lie is a chosen servant of god, holding a position of honor, trust, favor and responsibility. he is certain of his lord's perfection, all-encompassing knowledge and absolute wisdom, justice and mercy. he knows that nothing is created without purpose and that god's favors and blessings are infinite and beyond human perception.

Islam emphasizes the value of human life. it also teaches that one should not despair of god's mercy and recognize that this decree is always beneficial in some way, even when it might seem otherwise. the endurance of pain, discomfort or hardship while accepting god's decree is something that benefits a Muslim in the hereafter and increases his reward. Prophet Muhammad said, "no tiredness, exhaustion, worry, grief, distress or harm befalls a believer in this world, not even a thorn that pricks him, but that god expiates some of his sins thereby." [1]

Suicide indicates impatience and a lack of trust in god. it is thus prohibited to Muslims and considered among the major sins that is subject to the will of god on the day of resurrection; he may either forgive it or punish for it.

So-called mercy killings come under the same ruling. although painkillers may be prescribed for those who are terminally ill or badly injured, it is not allowed to use or be given medications that are known to cause death either sooner or later. a basic principle of Islamic Shari'ah is that harm cannot be removed by something else that is equally harmful, so it is not permitted to use medications that will cause greater harm than the disease itself, which is the taking of a human life without a legally just cause.

As for abortion, it is unlawful in Islam to terminate a pregnancy at any stage unless there is a justifiable reason, and then, only within very precise limits. if the pregnancy is within the first forty days and aborting it serves a legitimate purpose or will prevent harm, then it is permissible to do so. but fear of difficulty in raising children or maintaining and educating them or the couple's belief that they already have enough children is not a permissible justification for abortion.

After four months it is not lawful to abort a pregnancy unless a group of trustworthy specialists decide that keeping the fetus in its mother's womb will lead to serious medical consequences or threaten her life. even then, it may only be done after all means of eliminating the danger and keeping the fetus alive have been exhausted. in this case the concession allowing abortion is made in order to avert the greater of two evils or serve the greater of two interests.

_________________________

[1] al-bukhari and muslim.

 

Why do Muslims allow the slaughter of animals?

This question is often posed by vegetarians, advocates of animal rights, and some hindus. in fact, there are people who consider the consumption of meat to be a violation of animal rights. but meat is not forbidden to Muslims.

While Islam enjoins mercy and compassion toward all living creatures, it maintains that god has created plant and animal life for the benefit of humankind. man has been ordered and entrusted by the creator to use every resource in this world judiciously because it is a blessing from him and a trust.

Islam offers one of the most humane methods of animal slaughter. the objective of Islamic slaughter is to ensure minimal pain and maximal blood drainage from the animal as detrimental microorganisms flourish in blood. besides Muslims, people from other ethnic and religious backgrounds are assured that meat slaughtered Islamically is healthy and of high quality. it remains fresh for a longer period due to the lesser amount of blood in the meat in comparison to other methods of slaughtering.

Animals are slaughtered in a swift and merciful manner with the pronunciation of words meaning, "in the name of god; god is most great." this acknowledges that the animal's life is being taken with god's permission to meet the lawful need for food. the Islamic mode of slaughtering an animal also requires that the following conditions be met:

The animal has to be fed as usual prior to slaughter and given water.

1. It may not be beaten or tortured in any way by man or machine. stunning before slaughter is not permitted. [1]
2. one animal should not be allowed to see another being slaughtered. [2]
3. the knife should be large enough and razor sharp.

Slaughtering is done from the front of the neck, and the butcher must swiftly sever the respiratory tract, esophagus and jugular vein without cutting the spinal cord. with swift cutting of the blood vessels in the neck at the proper place, rapid and profuse bleeding causes instant shock and anesthetization in the brain so that no sensation is felt. thus, the animal does not suffer. [3]

• The animal must be completely lifeless and the blood drained completely before skinning and removing the head.

The promotion of healthy and correct methods of food production is part of the Islamic way of life. its legislation encourages a strong respect for the sanctity of life and an abhorrence to cruelty to animals.

_________________________

Footnotes:

1 this is accomplished by use of a bolt pistol, electric shock or electrified water (in the case of poultry), all of which cause additional stress and suffering to the animal.

2 in an authentic narration by at-tabarani, the prophet scolded a man for even sharpening his blade while the sheep was watching him.

3 the prophet instructed, "allah has decreed proficiency in all things. so when you slaughter, slaughter well. let each one of you sharpen his blade and spare suffering to the animal he slaughters." (narrated by muslim)

Why is pork prohibited?

Again, obedience to god in this matter is the primary motivation, while prohibition is based on the principle of avoiding harm. in the qur'an as well as the bible, pig flesh has been forbidden and declared unclean. regarding the physical harm caused by eating it, modern medicine has confirmed a number of facts, such as the following:

• pork is a kind of meat that contains much cholesterol, which is known to increase the likelihood of blocked arteries.

• the pig's meat and fat have been found to contribute to the spread of cancers of the colon, rectum, prostate and blood. bating it has been connected to scabies, allergies, stomach ulcers and lung infections.

Eating pig flesh has been connected to no less than fifty other diseases. among them are the infections caused by roundworms, pinworms, hookworms and tapeworms, whose eggs, when present in the meat, are ingested by humans, enter their blood stream, and can reach and damage almost all organs of the body.

A common misconception is that if pork is cooked well, the worm eggs are destroyed. but in a research project undertaken in america, it was found that the ova present in pork do not die under normal cooking temperatures. [1]

It is also known that some diseases such as rheumatism and joint pain are unique to humans and pigs, and are not shared by any other animals.

Muslims accept whatever legislation has been issued by god out of conviction and complete trust in the knowledge and wisdom of the lawmaker.

___________________

Footnotes:

[1] in particular, the trichinosis worm is not destroyed by cooking. its growth in the body can cause infection of the cerebral membrane and brain, the heart muscle, the lungs, kidneys or nerves.

Why is alcohol prohibited?

In Islam all things which are harmful or whose harm exceeds ilu-ir benefit are unlawful. this includes every substance that affects the mind, damages it or decreases its abilities. therefore, alcohol would be deemed unlawful even if it were not clearly prohibited in the qur'an and prophetic traditions. for anything that causes harm in any way is considered unlawful.[1]

There are a number of medical reasons for the prohibition of alcohol consumption. alcohol has been the scourge of human society since time immemorial. it continues to take countless human lives and cause misery to millions throughout the world. and it affects the mind, diminishing the individual's menial powers and making him accustomed to running away from his problems. it affects his finances as well, due to the expenditure that his generally expensive habit forces upon him. there is no need to go into detail about all the ill effects of alcohol since most of them are commonly known.

Because alcohol incapacitates the inhibitory center in the brain, an inebriated person is often found to be indulging in behavior that is completely uncharacteristic - using abusive language, becoming aggressive and violent, or committing shameful acts. statistics showing a rising number of deaths, soaring crime rates, increasing instances of mental illness, and millions of broken homes throughout the world bear witness to the destructive effect of drinking alcohol.

The harm that results from alcohol is not limited only to the one who drinks; it is also damaging to others. the diseases caused by alcohol weaken society as a whole. productivity is decreased due to its effects, and crimes result from addiction. according to a world health organization report on violent crimes in 30 countries, 86% of murders and 50% of rapes are carried out under the influence of alcohol. there are similar statistics in most countries around the world. additionally, public health officials have estimated that half of the road accidents resulting in deaths and permanent disabilities are caused by people under the influence of alcohol.

Islam agrees that prevention is the best treatment. however, muslims do not abstain from drugs and intoxicants due to its detrimental effects, but rather, because god has prohibited them. so abstention is a form of worship and obedience for which they are rewarded by god in the hereafter, as well as protecting them from harm in the present life.

What are the "pillars" of Islam?

The "Five Pillars" are the main requirements of Islam. like the pillars of a building, the religion can neither stand nor be completed without them. these requirements are:

The declaration of faith

To be a Muslim, one must believe in and pronounce words which mean, "i testify that there is no deity other than god [Allaah], and i testify that Muhammad is his servant and messenger." it expresses the belief that god exists, that he is unlike and superior to his creation, and that none is worthy to be worshipped but him. and it confirms that Muhammad is among the prophets who conveyed god's revelation to mankind. thus the qur'an, being the final message revealed by god, and the authentically narrated teachings of his final prophet are the basis of the religion, completing and superseding all that came before it, and they define the Islamic way of life. it is a declaration by the believer of acknowledgement and willing obedience.

The performance of regular prayer

Prayer was practiced in some form throughout history by all the prophets and their followers as an indispensable part of god's religion. islam, the final stage of monotheistic religion, considers prayer essential. a muslim prays five times daily within specified intervals, as taught by the prophet. these prayers are obligatory and are a direct and continuous bond between the worshipper and his creator. most believers are inclined also to pray additional voluntary prayers whenever convenient, as it was the practice of their prophet.

Zakah (obligatory annual expenditure)

An important principle of Islam is that all things belong to god and that all wealth, possessions and properties are held by human beings in trust. Muslims are commanded to obtain and spend their wealth in lawful ways. the divinely ordained system of Zakah is the right of Allaah within his dominion. it is neither a charity nor a tax but an obligation due from those Muslims who possess wealth in excess of their basic needs. it is the ideal way to meet the needs of the poorer sections of society without causing hardship to the rich. the word "Zakah" means purification and growth. its regular payment purifies the owner's remaining wealth and purifies his heart from such ailments as greed and selfishness. every Muslim calculates his own Zakah individually, and in most cases it involves the payment of two and a half percent of his excess capital or savings each year.

Fasting

Islamic fasting, which involves abstinence from eating, drinking, smoking and marital intercourse, is observed throughout the daylight hours of the lunar month of Ramadhan. done in obedience to god's command, it teaches believers patience and self-control, as well as reminding them of their responsibility toward the millions of human beings who lack adequate food and provisions or are victims of their unjust distribution. the month of fasting is accompanied by increased efforts toward good manners and righteous deeds, along with additional worship at night. it is not a retreat from life but rather a supplement to the Muslim's ordinary activities.

Hajj

Hajj, the annual pilgrimage, is an obligation once in a lifetime only for those who are physically and financially able to perform it. in spite of that, over two million Muslims journey to Makkah each year from every corner of the globe, providing a unique opportunity for people of various nations and cultures to meet one another as guests of god. hajj is an expression of pure faith and total submission to his command, and the pilgrim performs rites of unqualified obedience, seeking nothing but the creator's acceptance of his efforts and forgiveness of his past sins. he returns home with a fresh outlook on life, a purified soul, and i blessings from his lord.

What is Shari'ah?

The Arabic word "Shari'ah" refers to the laws and way of life prescribed by god for his servants. it deals with ideology, faith, behavior, manners and matters of daily life. we recognize that customs and traditions, good taste, and civil law all have some authority over people in every culture, preventing them from doing certain things and obliging them to do others. so it is to be expected that religion, too, would have some authority over people. in Islam, this authority rightfully belongs to god and is derived from his final revelation.

The Islamic Shari'ah is a divinely ordained legal system whose primary objective is benefit to mankind. its principles are designed to protect people from evil and direct them to what is best in all aspects of life. moreover, its benefit is for everyone - rich and poor, rulers and ruled, men and women, Muslims and non-Muslims, whose right to worship and manage their personal and family affairs according to their own norms is explicit. the Shari'ah provides injunctions that guarantee justice, promote the general welfare, preserve order, safeguard human rights, and define responsibilities.

Its established constants are derived from the texts of the Qur'an and teachings of prophet Muhammad, and have been confirmed by a consensus of Muslim scholars both in theory and practice. these basic principles are agreed upon by all, while differences over variables are acceptable and, in fact, provide the flexibility necessary for the system to accommodate changing circumstances.

Besides defining methods of Islamic worship, the Shari'ah provides an outline for thought and education based upon such moral values as justice, generosity, chastity, honesty, mercy and respect for humanity in general. it provides the standard for social and political issues - the choice of a ruler, consultation within the government, opposition to injustice, defense of truth and right, individual and collective duties, intellectual enlightenment based on evidences and proofs, respect and tolerance for the viewpoints of others, and the encouragement of open and frank discussions.

Generally, anything that is neither known to be harmful nor mentioned as forbidden in Islamic law is permitted. in what pertains to daily life, all is allowed except for was explicitly prohibited in the Qur'an or by prophet Muhammad, and this includes everything harmful, whether or not it is considered so by limited human perception. what is forbidden in Islam is a small segment of the whole, so that what is permitted is sufficient to make what is forbidden unnecessary. for example, the encouragement and facilitation of lawful marriage greatly reduces the temptation toward fornication and adultery. when Islam forbids sexual relations outside the framework of marriage, the aim is to purify individuals and societies physically and morally. similarly, interest can be replaced by lawful business gains, gambling replaced by competition in sport and religion, fornication replaced by lawful marriage, and forbidden food and drink replaced by healthy food and drink.

The general purpose and objectives of the Shari'ah do not change. it clearly defines what is prohibited and considers all other things to be permissible. only harmful things have been prohibited, and whatever has benefit has been permitted. Islamic legislation maintains a balance between the needs of the individual and society, allowing neither to outweigh the other.

The inner deterrent of man's moral conscience is fully integrated with external supervision. Islam stresses the role of the individual conscience and is concerned with cultivating within it the fear and love of god and the hope for his mercy. this ensures that an individual will be responsive to the commandments of god even when there is no external monitoring system and that he or she will voluntarily avoid what prohibited. however, the system does not rely exclusively upon the conscience. it complements its role by providing laws to be upheld by society and enforced by the judicial authority.

It is true that the system includes a few severe penalties for certain types of criminals, but in practice, crime has always been drastically reduced within societies that applied Islamic Shari'ah, and this is the real purpose of its legislation. crime and punishment cannot be treated as separate issues. when the Shari'ah is considered in totality, one finds that initially every measure is taken to provide what is lawful and block all avenues leading to the unlawful. moreover, punishment cannot be applied unless it is established beyond any doubt that the crime was committed by someone of legal age and sound mind having knowledge of its prohibition and without being under the least compulsion. further, an additional burden of providing trustworthy witnesses in some cases makes conviction highly unlikely. in light of the numerous constraints, a determined transgressor, once convicted in a court of law, may rightly be made an example as a further deterrent to others. thus, the system is not only just but most merciful to society as a whole.

On another level, the Shari'ah operates to satisfy the sense of justice of the victim and his heirs. contrary to what some people suppose, there is no capital punishment for murder. retribution is a legal decision given to the victim's family and carried out by the courts according to their instruction. they have three options:

1. they can demand that the state executes the murderer on their behalf.
2. they can opt instead for a payment of blood money from the murderer.
3. they can forgive the murderer and forgo any kind of compensation.

Forgiveness in this world, however, does not necessarily mean acquittal in the hereafter. a would-be offender is deterred not only by the threat of physical or pecuniary punishments, he is first and foremost accountable before god, who may forgive or punish as he sees fit.

One of the features of  Islamic legislation is that it has a moderate approach to issues and problems regarding the relationship between the individual and society. the Shari'ah has left particular areas open for scholars to make interpretive judgments according to changing norms and circumstances. it responds to the demands of social progress in a way that keeps it compatible with the practical realities of a changing world and reconciles the issue of progress with that of ideological continuity, striking a balance between progress and continuity in mailers of human life. at the same time, it maintains continuity in its primary goals and objectives. its religious, moral, economic and social values remain constant, governed by a set of unchanging principles.

Is it true that Muslims don't believe in Jesus? What does Islam say about him?

One cannot be a Muslim if he does not believe in jesus as well as all other prophets sent by god [1], including Adam, Noah, Abraham, David, Solomon, Moses and Muhammad. Muslims have the highest regard for Jesus and await his second coming.

The Islamic view of Jesus is one between two extremes. the Jews rejected his Prophethood and called him an impostor, while many Christians regard him as the son of god and worship him as such. Islam considers Jesus Christ, the son of Mary, as one of the great prophets of god, worthy of respect and honor but not worship. he was sent to confirm and renew the basic doctrine of belief in god alone and obedience to him.

According to the Qur'an, he was born miraculously without a father.[2] and he was not crucified but raised up to god.[3] the Qur'an attributes to him miracles that are not even mentioned in the bible. however, Islam sees the deification of Jesus as a reversion to paganism, and the divinity of Jesus is categorically rejected within the Qur'an's text [4]. such doctrines as the "trinity," "divine Sonship" and "atonement" are not accepted by Muslims simply because they did not originate from prophet Jesus himself.

It is known that most of the gospels were written by men long after the time of Jesus and that much of the new testament was compiled from the writings of Paul and his students. unmistakable contradictions have appeared in the various "modern," "revised" and "amplified" versions of the bible. the once purely divine message conveyed by Jesus has obviously been corrupted by human input and altered through numerous translations; the original texts no longer exist.

The gospels were written several decades after Jesus' departure, and none of their authors had actually seen Jesus or heard him speak. moreover, they were written in Greek while Jesus spoke Aramaic. those gospels presently in circulation were not selected from among the others and authorized by the church until the decisions of the ecumenical council of nicea in the year 325 ce.

Nevertheless, belief in the divine scripture, not in its present form but as it was originally revealed to prophet Jesus, is an article of Islamic faith. the final revelation from god is the only criterion by which information in previous scriptures can be evaluated. therefore, whatever the bible says about Jesus that agrees with the Qur'an is accepted by Muslims, and what is contrary to it is rejected as a product of human intervention.

__________________

Footnotes:

[1]  the qur'an names twenty-five prophets and messengers and suggests that there were many more.

[2]  refer to qur’an, 19:16-35.

[3]  refer to qur’an, 3:55 and 4:157-158

[4]refer to 5:72

How does the Qur'an differ from other Scriptures?

The qur'an was revealed over 1400 years ago. it states in no uncertain terms that it is a revelation from god conveyed by the angel Gabriel to prophet Muhammad. it is regarded, not only by Muslims but by scholars of religion and historians, as the most authentic religious text in existence today. unlike earlier scriptures the Qur'an has been preserved unchanged in its original Arabic text since the time of revelation, as god had promised within it. [1]

History witnessed the fulfillment of that promise, for the book of god remains to date exactly as it was revealed to the prophet and recited by him. immediately memorized and recorded by large numbers of his companions, it was passed on in exactly the same form by thousands of Muslims generation after generation up until the present day. the Qur'an of today is literally the same scripture as was revealed to prophet Muhammad. there is no other book in the history of man that in been memorized precisely and accurately, word for word, letter for letter, by millions of people over the centuries. this in itself is a miracle.

There is only one version of the Qur'an; the same revealed words continue to be read, recited and memorized in their original Arabic language by Muslims throughout the world. translations of the meanings into other languages assist in understanding but cannot be called "the Qur'an," as this term refers only to the actual revealed words of god.

The Qur'an contains god's final message to humanity and legislation which encompasses all spheres of human life. it is allied to all peoples and all times. it appeals to logic, following clear reasoning and citing evidences from the created universe, from history and from the human soul to establish not only the existence of god but also his uniqueness and absolute perfection. it also contains answers to the questions which naturally occur to the human mind about the purpose of creation and what occurs after death.

It is the primary source of the Islamic creed and its legislation. but in addition to religious guidance it contains numerous verses that speak of the universe, its components and phenomena - the earth, sun, moon, stars, mountains, wind, rivers and seas, plants, animals and successive stages of human development. as can be seen from examples in the previous chapter, the Qur'an speaks with the perfect knowledge of the creator about his creation. being the final revelation to mankind, god has made the Qur'an a continuing miracle containing evidences to be uncovered gradually as humans increase in knowledge of their universe.

But its main purpose is to guide mankind as to how one should relate to his creator, to his fellow men, and to the universe in general. it outlines the practical methods of earning the approval of god and obtaining peace and contentment in the permanent existence to come. by following its guidance, man can fully experience his human worth and his special position among created beings. the Qur'an was revealed containing complete guidance in all matters of faith and its application to the affairs of human life in order that everyone might attain the happiness and contentment of this world and the next.

______________________

Footnotes:

[1]its preservation was guaranteed when god revealed: "indeed, it is we who sent down the message, and indeed, we will be its guardian." (15:9) note: god often refers to himself in the qur'an as "we," which does not denote plurality, but rather, power and majesty.

Didn't Muhammad write the Qur'an or borrow from the earlier scriptures?

Opponents of Islam sometimes allege that Muhammad himself wrote the Qur'an or that he copied or adapted it from previous scriptures. but it is known that the prophet's contacts with Jews and Christians was negligible before his emigration from Makkah, and after it his role was that of a teacher, openly inviting the Jews and Christians to accept Islam while pointing out how they had diverged from the true monotheism taught by their prophets.

It is true that there are some similarities between the qur'an and the bible, but this does not indicate that later prophets plagiarized from former ones. it merely reflects the common source, which is the creator of mankind, and the continuance of his basic message of monotheism. moreover, there was no Arabic version of the bible in existence at the time of prophet Muhammad. the earliest Arabic version of the old testament is that of r. saadias gaon of 900 ce - more than 250 years after the death of prophet Muhammad. and the oldest Arabic version of the new testament was published by Erpenius in 1616 ce - about 1000 years after his death.

Historically and logically, it cannot be established that there was any human source for the qur'an or that the messenger of Allaah learned it from the Jews or Christians. his enemies kept a close watch on him hoping to find confirmation of their claim that he was a liar. but they could not point to a single instance when the prophet might have had secret meetings with people of other faiths.

It was a sign of Muhammad's Prophethood that he was illiterate. thus, he could not be credited with composing or editing the revelations, and suspicion that he learned what he preached from earlier scriptures is eliminated. at the time the Qur'an was revealed, his contemporaries among the Arabs, known for linguistic eloquence, acknowledged that its language was unique and distinctly different from the speech of Muhammad, a man they knew well. the Qur'an states that the prophet was an unlettered man, so if that had not been true, his opponents would surely have exposed him. there is, however, not a single report to this effect, and no one denied his illiteracy. at the same time, no one denied that the Qur'an was unequaled in eloquence, impact and clarity, including those who rejected its message.

It is not difficult to verify that Muhammad did not possess knowledge of many things mentioned in the qur'an, such as historical events, natural phenomena and future occurrences. the kind of information he conveyed could not have been obtained through reading and research, so it was obviously something that could only have come directly from the creator. the Qur'an states in several places that Muhammad and his people did not know these facts, so had it been otherwise, his adversaries would have capitalized on that claim to discredit him. Пп1у recently, within the last two centuries, have advancements in research technology led to the discovery of facts that were mentioned in the Qur'an by the unlettered prophet over fourteen centuries ago. here are a few examples:

1. The creation of the universe from a single entity and of life from water: "have those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, and we separated them and made from water every living thing?" [1]
2. All creation is based on duality, made up of pairs, counterparts or opposites: "and of all things we created two mates." [2]
3. The different natures of the sun and moon: "it is he [allah] who made the sun a shining light and the moon a derived light and determined for it phases - that you may know the number of years and account [of time]." [3]
4. The rotation of the earth: "he created the heavens and earth in truth. he wraps the night over the day and wraps the day over the night.” [4]
5. The expansion of the universe: "and the heaven we constructed with strength, and indeed, we are [its] expander." [5]
6. The sun is not stationary but moves in a specific direction for a limited term: "and the sun runs [on course] toward its stopping point." [6]

These are words recited by Muhammad, the unlettered prophet. the Qur'an addresses recently established scientific facts with the precision of a scientist. could the most highly literate, well read or scholarly man of that period, or even of the centuries that followed, possibly have come up with anything similar?

__________________________
Footnotes:

[1]  qur'an, 21:30.

[2]  qur'an, 51:49. in contrast, god is one, with no counterpart and nothing resembling him in any way.

[3]qur'an, 10:5. other verses (25:61 and 71:16) refer to the sun as a burning lamp.

[4]  qur'an, 39:5. the alternate "wrapping" of sunlight and darkness is caused by the earth's turning in one direction.

[5]  qur’an 51:47. the creator refers to himself in the plural form which denotes power, grandeur and majesty

^[6]qur'an, 36:38. the sun, as a tiny member of this vast universe, is progressing within it toward a final destination, which indicates an end to the present creation.

Why should Muhammad be the Final Prophet? Haven't there been others after him?

Prophethood is not something acquired by a person who proves himself worthy, nor is it granted in recognition of piety. Prophethood is an office to which god appoints a man in order to fill a particular need. the Qur'an mentions four conditions under which prophets were sent to the world:

1. When no prophet had ever been sent to a people before and no divine message had reached them
2. when the message of an earlier prophet had been forgotten by the people or the teachings of former prophets had been altered with time
3. when a second prophet was needed to assist a first one
4. when a people had not yet received complete instruction from god

In each of these cases a prophet was appointed to convey divine revelation, updating previous messages and correcting deviations that man had introduced into the religion of god.

After god's message was completed through revelation to Muhammad and its preservation guaranteed, there was no further need for messengers to convey revelation; only for teachers and reformers to remind people of what god had revealed.[1] from the time of Muhammad's Prophethood, conditions in the world have been conducive to the transmission of god's message to all civilizations, making the appointment of additional prophets unnecessary. this final message has undergone no amendment or alteration by man; not a single word has been added to it or deleted from it.

If god intended to send another prophet after Muhammad, he would have made that fact clear in the Qur'an or commanded his messenger to declare that a prophet would follow him. but the Qur'an clearly affirms that god has now completed his divine mission through prophet Muhammad.[2] therefore, the office of Prophethood has been canceled, enabling the world to unite in allegiance to the final prophet and obedience to god. for everyone who accepts Muhammad as the divinely appointed final messenger will seek instruction only within the message he conveyed.

______________________

Footnotes:

[1]  the Qur’an states: “Muhammad is not the father of [any] one of your men, but [he is] the messenger of Allaah and seal [i.e., last] of the prophets.” (33:40)

[2]  god stated therein: “this day i have perfected for you your religion and completed my favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.” (5:3)

Do Muslims worship Muhammad?

Islam is based on uncompromising monotheism. god alone is to be Worshipped and nothing else, so Muslims cannot worship Muhammad or any other human being.[1] like all prophets he was a man, and despite his extraordinary accomplishments he never claimed divine status. rather, he always maintained that he was human like everyone else, that he poke nothing of his own accord, and that the Qur'an was a message from god, revealed to him by god, to whom alone belongs all glory and praise. he never took personal credit for any success. all the principles he taught, the legislation he pronounced, and the great achievements for which he could have attained personal renown and advantage were attributed to the guidance and support of god alone.

Muslims strive to follow the example of prophet Muhammad. additionally, Islam teaches Muslims to respect all of god's prophets and messengers. however, respecting and loving them does not mean Worshipping them, for all forms of worship must be directed only to the creator.

Muhammad was himself a devout Worshipper of god. he gave away everything he obtained in charity, fasted often, and would spend a great portion of the night in prayer. he was constantly aware of his lord, remembering him in every situation, and his words of praise and supplication reflected the highest degree of sincerity and servitude. his entire life was dedicated to the cause of god. he called on people to worship god alone, and insisted that they refer to him as merely a servant of god, telling his followers, "do not exaggerate in praise of me as the Christians did with Jesus, son of Mary. i am only his servant, so say, 'the servant of Allaah and his messenger.''

____________________

Footnotes:

[1]the basis for this misconception actually comes from the early orientalists who called Islam "Mohammedanism," implying that Muslims worship Muhammad 

Who was Muhammad?

Muhammad Bin Abdullaah was a descendant of Prophet Abraham through his son, Ishmael, [1] and was from the prominent Arab tribe of Quraysh. he was not the founder of Islam but its final prophet and the last messenger sent by god to the world as a mercy to mankind. every detail of his private life and public speech has been documented and carefully preserved up to the present day.

During the 23-year period of his Prophethood, he changed the entire Arabian peninsula from paganism to worship of the one true god, from tribal warfare to national unity, from anarchy to disciplined living, from barbarism to the highest standard of moral excellence. at the time of his death most inhabitants of Arabia and the southern regions of Iraq and Palestine had voluntarily embraced Islam. to posterity he left a creed of pure monotheism that included comprehensive legislation based on a balanced system of moral values.

No other man in history excelled in so many different aspects of life. he not only taught and established the religion but founded a state, initiated numerous political and social reforms, built a powerful and dynamic society, and completely revolutionized the realm of human thought and behavior - all within just over two decades.

His coming was foretold in previous scriptures, and he was described therein. the honest and open-minded among the Jews and Christians recognized him from those descriptions and believed in his message. but the message he communicated was not meant for a particular people, place or period; it was a global message. Muhammad was appointed to instruct all of mankind and invite humanity to the same objective as did the prophets before him: the worship of god alone without associates or intermediaries.

There is explicit evidence for the Prophethood of Muhammad. as the revelation descended upon him, his companions noticed certain effects on his body; however, he never lost consciousness or showed any signs of illness. his life was protected by god during times of severe danger throughout the entire period of his Prophethood until the divine message was complete. like the prophets before him, Muhammad was supported with miracles, but by far the greatest of them was the Qur'an, an eternal miracle containing evidences for people of intellect for all time to come.

Prophet Muhammad was chosen by the creator of the universe and of mankind to invite all people to correct beliefs and follow the pure way of life preferred by him, and to demonstrate the measures and methods leading to his acceptance. he spared no effort and no sacrifice in carrying out this duty for the benefit of mankind. through him, god made known truth from falsehood and wisdom from error. and through him he showed man how to attain eternal paradise. thus, prophet Muhammad directed humanity to the one divine source of values and rules of conduct.

_____________________

Footnotes:

^[1]isaac, another son of abraham, was the ancestor of the children of israel, among whom a number of prophets were raised.

Are there sects in Islam?

Islam is one path, has one direction, and is based on one methodology -- that which prophet Muhammad taught according to the instruction he received from god. the religion god ordained for mankind was meant to be a unifying factor. in fact, he addressed mankind in the Qur'an, saying:

" and this is my path, which is straight, so follow it, and do not follow [other] ways for they will separate you from his way." [1]

This divine command emphatically makes it binding on all muslims to be united as one community of believers; thus, all forms of schism and sectarianism are un-islamic.

The prophet's companions and following generations adhered very closely to the path of god, and thus he protected them from separating in this manner. but with later generations certain factors led to the emergence of divisions and divergence, among them: increasing concern with worldly affairs, the influence of non-Muslim cultures, and political rivalries. initially, some small groups split off from the path adhered to by the majority of Muslims. they introduced innovations into the religion and followed opinions differing from the original teachings of the prophet.

These schisms were rejected and opposed by the recognized scholars of Islam and the majority of Muslims, which meant that initially they were contained and that their influence did not become widespread during the major part of Islamic history. the majority of Muslims remained on the sunni [2] path, and whenever forms of deviation emerged among them, the pious scholars always hastened to oppose them and point out their error.

Prophet Muhammad foretold that such divergences would emerge. he warned against schism and instructed Muslims to remain within the main body of Islam.

Nevertheless, over the centuries a number of people have deviated and corrupted their religion, forming sects that claim to belong to Islam but whose stated beliefs are clearly contrary to it. some have distorted the concept of god and attributed to him what is unfitting or incompatible with his divine status - claiming, for example, that everything in existence is god or that he is incarnate or present within his creation, while the Qur'an states that he is superior to his creation and distinct from it. and some have been misguided regarding various major tenets of Islam to the degree that they no longer submit to god and obey him, while others have innovated and changed some of the prescribed forms of worship.

Those sects which deviated from mainstream Islam are not the same as the schools of Islamic jurisprudence [3] which developed within it and are based on the immutable principles of the faith. these eminent schools of thought have provided a vision of the highest degree of scholarship for Islamic legislation and serve to complement one another. differences and disagreements within the framework of Islam do not become matters of partisanship and intolerance except among the extremely ignorant.

Islam recognizes the individuality of human beings and that not all diversity of opinion and difference in analysis is negative. however, the kind of dissension that leads to divisions and sectarianism has been denounced in the qur'an:

"indeed, those who have divided their religion and become sects -you, [o Muhammad], are not [associated] with them in anything. their affair is only [left] to Allaah; then he will inform them about what they used to do." [4]

Although Muslims now appear to be divided more than ever before, the number of divisions in Islam remain fewer than in other religions. one can still find many Islamic associations calling people to truth, proclaiming god's original message, and naming against that which is contrary to it. salvation does not depend on affiliation with any specific group but rather on true faith proven by obedience to god and upright conduct in the manner revealed by him.

_____________________________

Footnotes:

[1]  6:153 the subtitle change in the verse from first to third person expresses the progressive process of distancing oneself from god’s path.

[2]  a Sunni is one who takes his religion from the Qur'an and Sunnah, i.e., the authentically narrated teachings of prophet Muhammad as practiced by him and his righteous followers.

[3]the hanafi, maliki, shafi'i and hanbali schools and a few others less known.

[4]  6:159

Isn't Islam fatalistic?

Muslims know that all things are from god and occur by his will. thus, they tend to worry less about material matters and view the life of this world in proper perspective. a Muslim believer relies completely on god and knows that whatever happens is always for the best, whether he recognizes it or not, so he graciously accepts whatever cannot be changed.

However, this does not mean that a Muslim sits around awaiting destiny and takes no positive action in life. on the contrary, Islam demands action and effort to change every undesirable situation, and this is a requirement of the faith. it totally rejects the teaching that one should not go to a doctor when ill but only pray to god for cure. if human beings had no ability to act, god could not justly expect them to do and not to do certain things. far from being "fatalistic," Islam teaches that man's main obligation in life is to exert effort in obedience to god, which includes seeking benefit and avoiding harm.

Islam teaches that human beings should take positive action in life and supplement it with prayer. some people are lazy and careless and then blame the negative result on destiny or fate. some even say that if god had willed, they would not have sinned or committed crimes. all this is entirely incorrect because he has provided complete guidance and instruction on how to live and has ordered upright conduct at all times. god has not ordered anything that man cannot do or prohibited anything he cannot avoid because his justice is complete and perfect. each individual is held responsible within the limits of his own ability, but not beyond it.

Although our deeds and our destiny are decreed by god and known to him, it does not mean he compels us to do anything. rather, he willed to give us options about our course of action; and thus, whatever decisions we make are within the framework ill his will. god knows what every person will choose to do and then allows him to do it, while not necessarily approving of his choice. while he does not call anyone to account for what is beyond his control, human beings are indeed responsible for every free choice they make, and they will find the consequences of their choices and actions in both this life and the next.

"Cause and Effect" is a natural law created by god to be utilized by his creatures. it is the law by which one's destiny is determined. so the destiny of each individual is predetermined by god, but it is also the direct result and consequence of his or her own choices and actions, and this is what the creator has willed and decreed.

Why should someone be a Muslim? Can't we follow any religion we please?

There are many people who follow the teachings of a religion as best they can and others who believe in god in some way without practicing any formal religion.[1] many have abandoned the thought that there could be any true religion because nearly all religions claim to be true. and some allow that all religions are legitimate paths to god and are acceptable to him. so how is Islam different from other religions?

Islam has several unique features which can be confirmed through deeper study:

• Islam is the only religion whose sources have remained free of human alteration and interference.
• Its divinely revealed scripture is in harmony with established facts of science, clearly bearing the signature of the creator of this universe.
• Islam provides answers to the essential fundamental questions which occur to the mind of every intelligent person, those related to the purpose of creation and life, and concerning a further existence after death.
• Islam is the only religion which insists upon worship of the creator alone and completely rejects the worship of any aspect of creation.
• Islam dispenses with all intermediaries between man and god and allows every individual to contact him directly, thus eliminating religious hierarchies and other sources of exploitation which have characterized the history of religions throughout the ages. In Islam no cleric or establishment can come between a person and his creator.
• While monotheistic faiths share a fundamental belief in god, their understanding of him differs greatly. Islam declares that god is unique and in no way similar to any of his creation; nor does he merge with it in any form. his attributes are those of complete and absolute perfection without the slightest deficiency or limitation.
• Unlike other religions and ideologies which emphasize some aspects of human nature at the expense of others, Islam accommodates the physical, intellectual and spiritual aspects of man. Islamic beliefs and practices are natural and appeal to common sense. they present a balanced program of life that fulfills both physical and spiritual needs.
• Islam prohibits blind following without knowledge and is based upon evidence and logic. the rational mind is the basis for religious accountability and responsibility. all aspects of Islamic belief are clear, without any obscurity or ambiguity. it contains no tenet that contradicts reason or observable reality, and it calls on people to study and contemplate as a means of strengthening faith.
• Islam's religious, moral, economic, political and social ethics are permanent and remain constant. they are governed by a set of unchanging principles which include such universal values as justice, freedom, equality, brotherhood and social responsibility. history provides an outstanding example in the model Islamic society established by prophet Muhammad and his companions and maintained for decades by devoted Muslims, where truth and transparency, justice, and compassion were implemented as a vital expression of the religion.

Islam also declares that it is the religion of truth, for this is stated unambiguously in the Qur'an. however, the creator does not force his preference on anyone. he wants people to accept right guidance by their own choice and free will because that is what makes them worthy of his approval and reward. the Qur'an states:

" there is no compulsion in [accepting] religion. the truth has been made distinct from falsehood." [2]

"had allah willed, he would have made you one nation [united in religion], but [he intended] to test you in what he has given you; so hasten to [all that is] good. to allah is your return all together" [3]

____________________________

Footnotes:

[1]anyone to whom god's message was not adequately conveyed yet believed in him and tried to worship him with sincere intention will be judged by god according to what is in his heart and mind, for he is the ultimate judge of all affairs. the Qur'an states that god never punishes a people until after he has sent them a messenger with the clear order to worship their creator alone without any associates. it also states that he does not punish for what people are unable to know or what is beyond their capability.

^[2]2:256.   

^[3]5:48.

Are the Good Deeds of Non-believers Rewarded?

Prophet Muhammad disclosed that god rewards according to the intention of each individual. the non-believer expects to be rewarded for his deeds in the present life because he denies or doubts the existence of another life after his death. thus, he is keen that people should recognize what he does; when he is praised and his deed publicized, he is pleased, for this is the reward he sought. he might also obtain a sum of money in payment for it or a prize. this is the compensation he likes most, and god grants it to him. but he is not given additional reward in the hereafter simply because he neither desired it nor worked for it.

The believer, on the other hand, is not duly concerned with compensation in this life because he is striving for the greater eternal reward of the hereafter. he does so by worshipping god as he stipulated and by working patiently, honestly and correctly to the best of his ability, even when no person appreciates his efforts. because his deeds are done seeking god's acceptance, they are appreciated by him and rewarded.

Islam teaches that there are two conditions for god's approval and reward of any deed: 

1) that it is done explicitly for his acceptance and approval and 

2) that it is consistent with the methods ordained by him. in other words, a person must work for god according to the terms he has specified and not according to his own preferences or those of other people. in order to know exactly what god expects of his servants, it is necessary to refer to the legislation revealed by him in its final form through Muhammad, the final prophet.

What is the Purpose of our Creation?

Non-believers are unable to provide any convincing reason for the existence of this universe or of human life. people who believe there is a creator assume that creation occurred by his will. but in a world where everything is shown to have a purpose, it is natural for a human being to wonder about the purpose of his own creation. one is surely justified in expecting the creator who put us on this earth to inform us why he did so and what he expects of us.

The qur'an informs us that he did just that. it says god created us for a test here on earth, conveying his words:

"then did you think that we created you uselessly and that to us you would not be returned?"  [1]

A non-believer might decide that the objective of his life will be to collect wealth, obtain position or pursue pleasure to the greatest extent possible. but none of this will benefit him in the long run. according to his final scripture, god created man to test him with certain responsibilities [2]. he did not intend life on this earth to necessarily be comfortable or satisfying but merely a trial of limited duration, the punishment and rewards of which will be due in the hereafter.

As mentioned previously, most of creation is "Muslim" in that it is programmed to obey the physical laws set by god, and (his is why the universe functions with balanced equilibrium. man, however, was given a free will and the ability to either obey or disobey. but god will not allow his universal balance lo be upset indefinitely by defiant, corrupt and sinful people, so he only grants human beings a measure of freedom in a temporary world. the scheme of birth, development, decline and death provides each with the opportunity to prove to himself without a doubt what he will deserve on the day of judgement, which god created for the manifestation of his ultimate justice.

This life is very meaningful and purposeful to the believing Muslim because he realizes that it will determine his outcome and permanent position in the next life. he lives to earn the approval of his creator in preparation for the final return to him.

We all recognize that people make things to perform specific functions for them, in other words, to serve them. god has made us to serve him, but with one major difference; it is not for the benefit of the creator himself but for the benefit of us, his creation. the purpose of our existence is thus stated in the qur'an:

"i did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship me.” [3]

But man's worship of god is not automatic like the vast majority of created beings but by his own choice and effort, and this is what entitles him to honor and reward.

"how should one worship god in order to fulfill that purpose?" this question can undoubtedly best be answered by him. god has provided every element of his creation, living and inanimate, with guidance. we can thus expect that he would provide us with guidance as well. his revelation instructs humanity what to do, what to avoid, and the reason for it. it informs man what is expected of him, how to accomplish it, and the results of continual positive effort. through prophet Muhammad, god revealed to man the ways of worship suitable to his physical and psychological nature and individual talents, and in harmony with his particular role on the earth. these, in combination, are what enable him to fulfill the purpose of his creation.

__________________

Footnotes:

^[1]23:115-1 16.

[2]as stated in 18:7, 67:2 and 76:2.
[3]51:56

Why only one God? Could He not create another God like Himself?

The implication here is that the existence of dual or plural deities is possible and hence probable in the view of a polytheist. however, if the questioner claims that god can create another like himself, we ask, "how can this created being be god, who created all things, when it has itself been created? how can it be like god since it has a beginning, whereas god has existed from eternity? in reality, the phrase "create another god" is an erroneous contradiction because the mere fact that something is created means that it cannot be god. it is obviously illogical and irrational to say that something is god and cannot be god simultaneously.

The other implication in this question is that if we answer, "he cannot," then the power of god must be limited, negating his divinity. these suggestions are not valid because the absolute and unlimited power of god pertains to what is rationally possible and not what is rationally impossible. so when we say no, which is correct, it does not mean that the power of god is limited. rather, it affirms the perfection of his power, meaning that he is not incapable of doing anything that is rationally possible.

Our minds cannot grasp the extent of his power, nor can our imaginations. therefore, we must admit our inability to contain the essence and nature of god within the limits of our intellect.

What is the purpose of worship, and why should people worship at all?

The idea of servitude has become distasteful to the modern secular mindset which concerns itself with individual liberties. some might say that humanity has no need to worship, and that doing so compromises freedom. they forget, however, that absolute freedom is neither possible nor even desirable for all members of a society, and that is why every social order has its laws and restrictions.

Studies in human psychology confirm that man is a worshipper by instinct, that worship is instilled in him as part of his nature, and that he tends to direct it to whatever he considers worthy - other human beings, revered customs or superstitions, materialist ideologies, or his own personal inclinations. an object of worship is that to which one devotes the greatest portion of his thought and effort. so one either worships god or he worships something other than him - along with him or instead of him. the worship of god alone is liberating in that it frees one from servitude to all else.

Many people misunderstand the concept of worship, assuming that it is merely the practice of certain rituals. but in reality it includes everything done seeking the acceptance of the one worshipped. according to islam, the worship of god means willing obedience to his orders and prohibitions which, besides prayer and other religious obligations, include the fulfillment of promises and agreements, honesty and precision in work, teaching and counseling, encouraging righteousness, assisting others, opposing injustice and so on.

Worship is the right of the creator upon his creation. it is based on the perception that everything was brought into existence by god and is dependent upon him in whose hand is life and death, benefit and harm, and the outcome of every matter. further, it is based on the knowledge that man is an accountable being in need of god's continuing guidance and acceptance. islam confirms that although it is his divine right, god does not gain anything from the worship of his servants, nor is he harmed by their refusal. he ordains worship for the benefit of the worshipper himself, and this benefit is obtained by him or her in both this life and the next. when a believer understands that our creator and sustainer deserves to be worshipped, he wants to do so because of his gratitude and love for his lord and because it is inherently right and correct.

If Islam opposes idol worship, why do Muslims pray to a square structure?

The simple cube-shaped stone building located in makkah is called the ka'bah or the sacred house. it is the point toward which muslims face when they pray. although muslims face the direction of ka'bah during prayer, they do not worship it. muslims worship and pray only to god.

The ka'bah was built by the prophet abraham and his son ishmael in response to god's command over 4,000 years ago. abraham consecrated the house for the worship of the one true god and invited all of humanity to visit it for that purpose. even today muslims who are physically and financially able are required to make a pilgrimage to it once in a lifetime. the ka'bah has remained at the center of a continuous tradition of worship and devotion up to the present day, symbolic of permanence, constancy and renewal.

There were periods in human history during which mankind deviated from the monotheism taught by god's prophets. before the advent of muhammad, religion among the arabs had degenerated into polytheism and paganism, and makkah was completely submerged in idolatry; some 360 idols had been placed in and around the ka'bah to be worshipped there along with god. prophet muhammad was sent to restore to mankind the pure monotheism taught by all the messengers of god and reinstate the worship of him alone. this he accomplished, and the ka'bah was finally cleared of all manmade deities.

Among the ancient religious rites particular to the ka'bah is walking around it. this suggests the integrating and unifying power of monotheism in human life and how a muslim's existence should revolve around a pure devotion to god. the ka'bah symbolizes the unity of all true religion, the brotherhood of all the prophets, and the essential consistency of their message.

When muslims pray facing toward this single central point, they are reminded of their common purpose and long-term goal. even when standing directly before the ka'bah in prayer, one is not to look at it but rather at the ground before him. the spiritual focus is on god alone and never upon any created object.

Do Muslims worship God or Allah?

One of the biggest misconceptions about islam concerns the name "Allaah." some people believe that Muslims worship a different god than Christians, Jews and others, and some missionary organizations distribute literature in English in which they say such things as: "allah is the god of the Muslims" and "Muhammad told people to believe in the god, allah." they thus imply and reinforce the idea that "Allaah" is some sort of false deity.

This is totally incorrect because "Allaah" is the same word that arabic-speaking christians and jews use for god. if you pick up an arabic bible, you will find the word "Allaah" wherever "God" is used in English. "Allaah" is also the proper name of god. therefore, Muslims use the name "Allaah" even when they speak other languages.

"Allaah" is a special word. it indicates the only entity in existence who truly possesses the qualities of divinity and lordship, the creator and sustainer of the heavens and earth. it is the name of the only being worthy of worship, the one upon whom all creation is dependant at every moment. this name belongs to god alone and no one else.

"Allaah" is the only word in the arabic language equivalent to "God" with a capital "G." it is also a unique word grammatically since it cannot be made plural or given a masculine or feminine gender. this is consistent with the Islamic concept of god. in English and other languages the word "God" can be used in various forms such as "God," "Gods" or "Goddess," all with different connotations and meanings. the only difference between "God" (meaning a false god or any object of worship) and "god" (meaning the one true god) is a capital "g." thus, a more accurate translation of "Allaah" might be "the one and only true god."

But there is another important point, which is that Islam is particularly concerned with the correct concept of god.

Someone can have an erroneous concept of him whether he uses the name ''Allaah" or the word "God." followers of previous religions gradually deviated from the original pure belief in god due to the fact that their scriptures were not adequately protected from loss and alteration. none of these are still available for study in their original form or language.

But this is not true of the last divinely revealed message, the Qur'an. hence, the accurate concept of god can be found therein.

Don't all World Religions have Similar Objectives?

There are many areas in which religions agree, but there are also significant theological and practical differences between them. undeniably, one will find in every religion expressions of wisdom, high moral values, warnings against evil, and promotion of good works. but what distinguishes Islam from other faiths is that it goes beyond simply urging people to be generous and morally upright. Islam identifies human problems and prescribes practical solutions to them, both individually and collectively.

Although there are a variety of religious communities in the world, each of them content with its own version of "the truth," islam represents the completion of divinely revealed religion and the finalized legal code for mankind. for this reason the qur'an states:

"verily, the religion in the sight of God is islam." [1]

The divine messages revealed prior to that of prophet muhammad all called for the worship of god alone and contained some legislation. however, each of them was addressed to a specific people at a specific period of time in order to remedy particular problems and circumstances such as moral degeneration, economic injustices and excessive materialism, misuse of power and political oppression. the final message of islam addresses these same social evils but as part of a comprehensive program for the amendment, reform and benefit of every nation, community and individual that will exist until the end of the world.

The prophethood of muhammad launched an era in which divine guidance became openly universal, more comprehensive in scope, and precisely detailed. the responsibility for man's fate and moral well-being depends completely on his own free choice and willing initiative to respond to the invitation of his creator.

_________________

Footnotes:

[1] 3:19.          ان الدين عند الله الاسلام  
                     Verily, The Religion in the sight of Allaah is Islam

What is the Ruling on Plural Marriage?.

Praise be to Allaah.

Allaah has allowed men to have more than one wife, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphan girls then marry (other) women of your choice, two or three, or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one or (slaves) that your right hands possess. That is nearer to prevent you from doing injustice”

[Surah Al-Nisa’ 4:3]

This clearly shows that plural marriage is permissible, and that according to Islamic sharee’ah a man may marry one, two, three or four wives, but it is not permissible for him to marry more than four. This is the view of the mufassireen and fuqaha’; the Muslims are unanimously agreed on this point and there is no difference of opinion.

It should be noted that there are conditions attached to plural marriage:

1. Justice and fairness.

Because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one” 

[Surah An-Nisa’ 4:3]. 

This verse shows that justice is a condition of plural marriage being permissible. If a man fears that he will not be able to treat his wives fairly if he marries more than one, then it is forbidden for him to marry more than one. What is meant by justice here is treating all wives equally with regard to spending, clothing, staying overnight and other material matters which are within his ability to control.

With regard to justice and equal treatment in the area of love, he is not held accountable for that, and it is not required of him because it is not possible to control it. This is what is meant by the words of Allaah (interpretation of the meaning):

“You will never be able to do perfect justice between wives even if it is your ardent desire”

[Surah An-Nisa’ 4:129]

i.e., with regard to love of the heart.

2 . Being able to afford spending on plural wives.

The evidence for this is the verse in which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And let those who find not the financial means for marriage keep themselves chaste, until Allaah enriches them of His Bounty”

[Surah Al-Noor 24:33]

In these verses Allaah commands the one who is able to get married but cannot afford it to remain chaste. One of the reasons for not be able to afford to get married is not having enough to pay the mahr (dowry) or not being able to spend on one’s wife. 

[Al-Mufassal fi Ahkaam al-Mar’ah, vol. 6, p. 286.]

Some of the scholars are of the view that plural marriage is better than restricting oneself to one wife. Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked: Is the basic principle concerning marriage plural marriage or marriage to one wife? He replied: The basic principle in sharee’ah is plural marriage for those who can afford it, if there is no fear of injustice, because of the many interests that are served by that, such as keeping himself and those whom he marries chaste, kind treatment of them, producing lots of children and increasing the numbers of the ummah and the numbers of those who worship Allaah alone. This is indicated by the words of Allaah (interpretation of the meaning):

“And if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphan girls then marry (other) women of your choice, two or three, or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one or (slaves) that your right hands possess. That is nearer to prevent you from doing injustice”

[Surah An-Nisa’ 4:3]

And because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) married more than one wife, and Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Indeed in the Messenger of Allaah (Muhammad) you have a good example to follow”

[Surah Al-Ahzaab 33:21]

One of the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “As for me, I will not eat meat,” and another said, “As for me I will pray and never sleep”; another said, “As for me I will fast and never break my fast,” and another said: “As for me, I will never marry women.” When news of that reached him, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) addressed the people. He praised Allaah then he said: “You are the ones who said such and such. As for me, by Allaah, I fear Allaah more than you do, but I fast and I break my fast, I pray and I sleep, and I marry women. Whoever turns away from my Sunnah has nothing to do with me.” These great words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) include both marriage to one woman and plural marriage.

[Majallat al-Balaagh, issue no. 1015; Fataawa ‘Ulama al-Balad al-Haraam, p. 386.]