If Islam is such a good religion, why do we find many Muslims dishonest, unreliable and lazy?

Islam came as a message of guidance from god to all creation at a time when ignorance and corruption were universal. it opened peoples' minds and souls to learning, development, refinement and morality. the achievements of Islamic thought in that early period were sufficient to bring light, guidance and knowledge to humanity.

However, as among every other people, there are indeed some Muslims who are heedless, undependable, corrupt and selfish, and the media projects this stereotype about Muslims in particular. it can be readily noted that whenever an adherent to any other faith commits a crime, the media seldom brings up the issue of religion, but when a Muslim is involved, it is Islam that is blamed and portrayed in a negative light before public opinion.

The fact cannot be denied that many Muslims today are unmindful of the teachings of their religion, due either to a lack of religious knowledge or to various worldly inducements and attractions. but even if one recognizes that some Muslims may be dishonest, immoral or impulsive, he should not judge Islam by its nonconforming or disobedient members but rather by those who conscientiously adhere to its teachings. since Islam categorically forbids such evils as lying, cheating and negligence, the wrongdoer must be blamed for his crimes rather than the religion. one should instead examine the system itself, understand its principles, and disregard the acts of those who have serious deficiencies in their knowledge, beliefs and practice.

While today's Muslim societies are not model ones by any means, they still enjoy a comparatively stable family life, absence of delinquency, low crime rates, greater freedom from drugs and alcoholism, as well as the warmth of brotherhood, generosity and mutual aid. it may be observed that taken as a whole, the Muslim community produces the best citizens in any society. as a matter of religious observance, the majority avoids the consumption of alcohol and drugs, eliminating many intoxicant-related crimes. collectively, Muslims are the community which gives the maximum amount of charity in the world. and no community can equal Muslims where modesty, sobriety and human ethics are concerned.

Islam may be fairly and justly assessed not by negative stereotypes portrayed by the media but by what its authentic sources contain and by the practice of the most excellent follower of the religion, prophet Muhammad. there have been a number of unbiased non-muslim historians who have declared that Muhammad was an exemplary human being. it is his pattern of life that demonstrates the true Islamic ideal and example to be followed by Muslims.

Why is so much of the Muslim world underdeveloped?

No one can deny that the Muslim world has been in decline for several centuries, the causes of which go back into history. in the Muslim nation's early stages, wealth, centers of learning and public works were abundant. but affluence, excessive concern with worldly life, and the spread of corruption eventually weakened religious consciousness. the inevitable result of these human failures was an ebb in conversions to Islam and territorial expansion, losses sustained in east Asia and Europe, the ascension of western power and influence, and a change from an ascendant to a defensive posture. the present backwardness of most Muslim societies, their political degradation and their peoples' suffering, in spite of their human and material resources and of Islam's noble values and principles, is the unfortunate reality of the present day.

The calamities that befell the Muslim world after the period of its early expansion, eventually leading to the fall of the caliphate, cannot be attributed to Islamic thought or even entirely to errors in political leadership. the prophetic period and that of the early caliphs which followed presented the best examples for all succeeding generations. however, the rapid influx of new peoples and nations into the community of Islam before they were properly educated as to Islamic objectives and values resulted in a later political leadership that never developed and matured as it should have. the Islamic vision became obscured and its spirit reduced to mere form, empty words and a heritage venerated, but seriously misunderstood, by later generations. the natural trend of the Islamic legal system to expand was arrested, and the vital physical sciences, economics, sociology and political thought - all essential aspects of previous development - were neglected. at the same time the Muslim world was becoming increasingly weak and vulnerable, Europe was beginning to benefit from the achievements of Islamic scholarship and assert itself.

The fact that most Muslim regions of the world were then conquered, dominated and exploited by western colonial powers for some time is not an excuse that is condoned by Islam. rather, it was the natural outcome of the widespread neglect and failure by Muslims to conscientiously and comprehensively adhere to the teachings of their religion.

The importance of obtaining knowledge and working conscientiously with determination was made clear by the prophet of Islam. Muslims are taught that because man has been given a certain amount of free will, it must be exercised properly in accordance with Islamic teachings to earn approval of the creator. this in itself is motivation for Muslims to be the most knowledgeable and productive people possible. if Muslim societies today are not meeting their potential, it is surely not due to Islam; rather, it is from their ignorance of the religion and failure to apply and practice it.

What is Islam's Attitude toward Western Civilization Today?

Humanity lives crowded together in an increasingly small world of various cultures. undoubtedly, western culture is the dominant influence in the modern world today. hence, it is inevitable that others interact with it and assimilate its positive values and achievements, but without adopting its negative ones. there is a cultural dimension of most human phenomena, religion included, and modern societies are tending to become less exclusive and more multi-religious. but while people are developing an outlook that is more accommodating toward others, acknowledging these differences does not mean that there should be no distinction between good and evil.

As well as being a religion and way of life,Iislam is also a complete worldview. its attitude toward the present western civilization is the same as that manifested toward every past civilization: it accepts the goodness that such civilizations can yield but at the same time rejects their evils. it allows for the acquisition of particular benefits such as scientific and technical knowledge, yet many social aspects are seen to be destructive and contrary to Islamic teachings.

Islam has never advocated a policy of isolationism. it does not oppose other civilizations merely because they are non- Muslim but believes in the unity of humanity and good relationships with people of different races and inclinations. and Muslims do not object to benefiting from modernity in discovering the mechanisms for solving common problems or to the solutions themselves, as long as they do not contradict Islamic legislation.

Islam neither rejects the west totally nor does it accept it uncritically. led by political and economic interests, the upholders of western civilization often follow policies which are detrimental to the collective good of Muslims. what Muslims and many other peoples of the world today reject is the presumed centrality and Universalism of the west and its self- centered attitude. they opposed the oppression and exploitation perpetrated by western colonialism in the past, and they object presently to the newer, albeit more subtle forms, which are no less malevolent. injustices caused by arrogant attitudes and demeaning policies are unacceptable to everyone.

Opening up to the modern worldview and critically interacting with it has alerted Muslims to certain problems raised by western modernity. international relations, globalization, i he menace posed by the media and central government to the human individual, the increase of leisure time available to ordinary people, and the processes of standardization were issues seldom raised in the past. the study of western modernity in a critical and interactive manner may serve to sharpen the awareness of Muslims concerning the magnitude of the global culture crisis and consequently, increase their knowledge and confidence in their own divinely ordained way of life.

it can be fairly said that Islam does not oppose any civilization as long as it serves the interests of humanity. but customs of other cultures involving principles or conduct prohibited in Islam can never be considered as lawful for a Muslim, even one who resides permanently in non-Muslim lands. the limits set by god are protective ones which must always be observed, and Islam stands firm to uphold this right for mankind.

Isn't Islam intolerant of other religions? How are Muslims supposed to treat people of other Faiths?

Tolerance is the attitude that should govern the dealings of all people with one another. religious tolerance is an essential principle of Islam, and Muslims are ordered to have good relations with people of all religions and be kind and courteous lo everyone. Muslims are ordered by the Qur'an to uphold their promises and agreements with non-Muslims and not betray or transgress against them. the lives, families, properties and honor of non-Muslims must be protected under any government that claims to apply Islamic law. non-Muslims are also guaranteed the right and freedom to practice their own religions in an Islamic state.

Islam is a religion of mercy and justice. it teaches its adherents to interact with all people and to cooperate with them for the betterment of mankind. more than ever today, Muslims need to work together with other groups that oppose oppression, bloodshed, corruption, promiscuity and perversion. they should also cooperate with non-Muslims in upholding truth and combating falsehood, in supporting the oppressed, and eliminating such dangers as pollution and disease.

Only enemies who harbor hatred and contempt against Islam are addressed by those Qur'anic verses that warn Muslims against taking them as intimates and allies. Muslims are ordered to deal with all other human beings with justice and compassion as members of the human brotherhood. they are always to behave kindly toward any non-Muslims who are not hostile, whether by offering financial help, feeding the hungry, giving loans when needed, or interceding in connection with permissible matters, even if only by speaking kindly and advising them. the Qur'an addresses believers, saying:

"Allaah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. indeed, Allaah loves those who are just." [1]

Thus, it is not permissible under any circumstance for Muslims to mistreat a non-Muslim who has not committed any aggression against them; they are not allowed to harm, threaten or terrorize him, steal his wealth, cheat him or deprive him of his rights. it is obligatory upon Muslims as well to honor whatever lawful treaties and agreements are made with non-Muslim parties.

Coexistence does not mean that we cease to promote our positive values. as an aspect of their kindness and concern for humanity, Muslims are expected to invite non-Muslims to the truth of Islam with words of wisdom, sound arguments and a pleasant manner. this is a debt owed by Muslims to the peoples of the world in gratitude to god for his guidance and countless blessings.

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1

60:8.

Why is the testimony of two women required in place of one man?

What is meant by testimony is: giving information by which something is known to be true and correct. with regard to the witness of two women being equal to the testimony of one man, it is not always the case; and the qur'anic verse that specifies this is related only to financial dealings, where two men are preferred and the alternative is one man and two women. financial transactions constitute the sole case in which two female witnesses are required in place of one male witness. it is in view of the fact that financial responsibility is usually shouldered by men so they are expected to be better versed in financial transactions than women. it also takes into account the generally more emotional nature of women, as well as the roles of men and women in society as envisaged by Islam.

This does not reflect inferiority on the woman's part. some women surpass many men in various aspects, including religious commitment, reasoning and memory. they may be able to give proper testimony better than that of a man regarding the issues about which they have knowledge and insight. they can even become references regarding those matters, as did some women at the time of the prophet. a judge may accept the testimony of any person of exceptional qualifications.

Two female witnesses are not always considered equal to one male witness. there are other verses in the qur'an which speak about witnesses without specifying male or female. in those cases, a female witness is equivalent to a male witness. it is well known that Aishah, the prophet's wife, related no less than 2,220 narrations which are considered authentic only on her solitary evidence. other women have also been recognized as reliable narrators of prophetic traditions. this is sufficient proof that the witness of one women can be accepted.

In fact, female witnesses are preferred in certain cases. there are incidents which require only female witnesses and the testimony of a male is not accepted. issues pertaining to women alone, such as childbirth or menstruation as related to divorce disputes and private matters where no men were present, obviously necessitate the witness of a woman.

Why is a woman's share of inheritance half that of a man's?

The Islamic system of property distribution after death is based on rulings ordained by god in the Qur'an. it abolished the former custom in which the entire estate was taken by the oldest male heir and established the right of children, parents and spouses to inherit a specific share without leaving the matter to human judgment and emotion. when Islam established inheritance for the woman, it was the first time in history that women were able to enjoy this right. the Qur'an stipulates that a woman automatically inherits from her father, husband, son and her childless brother.

This system of inheritance is perfectly balanced and is based on the closeness of relationship, also taking into account the responsibilities imposed upon various members of a family in different situations. in the absence of close relatives a share is apportioned to more distant ones.

When the male is given a larger share, there is a logical reason behind it, which is that in islam economic responsibility is always upon the man while the woman has no financial obligations, even if she should be wealthy or have her own income. generally, the woman is in charge of running the household and taking care of those within it, so she is justly freed from financial responsibilities. when unmarried, it is the legal obligation of her father, brother or guardian to provide her food, clothing, medication, housing and other needs. after marriage it becomes the duty of her husband or adult son. Islam holds men responsible by law for fulfilling all the needs of their families. so the difference in shares does not in any way mean that one sex is preferred over the other. rather, it represents a just balance consistent with the needs and responsibilities of family members.

When a son and a daughter inherit from either of their parents, the son's share will be depleted by giving an obligatory dowry to his wife upon marriage and maintaining his family, including his sister until she marries. while the daughter has no required expenses, she still receives a share of the inheritance which is her own property to save, invest or use as she pleases. when she marries, she will also receive a dowry from her husband and be maintained by him, having no financial responsibilities whatsoever. thus, one might conclude that Islam has favored women over men!

Although, in most cases the male inherits a share that is twice that of a female, it is not always so. there are certain circumstances when they inherit equal shares, and in a few instances a female can inherit a larger share than that of the male.

In addition, a Muslim can will up to one third of his property by bequest to anyone who would not inherit from him by law. the bequest may be a means of assistance to other relatives and people who are in need, whether men or women. one may also allocate this portion or part of it to charities and good works of his choice.

Why does Islam Demand Harsh Punishments for Sex outside of Marriage?

As mentioned previously, punishment in islam has a social purpose, which is to dissuade others from committing the same crime. people nowadays, especially westerners, are opposed to the islamic punishment for fornication and adultery because they see it as too harsh or disproportionate to the offense. a basic problem is the difference in standards by which the severity of a crime is measured.

The western view of man-woman relationships is usually that of permissiveness, one that accepts extramarital and illicit relationships as normal. there is an increasingly driving passion for more money, more comforts and more pleasure, particularly physical pleasure. the greatest casualty of irresponsible sexual behavior has been the family, in particular, children.

Islam views sexual relationships outside of marriage as a very serious matter because they destabilize the family and thus contribute to the breakdown of the entire social system. Islam emphasizes protection of the family by imposing severe punishments for activities that threaten the family foundation. these punishments are the same for men and women, and only a legitimate Islamic government has the right to implement them.

Moreover, the prescribed punishments are only one aspect of a complete system which, in addition to providing prohibitive obstacles in the path of unlawful relationships, strongly encourages and facilitates lawful marriage. in cases of confirmed incompatibility or dissatisfaction, a wife as well as a husband may request separation, enabling each to seek a more harmonious union. in addition, muslims, whether married or unmarried, are instructed as to proper dress and behavior at all times. privacy is to be respected and compromising situations strictly avoided as a matter of obedience to god. and finally, the punishment prescribed is severe enough to deter any who might still consider it.

Any case that comes before the court for judgment must be investigated thoroughly and proper evidence brought in order to satisfy all the requirements of islamic law. conviction is subject to strict conditions which are most difficult to fulfill and is contingent on one of two requirements:

            • a repeated and persistent confession by the offender, who must also be proved to be of age, mentally sound, aware of the divine prohibition, and must have committed the act knowingly of his own free will. the slightest doubt about any of these matters will prevent acceptance of the confession. in addition, a married adulterer must be legally bound in a consummated marriage, and there must be no physical defect in the spouse preventing a normal relationship. furthermore, people are not encouraged to confess their sins; rather, they should repent to god privately.

               • in the absence of confession there can be no conviction unless four reliable male muslim witnesses known for honesty and righteous conduct testify that they actually saw the act taking place. it is insufficient that the couple was seen together, even if undressed and in an embrace. witnesses must be unanimous about the time, place and other details; otherwise, the case will be rejected. this means that in reality the punishment is seldom carried out and serves primarily as a deterrent. as an additional precaution, anyone who makes such an accusation outside the framework of these conditions is himself subject to a severe punishment.

Any government under which Shari'ah legislation is applied must establish justice as its core value in all affairs so that the social and cultural environment is suitable for all its people to live an upright and moral life. it is only after these conditions have been fulfilled that a government is entitled to implement penalties on its land.

Doesn't Islamic Law Encourage Vengeance?

Islam is often accused of having legislation that encourages retaliation rather than forgiveness. But the Qur'an itself refutes this, saying:

"but whoever overlooks from his brother [i.e., a killer] anything, then there should be a suitable follow-up and compensation to [the victim's heir] with good conduct. this is an alleviation from your lord and a mercy." [1]

"and the retribution for an injury is one like it, but whoever pardons and makes reconciliation - his reward is [due] from Allaah. indeed, he does not like the unjust."  [2]

Justice is the ruling spirit of islamic law. however, the changing definition of terms such as "civilized", "freedom" and "equality" have resulted in criticism of islamic laws and the argument that in view of the changing world, the shari'ah is outdated. to a believing muslim this amounts to denial of the wisdom of god who put us on this earth with a purpose in life and a responsible role to fulfill.

Punishment has always been an integral part in the concept of justice. islam considers crime an act of injustice towards society as well as a sin. punishment is not atonement for sin because a sin can only be forgiven through sincere repentance. a crime, however, is the infliction of harm upon others which cannot be forgiven by repentance alone.

The object of all penal systems is to punish the offender and protect society from reoccurrence of the crime. however, if societies were to rely only upon punishment, they would fail miserably. an environment of healthy morality and faith must be the norm, where right conduct is encouraged by all and wrongdoing is opposed and made as difficult as possible.

In Islam, penalties are only part of a larger integrated whole. they cannot be properly understood nor justifiably implemented in isolation. god has ordained a body of mutual rights and obligations. he has also set certain bounds and limits in be observed by everyone for the maintenance of justice. if men and nations want to have peace and safety on the highways of life, they must remain within the "traffic lanes" marked out for them and observe the "signposts" erected along their routes. otherwise, they endanger themselves and others and thus subject themselves to penalties - not out of reprisal but in order in regulate and preserve orderly interactions among all people in society.

In many non-Muslim societies today, there are ongoing debates about the death penalty. in Islam the matter has been decided by the creator, who said:

"and there is for you in legal retribution [saving of] life, О you [people] of understanding, that you may avoid [sin]." [3]

The verse alludes to the fact that such punishments serve as a strong deterrent to crime. they are of a functional nature, to regulate and prevent reoccurrence.

There are basically three categories of punishment in Islamic Shari'ah: first is had, fixed punishments for a few specific crimes that were divinely ordained. second is Qisas, for homicide and assault, in which the victim or family of the deceased has the right to legal retribution or else to accept monetary remuneration or even to pardon the offender, both of which serve to avert capital punishment. the Qur'an highly recommends forgiveness. an injured party may take particular circumstances into account or overlook the offense with the expectation of being compensated by god in the next life. and third is Ta'zeer, which is a discretionary penalty decided by the court. there are stringent conditions which must be met for any of these to be applicable, and strict procedures must be followed before any person can be convicted and punished.

Another important function of these penalties is educational. they are intended to instill in society a deep feeling of abhorrence for transgression against fellow human beings and against god. once one understands the basic concepts, objectives and framework of islamic shari'ah, he cannot but conclude that it is capable of creating the most humane and just society. difficulties arise only when critics try to measure the ocean of divine knowledge, wisdom and justice with their own imperfect criteria and understanding.

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Footnotes:

1- 2:178

2- 42:40.

3 -2:179

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.

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[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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.