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Islamic Faith

Nurul Zulaiha Abdul Rahim
In Islamic Faith

What does the Quran say about Islam and other religions?

Islam and other religions

Islam is a monotheistic religion, believing in One God, and is grouped as part of the Abrahamic religions. The Abrahamic religions are Judaism, Christianity and Islam, stemming from the descendants of Prophet Ibrahim (AS). Prophet Ibrahim is considered the father of the Arabs, with Judaism and Christianity from lineage of Prophet Isaac (AS), and Islam from lineage of Prophet Ismail (AS), both sons of Prophet Ibrahim (AS). These monotheistic religions believe that divine revelations were indeed sent down from God, to guide mankind. The Torah came down to the people of Israel, through Prophet Musa (AS). The Bible came to Prophet Isa (AS), as guidance for his people. 

These Holy Books had also foretold about the coming of a ‘final prophet’. The Quran and Islam came, as a continuation to the divine revelations, and to complete it.

“˹They are the ones who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whose description they find in their Torah (Deut, xviii, 15) and the Injeel (Gospel) (John xiv, 16). He commands them to do good and forbids them from evil, permits for them what is lawful and forbids them what is impure, and relieves them from their burdens and the shackles that bound them. Only those who believe in him, honour and support him, and follow the light sent down to him will be successful.” – (Quran 7:157)

 

The Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the month of Ramadan, around 609 CE in the Cave of Hira’. The revelations went on for 23 years, revealing stories about the past prophets, the proper guidance for mankind to conduct themselves and about the Hereafter. 

Islam – The Final Chapter

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was the last prophet, not just sent to Muslims, but to the whole of mankind. Acknowledging the past prophets, from Prophet Adam (AS) all the way to Prophet Isa (AS) means that Islam acknowledges that these prophets were sent by the same God, Allah, to guide mankind. 

“Ramaḍan is the month in which the Quran was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the standard to distinguish between right and wrong.” – (Quran 2:186)

Islam is a continuation of the teaching and preaching by the previous prophets, with the common message that there is only One God, and that man are to worship Him alone. Islam came to correct the belief of people of Makkah, who has gone astray. The messages also include rules and regulations, methods and prohibitions on how to become the best servants to Allah. 

No compulsion

Islam believes that all man are created as a pure canvas, and that nature and the nurturing process of that person decides whether he or she will become a Muslim or will embrace other religions. However, there is no compulsion to force a person to embrace Islam, if they were brought up as a non-Muslim. This is highlighted in the Quran: 

“Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error” (Quran 2:256) and (Quran 18:29) 

Muslims are encouraged to spread the word of Allah, the truth, peace and wisdom of Islam. However, the one who controls the heart is Allah, and He chooses whom He pleases.

“Indeed, [O Muhammad], you do not guide whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills. And He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided.” (Quran 28:56)

 

Thus, we can only help to spread the divine message of Islam to others, but we cannot force them to embrace Islam upon our will, as Allah knows best what is in their hearts and their intentions.

Relationships with non-Muslim religions

There are many misrepresentations of Islam, whether in the media or outside them. The true teachings of Islam call for respect and tolerance between Muslims and non-Muslims in order, to create a cohesive society.

For this purpose the Quran teaches Muslims on how to interact with non-Muslims:

“O humanity! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may get to know one another. Surely the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you. Allah is truly All-Knowing, All-Aware.” (Quran 49:13). 

This verse talks about the different tribes and cultures Allah has created on earth, each with its  own unique specialties. Thus, Islam encourages Muslims to interact with other members of the society and learning from them, as long as it does not go against the Islamic aqidah ( creed). This includes interacting with people from other religious backgrounds.

Spreading the words of Allah and inviting people to Islam is highly encouraged. However, there are manners which a Muslim must observe so as  not to insult or invoke anger:

“Invite all to the Way of your Lord with wisdom and kind advice, and only debate with them in the best manner. Surely your Lord alone knows best who has strayed from His Way and who is rightly guided.” (Quran 16:125)

Islam clearly  teaches the Muslims  not to insult other religions:

“O believers! Do not insult what they invoke besides Allah or they will insult Allah spitefully out of ignorance. This is how We have made each people’s deeds appealing to them. Then to their Lord is their return, and He will inform them of what they used to do.” – (Quran 6:108)

 

To you is your God, and to mine is my God

Overall, Islam encourages Muslims to interact and cooperate with those of different beliefs. Allah created us, Muslims and non-Muslims alike. We all are the servants of Allah, whether we submit and worship Him, or are still finding our way back to Him. Muslims should not invoke hatred and anger of the non-Muslims, but rather to work together and bring out the best teachings of Islam through exemplary manners. 

Even when facing those who refuse to believe in Allah, after all the information and proofs have  been laid out to them, Islam still does not teach hatred. As Allah summed it up:

“Say, “O disbelievers, I do not worship what you worship. Nor are you worshippers of what I worship. Nor will I be a worshipper of what you worship. Nor will you be worshippers of what I worship. For you is your religion, and for me is my religion.”” (Quran 109:1-6)

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This article is written by Nurul Zulaiha Abdul Rahim, a graduate from  International Islamic University Malaysia,  in Bach of Human Science (Comm).

Farwina Faroque
In Islamic Faith

3 women characters inspired by Surah An-Nur

In the Quran there are a few surahs and several  verses on women.  Looking at the 24th surah in the Quran, Surah an-Nur, we can learn 3 characteristics of women inspired by this surah:

  1. Muhsanat (محصنات) the fortified

This category of women is fortified and protected from committing big sins.  She is loving not just to her children and spouse but also managing to keep a healthy relationship with her neighbours.

Another character of this category of women is Qana’ah (القناعة), which means satisfaction.

2. Gafilat (غافلات) the unaware

How is it that being unaware is a good character?  According to Buya HAMKA, an Indonesian Islamic  scholar; this kind of lady would always be focusing on her affairs and business only.  She would never try to deviate from her original goal and always think good and positive about others.

Thus she is unaware of negative thoughts about others.

3. Mū’mina (مؤمنات) believer

The character of this type of  believing women is that they are totally obedient to Allah and Ar-Rasul only.  Living in this modern era doesn’t break their will to protect themselves from the fitnah or tests and tribulations by potential predators around them.  Their mind grows with only positivity.

May we benefit from  learning about  these characters. 

This article was originally written  in Bahasa Malaysia by Zirwatul Amal Idrus, and published by the  DreamTeam Tadabbur Centre on 28 September 2020.  This article is republished here with the Tadabbur Centre’s  written permission.
Farwina Faroque
In Islamic Faith

Purifying The Context Of ‘if You Are Grateful, I Will Surely Increase You [In Favor];’

‎وَإِذۡ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمۡ لَىِٕن شَكَرۡتُمۡ لَأَزِیدَنَّكُمۡۖ وَلَىِٕن كَفَرۡتُمۡ إِنَّ عَذَابِی لَشَدِیدࣱ

And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favour]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.’ 

(Surah Ibrahim, verse 7)
  1. This  verse has often been used in seminars about the desirability of becoming millionaires.  The idea of referring to this verse is that it teaches  us that we can be millionaires if  we are thankful to Allah because if we are  Allah will increase it even more.  
  2. Two important terms that we must understand from this verse are  ‘being thankful’ and ‘increase in favour’ .  The former is clearly mentioned in the Quran, thus it should be easier to understand.
  3. What does ‘shukr’ or being thankful in this verse refer to?  It simply means to run our duty as a Muslim and to completely abandon what Allah forbids us from doing (Tafseer al-Tabari). 
  4. Being thankful doesn’t just stop at pronouncing the word ‘alhamdulillah’, but  also means to perform our responsibility in ibadah such as the 5 times a day prayers and zakah.  Being a wealthy person means nothing if we fail to pray to Allah. Having all the money in the world would be meaningless if we never pay zakah, and perform infaq and waqaf.
  5. Now what does ‘increase in favour’ refer to?  Ibn Abbas translated the ‘nikmah’ or favour as referring to rewards or Thawāb (Arabic: ثواب‎).  Al-Hasan al-Bashri and Sufyan al-Thauri translated this as obedient towards Allah. (Tafseer al-Alusi)
  6. With this, the more a person is thankful in its full context, Allah will increase his or  her rewards or Thawāb and also his or her  desire to obey Allah’s wills.
  7. This nikmah or favour can also be translated as spiritual nikmah (faith) and physical nikmah (strength).  Spiritual nikmah happens when a person appreciates and exalts  The One Who Gives The Nikmah more than the nikmah itself  (Tafseer al-Razi). This means that the more one is thankful for the favour or nikmah, the more Allah will increase the appreciation of Allah in oneself.
  8. The increase of nikmah or favour may also be in other forms of benefits from Allah whether in this world or in the hereafter, where the rewards or Sawāb/Thawāb will be doubled. (Tafseer Ibn Juzayy). 
  9. In conclusion, tafseer scholars didn’t limit the meaning of increase in favour to just material belongings.
  10. The nikmah or favours in this verse are not  limited to just material possessions.  So shouldn’t we accordingly.
  11. Looking at the previous verse (verse 6), we will be able to understand better the meaning of ‘shukr’ or thankfulness.  Prophet Musa reminded Bani Israel to be thankful of the nikmah of victory  against the Pharaoh’s subjugation.
  12. This victory didn’t only free the sons of Israel but also strengthened their fragile faith before Prophet Musa subsequently came to save them.  Many miracles happened in front of their eyes. The red sea miracles were supposed to boost their faith to believe in one God, that is Allah.  It should also lead them to the increase  of their thabat (steadfastness), Ikhlas (sincerity) and piety (Tafseer al Alusi).
  13. This shows that being thankful for the favour of having the victory will make Allah increase their faith and ibadah.
  14. Prophet Musa didn’t ask the sons of Israel to be thankful for the nikmah of material belongings, as there were  no treasures such as gold and gems being sent down to them  from above.  Prophet Musa reminded them to express their thankfulness by fully obeying  what Allah had asked them to do and avoiding what Allah had forbidden them from. 
  15. Looking at the next verse (verse 9), let’s take time to think as to  why Prophet Musa asked the sons of Israel to reflect what had happened to the people of Prophet Noah, and the people of Aad and Thamud?  Weren’t they among those who were given the nikmah of wealth and high positions in society?  There’s nothing wrong with being rich and wealthy, but we should always learn from the previous people who had failed themselves in the test of wealth. 
  16. To conclude, we must be able to understand that the meaning of being thankful is not  limited to just  pronouncing it with our tongue without looking deeply into its full context ,and that  it must also be translated into obedience of Allah.  Similarly, the nikmah or favour that is to be increased is not limited to just  money, property and material belongings but  also covers faith, happiness, obedience, ibadah and all forms of good deeds that mankind needs.
  17. Remember, being a wealthy Muslim is viewed favourably in Islam.  But the acquisition of wealth must be based on thankfulness and awareness that it’s a heavy spiritual  test upon us.  With righteous thankfulness and awareness we shall   free ourselves from being another Qarun without realising it.

. قَالَ إِنَّمَا أُوتِيتُهُ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍ عِندِي ۚ أَوَلَمْ يَعْلَمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ أَهْلَكَ مِن قَبْلِهِ مِنَ الْقُرُونِ مَنْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُ قُوَّةً وَأَكْثَرُ جَمْعًا !

 Wallahu a’lam.

NOTE: This article was originally written in Bahasa Malaysia by Ustadh Syaari Ab Rahman (via his personal Facebook on 7 Sep 2020).  This article has been republished with the permission of the author.

Farwina Faroque
In Islamic Faith

What does the Quran say about sustenance?

In Islam, we believe that all sustenance (rizq) belongs with Allah.  Allah is the One who determines our rizq or sustenance. And indeed, one of the names of Allah is ‘Ar-Razzaq’ or ‘The Provider’. This is why Muslims work hard to find a place they can call home,and food to bring to the table, without really worrying about how much they  are really making while also trying to allocate some of their income and wealth to  those in need.

In Surah Adh-Dhariyat verse 22, Allah says:

“And in heaven is your provision and whatever you are promised.”  

This does not  mean that we get to just sit back and relax and not do anything to make a living. We earn what Allah promised us to and that is sufficient and the best for us.  In Surah Taha verse 15, Allah says:

“… so that every soul may be recompensed according to that for which it strives”

Believing that what we have is enough makes our life less stressful and we get to focus on our ibadah, as well as doing good to others.  Allah didn’t just provide sufficient rizq or sustenance for mankind, but also for plants and animals.  In the Quran, there are a few places that Allah talks about rizq or sustenance.

Rizq for giving  to others 

مَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يُقْرِضُ اللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا فَيُضَاعِفَهُ لَهُ أَضْعَافًا كَثِيرَةً ۚ وَاللَّهُ يَقْبِضُ وَيَبْسُطُ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ

Who is he who will offer God a generous loan, so He will multiply it for him manifold? God receives and amplifies, and to Him you will be returned (Surah Al-Baqarah verse 245)

Rizq for every creature on earth, including animals and plants. 

وَمَا مِنْ دَابَّةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ إِلَّا عَلَى اللَّهِ رِزْقُهَا وَيَعْلَمُ مُسْتَقَرَّهَا وَمُسْتَوْدَعَهَا ۚ كُلٌّ فِي كِتَابٍ مُبِينٍ

There is no moving creature on earth but its sustenance depends on God. And He knows where it lives and where it rests. Everything is in a Clear Book. (Surah Hud verse 6)

Rizq for being grateful 

وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ وَلَئِن كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِي لَشَدِيد

And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.’ (Surah Ibrahim verse 7)

Rizq for offsprings 

وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا أَوْلَادَكُمْ خَشْيَةَ إِمْلَاقٍ ۖ نَحْنُ نَرْزُقُهُمْ وَإِيَّاكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ قَتْلَهُمْ كَانَ خِطْئًا كَبِيرًا

And do not kill your children for fear of poverty. We provide for them, and for you. Killing them is a grave sin. (Surah Al-Isra’ verse 31)

Rizq for marriage 

وَأَنْكِحُوا الْأَيَامَىٰ مِنْكُمْ وَالصَّالِحِينَ مِنْ عِبَادِكُمْ وَإِمَائِكُمْ ۚ إِنْ يَكُونُوا فُقَرَاءَ يُغْنِهِمُ اللَّهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ

And wed the singles among you, and those who are fit among your servants and maids. If they are poor, God will enrich them from His bounty. God is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing. (Surah An-Nur verse 32)

Rizq that is promised 

وَفِي السَّمَاءِ رِزْقُكُمْ وَمَا تُوعَدُونَ

And in the heaven is your livelihood, and what you are promised. (Surah Adh-Dhariyat verse 22)

Rizq for making effort 

وَأَنْ لَيْسَ لِلْإِنْسَانِ إِلَّا مَا سَعَىٰ

And that the human being attains only what he strives for. (Surah An-Najm verse 39)

Rizq for women who were divorced, and  for those who abide by his or her fate with taqwa 

وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ ۚ وَمَنْ يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَالِغُ أَمْرِهِ ۚ قَدْ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدْرًا 

And will provide for him from where he never expected. Whoever relies on God—He will suffice him. God will accomplish His purpose. God has set a measure to all things. (Surah At-Talaq verse 3)

Rizq upon istigfar 

١٠  فَقُلْتُ اسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ إِنَّهُ كَانَ غَفَّارًا  

١١  يُرْسِلِ السَّمَاءَ عَلَيْكُمْ مِدْرَارًا

I said, ‘Ask your Lord for forgiveness; He is Forgiving. He will let loose the sky upon you in torrents. (Surah Nuh verse 10-11)

Farwina Faroque
In Islamic Faith

Hadith on steadfastness.

إِنِّي أَنَا الرَّزَّاقُ ذُو الْقُوَّةِ الْمَتِينُ

Narrated Abdullah ibn Mas’ud:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) made me read the verse “Indeed, it is Allah who is the [continual] Provider, the firm possessor of strength.”  Sahih (Al-Albani)