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WHAT IS ISLAM?
Literally means: submission
In Islamic shariah, it refers to the complete submission & devotion
to the commandments of Allah.
WHY ISLAM?
Islam is the
)إِنَّ الدِّينَ عِندَ هَّللا ِ اإلِ ْسالَ ُم (آل عمرآن
Fundamentals of Islam
1: Islam, a complete code of life
2: Deals with all spheres of life
3: Beliefs
4: Worships
5: Economy & Dealings
6: Social life
7: Ethics
Sources of Islamic Law
Basic and primary sources of Islamic law
1. Quran 2.Hadith
Secondary sources of Islamic law
1. Ijma (Consensus of Scholarly Opinion) 2.Qiyas (Analogical Deduction)
Methods of Revelation
The revelation would reach the Holy Prophet in different ways on different
occasions .These ways are as follows.
1. Jibreel
2. Dreams
3. Divine Sounds
4. Direct conversation with Allah
Quranic terminologies
1. Quranic commandments are called (Awamir)
2. Things that the Quran forbids are called Nawahi
4. Absolute and categorical decree of the Quran is Known as Quranic ‘’nass’’
Pillars of Islam
The Holy prophet declared the following to be the five pillars of Islam
1: The Shahada: to declare that there is no God but Allah &
Muhammad is His Messenger
2: To offer the Salah
3: To fast in Ramadan
4: To pay the Zakat, if applicable
5: To perform the Hajj, if one can afford it
Tawheed
1st pillar of Islam
Main difference between believer and kafir
Effects of Tawheed on person’s life:
1: Open-mindedness
2: Self-esteem
3: Modesty & humbleness
4: Virtuous & upright
5: Optimistic
6: Bravery
Components of Tawheed
Shahada consists of two components
1: Expression of Tawheed or absolute oneness & uniqueness of
Allah
2: Declaration about the messenger hood of the prophet (PBUH)
Surah Ikhlas best summarizes the dimensions of Tawheed
‘Say, He is Allah: the one and only. Allah, the Eternal Absolute. He
does not beget, nor is He begotten. And there is none like Him’
Salah (prayer)
2nd pillar of Islam
Most important mode of worship
The Holy Quran enjoins this upon each grown Muslim
‘This is the book there is no doubt about it: in it is Guidance for
those who fear Allah who believe in the unseen, and establish
prayer. .’(Al- Baqara)
The Holy prophet declared
‘Salah differentiates between belief & disbelief’
Sawm (Fasting)
3rd pillar of Islam
Literally means: to abstain or practice self-restraint
In Islamic terminology: it means to spend the day without food,
drink and sexual relation.
It was made obligatory in the 2nd year of Hijrah by the Quranic
injunction
ين ِمن َقْبلِ ُك ْم لَ َعلَّ ُك ْم َتَّت ُقو َن ِ َّ
َ ب َعلَى الذ
ِ
َ الصيَ ُام َك َما ُكت
ِّ ب َعلَْي ُك ُم ِ ِ َّ
َ يَا أَيُّ َها الذ
َ ين َآمنُواْ ُكت
‘o you who believe ,Fasting is prescribed to you as it was
prescribed to those before you , so that you may learn self-
restraint’(Al-baqara:183)
Abu Umamah a companion reported:
‘I came to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and said: order me to do a
deed that will allow me to enter paradise he said: stick to fasting,
as there is no equivalent to it’
LAILATUL-QADAR (NIGHT OF POWER)
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) began to receive the revelation of the Holy
Quran in Ramadan on lailatul-Qadar (night of power). An entire surah
(chapter) is dedicated to the importance of this night, surah al-Qadar.
ُ َتَنَّز ُل الْ َمالئِ َكة. ف َش ْه ٍر ِ ْ لَْيلَةُ الْ َق ْد ِر َخْير ِّمن أَل. وما أ َْدر َاك ما لَْيلَةُ الْ َق ْد ِر. انَّا أَنزلْنَاه يِف لَْيلَ ِة الْ َق ْد ِر
ْ ٌ َ َ ََ ُ َ
الم ِه َي َحىَّت َمطْلَ ِع الْ َف ْج ِر ِ ِ
ٌ َس. وح ف َيها بِِإ ْذن َرهِّب م ِّمن ُك ِّل أ َْم ٍر
ِ الر
ُ ُّ َو.
ARTICLES OF FAITH
Belief in the oneness of Allah/ Tawheed
Belief in Prophets
Belief in Angels
Belief in Revealed Books
Belief in Divine Decree
Belief in the Hereafter
Iman-e-mufassal states:
‘I believe in Allah, in His angels, in His books, in His prophets, in the last
Day and in the fact that everything, good or bad, is decided by Allah
Almighty and in the life after death’
BELIEF IN THE ONENESS OF ALLAH/ TAWHEED
It is the most important article of faith & foundation of Islam. The belief
in absolute oneness of Allah is Tawheed.
Tawheed means that Allah alone is one supreme God in entity as well
as in attributes.
The words Allah, Ilah and Ahad are exclusively reserved for Allah.
Surah Ikhlas is best example of Tawheed
ِ
َ َولَ ْم يَ ُكن لَّهُ ُك ُف ًوا أ. لَ ْم يَل ْد َولَ ْم يُولَ ْد. الص َم ُد
. َح ٌد َّ ُ اللَّه.َح ٌد
َ قُ ْل ُه َو اللَّهُ أ
His being supreme and above the grip of time & space is beautifully
mentioned in the Quran as:
ِاطن وهو بِ ُك ِّل َشي ٍء َعلِ ِ ِ
يم
ٌ ْ َ ُ َ ُ َُه َو األَ َّو ُل َواآلخ ُر َوالظَّاه ُر َوالْب
‘He is the First and the Last, the evident and the Hidden’ (57:3)
Tawheed states that Allah is entirely immune to all forms of human
weaknesses and needs
His knowledge is unlimited and infinite.
BELIEF IN THE REVEALED BOOKS
The Quran declares this belief as an act of righteousness by saying:
ين ي
ِّ ِاب والنَّب
ِ تْك ِ ولَ ِك َّن الْبِ َّر من آمن بِاللَّ ِه والْيوِم
ِ اآلخ ِر والْمآلئِ َك ِة وال
َ َ َ َ َ َ َْ َ ََ َْ َ
‘it is righteousness to believe in Allah and the Last Day and the angels
and the books and the messengers’ (2:177)
It means that a Muslim cannot be righteous and true believer without
having true faith not only in the Quran but also in all other scriptures
revealed before. The Quran itself endorses this when it states:
يل ِ ْكتَاب بِالْح ِّق مصدِّقاً لِّما ب ْين ي َديْ ِه وأَنز َل التَّوراةَ وا ِإل
نج ِ ك ال
َ َن َّز َل َعلَْي
َ َ َ ْ َ َ َ َ َ َ َ ُ َ َ
‘it is He who sent down to you (step by step) in truth, the book,
confirming what went before it: and He sent down the Torah of Moses
and the Gospel (Injeel) of Jesus
BELIEF IN ANGELS
Quran describes this belief as an act of righteousness
ين ي
ِّ ِاب والنَّب
ِ تْك ِ ولَ ِك َّن الْبِ َّر من آمن بِاللَّ ِه والْيوِم
َِ اآلخ ِر والْمآلئِ َك ِة وال
َ َ َ َ َ َْ َ ََ َْ َ
‘it is righteousness to believe in Allah and the Last Day and the angels
and the books and the messengers’ (2:177)
Angels are special creatures of Allah to whom is entrusted the noblest
rask of communicating between Allah and His prophets. The Quran
says:
ِ ِعب
‘اد ِه شاء ِم ْن
َ َوح ِم ْن أ َْم ِر ِه َعلَى َمن ي
ِ ُيَن ِّز ُل ال َْمآلئِ َكةَ بِال ُّْر
َ
‘He sends down His angels with inspiration of His commands to such of
His servants as He pleases’ (16:2)
Angels are made of light and are not visible to ordinary people. All the
angels are the most obedient servants of Allah who always obey His
command as is clear from this verse:
Belief in all Prophets from Adam to the Holy prophet (PBUH) is 4th
article of faith. According to Islamic faith all the prophets were humans
created and sent by Allah: led a normal life and were mortal. They were
distinct from the ordinary humans because they were chosen by Allah,
had a specially ordained divine mission and enjoyed special protection
from Him.
ً ِضالَالً بَع ِ ِ ِِ ِ ِِ ِ ِ
يدا َ َو َمن يَ ْك ُف ْر بِاللَّه َو َمالَئ َكته َو ُكتُبِه َو ُر ُسله َوالَْي ْوم اآلخ ِر َف َق ْد
َ ض َّل
‘Anyone who denies Allah, His angels, His books, His messenger and the
Day of judgement has gone far, far astray’ (4:136)
This belief is able to shape a Muslim’s life according to the wishes of
Allah and His prescribed path. For this reason the Quran frequently
mentions Tawheed with the Hereafter.
Quran challenges those who deny the Hereafter by saying:
َحيَا ُك ْم مُثَّ مُيِيتُ ُك ْم مُثَّ حُيْيِي ُك ْم مُثَّ إِلَْي ِه ُتْر َجعُو َن ِ
ْ ف تَ ْك ُفُرو َن بِاللَّه َو ُكنتُ ْم أ َْم َواتاً فَأ
َ َكْي
‘How can you reject the faith in Allah…….seeing that you were without
life and He gave you life: then He will cause you to die, and will again
bring you to life: and again to Him will you return’ (2:28)
On the day of judgement, the entire universe with all forms of life will
be brought to its end by the creator. Day of judgement will start by the
first blow of Trumpet by the angel Israfeel. The Quran says
اضيَ ٍة
ِ يش ٍة َّر
َ ت َم َوا ِزينُهُ َف ُه َو يِف ِع
ْ َفَأ ََّما َمن َث ُقل
‘Then he whose balance of good deeds will be heavy, will be in a life of
good pleasure and satisfaction’ (101:6-7)
The evildoers and the sinners, on the other hand will be given horrible
punishment
ٌ نَ ٌار َح ِاميَة. َو َما أ َْد َر َاك َما ِهيَ ْه.ٌ فَأ ُُّمهُ َها ِويَة.ُت َم َوا ِزينُه
ْ َوأ ََّما َم ْن َخ َّف
‘But he whose balance of good deeds will be light, will live in a bottom
less pit….it is a fire blowing fiercely’ (101:8-11)
These Quranic descriptions are aimed at implanting a true fear of Allah
(in the hearts of the Muslims) who is not only ‘Most Merciful’ but also is
the ‘Master of the Day of judgement’, if we have developed such faith
then we will try to be pious, disciplined caring and compassionate with
a strong belief that Allah will give us reward of even the smallest deed.
An unshaken faith in the hereafter enables a believer to bear hardships
in this world and to remain steadfast.
ISLAMIC SYSTEM OF WORSHIP (IBADAAT)
SALAH (PRAYER)
It is 2nd pillar of Islam and most important mode of worship
The Holy Quran enjoins this upon each grown Muslim
ب وي ِقيمو َن َّ مِم
ِ ِ ِ الَّ ِذ. ني ِ ِ ِ ك الْ ِكتَاب الَ ري ِ
اه ْم
ُ َالصال َة َو َّا َر َز ْقن ُ ُ َ ين يُ ْؤمنُو َن بالْغَْي
َ َ ب فيه ُه ًدى لِّْل ُمتَّق
َ َْ ُ َ َذل
يُ ِنف ُقو َن
‘This is the book there is no doubt about it: in it is Guidance for
those who fear Allah who believe in the unseen, and establish
prayer.)2:2, 3)
The Holy prophet declared
‘Salah differentiates between belief & disbelief’
Salah is offered for the remembrance of Allah, combined with physical
devotion, it keeps one away from immoral acts. The Quran says:
َّ إِ َّن
الصال َة َتْن َهى َع ِن الْ َف ْح َشاء َوالْ ُمن َك ِر
‘Verily, Salah guards against indecency and evil acts’ (Ankaboot: 45)
The Holy prophet declared
‘He whose Salah doesn’t stop him from committing indecencies, has no
prayer’
BENEFITS OF SALAH
This form of worship has countless benefits both for an
individual Muslim as well as the collective body of the Muslim
ummah.
1: rewards from Allah are immense
2: it is dividing line between belief and disbelief
3: it’s the conversation with Allah
4: renewal of the covenant between Him and His servant
5: it teaches discipline and punctuality
6: primary factor in binding the Muslim community together
7: Masjid provides a meeting point for the surrounding
community, friendship and fraternity flourish.
8: it cultivates the attitude of equality amongst the believers
9: it reminds spiritual and physical submission to Allah along
with the fact of accountability before Him
10: restrains believers from shameful deeds: guards their
modesty
The Holy prophet greatly emphasized on the offering of prayer
collectively. The reward from Allah is multiplied twenty-seven
times when offered in congregation.
PREPARING FOR SALAH
WUDU (ABLUTION)
Islam lays a great deal of stress on cleanliness both spiritual and
physical. Without purity and cleanliness, Salah cannot be
offered.
1: Faraiz of wadu
2: Sunnah method of performing wadu
TAYAMMUM (DRY ABLUTION)
In case ample or clean water is unavailable, or the person is
unable to use it due to illness, or one cannot perform it as
during combat, Tayammum is performed.
1: Faraiz of Tayammum
2: Sunnah method of performing Tayammum
ZAKAT (Alms Giving)
Zakat is 4th pillar of Islam
Literally means: to purify, to increase
In Islamic terminology: it refers to a tax that is basically levied on the
savings or surplus wealth.
Made compulsory in 2 A.H
Mentioned 32 times in Quran, mostly with Salah
اه ْم يُ ِنف ُقو َن ب وي ِقيمو َن َّ مِم
ِ ِ ِ الَّ ِذ
ُ َالصالةَ َو َّا َر َز ْقن ُ ُ َ ين يُ ْؤمنُو َن بالْغَْي
َ
Those who fear Allah who believe in the unseen, and establish
prayer.)2:2, 3)
WHO IS REQUIRED TO PAY ZAKAT
Muslim
Adult
Sahib-e-Nisaab, (those who own property to the extent of Nisaab that
has been in their ownership and possession for one year
uninterruptedly).
On every 7 ½ Tolas (87.3 gram) of Gold or (equivalent in cash) = 2 ½ %
On every 52 ½ Tolas (611.1 gram) of silver =2 ½ %
Articles that are stocked for sale =2 ½ %
Savings from Rental Income= 2 ½
WHO ARE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE ZAKAT
The Holy Quran clearly enlists eight categories of the ‘mustahaqeen’ or
those entitled to receive Zakat in sura Toba
TYPES OF HAJJ
There are three types of Hajj
Hajj-e-Tamattu (when Umra is performed and Ihram
is taken off, then a new Ihram is donned for the Hajj)
Hajj-e Qiran (when Umra is performed but Ihram is
not taken off, rather it continues for the Hajj and
finally taken off after the completion of Hajj.
Hajj-e Ifrad ( when simply Hajj is performed without
performing Umra. This is for the residents of Makkah,
or those pilgrims who arrive just in the time for Hajj,
hence don’t have enough time for Umra
JIHAD
Literally means to strive, struggle or work hard for some
Specific purpose
In Islamic terminology, it means to struggle in the way of Allah
that is good and abstaining from which is evil.
Jihad may be internal, i.e. the waging of war between the forces
of good and evil within oneself, or external, which may be the
efforts to do good and stop evil.
Jihad is a permanent part of a believer’s life, and he
continuously participates in it.
The Quran stipulates Jihad as one of the conditions of Eman
(Faith). It says:
اه ُدوا بِأ َْم َواهِلِ ْم َوأَن ُف ِس ِه ْم يِف َسبِ ِيل ِِ ِ ِ َّ ِ
َ ين َآمنُوا بِاللَّه َو َر ُسوله مُثَّ مَلْ َي ْرتَابُوا َو َج ِمَّن
َ إ َا الْ ُم ْؤمنُو َن الذ
الص ِادقُو َن
َّ ك ُه ُم َ ِاللَّ ِه أ ُْولَئ
‘believers are only those who believe in Allah and His Messenger,
without any doubts, and strive Hard in Allah’s way with their
possessions and their own selves it is they who are true (in their claim of
belief (49:15)
Many other Quranic verses stipulate the importance of striving in
Allah’s cause. The Holy Prophet himself is the best example for the
Muslims to follow. His entire life was spent in striving for the sake of
Allah in different ways under different circumstances.
It has three kinds
1: spiritual Jihad
2: Intellectual Jihad
3: physical Jihad
Spiritual Jihad:
It is also known as Tazkia-e-nafs.it is the name given to a believer’s
struggle against his own self in order to ward off any evil idea,
temptation or desire. The Holy Quran says:
اها
َ اب َمن َد َّس َ قَ ْد أَْفلَ َح َمن َز َّك
َ اها َوقَ ْد َخ
‘Successful is he who purified his nafs and lost is he who succumbed to
nafs (91:9-10)
Intellectual Jihad:
This is known as the Dawah. This kind of Jihad involves intellectual and
mental efforts in the pursuit of spreading the message of Islam. It
includes answering any questions or objections raised by the non-
Muslims about genuineness of Islam.
The Holy Prophet remained engaged in this type of Jihad throughout the
Makkan period. He received very clear injunctions from Almighty Allah
in this regard:
اه ْد ُهم بِِه ِج َه ًادا َكبِ ًريا
ِ فَال تُ ِط ِع الْ َكافِ ِرين وج
َََ
‘Therefore, listen not to the unbelievers, but strive against them with the
utmost strenuousness with the Quran’ (25:52)
This Quranic verse clearly means that the Holy Prophet (and by his way
all Muslims) has been commanded to put forward the Quranic
arguments in support of his preaching to those who challenged the
authenticity of the divine message.
PHYSICAL JIHAD:
The Quran declares that true belief cannot be attained until one spends
one’s wealth, time and energy in path of Allah. Sometimes in order to
protect Islam and innocent people, force is required. Thus jihad would
involve the use of force in order to establish good over evil. This form of
jihad is also called the Qitaal and is the ultimate form of struggle in the
way of Allah when all other methods and techniques have failed.
Practically this is the most difficult and crucial form of jihad. For this
reason the permissibility of jihad by force in the Quran in this way:
ْال َو ُه َو ُك ْرهٌ لَّ ُك ْم َو َع َسى أَن تَ ْكَر ُهواْ َشْيئًا َو ُه َو َخْيٌر لَّ ُك ْم َو َع َسى أَن حُتِ بُّوا ُ َب َعلَْي ُك ُم الْ ِقت ِ
َ ُكت
َشْيئًا َو ُه َو َشٌّر لَّ ُك ْم َواللَّهُ َي ْعلَ ُم َوأَنتُ ْم الَ َت ْعلَ ُمو َن
‘Fighting is prescribed upon you, though you may dislike it. But it is
possible that you may dislike a thing which is good for you, and that you
love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knows and you do not
know’ (2:216)
AMR-BIL-MAAROOF
It means to enjoin believers to perform what is right, virtuous,
lawful and recommended acts.
NAHEE-ANIL-MUNKAR
It means to dissuade believers to keep away from performing
what is a wrong, evil, unlawful and abominable act.
IMPORTANCE OF THIS OBLIGATION:
Islam lays a great deal of stress on amr-bil-maaroof wa
nahee-anil-munkar. The Holy Quran enjoins this upon
each Muslim:
ِ
َ َِولْتَ ُكن ِّمن ُك ْم أ َُّمةٌ يَ ْدعُو َن إِىَل اخْلَرْيِ َويَأْ ُم ُرو َن بِالْ َم ْع ُروف َو َيْن َه ْو َن َع ِن الْ ُمن َك ِر َوأ ُْولَئ
ك
ُه ُم الْ ُم ْفلِ ُحو َن
"
all males and females alike if required conditions are present.
Also, it is mustahab to enjoin the believers to perform
recommended acts and dissuade them not to perform
abominable acts.
Great emphasis has been laid on their performance as
evidenced in the Holy Qur’an and Ahadith from the Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH.)
Performance of Amr-Bil-Ma’roof and Nahya-Anil-Munkar is not
only confined to a particular group of people or individuals but
extends to include all who are covered by the rules outlined
below irrespective of being an Aalim, a ruler, a rich or a poor
person. It is wajib upon one and all believers, similar to other
Articles of deen.
Unity of ummah
Islam means complete submission to the will of Allah Almighty.
As a Muslim, it’s obligatory for us to follow the rules and
guidelines that Allah (SWT) described in Holy Quran. In this
regard, Allah (SWT) stated in Holy Quran: “O’ who believe!
Enter into Islam wholeheartedly, and follow not the footsteps
of the evil one; for he is to you an avowed enemy” (Quran, 2:
208). Unity is primitive to Islam so it should be to Muslims as
well. Unity among all Muslims must follow two things: Quranic
teachings and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
All Muslims must know the value and importance of unity
among the Muslims around the world. In Holy Quran Allah
Almighty stated in a way,
ْص ُمواْ حِب َْب ِل اللَّ ِه مَجِ ًيعا َوالَ َت َفَّرقُواْ َواذْ ُكُروا
ِ َو ْاعت
َ
• َصبَ ْحتُم بِنِ ْع َمتِ ِه
ْ ف َبنْي َ ُقلُوبِ ُك ْم فَأ
ِ ِ
َ َّن ْع َمةَ اللَّه َعلَْي ُك ْم إِ ْذ ُكنتُ ْم أ َْع َداء فَأَل
ِ
ك يَُبنِّي ُ اللَّ ُه َ إِ ْخ َوانًا َو ُكنتُ ْم َعلَ َى َش َفا ُح ْفَر ٍة ِّم َن النَّا ِر فَأَن َق َذ ُكم ِّمْن َها َك َذل
لَ ُك ْم آيَاتِِه لَ َعلَّ ُك ْم َت ْهتَ ُدو َن
“And hold fast all together by the rope which Allah (stretches
out for you) and be not divided among yourselves, and
remember with gratitude Allah’s favor on you; for ye were
enemies and He joined your hearts in love so that by His grace
ye became brethren; and ye were on the brink of the pit of fire
and He saved you from it. Thus doth Allah make his signs clear
to you: that ye may be guided” (Quran, 3:103).
Islam is a religion of peace, love, and unity that’s why it
emphasis on mutual understanding, love, and respect for each
other. Great stress is laid upon the unity and development of
brotherhood among Muslim brothers.
َ ون إِ ْخ َوةٌ فَأَصْ لِحُوا بَي َْن أَ َخ َو ْي ُك ْم َواتَّقُوا هَّللا َ لَ َعلَّ ُك ْم تُرْ َح ُم
:(الحجرات.ون َ ُإنَّ َما ْال ُم ْؤ ِمن
)10
َّاس إِنَّا َخلَ ْقنَا ُكم ِّمن ذَ َك ٍر َوأُنثَى َو َج َع ْلنَا ُك ْم ُشعُوبًا َو َقبَائِ َل لَِت َع َارفُوا
ُ يَا أَيُّ َها الن
) 13:يم َخبِريٌ ( احلجرات ِإِ َّن أَ ْكرم ُكم ِعند اللَّ ِه أَْت َقا ُكم إِ َّن اللَّه عل
ٌ ََ ْ َ ْ ََ
Unity teaches peace, equality, and lineage that’s why Islam laid
great stress on Unity. Another important concept of unity
among Muslims is the concept of Ummah. Today, Ummah
represents the unification of Muslims all around the globe.
Islam preaches that all people are equal regardless of culture,
race or gender. Quran is important for Muslims in order to
achieve Unity and Brotherhood among Muslims. If we start
following the teachings of Quran we will stay united and can
rule over the world again. Our beloved Prophet (SAW) said
about unity in one of his Hadiths: “The similitude of believers in
regard to mutual love, affection, and fellow-feeling is that of
one body; when any limb of it aches, the whole body aches,
because of sleeplessness and fever.” (Sahih Muslim)
Holy Prophet (SAW) said in another hadith:
الَ خَيُونُهُ َوالَ يَ ْك ِذبُهُ َوالَ خَي ْ ُذلُ ُه، َخو الْ ُم ْسلِ ِم
أ مِالْمسل
ُ ُ ُْ
“The Muslim is a brother of another Muslim, he doesn’t
oppress him, neither does he disappoint him, nor does he
humiliate him.”
From these sayings, we can conclude that our beloved Prophet
(SAW) emphasis on unity, love, respect, and brotherhood
among fellow Muslims. We should follow the Sunnah of
Prophet (SAW) so that we can achieve success in this life and
hereafter.
In short, from above Quranic verses and hadiths, we conclude
the result that Islam believes in the unity of all humans and
teaches peace, justice, love, and equality. Religion Islam
basically is to serve humankind. We must criticize extremism
and terrorism in the name of religion and unite humankind if
we believe in the unity of Allah Almighty. For having a good
Islamic society we should follow Allah’s teachings and His
Messenger Prophet (SAW).
Quran states
Lawful Earning
Kasb-e-Halal:
It is defined as all provisions and earnings that are Riba free,
legal and lawful under the legitimation and having religious
acceptance. It also refers to the earnings which are according to
the economic principles of Islam.
ِ َالش ْيط
ُان إِنَّه ِ ض حالَالً طَيِّباً والَ َتتَّبِعواْ ُخطُو ِ ِ
َّ ات َ ُ َ َ ِ َّاس ُكلُواْ م َّما في األَ ْر
ُ يَا أ َُّي َها الن
ٌ ِلَ ُك ْم َع ُد ٌّو ُّمب
ين
O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth [that is] lawful and
good and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to
you a clear enemy. (2:168).
اع َفةً َو َّات ُقواْ اللَّهَ لَ َعلَّ ُك ْم ُت ْفلِ ُحو َن
َض َ ض َعافًا ُّم ِّ ْآمنُواْ الَ تَأْ ُكلُوا
ْ َالربَا أ َ ين
ِ َّ
َ يَا أ َُّي َها الذ
O ye who believe! Devour not usury, doubled and multiplied;
but fear Allah; that ye may (really) prosper. (3:130)
The Prophet Muhammad replied when he was asked what
type of earning was best, and “ A man‟s work with his hands
and every (lawful) business transaction.” Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith
846
1. Two Important Instructions of the Holy Quran about
Lawful Earnings:
1 :Special Message for Believers: Allah Almighty
says:
ات َما َر َز ْقنَا ُك ْم َوا ْش ُك ُرواْ لِلّ ِه ِ يا أ َُّي َها الَّ ِذين آمنُواْ ُكلُواْ ِمن طَيِّب
َ َ َ َ
إِن ُكنتُ ْم إِيَّاهُ َت ْعبُ ُدو َن
“O you who believe (in Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism)
Eat of lawful things which we have provided you with, and be
grateful to Allah, if it is indeed He whom you worship.”(2:172)
:2Special Message for Prophets: Allah Almighty says:
صالِ ًحا إِنِّي بِ َما ِ ِ
َ الر ُس ُل ُكلُوا م َن الطَّيِّبَات َوا ْع َملُوا
ُّ يَا أ َُّي َها
يم ِ
ٌ َت ْع َملُو َن َعل
“O (you) Messengers! Eat of the Tayyibat [all kinds of Halal
foods which Allah has made lawful (meat of slaughtered
eatable animals, milk products, fats, vegetables, fruits, etc.] and
do righteous Deeds. Verily I am all knower what you do. (al-
mo’minoon:51)
(Islamic Teachings on Lawful Earning In Light of the Quran)
And we have made for you therein means of living and for
those for whom you are not providers. And [He has subjected]
whatever He multiplied for you on the earth of varying colors.
Indeed in that is a sign for a people who remember.
وحو َن ِ َّ والَ تَأْ ُكلُواْ ِم َّما لَم ي ْذ َك ِر اسم اللَّ ِه َعلَي ِه وإِنَّه لَِفس ٌق وإِ َّن
ُ ُين لَيَ الشيَاط َ ْ ُ َ ْ ُْ ُْ َ
وه ْم إِنَّ ُك ْم لَ ُم ْش ِر ُكو َن ِ إِلَى أَولِيآئِ ِهم لِيج
ُ ادلُو ُك ْم َوإِ ْن أَطَ ْعتُ ُم َُ ْ َ ْ
And do not eat of that upon which the name of Allah has not
been mentioned, for indeed, it is grave disobedience. And
indeed do the devils inspire their allies
[among men] to dispute with you. And if you were to obey
them, indeed, you would be associators [of others with Him]. .
(Surah. Al-An'am, Ayah,121)
“Eat of what is on earth lawful and good, and do not follow the
footsteps of Satan”. (Qur’an 2:168).
Using only what is lawful and good, and abstaining from
unlawful (Haram) and bad things, are among the basic
principles of Islamic code of life.
In Islam, even a lawful thing becomes unlawful if it is obtained
by unlawful or foul means. There is no denying that lawful
methods, seem sometimes, to be slow; and people, who want
to be rich overnight, resort to unlawful means. But, when all is
said and done, such tactics do not benefit the offender very
much.
Sometime ago a test was held in which one motorist was asked
to reach a certain place as soon as possible without any regard
to the traffic rules, while another was to reach there after
obeying all road signs and traffic signals. The first driver
violated red lights twice, nearly knocked down a pedestrian,
entered a one-way road from wrong direction, just managing to
avoid a serious accident, and reached the destination – 30
seconds before the second motorist. What a gain after all those
dangers.
More to the point is the following episode. Hazrat Ali once
came to a mosque where he wanted to pray. He asked a man
standing nearby to guard his horse. When he came out, he had
a dirham in his hand which he wanted to give that man as a
reward. But he was nowhere to be seen. Hazrat Ali came to the
horse and found that its rein was missing. He gave someone the
same dirham to buy another rein.
The man went to the market, saw a man selling a used rein, and
bought it for one dirham. When Hazrat Ali looked at it he found
that it was his own rein which the supposed “guard” had stolen.
He said that he had intended to give the “guard” the same,
dirham as a reward, which would have been perfectly lawful for
him; but his impatience turned him into a thief, and he got
nothing except the same dirham. His dishonesty did not
increase his wealth at all, and made him a – criminal into the
bargain.
In Holy Quran Allah says:
صالِ ًحا ِ ِ
َ ُكلُوا م َن الطَّيِّبَات َوا ْع َملُوا
‘Eat of the good things and do good deeds’(Al-mominoon:51)
Allah ordered for eating good things before doing good deeds.
The object of this order is eating of lawful things.
ِ والَ تَأْ ُكلُواْ أَموالَ ُكم بينَ ُكم بِالْب
اط ِلَ َْ َْ َ
Don’t eat properties of one another unjustly-2:188.
ِِ ِّ آمنُواْ َّات ُقواْ اللَّهَ َوذَ ُرواْ َما بَِق َي ِم َن ِ َّ
َ الربَا إِن ُكنتُم ُّم ْؤمن
ين َ ين
َ يَا أ َُّي َها الذ
O believers, fear Allah and give up what remains of interest
(usury) if you are believes-2.278.
ب ِّم َن اللَّ ِه َو َر ُسولِ ِه
ٍ فَِإن لَّ ْم َت ْف َعلُواْ فَأْ َذنُواْ بِ َح ْر
If you do not do it, then be prepared to fight with Allah and His
Prophet-2:279.
Then He says : If you repent, then for you is the capital. Then
He said: Those who turn away from that are the inmates of
Hell. They will abide therein. At first, eating of interest (usury),
then call for fight with Allah and His Apostle and last of all
residing in Hell have been mentioned. There are innumerable
verses regarding lawful and unlawful things:
AHADITH ON LAWFUL EARNING:
It is compulsory on every Muslim to seek lawful earnings. Holy
Prophet (PBUH) said :
He who makes efforts to maintain his family out of lawful
earnings is like a fighter in the way of Allah and he who
seeks lawful earnings after restraining himself will get the
rank of a martyr.
If a man eats lawful food for forty days, Allah illumines his
heart and lets flow wisdom from his heart through his
tongue.
Allah grants him renunciation in the world. Once Sayyidna
Sa’ad said to Rasulullah (sallallaho alaihe wasallam) Pray to
Allah that He may accept my invocation. Rasulullah
(sallallaho alaihe wasallam) said : Eat lawful food and for
that your invocation will be accepted.
There are many men who have got dishevelled hairs, dust
laden dresses, are tired in journey, whose food is unlawful,
whose dress in unlawful, and who have been maintained
by unlawful food. If they raise their hands and say: ‘O Lord
‘ O Lord how can their invocation be accepted ?
Saraf and Adal will not be accepted from a person who
eats unlawful food. Saraf means optional and sunnat
actions and Adal means compulsory duties. In other
words, compulsory duties and optional duties will not be
accepted from him.
If a man purchases a cloth with ten dirhams and if one
dirham out of them is unlawful, his prayer will not be
accepted till a portion of that cloth remains in his body.
The fire of Hell is fit for the flesh which has been grown by
unlawful food.
if a man does not care where from he earns his wealth,
Allah will not care by which path he will enter Hell. He
said : There are ten shares of worship, nine of which are in
lawful earnings.
He who passes times upto evening in search of lawful
earnings passes the night in a state of his sins being
forgiven and rises at dawn when Allah remains pleased
with him.
One dirham of interest (usury) is more serious to Allah than
thirty fornication.
: Stomach is the fountain of body and the veins come out of it.
When the stomach is sound, the veins come out with health,
and when it is unsound, they come out with disease. Food in
religion is like the foundation of a building. When the
foundation is strong and firm, the building stands straight and it
can be raised up, and if the foundation is weak and curved, the
building inclines to a side.
FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS:
The expression “Human Rights’ refers to the inherent, absolute
and indivisible Rights which every ‘Human being’ holds by
virtue of being human. One can say “the right one holds simply
because one is human being”. These Rights are expressed as
indivisible in the sense, that every member of the society will
benefit from these Rights without any difference and nothing
will be excluded for any one. All Human beings are entitled to
basic Rights no matter to which community they belong.
Nationality or age, race, religion and status do not play role in
entitlement of Rights
The Right to Life
The first and the foremost basic right is the right to live and respect
human life. The Holy Quran lays down:
ِيعا
ً اس َجم ِ سا ٍد فِي األَ ْر
َ ض َف َكأ َ َّن َما َق َتل َ ال َّن َ س أَ ْو َف
ٍ سا ِب َغ ْي ِر َن ْف
ً َمن َق َتل َ َن ْف
Freedom of Expression
Islam gives the right of freedom of thought and expression to all
citizens of the Islamic State on the condition that it should be used for
the propagation of virtue and truth and not for spreading evil and
wickedness. This Islamic concept of freedom of expression is much
superior to the concept prevalent in the West. Under no circumstances
would Islam allow evil and wickedness to be propagated. It also does
not give anybody the right to use abusive or offensive language in the
name of criticism.
The right to freedom of expression for the sake of propagating virtue
and righteousness is not only a right in Islam but an obligation. One
who tries to deny this right to his people is openly at war with God, the
All-Powerful. And the same thing applies to the attempt to stop people
from evil. Whether this evil is perpetrated by an individual or by a
group of people or the government of one's own country, or the
government of some other country; it is the right of a Muslim and it is
also his obligation that he should warn and reprimand the evil-doer
and try to stop him from doing it. Over and above, he should openly
and publicly condemn it and show the course of righteousness which
that individual, nation or government should adopt.
The Holy Quran has described this quality of the Faithful in the
following words:
"They enjoin what is proper and forbid what is improper" (9:71).
In contrast, describing the qualities of a hypocrite, the Quran
mentions:
"They bid what is improper and forbid what is proper" (9:67).
The main purpose of an Islamic Government has been defined by God
in the Quran as follows:
"If we give authority to these men on earth they will keep up
prayers, and offer poor-due, bid what is proper and forbid what is
improper" (22:41).
The Prophet has said: "If any one of you comes across an evil, he
should try to stop it with his hand (using force), if he is not in a position
to stop it with his hand then he should try to stop it by means of his
tongue (meaning he should speak against it). If he is not even able to
use his tongue then he should at least condemn it in his heart. This is
the weakest degree of faith" (Muslim).
This obligation of inviting people to righteousness and forbidding them
to adopt the paths of evil is incumbent on all true Muslims. If any
government deprives its citizens of this right, and prevents them from
performing this duty, then it is in direct conflict with the injunction of
God. The government is not in conflict with its people, but is in conflict
with God. In this way it is at war with God and is trying to usurp that
right of its people which God has conferred not only as a right but as
an obligation. As far as the government which itself propagates evil,
wickedness and obscenity and interferes with those who are inviting
people to virtue and righteousness is concerned, according to the Holy
Quran it is the government of the hypocrites.
Freedom of Association
Islam has also given people the right to freedom of association and
formation of parties or organizations. This right is also subject to
certain general rules. It should be exercised for propagating virtue and
righteousness and should never be used for spreading evil and
mischief. We have not only been given this right for spreading
righteousness and virtue, but have been ordered to exercise this right.
Addressing the Muslims, the Holy Quran declares:
“You are the best community which has been brought forth for
mankind. You command what is proper and forbid what is
improper and you believe in God ... (3:110)
This means that it is the obligation and duty of the entire Muslim
community that it should invite and enjoin people to righteousness and
virtue and forbid them from doing evil. If the entire Muslim community
is not able to perform this duty then
"let there be a community among you who will invite (people) to
(do) good, command what is proper and forbid what is improper,
those will be prosperous" (3:104).
This clearly indicates that if the entire Muslim nation collectively
begins to neglect its obligation to invite people to goodness and forbid
them from doing evil then it is absolutely essential that it should
contain at least a group of people which may perform this obligation.
As has been said before this is not only a right but an obligation and
on the fulfilment of which depends success and prosperity here as
well as in the Hereafter. It is an irony with the religion of God that in a
Muslim country the assembly and association that is formed for the
purposes of spreading evil and mischief should have the right to rule
over the country and the association and party which has been formed
for propagating righteousness and virtue should live in perpetual fear
of harassment and of being declared illegal.
Conditions here are just the reverse of what has been prescribed by
God. The claim is that we are Muslims and this is an Islamic State but
the work that is being done is directed to spreading evil, to corrupt and
morally degrade and debase the people while there is an active and
effective check on the work being carried out for reforming society and
inviting people to righteousness. Moreover the life of those who are
engaged in spreading righteousness and checking the spread of evil
and wickedness is made intolerable and hard to bear.
Islam is a religion that portrays respect of humanity. The religion that gives us good way
to behave with others not keeps in it somewhat of a rule or regulation that negates that respect of
humanity. The importance given to minorities in an Islamic society can just be judge from this
saying of holy prophet (P.B.U.H) “Behold! Anyone who will brutalize a Dhimmi (non Muslims)
or take away his right or torture him more that his bearing or take away anything without his
consent, I shall be his prosecutor on the Day of Judgment against the Muslim”.1
This is not only a merely a warning but laws that were enforced in the state during his
lifetime and were also followed afterwards and now even it are a part of the constitution of an
Islamic state and once it was narrated a Muslim killed an Ahl-e-Kitab and case was brought to
holy prophet (P.B.U.H) for decision, he said I am the most responsible to fulfill their rights so he
Holy prophet always warned Muslims regarding minorities therefore once talking about
them he said “Anyone who will kill a Dhimmi shall not smell the fragrance of paradise through
it is speed a distance travel of 40 years”. 2In the reflection of holy prophet teachings even after
passage of 1400 years from his life up till now, Non-Muslim enjoys security in an Islamic
society.
He said! “It’s binding on me to protect the religion of non-Muslim”. 3 “The Diat of Jew a
Christian, a Jewish Priest is equal to that of a free Muslim. 4On the basis of this saying, all the
faqih laid upon this rule that if a Muslim kills a Dhimmi, the Diat (Money on Blood) is going to
Once the son of Hazrat Amar Bin-al-Aass, the governor of Egypt punished a non Muslim
unjustly and when the matter was taken to the court of caliph Hazrat Umar, he openly made the
1
Imam Abu Abdullah Qurtabi, Tafseer ul Qurtabi Al-Jamai-li-Ahkaamil Quran, vol.8 (Riyadh: Dar aalimil
Kutab,2003), 115.
for detail see Imam Abu Daud Salman bin Ashes, As-Sunnan, vol.3 (Beirut: Darul-Fikar, 1994), 170.
2
Imam Abu Abdullah Muhammad bin Ismail Bukhary, As-Sahih, (Beirut: Darul-Qalam, 1981), 1154.
3
Abdur Rehman Bin Abdur Rahim, Tohfa Al Akhwazi, vol.4 (Beirut: Darul Kutab Al Ilmia, 1283-1353AH), 557.
4
Abu Bakr Bin Hamam Bin Nafeh, Musannaf Abdur Razzaq, vol.10 (Beirut: Al Maktaba Al Islami, 1403AH), 95-
99.
same subject is narrated in Musannaf Abi Shaibah for detail see
Abu Bakr Abdullah Bin Ibrahim,Musnaf Abi Shaibah, vol.5 (Riyadh: Maktaba Ar Rushd,1409AH) ,407.
son of Egypt governor punished by the non Muslim Egyptian and also said “from when you have
started to think people as your slaves though they were born free”. During the caliphate of Hazrat
Umar a person from a tribe of Bakar bin wail, killed a Dhimmi and on this “He ordered that the
assassin should be handed over to the family of the victim. If they want, they can kill or else
forgive. So, he was given to the family of the victim and was hence after killed”.Forth Caliph
Hazrat Ali said “To help a non Muslim against torture same as its binding to save a Muslim from
In an Islamic state, non Muslims do keep a right of private life and personal privacy as the
Muslims have. That is why, Islamic law has outline they will have the same rights as the
Muslims keep and they have same duties that Muslims have binding on them. According to
Hazrat Ali, Jizya (Tax) is taken from them to protect their life and wealth similarly as ours is
protected. Islam negates any sort of religious propagation that affects anyone’s religious freedom
and the Quran states “let there be no compulsion in religion, indeed righteousness is clearly
The logic that Shariah keeps is that non Muslims should have full freedom to stick to their
religion or sect. Islamic government would have nothing to do with their ideology or worship.
The letter holy prophet (P.B.U.H) wrote to Ahl-e-Najran also included the sentence “Najran and
its people enjoy protection from Allah and his prophet (P.B.U.H). Their lives, their land, wealth,
personnel’s, their places of worships and their churches will be protected. Any priest from his
religion honor, a preacher from his responsibility, any office holder from his office will not be
removed and everything under their custody will be protected”. 7 During different periods of
5
Muhammad Bin Amin Bin Umar,Rad ul Muhtaar aladur-il-Mukhtar, vol.3 (Quetta: Maktaba Majdia,1399AH)
6
Al Quraan,Surah Baqrah(2:256)
7
Abu Abdullah Bin Saad,At Tabakat Al Qubrah, vol.3 (Beirut: Darul Al Beirut Al Tabaya Al
Nashr,1978/1398AH),339.
Islamic governments, chapels and synagogues were present. They were never harmed but were
instead protected by the government and non Muslims were also facilitated for their worships.
This means that minorities living in their ancient worship places can perform all they want;
Islamic government has no right to interfere in that. But in the same context, non Muslims are to
respect the religious emotions of Muslims. Ibn-e-Abbas said “In the cities developed by
Muslims, Dhimmies have no rights to make new worship places, or play Naqoos, drink vine and
to keep pigs. Now the left one city of non Arabs and those made captured by Allah through
Muslims and if they accept the governance (state authority) of Muslims then they will have the
same rights as per the treaties and it will be binding on Arabs to follow them. 8 As in case, The
Islamic Bait-ul-Maal (treasury) takes responsibility of financial assistance of Muslim who is not
a breadwinner due to physical disabilities (paralyzed) or old age or being much poor, in the same
way if so and so happens to a non Muslim then its binding on bait-ul-Maal to assist him as well.
Practically there are lots of examples in the Islamic history where non Muslims with physical
distortion got allowances from bait-ul-Maal. Once on seeing a Jew, who was blind Hazrat Umar,
fixed a monthly stipend for him. In the eyes of an Islamic government, both Muslims and non
Muslims are equal rather they have equity as citizens when it comes to the right of helping the
community and social welfare. An Islamic state is responsible for the protection of non Muslim
if any Islamic state is in a treaty with another nation then to their protections binding on them.
The sanctity of the lives of non Muslims is clear from this Hadith of holy prophet “The Diat of a
Jew, Christian and every Dhimmi is equal to that of a Muslim”.9 This was followed during the
regime of right guided caliph and the Diat of Dhimmi was paid equal to that of Muslim. During
8
Abu Bakr Abdullah Bin Muhammad Bin Ibrahim, Musannaf Abi Shaibah,vol.7 (Riyadh: Maktaba Ar
Rashd,1409AH),436.
same subject is narrated in Sunnan al Qubrah for detail see
Abu Bakr Ahmed Bin Husain Bin Ali, Al Sunnan Al Qubrah,(Makah: Maktaba Dar Al Baz,1994,1414AH)
9
Abu Bakr Bin Hamam Bin Nafeh, Musannaf Abd ur Razzaq,(Beirut: Al Maktabul Islami,1403AH) ,97,98.
victories, the treaties with non Muslims nations includes an important section that the protection
and fundamental needs of non Muslim subject will be responsibility of the governor therefore, a
leaf of what peace was given to the people of Hira is as under:-“Any non Muslim who gets old
and cannot do labor work or a natural calamity harms him or earlier he was rich, later an accident
10
makes him poor, so no tax will be taken by government treasury”. In Islamic history, one can
find many examples of this rule for instance. Hazrat Umar saw an old Jew in very awful position.
He said “By God! It's not justice that in benefits from his youth and leaves him to being
disrespected in Old age, therefore he ordered that this old man should be paid from Bait-ul-Maal
through his life in regard with his needs. In addition, he wrote to governors of all the states that
they should pay all poor and deseeding subjects regularly from the Bait-ul-Maal”. 11 It’s a famous
incident of history that Waleed Bin Abdul Mulk Amwi in Damascus captures the chapel from
Christian and added it to the mosque. According to Blazari “ when Umar Bin Abdul Aziz got on
the throne and Christians appealed against what Waleed did , he ordered his workers to demolish
the part of mosque made on the land of chapel and give it back to the Christians”. 12 When
Waleed Bin Yazeed in fear of roman attack exiled the Dhimmies of Qibris, the Islamic faqih and
general Muslims were all dissatisfied from him and thought it as a major sin. When again he
brought them back to Qibris, this move was welcomed by the general mass in taken as the
justice. Ismail Bin Iaash said “this act was declared by all general Muslims and faqih and when
Yazeed bin Waleed came he brought them back and was appreciated by Muslims on this act and
13
declared it as one based on law and justice” According to Blazari, once a group from the
mount of Lebanon mutinied. To act on this, Saleh Bin Ali Bin Abdullah sent in Army that killed
10
Abu yousaf, Kitab al Kharaj,155
11
Yaqoob Bin Ibrahim, Kitab Ul Kharaj (Beirut: Dar Al Marfah)
12
Ahmed Bin Yahya Al Blazari, Fathul Al Buldan (Beirut: Darul Al Kutab Ul Ilmia), 150.
13
ibid,180
men with weapons and exiled a group of them and allowed some to live there. Imam Auzai was
alive at that time. He warned Salah on this brutality and wrote a long letter massacre of those not
involved in the mutiny and those exiled, which with a leaf of it is “ I cannot understand why
general public can be punished on the crime of some specific people. And on what basis can they
be removed from their houses and properties. For you the best advice is to remember the saying
of holy prophet (P.B.U.H) "anyone who will torture Dhimmi and will pressurize him more than
It is responsibility of an Islamic state to keep the treaty made with minorities and fulfill its
conditions. If minorities have had a treaty with an Islamic state then they are also responsible to
respect all conditions of the agreement and state is also responsible to keep it under all
circumstances. Our history is witness of keeping treaties with non Muslims and fulfillment of its
conditions also.
STATUS OF WOMEN:
Women have a very important place in Islamic society. Unlike a
number of other religions, Islam holds a woman in high esteem.
Her importance as a mother and a wife has been clearly stated
by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).The prophet said, "Paradise
lies at the feet of your mothers." Once a person asked the
Prophet,"Who deserves the best care from me?" The Prophet
replied, "Your mother (he repeated this three times), then your
father and then your nearest relatives."
In his farewell speech at 'Arafat in the tenth year of the Hijrah,
the Prophet said, "O people, your wives have certain rights over
you and you have certain rights over them. Treat them well
and be kind to them, for they are your partners and committed
helpers."
The Prophet also said, "The best among you is the one who is
the best towards his wife."
These sayings clearly prove the important position given to
women in Islam but there are still people, especially in the West,
who have misgivings about the status of women in Islam. To
these people, the Muslim women is seen as 'A prisoner in the
four walls of the house', a non-person', and 'someone who has
no rights and is living always under the domination of a man'.
These notions are totally wrong and are based on ignorance
rather than knowledge of Islam.
One of the rites of Hajj is the fast walk between As-Safa and Al-
Marwah, which is observed to remember the event of Hajar
(Hagar), mother of Prophet Ismail, who ran between these two
hills to find water. This is another proof of the importance given
to women by Islam.
In order to Judge these false ideas held by western people, it
would be useful to survey the attitudes to women in different
societies in the past.
During the Roman civilization, for example, a woman was
regarded as a slave. The Greeks considered her a commodity to
be bought and sold. Early Christianity regarded women as
temptresses, responsible for the fall of Adam.
In India, the Hindus until recently, considered their women
worse then death, pests, serpents or even Hell. A wife's life
ended with the death of her husband. In the past, a widow had
to jump into the flames of her husband's funeral pyre.
In the pre-Islamic state of Arabia, a woman was regarded is a
cause for grief and unhappiness and baby girls were sometimes
buried alive after birth.
In France, in 587 CE, a meeting was held to study the status of
women and to determine whether a woman could truly be
considered a human being or not! Henry VIII in England
forbade the reading of the Bible by women and throughout the
Middle Ages the Catholic Church treated women as second-
class citizens. In the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford,
male and female students were not given the same rights until
1964. Before 1850, women were not counted as citizens in
England and English women had no personal rights until 1882'.
If we keep this picture in mind and look into the position of the
women in Islam, we must conclude that Islam liberated women
from the dark age of obscurity fourteen hundred years ago!
Islam is a religion of common sense and is in line with human
nature. It recognizes the realities of life. This does not mean it
has recognized equality of man and woman in every respect.
Rather, it has defined their duties in keeping with their different
biological make-up (2:228). Allah has not made man and
woman identical, so it would be against nature to try to have
total equality between a man and a woman.
That would destroy the social balance. Society would not
prosper but would instead have insoluble problems such as
broken marriages, illegitimate children and the break-up of
family life. These problems are already rife in western society.
Schoolgirl pregnancies, an increase in abortions, divorce and
many other problems have cropped up because of a permissive
outlook and theso-called freedom of women.
Rights of Women:
Allah has created every living being in pairs - male and female
(51:49) -including mankind. Allah has honored the children of
Adam - both male and female (17:70). Men and women who
believe are protectors of one another (9:71). Allah will reward
both men and women in the life after death (3:195).
In Islam a woman has a distinct and separate identity. Islam has
given her the right to own property. She is the owner of her
earnings. No-one (father, husband or brother) has a right over
them. She can dispose of her earnings and property as she
wishes, within the bounds of Halal (lawful) and Haram
(unlawful).
Islam has given women a right to inheritance. She has a claim
on the property of her dead father, husband or childless brother
(4:7, 32,176).
A woman has the right to choose her husband. No-one can
impose a decision on her against her will. She has a right to seek
separation (Khula') from her husband if their marriage becomes
impossible to sustain.
If any man falsely questions a woman's chastity, that man is
declared unfit forgiving evidence (24:4). This shows how a
woman's honor is safeguarded from false accusations.
The Quran asks the Muslims to treat women kindly (4:19). It
makes Muslim husbands responsible for their wife's
maintenance. The women in return, are expected to remain
obedient and chaste (4:34).
A woman has a right to develop her talents and to work within
the Limits of Islam. Islam allows a non-Muslim married woman
to retain their religion and her husband cannot interfere in this
freedom. This applies to Christian and Jewish women with
Muslim husbands.