Fundamentals of Islam

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Assalamualaikum! It feels amazing to be back after the long break. We decided to make this one a comprehensive guide for understanding Islam, especially in the modern context.

We begin with an infographic laying down the principles that guide every ideology, and then differentiating man-made ideologies with Islam. We then revisit fundamental concepts of Islam, analyse the Reformist movement and end with a Prophetic Timeline (it's a beauty - you gotta check!).

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HE ONLY WAY OUT In this section, we take a look at the reasons as to why a person should be chosing Islam.

Islam has always been clear about it While this subject is for not-yet Muslims, in reality it is also a refresher course for Muslims being the only correct path. Such a in order to remind them how and why Islam is not AN option but the ONLY justified option... bold claim is not found anywhere else.

Before we begin, we need to revisit an important concept: Truth.

HE NATURE OF TRUTH Since we live in a society that is largely run by emotions and beliefs and falseood is rampant, we tend to downcast the importance of truth. We have concepts like respecting others' beliefs, freedom of opinion, etc. but no mention of truth and falsehood. The reason is pretty simple. Truth is divisive by nature. It does not respect an opinion based on false beliefs. It clearly differentiates right from wrong and almost always challenges people's closely held beliefs. While a caller to Truth needs to be

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HOOSING AN ILAAH The word ilaah is central to the definition of Islam. Since Islam begins with the rejection of every ilaah, we need to understand what is to be rejected.

Ilaah literally translates to 'deity' and is used for the ultimate object of love and authority which guides our actions. Once it is proven that something is the will of the ilaah it becomes the ulitmate justification and the action becomes acceptable. This functional understanding is important because the popular translation of ilah as “god” has become void in today’s so-called godless world. However, we have a plethora of ilaahs around which our lives rotate. For example: A person who rejects Allah’s commandments because it doesn’t “feel right” has taken his own desires as Ilaah.

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polite and compassionate towards people, OOK WITHOUT DOUBT is its being from Allah and not from a man. he can not compromise with the quality of Quran is the only book that claims Some of these are: truth. He can not chose to adulterate Truth repeatedly about it being a revelation Were all mankind to come together and with beliefs simply to please people. Because from Allah. The confident style of the Quran wish to produce the like of theQur’an, they in doing so, he would in fact be confusing the is unparalleled to any human book. would never succeed, however much they people and harming them by letting them This is the Book about which there is no aided each other. [TMQ 17:88] hold on to false beliefs. If there is a disease doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Then do they not reflect upon the Qur'an? in a person's mind, he will have to operate on Allah [TMQ 2:2] If it had been from [any] other than Allah, him, even if it means agony and discomfort.

And We have certainly revealed to you they would have found within it much Islam works on the same principles. It verses [which are] clear proofs, and no contradiction. [TMQ 4:82] presents itself, pleasing those who like truth one would deny them except the defiantly It repeatedly challenges disbelievers to prove while infuriating those who have vested disobedient. [TMQ 2:99] it wrong, puts itself to litmus test and even interests in falsehood.

It testifies that MuhammadSAW was indeed gives them ways to do so.

Have you seen the one who takes as his a Messenger and did not possess the art of And if you are in doubt about what We have poetry to come up with something like the sent down upon Our Servant [Muhammad], ilaah his own desire? [TMQ 25:43] Quran: then produce a surah the like thereof and A person whose life rotates around society, SAW And We did not give him (Muhammad ) call upon your witnesses other than Allah, family or friends, making every decision knowledge of poetry, nor is it befitting for if you should be truthful. But if you do not considering them, has chosen these as ilaahs. him.

It is not but a message and a clear and you will never be able to - then fear the A person for whom 'democratic process', Qur'an [TMQ 36:69] Fire, whose fuel is men and stones, prepared 'popular conscience' or 'mass consensus' is the ultimate justification for an action has In fact, the central argument of the Quran for the disbelievers. [TMQ 2:23-24] chosen the people as the ultimate authority.

The message of Islam is clear: reject all “Verily, proofs have come to you from your Lord, so whosoever sees, will do so authority and give your allegiance to Allah for (the good of) his ownself, and whosoever blinds himself, will do so to his own because He, being the Creator and Sustainer harm, and I (MuhammadSAW) am not a watcher over you.” [TMQ 6:104] of the universe is the only valid ilaah.

O mankind, worship your Lord, who created 'Ilaah' is an entity which is obeyed/followed or worshipped. you and those before you, that you may Islam denounces such constructs by proclaiming "la Ilaah"(no ilaah) followed by "Ill-Allah" (except Allah). In short, Islam become righteous [TMQ 2:21] is about denouncing every authority and object of worship When people do not know who Allah is, except the Creator. The definition of right and wrong will then it is easy for them to fall into the habit of come from Allah alone. Once the correct ilaah is identified it becomes imperative to identify who will tell the ilaah's command worshipping false gods.

The commands

EEN GIVEN BY THE ILAAH and believes in Allah has grasped the most Once the ilaah is chosen, it gives a a trustworthy handhold with no break in it. way of life. Every ilaah has a deen and And Allah is Hearing and Knowing. [TMQ the deen of Allah is Islam: 2:256] Indeed, the deen in the sight of Allah is The Quran also proclaims that Islam Islam. [TMQ 3:19] (submission to the Law of Allah) is the deen The choice is between the God that created of every created entity in the universe : us and the gods that we created (Taghut/ So is it other than the religion of Allah false ilaah). Which deen will you prefer? they desire, while to Him have submitted There shall be no compulsion in religion. (all) those within the heavens and earth, The right course has become clear from the willingly or by compulsion, and to Him they wrong. So whoever disbelieves in Taghut will be returned? [TMQ 3:83]

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ROMISED MESSENGER said, "O children of Israel, indeed I am the The arrival of a final messenger can messenger of Allah to you confirming what be found in scriptures of all religions. came before me of the Torah and bringing According to the Quran, every prophet of good tidings of a messenger to come after Allah had informed his people of the coming me, whose name is Ahmad." [TMQ 61:6] of MuhammadSAW. As an example, the Quran While the gospels are in a distorted form, mentions the prophecy of JesusAS: traces of this message are still found in the And [mention] when Jesus, the son of Mary, canon. See Gospel of John 16:12-14, 14:26

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UDGEMENT The apparent injustice in the world is finally answered by the Master Himself.

This life is a test and every person will be judged according to what they earned.

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And whoever desires other than Islam as deen - never will it be accepted from him, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers. [TMQ 3:85]

So how will it be when We assemble them for a Day about which there is no doubt?

And each soul will be compensated [in full for] what it earned, and they will not be wronged. [TMQ 3:25]

RESERVATION OF QURAN preservation is historically established. In fact Quran has only one version and people Allah has taken its preservation upon Himself: around the world unanimously accept Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur'an that it is the same one that MuhammadSAW and indeed, We will be its guardian. [TMQ spoke. Unlike other scriptures the Quran’s 15:9] RESERVATION OF HISTORY Islamic history has been so meticulously recorded, the incidents preserved and graded according to authenticity that rulings in Islam are never made on an

incident whose authenticity is any less than "sahih" (authentic, as graded by classical scholars). The most authentic of these are the collections of Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim.

URPOSE OF LIFE We live in a time when the most fundamental question of life have been bypassed: The Meaning/Purpose of Life.

Islam encourages people to ask this much needed question.

Then did you think that We created you uselessly? [TMQ 23:115] And We did not create the heavens and earth and that between them in play. [TMQ 44:38] Today, you're supposed to "explore" the purpose of life by hit and trial. We all know how succesful most of us have been at it! We spend 25 years of our life being "educated" and still have no clue about what we really should do in life. For an individualist, desires define purpose. For a Muslim, the Creator

defines it. Islam answers the basic questions of a person - Who am I? Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where will I go? because they can be answered by none other than the designer himself. A few important Quranic verses in this regard are: And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. [TMQ 51:56] And (mention, O Muhammad), when your Lord said to the angels,: "Indeed! I will create a vicegerent on earth." [TMQ 2:30] So, the central purpose of the creation of man is to worship Allah by being His viceroy on earth and establishing His rule. Once the purpose is set up, we require an example: There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah (MuhammadSAW) an excellent pattern [TMQ 33:21]

a h a a l i La llah illA

of the ilaah constitute deen, a system or code which guides mankind. A deen typically distinguishes right from wrong, defines the idea of success and provides a primary identity to the people who follow it. The 'rasul' (messenger) is the authority on conveying the deen. The Rasul of Allah is Muhammad and his

Deen-e-Ae’tedal Just Way of Life

so that people may follow it correctly.

r u d a m m MuhasulAllah Ra

Characteristics of Islam

Ae’tedal stands for justice or more literally to the middle path. Thus Deen of Aitedaal doesn’t lead towards extremes. Most systems undergo evolution like the back and forth of a pendulum from one extreme to another tending to achieve the middle path. Allah defines Islam as the middle path itself.

Deen-e-Fitrah

Natural Way of Life

Fitrah stands for primordial human nature or basic instinct. The natural way of life is the one which takes basic human nature into consideration. Man lacks a complete understanding of himself and requires somebody who knows him better to guide him. Every ilaah claims that but no entity can know man better than its Creator.

Deen-e-Haqq

True Way of Life

Every Deen claims that it solely is the true one and that all others lead man astray. This testimony of being true is received from the respective Ilahs.

Islam claims to have received this testimony from the Creator, Allah when He says: ‘The only way acceptable to Allah is Islam’ [Quran 3:19]

Deen-e-Kamil

Complete Way of Life

Six things go to make a deen complete. The first three - belief, set of rituals and social customs - are together referred to as religion. The other three are political, social and economic order. Islam guides man in all sections of his individual and collective life since all are related to each other and none exists independently.

Getting rid of

secularism. Collectively these trends were seen as 'progressive thinking' and it was forcefully argued that religion must be primarily caused and centered on the feelings of believers. On their Allah says in Quran (2:11) about hypocrites: part, 'Muslim' modernists attempted to reject or And when it is said to them, "Do not cause alter those teachings of the Qur'an and Sunnah corruption on the earth," they say, "We are but that they saw as hindrances to their world view. reformers."

Deen based on feelings The propaganda of modernization - Rise of the The 'progressives' show an attitude like that of the RAND 'Muslims' Christian-modernist i.e., giving more credence to Let’s begin by looking into a report published by people's feelings than to revelation. This is why one RAND in 2003 titled “Civil Democratic Islam”. often finds them speaking of the 'spirit of Islam' It starts with recognizing the incompatibility of in order to avoid following the specific teachings Islam with the rest of "the system" which the of the Quran. For example, they would argue that author qualified as democratic, economically the text of the Quran only asks women to dress viable, politically stable and socially progressive modestly and they do not like to discuss details of and that Muslims are not following what she hijab, claiming “we only need to follow the spirit calls the "norms of international conduct". She of the law” (hence the concept of “hijab of the suggests that it is judicious to encourage elements eyes”). Naturally, the Modernist/Progressives find within the Muslim community that are most satisfaction with the Murjiah view that faith is only compatible with the international community and in the heart, and actions are not part of faith! The are friendly to democracy and modernity. They neo-progressives have gone even further to define broadly classify Muslims into four: terms like 'non-practicing Muslim', 'non-believing 1. Fundamentalists reject democratic values Muslim' and even 'atheist Muslim' (while they and contemporary Western culture. They want a technically are Murtads). puritanical state that will implement their extreme view of Islamic law and morality. They are willing to use innovation and modern technology to achieve that goal.

2. Traditionalists want a conservative society and are suspicious of innovation and change.

3. Modernists want the Muslim world to become part of global modernity. They want to modernize and reform Islam to bring it into line with the age.

4. Secularists want the Islamic world to accept a division of the Church and the State in the manner of Western system, with religion confined to the private sphere having zero influence on the sociopolitico-economic system.

With a view to achieve these objectives, the author suggests some strategies that the West Fuzzy Tawheed makes a reformer! needs to implement. The most interesting of Such notions arise due to an unclear idea of these is supporting the 'Modernists' in the Tawhid. Properly understanding tawhid entails following ways: that until kufr-bit-taghut, i.e., denial of false-gods • Encourage them to write for the masses, (#MyChoice, popular conscience, democracy etc. especially the youth. are false-gods of today) sinks into the hearts and • Publish and distribute their works at subsidized minds of the Muslim, one cannot fall short of cost to ascertain easy access. external influences. This is why understanding • Introduce their views to Islamic education concepts that have direct influence on ideology curriculum. is important. A fuzzy understanding of tawheed, • Give them a public platform. distance from people of knowledge coupled with • Make their opinions on fundamental questions the influence of dominant civilization made the of religious interpretation available to a mass reformers to-be wonder if Islamic concepts were audience. ever correct, or needed reform.

• Position secularism and modernism as a counter-culture option for Muslim youth.

Hadith Rejectors • Facilitate and encourage an awareness of their Everyone knows that Quran is for all times. The pre and non-Islamic history and culture, in the cool reformers go on to claim that Allah has media and the curricula of relevant countries. saved Quran's language, which along with human The report, published in 2003, served policy- intellect, is sufficient to understand it (thus starts makers across the world and we saw a number the Ijtihad game). This entails a rejection of hadith. of unconventional organizations, self-proclaimed To do this, they create doubts on hadith sciences, reformers and intellectuals coming out of the blue seeking every measure to denounce the authority in new-found limelight. of ahadith. Because, until they do that, they cannot talk about their "new-age Islam”. Ahadith How to identify a Modernist? explain the Quran by describing the respective With their cool catch-phrases like “humane Islam, actions of the Prophet. These Prophetic examples gender-friendly Islam, progressive Islam” and the need to be denounced to accomodate any reform. like, they (openly) demand changes in Islam and call for a 'progressive' interpretation of Islamic Ijtihad... Who's eligible? values. Their alternate and moderate voice was So is there no such thing as reinterpretations? clearly the one that could expect State-funding Well there is! Long before the Modernists came up and favors. The lucrative opportunity thus created with the “Eureka! Islam needs reform” moment, attracted an assembly-line of individuals with our scholars since the time of the sahaba, have a history of apathy for Islam, to masquerade as been doing ijtihad based on situations, time and champions of the 'oppressed Muslim woman', society. Rules have been modified for certain ‘good-governance for Muslim nations’, ‘human special conditions. But there is one basic rule for rights’ etc. They speak in a language that the ijtihad: It is done to serve Allah and his Shariah, media likes to hear. They seek to interpret Islamic not the taghut! Imagine the logic of first living texts in the light of modern values, feelings and under the system of falsehood and then seeking desires. They consider the rationale and desires a justification for interest, removal of hijab, decisive over the revealed texts, to which they intermingling of sexes, pre-marital sex and so would, of course, never agree. The following on. Also, the ijtihad of our classical scholars was issues are the hallmarks of the modernist: done after deep study and understanding of the • Since values of a society are related to its deen. Their lives were dedicated to it and their culture and time, the Modernists call for adapting commitment to Islam was known to everyone.

The whole notion of opening the doors of ijtihad and adjusting Islam to these.

• They call for the renewal of the Deen claiming to anyone with shallow knowledge is nothing but an attempt to mix Truth (haqq) and Falsehood advancement of the society.

• To conform the Quran with modern values, (batil). The Prophet warned us of this in a famous they bring evidences to interpret it independently narration: without any "hindrance" of Sunnah or scholarly “I have left you upon a path whose clearness is like night and day. No one after me deviates from consensus.

• An element of them express opinions supporting it except that he will be destroyed. Whoever lives Wahdat al-Adyaan (unity of religions). The call of among you will see many conflicts, so you must uniting Islam (the religion which came to renew adhere to what you know of my tradition and the all previous religions) with other religions is the tradition of the upright, guided successors. Bite onto it with your molar teeth..." [Ibn Majah] greatest deceit that has challenged Islam.

Reforming Islam

Their Beginning - From the laps of Jews and Christian reformers Historically, this group emerged towards the end of the colonial era. Impressed by the ruling West, they sought inspiration from them for the advancement of Muslim societies, assimilating along the way Modernist attitude towards religion that had gained popularity amongst European Christians and Jews.

The tyranny of the Christian church in Medieval Europe led to the view that the Church was a hurdle to social, scientific and cultural progress.

This gave strength to the idea of the separation of the Church and the State, giving rise to

Bottomline The confused Muslim who might have been well-intentioned is upon the path of Jews and Christians, in how they changed their religion.

And indeed, there is among them a party who alter the Scripture with their tongues so you may think it is from the Scripture, but it is not from the Scripture. And they say, "This is from Allah", but it is not from Allah. And they speak untruth about Allah while they know. [TMQ 3:78] Being in the interest of the dominant World-order, nations fund such reformist projects heavily, which is why we see elite 'scholars' holding high profile conferences. To protect the ummah from

JargonExplained The people who experienced the Quranic revelation first hand (both Muslims and kuffar) knew precisely what saying ‘La Ilaha Illa Allah’ would mean. However, with time, the real meanings of these terms underwent subtle changes and eventually they came to stand for very limited meanings and vague concepts.

These terms need to be revisited because the Qur'an will lose its whole meaning for anyone who does not know

Ibadat

what is meant by Ilah (The concept of Ilaah has been discussed in the "Why should I choose Islam" section), what constitutes 'iba'dah, and what the Qur'an means when it uses the word deen, and Jihad. He will fail to understand Tawhid (One-ness of Allah in entirety) or its antithesis - shirk. It will not be possible for him to make his 'Ibadah, or his deen, exclusive for Allah by following the shariah.

So, whoso wishes to meet His Rabb, then let him do pious deeds, and not mix up the 'Ibadah' of his Rabb with that of any other. [TMQ 18: 110] Derived from the root abd (meaning slave) ibadat means acknowledging someone as holding supremacy over us, or enjoying lordship and of abdicating one's freedom and independence in big favor, of relinquishing any resistance to or disobedience of him, and of surrendering oneself totally to his (Ilah’s) authority. The word Ibadah, in Quran, is used in one, two or all of the following three meanings: Bondage/Slavery: Then We sent Musa and his brother Haroon, with clear proofs of their prophethood to the Pharaoh and his nobles, but they treated them with disdain because of haughtiness born of power. ”Should we," they said, "believe in two mere humans like ourselves, and that too of a nation which is in bondage to us?"

[TMQ 23:-45-47] And the Pharaoh reminded Musa of having reared him from his childhood, (to which Musa replied): "As for the obligation you remind me of, is it not a fact that happened only because you had made the Bani Israel your slaves (but for which fact I may never have come into your household)?” [TMQ 26:18-23)] The words 'aabidoon’ and 'abbadta’ employed respectively in the above verses imply bondage, slavery, and obedience. This means that man has to obey Allah, and Him alone.

Submission: “They (Jews and Christians) made their learned men and priests their Rabbs instead of Allah, and Jesus son of Mary too, though they were not bidden except to give their 'Ibadah to Allah alone.” [TMQ 9:31] This verse accuses the Jews & Christians of making their Rabbis sole authority for deciding what to do and what not to do and obeying their orders without caring to look for any divine justification behind them.

Clearly the most misunderstood term with two extremes being depicted in the mainstream media - one "killing of non-Muslims", the other a pacifist interpretation which classifies even struggling in your lavish job as jihad! - both wrong.

The term generally refers to the use of force against elements that are a hinderance in spreading Islam.

Jihad is either done with the heart - a sincere determination to follow Islam for instance - or to call towards Islam and Islamic Shariah (with the tongue).

To establish Hujjah (proof of Truth) upon the followers of falsehood, to clarify the Haq (truth) from Batil (falsehood) is also Jihad. So is to make strategies for

the collective benefit of Muslims. To fight the enemies of Allah with one's life is also Jihad. To do jihad with whatever is best and possible at a time (amongst all the above) is Wajib.

Jihad, therefore, is each of that effort which leads to the domination/supremacy of Islam. The efforts may be individual or collective, and will include that which are done from the heart, pen, wealth or life.

Allah says in the Quran: Fight them until there is no (more) fitnah and (until) worship is (acknowledged to be) for Allah . But if they cease, then there is to be no aggression except against the oppressors. [TMQ 2:193]

jihad

Shariah

From a generic standpoint, when one has recognized an Ilah and entered a Deen, the mode and the path through which one has to travel in order to obey his Ilah is called Shariah. Commonly perceived as Islamic Law, Shariah literally stands for a straight way or a path . While Shariah provides the legal framework for the foundation and functioning of a society, it also details moral, social and political codes of conduct for Muslims at an individual and collective level. In Islam, although the Deen is said to be common among all Prophets, Shariah or its parts kept on changing. Often, applying the broad principles of the deen in special situations which require a shari'i ruling or applying shari'i rulings in a general scenario causes confusions. That is where we need a faqih.

Khilafah

Khalifah refers to the ‘one who replaces someone else who left or died’. In the context of Islam, the word acquires a narrower meaning. The Muslim Khalifah is the successor (in a line of successors) to Prophet Muhammad’sSAW position as the religious and political leader of the Muslims. However, the prophetic role of MuhammadSAW is strictly not included in this definition, as the Qur’an and Hadith clearly state that MuhammadSAW was the last of the prophets of Allah.

Khilafah thus refers to the government of the Muslim state, of which the Khalifah is the head. A workable analogy of Khalifah and Khilafah is president and

Deen

The word Deen had not attained the status of a formal term before the revelation. It was given precise definition and connotations in the Quran where it stands for a way of life, comprising the following: 1- Sovereignty and supreme authority 2- Obedience and submission to such authority 3- The system of thought and action established through the exercise of that authority 4- Reward or punishment meted out by the authority, respectively for loyalty and obedience to it, or rebellion and transgression against it.

And to Him belongs all, there is in the heavens and the earth, and Deen is (rightly) His alone. Why is it, then, that you fear others the way you should fear Him (alone)? [TMQ 16:52] The making of one's deen exclusively for Allah means that one should not treat anyone other than Allah as having the ultimate authority, domain, and rulership over the universe and should so make his obedience and submission exclusively for Him; that there is no association of anyone else with Him in this respect.

There should not be the slightest element of association

this deceit, we must do the following: 1. Understand the authenticity and authority of the hadith and the importance of scholarship.

2. Read from classical sources.

3. Understand and study events from the seerah over which the orientalists generally cry hoarse.

4 Understand how far the reformist package is from the Deen of MuhammadSAW. Know that the

“And We sent Prophets unto all the peoples (to teach them) to give' their Ibadah to Allah and not to taghoot.”[TMQ 16:36] Taghoot implies every authority or leadership, which, in transgression against Allah, makes its own word prevail in the land by any means, whether by use of force, intimidation, through temptation etc. According to the Qur'an to submit to all such authority (Tawagheet) and do its bidding amounts to the 'Ibadah of taghoot’.

Worship: And those who have taken others than God as their helpers, and say: "We do not perform acts of worship towards them except that they bring us nearness to God.” [TMQ 39:3] They have no right to be given any kind of worship, nor does it beget anything but frustration and debasement.

To summarize, the Qur'an and Islam’s whole dawah is about ibadat - our bondage, our submission, and our worship should all be for Allah, wholly and solely.

Faqih - Commonly, faqih is used for an Islamic Jurist or Legal Expert of Shariah. However, faqih literally means one who understands and, in context, it means one who understands Islam. This implies somebody who has an in-depth understanding of Islam and the ability to distinguish right from wrong.

Sources of Shariah (in decreasing order of authority): Quran Hadith Ijma (Scholarly consensus) Qayas (Analogical Reasoning) Interestingly, today's (re)interpreters usually go the other way round, starting from analogies and extrapolations, even if it goes against explicit directions of Quran, Hadith and scholarly consensus.

presidency. However, in contrast to the conventional definition, it is incumbent upon Khalifah and the institution of Khilafah to implement the rule of Allah i.e. the Shariah.

According to a well-known hadith, after the death of the Prophet there would be Khilafah on the methodology of the Prophet (which was from Abu BakrRA to HasanRA) followed by kingship (Umayyad to Ottomon dynasties), followed by a period of slavery and oppression (the current period after the fall of Ottomon Empire). This period is to be followed by Khilafah again in the near future till the end. [Musnad Ahmad]

and treatment of anyone else as having sovereignty or authority and being entitled to obedience and submission as an independent right. An interesting account between MusaAS and Firaun gives a fair idea of what deen means and why would taghoot have an enormous problem with the deen of Allah.

And Firaun said: Leave me to slay Musa, and then let him call upon his Rabb (to save him). (I must slay him for) I am very much afraid that he might change your deen or disturb the peace of land. [TMQ 40:26] Firaun's contention was that if Hazrat Musa (on whom be peace) succeeded in his mission, there would come about a revolutionary change in which the prevailing way of life with the Firaun as the ultimate authority, together with all the laws, rules, and customs would be uprooted, and perhaps a whole new way of life would take its place on a completely new foundation - that of Allah's sovereignty. It is interesting to note that even then, the deen of Allah was considered a "challenge to world-order" It is clear that the word deen does not stand only for `religion' but covers also the whole politico-social and cultural set-up.

sahaba were tortured for their ideology, whereas the progressives of today are celebrated for their "boldness" of reinterpreting Islam in order to fit societal norms so that Jihad and shahadahfi-sabilillah lose their meanings and anyone talking about it looks no more than a savage and radicalized terrorist rather than lovers of MuhammadSAW, Ahle-baitAS and salaf-us-saliheenrA.

Prophetic

Timeline

628CE

Battle of Badr Widely misunderstod as a battle for self-defense, it was the Prophet who ambushed a trade caravan going to Makkah under Abu Sufiyan. The Quraysh, in defense, summoned an army of 1000 well-equipped soldiers and sent them towards Madinah. In the battle, the Muslims were promised victory by Allah and it happened even with an extreme lack of material means.

Hijrah with around 128 followers During the 13th year, the Prophet had already asked the believers to leave for Yathrib and many had left already. He was waiting for Allah’s command which he received and he migrated with Abu Bakr SiddiqueRA. It was hard since Quraysh was searching him with all might and wanted to kill him. Thus, an alternate longer and less traveled route was taken.

Battle of Uhud To avenge the loss of Badr, the Quraysh marched and attacked the Muslims at Uhud. The Muslims were on the verge of a victory when the archers left their station for gathering war-booty. This was after the explicit prior-orders by the Prophet to hold gaurd until he called them back. As a result the Muslims suffered heavy losses and several great warriors lost their lives. The Prophet himself was severely wounded. It was a lesson about sticking strictly to the command of Allah and His Messenger even if it meant sacrificing worldly pleasures. Rather than demoralizing them, the battle reinforced the faith and solidarity of the Muslims.

Preliminary Aggression Apart from small individual skirmishes, 8 missions were carried out against the Quraysh by the Prophet, in 4 of which he was personally present. This was primarily a show of might or a display of power by the Islamic State. It was also an economic blockade of the Quraysh and their containment policy by controlling very strategic trade routes all of which passed through Medina

623CE

In Madinah, a man of influence was about to be crowned as leader when the Prophet came. Ambitions shattered, he felt intense hatred against the Prophet and Islam. Along with his friends, he accepted Islam under pretense. It was the first time that Hypocrisy (Munafiqat) appeared in the Muslim society. This was soon to prove dangerous for Islam...

Treaty of Hudaiybiyah The Prophet saw a dream that he was doing Hajj.

Since Prophet’s dreams are true, 1400 Muslims started for Makkah led by the Prophet with the intention of pilgrimage. The Quraysh sent a troop to stop them but the Prophet dodged them to reach very close to Makkah and camped at a place called Hudaybiyah. Averting all attempts of provocation by the pagans, he sent Uthman bin AffanRA to convey that they hadn’t come to fight but to perform Hajj. Uthman, however, was held captive and a messenger from Quraysh came and threatened violence. The Prophet replied if Makkans were ready there could be a truce, provided they let the Muslims preach or accept Islam or resort to fighting forever. Thus a truce was signed on four terms: 1. Muslims would go back home and come again next year for Hajj.

2. All the tribes would be free to join any sides they wish or remain neutral.

3. If any one from the pagans becomes Muslims and comes to Madinah, he would be sent back.

4. If anyone from the Muslims went to Makkah, he would not be sent back.

Although many companions were dissatisfied but Allah called it the Glorious Victory. For the first time, Islam was recognized as a political power.

625CE

621CE 622CE

First Pledge of Aqabah 12 people from Medina informed MuhammadSAW of the beginning of gradual development of Islam in Medina, and took a formal pledge of allegiance promising to accept him as a prophet, to worship none but one God, and to renounce certain sins such as theft, adultery, and murder

Conquest of Khaibar At peace with Makkans, the Muslims now turned to Khaibar, the stronghold of the Jews.

Having taken them by surprise and nullified their alliances, the Prophet easily conquered each of their fortresses

624CE

620CE 621CE

Journey to Taif (620 CE) The ProphetSAW started to look for people beyond Makkah now since they were increasing in their stubbornness. The feeling of Qurayshi Nationalism would not allow anybody to accept Islam. He would talk to travelers and once he went to Taif which is 60 miles from Makkah and met many chieftains of different tribes but all rejected to answer. Some asked some slaves and boys to throw stones and rabble at him. Thus, the ProphetSAW was chased out of the Taif and was injured

Conquest of Tabook The Prophet rode to Tabook after subduing Banu Thaqif in Hunain. Heraclius of Rome recognized him as a true Prophet and departed with his army. The Ghassanite King who had started to assemble people also left. Thus, all regional powers were subdued and many kings and clans paid Jiziyah and joined the Islamic Dominion.

628CE

617CE

Boycott and Virtual Siege of the Muslims The Quraysh went to Abu Talib and asked him to hand over MuhammadSAW. On his refusal they imposed a total boycott on Banu Hashim, Banu Abdul Muttalib and all their supporters.

This resulted in starvation of the Believers for 3 years and they barely lived through that phase.

In hunger and desperation, they would eat leaves and people would sometimes chew and lick wet leather and stones. But this period also had a great impact on Quraysh and they got the chance to observe the believers closely. The cries of babies in hunger would echo in Sho’bae-Abi Talib and people would see the relentless steadfastness of the believers closely.

The Farewell Sermon At Hajj that year, the Muslims and mankind in general were given a code by the Final Messenger to be followed till eternity.

630CE

Verbal and physical persecution and Passive resistance by the Prophet The next phase came with the Quraysh believing that this movement is not going anywhere. Now it was a real threat to their gods and the sociopolitical structure that benefited them and their religious hegemony over Arabia. This led to beatings, torture, intense propaganda and mocking against Muslims. The slaves and the poor bore the brunt of their anger

[Source: Musnad Ahmad]

632CE

615CE

Battle of Ahzab/Battle of the Trench The Quraysh gathered a confederate army of around 10,000 fighters which was unimaginable in Arabia at that time. On three sides, Madinah was naturally protected by mountains and forest.

On the advice of Salman FarsiRA a trench was dug on the remianing side to avoid direct contact.

It resulted in a siege which lasted for about a month. Finally, the Quraysh had to give up and leave and the Prophet gave Muslims glad tidings about victories over Quraysh and, in the near future, on the empires of Rome and Persia Exile of three Jewish clans Two out of the Jewish clans who had broken their oath earlier were dealt with accordingly. But the third tribe crossed all bounds by allying with the Makkans in conspiring against the Muslims. They were a constant threat to the Islamic state. Thus, Allah commanded the Prophet to punish them.

627CE

The Dawn of Guidance MuhammadSAW became very reserved and reflective. He would prefer seclusion and would go to caves to ponder and contemplate.

One such day he was visited by the Archangel Jibra’eel who revealed the first verses of the Quran: "Recite in the name of your Lord who created..."

619CE

Second Pledge of Aqabah Due the hardwork of Musab bin UmairRA 72 people including 3 women, visited Makkah and took pledge at the hand of the Prophet and requested him to come to Madinah. They vowed to live and die with him for the sake of Islam and the ProphetSAW vowed the same

Fath e Makkah The Quraysh broke the truce, killing the people of a tribe which was part of the truce. Abu Sufiyan anxiously arrived in Madinah to visit the Prophet seeking extension of the treaty but failed to do so. The Muslims marched on Makkah with an army of 10,000. The Prophet announced whoever entered the Mosque or Abu Sufiyan’s house or shuts his doors or comes out without weapons is safe. When he entered his head was touching the back of his camel and he was thanking Allah and he forgave everybody. Then he proceeded to the Ka’bah and broke the idols reciting the verses: Truth has come and Falsehood has been subdued, and falsehood was meant to be defeated [17:81]

Prophethood:

Verbal persecution by the Quraysh For roughly five years the response of Quraysh to the Prophet was one of verbal rejection, mocking and non-serious propaganda. They believed that if they would be able to break the will of the Prophet, he would himself stop and things will become normal again for them

Marriage with Aisha The Prophet married AishahRA the daughter of Abu BakrRA. She would later become the most important scholar of Islam Night of Ascension: Isra and Meraj MuhammadSAW travels on the steed Buraq to "the farthest mosque" where he leads other prophets in prayer. He then ascends to heaven where he speaks to Allah, who gives him instructions to take back to the faithful regarding the prayer

Burning of Dirar On his return Journey from Tabook, the Prophet was instructed to burn the Dirar Mosque which was a nerve center of the Hypocrites

630CE

616CE

The year of Grief Finally, the boycott was lifted and during the tenth year, first Abu Talib and then Prophet’s wife KhadeejahRA passed away. The death of Abu Talib made the Prophet vulnerable to Quraysh. The death of KhadijahRA struck a severe emotional blow to the Prophet who loved her intensely

Death of MuhammadSAW After the last verses of the completion of the Deen were revealed, after a short time the Prophet left the material world

630CE

612CE

UmarRA and HamzaRA believe After many years of preaching two important people - HamzaRA and then UmarRA - accepted Islam giving it strength and power. ProphetSAW used to pray for UmarRA which was finally accepted. After the conversion of UmarRA and upon his request, the first open prayer was done in Makkah alongwith around 40 believers.

610CE

595CE

First Sermon of the Mount After two years of secret propagation, Allah commanded his Prophet to call people to Islam.

He climbed Mount Safa and proclaimed: “Ar-Raid (one whom his people trust with life to search for water and alert about an enemy) does not lie to his people. By Allah! Even if I lied to everyone, I would never lie to you, and if I deceived everyone, I would never deceive you.

By Allah, other than Whom there is no deity worthy of worship, I am Allah’s Messenger to you and to all people. By Allah! You will die just as easy as you sleep, and you will be resurrected just as easy you wake up. You will be recompensed on account of what you do, earning good for good and evil for evil. Verily, it is either Paradise for eternity or Fire for eternity."

Daughters divorced After listening to the call Abu Lahab was the first to retort. He condemned MuhammadSAW and made his two sons divorce the daughters of MuhammadSAW. Against him, the fiery verses of Surah Lahab were revealed

Hilf ul Fudool During his youth, MuhammadSAW joined an organization of Arab Nobles which pledged to fight against all injustice, tyranny and oppression. Later the Prophet is reported to have said: ”Certainly I witnessed a pact of Justice in the house of Abdullah ibn Ju’dan. If I were called to it NOW in the time of Islam, I would respond. Make such alliances in order to return rights to the people, that no oppressor may have power over oppressed."

632CE

585CE

Marriage to KhadijaRA As a trader, MuhammadSAW displayed such an exemplary character in his dealings that over time he came to be known as As-Sadiq (The Truthful) and Al-Ameen (The Trustworthy).

Impressed by his noble character, Khadeejah bint Khuwailid - a rich noble woman who was a widow and 15 years older than him - offered him a marriage proposal.

MuhammadSAW agreed and the marriage sermon was given by Abu Talib.

Death of the Prophet’s mother While returning from Yathrib (Madina), his mother passed away at Abwa. As a child he wept on her mother’s grave and throughout his life he loved her intensely and advocated the same.

Later while travelling with companions, he used to halt at Abwa to show her respect.

MADINAH622CE

578CE

Death of the Prophet’s grandfather After his mother, MuhammadSAW was adopted by his grandfather Abdul Muttalib who raised him for two years until he also passed away.

Abu Talib becomes guardian Abu Talib loved his nephew more than his own children and made him sleep in his own bed. He would take him along on business trips.

Abraha attacks His intent to raze the Ka'bah fails due to forces of nature including stone-pelting birds. This instills a fear of Allah in the hearts of Arabs.

Strange things start happening in Makkah.

Abdul Muttalib's pregnant daughter-in-law Amina starts hearing from the angels.

MuhammadSAW is born. Having lost her husband Abdullah durign pregnancy, Amina tends to her son knowing he was destined for greatness.

Haleema Sadia becomes his foster mother. The nobles of Arabs would entrust their children to Bedouin women to let them become healthy and strong in the open climate of the desert and gain eloquent speech.

576CE

MAKKAH 570CE

Six centuries after Christ...

Great nations of the world were filled with gloom and darkness.

Mankind was craving for guidance and refuge from the tumultuous life on earth.

And in the sands of Arabia something was about to happen...........

"O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore, listen carefully to what I say and take these words to those who could not be present here today.

O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as sacred. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds. Allah has forbidden usury (interest). But your capital is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity.

Beware of Satan for the safety of your religion. He has lost hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.

O People, it is true that you have certain rights over your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as wives only under Allah's trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right, then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And

it is your right that they do not make friends with anyone you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.

O People, listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, say your five daily prayers, fast during Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford to.

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black any superiority over white - except by piety (taqwa). Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves. Remember, one day you will appear before Allah and answer for your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the right path after I am gone.

People, no prophet or apostle will come after me and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore, O People, and understand words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Quran and my example, and if you follow these you will never go astray.

All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand it better than the first.

Be my witness, O Allah, that I have conveyed your message to your people."

The Madinah Charter

MuhammadSAW was recognized as the leader of the Islamic state and all Muslims declared to be one nation separate from all people. This seal was adopted as his official seal and used to sign the Madinah Charter. The charter included recognition of non-Muslim religious freedom and a joint-defense agreement with the Jewish tribes who had forts on the outskirts.