IN THE NAME OF ALLAH
MOST GRACIOUS, MOST MERCIFUL
“O you people, adore your Lord who created you and
those who came before you, that you may have the chance to be righteous”.
(The Qur’an 2:21)
Your Way to Islam
An invitation to all to join the faithful in their progress
to Allah’s blessing. “Those who obey Allah and His Messenger
are in the Company of those who are blessed by Allah, The Prophets,
The Sincere (faithful), the Witnesses (Martyrs) and the Righteous (who
do good), and what a beautiful fellowship!” (The Qur’an 4:69).
CHAPTER 1
PREFACE
- Behold all that is around you on earth: things, plants, insects,
animals, birds and fish...
- Don’t you see that they have accurate systems governing and
guiding their life?
- Behold all that is above you in space: sun, moon, planets, stars,
clouds, wind ... etc., aren’t they all functioning properly and
accurately and rendering valuable services to our life on earth?
- Think of yourself, of your organs, of your numerous and efficient
body systems, how they are cooperatively functioning to secure healthful
life for you!
- Who created all these fantastic things? Who established their accurate
systems? Who is controlling this huge and complicated universe?
- No one dared so far to claim creating, or being able to create,
any single thing, even a hair!!
- The Creator and The Sustainer of all these Creatures is One only;
if there were more than one there would have been confusion in the
heavens and the earth! That One is Allah (the only true God).
- It is very logical, then, to acknowledge this fact, to know our
Creator and Provider to be grateful to Him, and to submit ourselves
and our life to His Wise and Merciful Guidance.
- Our Creator has endowed us with intellect to understand and with
freedom to choose the right path.
- Allah has showed us the right path through his messengers sealed
by Mohammad and His Books completed by The Qur’an.
- In front of us there are two ways: one is leading to bliss in this
life and in the Hereafter that is Islam.
- The other is leading to misery and loss in this world, and to eternal
punishment in the Hereafter. The choice is ours, what are we going
to choose? May Allah guide us into the Right Path! Aameen!
CHAPTER 2
ISLAM WHY? FOR
WHOM? WHEN?
Islam.... Why?
- Because Islam is the religion chosen by Allah for all humanity.
- Because Islam is the religion of all prophets since Adam to Mohammad
(Peace be upon them all).
- Because Islam is the religion delivered by all Messengers of Allah
and Islam is the seal of all heavenly revelations, and
- Because Prophet Muhammad – Sallallahu alayhi wasallam –
the Messenger of Islam is the last of God’s apostles, and
- Because The Qur’an is the last of Allah’s scriptures.
- Allah ta’ala (Glory be to Him) says: “Do they seek other
than the Deen (Religion) of Allah? While all creatures in the heavens
and on earth have, Willingly or unwillingly, bowed to His Will (accepted
Islam), and to Him shall they All be brought back,” (The Qur’an
3:83) “If anyone desires a Deen (Religion) other than Islam (submission
to Allah) it will never be accepted from him; and in the Hereafter
he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (everything) (The Qur’an
3:85).
Islam... for whom?
- For every person upon whom Allah has bestowed life and intellect.
- For those who can see the blessings of Allah.
- For those who can hear the Words of Allah.
- For those who can comprehend the signs of Allah.
- For those whose hearts are full of love and gratitude to Allah.
- For you, for me, and for those whose blessed hearts are open to
faith.
Islam
... When?
- Now and always.
- Obey your heart’s call to faith.
- It is your life chance.
- A golden chance that might not strike your heart again.
- Answer Allah’s call. He summons you.
- “But your God is one God, submit your wills to Him (in Islam),
and give the good news to those who humble themselves.” [The
Qur’an 22:34].
CHAPTER 3
THE GREAT TRIP
- If you become convinced that Islam is the true religion,
- Seek a trustworthy Islamic authority such as an Islamic Center,
a mosque, or an Islamic Organization.
- Contact the person in charge and tell him about your wish to embrace
Islam.
- The person in charge will ask you some questions to know how far
you are convinced with Islam.
- This pamphlet will provide you with answers for such questions.
- Before you reach that honorable occasion, i.e., declaring conversion
to Islam, wash the whole of your body with the intention of converting
to Islam. It is also recommended for this very special occasion, to
shave under-arm and pubic hair, dress up, and apply a pleasant-smelling
perfume to the body.
CHAPTER 4
WHAT DO YOU SAY
TO DECLARE
YOUR CONVERSlON TO lSLAM?
- To achieve this, it is sufficient to say (in Arabic, if possible):
- ’Ash-hadu ’an la ilaha ’illaal-lah!
- Wa ‘ash-hadu ‘an-na Muhammadan rasulul-lah
- Wa ‘ash-hadu ‘an-na ‘isa abdul-lahi wa rasuluhu
- Bari’tu min kulli dinin yukhalifu dinal-Islam
The meaning of this is as follows:
- I bear witness that there is no (true) god except Allah.
- And I bear witness that Muhammad is Allah’s Messenger.
- And I bear witness that Jesus is the slave and messenger of Allah.
- deny and refuse any religion except Islam.
Also you can say:
- I (firmly) believe in Allah, His Angels, His scriptures, His Messengers,
the Last Day, and in the ability of Allah to will the existence of
good or bad.
- I promise Allah not to associate with Him (in worship) anyone or
anything (whatsoever), and,
- I will steadfastly perform Salat (the Five Prayers), and
- I will give out Zakat (special Islamic system of charity), and
- I will never steal, and
- Never commit adultery (or fornication), and
- Never illegally kill a person, and
- Never disobey Allah.
- Praise be to Allah Who has guided me to belief !
Note: The person in charge, in front of whom a new Muslim
has announced his conversion to Islam, prays Allah for him with such
prayers: Allah may forgive me and you! And Allah may accept (submission)
from me and you! O Allah! Accept him with those on whom You did bestow
your Grace, of Prophets, the Sincere (lovers of Truth), the Witnesses,
and the righteous! What a beautiful Fellowship!
CHAPTER 5
What is Islam?
- Islam is (composed of) three (main) areas: Utterance, faith, and
deeds.
- The utterance was explained in chapter 4.
- Faith is to believe in Allah, the Angels, the Heavenly Scriptures,
Prophets, the last Day and in the ability of Allah to will the existence
of good or bad.
- Deeds are: Salat (Prayers), Zakat (Alms-giving), Siyam (Fasting),
and Hajj (Pilgrimage).
CHAPTER 6
FAITH IN ALLAH
- We believe that Allah is one God, our Lord and the Lord of everything,
- Allah is the Creator of everything,
- All other than Him are created, and are servants who share nothing
with Allah.
- Even Angels and Prophets are merely created servants submitting
to Allah.
- Among them are Jesus and Muhammad (Peace be upon them); both have
no trace of deity (godhood).
- Allah is the Living Self-Subsisting, Eternal, the First without
a beginning and the Last without an end.
- He hears everything and sees everything.
- He is Most Gracious, Most Merciful, All-Dominating,
- He has the Most beautiful Names and the Noblest Attributes.
- He has created us out of nothing,
- And made us in the best form.
- He has given us all graces and bounties.
- Hence we are not permitted to worship or submit to any other than
Him, whether a favorite Angel or a chosen Prophet!
- Whoever directs his prayers, bows or prostrates (in worship), or
offers sacrifice to any other than Allah, he is an infidel! and not
a Muslim even if he declares that he is a Muslim:
- Allah says: “Say: Truly my prayer and my service of sacrifice,
my life and my death, are (all) for Allah, the Cherisher of the
Worlds. No partner has He. This I am commanded and I am the first
of those who submit to His Will”. [The Qur’an 6:162 -163]
- Islam is the religion of Monotheism: it denies the Dualism of
Magians and the Trinity of Christians. Islam teaches that Allah
is One and only One. No one shares with Him, His Dominion or His
Command. He has the Most beautiful Names and the Noblest Attributes:
- Allah says: “Say! He is Allah, the One. He is the Most Unique,
the Eternal,the Absolute. He neither gives birth, nor is He born.
And there is none like unto Him. “ [Al Qur’an 112).
CHAPTER 7
FAITH IN ANGELS
- Allah has created Angels to worship Him, to carry out His commands
and to be His messengers to His Prophets.
- One of the angels is Gabriel who used to bring down Revelation to
our Prophet Muhammad 'Alayhis-Salatu was-Salamu (peace be upon him).
- Another Angel is Michael who is in charge of rain falling.
- A third one is the "Angel of Death" who is in charge of
taking the souls of people whose death is due.
- Angels are but servants honored by Allah.
- Hence we honor them and speak of them respectfully.
- But we worship none of them, nor do we take them as Allah's sons
or daughters (as infidels claim).
- We worship only Allah who created them in this wonderful kind of
creation.
Allah (Glory be to Him) says: "And they say: The
Most Gracious has begotten a son, Glory be to Him! They are but servants
raised to honor. They do not speak before He speaks, and they act (in
all things) by His command. He knows what is before them and what is
behind them, and they offer no intercession except for those whom He
accepted, and they stand in awe and reverence of Him. If any of them
should say, ‘I am a God besides Him’, such one We should reward
with Hell. Thus do We reward those who do wrong”. [The Qur’an
21:26-29]
CHAPTER 8
FAITH IN HOLY SCRIPTURES
- Allah has sent down to a number of Messengers, Books in order to
proclaim them to mankind.
- These Books contain the Words of Allah.
- Among them are the Sheets of Ibrahim (Abraham), Taurat revealed
to Moosa (Moses), Az-Zabour (psalms) revealed to Dawood (David), The
Injil (Gospel) revealed to Isa (Jesus), And The Qur’an sent down
to Muhammad, (Peace be upon them all).
- Jews and Christians distorted some parts of their Books (Taurat
and Injil).
- Being the last Book assuredly guarded from corruption, The Qur’an
confirms the truth in the previous Books and guards it.
- Whatever, in those Books, differs from The Qur’an is corrupted
or abrogated.
- Allah (Glory be to Him) says: “To you We sent the scripture
in truth Confirming the scriptures that came before it, And guarding
it...” [The Qur’an 5:48].
- Allah revealed The Qur’an in Arabic and has firmly promised
to protect. His last Message from all corruption; He says about The
Qur’an: “We have, without doubt, sent down the Message,
and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption)” [The Qur’an
15:9]
CHAPTER 9
FAITH IN PROPHETS
- We believe that: Allah chose from among mankind some Prophets to
deliver His Guidance.
- From among those Prophets He selected Some Messengers.
- He sent to the Messengers Laws and commanded them to proclaim these
laws and to clarify them to their people.
- Some of the great Messengers of Allah were Nooh (Noah), Ibrahim
(Abraham), Moosa (Moses), Isa (Jesus), and Muhammad (peace be upon
them all).
- Embracing Islam does not mean to disbelieve in Moosa, Isa, or any
other prophet.
- Islam teaches you how to believe correctly in all Prophets.
- Allah (Glory be to Him) says in The Qur’an: “To you We
sent the Scripture in Truth, Confirming the scriptures that came before
it, And guarding it...” [The Qur’an 5:48]. Meaning: Clarifying
the Truth they distorted.
- Allah mentioned’ names of a number of Prophets, He says: “Say
you (Muslims): We believe in Allah, and the revelation given to us,
and to Ibrahim, lsma‘il, Isaac, Ya‘qoob (Jacob) and the
Tribes, and that which was given to Moosa (Moses), and Isa (Jesus),
and that which was given to all Prophets from their Lord. We make
no difference between one and another of them, and we submit to Allah
(in Islam)” [The Qur‘an 2:136]
- The first Prophet was Adam, father of mankind, Alayhis-Salam (Peace
be upon him).
- Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam ‘Alayhis-Salatu was-Salamu (Peace
be upon him) is the Seal (the last) of the prophets. No prophet is
to come after him up to the end of this world.
- Hence the fact that Islam is the only true religion to remain up
to the Last Day.
- He is Muhammad son of Abdullah son of Abdul-Muttalib. He is an Arab
from (the famous tribe) of The Quraysh, a descendant of Ibrahim (Abraham)
and Isma‘il (Ishmael) – Alayhimus-salatu was-salamu –
(Peace, and prayers of Allah be upon them).
- He was born in Makkah (Mecca) in 571 AD (Known as the Year of the
Elephant).
- Allah sent Revelation to him when he was 40 years old.
- He stayed in Makkah 13 years calling people to (believe in) Allah.
- Only a limited number of people believed in him.
- After that he emigrated to Al-Madinah and invited its people to
believe in Allah, and they accepted.
- He became the leader of Makkah in the year 8 AH He died at the age
of 63 after the whole of The Qur’an was revealed, and all Arabs
embraced Islam.
CHAPTER 10
FAITH IN THE LAST DAY
- We believe that there will be another life after this life.
- When the determined term of this life comes to an end, Allah will
command an Angel to sound the Trumpet and all mankind and all other
creatures will die.
- Then he (Angel) will sound it again, when, behold, all dead since
Adam will stand out of their graves.
- Then, Allah will gather all people to account them for what they
did:
- Those who believed (in Allah), accepted the Messengers (as truthful)
and did good deeds (commanded by Allah), Allah will put them in Paradise.
- In Paradise, they will enjoy eternal Bliss.
- But those who rejected the Messengers and disobeyed Allah’s
commands, will be put in Hell.
- In Hell Fire, they will be in continuous eternal punishment.
- O Allah! We ask Your Paradise and seek refuge with You from Fire
of Hell! Aameen!
- Allah (Glory be to Him) says: “As for those who had transgressed
all bounds; and had preferred the life of this world; the Abode will
be Hell-Fire. And for those who had feared of standing in front of
their Lord’s (Tribunal); and had restrained (their) souls from
lower desires; their Abode will be Paradise.” (The Qur’an
79:37-41)
CHAPTER 11
FAITH IN FATE AND DIVINE DECREE
- We believe in the timeless knowledge of Allah and in His power to
plan and execute His plans and nothing could happen in His Kingdom
against His will.
- His knowledge and power are in action and command at all times over
His creation.
- He is Wise and Merciful and whatever He does must have a meaningful
purpose.
- If this is established in our minds and hearts, we should accept
with good faith all that He does,
- Although we may fail to understand it fully, or think it is bad.
CHAPTER 12
IBADAT (RELIGIOUS DEEDS)
- Deeds in Islam are of two main categories:
- ‘Ibadat, these are the rituals, or devotional duties, of
worship: Salat, Zakat, Siyam, and Hajj.
- Mu’amalat, these include all life activities related to the
individual, family, society, or the whole ‘Ummah (Muslim Community
at large), political, economic, cultural, legal, ethical…,
national or international.
- Mu‘amalat when carried out in fulfillment of Allah’s Shari’a
(Law) will be a sort of “Worship” in the general sense.
- In this pamphlet, Mu’amalat will not be dealt with. You have
to consult in each case either a book of Fiqh (Islamic Law) or any
well informed Muslim scholar or authority.
- The practical Pillars (Foundations) of Islam are Five:
- The two Shahadas (Declarations of submission to Allah)
- Salat (Prayer)
- Zakat (Poor Due)
- Siyam (Fasting of Ramadhan)
- Hajj (Pilgrimage)
CHAPTER 13
THE TWO SHAHADAS (DECLARATIONS)
Ash-Shahadah means to say, with a firm belief in heart,
and mind, the following:
- ’Ash-hadu ’an Laa ’ilaha ’illal-Lahu,
- Wa’ash-hadu ’anna Muhammadan rasulul-Lah.
The meaning of these is:
- I bear witness that there is no (true) god except Allah,
- and I bear witness that Muhammad is Allah’s Messenger.
These imply two things:
- That are deeds must be sincere to God alone.
- That we only worship God as Muhammad taught.
CHAPTER 14
SALAT (PRAYER)
We pray five times everyday:
- The Fajr (dawn) prayer. Two Rak‘ahs (Units). Its time starts
just after dawn and ends at sunrise.
- The Dhuhr (noon) prayer. Four Rak‘ahs. Time starts just after
sun moves down from its zenith and ends at the midpoint between zenith
and sunset.
- The Asr (Late afternoon) prayer: Four Rak‘ahs. Time starts
after the end of the Dhuhr prayer and ends at sunset.
- The Maghrib (Sunset) prayer: Three Rak‘ahs. Time starts just
after sunset.
- The Isha’ (Evening) prayer: Four Rak‘ahs. Preferable time
starts when twilight disappears and ends at midnight.
CHAPTER 15
AT-TAHARAH (PURITY)
- A Muslim must be pure and clean when he performs his prayer, (otherwise
his prayers will not be valid).
- At-Taharah is of two types: Wudu’, (Ablution) and Ghusl (full
Ablution).
WUDU’ (Ablution) which is performed as follows:
- Have Niyyah (the clear intention) of performing wudu’.
- Say: "Bismil-Lahi r-rahmani r-rahim" (in the name of
Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful).
- Wash the hands, rinse the mouth and clear with water the inside
of the nose (sniffing).
- Wash the face.
- Wash the arms up to the elbows (start with the right arm)
- Rub the head with wet hands, and the ears.
- Wash the feet up to the ankles (starting with the right foot)
- Say the two Shahadahs.
- No need for reapplying Wudu’ as long as it has not been invalidated.
- Wudu' is invalidated by: Passing of excrement, urine,
wind or by sleeping.
GHUSL (Taking a shower):
A Muslim must take Ghusl after:
- Ejaculation of semen because of any reason.
- Intimate intercourse.
- For women: End of Menstruation period.
- End of the childbirth period.
Ghusl is washing the whole body with clean water.
TAYAMMUM (Dry Ablution):
In case of not having water for Wudu or Ghusl, or being
unable to use it for any reason, apply the Dry Ablution:
- Have Niyyah (the clear intention) of performing Tayammum’.
- Say: "Bismillahir-rahmanir-rahim" (in the name of Allah,
The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful).
- Hit the palms once on any clean dust-containing material,
- then rub the face with the palms, then the hands.
CHAPTER 16
HOW TO PERFORM SALAT (PRAYERS)?
- The best way for men is to perform salat in congregation with Muslims
in the mosque. There you will be given more reward by Allah and you
will leam easily how to pray.
- Be sure that your body, clothes and place are clean.
- Stand facing towards the direction of QIBLAH, that is the direction
of the Sacred mosque in Makkah, in Al Hijaz (Saudi Arabia).
- Raise the hands to the shoulder level and say: “Allahu Akbar”
(Allah is the Greatest).
- Fold the hand on the chest, the right hand over the left.
- Recite Al-Fatihah (The Opening Chapter of The Qur’an) and another
chapter or some verses of The Qur’an (See App. 1)
- Say. “Allahu Akbar” while making Ruku‘ (bowing and
bending the body at a right angle placing the palms on the knees)
- Say in Ruku’: “Subhana rabbiyal-atheem” (Glory be
to my Lord, the Great!) three times.
- Go back to the standing position saying: “Sami‘a ’allahu
liman hamidah! Rabbana wa lakal-hamd.” (Indeed, Allah listens
to one who praises Him O! Our Lord! All praises be to You)
- Then, you say “Allahu Akbar” and immediately fall down
to make the first Sajdah (Prostration) with forehead, nose, palms,
knees and toes resting on the ground,-saying: “Subhana rabbiyal
’a‘la” (Glory be to my Lord, Most High) Three times.
- Move from sajdah (prostration) position to sitting posture while
saying; “Allahu Akbar!” While sitting, say “Rabbighfirli
warhamni” (O My Lord! Forgive me! and have mercy on me)
- After this, another sajdah is done in the same way with “Allahu
Akbar” uttered before it, and “Subhana rabbiyal ’a‘la”
Three times during Sujud.
- After completing the second sajdah, one “Rak‘ah”
is completed.
- Stand up saying “Allahu Akbar” in order to begin a new
Rak‘ah, exactly as the first Rak‘ah.
- After finishing the second “Rak‘ah” you sit down
and recite Part One and Part Two of “At-Tashahhud”.
- Finally you turn the face to the right hand side and say: “As-Salamu
‘alaykum wa rahmatul-lah” which means Peace be upon you
and The Mercy of Allah!
- Then you do the same to the left side.
- Thus a two- Rak‘ah prayer is completed, such as the Fajr Prayer.
- As for 4 Rak‘ah prayers such as the Dhuhr, only the first part
of At-Tashahhud is recited after completing the second Rak‘ah.
Then you stand up to perform two more Rak‘ahs in the same way,
but without reciting any verses from The Qur’an after Al-Fatihah.
- The ‘Asr and t ‘Isha’ prayers are performed exactly
as the Dhuhr.
- In the Maghrib Prayer, the final Tashahhud and “As-Salam…”
come after the third Rak‘ah.
WHY WE PRAY
- The Muslim observes his Prayers to show devotion and obedience to
Allah, because Prayer is one of the greatest forms of worship that
Allah likes His servants to offer.
- To thank Him for creating us in the best form of creation.
- Because He has guided us to the Deen (Complete way of Life, Religion)
of Islam.
- Prayer is a chance for a Muslim to express to his Lord whatever
he feels and needs through Divine Words of Allah i.e. the Qur’an.
- To remember his Lord and not forget His commands amid life’s
pre-occupations.
- To ask Allah, The Exalted, to give him aid and continuous guidance
in the darkness of life.
- To strengthen love and fear of Allah in the Muslim’s heart
so that he might remain sticking to the Right Path of Islam, and its
laws and manners.
- Gaining good rewards from Allah and having our sins forgiven.
- To rejoice when he finds himself on the Last Day pleased with the
great reward allotted to him in the Gardens of Bliss.
- Prayer is a unique training and developmental program which, if
well and devotedly performed, can achieve for Muslims many valuable
physical, ethical and spiritual gains such as cleanliness, health,
order, punctuality, brotherhood, equality, social consolidation,…
etc.
CHAPTER 17
ZAKAT (Poor Due, Alms)
WHAT IS ZAKAT
- The term “Zakat” originally means: growth, and purity.
- In Islamic Law, it means paying every lunar year a certain percentage
of your savings to certain charitable usage defined by The Qur’an.
- If you have, for that period, an amount of money equal to the value
of 85 grams of pure gold (now 1985, is about $1000) or more, you must
pay 2.5%.
- Zakat is paid for the poor and the needy Muslims, for the wayfarers,
for propagating Islam or fighting for Islam, for helping new Muslims
or encouraging non-Muslims to embrace Islam, for those who are burdened
with debts and are unable to pay them.
- If you have articles of trade, you calculate their Zakat in the
same way.
- You can ask some Muslim scholar or refer to any good reference book
to know more about Zakat.
WHY WE PAY ZAKAT
- To show devotion to Allah Who commanded us to do so and informed
us that He loves the charitable.
CHAPTER 18
SAWM, or SIYAM (Fasting)
ABOUT THE FAST
- In Ramadan, (the 9th month of the lunar Islamic year)
Muslims fast in obedience to Allah’s command and in gratitude
for Allah’s Grace for revealing His Glorious Book, The Qur’an,
in Ramadan.
- Sawm (Fasting) is to abstain from eating, drinking and intimate
intercourse from dawn to sunset.
- If sick or on a journey, a Muslim is permitted to break his fast.
- If he breaks the fast, he has to make it up by fasting a number
of days equal to the days in which he broke fasting in Ramadan.
- After the end of Ramadan comes “Eid al-Fitr” (the Holy
day of Breaking the Fast) which is the 1st day of Shawwal,
the month following Ramadan.
- On the Eid morning, all Muslims congregate, in open grounds or in
mosques, to perform “ Eid Prayer” to express their happiness
and gratitude to Allah for enabling them to complete this duty of
Fasting.
- Concerning this important duty, Allah says: “O you who believe.
Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before
you, that you may (observe) piety and self-restraint” [The Qur’an
2:183]
- Also, He says: “Ramadan is the month in which was sent down
The Qur’an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (signs) for guidance
and judgement (between right and wrong). So, every one of you who
is present (at his home, village, or town) during that month should
fast it, but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period
(should be made up) by other days”. [The Qur’an 2:185].
WHY WE FAST
- We fast in obedience to Allah’s command, and because Allah
loves those who fast.
- To show our gratitude to Allah’s Grace of sending down His
Guidance, The Qur’an, to guide us and the whole humanity.
- To thank Allah for making us of those who believe in The Qur’an.
- And because He enabled us to memorize His Book, to recite it, to
study and understand it, and to benefit in its guidance.
- To develop control on our material desires Allah planted in our
nature.
- To control ourselves in front of all things prohibited by Allah.
- Fasting makes us remember the needy who suffer from hunger and deprivation.
Hence, to become more sympathetic to them and help them with part
of what Allah has bestowed upon us.
- To check our engrossment in our desires, and increase our care for
our spiritual entity through intensifying our deeds and acts of worship
in this month of The Qur’an.
- To increase our share of sincerity, consience, patience, discipline,
as well as many healthful benefits.
- Above all these, the great reward Allah promised to give us on the
Last Day.
CHAPTER 19
HAJJ (THE PILGRIMAGE)
WHAT IS HAJJ
- Hajj is a journey to ’Al-Ka‘bah (the sacred House of Allah)
in Makkah (Mecca) with the intention of obeying Allah’s command
and performing certain prescribed rites there. (For the details of
performing Hajj, you may consult any Islamic reference book on the
subject).
- Performing Hajj is obligatory, once in a lifetime, upon every mature
Muslim provided he is able (physically and financially).
- The whole journey of Hajj and its rites conform to a unique form,
the principles of Islam and commemorate Islamic milestones related
to Prophets Ibraheem (Abraham), Ismael and Muhammad, ‘Alayhimus-salam.
- The rites of Hajj are performed, in general, in the first ten days
of Dhul-Hijjah (the last month of the Islamic Year).
- On the 9th of Dhul Hijah the culminating rite is performed
at Mount ‘Arafat’ where all pilgrims, sometimes about two
million, gather.
- Pilgrims’ stand at ‘Arafat to declare their supplications
to Allah and their repentance and need of His Mercy and Forgiveness.
- This reminds us of the Grand Assembly on the Day of Judgment.
- The next day (the tenth) is the great Eid ’Al-’Adha (The
Feast of Sacrifice) when pilgrims offer their sacrifices. After slaughtering
their sacrifices, pilgrims go to Makkah and make Tawaf (circumbulate)
seven times around Al-Ka‘bah.
- Muslims everywhere slaughter their sacrifices (of camels, cows,
or sheep) after performing the Eid Prayer.
- These sacrifices were prescribed in commemoration of the great sacrifice
of Prophet Abraham (Alayhis-salam) when he was about to slaughter
his only son, Ismael, whom he loved much, when Allah ordered him to
do so to test his loyalty and obedience to Him.
- After completing the acts of Hajj, you can enjoy visiting The Mosque
of Prophet Muhammad – sallal-lahu ‘alayhi wa salam –
in Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah (the illuminated town) and attend some
Prayers there. The reward for praying at that Mosque is great.
- When in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, pay a greeting visit to the Prophet’s
grave and to his noble companions’ graves, in the Islamically
accepted form.
- Also visiting the Holy Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem is recommendable
in Islam.
WHY WE PERFORM HAJJ
Purposes and lessons of performing Hajj are so many. Among
them are:
- Responding in obedience to Allah’s commands.
- To be grateful to Allah for His Grace and Favors on us, such as
health, wealth and children.
- To glorify Allah by visiting and making Tawaf (gowing around) His
Sacred House, Al-Ka‘bah.
- (Al-Ka‘bah is the first House built on earth for worshipping
Allah, which Ibrahim – The Friend – and his son Isma‘il
erected by the instruction of Allah).
- To pray at Al-Ka‘ba, which is the Qiblah (direction) to which
all Muslims turn their faces in the five daily prayers.
- To visit and stand in devotion to Allah at the Sacred Mountains
such as Mount ‘Arafat. There we celebrate the praises of Allah,
purify our souls and repent of all sins.
- To see the places where Ibrahim, the noble Friend and Prohpet of
Allah, and his first son Ismail – Alayhis-salam – stayed
and worshiped Allah.
- To visit the places where Prophet Muhammad – alayhis-salam
– was born, brought up, received the Divine Message, suffered
and struggled for spreading the light of Allah.
- To meet our Muslim brethren coming from all countries, and to see
the actualization of brotherhood, equality, cooperation and love among
Muslims regardless of their differences in nationality, color, standard
of living, and other worldly matters. To see the universality of Islam.
- To practice patience, sacrifice, endurance, simplicity and other
spiritual capacities we are in urgent need of.
- To come back cleansed of our sins, so as to start a new page in
our life, hoping to keep it free from sins until the end of life,
so that we may be accepted and well rewarded by Allah in the Hereafter.
CHAPTER 20
HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR ISLAM?
- Becoming a Muslim after becoming convinced is opening a plain page
in your deed record.
- Whatever bad deeds you have committed before, Allah will forgive
because of your embracing Islam.
- Becoming a Muslim is like starting a new life.
- You have to grow and develop in Islam. How can you do so? By the
following:
Firstly: Increasing your knowledge of Islam, through:
- Reading the Qur’anic text.
- Reading some interpretations of the Qur’an.
- Reading Traditions (Sayings) of Prophet Muhammad, ‘Alayhis-salatu
was-salamu).
- Reading the biography of Prophet Muhammad –‘Alayhis-salatu
was-salamu).
- Reading the biographies of the great Muslim figures among our
righteous fore-Muslims who propagated Islam and proclaimed it to
mankind.
- Attending Jumu‘ah (Friday) congregational prayer, listening
to its Khutbah (sermon) and praying with Muslims.
- Attending the two ‘Eid (holiday) prayers.
- Performing the five daily prayers in congregation at the mosque
whenever you are able to do so.
- Attending Islamic religious, teaching sessions.
- Contacting scholars, shaikhs, mosque imams (leaders) and preachers,
introducing yourself to them and asking them about any Islamic matter
you need to know. They are always happy to provide you with the
required clarification.
- Having one or more friends of good Muslims who are fairly knowledgeable
about Islam to be your permanent reliable reference.
- Read as much as you can of the basic sources of Islam (The Qur’an
and As-Sunnah) and of the authentic and trustworthy writings about
Islam to understand it more.
- You will learn a lot about the laws and systems of Islam related
to worship, family structure, life activities, manners, economic
and public affairs.
- You will know the ideology of Islam and its view in regard to
creation, the universe, man, and life.
- Islam is not rituals or morals only, it is in fact a comprehensive
system for society, a constitution for the state and a way of life.
Secondly: Doing good deeds as much as you can:
- Try to do good deeds more than the five basic duties mentioned
before, such as:
- Performing voluntary prayers, in addition to the compulsory five
daily prayers.
- Helping the poor and the needy by extra charity in addition to
Zakat, or by assisting them in carrying out their necessary difficult
duties.
- Fasting a day or more other than in Ramadan.
- Taking part in useful social projects aimed at reforming Muslim
Society.
- Inviting others to embrace Islam.
What is Islam
on EasyIslam?
|
Feedback: 