olokfor:
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday relieved the nation’s service chiefs of their appointments.

Details later. . .


http://www.punchng.com/news/buhari-sacks-service-chiefs/

. Fake pic These are the former service chiefs.

Reiyvinn:
Self-deceit. Killing exists in both books (even more in the Bible!). The only diff is the followers of one are gradually accepting modernized civilization while the other won't just let go off their stone-agedness. I no mention names oh!

. Islam right? That's why you should find out why they stick to it

Kick off, Long ball long ball goal kick, he shoot, great save, great tackle, don't fooull

betty202020:
remove islam from north and see the magic of peaceful coexistance. quote me if am wrong. have u sit down and reflect of the whole countries of the world where terrorism is ravaging and point out their religion? it is islam. bring quoran, remove jihad from it, teach it for few years and see how peace will return to the world.

Actually, as it has been clarified again and again that while Jihad serves as a means of defense for Muslims against aggression, and acts as a deterrent factor against any anti-Islam scheme launched by enemies, it must never be construed as something synonymous with aggression.

Jihad is never a tool of waging war against the innocents; it's never a means of flexing muscles or bullying the weak and oppressed. Jihad in Islam is something unique, established to defend the divine message from being eliminated or hindered by its enemies.

Shedding more light on the true concept of Jihad,

Allah says, (And strive in His cause as ye ought to strive (with sincerity and under discipline). He has chosen you, and has imposed no difficulties on you in religion; it is the religion of your father Abraham. It is He (Allah) Who has named you Muslims, both before and in this (Revelation); that the Messenger may be a witness for you, and you be witnesses for mankind! So establish regular Prayer, give regular Charity, and hold fast to Allah! He is your Protector, the best to protect and the Best to help!) (Al-Hajj 22: 78)

Jihad is one of the most misunderstood, and abused aspects of Islam. There are some Muslims who exploit and misuse this concept for their own political objectives. There are many non-Muslims who misunderstand it. There are some non-Muslims who misinterpret it to discredit Islam and Muslims.

What is Jihad?

 The word Jihad does not mean “Holy War”. It means “struggle” or “striving”. The word for war in the Qur’an is “Harb” or “Qital”. Jihad means serious and sincere struggle on the personal as well as on the social level. It is a struggle to do good and to remove injustice, oppression and evil from the society. This struggle should be spiritual as well as social, economic and political. Jihad is to work hard to do right things. In the Qur’an this word is used in its different forms 33 times. It often comes with other Qur’anic concepts such as faith, repentance, righteous deeds and migration.

Jihad is to protect one’s faith and one’s human rights. Jihad is not a war always although it can take the form of war. Islam is the religion of peace, but it does not mean that Islam accepts oppression. Islam teaches that one should do one’s utmost to eliminate tension and conflict. Islam promotes non-violent means to bring change and reform. Actually, Islam urges that one should eliminate evil through peaceful means without the use of force as much as possible. In Islamic history from the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) until now, Muslims most of the time resisted oppression and struggled for liberation in non-violent and peaceful manners.

Islam teaches proper ethics in the situation of war also. The war is permissible in Islam, but only when other peaceful means such as dialogue, negotiations and treaties fail. It is a last resort and should be avoided as much as possible. Its purpose is not to convert people by force, or to colonize people or to acquire land or wealth or for self-glory. Its purpose is basically: defense of life, property, land, honor and freedom for oneself as well as defense of others from injustice and oppression.

The basic rules of war in Islam are:

 1. Be strong so that your enemy fear you and should not attack you.

2. Do not begin the hostilities. Work for peace as much as possible.

3. Fight only those who fight, no collective punishment; non-combatants should not be harmed. Weapons of mass destruction should not be used.

4. Stop hostilities as soon as the other party is inclined to peace.

5. Observe the treaties and agreements as long as the enemy observes them.

Allah says very clearly: (Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not do aggression, for Allah loves not the aggressors.) (Al-Baqarah 2: 190)

(The prohibited month, for the prohibited month, and so for all things prohibited, there is the law of equality. If then any one transgresses the prohibition against you, transgress ye likewise against him. But fear Allah, and know that Allah is with those who restrain themselves.) (Al-Baqarah 2: 194)

Jihad is not terrorism:

 It is to be emphasized that terrorism against the innocent civilians, whether through aggression or suicidal means, is under no circumstances permissible in Islam. Islam encourages the oppressed people to struggle for their liberation and it commands other Muslims to help those who are oppressed and suffering, but Islam does not allow, under any circumstance, terrorism against non-combatants and innocent people. Terrorism is not Jihad, it is Fasad (mischief). It is against the teachings of Islam. There are some people who use their twisted arguments to justify terrorism for their causes, but it has no justification: Allah says: (When it is said to them: 'Make not mischief on the earth,' they say: 'Why, we only want to correct things.' Indeed they are the mischief doers, but they realize (it) not.) (Al-Baqarah 2: 11-12)

Islam wants to establish a world order where all human beings - Muslims and non-Muslims - can live with justice in peace, harmony and good will. It gives its followers full guidelines to find peace in their personal and social lives, but it also tells them how to extend the good will on the basis of human relations towards others. Muslims worked under these principles for centuries. People of many faiths lived with them and among them. Islamic societies were known for their tolerance, generosity and humanity.

In our modern society where we are living in a global village, where non-Muslims are living with Muslims in the Muslim countries and Muslims are living with non-Muslims in countries where non-Muslims constitute a majority, it is our duty to bring better understanding among ourselves, work for peace and justice for all people and cooperate with each other in matters of goodness and virtue in order to stop all terrorism, aggression and violence against the innocent people. This is our Jihad today.

Allah Almighty knows best.

Goahead:
Christians are always looking for peace, as opposed to those that justify beheading and other atrocities with Sura 9:5.

If you can't read the wise reminder (I.e the Qur'an) by yourself then whenever a sinnful liar quote any verses out of context atleast ask him what happen before such was revealed to the prophet (pubh).

Surah 9:1-15

1. Freedom from (all) obligations (is declared) from Allah and His Messenger to those of the Mushrikoon (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah), with whom you made a treaty.

2. So travel freely (O Mushrikoon - see V.2:105) for four months (as you will) throughout the land, but know that you cannot escape (from the Punishment of) Allah, and Allah will disgrace the disbelievers.

3. And a declaration from Allah and His Messenger to mankind on the greatest day (the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah - the 12th month of Islamic calendar) that Allah is free from (all) obligations to the Mushrikoon (see V.2:105) and so is His Messenger. So if you (Mushrikoon) repent, it is better for you, but if you turn away, then know that you cannot escape (from the Punishment of) Allah. And give tidings (O Muhammad ) of a painful torment to those who disbelieve.

4. Except those of the Mushrikoon with whom you have a treaty, and who have not subsequently failed you in aught, nor have supported anyone against you. So fulfill their treaty to them to the end of their term. Surely Allah loves Al- Mattaqoon (the pious - see V.2:2).

5. Then when the Sacred Months (the Ist, 7th, 11th, and 12th months of the Islamic calendar) have passed, then kill the Mushrikoon (see V.2:105) wherever you find them, and capture them and besiege them, and prepare for them each and every ambush. But if they repent and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and give Zakat, then leave their way free. Verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

6. And if anyone of the Mushrikoon (polytheists, idolaters, pagans, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah) seeks your protection then grant him protection, so that he may hear the Word of Allah (the Quran), and then escort him to where he can be secure, that is because they are men who know not.

7. How can there be a covenant with Allah and with His Messenger for the Mushrikoon (polytheists, idolaters, pagans, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah) except those with whom you made a covenant near Al-Masjid-al-Haram (at Makkah)? So long, as they are true to you, stand you true to them. Verily, Allah loves Al-Muttaqoon (the pious - see V.2:2).

8. How (can there be such a covenant with them) that when you are overpowered by them, they regard not the ties, either of kinship or of covenant with you? With (good words from) their mouths they please you, but their hearts are averse to you, and most of them are Fasiqoon (rebellious, disobedient to Allah).

9. They have purchased with the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah a little gain, and they hindered men from His Way; evil indeed is that which they used to do.

10. With regard to a believer, they respect not the ties, either of kinship or of covenant! It is they who are the transgressors.

11. But if they repent, perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat) and give Zakat, then they are your brethren in religion. (In this way) We explain the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) in detail for a people who know.

12. But if they violate their oaths after their covenant, and attack your religion with disapproval and criticism then fight (you) the leaders of disbelief (chiefs of Quraish - pagans of Makkah) - for surely their oaths are nothing to them - so that they may stop (evil actions).

13. Will you not fight a people who have violated their oaths (pagans of Makkah) and intended to expel the Messenger, while they did attack you first? Do you fear them? Allah has more right that you should fear Him, if you are believers.

14. Fight against them so that Allah will punish them by your hands and disgrace them and give you victory over them and heal the breasts of a believing people,

15. And remove the anger of their (believers) hearts. Allah accepts the repentance of whom He wills. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

Jacksparrow0712:
Cuz yur funny

I Am funny? I don't think so

Jacksparrow0712:
I laugh in Swahili

why laughing?

Jacksparrow0712:
I'd be lying if I said I understood your quote. Simplify yourself sir

There is life after death and that is the real life. here is a test ground and preparation of next life

Slimzjoe:
There's no Life after Death.....I believe in Judgement on the Final day and they shall be Gnashing of teeth for the Sinners


I hate Thinking about it

What have you prepare for the day?

Jacksparrow0712:
No such thing as 'life after death'. It's all crap. Your world and everything is over as soon as you die. We shouldn't allow ourselves to be brainwashed by these religion hypocrites

And man (the disbeliever) says: "When I am dead, shall I then be raised up alive?"

Does not man remember that We created him before, while he was nothing?
#qur'an 19:66-67

austinoeze:
Seriously... i dnt bliv in life after death. Infact d statement sounds somehow weird. A dead man living again? Where? Who has ever seen 1?

And man (the disbeliever) says: "When I am dead, shall I then be raised up alive?"

Does not man remember that We created him before, while he was nothing? #Qur'an 19:66-67#

He it is Who has created you from clay, and then has decreed a stated term (for you to die). And there is with Him another determined term (for you to be resurrected), yet you doubt (in the Resurrection). #qur'an 6:2#

OREMUSSANCTUS:
Hope and pray dem won't see dis moon till december, make dem fast to ..............ll

As for sighting the moon, Islam follows a lunar calendar for its religious celebrations. In some countries, such as Saudi Arabia, the Islamic calendar is regularly used for everyday affairs. In other countries, the Gregorian calendar is used regularly, and the lunar calendar is referred to, for the religious holidays only.

In either case, the lunar calendar is a great mercy from God. Even if someone is stranded in a deserted place, he only needs to watch the moon and keep track of the new moons to mark the passage of time.

There is no need to be an astronomer and add occasional extra days, as with the solar calendar, so that the same months fall in the same seasons. Also, by following the lunar calendar, Ramadan and Hajj (pilgrimage) fall in different seasons of the year throughout a 33-year cycle. This way, one country does not always fast during a very hot or a very cold season, and likewise, the Hajj falls during various seasons of the year.

I hope that I have clarified things for you.

missKiffy:
Am a christian, so am not trying to be blasphemous here but it's kind of confusing when people say Christ is God, then why did John 3:16 said "for God so love the word that He gave His only son". His only son here being Jesus

Verily, the likeness of Iesa (Jesus) before God is the likeness of Adam. He created him from dust, then (He) said to him: "Be!" - and he was. (Quran 3 V 59)

And We did not send any Messenger before you (O Muhammad ) but We inspired him (saying): La ilaha illa Ana (none has the right to be worshipped but I (God)), so worship Me (Alone and none else)."

And they say: "The Most Beneficent (God) has begotten a son (or children)." Glory to Him! They (those whom they call children of God i.e. the angels, Iesa (Jesus) son of Maryam (Mary), Uzair (Ezra), etc.), are but honoured servants.

They speak not until He has spoken, and they act on His Command.

He knows what is before them, and what is behind them, and they cannot intercede except for him with whom He is pleased. And they stand in awe for fear of Him.

And if any of them should say: "Verily, I am an ilah (a god) besides Him (God)," such a one We should recompense with Hell. Thus We recompense the Zalimoon (polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.). (Qur'an 21 V25-29)


Indeed God took the covenant from the Children of Israel (Jews), and We appointed twelve leaders among them. And God said: "I am with you if you perform As-Salat (regular prayer) and give Zakat and believe in My Messengers; honour and assist them, and lend to God a good loan. Verily, I will remit your sins and admit you to Gardens under which rivers flow (in Paradise). But if any of you after this, disbelieved, he has indeed gone astray from the Straight Path."

So because of their breach of their covenant, We cursed them, and made their hearts grow hard. They change the words from their (right) places and have abandoned a good part of the Message that was sent to them. And you will not cease to discover deceit in them, except a few of them. But forgive them, and overlook (their misdeeds). Verily, God loves AlMuhsinoon (gooddoers ).

And from those who call themselves Christians, We took their covenant, but they have abandoned a good part of the Message that was sent to them. So We planted amongst them enmity and hatred till the Day of Resurrection (when they discarded God Book, disobeyed God Messengers and His Orders and transgressed beyond bounds in God disobedience), and God will inform them of what they used to do.

O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Now has come to you Our Messenger (Muhammad) explaining to you much of that which you used to hide from the Scripture and passing over (i.e. leaving out without explaining) much. Indeed, there has come to you from God a light (Prophet Muhammad ) and a plain Book (this Quran).

Wherewith God guides all those who seek His Good Pleasure to ways of peace, and He brings them out of darkness by His Will unto light and guides them to a Straight Way (Islamic Monotheism i.e to worship God without ascribe any partner with Him)

Surely, in disbelief are they who say that God is the Messiah, son of Maryam (Mary). Say (O Muhammad ): "Who then has the least power against God, if He were to destroy the Messiah, son of Maryam (Mary), his mother, and all those who are on the earth together?" And to God belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them. He creates what He wills. And God is Able to do all things.

And (both) the Jews and the Christians say: "We are the children of God and His loved ones." Say: (O muhammad) "Why then does He punish you for your sins?" Nay, you are but human beings, of those He has created, He forgives whom He wills and He punishes whom He wills. And to God belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, and to Him is the return (of all).

O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Now has come to you Our Messenger (Muhammad) making (things) clear unto you, after a break in (the series of) Messengers, lest you say: "There came unto us no bringer of glad tidings and no warner." But now has come unto you a bringer of glad tidings and a warner. And God is Able to do all things.
(Quran 5 V12-19)



Surely, they have disbelieved who say: "God is the Messiah (Iesa (Jesus)), son of Maryam (Mary)." But the Messiah (Iesa (Jesus)) said: "O Children of Israel! Worship God, my Lord and your Lord." Verily, whosoever sets up partners in worship with God, then God has forbidden Paradise for him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the Zalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers) there are no helpers.

Surely, disbelievers are those who said: "God is the third of the three (in a Trinity)." But there is no ilah (god) (none who has the right to be worshipped) but One Ilah (God -Allah). And if they cease not from what they say, verily, a painful torment will befall the disbelievers among them.

Will they not repent to God and ask His Forgiveness? For God is OftForgiving, Most Merciful.

The Messiah (Iesa (Jesus)), son of Maryam (Mary), was no more than a Messenger; many were the Messengers that passed away before him. His mother (Maryam (Mary)) was a Siddiqah (i.e. she believed in the words of God and His Books They both used to eat food (as any other human being, while God does not eat). Look how We make the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) clear to them, yet look how they are deluded away (from the truth).

Say (O Muhammad to mankind): "How do you worship besides God something which has no power either to harm or to benefit you? But it is God Who is the AllHearer, AllKnower."

Say (O Muhammad ): "O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Exceed not the limits in your religion (by believing in something) other than the truth, and do not follow the vain desires of people who went astray in times gone by, and who misled many, and strayed (themselves) from the Right Path."
(Qur'an 5 V71-76

He (Iesa (Jesus)) was not more than a servant. We granted Our Favour to him, and We made him an example to the Children of Israel (i.e. his creation without a father).

And if it were Our Will, We would have (destroyed you (mankind) all, and) made angels to replace you on the earth.

And he (Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary)) shall be a known sign for (the coming of) the Hour (Day of Resurrection) (i.e. Iesas (Jesus) descent on the earth). Therefore have no doubt concerning it (i.e. the Day of Resurrection). And follow Me (God) (i.e. be obedient to God and do what He orders you to do, O mankind)! This is the Straight Path (of Islamic Monotheism, leading to God and to His Paradise).

And let not Shaitan (Satan) hinder you (from the right religion, i.e. Islamic Monotheism), Verily, he (Satan) to you is a plain enemy.

And when Iesa (Jesus) came with (Our) clear Proofs, he said: "I have come to you with Al-Hikmah (Prophethood), and in order to make clear to you some of the (points) in which you differ, therefore fear Allah and obey me,

"Verily, God! He is my Lord (God) and your Lord (God). So worship Him (Alone). This is the (only) Straight Path (i.e. God religion of true Islamic Monotheism)."

But the sects from among themselves differed. So woe to those who do wrong (by ascribing things to Iesa (Jesus) that are not true) from the torment of a painful Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection)!
(Qur'an 43 V 59-65)

liquidmetall:
D



the only character recognised in heaven
1. God
2. Jesus[son]
3. Holyspirit
4. 24elders
5. 4 living creatures
6. Archangels
7. Cherubims
8. Seraphims
9. Angels and saints
so where does satan fit in

Bring your proof to support your claim if you are truthful

tiger28:
but why did your muhammed call Jesus a MESSIAH in the Quran. I don't believe that Jesus is God but he is not human like your muhammed who talked about bathing with a 9 year old in the quran. Even your Quran says Jesus will come back to fight the antichrist in the last days. Why not Mohammed or moses or Abraham? ?all I know is that Jesus is not just a prophet like these men. Your Quran says so.

Muslim belief that Jesus will return at the end of times so why Jesus and not the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

tiger28: So why Jesus in the first place?

Yes, if we were to justify that belief, you would say that for one thing the Quran says that Jesus speaks to people in his cradle and also in his manhood. Now the terminology for manhood in the Quran may indicate something that is about forty years old at least. We know that many of the prophets received a revelation when they were about forty years old; specifically in the case of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Now the Gospels report that Jesus, on whom be peace, was about thirty years old when he began preaching and then about three years later he was crucified so that would be about 33 years old, and that would mean that he didn't live till forty.

So in the Muslim tradition he returns, he dwells on earth for seven years and so he becomes forty and that will fulfill the prophecy in the Quran that he will speak to people in his cradle and also in his manhood which would be something like forty. That seems to be one justification or explanation for this salient belief.

Another explanation is that Jesus is one of the most controversial and misunderstood figures in all of history as there have been many prophets and messengers of God. And we believe Jesus, on whom be peace, was a prophet and a messenger of God and that other people took him to be God despite his own teachings. Now at the same time there are some people who rejected him altogether.

So here we have like two extremes, on the one hand some rejecting him altogether, on the other hand some others deifying him. And Muslims, we believe, have the balance view between the two extremes.

Well we can keep telling people about this balanced view but some people will not believe us. But the idea is that when Jesus himself returns that will settle all of the questions so that those who previously rejected him will see the man and now believe in him, and those who previously deified him will see him now arriving in this context coming and becoming, being a part of the Muslim community in praying along with them, praying to the God that he always prayed to.

They will now have no questions remaining they will realize that Jesus is a man, a human being, a prophet of God who has been erroneously made into a God by the thinking of others.

tiger28: So why not the Prophet moses, david Muhammad and others then?

I would say that there is no need for the Prophet. Moses, david,Muhammad (peace be upon them) to return as there has been no need for any of the umpteen prophets, we believe that there have been some 124,000 prophets in all of history, and the Quran says to every nation we have sent prophets and messengers but they will not all return.

Only Jesus is specifically singled out in this regard in Muslim and Christian belief as the one who will return towards the end of time. Some people thought that John the Baptist will also return some thought that Elijah will return.

He (Iesa (Jesus)) was not more than a servant. We granted Our Favour to him, and We made him an example to the Children of Israel (i.e. his creation without a father). #quran 43 V59#

liquidmetall:











that angel michael is one hell of a strong badt guy

How can satan even challenge God whereas he knows there are angels stronger than him that he has to defeat before comtemplating on challenging God.

Satan was never an angel but he was raise to worship God along with angels

tiger28:
but why did your muhammed call Jesus a MESSIAH in the Quran. I don't believe that Jesus is God but he is not human like your muhammed who talked about bathing with a 9 year old in the quran. Even your Quran says Jesus will come back to fight the antichrist in the last days. Why not Mohammed or moses or Abraham? ?all I know is that Jesus is not just a prophet like these men. Your Quran says so.

Interfaith dialogue begins with respect. It recognizes that there are profound differences between different religions, but that people of faith can nonetheless live together as friends.
 
We should never feel threatened by goodness, wherever it is to be found. Surely, as adults we can respect one another's differences without resorting to offending one another.

Muslims believe that Jesus was taken up and saved from being crucified. Anyone who believes that Jesus was crucified (or killed another way) can no longer be called a Muslim.
 
As for Jesus' being taken up, whether dead or alive, and the nature of the life he is now leading, scholars hold different views in this regard, as this is not decisively established in the Quran.
 
It is very difficult to discuss a question when the one asking it has already assumed certain things to be the case. Also, talk of one prophet being superior to another is not helpful for a real interfaith dialogue to take place. However, we will try to answer as best we can.
 
We have repeated time and time again that Muslims respect all former prophets. Adam (peace be upon him) was the first Muslim, according to Islam, and Noah (peace be upon him) is described in the Quran as the first prophet:
 
{We revealed to Noah and the prophets after him} (4:163)
 
Former prophets, like Jesus, Moses, and Abraham (peace be upon them all), were given a message by Almighty Allah, but His final message, according to Islam, was given to Muhammad (peace be upon him) who was the Seal of the Prophets.
 
Similarly, all previous messages were an important revelation by Allah at their time in history, but the Noble Quran is Allah's final revelation to humankind for all time.
 
Muslims believe that:
 
{Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets.} (33:40)

Muslims believe that the revelation given to Muhammad includes all the merits contained in the previous messages of those former Prophets. Allah says what means:
 
{He ordained for you what He enjoined on Noah and what he revealed to you and what he enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus; namely, establish this faith and be united in it} (42:13)
 
In other words, the message given to Jesus is not canceled by Muhammad, but it is included in the revelation given to him.
 
Similarly, Muslims also believe that prophets are human beings. They are not Allahs, but men like you and me, but they were entrusted with a special gift of revelation. Jesus and Muhammad, then, are created human beings who have none of the divine qualities of Allah. Claims that the writers of the Gospels make about Jesus are not held to be true by the Quran. Jesus is said to deny these claims.
 
When Prophet Muhammad died, his grief-stricken followers gathered together to bury him. They had been with him for so many years and were heartbroken that their leader had been taken from them. It took the wisdom of Abu Bakr to declare:
 
 "For those of you who follow Muhammad, Muhammad is dead, but for those of you who follow Allah, Allah is alive."
 
Just before this, Umar had refused to believe that Allah could have allowed Muhammad to die. Surely, he thought, Allah would save him and raise him up. But Abu Bakr pointed out a very important truth: "Muhammad was a man. He was perhaps the greatest man ever to have lived, but he was a man nonetheless. Not a Allah or a saint, but a man, like you and me.".
 
In speaking about Jesus, it seems that Christians fell into exactly this same trap, which Islam managed to avoid. When it was made to appear to them that Jesus was killed, his followers were heartbroken.
They, too, had been with him for so long and had pinned all their hopes on him. How could Allah take him from them, they thought? Out of an exaggerated love for him, they refused to believe that Allah could have allowed him to die.
 
Encouraged by the writings of Saint Paul, they began to believe that Jesus did not die, but that he was raised from the dead and is still alive today, no longer a man, but equal to Allah. Allah's son.
For Muslims, this is idolatry, since Allah has no partners and no one is equal to Him, but we can see how Christians came to believe this.
 
The Noble Quran is quite clear that Jesus did not die on the cross and it is equally clear that Jesus is not equal to Allah:
 
{He is only a servant whom We blessed and We made him an example to the children of Israel.} (43:59)

For Christians, then, to begin arguing that Jesus is alive and so is superior to Muhammad (peace be upon them both) is to use an argument that does not work for Muslims. Muslims respect and honor Jesus as a prophet of Allah, but they see Muhammad as the final prophet, chosen by Allah to sum up all that had gone before.
 
Someone told me recently that he had attended a workshop about Jesus which was attended by both Christians and Muslims. The workshop members got on together very well, even though they believed different things about Jesus.
 
One group believed him to be divine. The other group did not. However, at the end of the day, someone suggested that instead of this being a cause for division, they should both admit to what they agreed upon: Jesus is a truly remarkable person. Instead of being a cause for division, then, the person of Jesus can be seen in such a context as a cause for bringing people together.
 
Numerous historians down through the ages have looked at the achievements of Muhammad and have put him at the top or near to the top of the greatest men who have ever lived. Muslims do not use this language of "superiority" but simply call Muhammad the final prophet of Allah.
 
Claiming that Jesus is alive, using the four gospel writers as proofs, is just not evidence. It is certainly not evidence enough to declare him superior to Muhammad. These four gospels were chosen, after all, from among many others, and they were written not to prove that Jesus is divine, but to support the belief of those who already felt this. In other words, Muslims believe that there is no existing scripture which makes such a claim.
 
Muslims believe that the message given to Jesus no longer exists. It is no longer to be found anywhere. What we have are the written works of men. The only things we know about Jesus with certainty are to be found in the Glorious Quran.
 
Muslims respect the beliefs of others, but it is sometimes necessary to refute falsehood where it touches upon Muslims' belief which has been revealed in the Quran. Muslims have the greatest respect for what Christians hold dear, but they assert quite categorically that Jesus did not die on the Cross but was raised up to heaven and that he is not Allah's son. One of Allah's prophets, yes, but not a Allah.  
 
Muhammad is the final seal of all that Almighty Allah had ever said to humankind. Through him we see how it is possible to live as Muslims in this world, respecting all former prophets and bowing down in submission to Allah as they all once did. Muhammad is not a Allah or a saint, but the greatest of men.

tiger28:
but why did your muhammed call Jesus a MESSIAH in the Quran. I don't believe that Jesus is God but he is not human like your muhammed who talked about bathing with a 9 year old in the quran. Even your Quran says Jesus will come back to fight the antichrist in the last days. Why not Mohammed or moses or Abraham? ?all I know is that Jesus is not just a prophet like these men. Your Quran says so.

This is an interesting question, the first thing you should know is that prophet Muhammad was not the author of the holy Quran The Quran was revealed to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) verbatim, that is, both its words and meanings are from Allah, The Quran was revealed via Angel Jibreel to Muhammad (peace be upon him) in stages for 23year of his prophethood

According to authentic sources Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) married Aisha (May Allah please with her) when she was 6years old and the marriage was consummated after she turned 9years old.

It's important to understand things in their historical context
For instance it would be silly to ask, what kind of milk did they drink 1400 years ago or to ask what kind of engine they used back then. Therefore one must first understand that things 1400 years ago were very different from now, time have changed and so have humans. 1400 years ago it was very common for woman to marry at a young age.

It is a historic fact that girls from the ages of 9 to 14 were married off in Europe, Asia, Africa and America for example:-
SAINT AUGUSTINE 350AD He married a girl who was 10years old.
KING RICHARD II 1400AD He married a 7years old .
HENRY VIII 1500AD He married a 6years old.

Even in the bible but save for yourselves every girl who has never slept with a man. Number37:17-18

Catholic Encyclopedia
"Mary (AS) the mother of Jesus (peace be upon him) was 12years old when she married 99years old Joseph.

At the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) those who refused his message tried every method and strategy to discredit him. They were always looking for opportunities to attack him verbally or even physically. Some of this verbal abuse consisted of calling him a magician, soothsayer, crazy. However they never thought to point out or object to his marriage to Aisha (May Allah please with her) why? Because this was the norm of society, meaning it was completely normal...

But what about Aisha (May Allah please with her)? Was she a child when she agree to marry the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him)? First it's important to note it is strictly prohibited in Islam to marry someone before the age of puberty (Qur'an 4:6)

Note the age of puberty varies throughout different times and different places according to scientific references: Girls might enter full-blown puberty anything between age 9 and 15 livesciece.com. Also the average temperature of the country is consider the chief factor with regard to menstruation and sexual puberty (woman: and historical cynecological and anthropological compendium. Volume1 lord and Bransby 1988 p.563) So was Aisha (May Allah please with her) a child? No she was Not
So what was the wisdom behind this marriage. GOD always knows best

Aisha (May Allah please with her) was exceptionally intelligent and since she married the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) at a young age, she was able to learn so much from him. She later played a important roles as a teacher expert and interpreter of Islam.
So there was much wisdom behind this marriage.

ambhod:
Jesus, after His death decended into hell (not hellfire) 2witness 2 Abraham and everyone in his bossom and thus saved them into God's bossom. Jesus remains d only door 2d father

You are strayed

Sacluxpaint:


Ok maybe when I visit your thread

Okay but I am not regular on nairaland

oluamid:


Can you discuss the subject without quotes from the Koran, please?

Why, you may ask. The reason is: I don't expect the Koran to contradict itself and say there's no God. Secondly, the Koran was written by humans. To believe it's content, I have to believe (faith) that it was inspired by God. Problem is I don't believe there is a "God', so how can I have faith in what I don't believe in?

I need concrete evidence about God's existence and not just quotes from the Koran.

After all, if there is a God what is the probability that Allah is the right one and not Jehovah, Krishna, Buddha, Obatala or any of the other God/gods known to man?

Thanks for your question and sorry late reply I don't use to visit nairaland often that's why

One important point we need to understand in the first place is that the existence of God cannot be proved in the same way you prove the existence of a physical object. This is simply because God is not a physical object. Any physical object is subject to your five senses. In simple terms, you can see, hear, smell, touch or taste a physical object. This is not possible in the case of God, as He (swt) is a Transcendental Being [existing on a level beyond our sensual perception].

There are people who argue that the only form of knowledge available to humans is experiential knowledge or experimental knowledge, gained primarily by the use of outer senses. This led to the belief that human beings are constituted in such a way that the knowledge of reality is always unavailable to them; and so it resulted in a renewal of attention to the everyday world of appearances. The knowledge of here and now became the only object of human knowledge and concern. Thus from this point of view, the project of seeking knowledge of reality behind appearances must be abandoned, because it is beyond the scope of human understanding.

Now think: Can’t there be a way of “being” [existing], that is not susceptible of being perceived by the limited capabilities of humans through their defective senses?

I hope that the implications of the two expressions I used above [‘limited capabilities’ and ‘defective senses’] are evident to any thinking person. The claim that something does not exist, because you haven’t seen or heard it, etc. is untenable. When we consider the limitations of our sensual perception and of our reasoning powers, it is not necessary that we understand everything. We can speak meaningfully about everything simply on the basis of our perception. So to speak of “proof” with regard to a Transcendental Being becomes irrelevant.

What we can do is to point out facts which lead to a constant and inescapable awareness of the presence of God. It is clear that logically we cannot rule out the possibility of more things existing than can be perceived by our senses or can be arrived at by our reasoning. As for Man, there are two dimensions to his existence: One of matter and the other of spirit.

Reduced merely to the level of material existence, Man becomes a machine, or a mere animal at best. But think of a machine that rebels against being a machine; or of an animal that refuses to be an animal. That is what man is! What is it that makes him rebellious, angry, disappointed, frightened or hopeful? What is his dimension that gives him his imagination, his artistic genius, his creative urge? Why does he have nightmares and sweet dreams?

It is not matter that does it; evidently it is his spirit that makes him so different from animals. So to base our knowledge of the world and our philosophy of life simply on the material side of our existence to the complete exclusion of the spiritual dimension, is undoubtedly faulty. The strength of Islam as a philosophy and as a way of life is that it does not separate man’s material life from spiritual life, and that it seeks a balance between the two dimensions of human existence.

We should understand that human spirit is a reality incommensurable with material realities, and that it owes its existence only to God. Thus dear brother, if we ponder over the phenomena of the world around us and over the complexities of our own existence, we are bound to conclude that God is the Reality behind all appearances. The Holy Qur’an says in Surah 2, verse 164, the meaning of the following:
*{Behold! in the creation of the heavens and the earth; in the alternation of the night and the day; in the sailing of the ships through the ocean for the profit of mankind; in the rain which God Sends down from the skies, and the life which He gives therewith to an earth that is dead; in the beasts of all kinds that He scatters through the earth; in the change of the winds, and the clouds which they Trail like their slaves between the sky and the earth;- [Here] indeed are signs for a people that are wise.}*

That is to say the external signs we see in the universe should necessarily lead a wise person to the Ultimate Reality behind it all. And that is how we arrive at the realization that Allah Almighty is the Moving Power behind all life and all existence.

Sacluxpaint:


If you are painting islam fine like this, then there shouldn't be boko haram. By the way don't yall have your own threads?

Boko haram and other terror group have nothing to do with Islam. If you have any question about Islam ask me

kimond101:
The reality is what people fail to comprehend is that the one who strive to attain paradise is one who submits to the will of God and do righteous good deeds and avoid ascribing partners in worship with God.
Abraham submitted to the will of God
Joseph submitted to the will of God
David submitted to the will of God
Moses submitted to the will of God
Jesus submitted to the will of God
Muhammad submitted to the will of God
Everyone one of them was sent at a particular time. And whoever follow their way at that time shall not perish but have eternal life if God wills.
None of them ever said you should worship them neither did they call themselves God.
To submit to the will of God alone without ascribing partners with him is only defined by one religion and that is Islam.

And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship God (Alone), and avoid (or keep away from) Taghoot (all false deities, etc. i.e. do not worship Taghoot besides God)." Then of them were some whom Allah guided and of them were some upon whom the straying was justified. So travel through the land and see what was the end of those who denied (the truth). Qur'an 6 V36


He (Allah) has ordained for you the same religion (Islam) which He ordained for Nooh (Noah), and that which We have inspired in you (O Muhammad ), and that which We ordained for Ibraheem (Abraham), Moosa (Moses) and Iesa (Jesus) saying you should establish religion (i.e. to do what it orders you to do practically), and make no divisions in it (religion) (i.e. various sects in religion). Intolerable for the polytheists, is that to which you (O Muhammad ) call them. Allah chooses for Himself whom He wills, and guides unto Himself who turns to Him in repentance and in obedience.

And they divided not till after knowledge had come to them, through selfish transgression between themselves. And had it not been for a Word that went forth before from your Lord for an appointed term, the matter would have been settled between them. And verily, those who were made to inherit the Scripture (i.e. the Taurah (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)) after them (i.e. Jews and Christians) are in grave doubt concerning it (i.e. Allahs true religion Islam or the Quran).

So unto this (religion of Islam, alone and this Quran) then invite (people) (O Muhammad ), and Istaqim ((i.e. stand firm and straight on Islamic Monotheism by performing all that is ordained by Allah (good deeds, etc.), and by abstaining from all that is forbidden by Allah (sins and evil deeds, etc.)), as you are commanded, and follow not their desires but say: "I believe in whatsoever Allah has sent down of the Book (all the holy Books, this Quran and the Books of the old from the Taurat (Torah), or the Injeel (Gospel) or the Pages of Ibrahim (Abraham)) and I am commanded to do justice among you, Allah is our Lord and your Lord. For us our deeds and for you your deeds. There is no dispute between us and you. Allah will assemble us (all), and to Him is the final return. Qur'an 42 V 13-15

And (remember) when We took from the Prophets their covenant, and from you (O Muhammad ), and from Nooh (Noah), Ibrahim (Abraham), Moosa (Moses), and Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary). We took from them a strong covenant.

That He may ask the truthfuls (Allahs Messengers and His Prophets) about their truth (i.e. the conveyance of Allahs Message that which they were charged with). And He has prepared for the disbelievers a painful torment (Hell-fire). Qur'an 33 V7-8

Be content with whatever Allah has decreed for you. Fear Allah in your innermost being. Implement His commands. Once your heart complies with the Divine Decree, the Lord of Truth will grant you from sources you never imagined:

{And whosoever is conscious of Allah, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Indeed Allah has sent a measure for all things.} (At-Talaq 65:2-3).

In the Name of Allah the Most Gracious the Most Merciful.

All praises and thanks to be Allah, the Lord of all that exists, peace and blessing be upon his messenger.

Why did Aisha (May Allah please with her) marry the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) at young age?

People wonder and ask did the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) marry a Child? Was this normal practice 1400years ago? What was the wisdom behind it?

According to authentic sources Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) married Aisha (May Allah please with her) when she was 6years old and the marriage was consummated after she turned 9years old.

It's important to understand things in their historical context
For instance it would be silly to ask, what kind of milk did they drink 1400 years ago or to ask what kind of engine they used back then. Therefore one must first understand that things 1400 years ago were very different from now, time have changed and so have humans. 1400 years ago it was very common for woman to marry at a young age.

It is a historic fact that girls from the ages of 9 to 14 were married off in Europe, Asia, Africa and America for example:-
SAINT AUGUSTINE 350AD He married a girl who was 10years old.
KING RICHARD II 1400AD He married a 7years old .
HENRY VIII 1500AD He married a 6years old.

Even in the bible but save for yourselves every girl who has never slept with a man. Number37:17-18

Catholic Encyclopedia
"Mary (AS) the mother of Jesus (peace be upon him) was 12years old when she married 99years old Joseph.

Before 1929 church of England. Ministers could marry 12year olds in Britain

Before 1983 Catholic canon law permitted priests to marry off brides of a the age of 12

A lot of people are unaware in United States in the state of Delaware in 1880, the minimum age for marriage was 7years old and in california is was 10years

Even Now the marriage age for some states are:-
12 (MA)
13 (NH)
14 (NY)

At the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) those who refused his message tried every method and strategy to discredit him. They were always looking for opportunities to attack him verbally or even physically. Some of this verbal abuse consisted of calling him a magician, soothsayer, crazy. However they never thought to point out or object to his marriage to Aisha (May Allah please with her) why? Because this was the norm of society, meaning it was completely normal...

Did you know Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) had only one wife, Khadijah, throughout the first 54years of his life? Did you know she was a widow? Did you know that she was 15years older than He (peace and blessing be upon him) spent his entire youth with her He (peace and blessing be upon him) was committed to her until and after her death by keeping ties with her friends.

But what about Aisha (May Allah please with her)? Was she a child when she agree to marry the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him)? First it's important to note it is strictly prohibited in Islam to marry someone before the age of puberty (Qur'an 4:6)

Note the age of puberty varies throughout different times and different places according to scientific references: Girls might enter full-blown puberty anything between age 9 and 15 livesciece.com. Also the average temperature of the country is consider the chief factor with regard to menstruation and sexual puberty (woman: and historical cynecological and anthropological compendium. Volume1 lord and Bransby 1988 p.563) So was Aisha (May Allah please with her) a child? No she was Not
So what was the wisdom behind this marriage. GOD always knows best

The marriage of Aisha (May Allah please with her) was an instruction from God (Bukhari, Volume5 :Book58 Hadith235)
Aisha (May Allah please with her) narrated to us more than 2200 hadiths (saying) of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him)

Aisha (May Allah please with her) was exceptionally intelligent and since she married the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) at a young age, she was able to learn so much from him. She later played a important roles as a teacher expert and interpreter of Islam.
So there was much wisdom behind this marriage.

For those who do not know Prophet Muhammad prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) didn't come to seek worldly pleasure, but to warned us against them.
His companion described him a man of morality and they said he was more shy than a virgin in seclusion, when believers asked him an awkward questions, he would cover his face out of shyness. He taught us that each religion is known for a kind of morality and morality of ISLAM is shyness/modesty.

Say (O Muhammad ): "I am only a man like you. It has been revealed to me that your Ilah (God) is One Ilah (God i.e. Allah). So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord." Qur'an 18:110

Consider the following tips from one who endeavors to give Da`wah for Allah's sake:


First of all, be confident that it is Allah, Most High, who provides the right words and only He is the one who guides people to the straight path. You will do fine, Insha'Allah, but you need to put your trust in Allah the Almighty.


I highly recommend presenting the essential basics to those people and let them know about some of the good web sites (such as this one (http://www.islam-online.net and http://www.islamtoday.com) for more details, insha'Allah.


Use the first 12 to 15 minutes presenting the most prized and wonderful part of Islam: Focus on the fact that the whole universe is full of evidence indicating that there is Allah (God) and that He is the Creator and Sustainer of all that exists. We can prove this by acknowledging that all this did not occur by accident in space. So if there is a creation, it logically follows that there is a Creator. As such it is up to Him to determine what the purpose of this creation is all about. God, in His Infinite Wisdom, has chosen to reveal this purpose and plan to us through the system of messengers and books.


Establish the fact that we are not in opposition with the belief in God, but rather we are only bringing about a clarification and return to the more original concepts with Islam. You might even let them know that we are all brothers in humanity as well as acknowledging that we come from Adam. The idea of being a Muslim brother or sister is that we are “brothers in faith.” So make them feel comfortable that we are not trying to deny God, His Books, His Angels and His Messengers, not at all. Islam is only making clear what the concept and relationship of Allah is to us.


Then try to shed light on the concept of Allah by stating that:

He is the Creator, but not created;

He Sustains, but is not sustained;

He exists, but never within what He created;

He has Divine Attributes, but they are the epitome or ultimate of that characteristic;

He has features, but they are not to be compared to what is in His creation. While He is Perfect in every aspect, His creatures (us) are not.


You must also emphasize that Allah is far Exalted above His creation and as such we should never try to make Him manifest somehow inside of anything or anyone. Regarding the status of angels, they are perfect. They obey every single command of Allah and never falter in their duties. The idea of the devil being a “fallen angel” is totally alien to Islam. The devil was elevated to worship Allah along with the angels, but he was not one of them. This is usually a good starting point for making things clear for them.


Another point is to let them know about Adam and Eve. Adam is created from clay, Eve is created from his rib (same as the Bible). The subject of the “sin of the forbidden fruit” is that both sinned. They repented and Allah accepted their repentance and forgave them. Sending them down out ofParadise to the earth was not a punishment from Allah for what they did. Rather, it was something that Allah had destined for them before He ever created them. All of this is a part of the Divine Plan of Allah to make the world a “testing ground” as it were, for them and all the humans that came after them.


This would lead you into the subject of Islam's stance on the purpose of this life. We are only in this existence for a short period of time to see if we will do one of two things: worship Allah as He has ordered, or worship something that He created. If we fulfill our obligation to Allah in worship and exert our efforts in offering Him sincere devotion, then He will forgive the other minor sins upon repenting to Him, and we would then be admitted to His Paradise insha'Allah. On the other hand, if we do not fulfill our duty to Allah, then we would be thrown into total ruin by our own choice.


How can we know what Allah wants for us and how can we best achieve our goal, which is Paradise?

We cannot begin to guess the answer to this anymore than we can create ourselves in the first place.

We need guidance for this. Where do we obtain it? The only way possible is if Allah the Almighty reveals something to us. This will bring you to the subject of the Glorious Qur'an about half way through your talk. Then explain that the Qur'an is the final revelation in a long series of revelations from Almighty Allah to mankind. It supercedes the previous revelations and as such replaces whatever might remain of them. So, in simple terms you might say that, as the Bible is understood to be the “Old Testament” and “New Testament” then the Qur'an would be the “Final Testament” according to this type of labeling.


Part of the essential belief for the Muslim is to have firm faith in the fact that Allah, the Exalted, sent down the original revelations in the past. They include:


•Scrolls of Abraham

•Torah of Moses

•Psalms of David

•Gospel of Jesus

•The Glorious Qur'an to Muhammad


Each Prophet, peace be upon all of them, came only to bring the simple message of “There is no deity to worship throughout the entire creation, except Allah Who is the Creator but never in His Creation.”


I know that this is very wordy and seems too long to say… but trust me, many people came to a better understanding of Islam through this explanation – and by the way, many also made Shahadah (declaration of faith) as well.


You can now move to the subject of prophethood in Islam. Muslims are taught to elevate all the Prophets to a level of high honor and respect. We do not associate them with major sins and crimes. While we take all the Prophets to such a high degree in Islam, we do not make them as gods or demi-gods. So, Islam clears Prophet Lot of the crime of incest and Prophet David from committing adultery, and so on. Additionally, while taking these Prophets to such lofty status, Islam simply never approves of the status Jesus, peace be upon him, is held in Christianity, rather it returns him to the level that he mentioned about himself as being subject to the authority of Almighty Allah (God).


By now, you should be close to 30 minutes in your speech. Wrap it up by saying that we must make a clear distinction between Islam and what some Muslims do. Islam is a verbal noun. It is an action, something that you do. It means to surrender, submit, and obey Allah in sincerity and peace in all that we do while here on the earth. If someone does this, then he or she is a Muslim whether or not they know it. “Muslim” simply means the one who is performing the verb or action of “Islam.” Some people have the name “Muslim” while not actually fulfilling the title. So, we would separate the two words and understand that while “Islam” is perfect, those who try to do it (Muslims) are not perfect.


After many these final conclusions you are ready for your questions and answers. But be ready for the hard part…

They may ask you questions that you are not prepared for. For instance they might ask about current events in various countries, treatment of women, behavior of some Muslims, etc.

A simple default answer prepared by you ahead of time is a wise investment in time. You might like to say something like:

“This is a good question, but it refers to a deeper level of understanding of Allah, Islam and the Muslims. So perhaps I might have another opportunity to speak on these topics in detail.”


Or you might answer the ones that are difficult or confusing in their nature by saying: “As such, according to the wisdom of Islam, I should not try to answer questions that I do not have enough information on.

I congratulate you on your opportunity to serve Islam and to represent all of us as good Muslims. Remember to pray to Allah for success. Make the Du`a' of Moses when he asked Allah to open his chest, make it easy for him, and to untie his tongue and to make people understand his message (or words to this affect).


And just be yourself as a good Muslim. Afterwards, remember to make Du`a' for them later that night, so that Allah will guide them to the truth.

Introduction

Islam is the religion and way of life that was revealed to humanity by our creator, Allah (swt) .Since Allah (swt) is the one who created the heavens and the earth, and out of His unlimited mercy to mankind, He also revealed to us a way of life and a religion, Islam, that give us peace and happiness in our lives here on earth and in the afterlife. Islam was revealed as a practical religion that covers all aspects of our lives, and it is intended to be implemented in our lives. It brings peace and justice to earth, after all, who is more just and wise than Allah (swt), the creator of the heavens and the earth, the most knowledgeable?

As such, when implemented honestly and correctly, Islam provides solutions to all problems that are faced by humanity. One of the most widespread and dangerous problems faced by humanity is that of poverty, hunger and starvation. There is nothing more horrifying than the realization that as we live our happy lives here, millions of our fellow human beings live in hunger and face starvation. The majority of the world population today lives in poverty. It is clear that the world system we have set up today is unjust and inhumane. Otherwise, how can we allow this situation to continue with less than 10% of the world population controlling over 90% of the wealth and resources on this earth?

Islam, revealed to humanity over 1400 years ago, came with the most just and easy solution to the problem of poverty, hunger and starvation in this world. If Islam is implemented in the world today, the problem of poverty, hunger and starvation would be completely eliminated within a year. Islam, revealed to us by Allah (swt), the most knowledgeable, wise and just, solves the problem of poverty and hunger through several methods:

The Obligatory Zakat

Islam makes it obligatory on every Muslim to pay a certain “tax”, called Zakat, on their accumulated wealth. The money collected from this Zakat is to be distributed among the poor and needy.

The Arabic word “Zakat” means both ‘purification’ and ‘growth’. One of the most important principles of Islam is that all things belong to Allah (swt), and that wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. Our wealth is purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need, and, like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth in our wealth.

Zakat is due on accumulated wealth that has been in the possession of a person for at least one year. There are rules on how to pay Zakat on each type of possessions, such as gold, animals, crops, shares and so on. A certain percentage of each type of these possessions is to be paid as Zakat. Note that the Zakat is taken from excess wealth that a person is accumulating and has had in their possession for over a year. It is not paid on income. Therefore, people whose save nothing after covering their expenses with their income do not pay Zakat, and in fact may be eligible to receive Zakat money from others if their income does not cover all their needs.

The Zakat is to be distributed among people of the following categories, depending on need:

1) The Destitute: Those who don’t have material possessions nor means of livelihood.

2) The Poor: Those with insufficient means of livelihood to meet basic needs.

3) The Indebted: Those who are in debt and have difficulty repaying it.

4) Stranded Traveler: The traveler who does not have enough money to complete their journey.

5) To Free Slaves: Zakat money is to be used to purchase slaves and free them. 6) New Muslims: Those who are new to Islam and require help to integrate themselves into the Muslims community.

7) In the Path of Allah: Zakat money can also be spent in the path of Allah. This can include many things, basically any project that helps Muslims or Islamic causes.

Zakat Workers: Those whose job it is to collect and re-distribute Zakat money get their salary from the Zakat money.

How Can Zakat Eliminate Poverty and Starvation?

If Islam was implemented in the world today, starvation would be eliminated from the planet within the first year. The Zakat due on agricultural products ranges from 5% to 10% of the produce. There is also Zakat due on various types of animals such as sheep, cows and camels. Imagine if 5%-10% of all agricultural production in the world, plus the required amounts on animals are distributed among the hungry and starving people of this world. The problem would be solved immediately. In the system we have today, some nations intentionally spoil a part of their agricultural production in order to maintain high prices for their produce. Can you see the difference between the system driven by human greed and the Islam which was imposed by Allah (swt), the most gracious and most merciful?

In addition, Islam can solve the problem of poverty. Consider the Zakat due on money. Zakat is due at 2.5% on money that has been in one’s possession for over a year. Now consider this simple fact: Forbes Magazine reported that in 2004 there were 587 billionaires worldwide, with a combined net worth of $1.9 trillion dollars. If in 2004 these 587 richest people in the world paid zakat, we would have had $47.5 billion dollars distributed among the poor.

This calculation has just considered less than 600 individuals on this earth. What about if everyone contributed to a global Zakat fund in the same way? The total world GDP (summation of gross domestic product of all countries in the world) was estimated in 1999 to be $27,357.9 billion dollars. The 2.5% Zakat on this would amount to $683.95 billion dollars annually. These are just ball park figures to give the reader an idea of how much money Zakat can generate.

This Zakat money should not only be distributed for immediate relief to the poor. It can also be given in the form of small business loans. For example, poor farmers can be given loans or even grants from this Zakat money to enable them to purchase the equipment and materials they need to lift them out of poverty. The same can be done for small business owners, or for the poor to set up small workshops or factories to lift them out of poverty once and for all. Within a few years, poverty would be eliminated or at least greatly reduced.

Optional Charity

As discussed earlier, the obligatory Zakat imposed by Islam can easily solve the problems of poverty and starvation in the world. However, in addition to that, Islam greatly encourages Muslims to give extra charity. For example, the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) once said that the person who sleeps full while his neighbor sleeps hungry is not a true believer. Islam also always encourages charity in all situations. For example, for the persons who are not able to fast in Ramadan, they are required to feed some poor people for each day they do not fast. And there are many such examples.

Examples of Charity in the holy Qur’an and the Sunnah

Allah (swt) says:

“And be steadfast in prayer and regular in charity.” (Al-Baqarah 2: 110)

Allah (swt) says addressing the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (pbuh):

“Of their goods take alms (charity), so that you might purify and sanctify them, and pray on their behalf.” (At-Tawbah 9: 103)

When the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (pbuh), sent one of his companions to call the people of Yemen to Islam, he asked him to tell them the basics of Islam, among which was: “… and tell them that Allah has made obligatory on them a charity that is taken from their rich and given to their poor…” (Bukhari and Muslim)

Allah (swt) says:

“So he who gives (in charity) and fears (Allah), and (in all sincerity) testifies to the Best, We will indeed make smooth for him the path to Bliss. But he who is a greedy miser and thinks himself self-sufficient, And gives the lie to the Best, We will indeed make smooth for him the Path to Misery; Nor will his wealth profit him when he falls headlong (into the hell fire).” (Al-Layl 92: 5-11)

Allah (swt) says:

“By no means shall you attain righteousness unless ye give (freely) of that which you love; and whatever you give, Allah knows it well.” (Aal `Imran 3: 92)

Allah (swt) says:

“O ye who believe! Cancel not your charity by reminders of your generosity or by injury, like those who spend their substance to be seen of men, but believe neither in Allah nor in the Last Day. They are in Parable like a hard barren rock, on which is a little soil; on it falls heavy rain, which leaves it (just) a bare stone. They will be able to do nothing with aught they have earned. And Allah guideth not those who reject Faith.” (Al-Baqarah 2: 264)

Source: http://www.al-islami.com/islam/islam_solves_poverty.php

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8. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,

"A Muslim is not afflicted by hardship, sickness, sadness, worry, harm, or depression—even if pricked by a thorn—but Allah expiates his sins because of that" (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
 
9. Sa`id said, "I was with Salman (may Allah be pleased with him) when he visited a sick man in Kindah (in Persia), and he said to him,

"Expect good because Allah makes a believer's sickness an expiation (for his sins) and a period of rest. However, when a disbeliever falls sick, he is like a camel whose owner ties it then lets it loose—it does not understand why it was tied nor why it was freed." (Al-Bukhari)

 

10. `A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that once some pain afflicted the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) causing him to suffer and turn about in his bed. She said, "Had one of us done this, you would have blamed him." He (peace and blessings be upon him) replied:

"An ailment is intensified for the righteous. Whenever a believer is afflicted by a hardship, whether it is a thorn or more, a sin is taken off from him because of it, and he is elevated by one rank (in Paradise)." (Ahmad)

 

Retaining Rewards for Deeds Before Sickness

Usually, when a believer falls sick, he would not be able to do the same amount of good (prayer, fasting, helping Muslims, etc.) that he used to do when he was well. But Allah, out of His great mercy, continues to record for him the good deeds that he was forced to stop because of his sickness.

11. Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,

"For a traveling or sick person, his deeds will be recorded in accordance with what he used to do when he was resident or well." (Al-Bukhari)

12. `Abdullah ibn `Amr reported that the Prophet

"No (believing) person gets sick, but (his deeds) will be recorded for him in accordance with what he used to do when he was well." (Al-Bukhari)

 

13. Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

"No Muslim body is afflicted by Allah, but He will record (his deeds) for him in accordance with what he used to do when he was well—as long as he is sick. Thus, if He takes his life, He forgives him; and if He cures him, He washes him (from sins)." (Al-Bukhari)

 

Reason for the Reward

14. `Atta ibn Rabaah reported that Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) told him, "Do you want to see a woman from the people of Paradise?"

He said, "Yes."

He said, "It is this black woman. She came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) saying, 'I have (epileptic) seizures, and I get exposed, so supplicate to Allah for me.' He (peace and blessings be upon him) said, 'If you wish, be patient and you will attain Paradise; or if you wish, I will ask Allah to cure you.'

  She replied, 'I will be patient! But my body gets exposed (because of the fall), so supplicate to Allah for me that I do not become exposed.' And he (peace and blessings be upon him) did." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

The scholars have differed in opinion as to whether a sick person will be rewarded for the sickness itself or for being patient during it. The correct opinion is that if he is patient and submits to Allah's will, as in the above hadith, he would be rewarded for both the submission and the sickness; otherwise, he would not be rewarded at all because he resented Allah's decree. This is what should be understood from Ibn Hajar Al-`Asqalani's words:

"The authentic hadiths are clear in that the rewards are recorded once affliction strikes a Muslim. As for patience and acceptance, they are virtues for which a person may get additional rewards over those for the affliction."

 

15. `Abdullah ibn `Amr reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,

"If a Muslim is pricked by (as little as) a thorn in the worldly life, and he seeks its reward from Allah, some of his sins will be removed, because of it, on the Day of Judgment." (Al-Bukhari)