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"So, when the sacred months expire, kill the polytheists wherever you find them, and catch them and besiege them and sit in ambush for them everywhere. Then, if they repent and establish Salāh and pay Zakāh, leave their way. Surely, Allah is most Forgiving, Very-Merciful" (Quran 9:5)
The Holy Quran was revealed to guide humanity through every aspect of life. It is an instructional manual that mandates just how one's life should be lived, with teachings for both individuals and all of society. The Holy Quran provides guidelines and instructions to govern proper human conduct, a fair economic system, ritual worship, ethics and moral behavior, business, government, and more. Among the many teachings include instruction on responding to hostile people during difficult times.
At age forty, Prophet Muhammad PBUH received his first Revelation from God in a cave via the Angel Gabriel. Although he was known in his community as "the truthful, the trustworthy," most people did not believe him or his Message. Even though Prophet Muhammad PBUH was spreading the Message of Islam to his people peacefully and did not force anyone to convert, a massive campaign was instigated by the idol worshippers of Mecca to persecute him and those who believed in the Message.
They harassed the Muslims, ridiculed and insulted them, socially boycotted and isolated them, threatened their lives, and even tortured certain believers to death. After thirteen years of preaching in Mecca while being persecuted, Prophet Muhamad PBUH and his followers secretly migrated to Medina, leaving family members, homes, and businesses behind.
In Medina, Prophet Muhammad PBUH gained new followers and became the city's leader. The idol worshippers of Mecca, who prosecuted Muslims in their homeland, plotted and attempted to reengage their attack. Thus the Muslims prepared for battle to defend themselves and their families from the oppressors that had expelled them from their homes in Mecca. A number of years and several battles later, Prophet Muhammad PBUH led an army of one hundred thousand people back to Mecca and conquered the land in a bloodless victory.
Prophet Muhammad PBUH gathered the chief enemies that had been battling him through the years and told them, "I say to you what my brother Yusuf said to his unkind brothers. Have no fear this day! May Allah forgive you, and He is the Most Merciful."
The Holy Quran was not revealed in a single setting; it was revealed to Prophet Muhammad PBUH passage by passage over 23 years. At this time, a Verse was revealed to Prophet Muhammad PBUH saying to give the criminal polytheists who broke their treaties with the Muslims, fighting them through the years despite signing peace treaties, a safe place where they could be unthreatened and not intimidated by the Muslims. God stated that they get four months to consider the religion of Islam.
"And if anyone from the polytheists asks for your protection (O Prophet), grant it to them so they may hear the Word of Allah, then escort them to a place of safety, for they are a people who have no knowledge" (Quran 9:6)
The desired outcome was for these criminals to become Muslims, but if they chose not to convert, they would be required to leave the area. Upon the completion of the four months, if they didn't depart, the command was to "kill them where you find them." The Muslims were instructed to drive out these criminal idol worshippers from the very land that had forced out the Muslims. This is the precise context of the Verse as delivered.
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A common misconception regarding Islam is that if someone leaves the religion of Islam, an Islamic State will punish them with death. This is simply not true. People always have the option to cease believing in and worshipping Allah in a Muslim land without being punished. Many people who left the religion of Islam in Muslim-dominated countries did so without being harmed. And many places of worship of other faiths can be found in Islamic countries today and in the past.
"And say, O Prophet, 'This is the truth from your Lord. Whoever wills let them believe, and whoever wills let them disbelieve..." (Quran 18:29)
Islam clearly states that there is no compulsion regarding religion; therefore, an Islamic State cannot force anyone to convert to the Islamic faith or remain Muslim. The Holy Quran states:
"Let there be no compulsion in religion, for the truth stands out clearly from falsehood. So whoever renounces false gods and believes in Allah has certainly grasped the firmest, unfailing hand-hold. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing" (Quran 2:256)
It's essential to stress that the act of leaving the Islamic faith is not the same as committing the act of apostasy in Islam. Whereas Islam does state that the punishment for apostasy is death, this penalty is assigned only to a particular type of apostasy: and one does not suffer this penalty simply because they left the fold of Islam. The act of apostasy, the commission of which can sentence an apostate to death, is given to those living in an Islamic land that publicly announces their apostasy, convincing others to leave Islam, the religion of God. It's for those who call others to a new faith, misguiding people and leading them to hellfire, thus also leading to a great fitnah, trial, and tribulation for others.
The rights of an individual do not trump the rights of society. Islam does not tolerate the commission of any corruption in its society and has rules to protect the community from harm and disunity--and from those that cause doubt and uncertainty in the hearts of believers. Calling people to leave Islam can cause people to commit crimes prohibited in Islam, such as drinking alcohol, drugs, fornication, and other harmful acts to individuals and society. Apostacy, in short, is seen as a form of treason against the state.
The Islamic penal system aims to preserve five essential elements: life, intellect, family, property, and religion. To this end, Islam has implemented strict rules to live by through its religion and the prescription of the punishment for apostasy for the safety of society. Only an Islamic state can implement the punishment of apostasy; citizens cannot be vigilantes and take the law into their own hands. The crime must be done intentionally and implicitly, and not ambiguously.
At the time of Prophet Muhammad PBUH, apostates did exist, but Prophet Muhammad PBUH and the Muslims never executed any of them. Rarely have apostasy laws ever been implemented at all throughout history. The apostasy law is not unique to Islam; it also exists in Christianity and Judaism. A ruler in an Islamic State can elect to give the apostate a different sentence, such as a prison sentence. The apostate has the right to a court hearing and gets a three-day waiting period. He is allowed time to reflect on the situation, clear misconceptions, and repent. Those who assist the enemy of an Islamic State in battle are likewise subject to the death penalty. This is known as treason, and many nations today punish spies and anyone who plots to harm their own nation by way of their treason laws.
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"Fight those who do not believe in Allah and the Last Day, nor comply with what Allah and His Messenger have forbidden, nor embrace the religion of truth from among those who were given the Scripture, until they pay the tax, willingly submitting, fully humbled" (Quran 9:29)
There is wisdom and logic behind the concept of Jizya. The word Jizya is derived from the word Jaza, which translates to mean compensation. Jizya was a form of compensation or payment to the Islamic State for its public services rendered to non-Muslims living under Islamic rule. All states need funding to run their organized government, which is why all nations today level taxes against their citizens. Funding goes to support public services like police, military protection, welfare services, and more to help protect citizens' lives, families, property, and wealth.
In an Islamic state, Muslim citizens pay Zakat as their tax. Zakat stands as one of the five pillars of Islam, one that goes to help less fortunate citizens and supports the welfare system. Zakah is obligatory for Muslims so that a certain amount of their wealth will be contributed to the welfare of the poor. Zakah is a form of worship. Non-Muslims, on the other hand, cannot be forced to engage in religious obligations such as paying this Zakat—as it is a form of worship, and compulsory payment would infringe on non-muslims' religious rights.
Non-Muslims living under Muslim rule are free to practice their own religion in any Muslim land without being forced into any form of Islamic practice. But since non-Muslims also reap the social benefits of services provided by their Islamic host state, it is only fair that they pay a tax similar to that paid by their Muslim neighbors—identical to those taxes paid in all countries today. It would be an act of injustice towards Muslims to require them to pay a tax and not to require non-Muslims living in the same land to pay a share too.
Honoring and upholding treaties with non-Muslims is a solemn obligation for the Muslim community. The payment of Jizya ensures that the Islamic State protects and guards non-Muslim citizens against harassment from external enemies and funds any ransom imposed on their behalf if they are taken as captives by an external enemy.
Suppose that the Islamic State fails to protect or fears they cannot guarantee security for the non-Muslims living in their land as imposed by an external enemy. In that case, they will return the Jizya paid by the non-Muslims. This happened when Umar the Second Caliph ordered the treasury officer to refund Jizya collected from Syrian Christians because he feared he could not protect them from a military attack by the Byzantines.
Unlike countries today that charge taxes to all citizens, Jizya is not paid by all non-Muslim citizens but only by men of sound mind and of military age who are healthy and capable of earning a living. Women, children, the poor, students, the blind, the disabled, enslaved people, monks, the elderly, and those who chose to fight in the military were exempt from paying this tax. On the other hand, Zakat is paid for by Muslim men and women, but Muslim men cannot be exempt from being drafted into the military. Still, the Jizya payment exempts non-Muslims from joining the military even though the state's military benefits Muslims and non-Muslims alike. The Jizya paid by non-Muslims is generally less than what Muslims pay for Zakat.
The Islamic State is required to provide social security services to non-Muslims with disabilities who cannot work. There have been many instances where Muslims provided social security services to non-Muslim citizens living in their land.
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"...These are the limits set by Allah, so do not approach them..." (Quran 2:187)
Sharia Law is Divine Legislation consisting of individual laws that deal with the civil aspects of life, including character, dealing with others, prayer, purification, repentance, marriage, divorce, business dealings, etc. Sharia Law also consists of state-based laws regarding the running of a State. Since Sharia protects and preserves the rights and freedom of individuals and societies, its law must contain rules, regulations, and punishments for those that transgress and infringe on people's rights and freedoms.
Listed within state-based laws is a small component known as Hudud-- criminal law and indicates the penal code of Islam. Hudud can be translated as punishment for encroaching upon the limits and boundaries set by Allah. Since certain aspects of Hudud violate human rights, punishments must be enacted to serve justice for those harmed, as is the case in all countries today. Since these crimes severely impact society, they come complete with severe punishments. It's essential to enact harsh penalties for severe crimes, to help deter and discourage such crimes for the community's security.
It's imperative to note that ordinary Muslims cannot enforce the laws we will discuss; these punishments can be carried out only by a Muslim ruler or judge. A person accused of a crime must be tried in an Islamic court and proven guilty before any punishment is implemented. There is no place for vigilantism in the faith of Islam, acts in which Muslims take the law into their own hands.
Instead of throwing someone in a jail cell in a harsh environment alongside other criminals to allow them to network with each other while costing citizen taxpayers a great deal of money, Islam prevents crimes in a different matter by using the Hudud punishments as a form of deterrence and retribution.
It's imperative to note that the chief principle in implementing Hudud punishments is maximizing mercy - seeking to reform the criminal and allowing the doors of repentance to be opened. Hudud punishments are challenging to prove and enforce. A rigorous requirement of solid evidence almost renders these punishments a scare tactic.
A Muslim ruler or jurist can consider many ambiguities to avoid applying a hudud punishment. Prophet Muhammad PBUH stated: Avert the legal penalties from the Muslims as much as possible if he has a way out, then leave him to his way, for if the Imam makes a mistake in forgiving it would be better than making mistake in punishment' As Hudud laws are very difficult to execute, not a single incident of stoning an adulterer occurred in the first 1000 years of the life of Prophet Muhammad PBUH. And only three or four incidents are recorded of lashings in this faith.
"As for male and female thieves, cut off their hands for what they have done— a deterrent from Allah. And Allah is Almighty, All-Wise" (Quran 5:38)
Islam takes the rights of people's property very seriously, and as a result, the religion enacts laws to protect any act of aggression toward other people's property. The Islamic concept of theft is to "take that which does not belong to you stealthily from a place where similar things are typically kept." Without a severe punishment for theft, this evil would spread throughout society. Harsh punishment is needed as a deterrent to scare people away from such an evil act.
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The last pillar of the Islamic faith, one that every Muslim believes, is the concept of Al-Qadr, which closely translates to predestination or pre-ordainment (sometimes translated as predestination/Divine Decree, destiny, or fate). When one believes in the tenet of Al-Qadr, translated as "Divine Decree," they affirm that everything--good or bad--that happens in their life emanates from God the Almighty and is something He willed to happen. Al-Qadr, in Arabic, translates to mean to measure, to determine, to assess, to decide, to judge. In the context of religion, the term means "Divine determined measurements and sustenance for everyone and everything, in accordance with His Wisdom and Power." God states in his Book:
Indeed, all things We created with predestination (Quran 54:49)
God the Almighty, being All-Knowing and All-Wise, knows what we have done in the past, what we are doing now, and what we will do in the future— even before our birth. After all, can God be God if He doesn't know everything, including the future? Whereas humanity has the free will to make their own choices, everything happens only and directly through God's Will and Power.
Before discussing the idea that if God preordained everything, why should we be held accountable? You must understand the concept of Divine Decree better. Al-Qadar (Divine Decree) comprises four components. The first component is the belief that God is All-Knowledgeable. His Knowledge encompasses all things. The Almighty's foreknowledge is infallible and complete.
"And with Him are the keys of the unseen; none knows them except Him. And He knows what is on the land and in the sea. Not a leaf falls but that He knows it. And no grain is there within the darknesses of the earth and no moist or dry thing but that it is written in a clear record" (Quran 6:59)
The second component of Divine Decree is the belief that Allah has recorded all happenings, everything from the beginning of time to the Day of Judgment, in a Tablet He has kept an account known as the Lawh Al-Mahfooth (the Preserved Tablet). Each person's lifespan, substance, deeds, happiness, sorrows, and more are written and recorded on this Tablet. In fact, according to a narration of Prophet Muhammad PBUH, Allah, the Glorious, recorded the measurements of all matters regarding His creation fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth.
"Do you not know that Allah knows what is in the Heaven and Earth? Indeed, that is in a Record. Indeed that, for Allah, is easy" (Quran 22:70)
The third component of Divine Decree is the belief that nothing can occur without the Will and Power of Allah, whether the event stems from the action of the Almighty or the actions of humanity. Nothing occurs haphazardly or by accident; the Almighty has decreed everything.
Muslims acknowledge that anything that has happened could not have been avoided or prevented--no one can avoid an occurrence unless God has willed it. By contrast, whatever has not reached, attained, or afflicted a person, was not meant to touch or afflict that person by God's will. Our Prophet PBUH narrated, "Know if all of humanity gathered to harm you, they could not harm you unless Allah had decreed. The Pen has been lifted, and the pages have dried."
The fourth and last component of Divine Decree is the belief that Allah is the Creator and Originator of all things.
"...and has created each thing and determined it with precise determination" (Quran 25:2)
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Before we discuss the concept of atonement in Islam, it's essential to address Christianity's stance on how to seek salvation from hellfire and enter Paradise. Christians believe that every child is born with the taint of the original sin committed by our parents, Prophet Adam and Eve PBUT. The sin was committed when they disobeyed our Creator by eating from the forbidden tree. Christians believe that, since all men are born in a sinful state because of the actions of our distant ancestors, it is necessary to believe in atonement, the idea that Jesus Christ died for our sins. Christians believe that one can attain salvation, being saved from hellfire and entering Paradise, by simply accepting that Jesus Christ died for their sins, without the need for worshipping God, doing good deeds, or adhering to the Holy Law - because Jesus Christ fulfilled it for them.
To reiterate, Christians believe the commandments of God are worthless and need not be followed, as they can earn a free trip to Paradise by simply believing that Jesus Christ died for their sins. They believe one can live sinful without going to hell since Jesus Christ atoned for their sins. If all Christians need to do to reach Paradise is to believe that Jesus Christ died for their sins, then why do they bother learning the Bible or the teachings of Jesus Christ?
If Jesus Christ did die for our sins, he would have emphasized and taught this crucial detail. However, nowhere in the Bible did Jesus Christ explicitly stated that he would die to save humanity from sin. Christians say God sacrificed his only begotten son to save humanity, but if God owns the entire universe, why did God need to sacrifice Jesus? One sacrifices one thing for something else they could not obtain otherwise. But God is All-Mighty and can restore the life of Jesus Christ instantly, so by definition, that is not a sacrifice.
Not only is the concept of atonement not mentioned in the Bible nor taught by Jesus Christ, but Biblical verses contradict the concept of atonement and prove a fabrication. These verses state that no person is held responsible for another's sin, no parent is accountable for a sin committed by their child, and vice versa. That means we are not held accountable for the sins committed by our parents, Adam and Eve, PBUH.
"The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin." (Deuteronomy 24:16). Take this passage: "The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child." (Ezekiel 18:20) It is stated in the Bible that the child will not share the guilt of the parent for any particular sin, nor will the parent share the child's responsibility for a sin!
Paul initiated the concept of atonement. Paul proved himself an enemy of Jesus Christ throughout his ministry. He claimed that Jesus Christ came to him in a dream, and only afterward did he become a believer. He then made radical changes to the religion that neither Jesus Christ nor the Bible describes or details! Why are Christians following the teaching of Paul and not Jesus Christ?
How did all of the previous, righteous Messengers and Prophets of God, such as Prophet Abraham, Moses, Noah, etc., go to Paradise if they did not accept Jesus Christ, one who did not die for their sins since he was not yet born, as their savior? Are these righteous Messengers and Prophets of God going to hell?! No, of course not! And why didn't these Messengers and Prophets of God know of or teach about the original sin and redemption? That's because these ideas were innovated by Paul and never taught by God, Jesus Christ, the Bible, or anyone.
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Two separate branches of Muslim predominate this faith. 90% of the Muslim world is Sunni, and 8% is Shia in faith. The followers of Shia are commonly found in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Bahrain, and a few other places. The difference between Sunni and Shia arose because of a political division at the time in history when Shia followers went their separate way. Yet, while the split started as a difference of opinion in politics, some significant theological differences emerged later, with Shia incorporating many unconventional, foreign concepts into their theology.
The Sunni and Shia split found its origin in a disagreement about the leadership of the Muslim community after the death of Prophet Muhammad PBUH. After his death, his companions were forced to choose the next leader, the ruler, and the successor of the Muslim community, commonly known as the Caliphate. Sunnis believed that Prophet Muhammad PBUH did not explicitly designate his replacement, and they needed to appoint this leader by mutual consultation. The Shia believed that the Prophet PBUH designated his cousin and son-in-law, Ali PBUH, to assume the role of Caliph.
Sunni Muslims deemed Abu Bakr R.A., the Prophet's closest companion, as the fittest to lead the Muslim community. Abu Bakr became the first Caliph, and Ali eventually became the fourth, serving in the wake of Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthman, peace be upon them. Ali was well-satisfied with the decision to appoint Abu Bakr R.A. as the ruler, but others were less pleased.
The word Sunni comes from the term Sunnah, which refers to the teachings and practice of Prophet Muhammad PBUH, who in turn was taught by Angel Gabriel—who, for his part, learned the faith from God. Sunni Muslims consider themselves followers of Islam's orthodox tradition, adhering to the pure, uninfluenced faith taught by Prophet Muhammad PBUH. Shia linguistically means party, sect, supporters, or a group of similar-minded people. Shia is an abbreviation for Shiatu Ali, which signifies a group or supporters of Ali. Shia was a political faction that claimed the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad, PBUH, should lead the Islamic community as the Caliphate in place of Abu Bakr R.A.
Initially, this group of Ali's supporters, known as Shia, stood against the Umayyads political party but remained purely Sunni in their theology and faith, unlike modern-day Shia. Yet, with passing years, significant doctrine/theological differences arose. The famous 12 Imams that certain Shia holds in the highest regard were Sunni in Creed, not Shia.
If Prophet Muhammad PBUH explicitly appointed Ali PBUH, as the Shia claim, that would mean Abu Bakr was appointed unjustly in the role of a caliph. It means he disobeyed and went against the wishes of the Prophet, PBUH, despite his role as his closest associate and dearest friend. Additionally, this move implied that the companions who accepted Abu Bakr R.A. as the Caliphate went against the Prophet PBUH despite earning a high rank and God's praise in the Holy Quran.
Many beliefs of Shiism claim no basis in the religion of Islam. Shiism evolved from its role as a political sect supporting and favoring the leadership of Ali and his descendants, who they label as Imams, over more qualified companions, to a holder and conveyor of strange ideas foreign to Islam.
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When speaking about slavery, we must define the term to ensure clarity and understanding. This is important because the Islamic term "slavery" differs from the Western definition of the word, as it holds a different connotation in the English language than in Islam. The term slavery in the West is more closely associated with brutal depictions seen in Hollywood movies and disturbing accounts found in the annals of American history.
When European settlers first arrived in America at the beginning of the 16th century, they abducted and enslaved approximately 11 million Africans for 300 years to work under abhorrent, inhumane conditions, generating wealth and opportunity for the American people. At the same time, two million enslaved people died at sea on their way to America. The Islamic term slavery does not reference such abhorrent conditions. Never would Islam allow such horrific treatment of human beings.
This brings us to the Islamic understanding of slavery. There was a time in history when slavery was not considered immoral, and almost every middle-class family owned a slave. They would kidnap free people from other lands and sell them into slavery. The act of enslaving people was a common practice in many areas. At a time when the inability to pay off one's debt could result in the enslavement of the debtor, Islam was the only religion to prohibit this form of practice and initiate laws about slavery.
Islam states that all human beings are free and that no human has the right to withhold freedom from anyone unlawfully. Therefore, Islam did not allow free people to be taken, sold, or turned into enslaved people. It prohibited all forms of slavery except for instances in which captives of war were claimed, an act having nothing to do with race or skin color.
To reaffirm, the only type of slavery Islam allowed was the taking of prisoners of war during the fighting of a battle. If two tribes were at battle and one side reigned victorious, taking enemy soldiers and citizens as captives of war, they could keep them. In modern times, soldiers of the opposite side can be imprisoned if captured because we now have prison institutions to house thousands of prisoners of war when needed.
However, back in the Prophet Muhammad PBUH's time, such institutions did not exist. At that time, prisoners of war would be killed, ransomed, or taken into homes as enslaved people. Instead of killing them, Islam allowed them to live humanely in the homes of Muslims without any form of abuse. The faith initiated laws dealing with prisoners of war that were not ransomed.
For those offended by the concept of wartime imprisonment: What else would Muslims have done with the prisoners they captured, enemies who had tried to fight and kill them? If they released them, those people could make another attempt on their lives. They didn't have prisons then, and even if they had housed captives of war, the prisoners would have lived in a harsher environment, especially when kept in the desert. Islamic scholars state that the law regarding treating war captives no longer applies today.
Whereas Islam allowed only the taking of prisoners of war, the faith did not abruptly abolish slavery altogether, commanding everyone who had slaves to release them. Islam decreased the practice of slavery by degrees to maintain social and economic stability. If everyone freed their slaves simultaneously, the act would have negatively affected their economy and society, putting thousands of people out of work without shelter. Islam encouraged and offered many avenues for people to release their slaves. Islam mandated freeing enslaved people as a requirement for forgiveness for specific sins. The Holy Quran referenced the freeing of an enslaved person as a sign of piety.
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Islam is a greatly misunderstood faith, especially in the western world, and no Islamic term is more widely misunderstood and decried as the word Jihad. Jihad often is mistranslated to mean Holy War. Some non-Muslims misunderstand the term to indicate the waging of war against disbelievers, to convert them to Islam or kill them. Often, the word Jihad is thought to be synonymous with terrorism, but this couldn't be further from the truth.
Jihad comes from an Arabic word meaning "to make an effort" or "to strive towards a goal." Jihad means " exerting oneself" or "to struggle." In the Islamic context, it means to struggle against one's evil inclination. So, any effort of self-improvement, whether enhancing one's spirituality, education, or financial situation, is an act of Jihad.
"We shall certainly guide those who strive for Our cause to Our path. God is certainly with the righteous ones" (Quran 29:69)
This Verse applies to one who spiritually struggles to attain closeness to and seek the pleasure of God. Jihad comes in different forms. The essential Jihad, known as Major Jihad, is Jihad An-Nafs (the Jihad of the soul). This is the spiritual struggle between two powers within humans: the soul and the body. The soul is prone to becoming corrupt from within oneself, external influences, or both sources.
"Verily, the soul is inclined to evil" (Quran 12:53)
Islam expresses the importance of purifying, cleansing, and restraining oneself from submitting to sinful desires. Islam expects its followers to prefer their souls and conscience instead of their bodies and desires by striving to resist urges and inner temptations. They are expected to avoid acts of disobedience and instead perform acts of obedience pleasing to God.
"And whoever strives only strives for the benefit of himself. Indeed, Allah is free from need of the worlds" (Quran 29:6)
Islam emphasizes self-improvement, self-development, self-restraint, and self-control to shape one's life in the best manner for personal benefit and the good of society. This Jihad is intended to purify the soul. The concept involves struggling against the greed for worldly purposes, arrogance, pride, envy, jealousy, hatred, hypocrisy, insincerity, vanity, narcissism, and other evil traits Satan uses to lead humanity astray into destruction. Every Muslim must strive daily to overcome these evils to the best of their ability. The Jihad of the soul includes the struggle to perform good deeds to please God and become closer to Him. Allah states in His Book:
"He has succeeded who purifies it." (Quran 91:9)
Scholars state that the successors to whom this Verse refers are those individuals who purify their souls by obeying God and restraining from sins and evil doing. The other primary Jihad is Jihad Al-Shaytan (Jihad against Satan). Satan's main aim is to destroy the religion of humanity by attacking them with continuous whispers regarding their belief in God and to tempt, corrupt, and mislead people away from God's guidance.
"O, you who have believed, enter into submission completely and perfectly and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy" (Quran 2:208)
The whispers of Satan come to both righteous people and the wicked. These whispers can be detrimental to one's spiritual, emotional, physical, and psychological well-being. One needs to fight against Satan, warding off the doubts the demon stirs up that undermine faith in God and resisting the corrupt desires he provokes.
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Among the most misunderstood and abused terms and concepts of Islam, both by non-Muslims and Muslims alike is the Sharia Law. Sharia is often portrayed in the media as evil and barbaric, an evil that extremists and terrorists follow, preach, and try to spread in the West. The media often do this for political reasons.
The term "Sharia" linguistically originates from an Arabic word meaning "a path that leads to a watering place." Figuratively, the word refers to a clear, straight path. In Islam, Sharia Law means Divine legislation, the infallible law of God, as opposed to human legislation. Sharia is a set of Divine laws and ethics that Muslims live by to draw closer to God and to live in justice and kindness in honor of His Creation.
"And We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a criterion over it. So judge between them by what Allah has revealed and do not follow their inclinations away from what has come to you of the truth. To each of you We prescribed a law and a method. Had Allah willed, He would have made you one nation [united in religion], but He intended to test you in what He has given you; so race to all that is good. To Allah is your return all together, and He will then inform you concerning that over which you used to differ" (Quran 5:48)
No society can function without rules and regulations; without legal boundaries, society will dissolve into anarchy and chaos. Most religions feature sacred Divine laws and ethics equivalent to Islam's Sharia - for instance, Judaism's Halakah Law and the Catholic's Canon Law. Shariah provides the legal framework for the healthy foundation and functioning of society. The religion of Islam incorporates a set of rules and regulations that protects and preserves the rights and freedoms of individuals and society. It is a doctrine concerned with justice, equality, and respect for all.
The Sharia Law is derived from the Holy Quran, its primary source, and the Sunnah (teachings of Prophet Muhammad PBUH), a secondary source. Laws of Sharia also come from Islamic Scholars, who, in their conveyance of the law, draw upon an interpretative process that includes Qiyas (reasoning by analogy, derived from the primary sources), Ijma (the consensus of the opinions held by the Prophet's companions and agreements reached by Islamic scholars), and Ijtihad, the effort to arrive at one's own judgment or reasoning to seek the answers that go unaddressed by the Holy Qur'an and Sunnah. Of these five sources, the first two are Divine, while the other three (Qiyas, Ijma, and Ijtihad) are humanistic efforts based on independent juristic reasoning.
Sharia Law is applied to protect and preserve five basic rights: the right to practice religion, the protection of Muslim and non-Muslim life, the safeguarding of the mind/intellect/reason, the preservation of honor, dignity, and family, and the sanctity of wealth and property. The Sharia aims to secure humanity's welfare and establish a righteous society.
Shariah is more than just Islamic Law; it is not limited to legal issues. Sharia deals with ethical, moral, political, and social codes of conduct for Muslims at the individual and communal levels. Sharia deals with every aspect of life, such as economics, politics, crime, diet, spirituality, hygiene, sexual intercourse, and more. These laws tell Muslims precisely what God expects from them and how they can please Him.
Man was created solely to worship and serve God, and without the guidance of God showing the right path, no one can achieve this purpose. These laws tell Muslims precisely what is permissible to do, eat, and drink and how to dress, sleep, and even relieve themselves. These laws also outline what Muslims are not permitted to do.
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"If you fear you might fail to give orphan women their due rights if you were to marry them, then marry other women of your choice—two, three, or four. But if you are afraid you will fail to maintain justice, then content yourselves with one or those bondwomen in your possession. This way you are less likely to commit injustice" (Quran 4:3)
Polygamy is a marriage system that allows one person to marry more than one spouse. This system of the marital union comes in two varieties. In a union of polyandry, a woman marries more than one man, which is not permissible in Islam - and for good reason. The other type is polygyny, a system where a man marries more than one woman, a union acceptable in Islam with certain restrictions.
When the Holy Quran came down, polygyny was practiced in Arabia. Islam did not introduce the concept of polygyny; instead, the faith sanctioned regulations and restrictions in a society with no limit imposed on the number of women a man could marry simultaneously. These restrictions were intended to protect women and restore justice. Islam did not mandate polygyny, nor did the faith encourage it.
At a time in Arabia when men guardians would marry numerous orphans in their custody without regard or offer them their fair dower. And after battles in which multiple male casualties occurred, leaving widows and female orphans without guardians, the Holy Quran revealed guidance regarding the fair treatment of female orphans to ensure they get fair treatment, their fair share of a dower, and not get taken advantage of.
Marriage in Islam is a transfer of responsibility from the father to the husband, ensuring the husband will provide for the woman involved. In special cases, the Holy Quran allows a man to marry a female orphan, affording a higher likelihood that the man will accept his financial responsibility toward her.
The Holy Quran states if one can treat each wife fairly and equally, he can marry up to four wives. Whereas Allah allows polygyny, He says in the same chapter that it will never be possible for a husband to treat all his wives with equitable fairness. He warns men to exercise caution before entering a polygeny relationship, as it is no easy task to treat multiple wives fairly and do them all justice. In such a relationship, men can encounter problems with their wives and Allah. This issue limits the possibility of polygyny in societies. Thus, Allah indirectly implies that monogamy is preferred in most cases.
"You will never be able to maintain emotional justice between your wives—no matter how keen you are. So do not totally incline towards one leaving the other in suspense. And if you do what is right and are mindful of Allah, surely Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Quran 4:129)
Polygyny is not a required marital state; it's optional. A tiny percentage of Muslims practice polygyny. Some Muslim countries prohibit polygyny, some restrict it, and some allow it. Whereas the practice has its negative aspects, its positives and benefits outweigh the negatives, and the union resolves issues facing certain societies. Polygyny may not be suitable for everyone at their current place and time, but it sometimes makes sense to marry more than one wife.
While monogamy is generally the preferred norm for contemporary marriages, certain societies in the past boasted more female residents than men because of the high mortality rate of men dying in war or from violent crimes. Some communities have seen female residents outliving their spouses due to the latter being exposed to dangerous occupations or activities that put their health at risk or because women generally boast stronger immune systems than men.
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There is a misconception that a woman's testimony is worth half of that of a man in Islam. This can be traced to Verse 2:282 in the Holy Quran, which states that two men are to be called upon to witness a financial contract; if two men are not available, then one man and two women would suffice. So, two women would testify in place of a single male witness:
"O believers! When you contract a loan for a fixed period of time, commit it to writing… Call upon two of your men to witness. If two men cannot be found, then one man and two women of your choice will witness—so if one of the women forgets the other may remind her…." (Quran 2:282)
When reading this Verse, one can conclude that a woman's testimony is worth only half of that of a man and that women are more prone to forgetting or making errors. However, the requirement of two women to replace one man exclusively refers to the witness of financial agreements and is not meant to be a general stipulation. The ruling of substituting two women for one man is not a statement that men are superior to women but has to do with social and cultural situations at the time the Holy Quran was sent down to humanity. At the time, women were not educated to be as literate as men. They were not involved in business transactions regarding trading caravans, making them prone to forget contractual details or making administrative errors. They were not as familiar with debt contracts and did not engage in their creation as often as men.
It's human nature to have a weak memory of a matter you are less familiar with and in which you are not frequently involved. Men once handled all business trades while women stayed home, raising children. Asking two women to testify regarding financial contracts in place of one man was vital to protecting the money involved in the financial agreement. The Holy Quran takes the protection of financial contractors seriously.
In certain circumstances, a woman might have witnessed a debt contract, but may not be able to testify in court in front of a judge due to a condition of pregnancy, nursing, childbirth, etc., so a second female witness was sent to back up her witness. The second female witness can also be there for moral support, her presence lessening the likelihood of the first witness being intimidated, strengthening and protecting the female witness.
In short, the requirement of two women to substitute for one man is not a universal rule; it applies only to financial contracts. The Holy Quran speaks about witness testimony in numerous passages, with no specification of the gender of the witness made, except for the single Verse explicitly referring to financial transactions. In other scenarios, female testimony is equal to a man's; in some cases, a woman's testimony is weighted more than a man's. And sometimes, in the case of issues specific to women, only a woman's testimony is allowed.
Regarding this matter, one must understand the difference between witnessing a contract and testifying before a judge. A witness is present during the writing of a contract. Someone giving testimony goes before a judge in the case of a dispute between the two parties involved in an agreement. The Verse in question in this chapter is about women witnessing a contract and not testifying before a judge. A woman's testimony before a judge is equal to the worth of a man's. This Verse only references witnessing a contract, not someone's testimony before a judge.
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“Allah commands you regarding your children: the share of the male will be twice that of the female. If you leave only two or more females, their share is two-thirds of the estate. But if there is only one female, her share will be one-half. Each parent is entitled to one-sixth if you leave offspring. But if you are childless and your parents are the only heirs, then your mother will receive one-third. But if you leave siblings, then your mother will receive one-sixth—after the fulfilment of bequests and debts. Be fair to your parents and children, as you do not fully know who is more beneficial to you. This is an obligation from Allah. Surely Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise” (Quran 4:11)
Islam is more than a religion; it is a way of life that guides humanity in all aspects of their lives, including providing guidance on inheritance. Islamic law allows a person to leave one-third of their assets to whomever they wish, as long as the beneficiaries are not amongst the remaining two third. The will is implied after the deceased's funeral expenses and outstanding debts are paid.
The remainder two-thirds goes to the beneficiaries listed in Chapter 4 of the Holy Quran—a passage that some non-Muslims find controversial. Whereas Chapter 4 states that the share of a male is twice that of a female, females do not always receive less than males in all circumstances. There are certain instances where both male and female beneficiaries receive the same amount, where women receive more than male and scenarios where females get a share and men get nothing.
In many religions, women do not inherit from their families in any circumstance. At many points throughout history, women did not inherit anything from their families. They were considered property, part of the inheritance estate needing to be married off and relocated. On the other hand, Islam gave women their inheritance rights, stating that their reasonability determines their share--and not their gender.
In some circumstances, females inherit half of what males inherit—but not on all occasions. There is logic and fairness to reinforce those instances in which males get a higher inheritance share than females—with these conditions given to us by our Creator, the All-Knowing, All-Wise, the All-Just.
Because Islam has assigned males as the heads of the household, those who bear the family's financial burden, the men will often spend much of what they inherit back into the family. On the other hand, females are entitled to the entirety of their inheritance and wealth--and their husband's wealth. Women can keep 100% of their inheritance without spending or sharing it with anyone--even if they are wealthy and their husband is poverty-stricken.
God has chosen men to be the guardian of their wives and family, whom they must look after and to whom they must provide food, clothing, shelter, etc. The man must care for and provide for those closest to him. For instance, a husband needs to look after his wife and offspring; if he passes away or neglects his duty, the next man in a woman's life will need to step up and care for the family, whether it's the adult son or the brother of the woman. It's important to stress once again that the reasonability of the sexes determines the share of an inheritance, not the gender.
As a clarifying example, suppose the parents of a son and daughter die, leaving fifteen thousand dollars behind. The daughter would inherit five thousand dollars by edict of Muslim law, and the son would inherit ten thousand dollars. However, if she is unmarried, the brother would have to share the $10,000 with his family, including his wife, children, and even his sister.
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In regards to gender relationships, a single Verse is perhaps the most widely misunderstood in the Holy Quran regarding men and women. The Verse States:
"Men are in charge of women by right of what Allah has given one over the other and what they spend for maintenance from their wealth. So righteous women are devoutly obedient, guarding in the husband's absence what Allah would have them guard. But those wives from whom you fear arrogance - first advise them; then if they persist, forsake them in bed; and finally, hit them lightly. But if they obey you once more, seek no means against them. Indeed, Allah is ever Exalted and Grand" (Quran 4:34)
Before one comes to a hasty conclusion, it's imperative to understand that the Holy Quran came down to Prophet Muhammad PBUH and that he then interpreted it for us. It would be problematic and inaccurate for people to interpret Verses individually in isolation without reviewing other Verses of the Quran and Hadith (sayings of Prophet Muhammad, PBUH). One needs to hear the explanation of the Verse from the Prophet Muhammad PBUH.
It also would be problematic to ignore the life story of Prophet Muhammad PBUH, as he lived his life based on the Holy Quran and Sunnah. The exemplary manner in which he lived his life and dealt with others is a prime example for us to learn from and emulate, as God created him as our best role model.
The Holy Quran provides teachings and guidance regarding all aspects of life. According to Islamic scholars, this Verse offers guidance in extreme and not typical cases. It pertains to a wife rebelling against her husband through immoral acts of lewdness, adultery, or disloyalty to her marriage; for example, through having an affair with another man or committing an act of vulgarity, bringing shame to her family. The Holy Quran advises the husband to advise his wife, reminding her to be conscious and fear God. This process of inquiry also may include a course of professional counseling.
If time passes and the issue does not improve through advice and counseling, the husband can continue to sleep in their bed but should abstain from having intercourse with his wife. After some time, if her behavior still does not improve, then as a last resort, the husband would display his concern by tapping her lightly with a small twig the size of a pen, inflicting no pain but making a meaningful symbolic gesture. This gesture symbolizes his disgruntled state, showing her his upset and anger by awakening her and warning her of the gravity of the situation in which she now finds herself. We learn this from our Prophet Muhammad PBUH.
It's imperative to emphasize that this light tapping is a last resort, a remedy intended to fix the situation before the problem leads to divorce, breaking up the family. It's also important to emphasize that this light tapping is only symbolic and is intended to show her the grave severity of the situation. This light tapping must leave no marks or swelling in its wake. The faith of Islam does not allow a man to abuse or strike his wife - or any woman - and many Islamic teachings decree the seriousness of this matter.
One must realize that it would not be uncommon or at all shocking for men, who sometimes are prone to violence, to lose their cool and hit their wives if they catch them in the act of infidelity. This Verse guides husbands, telling them that they may not harm their wives; instead, they should express their disapproval and anger in a way that their wives understand their pain. The Arabic verb in this Verse, "Tharb," is incorrectly translated in English to mean hit or beat or strike-- but these words hold a different, much more harsh connotation than what the Verse is referring to.
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As Islam spread quickly throughout the world in such a short period, many assume that the sword spread Islam by way of holy wars. But was this the case? One must distinguish between the Islamic State Empire and the Islamic Faith to understand this. Let's first address the Islamic State Empire.
When leaders of the Empire believed they could offer a system better suited for civilizations, they sometimes enacted their powers to expand their reach to other nations, thus benefiting the people in those nations. Empires spread their system using military force, a method of choice throughout history—as is the case with the many western countries that conquered nations in an attempt to extend their system of democracy to lands where--they believed--people were oppressed. The Islamic State Empire started as a small group of people who eventually grew in number and struggled their way to the top. To a certain extent, the Islamic State Empire expanded just as many other Empires expanded throughout history.
Like every other Empire, the Islamic Empire wanted its reach to flourish through political conquests. Without political conquest, they would not have become and remained a superpower. If nations exist where their people are oppressed, their leaders may be confronted for their wrongdoing--as no people deserve mistreatment. One of Islam's main goals is to establish justice in the land and to invite others to know and accept the Message of God. People can hear the message of God without being forced into its acceptance. It would be a tragedy if the leaders of some nations prevented their peoples from hearing the Message of God.
Conquest was the law of the land, and Empires followed this edict to survive. Although most of the battles that Islams fought were defensive, fighting for the protection of their people, the Islamic Empire did expand its Empire by conquering other lands. The Islamic Empire expanded its justice domain by confronting other unjust Empires and letting others hear about Islam without forcing anyone to accept the faith.
Unlike many other Empires, Islam's many rules ensure that everyone is treated with justice, boundaries are not crossed, and no injustice is done when they conquer a land. Islam prohibits Muslims from oppressing the people in their conquered lands or enslaving and selling them as other Empires did. The living situation of the conquered people should always be better in the wake of their conquest. Scholars state that offensive warfare should be avoided in this modern period and that striking peace treaties with other nations is the right approach.
Now we will address the manner in which the Islamic faith grew so quickly in such a short period. Were the citizens of the lands conquered by the Islamic State forced to convert to Islam? No. Forced conversion is not allowed in Islam, as stated in the Holy Quran:
"Let there be no compulsion in religion, for the truth stands out clearly from falsehood. So whoever renounces false gods and believes in Allah has certainly grasped the firmest, unfailing hand-hold. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing" (Quran 2:256)
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Contrary to popular belief, Islam is not a relatively new religion that came into existence only 1400 years ago, back in the 7th century. Islam, in truth, has existed since the first moment humankind set foot on Earth. The final Prophet of humanity, Prophet Muhammad PBUH, was not the founder of Islam--as many people mistakenly believe. Instead, he was sent as the last and final Prophet of God.
He was delivered by God the Almighty to convey His universal and eternal message to our nation - the final nation. When Prophet Muhamad PBUH appeared, he did not bring a new religion. Instead, he cast light upon a faith that already existed. Prophet Muhammad PBUH renewed the preceding monotheistic religion, that which has been preached and taught by every previous Messenger and Prophet of God.
Prophet Muhammad PBUH was only the last and final Prophet, the very seal of the Prophets. Islam is the continuation, the culmination, and the completion of God's universal and eternal message to humanity, as revealed to all of God's previous Messengers and Prophets.
Like all previous Prophets and Messengers of God, Prophet Muhammad PBUH preached and taught Tawheed—the oneness of God. He taught that God Alone is worthy of worship and veneration and is the Creator of all. No other being is worthy of worship, not the Sun, the Moon, or idol.
People have been practicing Islam since the creation of Prophet Adam PBUH. Throughout history, anyone who practiced monotheism, submitted to God's will, and followed the Prophet sent to them was considered a Muslim. Throughout the ages, God the Almighty sent Prophets and Messengers to guide and teach their nations in the way of Islam. All Prophets preached the same general message to their nations. All of God's Messengers and Prophets were Muslims by definition because the term Muslim translates to mean 'those who submit their will to God the Almighty.'
"He has ordained for you of religion what He enjoined upon Noah and that which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what We enjoined upon Abraham and Moses and Jesus - to establish the religion and not be divided therein. Difficult for those who associate others with Allah is that to which you invite them. Allah chooses for Himself whom He wills and guides to Himself whoever turns back to Him" (Quran 42:13)
All three major world religions–Islam, Christianity, and Judaism–portray the Prophet Abraham PBUH as an inspiring example of someone who submitted himself entirely to God and worshipped Him alone. As a result, the Prophet Abraham, PBUH, plays a prominent role in history and religion.
The Holy Quran shares stories of Prophet Abraham's firm and steadfast belief in God. He is one who called and preached the oneness of God and rejected the idea of idolatry. However, he later faced various difficult tests and hardships God placed before him, testing his belief and loyalty.
The Holy Quran states that Prophet Abraham PBUH was neither a Jew nor a Christian. Prophet Abraham PBUH could not have been a Jew as the term Judaism originates from the name Judah, a name belonging to a man who resided in the land of Judea and was the grandson of Prophet Abraham PBUH. How could Prophet Abraham PBUH be a Jew if he was born before his grandson, for which Judaism was named? The term 'Judaism' is not found anywhere in the Torah.
Prophet Abraham PBUH could not have been Christian since Christianity follows the teachings of Jesus Christ, and Prophet Abraham PBUH was born before Jesus Christ. The term 'Christianity' is also not found anywhere in the Bible, nor has any Prophet, including Jesus Christ, ever acknowledged it. The word Christianity was introduced much later and never was spoken in the life of Jesus Christ.
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The media frequently portrays Islam as a religion that oppresses women. Sadly, women are oppressed in a few Muslim countries around the world, but any form of emotional, physical, or psychological abuse or oppression towards women is prohibited in the faith and strongly goes against the teachings and laws of Islam. The suppression of women occurs in many parts of the world, regardless of the oppressor's religion or culture—or even if the oppressor is an atheist. And no Islamic laws exist sanctioning this oppression. Islam specifically states that women have the right to a decent life without facing aggression or abuse, just as men do. The Holy Quran says God the Almighty created all species in pairs, indicating that men and women were created of the same species. Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, stated that Women are the twin halves of men. Furthermore, God says in the Holy Quran:
"The men believers and women believers are Auliya' (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another" (Quran 9:71)
Islam states that men and women were created in a pure state, and both are equal in the eyes of God. The only real criterion that judges the superiority of one person over another takes the form of piety, God-consciousness, and righteousness.
"...Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you..." (Quran 49:13)
Men and women of the Islamic faith are expected to fulfill the same obligations of faith, worship, prayer, charity, etc.—as stressed in the Holy Quran. Women do not differ from men in the spiritual sense, as both men and women are subject to God's reward or punishment.
"And whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer - those will enter Paradise and will not be wronged, even as much as the speck on a date seed" (Quran 4:124)
While men and women are spiritually equal in the eyes of God, the two genders are not identical. They exhibit many biological, psychological, and physical differences; therefore, comparing their roles would not be logical. The rights, responsibilities, and roles of each gender are balanced yet are not necessarily the same. Each gender claims different roles in life, and each is suited for their respective role according to their functions, as designed by nature. Men possess more physical strength than women, which is why men and women compete in separate athletic competitions in such rigorous sports as boxing or basketball.
"...And the male is not like the female..." (Quran 3:36)
One should not misinterpret these differences to mean that men are superior or inferior to women; instead, these roles are attributed to each gender's natural capacity and the proper functioning of each gender. For example, women are equipped for childbearing, while men are incapable of giving birth. On the other hand, a man is suited for military field battles during times of war, while the appointment of a woman to fight in the field in place of a man would be a disadvantage for the army. Men and women complement each other while serving as a means of mutual fulfillment.
Men and women have preferences and advantages related to their genders. The Holy Quran states that men stand at one degree over women. According to Islamic scholars, this edict references the Verse indicating that men are caretakers of women and should fulfill all of their responsibilities in terms of protecting, supporting, and providing for them. This Verse does not imply that men stand as an authority over women. Women are the beneficiaries of this Verse. A woman's role is to comfort and support her man. He who created both men and women knows the capabilities, weaknesses, and strengths of each gender.
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Prophet Muhammad PBUH received the text of the Holy Quran from Angel Gabriel, who, in turn, received it directly from God. The Holy Quran was not revealed to Prophet Muhammad PBUH at one time, nor were they revealed to him in order. Instead, the Verses of the Holy Quran were revealed to Prophet Muhammad PBUH over the course of 23 years and often would be delivered in the wake of a current event happening in the time of Prophet Muhammad PBUH and his early Muslim companions.
Angel Gabriel instructed Prophet Muhammad PBUH where Verses and Chapters belonged so that he could sequence the Holy Quran correctly. Prophet Muhammad PBUH instructed scribes to write verbatim as he dictated them orally. The scribes of the Prophet PBUH would write the Verses of the Holy Quran as dictated on whatever surface they had available, whether it took the form of leather, white stones, bones, animal skin, pieces of bark, etc. His main scribe was named Zaid bin Thabit R.A.
Whereas Quranic Verses were composed in fragments, the Holy Quran was compiled into a Book--one developed within two years after the passing of the Prophet PBUH when his major companions were still alive. During a battle, many Quranic memorizers were killed, so the scribe of Prophet Muhammad PBUH, Zaid bin Thabit, was asked to compile the Holy Quran into a published Book.
Whereas Zaid bin Thabit memorized the whole Quran by heart, he did not submit any Verses to the formed Book unless he had acquired two witnesses for each Verse-- their testimonies were in written form and memorization--to confirm the Verses were exactly like how they were revealed ensuring no words or letters were added or subtracted from the text.
It's important to stress that the Prophet's main scribe, Zayd bin Thabit, did not rely on himself, or for that matter, a single companion, to compile the Holy Quran. Instead, he called upon the services of the many memorizers of the Holy Quran to ensure and confirm that they possessed the exact Verses of the Holy Quran, as sent down and Revealed to Prophet Muhammad PBUH with no additions or subtractions.
Many companions of the Prophet PHUH memorized the Holy Quran during the life of the Prophet, word for word. The companions knew that past Scriptures, such as the Torah sent with Prophet Moses and the Gospel sent with Jesus Christ, were rendered lost, so they took the necessary steps to protect the Holy Quran from any additions, enhancements, or subtractions; doing so through the devices of word for word memorization.
No parts of the Holy Quran were lost when Zaid bin Thabit compiled the Quran into book form; this owing to the fact that the companions had written copies of the Holy Quran, and the Holy Quran as a whole was memorized by many of the companions. The oral tradition has always been the primary means of preserving the Holy Quran; even today, millions of people worldwide have memorized the Quran by heart. This more than 600-page document is memorized word for word, letter for letter, even by children that do not speak Arabic. Even if every single copy of the Quran were to be burnt today, it would not matter--because many people worldwide have the Holy Quran memorized by heart.
This complete Book of the Holy Quran remained with the first Caliph, Abu Bakr, until his death, then was passed down to the second Caliph, Umar ibn Al Khattab. After his death, it was entrusted to his daughter, Hafsa, also a wife of the Prophet PBUH.
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The Holy Quran is standing proof of the truthfulness of Islam. Anyone who thoroughly examines the text of the Holy Quran will conclude that no one, including the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, could have authored this Book, as no human being could produce anything like it. Thus, the text could come only from God, the Almighty, the All-Wise.
The Holy Quran stands as the eternal miracle of the Prophet Muhamad PBUH, providing the truthfulness and very basis of his Prophethood. Past prophets performed miracles to prove their own Prophethood, but the manifestations of all of these miracles ended with their deaths, as they were Prophets who served their people only. Since Prophet Muhammad, PBUH, is the last Prophet and is meant to be followed until the end of time, the manifestation of his miracle needs to last until this time, so the people who live after him can see his miracle and believe in his Prophethood. Therefore, the Holy Quran remains preserved and exists today--just as it did more than 1400 years ago.
For many reasons, Prophet Muhammad PBUH could not have been the earthly author of the Holy Quran. Let us now examine some clear proof of this edict. First, Prophet Muhammad PBUH did not know how to read or write, nor did he attend any schools or travel outside the Arabian Peninsula. So, the Holy Quran was sent down to an unlettered Prophet who did not read, write, or calculate. He had no education or communication skills to demonstrate to the people that he could not have authored the Holy Text.
Prophet Muhammad PBUH would not have possessed the ability to compose a Book that became the masterpiece of the Arabic language. The Holy Quran is inimitable in style, form, and spiritual impact; it has a unique rhythm, tone, rhyme, and genre like no other book. The Holy Quran contains the highest possible standard of linguistics and rhetoric in its speech, to the extent that it would be impossible for a human or group of humans to produce.
Prophet Muhammad PBUH was not known to compose poetry, nor did he like it. If Prophet Muhamad PBUH were lying about his illiteracy, his enemies would have known—this owing to the fact that Prophet Muhammad PBUH grew up in the same city, Mecca, as many of his enemies.
"You, O Prophet, could not read any writing even before this revelation, nor could you write at all. Otherwise, the people of falsehood would have been suspicious" (Quran 29:48)
The question remains, how could Prophet Muhammad PBUH have been the author of the Holy Quran when he lived in the midst of the Arabian desert with no teachers or libraries? After all, the Arabic Peninsula existed as a backward, antiquated nation then? The Holy Quran references a variety of forward-thinking facts, resources of knowledge, and various sciences that people could not have known at the time and place in which the Prophet Muhammad PBUH and his companions existed.
The Holy Quran contains knowledge, guidance, and helpful information to explain complicated matters about inheritance, civil law, criminal law, history, finance, business, tax law, military law, embryology, labor law, real estate law, family law, dietary laws, psychology, raising children, marriage, worship, oceanography, biography, universe, physics, medicine, astronomy, and more. It presents this information using simple speech and imagery in Arabic, with no errors or contradicting principles. Moreover, the Holy Quran uses terminology and descriptions at an advanced level beyond what a 7th-century person living in the desert would know.
Early biographical reports state that Prophet Muhammad PBUH was known in his community as truthful and trustworthy due to his early reputation for displaying these qualities. He never was accused of telling a solitary lie.
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We'll go over the concept of Hell in some detail before discussing why God would create Hell, knowing that some people will be condemned. Life is a test, with the test ending at death. Every atom of good and evil that one performs in their lifetime is recorded in their book of deeds, a book to be presented on the Day of Judgment--when every soul will be held accountable for their actions. While in the grave, the deceased souls that deserve to go to Hell will experience suffering, whereas those bound for Paradise will experience peace while awaiting the Day of Resurrection.
God is the Arbitrator who will judge, recompense, reward, or punish His creation. When the hour comes, God will raise every deceased person, including the Jinn (supernatural creatures), to judge them according to their deeds in life. Whereas God is Most-Forgiving, He is also Just. If one's good deeds outweigh their bad deeds, they will enter Paradise and join the successful. By contrast, the individuals whose bad deeds outweigh their good deeds will suffer Hellfire. Standing among Islam's most fundamental aspects dictates that life's purpose is to save oneself from the punishment of Hellfire and enter Paradise eternally.
"Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your full compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained his desire. And what is the life of this world except for the enjoyment of delusion" (Quran 3:185)
Believing and accepting the reality of the Last Day, Judgment Day, Paradise, and Hellfire is a component of the Six Pillars of Iman (Faith) that every Muslim must believe and accept. Many references to Hellfire are listed throughout the Holy Quran and in the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH.
The finite human mind cannot imagine the pain, horrors, anguish, hardship, humiliation, restlessness, and all forms of punishment of Hellfire. Not everyone lingering in Hell will suffer in the same manner. Those in Hellfire will suffer tremendously, both physically and spiritually. The gravity of one's sins will distinguish and dictate the severity of the suffering.
Allah, the Exalted, prepares and reserves Hellfire for those who do not believe in Him, believe in gods other than Allah, rebel against God's Religion and Laws, and reject God's Message and Messengers. Hellfire is for sinners, criminals, murderers, tyrants, hypocrites, the proud and the arrogant, stubborn, unjust, and evil people.
"Do they not know that whoever opposes Allah and His Messenger - that for him is the Fire of Hell, wherein he will abide eternally? That is the great disgrace" (Quran 9:63)
Islam states that salvation is based on faith in Allah, His Messenger, good deeds, and God's Mercy. It is the nature of God to treat no one unjustly or unfairly. As part of the Justice of God, the Almighty, He punishes no one person or no group of people unless and until He has sent them a messenger relaying his Message.
"…And never would We punish until We sent a messenger" (Quran 17:15)
Among the most severe cause of suffering that unbelievers and evildoers will face on the Day of Judgment is the realization that they did not follow God's Message nor His Guidance and have failed in life, thus earning God's Wrath. Many dwellers of Hellfire will instantly regret the choices they have made in their lives and beg for another chance. The Quran states:
And those who followed would say: 'If only We had one more chance, we would clear ourselves of them, as they have cleared themselves of us' Thus, will Allah show them the fruits of their deeds as nothing but regrets. Nor will there be a way for them out of the Fire" (Quran 2:167)
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