The concept of prophethood is totally different from that of incarnation. According to the latter concept, God Himself is re-born in human shape on Earth in order to give succour to humanity. Prophethood, according to Islam, is of quite another order of being. A prophet in the Islamic sense is a man, just like any other human being: his uniqueness resides solely in his also being a messenger of God.
A messenger is not an ‘inspired’ person in the simple sense of the word. By Islamic tenets, prophethood is dependent not on inspiration, but on divine revelation. Inspiration is a common psychological phenomenon, of the kind experienced by a poet, whereas revelation is a true and direct divine communication. It was consciously sent and also consciously received by the Prophet. The Quran is a collection of these divine revelations, which the Prophet received over 23 years.
According to Islam, prophethood is not acquired but God-given. That is, it is not possible to engage in spiritual exercises and then, as a result, be elevated to prophethood. Not even the Prophet had any say in this matter of selection. The choice depends upon God alone. The Prophet’s responsibility was to communicate the divine message to humanity. In doing so, if he received a negative response from the people, or even in extreme cases was persecuted, he had nevertheless to follow a strict policy of avoidance of confrontation and had unilaterally adopted the path of patience and forbearance. He was responsible only in so far as the conveying of the message was concerned. As for the response to, or acceptance of the message, that entirely depended on the addressees. But clearly, the greater the number who accepted the message, the greater the sphere in which a practical system of guidance sent by God became established.
Source: Principles of Islam
The need to send Prophets to this world was because God wanted to send guidance to humanity towards understanding the purpose of creation and the principles of righteous living. As such, Prophets are sent by God to inform mankind of realities which, for ordinary people, lie beyond the realm of human vision. They are sent as messengers, communicating divine revelations to their communities to help individuals discern right from wrong and navigate their lives in accordance with God's will. Throughout history, God sent the same religion of submission to God—Islam—through the prophets. As there was no way to record and preserve the guidance sent through the prophet before the advent of the Prophet of Islam, when the previous teachings became distorted, God sent another Prophet to revive the true spirit of religion. In essence, the Prophets fulfilled the crucial role of conveying God's guidance, ensuring that humanity has access to the divine principles necessary for a meaningful and ethical existence.
Source: The Spirit of Islam Magazine
One of the fundamental beliefs of religion is ‘prophethood,’ that God sent prophets for man’s guidance in every age. According to a hadith, more than one lakh messengers were sent to guide the people. However, the prophets mentioned by name in the Quran are two-dozen in number. They told humans of God’s will but, there are no authentic records of the teachings of the prophets of ancient times. The later circumstances failed to authenticate their personalities as factually historical and their books also suffered the same fate. Finally, God chose the Prophet Muhammad bin Abdullah bin Abdul Muttalib as His Messenger and the last in the chain of prophets. He was born at a time when world history had begun to be put on record. Subsequently, with the invention of the printing press, he became widely acknowledged as a historically established figure, and the Book divinely revealed to him, was preserved for all eternity. Ultimately, there was no possibility that any changes could be made in this divine book that was revealed to the Prophet of Islam. The Prophet Muhammad was the final messenger to humanity. No prophet will come after him.
A prophet is one who has been selected to represent God on Earth. When God chooses a human being as His messenger, His angel comes to him to inform him of this selection. In this way, he is left in no doubt that he is indeed God’s messenger. Afterwards, God sends him His teachings through Angel Gabriel so that he may inform all human beings of God’s will. The prophet is an intermediary between God and man. He takes from God His message and conveys it to human beings.
God has bestowed human beings with reason but, through reason alone, an individual cannot understand the deeper realities of the present life. So far as God and the world Hereafter are concerned, this is totally related to the invisible world and as such, these things are beyond human reason and understanding. What the prophet does is fulfil this need of every individual. The Prophet informs a person of the realities of life and of the world Hereafter. In this way, he enables people to plan their lives in the full light of divine knowledge.
Source: The Spirit of Islam Magazine
Islam improves one’s life by providing universal principles that promote spiritual growth, moral integrity, and social responsibility. It encourages individuals to lead a God-centered life, focusing on the Hereafter while fulfilling their worldly obligations. This perspective instils a profound sense of purpose and meaning, enabling believers to navigate life’s challenges with hope and perseverance.
Islam advocates simplicity and contentment, guiding adherents to prioritize spiritual well-being over material pursuits. By practising kindness, charity, and service to others, individuals not only seek God’s pleasure but also attain personal fulfilment and spiritual progress. Moreover, Islam places great emphasis on the importance of community and family life, fostering a supportive environment that strengthens social bonds and enhances stability. This interconnectedness nurtures harmonious relationships and a sense of belonging, contributing to overall well-being.
In essence, Islam enriches life by blending spiritual devotion with ethical living, fostering personal growth, social harmony, and a deep sense of purpose."
Source: The Spirit of Islam Magazine
Islam provides eternal principles and clear guidance on how to interact with others in society. God has established a defined framework for human conduct, similar to the fixed order He has set for the rest of the universe.
There are innumerable planets and stars in the universe. All these are constantly rotating in the vastness of space. Space is an infinite field for the movement of innumerable celestial bodies but it is astonishing that no collision ever takes place between them. What is the secret of this? It is that every star and every planet moves in its orbit with the utmost precision. It never deviates from its celestial course. It is this law of movement which stops the stars and planets from colliding. A human being is required to follow the same course. God has provided a fixed sphere, for the functioning or activities of all human beings. The only difference is that while the rest of creation follows the laws of nature under compulsion, human beings are given the freedom to choose their path. True believers willingly live within the boundaries set by God, adhering to the sphere defined for them.
When individuals stay within their God-ordained spheres, peace is established in society. However, when people overstep these boundaries, conflict inevitably arises. This leads to clashes that harm both the individuals involved and the broader community. To maintain peace, believers must confine their actions to the limits prescribed for them by God.
Source: The Spirit of Islam Magazine
A believer has important responsibilities towards both God and man. His duty towards God (huquq Allah) means believing in Him with all His attributes, worshipping Him, regarding himself accountable to Him; and making himself ready to carry out wholeheartedly any such demands that God may make upon him. Another responsibility of the believer is one, which concerns the rights of human beings (huquq al-ibad). This responsibility devolves upon him in his relations with others. Every man or woman, a relative or neighbour, a fellow townsman or compatriot or one with whom he has dealings in business—everyone has some rights over him. It is incumbent upon a believer to fulfil those rights, failing which he will not be deserving of God’s succour. Recognizing the rights of human beings means that whenever and wherever a believer meets another person, he should give him such treatment as is in accordance with Islamic teachings. He should refrain from such behaviour as does not come up to the standard of Islam. Examples of proper Islamic behaviour are giving respect to others, never humiliating others while giving them help, acting for the good of others, and if unable to benefit them in any way, at least doing no one any harm, fulfilling trusts, never breaking them; never usurping the wealth and property of others; dealing justly with others regardless of the circumstances; giving the benefit of the doubt to others, not believing in allegations made against others without proper proofs; advising others in earnest. Every believer is duty-bound to fulfil the rights of God and human beings.
Source: Principles of Islam
Prayer is an act of worship dedicated to God. It is obligatory for believers to perform prayer five times a day. However, before engaging in prayer, believers must perform ablution (wudu), which involves washing the hands, face, and feet with water for the purpose of purification. This washing to cleanse awakens the feeling in man that he should always lead a life of purity. Then by uttering the words ‘God is Great’ he enters into the act of salat. This is to acknowledge that all greatness belongs to God. Thus, the proper attitude for man is to lead a life of modesty and humility.
By reciting some parts from the Quran in prayer, the devotee refreshes his memory about God’s commandments regarding himself. Then he kneels and prostrates himself before God, in physical expression of the idea that the only course that befits him is to lead his life as a submissive servant of God. The prayer is concluded by turning the face first to the right side, then to the left, and uttering the words ‘Assalamu-alaykum’ (Peace and blessings of God be upon you). This is a demonstration of the fact that, spiritually conditioned by prayer, the devotees are now entering into the world with no other thoughts and feelings in their minds but those of mercy towards others, and peace for all mankind. Prayer turns their resolve to remain peaceful members of society and to harbour no ill feelings towards anyone.
Prayer in one respect is the worship of God, and in another, it is an acknowledgement of the divinity of God. It is to surrender before God, attributing all kinds of greatness to Him alone. In yet another respect, prayer prepares the individual to lead a worthy life among people, adopting an attitude of modesty, sympathy and goodwill in all his dealings. In short, prayer perfects man’s relationship with God as well as with other human beings.
Source: Principles of Islam
Mosque or ‘Masjid’ literally means ‘a place for self-prostration’, that is, a place formally designated for saying the prayers. According to a hadith, the Prophet of Islam observed: “The masjid is a house of God-fearing people.” The mosque is a place where people develop reverence, learn piety, and prepare for a life devoted to God. It is designed as a place where people can read the Book of God, engage in prayer silently to remember their Creator, and listen to His commandments on how to live their lives in accordance with His will. According to a hadith the Prophet advised the building of mosques in a simple style (Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith no 448), so that there should be no dissipation or dilution of the true religious and spiritual atmosphere.
The most important of all these activities is the saying of prayers, a ritual to be carried out five times a day as prescribed by Islam. This act of worship, the greatest means of instilling a sense of awe in the devotee, may be carried out at any place, but ideally, is performed in an organized manner, in congregation, within the mosque. The worshippers stand in orderly rows behind a single prayer leader, known as the Imam. (The acceptance by the group of just one individual to lead the congregation avoids any dissension, which might arise from there being more than one.) The number of worshippers maybe ten or ten thousand: all have to stand in rows behind the Imam. This emphasizes the values of unity and discipline. However, prayer (namaz) is fundamentally a personal act of worship. Each individual recites their prayer and is rewarded based on the purity of one’s intention and devotion with which it is performed.
Besides the five daily obligatory prayers, there is a weekly Friday prayer, which is necessarily offered in the mosque. In practice and content it is just like any other prayer, but since a larger number of people gather on this occasion, a sermon (khutba), giving religious guidance, is also preached by the Imam before the prayers begin. In this, he reminds worshippers of their accountability to God, of the commandments pertaining to Islamic character and of the proper way to deal with others in society. In this way, the Friday sermon refreshes the memory of religious commitments. The mosque, initially intended as a place of worship, has come to be built to serve other related purposes, such as housing the madrasa, library, lecture hall, guesthouse, dispensary etc.
Source: Principles of Islam
Iman signifies faith and belief. At its core, the essence of faith lies in the realization of God. When a person becomes aware of God’s existence and apprehends divine realities, that is true faith. Such a discovery is no simple matter. God is the Creator and Lord of all things; He is the One who awards punishment and no one can escape His grasp. The discovery of such a God has a profound effect upon the whole life of the individual. His thinking is revolutionized to the extent that God becomes the centre of all his emotions.
As a consequence, the believer surrenders his being to God. God becomes the centre of all his attention. Now he becomes a person whose life and death are for God alone. The result of this faith is that a person’s behaviour throughout his life becomes dyed in the hue of God. When he speaks, he is conscious that God is hearing him and when he walks, he takes care that his way of walking is not of one who struts arrogantly. When he deals with people, he is fearful lest he do anything unjust such as would incur God’s punishment.
As a result of this faith, a person’s entire life becomes oriented towards the Hereafter. In all matters, his eyes are on the Hereafter. In this world, instead of temporary gains, he makes the gains of the Hereafter the centre of his attention. When faced with two aspects of a matter—the worldly and the non-worldly—he disregards the concerns of this world and chooses what holds value for the life hereafter. For him, this faith becomes a source of limitless trust in God. At all times and in all events he puts his trust in God. Faith in essence is to have recognized the Lord when this recognition or discovery becomes a part and parcel of a person’s heart and mind. Then his whole personality is transformed. He becomes a new human being.
Source: A Simple Introduction to Islam
Abdullah Bin Umar said that the Messenger of Allah said: The foundation of Islam has been laid on five principles: faith, to bear witness that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is His prophet; salat: to offer prayer; zakat: to give alms; hajj: to perform the pilgrimage to Makkah; and sawm: to keep fast during Ramadan.
Faith is expressed through the utterance of certain words, known as the Kalima, but this verbal declaration alone is not sufficient. It is essential that at the same time, the concerned person should be imbued with the actual spirit of the words he utters. Real faith is that which reaches into the deepest recesses of the heart, which awakens human consciousness in such a way as to bring to the individual the realization of God.
Prayer (salat) has a fixed form and is to be observed at stipulated times. But here too it is not the adherence to form in the repetition of prayer, or the postures adopted, but the spirit pervading the performance of these rites. The essence of Salah is humility. When a person performs Salah, bowing before their Creator, they cultivate a profound sense of humility. Someone imbued with this spirit becomes free from pride and ego, developing genuine humility and distancing themselves from any false sense of pride or self-importance.
Alms-giving (zakat) is the payment of a fixed amount from one’s earnings to others who are in greater need, is again apparently an act of pure formality, but according to the Quran, the inner spirit of zakat is fear of God. The Quran describes the believers as “those who dispense their charity with their hearts full of fear….” (23:60) A person who gives alms develops a genuine desire to help others and strives to lead a life that benefits those around them.
The pilgrimage to Makkah (hajj) is organized along particular lines, according to the rites and rituals of hajj. The true essence of Hajj lies in unity and solidarity. A person who performs Hajj with sincerity will overcome feelings of opposition and strive to live in unity and harmony, even when faced with provocation.
Fasting (sawm) for the whole of the month of Ramadan, is not concerned merely with abstinence from food and drink during each day from sunrise to sunset, but with the devotion and gratitude to God which self-denial teaches. The Quran states: “Believers, fasting has been prescribed for you, just as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard yourselves against evil.” (2:183). Fasting aims to cultivate a spirit of piety and endurance. A person who observes fasting develops the ability to tolerate even unpleasant situations. They learn to overlook what might be objectionable and focus instead on the positive aspects of any given matter.
Those who adhere to these five pillars of Islam only to the extent of their manifestations will find that their lives are devoid of the spirit of these pillars.
Source: Principles of Islam
One who submits to the One God is called a Muslim. That is, a Muslim is one who is subservient to God in thought, word and deed. All his dealings are done in obedience to God. He bows to God’s will in all matters. Islam is the religion of the entire universe, for all the parts of the universe are functioning according to the principles laid down by God. The same conformity to divine principles is desired of humans also. A person has to live as God’s faithful servant just as the rest of the universe totally obeys its Creator. The only difference is that the universe obeys God as a matter of compulsion, while a human being is required to follow divine injunctions of his own free will.
When a person adopts Islam, it is first of all his thinking which is shaped by Islam. Subsequently his desires, his feelings, his interests, his relations—everything become dyed in the hue of God. Then comes his daily life–his behaviour and dealings with others are moulded according to the virtues upheld by Islam. In short, both internally and externally he becomes an obedient person. A human being is created by God, so the right attitude for the believer is to live in submission to God in this world. In Islam, the right way of life is to live in conformity with the will of the Lord. The other kind of life is one which is lived independently of God’s awareness and marked by arrogance.
Source: The Spirit of Islam Magazine
Man is God’s servant. God has created man with a plan, that is, to place him temporarily on Earth in order to test him. Then those who pass this test will be rewarded, while those who fail will be rejected. For the purposes of this test, man has been granted freedom in this world. Whatever man receives in this world is not as a matter of right but only as a matter of trial. Every situation here is a test, and in all situations, man must give a proper performance, as is required of him by God.
The proper attitude for man is not to take to the paths of his desires, but to try to understand the divine plan of creation and then after being convinced of its ineluctability, he should build his life accordingly. Man may deviate from the divine plan by misusing the freedom given to him by God, but he cannot save himself from the consequences of this deviation. In such a state of affairs, it is in the interest of man himself that he remains extremely cautious in determining the course of his life. Instead of being guided by his own will and desires, he should make God’s will his guide. Instead of pursuing his own desires, he should lead a life in conformance with the commands of God. Man may be a masterpiece of divine creation, but he must nevertheless remain subservient to the plan of God. Making a full acknowledgement of these two aspects of the existence of mankind is the key to human progress.
Source: Principles of Islam
Islam aims to inculcate the love of God in every individual and make him a God-fearing person. This spirit is called ar-rabbaniyah in the Quran as described in this verse: “Be devoted servants of God.” (3:79) Islam desires to instil this spirit of the love of God and the fear of God in every human being so that he can lead his life in its guidance in whichever situation he may be or wherever he may be. According to Islamic teaching, the present world is a testing ground for individuals, it is not a place of enforcement of commands. In the present world, people are being put to the test to see whether they use their freedom to follow the straight path as determined by God or they deviate from it. Due to this reason, every human being has been granted complete freedom so that he may have the choice to either accept the divine religion or reject it.
This reality about our present life has been stated in the Quran in these words: “Say, this is the truth from your Lord. Let him who will, believe in it, and him who will, deny it.” (18:29). Another verse instructs the Prophet with respect to his contemporaries who were in denial of his prophethood: “You are not a keeper over them.” (Quran, 88:22). The Prophet is here counselled not to compel people to believe in the message he was conveying to them. From this, we understand that the goal of Islam is not to impose a socio-political system through authoritative power, forcing people to adopt the divine religion without allowing any deviation. The goal of Islam is the Islamization of the individual so that he lives a life of love and fear of God—a God-oriented life.
Source: The Spirit of Islam Magazine
When a person adopts Islam, it is first of all his thinking which is shaped by Islam. Subsequently his desires, his feelings, his interests, his relations – everything becomes dyed in the hue of God. Then comes his daily life—his behaviour and dealings with others are moulded according to the virtues upheld by Islam. In short, both internally and externally he becomes an obedient person. A human being is created by God, so the right attitude for the believer is to live in submission to God in this world. In Islam, the right way of life is to live in conformity with the will of the Lord. The other kind of life is one which is lived independently of God’s awareness and marked by arrogance.
Source: The Spirit of Islam
Living an Islamic life means shifting from focusing on oneself to focusing on God. In this world when a person sets out on a journey, he finds two paths, one leading to God and the other path leading to different destinations. Now the way of the true seeker of God is to take extra care to adhere strictly to the path of God, without ever turning off it. One who adheres to the straight path leading towards God will without doubt reach God. On the other hand, one who turns off at every bye-lane will be lost on the way. His path will never lead him towards God.
What this deviation means is that he has become subservient to his selfish desires attaching importance to immediate interests; he has fallen prey to negative feelings such as anger, hatred, jealousy, egoism, etc.; or he has simply run in any direction he finds open before him, without giving his destination much thought. On the other hand, the God-oriented path is one on which he earnestly considers God’s commands. He sets his course after serious deliberation, on the basis of accountability, instead of pursuing immediate gains or temporary satisfaction.
Source: Principles of Islam
Islam has two meanings: peace and submission. According to a prophetic tradition, “A true Muslim is one from whom people are safe, both from their words and actions.” (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No. 7086) This means that Islam is a religion whose followers give peace to the world. This is the essence of Islam. Islam literally means submission. The name Islam has been given to this religion because it is based on submission to God. A Muslim is one who is subservient to God in thought, word and deed. All his dealings are done in obedience to God. He bows to God’s will in all matters. Islam is the religion of the entire universe, for all the parts of the universe are functioning according to the principles laid down by God. The same conformity to divine principles is desired of humans also. A person has to live as God’s faithful servant just as the rest of the universe totally obeys its Creator. The only difference is that the universe obeys God as a matter of compulsion, while a human being is required to follow divine injunctions of his own free will.
Source: The Spirit of Islam
Islam is the voice of human nature. Islam is a God-centred religion which is in harmony with human nature. But this truth does not occur to him until the hour of crisis and peril is upon him. A man may have any religion or any material props he chooses, but, in moments of real crisis, it is to God that he calls out for help. Such an experience, which we all go through at one time or another in our lives, is a clear indication that the God-centred religion is the only true one. As such, it should pervade man’s entire existence. Any religion other than this will fail him in his hour of need, in the Hereafter; just as ordinary, everyday means of support so often do in moments of crisis in this world.
Islam explains the purpose of man’s life: God’s creation plan for man. That is, to make man aware that God created a totally perfect eternal world called Paradise. Then He created man as an eternal creature and placed him temporarily on Earth, for the purpose of testing him. To pass the test in his life before death, one has to come up to the standard of the citizenship of Paradise. Then one will be granted an abode in this perfect world of Paradise in the hereafter. Man’s experience of today is a pointer to the fate he will encounter in the everlasting world of the Hereafter. Only those who heed the message now, and shape their lives, accordingly, will prosper in the world to come.
According to the Quran God has laid down a set path for the entire universe—even for so small a creature as the bee (16:68-69)—a path which every part of the universe must strictly follow. This has been called the straight path. Essentially the straight path is the path to God. And any path which is not directed towards God is a wrong turning, and will never lead man to his true destination.
Source: The Spirit of Islam Magazine
The desired relationship between man and God is that of a living relationship. This relation exists at all times and at every moment through the remembrance of God, prayer, worship, contemplation, reflection, drawing lessons from God’s signs, etc. Man asks God for blessings at every moment and he receives them from God at every moment. Just as man is dependent on God for his existence, so is he totally dependent on God for his survival. If God ceased to sustain him even for a moment, man would be destroyed. God is not only the Creator of man, but also his Sustainer. The relationship between God and man is that of a Giver and receiver, where man is the receiver and God the Giver.
Source: Spirit of Islam Magazine
The Quran, addressed to humankind, tells us of God’s scheme for human existence—man is placed on Earth for the purpose of being tested. The freedom he is given here is not as a matter of right, but as a matter of trial. On the outcome of this test, rests the eternal fate of man. The Quran asserts that human beings are eternal creatures, yet only an extremely small part of their lifespan has been assigned to this present world, the remainder is ordained for the Hereafter. As we learn from the Quran, all the revealed books were sent by God so that man might be informed of the nature and purpose of his life. The teachings of the Quran can be summed up under two basic headings: 1. Believing in one God and worshipping Him alone and 2. Regarding all human beings as equal and according to them equal rights.
Every book has its objective and the objective of the Quran is to make man aware of the Creation plan of God. That is, to tell man why God created this world; what the purpose is of settling man on Earth; what is required from man in his pre-death life span, and what he is going to confront after death. Man is born as an eternal creature. When God created man as such, He divided his life span into two periods, the pre-death period, which is a time of trial, and the post-death period, which is the time for receiving the rewards or punishment merited by one’s actions during one’s lifetime. These take the form of eternal paradise or eternal hell. The purpose of the Quran is to make man aware of this reality. This is the theme of this divine Book, which serves to guide man through his entire journey through this life into the after-life.
It would be correct to say that man is a seeker by birth. The Quran is the answer to man’s quest. It presents this world as a testing ground, and the Hereafter as the place where the result of the test will be taken into account by the Almighty and whatever man receives in the life after death, by way of reward or punishment, will be commensurate with his deeds in this world. The secret of man’s success in this life is to understand God’s creation plan as given in the Quran and map out his life accordingly.
Source: The Quran
