ALL RELIGIONS TEACH PEOPLE TO BE RIGHTEOUS, THEN WHY FOLLOW ONLY ISLAM?

Question:
All religions basically teach followers to do good deeds. Why should a person
only follow Islam? Can he not follow any of the religions?

Answer:
1. Major difference between Islam and most other religions
All religions basically exhort mankind to be righteous and eschew evil. But Islam
goes beyond that. It guides us towards practical ways of achieving
righteousness and eliminating evil from our individual and collective lives. Islam
takes into account human nature and the complexities of human society. Islam
is guidance from the Creator Himself. Therefore, Islam is also called the Deenul-
Fitrah (the natural religion of Man).

2. Example - Islam commands us to shun robbery and also
prescribes method of eli-minating robbery

a. Islam prescribes method of eliminating robbery
All major religions teach that theft is an evil act. Islam teaches the same. So
what is the difference between Islam and the other religions? The difference
lies in the fact that Islam, besides teaching that robbing is evil, shows a
practical way of creating a social structure in which people will not rob.

b. Islam prescribes Zakat
Islam prescribes a system of Zakat (obligatory annual charity). Islamic law
prescribes that every person who has a saving that exceeds the nisab level
i.e. more than 85 grams of gold, should give 2.5% of that saving every lunar
year in charity. If every rich person in the world gave Zakat sincerely,
poverty will be eradicated from this world. Not a single human being would
die of hunger.

c. Chopping off the hands as punishment for robbery
Islam prescribes chopping off the hands of the convicted robber. The
Glorious Qur’an says in Surah Maidah:
“As to the thief, male or female, cut off his or her hands:a punishment
by way of example, from Allah, for their crime: and Allah is Exalted in
power, full of wisdom.” [ Al-Qur’an 5:38]
The non-Muslim may say, “Chopping off the hands in this 20th century.
Islam is a barbaric and ruthless religion!”

d. Results achieved when Islamic Shariah Implemented
America is supposed to be one of the most advanced countries in the world.
Unfortunately it also has one of the highest rates of crime, theft, and
robbery. Suppose the Islamic shariah is implemented in America i.e. every
rich person gives Zakat ( 2.5% of his savings in charity above 85 grams of
gold every lunar year), and every convicted robber has his or her hands
chopped off as a punishment. Will the rate of theft and robbery in America
increase, remain same or decrease? Naturally it will decrease. Moreover
the existence of such a stringent law would discourage many a potential
robber.

I agree that the amount of theft that takes place in the world today is so
tremendous that if you chop off the hands of all the thieves, there will be
tens of thousands of people whose hands will be chopped off. The point
here is that the moment you implement this law the rate of theft will decline
immediately. The potential robber would give it a serious thought before
jeopardizing his limbs. The mere thought of the punishment itself will
discourage majority of the robbers. There will barely be a few who would
rob. Hence only a few person’s hands would be chopped off but millions
would live peacefully without fear of being robbed.
Islamic Shariah is therefore practical, and achieves results.


3. Example: Islam prohibits the molestation and rape of women. It
enjoins hijab and prescribes capital punishment for a convicted rapist.

a. Islam prescribes method of eliminating molestation and rape
All the major religions declare the molestation and rape of women as grave
sins. Islam teaches the same. What then is the difference between Islam and
the other religions? The difference lies in the fact that Islam does not merely
preach respect for women, or abhor molestation and rape as serious crimes,
but also gives clear guidance as to how society can eliminate such crimes.

b. Hijab for men
Islam has a system of hijab. The Glorious Qur’an first mentions hijab for the men
and then for the women. Hijab for the men is mentioned in the following verse:
“Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard
their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: and Allah is
well acquainted with all that they do.” [Al-Qur’an 24:30]
The moment a man looks at a woman and if any brazen or unashamed
thought comes to his mind, he should lower his gaze.

c. Hijab for women
Hijab for women is mentioned in the following verse:
“And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and
guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and
ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should
draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to
their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons....”
[Al-Qur’an 24:31]

The extent of hijab for a woman is that her complete body should be
covered. The only part that can be seen, are the face and the hands up to
the wrists. If they wish to cover, they can even cover these parts of the body.
However some Islamic scholars insist that even the face should be covered.

d. Hijab prevents molestation
The reason why Allah has prescribed Hijab for the women is given in the
Qur’an in the folowing verse of Surah Al-Ahzab:
“O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing
women,that they should cast their outer garments over their persons
(when abroad): that is most convenient, that they should be known (as
such) and not molested. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, most Merciful.”
[Al-Qur’an 33:59]

The Qur’an says that Hijab has been prescribed for the women so that they are
recognized as modest women this would prevent them from being molested.

e. Example of twin sisters
Suppose two sisters who are twins and who are equally beautiful, walk
down a street. One of them is wearing the Islamic Hijab i.e. the complete
body is covered except for the face and the hands up to the wrists, and the
other twin is wearing a mini skirt or shorts. Around the corner there is a
hooligan who is waiting for an opportunity to tease a girl. Who will he tease?
The girl wearing the Islamic Hijab or the girl wearing the mini skirt or shorts?
Dresses that expose more than they conceal, are an indirect temptation to
the opposite sex for teasing, molestation and rape. The Qur’an rightly says
that the hijab prevents women from being molested.

f. Capital punishment for rapist
The Islamic shariah prescribes capital punishment for a convicted rapist.
The non-Muslim may be horrified at such a stringent punishment in this age.
Many accuse Islam of being ruthless and barbaric. I have asked a common
question to hundreds of non-Muslim men. Suppose God-forbid, some one
rapes your wife, your mother or your sister and you are made the judge. The
rapist is brought in front of you. What punishment would you give him? All
of them said, “we would put him to death.” Some went to the extent of
saying, “we would torture him to death”, If your wife or your mother is raped
you want the rapist to be put to death. But if someone else’s wife or mother
is raped, capital punishment is a barbaric law. Why the double standards?

g. U.S.A. has one of the highest rate of Rape
The United States of America is supposed to be one of the most advanced
countries of the world. An F.B.I report in the year 1990 says that 1,02,555
cases of rape were reported. It further says that only 16% of the cases of
rapes are reported. Thus, in order to know the actual number of rapes that
took place in 1990, the reported figure should be multiplied by 6.25. We get
a total of 6,40,968 rape cases that took place in the year 1990. If the total is
divided by 365 the number of days in a year, we get an average of 1,756
rape incidents everyday.

Later another report said that an average of 1900 cases of rape are
committed in U.S.A every day. According to National Crime Victimization
Survey Bureau of Justice Statistics (U. S. Dept. of Justice) in 1996 alone
3,07,000 cases of rape were reported. Only 31% of the actual cases of rape
were reported. Thus, 3,07,000 X 3.226 = 9,90,322 rapes took place in 1996.
That is, an average of 2,713 cases of rape took place everyday in America
in 1996. Every 32 seconds one rape is taking place in America. Maybe
American rapists got bolder. The FBI report of 1990 continues and says that
out of the rape cases that were reported only 10% of the rapist were arrested, that is only 1.6% of the actual rapes committed. Out of those
arrested, 50% were let free before the trial. This would mean that only 0.8%
of the rapists faced a trial. In other words if a person commits 125 rapes the
chances that he will get a punishment for rape is only once. Many would
consider this a good gamble. And the report says that of those people who
faced trial 50% received sentences of less than a year’s imprisonment
though the American law says rape carries a seven year sentence of
imprisonment. For a rapist, the judge is lenient to first time offenders.
Imagine a person commits 125 rapes and the chances of being convicted is
only once, and 50% of the time the judge will grant leniency and give a
sentence of less than a year!

h. Results achieved when Islamic Shariah Implemented
Suppose the Islamic shariah is implemented in America. Whenever a man
looks at a woman and if any brazen or unashamed thought comes to his
mind, he lowers his gaze. Every woman wears the Islamic Hijab, that is the
complete body is covered except the face and the hands upto the wrists.
After this if any man commits rape, he gets capital punishment. The
question is, will the rate of rape in America increase, will it remain the same
or will it decrease? Naturally it will decrease. Islamic Shariah gets results.

4. Islam has Practical Solutions for the Problems of Mankind
Islam is the best way of life because its teachings are not doctrinaire rhetoric but
practical solutions for the problems of mankind. Islam achieves results both at
the individual and collective levels. Islam is the best way of life because it is a
practical, universal religion not confined to any ethnic group or nationality.

ANIMALS AND BIRDS LIVE IN COMMUNITIES & THE FLIGHT OF BIRDS

“There is not an animal (That lives) on the earth, Nor a being that flies
On its wings, but (forms Part of) communities like you.”
[Al-Qur’aan 6:38]

Research has shown that animals and birds live in communities, i.e. they
organize, and live and work together.

Regarding the flight of birds the Qur’aan says:

“Do they not look at The birds, held poised In the midst of (the air And) the sky? Nothing Holds them up but (the power Of) Allah. Verily in this Are Signs for those who believe.” [Al-Qur’aan 16:79]

A similar message is repeated in the Qur’aan in the verse:

“Do they not observe The birds above them, Spreading their wings And folding them in? None can uphold them Except (Allah) Most Gracious: Truly it is He That watches over all things.” [Al-Qur’aan 67:19]

The Arabic word amsaka literally means, ‘to put one’s hand on, seize, hold, hold someone back,’ which expresses the idea that Allah holds the bird up in His power.

These verses stress the extremely close dependence of the birds’ behaviour on Divine order. Modern scientific data has shown the degree ofperfection attained by certain species of birds with regard to the programming of their movements.

It is only the existence of a migratory programme in the genetic code of the birds that can explain the long and complicated journey that very young birds, without any prior experience and without any guide, are able to accomplish.

They are also able to return to the departure point on a
definite date.

Prof. Hamburger in his book ‘Power and Fragility’ gives the example of
‘mutton-bird’ that lives in the Pacific with its journey of over 15,000 miles in the shape of figure ‘8’.

It makes this journey over a period of 6 months and comes back to its departure point with a maximum delay of one week.

The highly complicated instructions for such a journey have to be contained in the birds’ nervous cells.

They are definitely programmed. Should we not reflect on the identity of this ‘Programmer’?

FRUITS CREATED IN PAIRS, MALE AND FEMALE & EVERYTHING MADE IN PAIRS

FRUITS CREATED IN PAIRS, MALE AND FEMALE:

“And fruit Of every kind He made In pairs, two and two.” [Al-Qur’aan
13:3]

Fruit is the end product of reproduction of the superior plants. The stage
preceding fruit is the flower, which has male and female organs (stamens and ovules).

Once pollen has been carried to the flower, they bear fruit, which in
turn matures and frees its seed. All fruits therefore imply the existence of
male and female organs; a fact that is mentioned in the Qur’aan.

In certain species, fruit can come from non-fertilized flowers (parthenocarpic fruit) e.g. bananas, certain types of pineapple, fig, orange, vine, etc.

They also have definite sexual characteristics.

EVERYTHING MADE IN PAIRS:

“And of everything We have created pairs.” [Al-Qur’aan 51:49]

This refers to things other than humans, animals, plants and fruits. It may also be referring to a phenomenon like electricity in which the atoms consist of negatively – and positively – charged electrons and protons.

“Glory to Allah, Who created In pairs all things that The earth produces,
as well as Their own (human) kind And (other) things of which They
have no knowledge.” [Al-Qur’aan 36:36]

The Qur’aan here says that everything is created in pairs, including things that the humans do not know at present and may discover later.

Who I Am !

An Excellent poem about the Muslim Woman.

What do you see
when you look at me
Do you see someone limited,
or someone free

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All some people can do is just look and stare
Simply because they can't see my hair

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Others think I am controlled and uneducated
They think that I am limited and un-liberated

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They are so thankful that they are not me
Because they would like to remain 'free'

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Well free isn't exactly the word I would've used
Describing women who are cheated on and abused

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They think that I do not have opinions or voice
They think that being hooded isn't my choice

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They think that the hood makes me look caged
That my husband or dad are totally outraged

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All they can do is look at me in fear
And in my eye there is a tear

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Not because I have been stared at or made fun of
But because people are ignoring the one up above

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On the day of judgment they will be the fools
Because they were too ashamed to play by their own rules

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Maybe the guys won't think I am a cutie
But at least I am filled with more inner beauty

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See I have declined from being a guy's toy
Because I won't let myself be controlled by a boy

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Real men are able to appreciate my mind
And aren't busy looking at my behind

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Hooded girls are the ones really helping the muslim cause
The role that we play definitely deserves applause

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I will be recognized because I am smart and bright
And because some people are inspired by my sight

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The smart ones are attracted by my tranquility
In the back of their mind they wish they were me

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We have the strength to do what we think is right
Even if it means putting up a life long fight

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You see we are not controlled by a mini skirt and tight shirt
We are given only respect, and never treated like dirt

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So you see, we are the ones that are free and liberated
We are not the ones that are sexually terrorized and violated

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We are the ones that are free and pure
We're free of STD's that have no cure

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So when people ask you how you feel about the hood
Just sum it up by saying 'baby its all good' ;)

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The sweetness of Allah...

" Bismillah" is
"In the name of Allah,
the Most Gracious, The Most Compassionate!"
Bismillah is to remind me that Allah is with me,
in every step that I take each second, each minute,
each hour, each day... Always!
Allah is in every breath that I need to breathe.
Allah gives me Life!
Allah is the sweetness in my Life!
((()))
It was all done just for me because He love me.
God is the One who has created me!
I do know that is not me that does the work;
It is not me that magicly make oppertunities arise.
It is not me that grows fruits from every action.
I really know with out Allah, I am alone and powerless.
Allah gave me life and gifted me the ability to move,
to think, to feel freely.
I am really dependent on God, the All-Mighty
for all ....
He is very essence of life itself, for me!
((()))
Tell me, why should I ever to be forced to stop,
to share ALLAH'S LOVE...
after all Mohammed, the prophet,
himself had to conquer so many
hurdle's and difficulties ...
Why should I put an limit on myself,
and to my love, that I have for Allah.

After all

"Bismillah al rahman al rahim"
" There is only ONE, and Only one GOD!

And also,

"La Elah Ella Allah;
Mohammed Rasul Allah"
" There is no god but ALLAH and
Mohammad is the messenger of ALLAH"
((()))
All and every word of my poetry
showes my love for Him.
I found sweetness In Allah...


Allah Akbar! Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar!


"Why people act like that?"

The world is filled with so many
arrogant, selfish, vain, self-centered people.
Will they ever learn that they are
wrong by being unpleasant,
pushy, arrogant, rude and selfish?
~*~
I see self-centered people being weak and so slow.
I like to know if their even exercise their brain?
They just standing or sitting there,
attacking, complain , judging others,
and just whine about being so bored, while twisting
or squeezing their hands, and hurt others.
~*~
Oh God! Please help such whiners,
loser to find their path back to the
road that leads to victory. I had to
think very hard how I would handle this,
in a peaceful manner. I was literally attacked
by a self-proclaimed know-it-all.
Some people just so self-centered and stupid!
~*~
God my feelings are very hostile.
Please, forgive me!
I do understand all my actions should
be restrained and on an mature level.
But, how can I be serious with an selfish,
conceded, self-centered Moran?
~*~
Oh, God! Please tell me is there more
to gain, in this situation when I use
my own self-restraint;
Rather me getting even with such an vain,
self-important, silly, or aggressively stupid person.
~*~
My heart lies heavy, I am Muslim!
I feel pity for them!
Because they do not know what
valuable time they wasted.
Standing there just attacking someone else
because they are just different.
Oh God, I do think ignoring them is the best.
I am the wiser one. After all I did learned
vertime that selfish, egotistical people, thrive on attention.
~*~
If I totally ignore them it will
make them crazier. Yes! But if I
confront them with more words
that gives them the last word.
Oh, God! You right why should
I give them that kind of power at all!
Really, I do not envy self-centered
people, who have their evil ways.
~*~
Oh God! I do not ever want to be like them!
I am so irritated to see, such
self-centered people inflicting other pain!
I see now that some of us choose for themselves to
treasures just the good, but some, they
literally treasure the wrath that will come upon them.
I see now yes, it is true what we have here now,
and how we handle situations depends on what we
get rewarded there after.
~*~

***Smile***© Copyright Heidi Anna Rosa 2008

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From Heidi, a dear friend who became a Muslim (a german-american) and as she say she's the first metaphycial Poet Muslim, very soon she will publish her first metaphysical poetry "Book". People Call her Huda Al Faraj :)

BIOLOGY: EVERY LIVING THING IS MADE OF WATER

Consider the following Qur’aanic verse: “Do not the Unbelievers see that
the heavens and the earth were joined together (as one Unit of Creation), before We clove them asunder? We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?” [Al-Qur’aan 21:30]

Only after advances have been made in science, do we now know that
cytoplasm, the basic substance of the cell is made up of 80% water.

Modern research has also revealed that most organisms consist of 50% to 90% water and that every living entity requires water for its existence.

Was it possible 14 centuries ago for any human-being to guess that every living being was made of water?

Moreover would such a guess be conceivable by a human being in
the deserts of Arabia where there has always been scarcity of water?

The following verse refers to the creation of animals from water:

“And Allah has created Every animal from water.” [Al-Qur’aan 24:45]

The following verse refers to the creation of human beings from water:

“It is He Who has Created man from water: Then has He established
Relationships of lineage And marriage: for thy Lord Has power (over all
things).” [Al-Qur’aan 25:54]

Previously humans did not know that plants too have male and female gender distinctions. Botany states that every plant has a male and female gender.

Even the plants that are unisexual have distinct elements of both male and female.

“‘And has sent Down water from the sky.’ With it have We
produced Diverse pairs of plants Each separate from the others.” [Al-
Qur’aan 20:53]

DARKNESS IN THE DEPTHS OF THE OCEAN

Prof. Durga Rao is an expert in the field of Marine Geology and was a
professor at King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah. He was asked to
comment on the following verse:

“Or (the Unbelievers’ state) Is like the depths of darkness In a vast deep ocean, Overwhelmed with billow Topped by billow, Topped by (dark) clouds: Depths of darkness, one Above another: if a man Stretches out his hand, He can hardly see it! For any to whom Allah Giveth not light, there is no light!” [Al-Qur’aan 24:40]

Prof. Rao said that scientists have only now been able to confirm, with the help of modern equipment that there is darkness in the depths of the ocean.

Humans are unable to dive unaided underwater for more than 20 to 30 meters, and cannot survive in the deep oceanic regions at a depth of more than 200 meters.

This verse does not refer to all seas because not every sea can be
described as having accumulated darkness layered one over another.

It refers especially to a deep sea or deep ocean, as the Qur’aan says, “darkness in a vast deep ocean”.

This layered darkness in a deep ocean is the result of two
causes:

1. A light ray is composed of seven colours. These seven colours are Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange and Red (VIBGYOR). The light ray undergoes refraction when it hits water. The upper 10 to 15 metres of water absorb the red colour. Therefore if a diver is 25 metres under water and gets wounded, he would not be able to see the red colour of his blood, because the red colour does not reach this depth. Similarly orange rays are absorbed at 30 to 50 metres, yellow at 50 to 100 metres, green at 100 to 200 metres, and finally, blue beyond 200 metres and violet and indigo above 200
metres.

Due to successive disappearance of colour, one layer after another,
the ocean progressively becomes darker, i.e. darkness takes place in layers of
light.

Below a depth of 1000 meters there is complete darkness. *

2. The sun’s rays are absorbed by clouds, which in turn scatter light rays
thus causing a layer of darkness under the clouds. This is the first layer
of darkness. When light rays reach the surface of the ocean they are
reflected by the wave surface giving it a shiny appearance. Therefore it is the waves which reflect light and cause darkness. The unreflected light penetrates into the depths of the ocean. Therefore the ocean has two parts.

The surface characterized by light and warmth and the depth characterized by darkness.

The surface is further separated from the deep part of the ocean by waves.

The internal waves cover the deep waters of seas and oceans because the deep waters have a higher density than the waters above them. The darkness begins below the internal waves. Even the fish in the depths of the ocean cannot see; their only source of light is from their own bodies.

The Qur’aan rightly mentions: “Darkness in a vast deep ocean
overwhelmed with waves topped by waves”.

In other words, above these waves there are more types of waves, i.e. those found on the surface of the ocean. The Qur’aanic verse continues, “topped by (dark) clouds; depths of darkness, one above another.”

These clouds as explained are barriers one over the other that further cause darkness by absorption of colours at different levels.

Prof. Durga Rao concluded by saying, “1400 years ago a normal human being could not explain this phenomenon in so much detail.
Thus the information must have come from a supernatural source”.
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* Oceans, Elder and Pernetta, p. 27.