Why Islam Beauty Benefits of Islam

Why Islam? The Beauty & Benefits of Islam PDF Version Are all religions the same? How do I know which is correct? Why should I choose Islam? This pamphlet aims to discuss some of the beauties, benefits and unique aspects of Islam as compared to other beliefs and religions. 1. Close Relationship with the Creator At the core of Islam is the focus of an individual’s personal relationship with God, their Creator. It encourages a believer to have sustained awareness of God which is a key to lasting happiness. Islam teaches that God is the source of peace. By focusing on this important relationship and following God’s guidance, believers will be able to acquire inner peace and tranquillity. Seeking lasting happiness through other means, such as following one’s desires or the accumulation of material possessions, will never fill the void we have. This need can only be filled with the awareness of God. True contentment is found in acknowledging and obeying the Creator: “Truly, in remembering God do hearts find rest.” Quran 13:28 The primary reason for this close relationship is that Muslims have a direct connection with their Creator. There is no intermediary, such as praying to, or through, others, in worshipping God. 2. Positive Outlook on Life Islam gives a person a clear perspective on the events that happen in their life, both good and bad, as they are, in fact, tests from God. It encourages a person to understand events in the context of the overall purpose of life, which is to acknowledge God and obey Him. He created humans with intellect and free will to test them as to who will wilfully choose to follow His guidance. This life is an ultimate testing ground and although we cannot control everything that happens to us, we can control how we react. Islam encourages a person to focus on what is in their control, to be grateful to God for blessings, and to be patient during hardships. Patience or gratitude – this is the formula for a happy life. Islam encourages the believer to remain free from the extremes of worldly happiness that may cause one to forget God, and the extremes of sadness that may cause one to lose hope and blame God. By not being overly attached to the material world, a Muslim is empowered not only to better handle any calamities, but to be beneficial and generous to society. This leads to a more balanced and optimistic outlook on life. 3. Pure and Clear Concept of God Unlike other religions, Islam is not named after its founder or the community of its birth. Islam is an attributive title that signifies obedience to God, the Creator of the Universe. One of its main beauties is that it acknowledges the complete perfection, greatness and uniqueness of God with absolutely no compromises. This is reflected in Islam’s pure teachings of the attributes of God. God is One and Unique: God has no partners, no equals and no rivals. God has no father, mother, sons, daughters or wives. God alone is worthy of all worship. God is the All-Powerful: God has full authority and power over all things. Obedience to God does not increase His Power, nor does disobedience decrease His power. God is the Most High: There is nothing above or comparable to God. The attributes of God do not resemble that of His creation. No part of God is present in anyone or anything. God is Perfect: God does not have any human limitations, such as resting on the seventh day after He created the universe. God always maintains attributes of perfection and does not do anything to compromise this perfection such as “becoming a man” as claimed by other religions. God does not do ungodly acts, so if God became man and took on human attributes, he would, necessarily, no longer be God. 4. Emphasises Both Evidence and Faith Islam is a religion in which faith is based on clear proof. It encourages people to use their God given intelligence to think and ponder over their life and the universe. Although this life is a test, God has provided sufficient signs and guidance to people who are open-minded and sincere to be able to acknowledge the truth. “We (God) have certainly sent down Signs that make things clear: and God guides whom He wills to the straight path.” Quran 24:46 Unlike other religions, there are many clear proofs, signs and miracles that the book of Islam, The Quran, is from God. The Quran: Is free from any errors or contradictions, despite it being revealed over a period of 23 years. Is preserved, word-for-word, since it was revealed in its original Arabic language, unlike other scriptures which have been distorted, changed or lost. Contains a simple, pure and universal message that has a profound effect on all those who are sincerely searching for the truth. Contains a unique and inimitable style of language that is universally known as the pinnacle of Arabic eloquence and linguistic beauty – yet the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who was known to be illiterate. Contains many amazing scientific facts which have only been discovered recently, despite being revealed over 1400 years ago. The most rational explanation for the many unique and miraculous aspects of the Quran is that it cannot be from other than God. 5. Forgiveness of Sins Islam encourages a balance between hope in God’s mercy and fear of His punishment – both of which are required to lead a positive and humble life. We are born sinless but have the free will to commit sins. God created us and knows we are imperfect and commit sins, but the key is how we react to committing those mistakes. “Do not despair of God’s mercy; He will forgive you of all your sins.” Quran 39:53 Islam teaches that God is the Most Merciful and will forgive and pardon those who sincerely want to repent. The beautiful steps for repentance include being sincere, remorseful, refraining from committing the sin as well as having the intention not to repeat it. Islam encourages a continuous process of self-development and self-purification. This process happens directly between the individual and God – there is no need for sins to be shared or “confessed” to a righteous person/priest. Furthermore, God does not need to sacrifice himself to forgive sins, nor is anyone “born into sin”. 6. Accountability and Ultimate Justice Islam teaches that God is the Most Just and that each person will be held responsible for their own actions on the Day of Judgement. Each person is accountable, as they have freedom of choice and intelligence to discern between right and wrong. It is an absolute demand of justice that there be a Day of Judgement where every person is rewarded or punished, otherwise life would be unjust as not everyone receives true justice in this world. Islam teaches that ultimately we will be judged for how well we fulfilled our responsibilities and exercised our free will. We will be judged by God, the All Knowing and All Wise, who knows and sees everything we do. This encourages a more harmonious society and gives people contentment knowing that justice will ultimately prevail. 7. Practical and Balanced Way of Life Islam provides the right balance between faith and action, as both are required for a stable life. It provides guidance for all situations and circumstances. It is a practical religion with practical acts of worship that are designed to fulfil the spiritual, physical, psychological and social needs of people. Examples of practical acts of worship that have numerous benefits include: The five daily prayers – Enriches the soul by satisfying the spiritual need of being in regular contact with God (especially in today’s busy lifestyle); makes one humble by bowing and prostrating to God; removes any barriers/pride/racism between believers praying in congregation; helps one refrain from committing sins given the person stands regularly before God. The obligatory charity – Purifies a person from selfishness; encourages empathy to the poor; reminds one of the blessings of God; helps reduce poverty; bridges the gap between rich and poor. The fasting in Ramadan – Promotes spiritual self-purification, self-restraint and growth; scientifically proven health benefits; empathy and awareness of those less fortunate; trains people to acquire the habit of obeying God. The pilgrimage – Unites people of every colour, race, status and nationality, as pilgrims wear simple and similar clothing, while performing a range of good deeds in congregation. Given that Islam is from God, every command found in the religion is ultimately good and beneficial to the individual and society when practised correctly. Quranic examples include being honest, forgiving, truthful, kind to one’s wife, patient, fair, moderate, modest, sincere, and respecting parents, family and the elderly. There are also many principles in the teachings of Islam that prevent or reduce many of the individual and social ills facing the world today. 8. Universal and Timeless Message Islam has a message that applies to all people at all times, from the creation of Adam up until the Day of Judgement. It is applicable today as it always has been. God is accessible to everyone. People may distinguish themselves and earn God’s favour through belief and righteous actions only – not through race, wealth, gender, nationality or social class. Conclusion Islam’s timeless and beautiful message is the same message of all Prophets, including Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (peace be upon them all). They all called their people to “Submit to the One True God” which, in Arabic, means to become a “Muslim”. This submission to God enables one to fulfil the purpose of life by acknowledging the greatness of God and sincerely worshipping him alone. In doing so, one will acquire the countless benefits of Islam mentioned above.
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Womens Rights in Islam

Womens Rights in Islam

Women’s Rights in Islam PDF Version Women in Islam are thought to be subjugated, degraded, oppressed – but are they really? Are millions of Muslims simply that oppressive or are these misconceptions fabricated by a biased media? “And for women are rights over men, similar to those of men over women.” Qur’an 2:228 Over fourteen hundred years ago, Islam gave women rights that women in the West have only recently began to enjoy. In the 1930’s, Annie Besant observed, “It is only in the last twenty years that Christian England has recognised the right of woman to property, while Islam has allowed this right from all times. It is a slander to say that Islam preaches that women have no souls.” (The Life and Teachings of Mohammed, 1932). Men and women all descended from a single person – the Prophet Adam (peace be upon him). Islam does not accept for either of them anything but justice and kind treatment. Equal Reward & Equal Accountability Men and women worship Allah in the same way, meaning they worship the same God (Allah), perform the same acts of worship, follow the same scripture, and hold the same beliefs. Allah (the Arabic word for the One true God of all creation), judges all human beings fairly and equitably. Allah emphasises the just treatment and reward due to both men and women in many verses of the Qur’an: “Allah has promised to the believers, men and women, gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein, and beautiful mansions in gardens of everlasting bliss.” Qur’an 9:72 “Never will I allow the loss of the work of any worker amongst you, male or female; you are of one another.” Qur’an 3:195 These verses show that reward is dependent upon one’s actions and not one’s gender. Gender does not play any part in how a person is rewarded and judged. If we compare Islam to other religions, we see that it offers justice between the sexes. For example, Islam dismisses the idea that Eve is more to blame than Adam for eating from the forbidden tree. According to Islam, Adam and Eve both sinned, they both repented and God forgave them both. Equal Right to Knowledge Both men and women are equally encouraged to seek knowledge. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Education is compulsory for every Muslim.” Also, great female Muslim Scholars existed at and around the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Some were from his family and others were his companions or their daughters. Prominent amongst them was Aisha, the wife of the Prophet (peace be upon him) through whom a quarter of the Islamic law has been transmitted. Other females were great scholars of jurisprudence and had famous male scholars as their students. Equal Right to Choose a Spouse Islam has honoured women by giving them the right to choose a spouse and keep their original family name once married. Additionally, many have the impression that parents force their daughters into marriage. This is a cultural practice, and has no basis in Islam. In fact, it is prohibited. At the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), a woman came to him and said, “My father has married me to my cousin to raise his social standing and I was forced into it.” The Prophet sent for the girl’s father and then in his presence gave the girl the option of remaining married or nullifying the marriage. She responded, “O Messenger of Allah, I have accepted what my father did, but I wanted to show other women (that they could not be forced into a marriage).” Equal yet Different While men and women have equal rights as a general principle, the specific rights and responsibilities granted to them are not identical. Men and women have complementary rights and responsibilities. Aside from external and internal anatomical differences, scientists know there are many other subtle differences in the way the brains of men and women process language, information and emotion, just to mention a few. A socio-biology expert, Edward O. Wilson of Harvard University, said that females tend to be higher than males in verbal skills, empathy and social skills, among other things, while men tend to be higher in independence, dominance, spatial and mathematical skills, rank-related aggression, and other characteristics. It would be foolish to treat both genders the same and to ignore their differences. Islam teaches that men and women have complementary, yet different, roles because it is best suited to their nature. God says: “And the male is not like the female.” Qur’an 3:36 “Does not the One who created, know? And He is the Most Kind, the All Aware.” Qur’an 67:14 The Family Unit God created men and women to be different, with unique roles, skills and responsibilities. These differences are not viewed as evidences of superiority or inferiority, but of specialisation. In Islam, the family is of central importance. The man is responsible for the financial well being of the family while the woman contributes to the family’s physical, educational and emotional well being. This encourages cooperation rather than competition. By fulfilling their mutual responsibilities, strong families are created and hence strong societies. Also, emotionally, neither men nor women live a happy life without one another. Allah describes this beautifully by saying: “They are clothing for you and you are clothing for them.” Qur’an 2:187 Clothing provides comfort, warmth and security as well as making one look good – this is how the relationship between the husband and wife is defined in Islam. Love & Mercy in Spousal Relations The Prophet (peace be upon him) also encouraged men to treat their spouses in the best way, “The best of you are those who are best (in treatment) to their wives.” “And among His signs is that He created or you wives amongst yourselves that you may dwell in tranquillity with them; and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts). Surely in this are Signs for people who reflect.” Qur’an 30:21 Aisha (the Prophet’s wife) was once asked how the Prophet’s conduct was in his home. She said, “He was like one of you at home, yet he was most lenient and most generous … He was ready to give a helping hand to his wives in the ordinary work of the house, [he] sewed his own clothes and mended his own shoes.” In general, he helped in whatever work his wives did. Lofty Positions of Mothers & Daughters A mother has the greatest influence on a child especially in the earlier years through her affection, care and love. Undoubtedly, the success of a society is due to mothers. Therefore, it is only right for Islam to honour and raise their status. Allah says in the Qur’an: “And we have enjoined on man to be dutiful and kind to his Parents, His mother bears him with hardship and she brings him forth with hardship.” Qur’an 46:15 The Prophet (peace be upon him) was once asked, “O Messenger of Allah, who among people is most deserving of my good treatment?” He said, “Your mother.” The man asked twice more, “Then who?” and was given the same response. Only until the fourth time did the Prophet respond, “Then your father.” Reward is not only given to the good and kind treatment towards mothers. In fact, Islam has designated a special reward for raising daughters that is not granted for raising sons. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever Allah has given two daughters and is kind towards them, they will be a reason for him entering Paradise.” Conclusion Before Islam, women were considered shameful, female children were buried alive, prostitution was rampant, divorce was only in the hands of the husband, inheritance was only for the strong, and oppression was widespread. Islam came and abolished these practices. Even now, in “developed countries”, women are not granted respect, dignity and honour, let alone equal pay for equal work. Islam, however, regards women as precious and valuable, not to be disrespected or disgraced. The mistreatment of women in some Middle-Eastern countries or Muslim families is due to cultural factors that some Muslims wrongly follow, not because of Islam. Why would many women around the world willingly enter Islam if it is an oppressive religion? We end with the words of our Lord and your Lord, the Creator and Sustainer of all men and women: “Surely the men who submit and the women who submit, and the believing men and the believing women, and the obedient men and the obedient women, and the truthful men and the truthful women, and the patient men and the patient women, and the humble men and the humble women… Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward.” Qur’an 33:35

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Why-Islam-Beauty–Benefits-of-Islam.pdf
Why is a man allowed to have more than one wife in Islam? i.e. why is polygamy allowed in Islam?
Can a Woman marry more than one Man in Islam?
Why do Muslim Women Wear Hijab?

What is the Purpose of Life

What is the Purpose of Life? PDF Version Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going? One of the first questions that comes to mind when considering our purpose of life is, “where did we come from?” Are we here based on random natural coincidences or is there a higher intelligent being, a creator? Acknowledging the existence of a creator is the first step in understanding our true purpose in life. There are many logical and rational reasons for believing in a creator. Three reasons are briefly mentioned below. 1. Beginning of the Universe The first evidence that points to the existence of God relates to understanding the origin of the universe. Imagine walking in a desert and finding a watch. We know a watch consists of glass, plastic and metal. Glass comes from sand, plastic from oil, and metal extracted from the ground – all these components are found in the desert. Would you believe that the watch formed itself? That the Sun shone, the wind blew, lightning struck, the oil bubbled to the surface and mixed with the sand and metal, and over millions of years the watch came together by random or natural coincidences? Some may ask, “Who created God”? God, the Creator, is different to His creation. God is eternal, has always existed and has no beginning; therefore the question of who created God is irrational. Human experience and simple logic tells us that something that has a beginning does not simply come from nothing, nor can something create itself. Therefore, the most rational explanation is that a higher “being” created the universe. This “being” must be powerful and intelligent as it brought the whole universe into existence and created the ‘laws of science’ which govern it. We can also reason that this “being” is timeless and spaceless, because time, space and matter began at the creation of the universe. All of these attributes make up the basic concept of God, the creator of the universe. This is in perfect agreement with modern science which concludes that the universe is finite and has a beginning 2. Perfection of the Universe The second evidence that points to the existence of an intelligent creator is the order and perfect balance of our complex universe. Many features in the universe clearly indicate it to be specially designed to support life, such as the earth’s distance from the sun, the thickness of the earth’s crust, the speed at which the earth revolves, the percentage of oxygen in the atmosphere, and even the earth’s tilt. If these measurements were slightly different to what they currently are, life could not exist. In the same way that a watch has an intelligent maker to keep accurate time, so too must the earth have an intelligent maker to keep accurate time around the sun. Could this occur by itself? When we see the order, precise laws and systems within ourselves and throughout the universe, is it not rational they have an organiser? This ‘organiser’ is best explained by the existence of God – the one who brought about this order. 3. Revelation from God The third evidence that points to the existence of God is the actual revelation that God has sent to humankind as a sign of His existence. There are clear signs that the book of Islam, the Quran, is the word of God. Below is a brief summary of reasons that support this claim. The Quran: Is over 1400 years old and contains many scientific facts that were unknown to people of that time and which have only been discovered recently by science. Examples include: water being the origin of all living things (Quran 21:30); the expanding universe (Quran 51:47); and the individual orbits of the sun and moon (Quran 21:33). Contains many historical facts that were unknown to the people of that time as well as numerous predictions which have proven to be correct. Is free from any errors or contradictions despite gradual revelation over 23 years and covering a wide variety of topics. Has been preserved, word-for-word, since its revelation in its original Arabic language, unlike other scriptures which no longer exist in their original form. Has a simple, pure and universal message which appeals to Man’s intellect and inherent beliefs about Almighty God. Has a deep and moving effect on people. Was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who was known to be illiterate, yet contains a unique style of language that is universally known as the pinnacle of Arabic eloquence and linguistic beauty. The most rational explanation for the many unique and miraculous aspects of the Quran is that it is from God. God Sends Guidance Upon acknowledging that we have been created by the All-Wise Creator, we would expect to be informed of our purpose. How can we know what God expects from us? Do we live in trial and error, or make our own purpose? Do we “go with the flow” by following others? No. God sent Prophets and revelation to inform us of our purpose. God sent thousands of Prophets, at least one to every nation, with the same message: to worship God alone and to follow His guidance. They included Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (peace be upon them all). Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the last in the chain of Prophets, was the perfect example of an honest, just, compassionate and brave human being. He was sent with the final revelation from God, the Quran, to demonstrate how its teachings should be applied. The Quran is a book of guidance and explains many concepts such as the purpose of our existence; who God is; the actions liked and disliked by God; the stories of the Prophets and their lessons; accounts of Heaven, Hell, and the Day of Judgement. It aims to clarify misunderstandings about the nature of God, such as clarifying the nature and role of Jesus compared to the nature of God. Jesus, like all the other Prophets, performed miracles and called to the worship of The One true God (Quran 19:36). The Nature of Jesus When trying to understand the concept of God in Islam, it is important to discuss the status of Jesus, given the widespread confusion and claims about his nature. Some Christians claim that “Jesus is God” or part of a trinity – that is, he is the incarnation of God on earth and that God took on a human form. However, according to the Bible, Jesus was born, ate, slept, prayed and had limited knowledge – all attributes not befitting God. God has attributes of perfection whereas Man is the opposite. So how can anything be two complete opposites both at the same time? This is not rational. However, some may ask, “If God can do anything, why can’t he become a man?” By definition, God does not do ungodly acts, so if God became man and took on human attributes, he would, necessarily, no longer be God. Furthermore, the Bible contains many verses in which Jesus speaks and behaves as if God is a separate being to himself. For example, Jesus “fell on his face and prayed” [Matthew 26:39]. If Jesus was God, then would a God fall on his face and pray? And, who would he be praying to? Some Christians claim that “Jesus is the Son of God.” We should ask ourselves, what does this actually mean? Surely God is far removed from having a physical and literal son. Rather, we find that the term “Son of God” is symbolically used in the earliest biblical languages for a “righteous person”. It is used throughout the Old Testament for many righteous people such as David, Solomon and Israel – not exclusively for Jesus, “…Israel is my firstborn son,” (Exodus 4:22) is one such example. “It is not befitting for Allah to take a son; He is perfect and flawless!” Quran 19:35 The Islamic belief about Jesus explains who the real Jesus was, whilst maintaining the pure belief about God and His complete Greatness, Uniqueness and Perfection. Jesus was as an honourable Prophet sent by God to call to the worship of God alone. So… why am I here? Everyone would acknowledge that our body parts, such as our eyes, ears, brains and hearts, have a purpose. Wouldn’t it then make sense that the individual, as a whole, also has a purpose? God, the All Wise, did not create us to simply wander aimlessly or to only fulfil our basic instincts and desires. Rather, we have a higher purpose – to acknowledge and worship God alone, so that we live upon the guidance of our Creator. This guidance enables us to live a successful and blessed life in all aspects. This includes personal acts of virtue like prayer, as well as beneficial acts to society, like being good to one’s neighbours, supporting one’s family, honesty, and caring for animals. God forbids us from worshiping anything else (e.g. statues, the sun, moon, saints, priests or even Prophets). He does not need any partners or intermediaries. Everyone can always worship God directly. God describes this life as a test, and people are tested in different ways. We cannot control what happens to us, but we can control how we react. Patience during adversities, and gratitude for blessings, are a means of getting closer to God and attaining eternal Paradise. We are also warned of a terrible punishment in Hell if we choose to disbelieve and ignore His commands. So… what do I do now? The test of one’s faith is in using one’s intellect to contemplate and recognise God’s signs and live according to His guidance. This is done by submitting to God’s commands, which in Arabic means to become a “Muslim”. God, the One and only Creator – ‘Allah’ in Arabic – has made Islam accessible to everyone, regardless of their history, background or present situation. Therefore, anyone can become a Muslim by simply believing in, and uttering the following testimony of faith: “I testify that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah, and I testify that Muhammad is Allah’s Messenger.” Isn’t it time for you to fulfil your purpose of life, submit to the truth and acknowledge your Creator?

Science in Islam

Science in Islam PDF Version "We (God) shall show them Our signs in the Universe and within themselves, until it becomes clear to them that this is the Truth." Quran 41:53 The Quran, the book of Islam, is the final book of revelation from God to humanity and the last in the line of revelations given to the Prophets. Although the Quran (revealed over 1400 years ago), is not primarily a book of science, it does contain scientific facts that have only been discovered recently through the advancement of technology and scientific knowledge. Islam encourages reflection and scientific research because understanding the nature of creation enables people to further appreciate their Creator and the extent of His power and wisdom. The Quran was revealed at a time when Science was primitive; there were no telescopes, microscopes or anything close to today's technology. People believed that the sun orbited the earth and the sky was held up by pillars at the corners of a flat earth. Against this backdrop the Quran was revealed, containing many scientific facts on topics ranging from astronomy to biology, geology to zoology. Some of the many scientific facts found in the Quran include: Fact #1 – Origin of Life "And We (God) made every living thing from water. Will they not believe?" Quran 21:30 Water is pointed out as the origin of all life. All living things are made of cells and we now know that cells are mostly made of water. This was discovered only after the invention of the microscope. In the deserts of Arabia, it would be inconceivable to think that someone would have guessed that all life came from water. Fact #2 – Human Embryonic Development God speaks about the stages of man's embryonic development: "We (God) created man from an extract of clay. Then We made him as a drop in a place of settlement, firmly fixed. Then We made the drop into an alaqah [leech, suspended thing, and blood clot], then We made the alaqah into a mudghah [chewed substance]…" Quran, 23:12-14 The Arabic word "alaqah" has three meanings: a leech, a suspended thing and a blood clot. "Mudghah" means a chewed substance. Embryology scientists have observed that the usage of these terms in describing the formation of the embryo is accurate and in conformity with our current scientific understanding of the development process. Little was known about the staging and classification of human embryos until the twentieth century, which means that the descriptions of the human embryo in the Quran cannot be based on scientific knowledge from the seventh century. Fact #3 – Expansion of the Universe At a time when the science of Astronomy was still primitive, the following verse in the Quran was revealed: "And the heaven We (God) constructed with strength, and indeed, We (God) are [its] expander." Quran 51:47 One of the intended meanings of the above verse is that God is expanding the universe (i.e. heavens). Other meanings are that God provides for, and has power over, the universe – which are also true. The fact that the universe is expanding (e.g. planets are moving further away from each other) was discovered in the last century. Physicist Stephen Hawking in his book 'A Brief History of Time' writes, "The discovery that the universe is expanding was one of the great intellectual revolutions of the twentieth century." The Quran alludes to the expansion of the universe even before the invention of the telescope! Fact #4 – Iron Sent Down Iron is not natural to earth, as it came to this planet from outer space. Scientists have found that billions of years ago, the earth was struck by meteorites which were carrying iron from distant stars which had exploded. "We sent down iron with its great inherent strength and its many benefits for humankind." Quran 57:25 God uses the words 'sent down'. The fact that iron was sent down to earth from outer space is something which could not be known by the primitive science of the seventh century. Fact #5 – Sky's Protection The sky plays a crucial role in protecting the earth and its inhabitants from the lethal rays of the sun, as well as the freezing cold of space. God asks us to consider the sky in the following verse: "We (God) made the sky a protective ceiling. And yet they are turning away from Our signs!" Quran 21:32 The Quran points to the sky's protection as a sign of God, protective properties which were discovered by scientific research conducted in the twentieth century. Fact #6 – Mountains God draws our attention to an important characteristic of mountains: "Did We not make the earth a resting place, and the mountains as stakes?" Quran 78:6-7 The Quran accurately describes the deep roots of mountains by using the word "stakes". Mount Everest, for example, has an approximate height of 9km above ground, while its root is deeper than 125km! The fact that mountains have deep 'stake'-like roots was not known until after the development of the theory of plate tectonics in the beginning of the twentieth century. God also says in the Quran (16:15), that the mountains have a role in stabilising the earth "…so that it would not shake," which has just begun to be understood by scientists. Fact #7 – Sun's Orbit In 1512, astronomer Nicholas Copernicus put forward his theory that the Sun is motionless at the centre of the solar system and the planets revolve around it. This belief was widespread amongst astronomers until the twentieth century. It is now a well established fact that the Sun is not stationary but is moving in an orbit around the centre of our Milky Way galaxy. "It is He who created night and day, the Sun and the Moon, each floating in its orbit." Quran 21:33 Fact #8 – Internal Waves in the Ocean It was commonly thought that waves only occur on the surface of the ocean. However, oceanographers have discovered that there are internal waves that take place below the surface which are invisible to the human eye and can only be detected by specialised equipment. The Quran mentions: "… a deep ocean which is covered by waves, above which are waves, above which are clouds, layers of darkness, one upon the other…" Quran 24:40 This description is amazing because 1400 years ago there was no specialist equipment to discover the internal waves deep inside the oceans. Fact #9 – Lying & Movement There was a cruel oppressive tribal leader who lived during the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). God revealed a verse to warn him: "No Indeed! If he does not stop, We will seize him by the forehead; his lying, sinful forehead." Quran 96:15-16 God does not call this person a liar, but calls his forehead (the front part of the brain) 'lying' and 'sinful', and warns him to stop. Numerous studies have found that the front part of our brain (frontal lobe) is responsible for both lying and voluntary movement, and hence sin. These functions were discovered with medical imaging equipment which was developed in the twentieth century. Fact #10 – The Two Seas that do not Mix Regarding the seas, our Creator says: "He has let loose the two seas, converging together, with a barrier between them which they do not break through." Quran 55:19-20 A physical force called surface tension prevents the waters of neighbouring seas from mixing, due to the difference in the density of these waters. It is as if a thin wall were between them. This has only very recently been discovered by oceanographers. Couldn't Muhammad Have Authored the Quran? The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was known in history to be illiterate; he could not read nor write and was not educated in any field that could account for the scientific accuracies in the Quran. Some may claim that he copied it from learned people or scientists of his time. If it was copied, we would have expected to see all the incorrect scientific assumptions of the time also being copied. Rather, we find that the Quran does not contain any errors whatsoever – be they scientific or otherwise. Some people may also claim that the Quran was changed as new scientific facts were discovered. This cannot be the case because it is a historically documented fact that the Quran is preserved in its original language – which is a miracle in itself Just a Coincidence? "We (God) will show them Our Signs in the universe, and in their own selves, until it becomes manifest to them that this Quran is the truth." Quran 41:53 While this pamphlet has only focused on scientific miracles, there are many more types of miracles mentioned in the Quran: historical miracles; prophecies that have come true; linguistic and literary styles that cannot be matched; not to mention the moving effect it has on people. All these miracles cannot be due to coincidence. They clearly indicate that the Quran is from God, the Creator of all these laws of science. He is the one and same God who sent all the Prophets with the same message – to worship the one God only and to follow the teachings of His Messenger. The Quran is a book of guidance that demonstrates that God did not create humans to simply wander aimlessly. Rather, it teaches us that we have a meaningful and higher purpose in life – to acknowledge God’s complete perfection, greatness and uniqueness, and obey Him It is up to each person to use their God-given intellect and reasoning abilities to contemplate and recognise God’s signs – the Quran being the most important sign. Read and discover the beauty and truth of the Quran, so that you may attain success!

The Dangers of Riba

The Dangers of Riba PDF Version Is it not amazing that a Muslim will never eat pork because it is haram (unlawful); never marry his mother or sister because it is also haram, yet that same person has no problem devouring riba (e.g. interest, usury)? Did you know that engaging in riba is a major sin which could lead you to Hell? “…but whoever returns (to dealing in riba), such are the dwellers of the Fire — they will abide therein.” Qur’an 2:275 If dealing in riba is so punishable, why do many Muslims fall into this sin and take the issue so lightly? The Meaning of Riba Riba is an Arabic noun derived from the verb Raba, meaning ‘to increase’, ‘to grow’, and ‘to exceed’. It includes interest which is paid by banks or on loans such as car loans, home loans or credit card debt. Proof that Riba is Haram There are many proofs showing that riba is haram and one of the most serious sins in Islam! For those with true faith in Allah and the Qur’an, this clear verse prohibiting riba is sufficient: “…Allah has permitted trade and has forbidden riba.” Qur’an 2:275 In the Qur’an, Allah does not declare war on anyone except those who deal in riba: “O you who believe, fear Allah and give up what remains of your demand for riba, if you are indeed believers. If you do it not, take notice of war from Allah and His Messenger.” Qur’an 2:278-279 Would you like Allah, The Almighty, to wage war against you after He has made it abundantly clear that riba is haram? The Prophet (peace be upon him) warned that consuming riba is one of the seven sins that doom a person to Hell. (Bukhari and Muslim) Riba is haram in all of its aspects, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said (Muslim), “Allah has cursed the one who consumes riba, the one who gives it, the one who witnesses over it, and the one who writes down the transaction.” Do not be of those whom Allah has cursed! Why is Riba Haram? The first and foremost reason riba is haram is because Allah declared it so. It is based on Allah’s infinite wisdom that He deems an action to be obligatory or prohibited, prescribing matters in man’s best interests, in this life and in the Hereafter, as He is the All-Wise, All-Knowing. The scholars of Islam have suggested the following reasons as to why riba is haram: Whole nations, dozens of them, large and small, have foreign debts so large that their riba payments on these debts are a crushing burden on the entire country. Debt kills. Some 11 million children die each year around the world due to conditions of poverty and debt. Former President Obasanjo, commented on the debt Nigeria faces: “All that we had borrowed up to 1985 or 1986 was around $5 billion and we have paid about $16 billion yet we are still being told that we owe about $28 billion. That $28 billion came about because of the injustice in the foreign creditors’ (lenders) interest rates. If you ask me what is the worst thing in the world, I will say it is compound interest.” – Jubilee 2000 news update, August 2000 Riba conflicts with the spirit of brotherhood and sympathy, and is based on greed, selfishness and hard heartedness. Riba is one of the major contributors towards inflation. Riba causes trauma and depression due to mounting debts. Riba is a sure gain without any possibility of loss, hence all the risk is taken by the borrower, rather than sharing the risk and the profits with both parties. Riba creates a monopoly in society, where the rich are rewarded for being wealthy, while those who are not are forced to pay extra! During the global financial crisis in 2008 and 2009, the Daily Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, reported the Vatican as saying that the Islamic finance system may help Western banks in the crisis as an alternative. The Vatican advised: “The ethical principles on which Islamic finance is based may bring banks closer to their clients and to the true spirit which should mark every financial service.” Where a riba-based market fails, Islamic financial institutions do not suffer the same consequences since the risk is shared by both parties. Lenders will be more careful, as they also share the risk of losing money if the borrower cannot pay back the original sum. Given all the problems that riba creates, it is no wonder Islam prohibits such a detestable act. How can I avoid Riba? Living in a capitalist society makes it difficult to completely avoid riba. However, this should not be used as an excuse to freely indulge in it. An obvious way to steer clear of this evil is to not take out a loan which involves paying riba. Other solutions include: Opening up riba-free bank accounts. Not entering into contracts which stipulate riba penalties, even though one intends to pay on time. Making bill payments on time so as not incur a late penalty. Meeting any conditions required to continue trading without the use of riba. Borrowing money from family or friends where possible. Dealing with Islamically compliant banks. Renting if you cannot afford to buy a house without riba. Accepting/organising a “goodly loan” (al-qard al-hasanah), which is a loan by means of which one intends to show kindness to another, which does not involve taking riba. With regard to the interest that the bank has given you, do not return nor consume it. Rather, spend it on charitable causes, such as giving it to the poor, buying disposable items (like toilet paper) for Islamic centres and mosques, and helping debtors. However, do not expect reward for this. The most effective way to avoid riba and determine which transactions are permissible, is by consulting Islamic scholars and utilising their knowledge. What if I'm desperate? In Islam, one is forgiven for performing a forbidden act in times of desperation. Therefore, if one is forced to use riba, otherwise risk extreme hardship or death, it becomes temporarily permissible, until that hardship is overcome. Keep in mind that enduring the hardship caused by refraining from riba, for the sake of Allah, will gain reward. A person of Islamic knowledge and understanding of one’s personal situation, must be the one to determine if a person is indeed in difficulty. Otherwise, this exception to the rule may be taken advantage of, and many people may wrongly consume riba and suffer the consequences laid out by Allah. There is a common misconception amongst Muslims with regards to buying a first house using riba. Some claim that it is permissible, a “necessity”. The fact that one can easily rent a house instead of buying, disproves this claim. If the theory were true, would that then mean that drinking the first bottle of alcohol is permissible, even though water is available? Or eating pork when there is a permissible substitute? While it may be easy to fool others into believing this, we must remember that: “… Allah knows all that you reveal and all that you conceal.” Qur’an 5:99 Paying rent in order to support oneself and their family is not “wasted money”. InshaAllah, Allah the Most Appreciative, will reward this like charity: “When someone spends on his family seeking his reward for it from Allah, it is counted as a charity from him.”(Bukhari and Muslim) Success in this Life & the Hereafter When examining this issue of riba, we should remember that true success lies with the help of Allah alone. If we abide by that which is lawful, and avoid that which is haram, our wealth will be blessed and beneficial in this world and the Hereafter. What good is extra money earned through riba if there is no blessing in it, and it is cursed – a source of misery? On the Day of Resurrection, people will rise from their graves quickly, except those who engaged in riba. They will stand up and then fall down like epileptics because: “Those who consume riba cannot stand (on the Day of Resurrection) except as one stands who is being beaten by Satan into insanity. That is because they say, ‘Trade is (just) like riba.’ But Allah has permitted trade and has forbidden riba…” Qur’an 2:275 Such is the punishment for those who consume riba and do not sincerely repent from this great sin. As for those who strive toward success by earning Allah’s pleasure, they take comfort from the following verse: “O you who believe! Do not devour Riba (e.g. interest), making it double & redouble, and be careful of (your duty to) Allah, that you may be successful.” Qur’an 3:130 We are also shown how to be successful in the Hereafter: “The only saying of the faithful believers when they are called to Allah (His Words- the Qur’an) and His Messenger, to judge between them, is that they say: “We hear and we obey.” And such are the successful (who will live forever in Paradise).” Qur’an 24:51 Conclusion None can doubt that riba is haram and a major sin, and no disobedience to Allah is worth the risk of His punishment. We must remember that the life of this world is short and fleeting, and that the purpose of our existence is not to lust after beauty and wealth, but rather to worship Allah correctly and live by His rules. Just because riba is widespread and common, it does not make it permissible. “And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty), and will provide him sustenance from where he never even imagined. And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, Allah is sufficient for him.” Qur’an 65:2-3

What does Islam say about Atheism

What does Islam say about Atheism? PDF Version "We (God) will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth." Quran 41:53 This pamphlet introduces the Islamic perspective for believing in God. It explains how God provides signs of His existence – both through His natural creation and through revelation, and clarifies common questions by atheists. God calls on us to acknowledge Him through His signs and has made it our responsibility to ponder and reflect in order to recognise Him. Some people are receptive to these signs and see God's work all around them, while others dismiss everything as random and meaningless. God has placed in every person, a natural inclination to believe, but this innate predisposition to believe can either be nurtured or suppressed. Importantly, God guides people who are sincere and willing to receive guidance. In other words, those who do not want to believe in God will not be guided. God says, "God guides to Himself whoever turns to Him." Quran 13:27 This requires objectivity and an unbiased attitude to the possibility of God's existence, which can be quite confronting and humbling for some people, but without this genuine openness and willingness, no amount of information can make someone believe. In fact, God warns us that those who approach His signs from a position of pride and arrogance will only find justification for their disbelief. Therefore, we hope that those who are sincere, open minded and genuinely seeking the truth can benefit from this information and that it helps present a new perspective to understanding God. It is also important to note that due to the significant differences between Islam and Christianity, many criticisms of Christianity simply do not apply to Islam. Reasons To Believe The following are three rational reasons for believing in a creator. 1. Beginning of the Universe The first evidence that points to the existence of a Creator relates to understanding the origin of the universe. Imagine walking in a desert and finding a watch. We know a watch consists of glass, plastic and metal. Glass comes from sand, plastic from oil, and metal extracted from the ground – all these components are found in the desert. Would you believe that the watch formed itself? That the Sun shone, the wind blew, lightning struck, the oil bubbled to the surface and mixed with the sand and metal, and over millions of years the watch came together by random or natural coincidences? "Were they created from nothing, or did they create themselves?" Quran 52:35-6 According to modern science, the universe is finite and has a beginning. Where did the universe ultimately come from? Human experience and simple logic tell us that something that has a beginning does not simply come from nothing, nor can something create itself. We can reason that a higher "being" created the universe. This "being" must be powerful and intelligent as it brought the whole universe into existence and created the 'laws of science' which govern it. We can also reason that this "being" is timeless and spaceless, because time, space and matter began at the creation of the universe. All of these attributes make up the basic concept of God, the creator of the universe. Some may ask, "Who created God?" God, the Creator, is different to His creation. Unlike the universe and the rest of creation, God is eternal, has always existed and has no beginning. 2. Perfection of the Universe The second evidence of a creator is the order and perfect balance of our complex universe. Could a large complex universe form by coincidence, without supervision? Many features in the universe clearly indicate it to be specially designed to support life, such as the earth's distance from the sun; the thickness of the earth's crust; the speed at which the earth revolves; the percentage of oxygen in the atmosphere; and even the earth's tilt. If these measurements were slightly different to what they currently are, life could not exist. In the same way that a watch has an intelligent maker to keep accurate time, so too must the earth have an intelligent maker to keep accurate time around the Sun. Could this occur by itself? When we see the order, the precise laws and systems within ourselves and throughout the universe, is it not rational they have an organiser? This 'organiser' is again best explained by the existence of God – the one who brought about this order. It should be noted that Islam encourages scientific research and reflection. The role of science helps us describe the many observed patterns that God places in His creation and appreciate the extent of His power and wisdom. Advances in scientific discoveries, just like any mechanism or process we find in the natural world such as the water cycle or gravity – provides signs of an organiser and designer, not an argument against God. 3. Revelation from God The third evidence is the actual revelation that has been sent by God to humankind as a sign of His existence. One of the main purposes of the book of Islam, the Quran, is to invite people to reflect and appreciate God's creation as a way of believing in Him. Throughout the Quran, God calls our attention to His marvelous designs and complexities in the universe and within ourselves, which are sufficient to indicate that we are a product of design, purpose and intelligence. For example, God says: "Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and earth, and the alternation of the night and the day, and the great ships which sail through the sea with that which benefits people, and what Allah has sent down from the heavens of rain, giving life thereby to the earth after its lifelessness and dispersing therein every kind of moving creature, and His directing of the winds and the clouds controlled between the heaven and the earth, are signs for a people who use reason." Quran 2:164 Moreover, there are clear signs that the Quran is the word of God. The Quran: Is free from errors or contradictions. Has been preserved, word-for-word, since its revelation in its original Arabic language, unlike other scriptures. Is memorised cover-to-cover by millions of people. Has a simple, pure and universal message, which appeals to Man's intellect and inherent beliefs about Almighty God. Is over 1400 years old with many scientific facts that were unknown to people of that time and have only been discovered recently by scientists. Examples include: water being the origin of all living things (Quran 21:30); the expanding universe (Quran 51:47); and the individual orbits of the sun and moon (Quran 21:33). Contains many historical facts that were unknown to the people of that time as well as numerous predictions, which have proven to be correct. Has a deep and moving effect on people. Was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who was known to be illiterate, yet contains a unique style of language that is universally known as the pinnacle of Arabic eloquence and linguistic beauty. The most rational explanation for the many unique and miraculous aspects of the Quran is that it can only be from God. Questions about God "Why did God create us?" Everyone would acknowledge that our body parts, such as our eyes, ears, brains and hearts, have a purpose. Wouldn't it then make sense that the individual, as a whole, also has a purpose? God, the All Wise, did not create us to simply wander aimlessly or to only fulfil our basic instincts and desires. Rather, God describes this life as a test. Every person is being tested as to who will choose to acknowledge God and follow His guidance. God says: "Indeed, We (God) created man … in order to test him; and we gave him hearing and vision. Indeed, We (God) showed him the way, whether he be grateful or ungrateful." Quran 76:2-3 For many, the underlying issue is not really about believing in God, but about the implications of believing in Him. It would mean being held to account and judged for one's actions, which may be inconvenient for the lives they want to lead. Therefore, the test in this life involves following and humbling ourselves before God in preference to our own desires, pride and ego. "Why does God need to test us?" God is not in need of anything – He does not need to create anything and does not need to test anyone. He does not benefit from our belief and is not affected by our disbelief. Rather, it is part of His infinite wisdom that He created us and gave us the opportunity to know Him. God knows the future – the point is, for us to live through and experience our lives and make our own choices. "Do we really have a choice?" The fact that God knows our choices does not make it any less voluntary. Although God wants people to believe in Him, He does not force anyone. If God willed, He could guide all of humankind, as He has power over everything. But in His Wisdom, He has created us with the ability to choose and made us accountable for our choices. God is not necessarily pleased with everything that He allows to occur. "Why doesn't God just reveal Himself?" In God's wisdom, He has chosen to make Himself known through His signs. This is part of the test of this life. He has made it our responsibility to use the abilities He has given us to acknowledge Him. This means that only those who are sincere, humble and reflect deeply will recognise and believe in Him. "Why is there suffering in the world?" The fact that different people are tested in different ways through various trials, does not disprove the existence of God nor contradict an all-powerful God. Rather, the good as well as the bad that God permits to occur, constitutes our test on earth. We cannot control what happens to us, but we can control how we react, which is what He judges us on. This world is volatile and temporary, however, the full justice in the hereafter, which is everlasting, will more than compensate for any injustices or misfortunes in this life. "Why does God punish people?" No one can disagree with the concept of punishment, which is necessary for justice. God has created us with the ability to choose how we want to live, and in turn, be accountable. Those who sincerely strive to obey God will earn God's mercy and enter paradise. But those who are careless about their purpose in life and deny God, have ultimately made their own choice and will be held to account. No one can blame God. God did not create people to punish them – rather, He intends ease and mercy for them. The fact that God knows our choices does not make our actions any less voluntary and does not absolve us from responsibility. Islam is a practical religion that encourages a balance between hope in God's mercy and fear of His punishment – both of which are required to lead a positive and humble life. God is the Most Merciful but also the Most Just. If there were no day of Judgement, it would contradict the perfect justice of God, and life would be unfair. Conclusion Are we only here for 80 or so years, and that's it? Or is there more to life? Are we just advanced apes with no ultimate purpose? Are we material beings with only physical needs or do we also have spiritual needs? For those who are genuine and still undecided about God, our advice is to sincerely ask for the following: "God, if you exist, please guide me." You might be surprised by the results!

The Quran — The Final Revelation

What is the Qur’an? PDF Version The Word of God The Qur’an is the literal word of God, The Almighty (Allah in Arabic), revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through the Angel Gabriel. “The revelation of The Book is from Allah, the Mighty, the Wise.” Qur’an 39:1 Guidance for Mankind The Qur’an is “a guidance for mankind… and the distinction (between right and wrong).” Qur’an 2:185 It provides direction to help mankind judge between right and wrong, without which, man would surely be in loss. The Final Revelation The Qur’an is the last scripture revealed by Almighty Allah (God), confirming what little truth remains in parts of previous scriptures and refuting and correcting fabrications and additions which have crept into current day versions of such scriptures. “O you who have been given the Scripture! Believe in what We have revealed confirming what is (already) with you…” Qur’an 4:47 How was the Qur’an Revealed? The Qur’an was revealed to Muhammad (peace be upon him) and exists only in the language in which it was revealed – Arabic. However, the translation of the meaning of the Qur’an is available in many languages. The Qur’an was not sent down as a complete book in one revelation; rather, the revelation spanned over a period of 23 years. For this reason, it is essential to know in what circumstances the verses were revealed, in order to have a proper understanding of the Qur’an; otherwise, its teachings could be misunderstood. How do I know that it is from God? Preservation The Qur’an is the only religious sacred text that has been in circulation for a lengthy period, and yet remains as pure as the day it was revealed. Nothing has been added, removed or modified from it, since its revelation over 1400 years ago. “We have, without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will certainly guard it (from corruption).” Qur’an 15:09 Not only has the Qur’an been preserved in written form, but also in the hearts of men, children and women. Today, millions of people have memorised the Qur’an from cover to cover. Scientific Miracles The Qur’an does not contradict modern science but rather, supports it. One of the most remarkable aspects about the Qur’an is that it contains many verses which accurately describe natural phenomenon in various fields such as embryology, meteorology, astronomy, geology and oceanography. Scientists have found its descriptions incredibly accurate for a book dating back to the 7th century. “We shall show them Our Signs in the Universe and within their own selves, until it becomes clear to them that this is the Truth.” Qur’an 41:53 In fact, many of the scientific miracles mentioned in the Qur’an have been discovered only recently, through the modern advancement of technological equipment. Consider the following: The Qur’an gives a detailed description of the development of the human embryo. These details were unknown to the scientific community until recent times. The Qur’an states that the astronomical objects (stars, planets, moons etc…) were all formed from clouds of dust. Previously unknown, this fact has now become an undisputed principle of modern cosmology. Modern science has discovered the existence of barriers that allow two seas to meet yet maintain their own temperature, density and salinity. These signs of God were clearly stated in the Qur’an more than 1400 years ago. Uniqueness Ever since its revelation, no person has been able to produce a single chapter like that of the Qur’an in its beauty, eloquence, splendour, wisdom, prophecies, and other perfect attributes. “And if you are in doubt as to that which We have revealed to Our servant, then produce a chapter like it and call on your witnesses besides Allah if you are truthful.” Qur’an 2:23 The people that rejected Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) failed this challenge, eventhough they were extremely eloquent in the language of the Qur’an. This challenge remains unanswered to this very day. No Contradictions When people write, they are bound to make mistakes such as spelling and grammar, contradictory statements, incorrect facts, omission of information, and other various errors. “Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely, have found in it (the Qur’an) many contradictions.” Qur’an 4:82 The Qur’an has no contradictions whatsoever – be it in scientific explanations of the water cycle, embryology, geology and cosmology; historical facts and events; or prophecies. Couldn’t Muhammad have authored it? The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was known in history to be illiterate; he could not read nor write. He was not educated in any field that could account for neither the scientific and historical accuracy, nor the literary beauty of this magnificent Book. The precision of historical recounts of previous peoples and civilisations mentioned in the Qur’an is also too great to be authored by any man. “And this Qur’an is not such as could ever be produced by other than Allah.” Qur’an 10:37 Purpose of Revelation To Believe in One True God “And your god is One God. There is no god but He, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.” Qur’an 2:163 The most important topic mentioned throughout the Qur’an is the belief in the One, True God. God informs us that He has no partner, no son, no equal, and that none has the right to be worshipped except Him alone. Nothing is comparable to God and none of His creation resembles Him. The Qur’an also rejects the notion of attributing human qualities and limitations to God. To Reject All False Gods “And worship Allah and associate none with Him.” Qur’an 4:36 Since Allah alone is the only One worthy of worship, false deities and false gods must be rejected. The Qur’an also rejects the notion of attributing divine qualities to anyone or anything other than Allah. To Narrate the Stories from the Past The Qur’an contains many narratives with beneficial lessons, including the true stories of previous Prophets such as, Adam, Noah, Abraham, Jesus and Moses. Of these stories, Allah says, “Indeed in their stories, there is a lesson for men of understanding.” Qur’an 12:111 To Remind us of the Day of Judgement This Noble Book reminds us that everyone will taste death and will be held accountable for all their actions and sayings: “We shall set up scales of justice for the Day of Judgment, so that not a soul will be dealt with unjustly in the least…” Qur’an 21:47 To Fulfil the Intended Way of Life Importantly, the Qur’an teaches that the purpose of life is to worship God alone, and live one’s life according to the way of life prescribed by Him. In Islam, worship is a comprehensive term that includes all actions and sayings (whether private or public) that Allah loves and is pleased with. Therefore, by doing what Allah commands, a Muslim is worshipping God and fulfilling his purpose in life. The following are examples of worship from the Qur’an: To pray: “O you who believe! Bow down and prostrate yourselves and worship your Lord, that you may succeed.” Qur’an 22:77 To give charity: “…And spend, it is better for your souls; and whoever is saved from the greediness of his soul, these it is that are the successful.” Qur’an 64:16 To be honest: “Cover not Truth with falsehood, nor conceal the Truth when you know (what it is).” Qur’an 2:42 To be modest: “Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty.” Qur’an 24:30-31 To be thankful: “And Allah has brought you forth from the wombs of your mothers– you did not know anything– and He gave you hearing and sight and hearts that you may give thanks.” Qur’an 16:78 To be just: “O you who believe! Stand firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor…” Qur’an 4:135 To be patient: “And be patient, for indeed, Allah does not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good.” Qur’an 11:115 To do good: “Allah has promised to those who believe and do good deeds (that) they shall have forgiveness and a mighty reward.” Qur’an 5:9 Conclusion In summary, the Qur’an teaches mankind how to worship the One True God, hence fulfilling their true purpose in life, and attaining success in both this world and the next. “Verily, We have sent down to you (O Muhammad) the Book for mankind in truth. So whosoever accepts the guidance, it is only for his own self; and whosoever goes astray, he goes astray only for his own loss.” Qur’an 39:41 Don’t you owe it to yourself to at least read this Noble Book?

The Importance of Prayer

The Importance of Prayer PDF Version Despite prayer being so important, it is a sad fact that many Muslims do not pray or fulfil the conditions of the prayer. Its purpose is to put ourselves in touch with God; to strengthen our relationship with Him; to be grateful for all His blessings; and to remind ourselves of His Greatness. Just as the body requires physical needs such as food and water, the soul has spiritual needs. The needs of the soul are provided by acts of worship, the most important of which is prayer. It could be that the body of a person is healthy but the person is spiritually dead. Allah says, “O you who believe! Respond to (the call of) Allah and His Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life.” Qur’an 8:24 Its Importance Direct communication with Allah "The closest a person is to His Lord is when he is in prostration." Through prayer, you are able to connect with your Lord. The Arabic word for prayer (As-Salah) is actually derived from the Arabic word meaning “connection.” The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “When any one of you stands to pray, he is communicating with his Lord, so let him pay attention to how he speaks to Him.” Don’t cut this relationship between you and your Creator. A pillar of Islam Prayer is the second most important pillar of Islam, and is the most regular compulsory action in a Muslim’s life. We fast just one month a year; we must give Zakah once a year; and Hajj is only once a life time. However, prayer is the one act that must be fulfilled at least five times a day, regardless of the circumstance . In fact, Allah did not even exempt the Muslims from praying during the battle! He says: “Guard strictly your (habit of) prayers… If you fear (an enemy), pray on foot, or riding.” Qur’an 2:238-9 If this is the case in the time of war, then what about in peace? Success lies in the Prayer The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The first of his deeds for which a man will be called to account on the Day of Resurrection will be the prayers. If it is found to be perfect, he will be safe and successful. But if it is defective, he will be unfortunate and a loser.” Its Benefits Shields against evil Man was created weak and without seeking help from Allah, it will be impossible to refrain from evil. Allah says: “Verily, prayer restrains (oneself) from shameful and unjust deeds…” Qur’an 29:45 There is no doubt that the one who stands in front of Allah willingly will be different from the one who doesn’t. How can you continue to commit the same sins if you’re standing before Allah 5 times a day? Enriches the soul Man is forgetful, especially with the our busy lifestyles. Prayer satisfies our spiritual need to be in contact with our Creator. This gives the soul peace and contentment. Allah says, “Without doubt, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction.” Qur’an 13:28 Makes us humble By realising Allah’s greatness and dependence on our Lord, man is humbled and rids us from pride and arrogance. In the prayer, the Muslim puts the highest part of his body and source of intellect, his head, on to the ground and says, “How perfect is my Lord, The Most High.” Humbleness is one of the qualities which Allah has associated with success. He says, “Successful indeed are the believers, who are humble in their prayers.” Qur’an 23:1-2 Of course this can only be achieved when one understands what one is reciting and concentrates with humility. Washes away sins Everyone commits sins, however, Allah has provided, in prayer, a way to wipe out those sins. Allah says: “And perform prayer… surely the good deeds remove the evils deeds.” Qur’an 11:114 The Messenger gave a beautiful example when he said to his companions: “Consider if one of you had a river by his door in which he bathed five times a day. Would any filth remain on him?” They said, “No.” Then the Prophet replied: “Likewise, Allah wipes away sins with the five daily prayers.” Cures our Problems Man is surrounded by numerous trials and problems. Once we focus on strengthening our relationship with our Lord, He, who is All-Powerful, will fix our worldly problems. Like our scholars say, whoever strengthens their relationship between themselves and Allah, Allah will strengthen their relationship between themselves and the creation. Allah says, “Seek help in patience and prayer.” Qur’an 2:153 Unites the Muslims When the prayer is performed in congregation, it cultivates brotherhood, equality and humility between Muslims. The worshippers stand in rows, shoulder to shoulder, without any distinction of race, nationality, colour, wealth, family or status, and all pray together as one body. This act of unity helps demolish all barriers which stand between men. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Prayer in congregation is better than praying alone by twenty-seven degrees.” Abandoning Prayer “O Mankind, What has deceived you concerning your Lord, the Most Generous?” Qur’an 82:06 You are disobeying your Creator This is the most serious and obvious consequence. The whole purpose of your existence is to worship Allah, yet you are disobeying your Creator every day. “Then, there has succeeded them a generation who have given up prayer and have followed their desires. So they will be thrown in Hell. Except those who repent and believe, and work righteousness.” Qur’an 19:59-60 “(The people in Hell will be asked:) What has caused you to enter Hell? They will say: We were not of those who used to pray…” Qur’an 74:42-43 You are being ungrateful Refusing the invitation of your Creator to establish this close relationship with Him is the ultimate ingratitude. Allah created you and gave you everything, He says, “It is He who has created you and endowed you with hearing and seeing and hearts, little are you grateful.” Qur’an 67:23 The Prophet’s feet would sometimes get swollen because he would stand in prayer for lengthy periods, and when asked about this, he would reply: “Should I not be a grateful servant of my Lord?” You are being lazy What excuse will you give to your Creator, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, on the Day of Judgement? The One who blessed you with 24 hours, yet only asked that you spend about 30 minutes a day for prayer. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "On the Day of Resurrection the feet of the son of Adam will not move away till he is questioned about five matters: on what he spent his life; in doing what he made his youth pass away; where he acquired his property, and on what he spent it; and what he did regarding what he knew." You will be miserable The human that has no connection with Allah helplessly seeks an alternative and leaves no stone unturned looking for calmness and bliss. It, however, searches in vain, wandering aimlessly. Allah says: “And whoever turns away from My remembrance – indeed for him is a life of hardship. And We will raise him on the Day of Resurrection, blind. He will say, “My Lord, why have you raised me blind while I was (once) seeing?” (Allah) will say, “Thus did Our signs come to you, and you forgot (disregarded) them; and thus will you, this Day, be forgotten.” Qur’an 20:124-6 You are only harming yourself Allah doesn’t need your prayer. Allah doesn’t need anything from anyone-Glory be to Him. It is you that stands in need of His mercy. “Give thanks to Allah, and whoever gives thanks, it is only for his own soul’s good, and whoever is ungrateful, surely Allah is Free of all needs, Worthy of all praise.” Qur’an 31:12 You are flirting with disbelief Many Scholars of Islam hold the opinion that the one who does not pray is a disbeliever. They quote the following hadeeth: “The covenant which distinguishes between us and them (i.e., between believers and disbelievers) is the prayer, and whoever neglects it has disbelieved.” Additionally, the companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not consider the abandonment of any act as disbelief, except for prayer. Common Excuses No time / Work / Study / Busy: Pure and simple deception. You haven’t given prayers priority. Allah will bless your time and make you more effective, efficient and successful. My heart is clean: Allah judges who has clean hearts, and He wants us to pray! Actions will reflect what is in your heart. No one has a cleaner heart than Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who used to pray regularly. My alarm: It’s hard for your alarm to go off, if you don’t SET it !!! Purify your intention and sleep according to the Sunnah. My family / spouse / parents / friends prevent me: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “There is no obedience to anyone in disobedience to Allah.” You will be judged alone. Praying after its time / joining prayers: “Surely, the prayers are made obligatory for the believers at their prescribed times.” Qur’an 4:103 I’m sinning too much: In time, your prayers will prevent you from committing these sins – just pray! You are sinning because you are not praying. Contemplate over this hadeeth: “If they knew the merits of the ‘Isha and Fajr prayers, they would come to them (in the mosque) even if they had to crawl.” What excuse do we honestly have when we face our Lord on that difficult Day?

The Mercy of Allah God

The Mercy of Allah (God) PDF Version “Limitless is your Lord in His mercy…” Qur’an 6:147 God Almighty is full of love and kindness to His creation. All blessings and goodness in this world and the next are clear proofs of His Mercy. Indeed, Islam teaches that God is more merciful toward us than our own mothers. How can it be otherwise, when some of God’s names and attributes include: The Acceptor of Repentance; The Compassionate; The Loving; The Forbearing One; The Most Gracious; The Most Merciful; The Source of Goodness; The Most Generous; The Bestower These names all indicate that God is characterised by mercy, goodness and generosity. They testify to the vastness and perfection of His Mercy, which He blesses all of His creation. This same creation is addressed by God, when He says, “O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great as the earth.” Examples of Allah's Mercy & blessings “Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you deny?” Qur’an 55:13 Throughout life, people continually receive Allah’s blessings, be it good health, sight, hearing, nourishment, clean air, children, wealth and countless others. Some use their God-given gifts of intelligence and reasoning to acknowledge these blessings, grasp the purpose of their existence, and thereby submit themselves to Allah. Others, however, do not appreciate the Mercy of Allah toward their own selves, even though He feeds and sustains them despite their disobedience toward Him. They are given mobility, enjoyment, freedom of thought and action, despite their outright denial of Him. Their very existence would not be, were it not for the Mercy of Allah. Ultimately, everyone has the free will to acknowledge their blessings, use them in a manner ordained by Allah (the Lord of mankind) and worship Him alone. Below, we have outlined a glimpse of such blessings, because “… if you were to try and count the favours of Allah, you could not enumerate them. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” Qur’an 16:18 Guidance Through Divine Scriptures & Prophets “It is He Who has sent down the Book (the Qur’an) to you (Muhammad) with truth, confirming what came before it. And He sent down the Taurah and the Injeel (the original revelations revealed to Prophets Moses and Jesus respectively).” Qur’an 3:3 From the beginning of creation, man was not left to face the struggles of life alone. Due to God’s Mercy, man received revelation through Prophets, who conveyed and taught it to their people to guide and protect them. The most perfect and merciful of revelations was the Qur’an and the last of the prophets was Muhammad (peace be upon him). The Qur’an – the final revelation – superseded and abrogated previous revelations, and is the ultimate mercy and guidance for mankind. Just as God sent Messengers in the past, He also sent mankind a living, perfect and practical example of how the Qur’an’s teachings of mercy and justice should be practically applied in our daily lives. This example was Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) – a mercy to mankind. “And We (God) have not sent you (Muhammad) except as a mercy for mankind.” Qur’an 21:107 Following are just some of the Prophet’s sayings which are indicative of his mercy, kindness, tolerance and beautiful teachings: “Kindness is not found in anything except that it adds to its beauty, and is not withdrawn from anything except that it makes it deficient.” “The most perfect of believers in belief is the best of them in character.” “He is not a perfect Muslim who eats his fill while his neighbour goes hungry.” “Allah will not show mercy to him who does not show mercy to others.” How desperately do we, as a society, and in these times, need such beautiful advice? Mercy Towards The Creation The creation of human beings and all their faculties is a great mercy in itself. The fact that we can get out of bed, work, eat, play and sleep should make us grateful. “And out of His Mercy He made for you the night and the day that you may rest therein and [by day] seek from His Bounty and [that] perhaps you will be grateful.” Qur’an 28:73 A spouse is one of the greatest of mercies, a means to tranquillity and affection. “And of His signs is that He created for you, from yourselves, mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.” Qur’an 30:21 Another mercy is the fact that He created us sinless and will not hold us to account until the age of maturity and decision making. This is in stark contrast to the “Original Sin” concept in Christianity. Forgiveness of sins is another example of Allah’s Mercy, as Allah knows we are imperfect and commit mistakes. The fact that believers commit sins does not mean that we should lose hope of Allah’s Mercy or that we have exhausted Allah’s Forgiveness. “O My servants who have transgressed against their souls! Do not despair of the Mercy of God: for God forgives all sins: for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” Qur’an 39:53 Even animals are not exempt from Allah’s Mercy. They have faculties of hearing and sight, are provided with sustenance and offspring, and are granted many other blessings. Allah’s Mercy envelops them to the point that because of one single portion of Allah’s Mercy sent to earth, “…His creatures are merciful to each other, so that even the mare lifts up its hoof away from its baby animal, lest it should trample on it.” The Merciful Creator ensures that every creation is looked after – from the fish in the depths of the ocean, to the insects in the earth, and the birds in the skies – all are sustained by Him. How to increase Allah's Mercy upon us “Indeed, the mercy of Allah is near to the doers of good.” Qur’an 7:56 Due to God’s Mercy, He has promised to forgive and pardon whosoever follows the appropriate means as mentioned in the following verse: “And surely, I am indeed forgiving to him who repents, believes (in My Oneness, and associates none in worship with Me) and does righteous good deeds, and then remains constant in doing them.” Qur’an 20:82 Part and parcel of having the correct belief is believing and obeying the final Messenger, Muhammad (peace be upon him). In short, the people who receive more of Allah’s Mercy are those who have acknowledged His blessings and favours; used them in a way which pleases God; spent their God-given wealth in charity and to look after the needy; employed their hands to care for orphans; utilised their gift of speech to speak good; and performed other honourable acts ordained by God. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Allah will show mercy to those who show mercy to people. Show mercy to those who are on earth – the One Who is in Heaven will show mercy to you.” Below, are some ways to attain God’s Mercy. “Obey Allah and the Messenger that you may obtain mercy.” Qur’an 3:132 By following the teachings of mercy and justice found in the Qur’an: “And this is a blessed Book We have revealed; therefore follow it and protect yourself (against evil), that mercy may be shown to you.” Qur’an 6:155 “Keep up prayer and pay the compulsory charity (to the needy) and obey the Messenger, so that mercy may be shown to you.” Qur’an 24:56 Sincerely asking for Mercy from God. “Our Lord! Make not our hearts to deviate after you have guided us aright, and grant us mercy from Yourself; surely You are The Bestower.” Qur’an 3:8 Mercy & Accountability Alongside Allah’s attribute of Mercy is His attribute of Justice. “Verily, for the Righteous, are Gardens of Delight, in the Presence of their Lord. Shall We then treat the People of Faith like those who do not believe? What is the matter with you? How do you judge? ” Qur’an 68:34-36 Allah is the Most-Merciful, however, He is also Swift in Reckoning. One cannot try to deceive Allah and take advantage of His Mercy by constantly committing the same sins without sincere repentance or resolving never to go back to the sin again. “And of no effect is the repentance of those who continue to do evil deeds until death faces one of them and he says: ‘Now I repent;’ nor of those who die while they are disbelievers.” Qur’an 4:18 Muslims are encouraged to have hope of reward for good deeds, while being concerned about sins they may perform. When they commit sins, they repent sincerely, and are hopeful of being forgiven. And finally, they feel content with the words of their Creator, and keep it close to their heart: “Surely Allah is Most Gentle, Ever Compassionate to people.” Qur’an 22:65

Traps Of Satan

Traps of SatanPDF VersionThe wise person is he who studies his enemies strategies and takes the precautions and measures to defeat them. Your Lord has warned, Indeed Satan is an enemy to you, so take him as an enemy… Quran 356 History of Satan Iblis Satan was created from smokeless fire. Though he was not an angel, he was present amongst them in Heaven due to his obedience to Allah God. When Allah created Prophet Adam peace be upon him, He commanded those in Heaven to prostrate before Adam, but Satan refused out of pride and arrogance, saying, I am better than him [Adam], You created me from fire, and created him from clay. Quran 712 Allah cursed Satan and banished him from Heaven. Satan requested an opportunity to mislead mankind, and Allah granted this request.[Satan] said, Because You have put me in error, I will surely sit in wait for them [mankind] on Your straight path. Then I will come to them from before them and from behind them and on their right and on their left, and You will not find most of them grateful [to You]. Quran 716-17The Traps of SatanDisbelief in the Oneness of God The foundation of Islam is the belief in the Oneness of God – having no partner, equal, son or rivals. Conversely, the greatest sin is to ascribe partners or equals with Allah. Examples include Directing worship to other than God e.g. prostrating or supplicating to other than God.Delegating some of Gods attributes to other objects or beings e.g. idols/lucky charms.Claiming that God has a son, mother or any other partner. Thus, tempting mankind into disbelief is Satans main focus. However, if Satan cannot mislead people to commit clear acts of disbelief, he resorts to more subtle means, such as the belief in superstitions, good luck charms, astrology and fortune telling. Such beliefs contradict the fact that Allah alone has power and knowledge over all things, and is the Only One Who can bring benefit or harm. Innovation in the Religion…I have perfected for you your religion…Quran 53 Satan will lure a person to invent wrong beliefs and practices into Islam which were neither ordained by God nor the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. In fact, the belief that Islam is incomplete or imperfectly revealed by God, thus requiring innovation, is considered disbelief; because it is a rejection of what Allah has revealed. Many innovations are implemented with the same meticulous care as a religious observance, and viewed as being just as significant as what God revealed. Herein lays danger, as the people who follow innovations believe their acts are accepted, although in reality they are committing a sin. These innovators will feel no need for repentance, as they do not recognise their wrong doing. Neglecting Obligatory Deeds…Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing…Quran 2945 Satan wants to …avert you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. Quran 591 Allah has made certain actions obligatory on every Muslim, the most regular of which is the five daily prayers. Therefore, Satan seeks to make us neglectful of prayers so that we fall further into sin. Gradual Deception Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him explained to us how idol worship originated, which highlights the gradual and patient approach of Satan. After a group of righteous people died, Satan inspired those around them to erect statues in their honour and as reminder of their righteousness. When that generation passed away and the people had forgotten why the statues were erected, Satan deceived them into believing that their forefathers used to worship them, and that through them, the rains were brought forth. People then began worshipping these statues. This gradual deception is used in many ways. For example, Satan tricks people into committing forbidden sexual acts it begins with a look, which leads to a thought, then a smile, then a seemingly innocent conversation, then seclusion and eventually, the sin itself. Similarly, in desiring to make people cease their obligatory religious acts, Satan initially convinces people to give up their optional acts of worship, which leads them to become lazy with the obligatory ones. He also tries to trivialise small sins, which eventually leads them down a slippery slope to major sins. Beautifying Evil Deeds…And Satan made attractive to them that which they were doing.Quran 643 Satan presents sins to people in a favourable light, such as how he deceived Adam and Eve into eating from the tree. Satan whispered to Adam, saying, O Adam! Shall I lead you to the Tree of Eternity and to a kingdom that will never waste away? Quran 20120 Your Lord did not forbid you this tree except that you become angels or become of the immortal… Indeed, I am to you from among the sincere advisors. So he made them fall, through deception. And when they tasted of the tree their Lord called to them, Did I not forbid you from that tree and tell you that Satan is to you a clear enemy? Quran 720-22 Although Adam was surrounded by many permissible foods, Satan convinced him to eat from the tree which was forbidden. Similarly, Satan tricks people into forbidden acts instead of those which are permitted, such as fornication over marriage, music over the Quran, haram income over halal, and into the small percentage of prohibited food and drink over the vast majority that is wholesome and pure. Arousing DesiresSatan promises them and arouses desire in them. But Satan does not promise them except delusion.Quran 4120 Every human has desires and temptations. Satan plays on this and convinces man to indulge in instant gratification without considering the consequences. This inevitably leads to regret and humiliation, either in this life or on the Day of Judgement. Wasting Time If Satan cannot trap someone into sinning, he keeps them busy with trivial acts which have no benefit. Instead of using our time wisely, fulfilling our priorities and reaching high goals, Satan occupies us with useless actions. How to Defeat SatanIndeed, Satan is an enemy to you; so take him as an enemy…Quran 356 The first step is to recognise Satan as our enemy if you know your enemy, you can defeat him. Satans power consists principally in his ability to deceive, so we need to understand his cunning tactics and approach, in order to better protect ourselves. Seek Help with Allah To ask Allah for His protection and to rely on Him alone for help, is a tool in defeating Satan. Surah Al-Falaq and An-Nas of the Quran may be used to regularly seek protection from Satan and we should recite them. We must realise that as long as we are alive, Satan will never give up attempting to mislead us. We must always be on our guard and constantly ask Allah for guidance and protection. Seek Forgiveness The Prophet peace be upon him said, He who repents from sin is like one without sin. Ibn Majah If we succumb to Satans plots, by the Grace and Mercy of Allah we still have the opportunity to rectify our mistakes by acknowledging our wrongdoings and repenting to Allah. The Prophet peace be upon him said, Satan said to the Lord of Glory, By Your Glory O Lord, I will keep trying to misguide Your slaves so long as their souls are in their bodies. The Lord said, By My Glory and Majesty, I will continue to forgive them so long as they ask My forgiveness. Ahmad For repentance to be accepted, it must be sincere, with the intention of never committing that same sin again. Avoid Sinful Environments When Allah forbade Adam from one particular tree, He did not say, do not eat from this tree but rather, do not come close to this tree. Quran 235. We must therefore distance ourselves from anything that may lead to committing sin. Keep Good Companionship The Messenger of Allah peace be upon him advised, A person is on the path of his close friend, so be careful whom you befriend. Tirmithee The company you keep strongly influences your decisions and actions. Good companions will remind you about Allah and encourage you to do good, whereas bad company will lead you into the arms of Satan. Do Good Deeds Keeping busy with religious deeds, especially prayer, is an excellent means of defeating Satan. If one occupies their time with good, they are less likely to be influenced by Satans tricks.And if an evil suggestion comes to you from Satan, then seek refuge in Allah. Indeed, He is Hearing and Knowing.Quran 7 200 Conclusion The battle against Satan can only be won if we are aware of his traps, and if we apply the strategies to defeat him. On the Day of Judgement, Satan will confess to his sins and mischief. He will declare before all of creation that Allah is the One who tells the truth and that he Satan is a liar. We ask Allah the Almighty, by His most beautiful Names and sublime Attributes, to forgive our sins and grant us refuge from the traps of Satan.