Why So Many Religions?

Peace of God and His mercy to you.

Why Christianity came after Judaism? Why Islam came after both?

A one-word answer: Guidance.

Incompleteness as well as deviation prompted guidance. With Islam as the last religion, the message was elaborated and completed.

From God Allah Website:

If there is only one God, then why are there so many religions?

All religions originated with Allah and then people began to add or take away from the teachings so as to take control over each other.

"This day, those who disbelieved have given up all hope of your religion, so fear them not, but fear Me. This day, I have perfected your religious Way of life for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you to surrender and submit to me in peace as your religious way of life.."
[Holy Quran 5:3]

Allah does not force anyone to submit to Him. He has laid out a clear path and then made it known to them the two ways (Heaven or Hell). The person is always free to make his or her own choice.

"There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in Taghut (false gods and false worship) and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower.

Allah is the Wali (Protector or Guardian) of those who believe. He brings them out from darkness into light. But as for those who disbelieve, their Auliya (supporters and helpers) are Taghut [false gods and false worship.], they bring them out from light into darkness. Those are the dwellers of the Fire, and they will remain there forever."
[Holy Quran 2:256-257]

There is no compulsion in the way of "Islam." Whoever chooses to worship Allah without partners and is devoted to Him and is obeying His commands as much as possible has grasped the firm handhold that will never break. Whoever denies God and chooses some other way to worship or not to believe at all, for them there is an eternal punishment that is most horrible (Hell).

People began to seperate into different groups due to their rejection of truth and denial of clear proofs becoming evident to them from their Lord.

And the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) differed not amongst themselves until after clear evidence came to them.

"And they were not commanded anything more than this; to worship Allah, alone (without making partners with Him in worship) and establish regular devotional prayers and pay the charity due to the poor; and this is the correct Way (way of life and religion)."
[Holy Quran 98:4-5]

Allah warns the Muslims not to fall into the same trap as the people before them, by disputing with each other and seperating into different religious groups:

And be not as those who divided and differed among themselves after the clear proofs had come to them. It is they for whom there is an awful torment.

"On the Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection) when some faces will become white and some faces will become black; as for those whose faces will become black (to them will be said): "Did you reject Faith after accepting it? Then taste the torment (in Hell) for rejecting Faith.""
[Holy Quran 3:105-106]

People lied about the revelations, changed their scriptures and abused and even murdered the prophets whom Allah sent to them.

"And verily, among them is a party who distort the Book with their tongues (as they read), so that you may think it is from the Book, but it is not from the Book, and they say: "This is from Allah," but it is not from Allah; and they speak a lie against Allah while they know it.

It is not (possible) for any human being to whom Allah has given the Book and Al-Hukma (the knowledge and understanding of the laws of religion, etc.) and Prophethood to say to the people: "Be my worshippers rather than Allah's." On the contrary (he would say): "Be you Rabbaniyun (learned men of religion who practice what they know and also preach others), because you are teaching the Book, and you are studying it.""
[Holy Quran 3:78-79]

Prophets of Allah only ask people to worship Allah, as One God without partners. They would never ask people to worship them or anyone or anything else. Allah tells us in the Quran:

"Nor would he (a messenger of Allah) order you to take angels and Prophets for lords (gods). Would he order you to disbelieve after you have submitted to Allah's Will?"
[Holy Quran 3:80]

Man made religions are an abomination before the Lord and will never be accepted.

"Do they seek other than the regious way of life of Allah (the true Islamic Monotheism worshipping none but Allah Alone), while to Him submitted all creatures in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly. And to Him shall they all be returned."
[Holy Quran 3:83]

Allah will only accept true submission, obedience and in purity and peace to His commandments.

"And whoever seeks a Way of life other than submission and surrender to Allah's Will (Islam), it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers."
[Holy Quran 3:85]

To believe in Allah and follow His Commandments has been the message of all prophets of monotheism.

"The Right Of The Road" In Islam

Peace of God and His mercy to you.

Islam is a guiding religion. It guides people in many ways of their life. One of these is public relations.

Public Rights
The Prophet Muhammad, Peace Be Upon Him, taught us how to behave in public. 'Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al-'As, may Allah be pleased with them, said:

A person asked Allah's Messenger (may peace and blessings be upon him) who among Muslims was better. Upon this (the Holy Prophet) remarked: One from whose hand and tongue Muslims are safe. Source: al-islam

At the time of emerging Islam, Jews and Christians lived together with the Muslims in their countries, and nowadays, we see the same. Muslims should be kind to their neighbors even if they were non-Muslims. The Prophet, Muhammad, Peace Be Upon Him, said in the Farewell Sermon:

Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Source: Wikipedia

And God said in the Holy Quran:

Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loveth those who are just. (8) Al Mumtahina 60:8

The Prophet Muhammad emphasized the importance of not hurting people. Abu Dharr, may Allah be pleased with him, reported:

I asked: Messenger of Allah, which of the deeds is the best? He (the Holy Prophet) replied: Belief in Allah and Jihad in His cause. I again asked: Who is the slave whose emancipation is the best? He (the Holy Prophet) replied: One who is valuable for his master and whose price is high. I asked: What if I cannot afford to do it? He (the Holy Prophet) replied: Help an artisan or make anything for the unskilled (laborer). I (Abu Dharr) said: Messenger of Allah, you see that I am helpless in doing some of these deeds. He (the Holy Prophet) replied: Desist from doing mischief to the people. That is your own charity for your self. Source: al-islam

Charity is a great deed. It relieves the pain of poor people. Charity has many types, it is not only donating money, food or clothes. Allah's Messenger, Peace Be Upon Him, said:

Charity is due on every joint of a person, every day the sun rises. Administering of justice between two men is also a charity. And assisting a man to ride upon his beast, or helping him load his luggage upon it, is a charity; and a good word is a charity; and every step that you take towards the Prayer is a charity, and removing of harmful things from the pathway is a charity. Source: al-islam

Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported:

The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: While a man walked along a path, he found a thorny twig lying on the way and put it aside. Allah appreciated it and forgave (his sins). Source: al-islam

Charity in Islam is obligatory. It is highly rewarded by God in both the real life and at the Day of Judgment. God says in the Holy Quran:

Of their wealth take alms, that so thou mightest purify and sanctify them; and pray on their behalf. Verily thy prayers are a source of security for them: and Allah is One Who heareth and knoweth. (103) Know they not that Allah doth accept repentance from His votaries and receives their gifts of charity and that Allah is verily He, the Oft-Returning, Most-Merciful? (104) Repentance 9:103-104

When sitting in the road, follow these great things which the Prophet Muhammad emphasized. We really need to follow them at this time. Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri, may Allah be pleased with him, reported:

Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Avoid sitting on the roadsides. They (his Companions) said: Allah's Messenger, there is no other alternative (but to sit here) as this is where we hold our meetings and discuss matters. Thereupon Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: If you have to sit at all, then fulfill the rights of the road. They said: What are these rights? Thereupon he said: Keeping the eye downward (so that you may not stare at women), refraining from doing harm to others, exchanging mutual greetings (saying Al-Salamu 'Alaikum to one another) and commanding the good and forbidding the evil. Source: al-islam

Have not you see men looking at women bypassing them?! They were driven by their temptations. God says in the Holy Quran:

Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and be modest. That is purer for them. Lo! Allah is aware of what they do. (30) And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be modest, and to display of their adornment only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils over their bosoms, and not to reveal their adornment save to their own husbands or fathers or husbands' fathers, or their sons or their husbands' sons, or their brothers or their brothers' sons or sisters' sons, or their women, or their slaves, or male attendants who lack vigour, or children who know naught of women's nakedness. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And turn unto Allah together, O believers, in order that ye may succeed. (31) Al Noor 24:30-31

Another thing all people must follow is not to peep on other people's houses. God says in the Holy Quran:

O ye who believe! Enter not houses other than your own without first announcing your presence and invoking peace upon the folk thereof. That is better for you, that ye may be heedful. (27) And if ye find no-one therein, still enter not until permission hath been given. And if it be said unto you: Go back, then go back, for it is purer for you. Allah knoweth what ye do. (28) (It is) no sin for you to enter uninhabited houses wherein is comfort for you. Allah knoweth what ye proclaim and what ye hide. (29) Al Noor 24:27-29

Sahl bin Sa'd Al-Sa'idi, may Allah be pleased with him, reported:

A person peeped through the hole of the door of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him), and at that time Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) had with him a scratching instrument with which he had been scratching his head. When Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) saw him, he said: If I knew that you had been peeping through the door, I would have thrust that into your eyes, and Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Seeking permission is needed as a protection against unlawful looking. Source: al-islam

Adultery is prohibited in Islam. And to look at women or to look at men, intentionally, with lust is forbidden. Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported:

Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Allah has preordained the very portion of adultery which a man (the son of Adam) will indulge in. There would be no escape from it. The adultery of the eye is the lustful look; the adultery of the tongue is licentious speech; and the heart yearns and desires, while the loins may or may not put into effect. Source: al-islam

In the end...
Islam is a religion that guides to the right path. It is not only a religion of worship, but it is also a religion of guidance.

Friday: The Holy Day In Islam

Peace of God and His mercy to you.

Today is Friday. It is considered a weekly Eid for Muslims. In this day, people spend their time in both worshiping God, reading Quran, doing the good, as well as visiting their relatives and friends. Friday is not just a holiday, it is also a holy day.

What To Do
Since Friday is an Eid, Muslims are expected to take care of their looks, since they will be meeting God when worshiping Him in the Friday Prayer. The Prophet Muhammad, Peace Be Upon Him, said:

Taking a bath on Friday is essential for every adult person. Source: al-islam

Friday is a special day. Every person knows that God watches him, and in other prayers the person should meet God well. The Prophet, Peace Be Upon Him, said:

It is the right of Allah upon every Muslim that he should take a bath (at least) on one day (Friday) during the seven days (of the week) and he should wash his head and body. Source: al-islam

On Friday, Muslims are expected to leave their work and go to Friday Prayer. God the Almighty says:

O ye who believe! When the call is heard for the prayer of the day of congregation, haste unto remembrance of Allah and leave your trading. That is better for you if ye did but know. (9) And when the prayer is ended, then disperse in the land and seek of Allah's bounty, and remember Allah much, that ye may be successful. (10) Friday

The Friday Prayer is attended by male Muslims. But, female Muslims can attend it. In the beginning of the prayer, the Imam gives a sermon. The sermon is intended to guide people, to remind them to worship God or to remind them of doing something. For example, today's sermon was about the importance of youth in developing a nation and how a well educated and a well behaved youth can build the community. Last Friday's sermon was about the Prophet's merits and his life and his great behavior with his wives. Ibn 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with them, narrated:

The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to deliver the sermon on Friday while standing. He would then sit and then stand (for the second sermon) as they (the Muslims) do nowadays. Source: al-islam

Best Day
Friday is considered the best day of the week. The Prophet, Peace Be Upon Him, said to his daughter, Fatima:

There is an hour on Friday if a Muslim met it and prayed to God for something good He will grant it. Source: Islamweb

That is why any person is encouraged to pray for God's forgiveness all the day as well as to ask Him for something good for him/her, for a relative, for a friend, for the community or for the good of all humanity. He is the Greatest!

The Prophet also said:

The daily five prayers and the Friday to Friday prayers cleanse what was between them if sins were avoided. Source: Islamweb

The Prophet also said that:

The best day in which the sun rose is Friday and it is when Adam was created and landed on Earth and when he died and when the Day of Judgment will be. Source: Islamweb

The Prophet said:

Friday is the master of all days and it is the greatest of them all, even greater than Al Futr and Al Adha days, for me and for God. Source: Islamweb

In the end...
Do not forget to pray on Friday and do not forget also doing good things and abstaining from doing sins!