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.

More About Sharia

Peace of God and His mercy to you.

I would like to share more information about Sharia, the divine laws that govern our life in the aspects of rights and justice for Allah, the individual, groups, and all.

This presentation is prepared because I faced many less informed people about Sharia. Their views were very limited, and their information was based on the negative Western views about Islam.

I say to you:

Read and know the truth!

But first, please read these quotes that will help you see what Sharia is all about:

First, let me start by saying that in modern times Shari`ah was inaccurately translated as “Islamic Law”. This portrayed Shari`ah as merely a collection of laws and regulations. Perceiving Shari`ah as such has produced great confusion in regards to its importance in Islam.

There is no doubt that the main sources of the Shari`ah are the Qur'an and the Sunnah in addition to the consensus of Muslim scholars (’ijma`) and the personal judgment of Muslim scholars in conformity with the prescriptions of the Qur’an and the Sunnah (ijtihad).

The word shari`ah literally means a waterway that leads to a main stream, a drinking place, and a road or the right path. From this meaning, the word shari`ah was used to refer to a path or a passage that leads to an intended place, or to a certain goal.

Water is life for everything, Shari`ah is life for the Muslims’ souls and a way of life for them.

Shari`ah embraces worship, morals and conduct, as well as it embraces the political, social and economic, as well as other spheres.

Many non-Muslims, however, think that the Shari`ah is mainly a collection of fixed ancient laws that belong to a time other than ours. On the contrary, Muslim scholars agreed on the fact that applying the Shari`ah requires two essential types of understanding. These two types are; understanding the sources from which the rules are derived, the Qur’an and the Sunnah (the traditions of the prophet), and understanding the reality in which these rules are applicable. Hence, the application of the Shari`ah is not in a vacuum; rather it is in a reality that is changeable due to time and space.

The purpose of the shari`a is not to protect Allah or His rights, but to protect the lives, honor and property of all people who live under this shari`a.

It is important to remember that before the implementing hudud, we have to establish the huquq that is the rights of the people. Islam implements certain rights: the right of life, property, freedom, justice, etc. These rights must be established before we talk about punishing people who violate the rules of Allah.

Here are the topics looking at Sharia in the form of Q&A taken from Reading Islam:

• The Importance of Shariah
• Sources of the Shariah: Man-made or Divine?
• Wisdom of Shariah
• Harmony between Shari`ah and Positive Law
• Islamic Shari`ah Knows no Discrimination
• Islamic Criminal Justice: Is it Barbaric?
• Islamic Fixed Penalties: Striking Balance between Causes & Results
• The Concept of Punishment in Islam
• Civil Laws in Shari`ah
• Islamic Law, Fatwas, and Muslim Scholars Today

In the end...
You can see, after knowing about Sharia, that:

Shari`ah is based on wisdom and achieving people's welfare in this life and the afterlife. Shari`ah is all about justice, mercy, wisdom, and good. Thus, any ruling that replaces justice with injustice, mercy with its opposite, common good with mischief, or wisdom with nonsense, is a ruling that does not belong to the Shari`ah, even if it is claimed to be so according to some interpretations. (Shamsuddin Ibn al-Qayyim, I`lam Al-Muwaqi`een, ed. Taha Abdul Rauf Saad (Beirut: Dar Al-Jeel, 1973) vol.1, p. 333:)

Allah - A Moon God?

Peace of God and His mercy to you.

Who is the God worshiped by Jews, Christians and Muslims? Who is Allah? What is the importance of the moon in Islam. The answers are from God Allah Website:

From Christian Ph.D. Robert Morey

Quran proves - "Allah" is NOT a 'moon god':

"And from among His Signs are the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. Do not bow down (prostrate) to the sun nor to the moon, but only bow down (prostrate) to "Allah" Who created them, if you (really) worship Him." [Holy Quran 41:37]

The Christian acquaintance who sent me a copy of Morey's booklet also sent me five questions related to this subject. I will attempt to answer them below:

Question 1:
What is the significance of the crescent moon in Islam?

Answer:
The Quran answers this question before you asked it. Read this verse:

"They ask you about the new moons. Say: These are signs to mark fixed periods of time for mankind and for the pilgrimage." [Holy Quran 2:189]

Question 2:
Why does Islam follow a lunar calendar?

Answer:
In both the Bible and the Quran religious festivals are regulated by the lunar calendar. Jews and Muslims have kept to these regulations which they believe to be from God. Why does Christianity follow a solar calendar?

Question 3:
Why is the feast of Ramadan marked by the appearance of the crescent moon?

Answer:
I think you mean the fast of Ramadan. God commanded Muslims in the Quran to fast from dawn to sunset during the month called Ramadan (see Quran 2:185, 187). The beginning and end of the month is determined by the crescent (2:189) based on the instruction of God's Messenger, on whom be peace.

Why this method and not another is not for us to say but for God and His Messenger to prescribe. However, I find it an efficient method. It is a universally applicable method, and it allows for Ramadan to move through all the seasons. This allows believers to have the pleasure of worshipping God by fasting in all the various seasons: one year in the summer, some years later in the winter.

Question 4:
Why does the Quran place the Sabeans on the same level with Jews and Christians when scholars have clearly proven that the Sabeans were involved in the moon cult?

Answer:
I am not aware that the Quran has placed the Sabeans on the same level with Jews and Christians. Perhaps you have in mind the following verse:

"Those who believe and those who are Jews and Christians and Sabians, whoever believes in "Allah" and the Last Day and do righteous good deeds shall have their reward with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve."
[Holy Quran 2:62; also 5:69]

This verse, however, does not place the Sabeans on the same level as the Jews and Christians except in a particular context. The verse speaks of four distinct communities, and offers all four the opportunity to fear not nor grieve if only they would believe in "Allah" and the Last Day and do right. The four communities are:

• the Believers (i.e., the Muslims)
• the Jews
• the Christians
• the Sabeans

While they are all offered the same opportunity for improvement, nothing, is said in this verse about the validity of the existing faiths of these four communities. Otherwise the Jews and Christians who are criticized in the Quran for their deviations will not be placed on the same level with the believers. The matter becomes clear when you realise that believers here does not mean saved persons but those who ostensibly belong to the community of Muslims. They, as well as the other three groups, must do the following to be saved: believe in "Allah" , believe in the Last Day, and do right. Doing right, according to the Quran, includes following every teaching of Muhammad.

Question 5:
Did the Meccans worship the true God since they recognized "Allah" ? Was "Allah" one of the gods of the Ka'bah?
And if so, where did the Meccans derive the recognition and the name of "Allah" from?

Answer:
First, "Allah" was not one of the 360 idols which were in the Ka'bah, although Morey has claimed this without evidence. When the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) entered Makkah victorious he went into the Ka'bah and broke the idols therein.

Second, the word "Allah" has been used all along for the name of "God" in the Arabic Bible for Jews and Christians alike. The proof is easy to verify; simple go to any hotel or motel on the earth and look in the drawer next to the bed and take out the complimentary Bible, placed there by the Giddeons and then look on page 5 or 6 where they list the examples of translations they have made into other languages. The second example given is for Arabic speakers. The verse is from the Gospel of John, chapter 3, verse 16. Everyone knows this one; "For God so loved the world..." and the word in Arabic for "God" is "Allah." Then if you have a Bible in Arabic, look on page one in Genesis, and you will find the word "Allah" 17 times.

Next, the word for "God" to the Arabs, ever since the time of Abraham, peace be upon him, has been "Allah" and He is to them, the Lord of the Ka'bah (the black box in the center of the Holy Sanctuary in Makkah). He was the unseen God whom they would call upon when in distress. Yes, they worshipped the true God but their worship was not purely for Him. They also worshipped other gods thinking that they would act as intermediaries between them and the true God Allah.

The Arabs know of Allah because Abraham visited Makkah and together with his son Ishmael laid the foundation of the Ka'bah. The descendants of Ishmael retained some of the worship rites and beliefs from Abraham. This included their knowledge of the true God Allah.

Elsewhere we have shown conclusively that the true god, "El" of the Bible is the same as "Allah" of the Quran.

Please refer to: "Yahweh, Jehovah, or Allah - What Is God's Real Name?" by Sheikh Shabir Ally.

Women Rights Before & After Islam

Peace of God and His mercy to you.

Always keep in mind that:

Many people confuse culture with religion, many others do not know what their religious books are saying, and many others do not even care.

On Islam Newsroom I found this great research about women rights before and after Islam with comparison to original Judaism and Christianity doctrines.

This is really an important research to read especially for those who are not familiar with Islam or the Muslim community.

Note: Muslims are facing a defaming war. The only way to face it is the truth. But, how much are those leading this war willing to listen?

ْXenophobia

Peace of God and His mercy to you.

Xenophobia: Fear of foreigners.

It is a strange fear, is not it?

God says in the Quran:

O mankind! Lo! We have created you from male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. Lo! the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Lo! Allah is Knower, Aware. Al Hujurat 49:13

Xenophobia has reached South Africa after apartheid. What is going on in this world?

I still remember the Prophet's Farewell Sermon:

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor does a black have any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves. Source: Wikipedia

The world is becoming dangerous:

• those who have the power are heard,
• the weak are exploited,
  
• people's rights are imprisoned,
• piety is killed except in a few,
• filth is made sweet,
• God is remembered in one day, forgotten, or unbelieved in,
• right is seen wrong,
• wrong is seen right,
• knowledge is not looked for with a good ambition,
  
• one is seen all,
• all is seen one,
• etc. etc. etc.

Death

Peace of God and His mercy to you.

I was browsing Just Ask Islam Website and I found this great article about death in Islam. You can read the article here.

I always ask myself why we die and why there is mortality.

If you have any thoughts about death share it with us.

Truthfulness

Peace of God and His mercy to you.

Today's Friday prayer's sermon was about truthfulness. One of the most important properties in Islam is truthfulness.

The Importance Of Truthfulness
In Islam Question & Answer Website:

Question:
What is the importance of being truthful, both in personal and business relationships, in Islam? Is lying ever considered and "acceptable" action?

Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.

Being truthful means speaking the truth and also saying things that reflect reality.

Being truthful is one of the necessities of a human society, one of the virtues of human behaviour, and brings great benefits, whilst lying is one of the major elements of corruption in human society, and the cause of the destruction of social structure and ties, one of the most evil features of bad conduct, and causes widespread harm. Hence Islam commanded truthfulness and forbade lying.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“O you who believe! Be afraid of Allaah, and be with those who are true (in word and deeds).” [al-Tawbah 9:119]

Ibn Katheer (may Allaah have mercy on him) said (2/414): “It means: be truthful and adhere to truthfulness, and you will be among its people and will be saved from calamity, and this will make a way out for you from your problems.”

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“… if they had been true to Allaah, it would have been better for them.” [Muhammad 47:21]

‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘You must be truthful, for truthfulness leads to righteousness and righteousness leads to Paradise. A man will keep speaking the truth and striving to speak the truth until he will be recorded with Allaah as a siddeeq (speaker of the truth). Beware of telling lies, for lying leads to immorality and immorality leads to Hellfire. A man will keep telling lies and striving to tell lies until he is recorded with Allaah as a liar.” (Reported by Muslim, 4721)

This hadeeth indicates that truthfulness leads to righteousness (al-birr), an all-embracing concept that includes all kinds of goodness and different kinds of righteous deeds. Immorality is basically an inclination towards deviation from the truth, and the immoral person (faajir) is one who is inclined to turn away from the path of guidance. Hence immorality and righteousness are diametrically opposed.

Al-Hasan ibn ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib (may Allaah be pleased with them both) said: “I memorized from the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): ‘Leave that which makes you doubt for that which does not make you doubt, for truthfulness is certainty and tranquillity, whilst lying is doubt and confusion.” (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, 2520; al-Nisaa'i, 8/327; and Ahmad, 1/200)

In the lengthy hadeeth of Abu Sufyaan describing his meeting with Heraclius, Abu Sufyaan (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “[Heraclius] said, ‘What does he [meaning the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] command you to do?’ I said, ‘He says: worship Allaah alone and do not associate anything in worship with Him, and abandon that which your forefathers did. He commands us to pray, to be truthful, to be chaste and to uphold the ties of kinship.’” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 1/30 and Muslim, 1773).

Hakeem ibn Hizaam (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Two parties to a deal have the option of changing their minds until they part; if they are open and honest, their deal will be blessed, and if they conceal and tell lies, the blessing of their deal will be diminished.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 4/275 and Muslim, 1532.)

Truthfulness includes being truthful towards Allaah by worshipping Him sincerely; being truthful towards one’s own soul by making it adhere to the laws of Allaah; and being truthful with people in one's words and by keeping one's promises, and in dealings such as buying, selling and marriage, so there should be no deceiving, cheating, falsifying or withholding of information. Thus a person should be the same on the inside and the outside.

As regards lying, it is highly forbidden, and is of varying degrees of abhorrence and sin. The most obnoxious form of lying is falsely attributing things to Allaah and His Messenger, because this involves fabrication about the religion and is an act of outrage against Allaah. Hence one of the characteristics of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is that he truthfully conveyed that which Allaah commanded him to convey. So Allaah said (interpretation of the meanings):

“… who does more wrong than one who invents a lie against Allaah, to lead mankind astray without knowledge. Certainly Allaah guides not the people whi are zaalimoon (polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.)” [al-An’am 6:144]

“And who does more wrong than he who invents a lie against Allaah? Such will be brought before their Lord, and the witnesses will say, ‘These are the ones who lied against their Lord!’ No doubt! The curse of Allaah is on the zaalimoon (polytheists, wrong-doers, oppressors, etc.).” [Hood 11:18]

Equally bad is lying about the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), as he is reported to have said in the mutawaatir hadeeth: “Whoever lies about me deliberately, let him take his place in Hell.” (Agreed upon).

The basic rule with regard to lying is that it is not permitted, but there are certain circumstances in which Islam permits lying to serve a greater purpose or to prevent harm.

One of these situations is when a person mediates between two disputing parties in order to reconcile between them, if reconciliation cannot be achieved in any other way. Um Kalthoom (may Allaah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “He is not a liar who reconciles between people and conveys something good or says something good.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 2495).

Another example is a man’s speaking to his wife, or a woman speaking to her husband, with regard to matters that will strengthen the ties of love between them, even if that is accompanied by exaggeration. Asma’ bint Yazeed said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘Lying is not permitted except in three cases: a man’s speaking to his wife to make her happy; lying at times of war; and lying in order to reconcile between people.’” (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, 1862; he said: it is a hasan hadeeth. See also Saheeh Muslim, 4717).

One of the most important forms of both being truthful and lying is in the area of promises and covenants. Being truthful in promises and covenants is one of the characteristics by which the believers are known. Both promises and covenants involve saying something about an issue to confirm that you will do it, especially with regard to one's duties towards Allaah. Allaah says, praising some of His slaves (interpretation of the meanings):

“Those who are faithfully true to their amaanaat (all the duties which Allaah has ordained, honesty, moral responsibility and trusts, etc.) and to their covenants.” [al-Mu’minoon 23:8]

“… and who fulfil their covenant when they make it…” [al-Baqarah 2:177]

“Among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allaah [i.e., they have gone out for jihad (holy fighting), and showed not their backs to the disbelievers], of them some have fulfilled their obligations (i.e., have been martyred), and some of them are still waiting, but they have never changed [i.e., they never proved treacherous to their covenant which they concluded with Allaah] in the least.” [al-Ahzaab 33:23]

We ask Allaah to make us sincere and truthful in word and deed. And Allaah knows best. Source: Islam Q&A

Democracy And Rights In Islam

Peace of God and His mercy to you.

The talk about democracy in the media and between common people is very vague. The term is used to generally refer to elections and rights. But, what is the origin of democracy and what does it mean? And what are rights?

Does Islam Allow Democracy?
Democracy as a name looks very nice and seems beneficial. Democracy in the West is a system. Shari'a is a system. The difference is that in democracy people are free to do what they want while Shari'a is a system of guidance. And with guidance there are rules:

Democracy is a Greek word composed of two words "Demos" (people) "Kratos" (rule). It means the government run by the people of the country. It is a Western system that emerged in the wake of the tyranny practised by the monarchs with the support of church. So, the people staged a revolution against this system and called rule by the public. Therefore, democracy is contrary to Islam because Islam insists on the fact that Allah alone has the right of legislation while democracy means that the public has the right of legislation. Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {… and He makes none to share in His Decision and His Rule."}[18: 26].

Allah also Says (interpretation of meaning): {… The command (or the judgement) is for none but Allâh. He has commanded that you worship none but Him (i.e. His Monotheism), …}[12: 40]. The Almighty also declares: {Do they then seek the judgement of (the Days of) Ignorance? And who is better in judgement than Allâh for a people who have firm Faith.}[5: 50]. There are many other verses that prove the same fact.

If it is said that there is no difference between democracy and the Islamic advisory system the response will be that the basic difference is that in Islamic system the advise is taken only in the incidents where there is no clear ruling of Shariah while democracy means that the public may cancel anything: well-established facts, rulings of Shariah, etc. In democracy the public is the highest authority to act as it wills.

Moreover, the members of an advisory board have certain characteristics while there is no difference between people in the democracy system; everyone is entitled to give his opinion.

Here, some people raised the following question "Why we should not take the merits of democracy and modify them to suit Islam and make it an Islamic democracy". We say that such claims are not correct and any benefit democracy could offer our religion possesses it perfectly and in a higher degree. However, if any democracy changes to suit Islam then it no longer will be a democracy, but a new system.

For more details in this subject, please read the book "The reality of democracy" written by Ahmad Shakir. Source: IslamWeb

So, is Islam oppressing the people? What is the purpose of Islam? Why Allah guided the people of Moses, Jesus, Mohammad and other Prophets? Why is there religions? Is the religion spiritual or life-guiding or both?

Islam is a religion that well guided its followers in many issues of life, such as marriages, divorces, trades, crimes, etc. No person can give a fair decision or system to control an issue. No collective group of people can give the best rule to an issue. The Creator, nevertheless, can. He created the people and knows the best for them:

Lo! ye are those who argue about that whereof ye have some knowledge: Why then argue ye concerning that whereof ye have no knowledge? Allah knoweth. Ye know not. (66) Al Imran 3:66

What Is The Islamic State Form Of Government?
This is a broad topic. It can be summarized as:

In general, nomination of a ruler in Islam is based on al-Shura (mutual consultation). Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {…, and who (conduct) their affairs by mutual consultation, …} [42: 38]. He also Says: {…, and consult them in the affairs. …} [3: 159].

So, ahl-al-Hal wal 'Aqd (Influential people, those in power as representatives of the people) meet and consult and then nominate a ruler whom they think is qualified to the position of Khilafah (Caliphate). After that, they pledge allegiance to him and urge the Muslim Ummah to pay homage to him. So, he becomes entitled to manage all affairs, inner and outer, provided that he sticks to Shari'a and never violates its rulings.

Since most affairs of al-Siyasah al-Shar'iyah are subject to Ijtihad (independent judgment that is controlled by Shari'a in general), the ruler can compare between what is good and bad for the Muslim public, and then, choose what is better and more beneficial for the Ummah.

Here, we state that forming a government is subject to the principle of "To choose what is better and more beneficial for the Ummah". Thus, the Muslim ruler can form the government and choose the best people to be ministers. At the same time, the ruler may deputize ahl-al-Hal wal-'Aqd (The Islamic parliament) to form the government. In fact, there are many choices. Source: IslamWeb

Does Parliament Have Similar Characteristic With Shura?
The difference between governing the issues of the country in Islam and in other systems is:

• Islam gives the governing authority to the experts.
• Other non-Islamic systems give the governing authority to people elected whether they are experts or not.

Shura is the Islamic system of choosing the right people by the right people:

Al-Shura (Mutual consultation) is a pillar of ruling and governing in Islam. So, all decisions that are made by the state should be through Shura; decisions relative to war, peace, duties towards other countries, establishment of Hudud and amassing armies. In addition, organizing all the affairs of the state should all be made following the consultation of the responsible people of the Muslim community.

Muslims nowadays however do not apply this principle in their lives because of the wide gap existing between those times where the right application of Islam and the present influence of the culture of their enemies.

The Shura that was practised during the rule of the four Caliphs is different from a democratically elected Parliament. First, in Shura no one has the right to go beyond the texts that are in the Qur'an and the Sunnah or legislate something that does not conform to them.

The modern Parliaments make their own texts and have the right to pass legislation.

Second, in Shura only the scholars and experts are asked to give their opinions over a given issue while in Parliaments anyone who is elected has the right to participate in passing laws. In those procedures there is no difference between the opinion of a scholar and that of an ignorant person, or the opinion of an expert to that of a novice in the matter.

In Parliaments heads (votes) are counted but not weighed while in Shura they are weighed according to their knowledge and savoir-faire. This is the right logic.

No matter how many inexperienced people you put together, they won't be able to give the same valuable opinion as an expert and a scholar in the field.

There are many other differences between the Shura and the modern Parliaments. But it is sufficient that Shura is the way Allah has chosen for His servants. He is the one who knows His servants and creatures and what is good to them Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {Should not He Who has created know? And He is the Most Kind and Courteous (to His slaves) All-Aware (of everything).} [67: 14]. Source: IslamWeb

So, the Parliament system is based on votes. What is important in this system is the quantity not the quality of the decisions. This can be very harmful since the decisions always affect different groups. In the other hand, Shura is a system that seeks justice for the most.

What Is The Political Side Of Islam?
In Islam, the rights of the Ummah (the Muslim community) as well as the rights of the non-Muslims living with Muslims are ensured to be fairly secured. The most important thing in Islam that deals with the life of the community is justice:

First, Muslim jurists are fully aware of the importance of politics in Islamic Shari'a so, they compiled many books dealing with this subject and this subject is discussed extensively in Fiqh books. Some books are as follows:
a) al-Siyasah al-Shar'iyah, written by Ibn Taymiyah.
b) al-Ahkam al-Sultaniyah, written by al-Mawardi.
c) al-Ahkam al-Sultaniyah, written by Abu Ya'la.
d) al-Turuq al-Hukmiyah Fi al-Siyasit al-Shariyah, written by Ibn al-Qayyim.
e) Giyath al-Umam, written by al-Juwany.

Second, politics in Islam is not isolated from faith and good character.

Third, Islamic politics assures the rights of individuals and society as well; it maintains the rights of both of them as long as there is no contradiction between them. In the case of contradiction between the right of the individual and that of the society, the general benefit will be preferred to the private one and the one who suffers damages will get compensation for that. Imam Shatibi said in his book 'al-Mufaqaat', 'the priority is given to public interest' .

Fourth, the system of ownership in Islam is very moderate. On one hand it approves the ownership of an individual with certain conditions. This is contrary to socialism. On the other hand it approves common property. This is contrary to capitalism.

Fifth, Islamic politics relies on the ways of consultation in opposition to 'dictatorship'. It also sets the basics for consultation, i.e. consultation would be limited only to the people concerned unlike democracy that takes the opinion of every person even from the rabble.

Sixth, Islamic politics emphasizes establishing the Caliphate; for Muslims that is the highest authority in the Muslim Ummah. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) was not buried after his death till Abu Bakr (Radiya Allahu Anhu) was made the Caliph of the Muslims. For more details, please read the book "Dirassat wa Buhooth Fi al-Fiker al-Islam", written by Dr. Fathi al-Darini. Source: IslamWeb

Since these topics are very specialized to be answered by an inexpert Muslim like me, you can always ask expert Muslim scholars about matters you do not know if you searched and did not find any answers for them. I recommend the fatwa (Q&A) service provided by the Islam Web Network. You can find this service here.

A Response To "A Democratic Islam?"

Peace of God and His mercy to you.

I was searching on the Internet about Israel and how barbaric it is (I wanted to see how different people see Israel). I found this article, A Democratic Islam?, and I commented on it. Here is my comment which I hope it will be published for the truth to be known:

I really do not understand the word "democratic". So. I looked up democracy and found it means:

the political orientation of those who favor government by the people or by their elected representatives.

So, it means choosing a person as a ruler or a person responsible for others. As a Muslim living in a Muslim country, I believe Islam is democratic. Islam allows the people to choose who they see fit to be a ruler. For example, Prophet Muhammad grouped the people and told them about Islam. If they accepted it, they followed it. If they did not accept it, they were allowed to stay with the Muslims peacefully but paying Al Jizaya. Before the Prophet died, he asked Abu Bakr and his companions to choose a Caliph who would guide the people. It says in the Quran:

"And those who answer the call of their Lord and establish worship, and whose affairs are a matter of counsel, and who spend of what We have bestowed on them, (38) Ash Shura 42:38"

So, democracy is listening to the people. It is insured in Islam!

Now, I hear people say Muslims are not democratic in terms of freedom. Freedom is allowed. But, over freedom which hurts the person or/and harms people is not allowed. People need to be controlled for their protection and for the protection of others. Let me give the example of drinking alcohol. It is forbidden in Islam because it is harmful to the health of the person, drunkards hurt themselves and the people around them, drunkards cause car accidents, ..etc. The freedom of expression is an important issue which is not controlled internationally, I mean people think it is absolute. If it is absolute, many use it to harm people, races and groups. There were cases in my country were people used the Internet to badmouth people and say bad things to drive others to do the same thing. This is wrong. This is not expressing. This is verbal attacking. There were other similar cases in other countries. People just do not look more into why these people are arrested, or they just accept that verbal attacking is related to the right of expression. I have the right to express myself here, right? I am expressing myself, but I did not attack anyone or anything verbally. Allah forbade it. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:

"A true believer is not involved in taunting, or frequently cursing (others) or in indecency or abusing.''

What is also democratic? Women rights or rights in general. These rights are secured in Islam. But, with control. And reasons. These are logical reasons. People mix absolute freedom with rights. There are no infinite rights. Do I have the right to cut my arm? What will it benefit me? If I have given the right to adultery, will it benefit me? I am practicing my right of worship, travel, partying, shopping, choosing my husband, deciding to work or not, when to sleep, when to play,... etc. I do not see myself different than a Western girl except in:

(1) I do not engage in relationships outside of wedlock: just wrong. Get married. Marriage to have children and to have my right of pleasure.
(2) I am decent in my clothes outside my home: decency is something good. Christian nuns are decent. Why Muslim girls are always attacked? I am not oppressed. How come my veil oppress me? I do not know.

Also, the rights of non-Muslims are secured in my country. They are allowed to live, to shop, to pray, to travel, access treatment, etc. Allah says:

"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"

And I want to clarify things: there is no classes among people on Muslims lands. I do not know what second-class citizenship is. All people have the same rights on the land, unlike what we hear of the problem of illegal immigrants in the West. Those who enter our land as described "visa and etc." have similar rights as the land owners have: access to water, electricity, treatment, education, etc. Maybe you are meaning free things? Nothing is free in this world. Illegal immigrants are not tortured. They are given food and water, and they are taken back to their countries freely.

And for the topic of jihad. Jihad is struggling, not imposing Islam on people or killing. Jihad is what happening in Palestine: Palestinians struggling to defend their lands and themselves. Jihad is in many types in Islam: struggle against temptations, struggle in doing work and in learning, and struggle in spreading Islam. Muhammad started spreading Islam among the people around him not by sword, but by wisdom. The first woman to enter Islam was Khadija who liked the behavior of Muhammad in trade and she married him. Jihad in Islam is to fight those who fight us and who start hostilities against us. It is forbidden in Islam to start the hostility:

"Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you, but begin not hostilities. Lo! Allah loveth not aggressors. (190) The Cow 2:190"

The problem is with the people who do not understand Islam. Did not you know that many non-Muslims did not know about Islam except its name until the 9/11 attacks?

Do you know that Osama Bin Laden was not a Muslim scholar and that he was a rich business man?

In Islam, those who spread fear among the people through weapons, killing, and kidnapping are asked to repent. If they refuse they must be killed. Al Qaida is causing people to hate Islam and fight it. Allah said about those people who frighten people:

"The only reward of those who make war upon Allah and His messenger and strive after corruption in the land will be that they will be killed or crucified, or have their hands and feet on alternate sides cut off, or will be expelled out of the land. Such will be their degradation in the world, and in the Hereafter theirs will be an awful doom; (33) Save those who repent before ye overpower them. For know that Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. (34) The Table 5:33-34"

Anyways, back to democracy or elections. I agree that elections are important. And that choosing a person is not by counting a number of papers put in boxes. The Muslim leader must be fair in everything. People must select a fair leader.

We cannot speak about Hamas here. Hamas is a strong group and is elected to protect the Palestinians. Palestine is not a country, sadly. It is not given the right to have relationships with other countries. How could a ruler control the country or help the people if poverty is imposed on them?!

And if you talk about elections, it means votes. If the people chose the ruler, they had their right. It is the turn of the ruler to be fair. There are many Muslim countries I can say they are democratic.

In conclusion, elections do not go against Islam. Islam is not against elections. Elections were practiced in the time of Muhammad, after and before his time. Of course, these elections were not papers thrown in a box! It was Shura (discussing who is fit, or what is fit, and then coming to an agreement about it). And there is a whole chapter in Quran named Shura.

I do not know where this idea came from that Islam is against *elections*.

Muhammad Is The Seal Of The Prophets And Messengers

Peace of God and His mercy to you.

I would like to share this fatwa from Islam Question and Answer Website about the last of the Prophets and Messengers, Muhammad, Peace Be Upon Him,:

Question:
Please clarify the evidences that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the last messenger and prophet. As all evidences are clear that he is the last prophet only and does not indicate that he is the last messenger.

Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.

The scholars (may Allaah have mercy on them) differed concerning the difference between a Prophet and a Messenger. The majority of scholars are of the view that a Prophet is one who received Revelation from Allaah but was not commanded to convey it, whereas a Messenger is one who received Revelation and was commanded to convey it.

But despite this difference of opinion, they are unanimously agreed that a Messenger is superior to a Prophet, and that a Messenger attained the honour of Prophethood and more. Hence they said: Every Messenger is a Prophet, but not every Prophet is a Messenger.

Thus it is clear that everything which says that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is the Seal of the Prophets and that there is no Prophet after him indicates that there is no Messenger after him either, because there cannot be any Messenger who is not also a Prophet.

If the text said that the Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is the Seal of the Messengers, that would not suggest that there would be no Prophet after him, because it would be possible for there to be a Prophet who was not a Messenger.

But, the text states that the Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is the Seal of the Prophets and that there will be no Prophet after him and this means that there can be no Prophet after him and no Messenger after him.

Ibn Katheer (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

“but he is the Messenger of Allaah and the last (end) of the Prophets” [al-Ahzaab 33:40]. This verse states that there will be no Prophet after him, and if there will be no Prophet after him, then there can be no Messenger after him either, because the status of Messenger is higher than the status of Prophet; a Messenger is also a Prophet but the converse is not necessarily the case.

Tafseer Ibn Katheer (3/645).

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: If he was the Seal of the Prophets then he was also the Seal of the Messengers for sure, because there is no Messenger who is not also a Prophet. Hence it is said: Every Messenger is a Prophet but not every Prophet is a Messenger. End quote.

Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (1/250).

And Allaah knows best.