Calling non-Muslims to Islam
Chapter 3
21613: A Christian is asking
whether it is possible for him to enter Islam
Question:
Hello my name is XXX and i live in sweden. I
am not muslim, but i am wery interested about
it. Is it possible for someone like me to become
a muslim? I feel that the islam beliefs are just
like my thoughts. I want to know more about it.
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
We welcome you as our guest to this website,
and we greatly appreciate your interest in
Islam, because this is the means by which you
may be guided, if Allaah wills. Your saying that
the religion of Islam is just like your thoughts
is a sign that your way of thinking is good and
sound, and that your nature is good because it
is in tune with the truth and ready to accept
it. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Allaah's Fitrah (i.e. Allaah's Islamic
Monotheism) with which He has created
mankind"[al-Room 30:30]
With regard to your question about whether it
is possible to become a Muslim, the answer is
yes indeed. Hasten to do so and do not hesitate.
We welcome you as a questioner now and as a
Muslim brother in the near future, if Allaah
wills.
We congratulate you for this good start and
for opening your heart to Islam, and for wanting
to learn about it. All that you have to do is
embrace Islam by uttering the Shahaadatayn (twin
testimony of faith), then start to practice
Islam and follow its laws. You will find answers
to some important questions under the numbers
703, 378, 6703 and 12373.
We will be happy to answer any questions in
the future and to help you to understand this
great religion. Thank you once again. Peace be
upon those who follow true guidance.
Islam Q&A Sheikh Muhammed Salih
Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com)
21010: Woman between the
honouring of Islam and the humiliation of
Jaahiliyyah
Question:
The west accuses Islam of oppressing women.
What is the status of woman in Islam?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
In Islam, woman has a high status which no
past nation ever achieved and which no
subsequent nation has been able to attain,
because the honour which Islam gives to humanity
includes men and women equally. They are equal
before the rulings of Allaah in this world and
they will be equal with regard to His reward and
punishment in the Hereafter. Allaah says
(interpretation of the meanings):
"And indeed We have honoured the Children
of Adam"
[al-Isra' 17:70]
"There is a share for men and a share for
women from what is left by parents and those
nearest related"
[al-Nisa' 4:7]
"And they (women) have rights (over their
husbands as regards living expenses) similar (to
those of their husbands) over them (as regards
obedience and respect) to what is reasonable"
[al-Baqarah 2:228]
"The believers, men and women, are Awliya'
(helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of
one another"
[al-Tawbah 9:71]
"And your Lord has decreed that you worship
none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your
parents. If one of them or both of them attain
old age in your life, say not to them a word of
disrespect, nor shout at them but address them
in terms of honour.
And lower unto them the wing of submission
and humility through mercy, and say: `My Lord!
Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me
up when I was young'"
[al-Isra' 17:23-24]
And Allaah says (interpretation of the
meanings):
"So their Lord accepted of them (their
supplication and answered them), "Never will I
allow to be lost the work of any of you, be he
male or female" [Aal `Imraan 3:195]
"Whoever works righteousness — whether male
or female — while he (or she) is a true believer
(of Islamic Monotheism) verily, to him We will
give a good life (in this world with respect,
contentment and lawful provision), and We shall
pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the
best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in
the Hereafter)" [al-Nahl 16:97]
"And whoever does righteous good deeds, male
or female, and is a (true) believer [in the
Oneness of Allaah (Muslim)], such will enter
Paradise and not the least injustice, even to
the size of a Naqeera (speck on the back of a
date stone), will be done to them"
[al-Nisa' 4:124]
There is nothing in any other religion,
nation or law that can compare to the honour
which woman gains in Islam. The Roman
civilization decreed that woman was a slave who
belonged to man, and had no rights at all. In
Rome a major synod met to discuss the case of
woman, and decided that she was a being who had
no soul, and that therefore she would not
inherit life in the Hereafter, and that she was
evil.
In Athens women were regarded as chattels;
they were bought and sold, and were regarded as
evil, the handiwork of the devil.
The ancient laws of India state that disease,
death, Hell, snake venom and fire were all
better than woman. Her right to life came to an
end when her husband's _ or master's _ life
ended. When she saw his body burning she would
throw herself into the flames; if she did not do
so, she would be subject to curses.
With regard to woman in Judaism, the ruling
on her in the Old Testament is as follows:
"So I turned my mind to understand,
to investigate and to search out wisdom and
the scheme of things
and to understand the stupidity of wickedness
and the madness of folly.
I find more bitter than death the woman who
is a snare,
whose heart is a trap and whose hands are
chains…"
(Ecclesiastes 7:25-26 _ New International
Version)
It is known that the Old Testament is
venerated and believed by both Jews and
Christians.
This was the situation of woman in ancient
times. With regard to her situation in the
Middle Ages and in modern times, this will be
explained by the following:
The Danish writer Wieth Kordsten explained
the view of the Catholic Church towards women.
He said: "During the Middle Ages very little
care was given to women, following the teaching
of the Catholic church which regarded woman as a
second class creation." In France, a council in
586 CE decided to research the case of woman and
whether she was to be counted as human or not.
After some discussion, they decided that woman
was human, but she was created to serve man.
The 217th clause of the French law
states the following: "A married woman _ even if
her marriage is based on the condition of
separating what belongs to her and what belongs
to her husband _ is not permitted to give
anything as a gift or to transfer any of her
property or use it as collateral, or to take
possession of anything whether in return for
payment or otherwise, without her husband being
a party to the contract or agreeing to it in
writing."
In England, Henry VIII forbade the English
woman to read the Bible. Until 1850 CE women
were not counted as citizens, and until 1882 CE
they did not have any personal rights.
(Silsilat Maqaarinah al-Adyaan, by Dr.
Ahmad Shalaby, vol. 3, p. 210-213)
As for contemporary woman in Europe, America
and other industrial nations, she is a creature
which is degraded and abused for commercial
purposes. She is a feature of advertising
campaigns, and things have reached a stage where
she takes off her clothes in order to advertise
products on posters, and she sells and displays
her body according to systems devised by men, so
that she is no more than an object of pleasure
for them in every place.
Woman is cared for so long as she is able to
give and contribute physically or mentally. When
she becomes old and cannot give any more,
society _ individuals and institutions _
forsakes her and she lives alone in her house or
in a mental hospital.
Compare this _ and there is no comparison _
with the teachings of the Noble Qur'aan, in
which Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning):
"The believers, men and women, are Awliya'
(helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of
one another"
[al-Tawbah 9:71]
"And they (women) have rights (over their
husbands as regards living expenses) similar (to
those of their husbands) over them (as regards
obedience and respect) to what is reasonable"
[al-Baqarah 2:228]
"And your Lord has decreed that you
worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to
your parents. If one of them or both of them
attain old age in your life, say not to them a
word of disrespect, nor shout at them but
address them in terms of honour.
And lower unto them the wing of submission
and humility through mercy, and say: `My Lord!
Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me
up when I was young'"[al-Isra' 17:23-24]
Since her Lord has honoured her in this way,
it is clear to all of mankind that He has
created her to be a mother, a wife, a daughter
and a sister, so He prescribed laws which apply
exclusively to women and not men.
From al-Islam Usooluhu wa Mabaadi'uhu by Dr.
Muhammad `Abd-Allaah ibn Saalih al-Sahyeem
(www.islam-qa.com)
10267: When did Islam begin
and who started the Muslim tradition?
Question:
Who began the Muslim tradition, when did this
faith start, what are the rules and how do you
begin?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
If what you mean by the "Muslim tradition" is
the Islamic religion itself, the answer will be
given in the second section below.
1- But if what you mean is what the Muslim
ummah (nation) has achieved down throughout the
ages of prosperity, then this was not achieved
in one instant, but it started when Islam
started, especially after the establishment of
the Islamic state at the time of the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him),
then it started to flourish and develop as the
Islamic conquests spread and reached the level
that they did. If this can be attributed to
anyone, it can only be attributed to the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him),
after Allaah. With regard to other people,
everyone contributed as much as he could until
the structure (of the Muslim civilization) was
complete.
2- With regard to the beginning of the
religion, it seems that what is meant by
religion is the religion of Islam with its
beliefs and laws. This started with the mission
of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him).
With regard to the rules of Islam, they are
many and it is difficult to list them all here,
but the most important of them are:
The testimony that there is no god except
Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of
Allaah; establishing regular prayer; paying the
zakaah (obligatory charity, a share of one's
wealth to be given to the poor); fasting in
Ramadaan; and Hajj or pilgrimage to the Sacred
House of Allaah.
An individual enters this religion after
bearing witness that there is no god except
Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of
Allaah, then after that he is obliged to adhere
to the other pillars, prayer, fasting and Hajj.
There are many further details involved in these
matters. See also Question # 13569 shaykh Sa'd
al-Humayd (www.islam-qa.com)
10590: The tolerance of Islam
Question:
How can we prove to non-Muslims that Islam is
a tolerant and easy religion?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
Islam is the religion of mercy and kindness,
the religion of tolerance and ease. Allaah has
not burdened this ummah with more than it can
bear. Whatever good it does, it will be rewarded
for it, and whatever evil it does, it will have
to bear the burden of that sin, as Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"Allaah burdens not a person beyond his
scope. He gets reward for that (good) which he
has earned, and he is punished for that (evil)
which he has earned"
[al-Baqarah 2:286]
Allaah has spared the Muslims any difficulty
or hardship in all that He has enjoined upon
them. Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning):
"He has chosen you (to convey His Message
of Islamic Monotheism to mankind by inviting
them to His religion of Islam), and has not laid
upon you in religion any hardship"
[al-Hajj 22:78]
Every sin that a Muslim commits because he
makes a mistake, or forgets, or is forced to do
it, is forgiven by Allaah, as Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"Our Lord! Punish us not if we forget or
fall into error"
[al-Baqarah 2:286]
And Allaah says: your prayer is granted.
The Muslim will be brought to account for
what he does deliberately, not for what he does
by mistake, as Allaah says (interpretation of
the meaning):
"And there is no sin on you concerning
that in which you made a mistake, except in
regard to what your hearts deliberately intend"
[al-Ahzaab 33:5]
Allaah is Kind and Merciful. He sent Muhammad
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) with
ease and the tolerant monotheism:
"Allaah intends for you ease, and He does
not want to make things difficult for you
[al-Baqarah 2:185 _ interpretation of the
meaning]
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) said: "Religion is very easy and
whoever overburdens himself in his religion will
not be able to continue in that way. So you
should not be extremists, but try to be near to
perfection and receive the good tidings that you
will be rewarded." (narrated by al-Bukhaari,
39).
The Shaytaan is man's greatest enemy. He
makes him forget the remembrance of his Lord
(dhikr) and makes his sin attractive to him, as
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Shaytaan (Satan) has overpowered them. So
he has made them forget the remembrance of
Allaah. They are the party of Shaytaan (Satan).
Verily, it is the party of Shaytaan (Satan) that
will be the losers![al-Mujaadilah 58:19]
What one's own nafs (self) says has
been forgiven by Allaah, The Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Allaah
has forgiven my ummah for thoughts that cross
their minds, so long as they do not speak of
them or act upon them." (Narrated by Muslim,
127)
Whoever commits a sin then Allaah conceals
it, it is not permissible for him to speak of
it, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) said: "All of my ummah will
be fine except those who commit sin openly."
(Narrated by Muslim, 2990).
If a person commits a sin then repents,
Allaah will accept his repentance:
"your Lord has written (prescribed) Mercy
for Himself, so that if any of you does evil in
ignorance, and thereafter repents and does
righteous good deeds (by obeying Allaah), then
surely, He is OftForgiving, Most Merciful"
[al-An'aam 6:54 _ interpretation of the
meaning]
Allaah is Generous and Kind, He multiplies
the reward for good deeds and forgives bad
deeds, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) said, narrating the words of
his Lord: "Allaah has decreed hasanaat (good
deeds) and sayi'aat (bad deeds), then He
explained that. Whoever intends to do a good
deed then does not do it, Allaah will write it
down as one complete hasanah; if he intends to
do it then he does it, then Allaah will write it
down as between ten and seven hundred hasanaat,
or more. Whoever intends to do a bad deed, then
he does not do it, Allaah will write it down as
one complete hasanah; if he intends to do it
then he does it, Allaah will write it down as
one sayi'ah." (Agreed upon; narrated by
al-Bukhaari, Kitaab al-Raqaa'iq, 81)
From Usool al-Deen al-Islami, by Shaykh
Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem al-Tuwayjri.
(www.islam-qa.com)
12283: A Christian woman is
asking whether her marriage to a Muslim is valid
Question:
I am a Christian woman, recently married to a
Muslim man. Due to our different beliefs, we
were married in a courthouse, as opposed to a
Mosque. Does the Muslim belief still see this as
a "real" marriage? I have researched this, and
was surprised to read that the Islam belief does
not honor this as a real wedding? Please
confirm...I am very much in love with this man!
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly: if the marriage contract was done
with:
1. the proposal of your guardian _ who may be
your father or whoever is acting in his place if
he is not there, on the condition that he is of
the same religion as you _ by his saying, for
example, "I offer my daughter in marriage to
you."
2. Acceptance on the part of the husband by
saying, for example, "I accept."
3. The contract was done in the presence of
two Muslim witnesses
_ then the marriage is valid. (For more
details on the conditions of marriage, see
question no. 2127 and the section on conditions
of marriage on this web site). If any of these
conditions is missing, then the marriage is not
valid, and you have to do it again. The place
where the marriage contract is done does not
have any effect on the validity of the marriage.
Secondly: this question caught our attention
because of your keen interest in finding out the
rules of the Islamic religion concerning this
matter. Perhaps this will lead you to enquire
about greater realities, the most important of
which is, which is the true religion?
Permit us to ask you the following questions:
Do you want a happy life? Do you care about
finding contentment? Are you looking for the
truth? Do you want a good and righteous life for
your children?
If you do, then please _ may Allaah guide you
and us to the truth _ consider the following:
That Allaah has created mankind for a great
purpose, which is to worship Allaah alone with
no partner or associate. Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"And I (Allaah) created not the jinn and
mankind except that they should worship Me
(Alone).
I seek not any provision from them (i.e.
provision for themselves or for My creatures)
nor do I ask that they should feed Me (i.e. feed
themselves or My creatures).
Verily, Allaah is the AllProvider, Owner of
Power, the Most Strong"
[al-Dhaariyaat 51:56-58]
Allaah sent the Messengers to call mankind to
this purpose. He said (interpretation of the
meaning):
"And verily, We have sent among every
Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger
(proclaiming): "Worship Allaah (Alone), and
avoid (or keep away from) Taaghoot (all false
deities, i.e. do not worship Taaghoot besides
Allaah)." Then of them were some whom Allaah
guided and of them were some upon whom the
straying was justified. So travel through the
land and see what was the end of those who
denied (the truth)"
[al-Nahl 16:36]
Then Allaah sent the final Messenger,
Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him). He was the last of the Prophets and
Messengers. Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning):
"Muhammad is not the father of any of your
men, but he is the Messenger of Allaah and the
last (end) of the Prophets. And Allaah is Ever
AllAware of everything"
[al-Ahzaab 33:40]
"Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah. And
those who are with him are severe against
disbelievers, and merciful among themselves. You
see them bowing and falling down prostrate (in
prayer), seeking Bounty from Allaah and (His)
Good Pleasure. The mark of them (i.e. of their
Faith) is on their faces (foreheads) from the
traces of prostration (during prayers). This is
their description in the Tawraat (Torah). But
their description in the Injeel (Gospel) is like
a (sown) seed which sends forth its shoot, then
makes it strong, and becomes thick and it stands
straight on its stem, delighting the sowers,
that He may enrage the disbelievers with them.
Allaah has promised those among them who believe
(i.e. all those who follow Islamic Monotheism,
the religion of Prophet Muhammad till the Day of
Resurrection) and do righteous good deeds,
forgiveness and a mighty reward (i.e. Paradise)"
[al-Fath 48:29]
One of the reasons why He sent the Messengers
was so as to establish proof against mankind,
lest they say, "No Messenger came to us and no
one told us that Allaah commanded us to worship
Him." Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning):
"Verily, We have sent the Revelation to
you (O Muhammad) as We sent the Revelation to
Nooh (Noah) and the Prophets after him; We
(also) sent the Revelation to Ibraaheem
(Abraham), Ismaa`eel (Ishmael), Ishaaq (Isaac),
Ya`qoob (Jacob), and AlAsbaat [the offspring of
the twelve sons of Ya`qaab (Jacob)], `Eesa
(Jesus), Ayyoob (Job), Yoonus (Jonah), Haaroon
(Aaron), and Sulaymaan (Solomon); and to Daawood
(David) We gave the Zaboor (Psalms).
And Messengers We have mentioned to you
before, and Messengers We have not mentioned to
you, — and to Moosa (Moses) Allaah spoke
directly.
Messengers as bearers of good news as well as
of warning in order that mankind should have no
plea against Allaah after the (coming of)
Messengers. And Allaah is Ever AllPowerful,
AllWise [al-Nisaa' 4:163-165]
We call you, and everyone who does not follow
the religion of Islam, to hasten to obey the
command of Allaah by believing in Him alone,
with no partner or associate, and to believe in
His Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him), whom Allaah sent to all of
creation, men and jinn alike. Allaah has
commanded them to do this, as He says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"O mankind! Verily, there has come to you
the Messenger (Muhammad) with the truth from
your Lord. So believe in him, it is better for
you. But if you disbelieve, then certainly to
Allaah belongs all that is in the heavens and
the earth. And Allaah is Ever AllKnowing,
AllWise.
O people of the Scripture (Christians)! Do
not exceed the limits in your religion, nor say
of Allaah aught but the truth. The Messiah `Eesa
(Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), was (no more
than) a Messenger of Allaah and His Word, ("Be!"
— and he was) which He bestowed on Maryam (Mary)
and a spirit (Rooh) created by Him; so believe
in Allaah and His Messengers. Say not: "Three
(trinity)!" Cease! (it is) better for you. For
Allaah is (the only) One Ilaah (God), glory is
to Him (Far Exalted is He) above having a son.
To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and
all that is in the earth. And Allaah is
AllSufficient as a Disposer of affairs"
[al-Nisaa' 4:170-171]
Allaah has told us in His Noble Book (the
Qur'aan) that He does not accept any religion
other than Islam. Allaah says (interpretation of
the meanings):
"And whoever seeks a religion other than
Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in
the Hereafter he will be one of the losers"
[Aal `Imraan 3:85]
"Allaah bears witness that Laa ilaaha illa
Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but
He), and the angels, and those having knowledge
(also give this witness); (He always) maintains
His creation in justice. Laa ilaaha illa Huwa
(none has the right to be worshipped but He),
the AllMighty, the All-Wise.
Truly, the religion with Allaah is Islam.
Those who were given the Scripture (Jews and
Christians) did not differ except, out of mutual
jealousy, after knowledge had come to them. And
whoever disbelieves in the Ayaat (proofs,
evidences, verses, signs, revelations, etc.) of
Allaah, then surely, Allaah is Swift in calling
to account [Aal `Imraan 3:18-19]
Do not forget that if you become Muslim, it
will be better for your children, so that they
will not be confused or suffer from mental
anguish, and say, "Our father is a Muslim and
our mother is a Christian, so who should we
follow?"
Perhaps thinking through these matters more
deeply will lead to a good result, by Allaah's
leave. Strive to read a sound translation of the
Qur'aan, which is considered to be the miracle
of the Prophet of Islam, then read the biography
of the Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him), and how Allaah granted
success to him and his Companions, and how
Allaah supported him with miracles, such as
making water flow from between his fingers and
the splitting the moon, when the mushrikoon
(polytheists) asked for a sign _ so he commanded
the moon to split, and it split in two _ and
other events which are recorded in his
Seerah (biography). And he also spoke of
unseen matters which could not be known except
by means of Revelation, such as when he said
that the empires of the Persians and Romans
(Byzantines) would be conquered before it
happened, and other matters which are indicative
of his Prophethood. We ask Allaah to guide us
all.
Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid
(www.islam-qa.com)
12376: Da'wah _ calling
others to Islam
Question:
How should we call people to Islam?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
Allaah created man and caused him to dwell on
this earth, but He did not forsake him. Rather
He gave him what he needs of food, drink and
clothing, and revealed to him throughout the
ages a path to follow and be guided by. The
interests and happiness of mankind at every time
and in every place depend upon following the
path of Allaah and rejecting all others:
"And verily, this (i.e. Allaah's
Commandments mentioned in the above two Verses
151 and 152) is My straight path, so follow it,
and follow not (other) paths, for they will
separate you away from His path. This He has
ordained for you that you may become AlMuttaqoon
(the pious)"[al-An'aam 6:153 _ interpretation of
the meaning]
Islam is the last of the heavenly religions
and the Qur'aan is the last of the heavenly
Books. Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah
be upon him) is the last of the Prophets and
Messengers. Allaah commanded him to convey this
religion to all of mankind:
"this Qur'aan has been revealed to me that
I may therewith warn you and whomsoever it may
reach"[al-An'aam 6:18]
Allaah sent His Messenger Muhammad (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) with Islam to
all of mankind, as Allaah says (interpretation
of the meaning):
"Say (O Muhammad): `O mankind! Verily, I
am sent to you all as the Messenger of
Allaah'"[al-A'raaf 7:158]
Da'wah or calling others to Islam is the best
of deeds, because it involves guiding people to
the Straight Path and to that which will bring
them happiness in this world and in the
Hereafter:
"And who is better in speech than he who
[says: `My Lord is Allaah (believes in His
Oneness),' and then stands firm (acts upon His
Order), and] invites (men) to Allaah's (Islamic
Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says:
`I am one of the Muslims.'"[Fussilat 41:33 _
interpretation of the meaning]
Calling others to Islam is an honourable
mission. This is the work of the Prophets and
Messengers. The Messenger (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him) explained that his
mission in life, and the mission of his
followers, is to call people to Allaah. Allaah
says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Say (O Muhammad): `This is my way; I
invite unto Allaah (i.e. to the Oneness of
Allaah — Islamic Monotheism) with sure
knowledge, I and whosoever follows me (also must
invite others to Allaah, i.e. to the Oneness of
Allaah — Islamic Monotheism with sure
knowledge). And Glorified and Exalted be Allaah
(above all that they associate as partners with
Him). And I am not of the Mushrikoon
(polytheists, pagans, idolaters and disbelievers
in the Oneness of Allaah; those who worship
others along with Allaah or set up rivals or
partners to Allaah)'"[Yoosuf 12:108]
The Muslims in general and the scholars in
particular are commanded to call people to
Islam, as Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning):
"Let there arise out of you a group of
people inviting to all that is good (Islam),
enjoining Al-Ma`roof (i.e. Islamic Monotheism
and all that Islam orders one to do) and
forbidding Al-Munkar (polytheism and disbelief
and all that Islam has forbidden). And it is
they who are the successful"[Aal `Imraan
3:104]
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) said: "Convey from me even if it is
(only) one aayah." (Narrated by
al-Bukhaari, 3461)
Calling people to Allaah is an important task
and a glorious mission, because it means calling
people to worship Allaah alone. It means
bringing them forth from darkness to the light,
planting goodness in the place of evil and truth
in the place of falsehood. Hence whoever does
this needs to have knowledge, understanding,
patience, forbearance, gentleness and kindness.
He needs to give of his wealth and of himself,
and he needs to understand people's
circumstances and habits. Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"Invite (mankind, O Muhammad) to the way
of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with
the Divine Revelation and the Qur'aan) and fair
preaching, and argue with them in a way that is
better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone
astray from His path, and He is the Best Aware
of those who are guided"
[al-Nahl 16:125]
Allaah blessed His Messenger with the words
(interpretation of the meaning):
"And by the Mercy of Allaah, you dealt
with them gently. And had you been severe and
harshhearted, they would have broken away from
about you; so pass over (their faults), and ask
(Allaah's) forgiveness for them; and consult
them in the affairs"
[Aal `Imraan 3:159]
The daa'iyah (caller) may be faced with
debates in his da'wah activities, especially
with the People of the Book. Allaah has
commanded us, if it reaches the point of debate,
to debate in a manner that is better, which is
with kindness and gentleness, explaining the
principles of Islam as they came, pure and
simple, in a kindly manner and with no element
of compulsion. Allaah says (interpretation of
the meaning):
"And argue not with the people of the
Scripture (Jews and Christians), unless it be in
(a way) that is better (with good words and in
good manner, inviting them to Islamic Monotheism
with His Verses), except with such of them as do
wrong; and say (to them): `We believe in that
which has been revealed to us and revealed to
you; our Ilaah (God) and your Ilaah (God) is One
(i.e. Allaah), and to Him we have submitted (as
Muslims)'"
[al-`Ankaboot 29:46]
Calling people to Allaah is a virtuous deed
which brings great reward. The Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
"Whoever calls others to guidance will have a
reward like the rewards of those who follow him,
without that detracting from their reward in any
way. And whoever calls others to misguidance
will have a burden of sin like the burden of
those who follow him, without that detracting
from their burden in any way."(Narrated by
Muslim, 2674)
If building a physical structure needs effort
and patience until it is complete, then building
souls and guiding them to the truth also needs
patience and sacrifice. The Messenger (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) called people
to Islam, patiently bearing the persecution of
the kuffaar, Jews and hypocrites. They made fun
of him and disbelieved in him; they insulted him
and threw stones at him; they said that he was a
sorcerer or a madman; they accused him of being
a poet or a soothsayer _ but he (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) bore all that
with patience until Allaah granted him victory
and caused His religion to prevail. So the
daa'iyah must follow his example:
"So be patient (O Muhammad). Verily, the
Promise of Allaah is true; and let not those who
have no certainty of Faith discourage you from
conveying Allaah's Message (which you are
obliged to convey)[al-Room 30:60 _
interpretation of the meaning]
The Muslims must follow the example and
guidance of their Messenger and call others to
Islam, bearing insults and harm with patience
for the sake of Allaah, as their Messenger
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did:
"Indeed in the Messenger of Allaah
(Muhammad) you have a good example to follow for
him who hopes for (the Meeting with) Allaah and
the Last Day, and remembers Allaah much"
[al-Ahzaab 33:21 _ interpretation of the
meaning]
The well-being and happiness of this ummah
are only to be found in following this religion.
Hence Allaah commanded us to convey the message
to all of mankind, as He says (interpretation of
the meaning):
"This (Qur'aan) is a Message for mankind
(and a clear proof against them), in order that
they may be warned thereby, and that they may
know that He is the only One Ilaah (God —
Allaah) — (none has the right to be worshipped
but Allaah) — and that men of understanding may
take heed [Ibraaheem 14:52]
From Usool al-Deen al-Islami by Shaykh
Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem al-Tuwayjri
(www.islam-qa.com)
10134: Ruling on those who
are not reached by the call of Islam
Question:
Will the people living in the remotest places
on earth like the rainforests or the south pole,
go to hell or heaven, the case being that they
never encountered anyone or prophet, who has
told them about Allah and Islam ?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
The best scholarly opinion concerning this
type of people is that they will be put to the
test on the Day of Resurrection. Whoever obeys
will enter Paradise and whoever disobeys will
enter Hell, because Allaah says (interpretation
of the meaning):
"And We never punish until We have sent a
Messenger (to give warning)" [al-Israa' 17:15]
Majmoo' Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may
Allaah have mercy on him), 1/456
(www.islam-qa.com)
12373: He is very close to
Islam
Question:
Iam an hindu and i've been ferociouly
inclined towards islam.a website like yours is
the gift of allah to millions of young people
like me.inshallah, i will very soon enter the
world of islam.please do pray for me to enter
islam. Let the good work of people like you
continue by the grace of allah.
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
We thank you for your commendation and
congratulate you on your decision. We pray that
Allaah will cause you to enter this religion
sooner rather than later. We say: O Allaah,
hasten to guide this slave of Yours to the
Straight Path and decree that he be guided soon
to the religion of Islam, for You are the
All-hearing Who answers prayers.
Remember that you have to act upon your
decision, for whomever Allaah decrees is to be
guided, He will make smooth for him the path of
ease (goodness). So respond to your Lord and
utter the words of the Shahaadatayn (twin
declaration of faith), and do the acts of
worship prescribed in Islam. Remember that there
is nothing to be gained by waiting any longer,
because you do not know when your appointed time
(of death) will come. Perhaps you know that
delaying entering Islam will cause you to lose a
lot of reward which you would have gained if you
had done it sooner. The reward for every prayer,
act of charity, fast, remembrance of Allaah
(dhikr), upholding of family ties, reading
Qur'aan etc., will be lost for as long as you
delay. So go ahead and do not hesitate; be
decisive and do not put if off. You should not
think it is too great a step to change your
religion, or be too concerned about the
objections of family members. Whoever knows the
truth will make sacrifices for its sake and will
be patient in following it. We wish you
strength, guidance and patience in following the
truth. Peace be upon those who follow true
guidance. .
Islam Q&A Sheikh Muhammed Salih
Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com)
11934: His Muslim wife's
relatives are kaafirs who mistreat her
Question:
Me and my wife are in a delemma about our
relatives. We both are the only muslims in among
our families.
I'm in very close family they
are there when you need help they're very
supportive of me. My wife family isn't close to
her at all nor are they close to our kids.My
wife brothers talks to her as she are garbage,
they cheat her out of her money by telling her
lies of deciet, they drink, and commit adultery,
and her sisters on the other hand threaten her a
lot by calling "DCFS," they call her liers about
everything, they disregard everything she say,
and they have gatherings and she's not invited,
and they all hate Islam and talks negative about
it.Where do draw the line and say enough is
enough. I know Islam teaches us to be kind to
our family members but how do you deal with
family that don't respect you and criticize you
all the time. My wife get angry at me when I
tell her about them, even though she knows how
they are. What makes me very angry is that my
wife brothers say things to her and she makes
excuses for them about why they treat her this
way that if I were to say similar she would blow
the roof off the house,and if I asked them why
they talk to her that way she would accuse me of
making fitna. How do I deal with matter or how
should she deal with matter. please advise
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
Praise Allaah that your family is
closely-knit and that you do not suffer the
things that your wife suffers from her family.
Appreciating this blessing fully will make you
give thanks to your Lord and feel compassion for
your wife because of the state of affairs with
her family. This will motivate you to console
her and stand beside her to ward off
mistreatment from her, and boost her morale when
she is faced with these attacks. Our advice to
your wife is to bear her family's mistreatment
with patience and to strive to call the
individuals in her family who are less evil and
more open to accepting the truth. Then if her
kaafir family are causing her trouble, she can
mix with them less, and make her visits to them
brief and for a purpose. No Muslim is obliged to
mix with kaafir relatives if he cannot bear
their mistreatment, but he should strive to bear
their mistreatment with patience and call them
to Islam.
Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid
(www.islam-qa.com)
12215: She is in a
relationship with a Christian man and she wants
him to become Muslim so she can marry him
Question:
Do you have any way, how to make someone
concious about religion.i have problems that i
can't figure out my self.
I have woman to man relationship ( now almost
take three years ), this friend of mine is a
christiant,we are planning to get married but i
want him to be a moslem .
Pushing is not my
intend,i want him to become a moslem sincerelly,
i know hidayah is only from allah but we human
must try the best...i'm not going to marry him
if he is not a moslem...in the same time i want
him to be my husband ...help me
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
There are many ways of creating interest in
Islam, such as reading the seerah (biography) of
the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him), or reading about the miracles of the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him), or about his prevailing victories and the
defeat of his enemies. One may also look at the
beauties of Islam, or explain that the sharee'ah
of Islam includes everything that is good, and
that sharee'ah does not enjoin anything except
that which is in accordance with reason and
common sense, and it does not forbid anything
without explaining what is wrong with it and
putting people off it. For this reason people,
Arabs and others, entered Islam voluntarily,
without being forced. We advise this woman to
put an end to her relationship with this
Christian man which has lasted for so long and
he is still persisting in his kufr. If he
chooses Islam of his own free will, then he must
be tested after that to be certain that he is
sincere. He must also be told that if he goes
back to Christianity after becoming Muslim, he
is to be killed. (Because the punishment for
apostasy in Islam is death. Whoever recognizes
the true religion and enters it then leaves it,
does not deserve to live. Hence the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said, "Whoever changes his religion, kill him."
This is what is to be applied if he is living in
a country which is ruled by sharee'ah. The point
is that this person should be informed of the
seriousness of the matter. And Allaah is the
source of strength.)
Shaykh Ibn Jibreen (www.islam-qa.com)
11936: It is not essential
to have witnesses in order to enter Islam
Question:
My question is one concerning, when a non
muslim wants to accept the Shahadah. Do
witnesses need to be present? I remember a
hadith mentioning a man who killed 99 ppl and
was sent to heaven b/c of his intentions of
coming towards islam?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
It is not essential for the one who wants to
utter the twin testimony of faith
(al-shahaadatayn) to have witnesses present. He
may simply utter the words with his tongue, and
that is sufficient for him to enter Islam.
Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid
(www.islam-qa.com)
7453: He became Muslim and
he has musical instruments _ what should he do
with them?
Question:
I reverted to Islam in September 99,
Alhamdoulillah. I was a guitar player. I would
like to know if it is possible for me to sell my
guitars? And what about equipment such as
microphones, mixers, computers… that actually
can be used for other purposes than making
music, can I sell these? If I can not sell
anything, what shall I do with them?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
We put this question to Shaykh `Abd-Allaah
ibn `Abd al-Rahmaan ibn Jibreen (may Allaah
preserve him), who answered as follows:
If they cannot be used for any permissible
purpose _ and these things can only be used for
haraam purposes in most cases _ then he has to
destroy them. Whoever fears Allaah and does his
duty towards Him, Allaah will show him a way out
and grant him provision from sources he could
never imagine.
For information on the rulings on music,
please see question 5011 And Allaah knows
best.
Shaykh `Abd-Allaah ibn `Abd al-Rahmaan ibn
Jibreen (www.islam-qa.com)
11232: Giving a lecture
about Islam in a church
Question:
Someone has been invited to give a lecture
about Islam in a church. Should he accept?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
We put this question to Shaykh Muhammad ibn
Saalih al-`Uthaymeen, may Allaah preserve him,
who answered as follows:
This matter needs further examination,
because the place is not appropriate, except in
the unlikely event that it might be said that
the Muslims are so powerful that they can
proclaim their religion in the places of worship
of the Christians. If this is the case, then it
is good. But I am worried that it may be the
opposite, i.e., that the Muslims are compelled
to speak of their religion in the church. Hence
I think that he should not do that, in order to
avoid falling into this category (of being
weak). And Allaah knows best.
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-`Uthaymeen
(www.islam-qa.com)
4036: She wants to embrace
Islam but does not want to leave her kaafir
husband
Question:
In the Islamic centres and when calling
non-Muslim women to Islam, we are faced with the
problem of the wife's attachment to her kaafir
husband who does not want to become Muslim. It
is difficult for the woman to sacrifice her
marriage, especially when the couple has
children and the husband treats her well and she
feels a great deal of love for him. We know that
if a kaafir woman becomes Muslim it is not
permissible for her to remain in a marriage with
a kaafir man, because Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning): "… they are not
lawful (wives) for the disbelievers nor are the
disbelievers lawful (husbands) for them…"
[al-Mumtahinah 60:10]. How should we deal with
this problem? Is it permissible for us to focus
on the issue of the woman becoming Muslim and
ignore the rest of the matter?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
We put this question to Shaykh Muhammad ibn
Saalih al-`Uthaymeen:
A woman says, I want to become Muslim, and my
husband is good and I do not want to leave him.
What should I do?
He answered:
"She has to leave him, but is it possible for
her to call him to Islam? She could say, `I want
to become Muslim, but if I become Muslim, the
marriage will become null and void unless you
become Muslim too.' Hopefully if she says this
to him, he will become Muslim too.'"
Question:
If she become Muslim, can she stay in the
marital home while she calls him to Islam, or
should she leave?
Answer:
"If she is hopeful that he will become
Muslim, she can stay in the marital home until
the end of her `iddah (waiting period following
the dissolution of a marriage)."
Question:
Can she uncover herself (go without hijab)
during the `iddah or not?
Answer:
"To be on the safe side, she should not
uncover, because there is no certainty that he
will agree to become Muslim."
Question:
And she should not be alone with him?
Answer:
"And she should not be alone with him."
Question:
If telling her about this could turn her away
from Islam, is it permissible for us according
to sharee'ah to conceal the second part of the
answer from her, so that we could tell her,
"Become Muslim first, then we will tell you
about the ruling on staying with your husband"?
Answer:
"No, if we say this, and then we tell her
about the ruling and she leaves Islam (becomes
an apostate), this will make the problem worse.
For this reason the Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him) told `Ali ibn Abi Taalib,
when he sent him to the people of Khaybar: `Call
them to Islam and tell them what they have to do
in the way of duties towards Allaah.'"
Question:
So now if she continues to live with him
after she becomes Muslim she is guilty of a
major sin (kabeerah)?
Answer:
"Yes that is the case, but she should not
persist in zinaa (unlawful sexual
relationship)."
Question:
Briefly, how should we answer her?
Answer:
"Tell her: Become Muslim, and know that if
you become Muslim and your husband does not, the
marriage will become null and void."
When we are talking to women who will be
faced with this issue, we should focus on the
following points:
Giving priority to love for Allaah and His
Messenger over love for anyone else.
If she is sincere in calling him to Islam and
in praying for him, Allaah may guide him at her
hands.
- Whoever gives up something for the sake of
Allaah, Allaah will compensate him or her with
something better.
Allaah will never forsake His slave who gives
up something he or she loves for His sake.
When a woman like this becomes Muslim and
leaves her husband, one of the Muslim brothers
should come forward to marry her and take her
children into his family, or good-hearted
Muslims should undertake the responsibility of
spending in charity on her and her children. We
ask Allaah to guide us and grant us strength and
help us to do the right thing. May Allaah bless
our Prophet Muhammad.
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-`Uthaymeen
(www.islam-qa.com)
8593: If he announces his
Islam they will not give him a job; can he
conceal his faith?
Question:
I embraced Islam about half a year ago. I'm
very happy with all the changes in my life, that
occured after having reverted, but I haven't
been "registered" yet officially as a muslim. As
I want to be a teacher on day, there is a big
problem I face: Germany is not very tolerant
towards muslim teachers, thus, it is very
unlikely for me to get a job one day. I want to
ask you now, if it is possible to hide my muslim
faith, until I have my job? Can I practice it in
private without telling it any governmental
authorities?
Answer:
We put this question to Shaykh Muhammad ibn
Saalih al-`Uthaymeen, may Allaah preserve him,
who answered as follows:
He does not have to tell them about his being
Muslim, and there is nothing wrong with him
concealing his religion if he is afraid for
himself.
And Allaah knows best.
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-`Uthaymeen
(www.islam-qa.com)
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Introduction