14. Belief

God says

This divine writ – let there be no doubt about it – is [meant to be] a guidance for all the God-conscious, who believe in [the existence of] that which is beyond the reach of human perception, and are constant in prayer, and spend on others out of what We provide for them as sustenance, and who believe in that which has been bestowed on high upon thee, (O Prophet), as well as in that which was bestowed before thy time : for it is they who in their innermost are certain of the life to come! It is they who follow the guidance [which comes] from their Sustainer; and it is they, they who shall attain to a happy state! Q2: 2-5
(The conventional translation of muttaqi as “God-fearing” does not adequately render the positive content of this expression – namely, the awareness of His all-presence and the desire to mould one’s existence in the light of this awareness; while the interpretation adopted by some translators, “one who guards himself against evil” or “one who is careful of his duty”, does not give more than one particular aspect of the concept of God-consciousness.)

In the very first chapter of the Qur’an, Fatiha, God is requested to provide guidance. Immediately comes the answer in second chapter, after alphabets Alif. Lam. Mim,. that the God-conscious can surely receive it from the Qur’an. Hence, for God’s representatives this is the key to success. It will be very helpful if you remember the verses 2-5 above because reference to the key factor, Belief, as well as to God-consciousness is made in the Qur’an again and again.

Verily, the Last Hour is sure to come: of this there is no doubt; yet most people will not believe it. Q.40: 59
(Due to their “overweening conceit” which makes many agnostic think that man is “self-sufficient” and that, therefore, there are no limits to what he may yet achieve, and no need to assume that he is responsible to a higher Power. Whereas belief in God and accountability to Him form vital part of faith, and lack of it leads one astray).



Prophet said

1. “None of you (truly) believes until his inclination is in accordance to what I have brought” – H: Kitab al-Hujja. N: Muhammad Abdullah.

2. “Nobody (truly) believes till he wishes for his brother (Muslim) what he wishes for himself’ – H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Anas.

3. “He has tasted the sweetness of faith, he who is pleased with God as Sustainer (Rabb), with Islam as religion and Muhammad as the Apostle” --H: Muslim. N: Abbas bin Abdul Muttalib.

4. “God said: ‘Man slanders Me by cursing al Dahr (Time). For I am Time. I make night succeed the day and day succeed the night’ “ – H. Qudsi in the Sahih, narrated by Abu Hurairah.

13. Islam: Confession And Faith

God said

True piety does not consist in turning your faces [in prayer] towards the east or the west but truly pious is he who believes in God, and the Last Day, and the angels, and the revelation, and prophets; and spends his substance- however much he himself may cherish it- upon his near of kin, and the orphans, and the needy, and the wayfarer, and the beggars, and for the freeing of human beings from bondage; and is constant in prayer, and renders zakat; and (truly pious are) they who keep their promises whenever they promise, and are patient in misfortune and hardship and in time of peril: it is they that have proved themselves true, and it is they, they who are conscious of God. Q 2: 177

(Thus, the Qur’an stresses the principle that mere compliance with outward forms does not fulfill the requirements of piety.)


The bedouin say: ”We have attained to faith. ”Say [unto them O Muhammad]: “you have not (yet) attained the faith; you should [rather] say ‘we have [outwardly] surrendered’ – for [true] faith has not yet entered your hearts. But if you [truly] pay heed unto God and His Apostle, He will not let the least of your deeds go to waste: for, behold, God is much-forgiving, most gracious!” Q.49:14

(The above verse connects with the preceding condemnation of all tribal preferences and prejudices, and with the call for their abandonment as a prerequisite of true faith. Primarily, it relates to the bedouin contemporaries of the Prophet, but its import is general and timeless.)

Behold, as for those who say, “Our Sustainer is God, “ and then steadfastly pursue the right way – upon them do angels often descend, [saying:] “Fear not and grieve not, but receive the glad tiding of that paradise which has been promised to you! We are close unto you in the life of this world and [will be so] in the life to come; and in that [life to come] you shall have all that your souls may desire, and in it you shall have all that you ever prayed for, as a ready welcome from Him who is much-forgiving, most gracious!” Q.41: 30 - 32



Prophet said

1. “O congregation! Whoever [of you] has accepted Islam has accepted by his tongue. It has not yet rooted in his heart” – H: Tirmizi. N: Ibn-e-Omar.

2. “A Muslim is he from whose tongue and hands other Muslims are safe, and a Believer is he in whom mankind has an asylum for their lives and property.” – H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Abdullah-b-Amr.
“Muslims and also the non-Muslims”. This can be seen in the verses from the Qur’an and the Traditions in topic 24: “Duty Towards Everyone.” As the environment in which Muslims stayed their interaction was generally with other Muslims, hence the reference to Muslims in the Tradition.

3. “…Islam is to testify that there is no deity but God and that Muhammad is the Messenger of God, to perform the prayers, to pay Zakat (the compulsory benefit tax); to hold fasts in Ramadan, to perform pilgrimage to the House (for Hajj), provided you have the means…. -- Part of a long Tradition quoted by Muslim on the authority of Umar bin Khattab.

12. Islam: The Religion Of The Prophets

God said

All mankind were once one single community; [then they began to differ –] whereupon God raised up the prophets as heralds of glad tidings and as warners, and through them bestowed revelation from on high, setting forth the truth, so that it might decide between people with regard all on which they had come to hold divergent views. Yet none other than these selfsame people who had been granted this [revelation] began, out of mutual jealously, to disagree about its meaning after all evidence of truth had come unto them…. Q.2: 213

Abraham was neither a “Jew” nor a “Christian”, but one who turned away from all that is false, having surrendered himself to God; and he was not of those who ascribe divinity to aught beside Him. Q3: 67

C.f 3: 19 – “Behold, the only [true] religion in the sight of God is man’s self-surrender unto Him ; .…

And indeed with every community have We raised up an apostle [entrusted with this message]: “Worship God and shun the powers of evil!”…. Q16: 36

It must be borne in mind that in Quranic terminology, “worship of God” invariably implies the concept of man’s sense of responsibility before Him: hence, the above commandment comprises in the most conscious formation imaginable, the sum-total of all ethical injunctions and prohibitions, and is the basis and source of all morality as well as the one unchanging message inherited in every true religion.

“Verily, [O you who believe in Me,] this community of yours is one single community, since I am the Sustainer of you all: worship, then, Me [alone]!”--Q 21:92

Most of the great commentators {e.g., Zamakhshari, Razi, Ibn Kasir} understood this as an unequivocal reference to the ecumenical unity of all religions based on belief in the One God, notwithstanding all the differences with regard to “ the [specific] statutes and practices enjoined for the benefit of the various communities in accordance with their [time-bound] conditions.

Prophet said

In a long Tradition, Bukhari and Muslim have quoted the Prophet on the authority of Abu Hurairah that all the prophets (of God) were brothers and their religion was one and the same.
C.f. Q 42 : 13 - In the matters of faith, He has ordained for you that which He had enjoined upon Noah – and into which We gave thee [O, Muhammad] insight through revelation – as well as that which We had enjoined upon Abraham, and Moses and Jesus: Steadfastly uphold the [true] faith, and do not break up your unity therein….

11. Motive

God said

... whether you bring into the open what is in your minds or conceal it, God will call you to account for it….Q.2: 284

Say [O Muhammad] : “Shall we tell you who are the greatest losers in whatever they do? (It is) they whose labour has gone astray in (the pursuit of no more than) this world’s life, and who none the less think that they are doing good works: it is they who have chosen to deny their Sustainer’s messages and the truth that they are destined to meet Him.” Hence, all their [good deeds] come to naught, and no weight shall We assign to them on Resurrection Day. Q.18: 103-105

Surely, we do not want to be caught among the greatest losers. Let us reexamine our motives, deeds and our faith in the light of the above verse, specially : “who have chosen to deny their Sustainer’s messages and the truth that they are destined to meet Him.” Because among us are those who do not try to understand the Qura’n or do not act upon what is known to them. Let us make it our new year resolution to change that. So that we are not among those for whom the Prophet will say on the Resurrection Day (25:30) “O my Lord! Behold, (a number of) my own people have come to regard this Qur’an of no account ”

To him who desires a harvest [i.e., return of their endeavors] in the life to come, We shall grant an increase in his harvest; whereas to him who desires [but] a harvest in this world [exclusively], We [may] give something thereof, but he will have no share in [the blessings of] life to come. Q42: 20

“Niyat” or intention / motive to perform for the sake of God bears reward for all our actions – religious or temporal.



Prophet said

1. “Actions are (judged) only according to the conscious intentions (which prompted them); and unto everyone will be accounted what he consciously intended (i.e., while doing whatever he did)” – H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Omar bin Khattab.
This basic, extremely well authenticated Tradition is quoted by Bukhari in seven places, as well as by Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu Da’ud, Nasa’I, Ibn Majah, Ibn Hanbal, and several other compilations. In this connection it is to be noted that in the ethics of the Qur’an, the term “action”(‘amal) comprises also a deliberate “omission” of actions, whether good or bad, as well as a deliberate voicing of beliefs, both righteous and sinful: in short, everything that man consciously aims at and expresses by word or deed.

2. “A man whom God did not provide wealth or knowledge but whose (sincere) intention is to have done the (charitable) work of such and such (benevolent rich) had he (managed) the riches (then) rewards of both are equal.” – H: Tirmizi. N: Kabshah al-Anmariy.

3. “If two Muslims encounter with their swords (or any other weapon, and one gets
killed) then both the killer and the killed are in the Fire.” When asked why the one who is murdered, the Holy Prophet said: “Because he too was eager to kill his companion.” – H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Abu Bakrah.

4. “Whoever marries a woman for a dower with the intention of not paying it back is a fornicator; and whoever takes a loan with the intention of not returning it is a thief.” – H. Ibn Majah. N: Abu Hurairah.

10. Blessings Of The Message

God said


… a guidance unto man and a self-evident proof of that guidance, and as the standard by which to discern the true from the false. …. Q.2: 185 { C.f., Behold, this (Qur’an) is indeed a word that cuts between truth and falsehood, … Q.86:13 }

… follow it, then, and be conscious of God, that you might be graced with mercy. Q.6: 156

…. (This is ) a Scripture which We have revealed unto you (Muhammad) that thereby you may bring forth mankind from darkness unto light … Q.14: 1

[O men!] We have revealed for you a book which contains all that you ought to bear in mind: will you not, then, use your reason? Q.21: 10
Hence, the phrase contains, apart from the concept of a “reminder”, an indirect allusion to the dignity and happiness to which man may attain by following the spiritual and social precepts laid down in the Qur’an.

Had We caused this Qur’an to descend upon a mountain thou would indeed see it humbling itself, breaking asunder for awe of God…And [all] such parables We propound unto men (and women) so that they might [learn to] think. Q.59: 21
i.e. in contrast with those who, by remaning oblivious of God and all moral imperatives, are spiritually more dead than inert mountain.



Prophet said

1. “Peace of mind descends on people who recite the Qur’an in company. These people are encompassed by the mercy of God; are surrounded by angels of compassion and are mentioned favourably by God in the gathering of angels.” -- H: Muslim. N: Abu Hurairah.
2. “Be particular about the recitation of the Qur’an. It is light in this world and storehouse of reward in the hereafter” – H. “Blessings of the Holy Qur’an”. N: Abu Zarr.
3. “(Do) read the Qur’an because it will be an intercessor on the Resurrection Day for its readers” – H: Muslim. N: Abu Hurairah.
4. “The best among you is one who has learnt the Qur’an and then teaches it” – H: Bukhari. N: Usman-b-Affan.
Quite obviously, one should learn to read the word of God correctly, learn the meanings with the help of explanations, and read from beginning to the end, as you would to study any valuable work in a language that you did not know. You being the representative of God, surely you know the stakes are much greater in case of neglecting God’s guidance on this planet!!

Eid Mubarak!

09. The Message Of God

God said

And unto thee [O Prophet] have We sent this Scripture, setting forth the truth, confirming the truth of whatever there still remains of earlier revelations and determining what is true therein…. Q.5: 48

For, indeed, many facets have We given in this Qur'an to every kind of lesson (designed) for (the benefit of) mankind! Q.17: 89

This [message] is not less than a reminder to all mankind -- to every one of you who wills to walk a straight way. Q.81: 27,28

The universality of the Qur'anic revelation arises from three factors: firstly, its appeal to all mankind irrespective of descent, race or cultural environment; secondly, the fact that it appeals exclusively to man's reason and, hence, does not postulate any dogma that could be accepted on the basis of blind faith alone; and, finally, the fact that – contrary to all other sacred scriptures known to history – the Qur'an has remained entirely unchanged in its wording ever since its revelation fourteen centuries ago and will, because it is so widely recorded, forever remain so in accordance with the divine promise, "It is We who shall truly guard it [from all corruption]" (15:9). It is by virtue of these three factors that the Qur'an represents the final stage of all divine revelation, and that the Prophet through whom it has been conveyed to mankind is stated to have been the last (in Qur'anic terminology, "the seal") of all prophets (33:40).

Wherein there are ordinances of ever-true soundness and clarity. Q.98: 3


Prophet said

1 . "Nothing can take you nearer to God than the recitation of the holy Qur'an which is the word of God Himself" – H: Abu Daud. N: Abu Zarr .
2 . "He is not of us who does not chant the Qur'an "– H: Bukhari. N: Abu Huarirah .
3. "The Word of God has superiority over all other expressions in the same way as the superiority of God is over His creations" – H: Tirmizi and Baihaqi. N: Abu Saeed.

Qur'an has three rights on us: to read, to try to understand it (that is why where necessary, explanations are being provided), and to act upon it. (Reading of every letter of the Arabic text is highly rewarding, being the word of God. It needs will and a little effort to learn to read the Qur'an correctly and earn much needed reward)

08. Mission Of The Messenger

God said

Even as We have sent unto you an apostle from among yourselves to convey unto you Our messages, and to cause you to grow in purity, and to impart unto you revelation and wisdom, and to teach you that which you knew not : so remember Me, and I shall remember you; and be grateful unto Me, and deny Me not. Q.2 : 151,152

O Prophet – behold, We have sent you as a witness [to the truth] and as a herald of glad tidings and a warner [against sin], and as one who summons [all people] to God by his leave, and as a light giving beacon. Q.33 : 45,46

He it is who has sent forth His Apostle with (the task of) spreading guidance and the religion of truth, to the end that He makes it prevail over all [false] religion, however hateful this may be to all who deny the truth. Q.61: 9 (Not over all religions, in the plural. There is really only one true religion to all : submission to the Will of God, preached by all the prophets.)

"Mission of the world-Prophet ran parallel to the revelation for over 22 years. He invited paupers and kings to the Word of God, detailing, demonstrating, inspiring, training, transforming men and women to take Islam across the world after him – undergoing sometime most severe hardships, defending against those who tried to eliminate the Faith and the faithful. The mission was successfully completed as confirmed by verse 5:3. It was revealed during the historic sermon at ‘Arafat, in the afternoon of Friday, the 9th of Dhu‘l-Hijjah, 10 H., eighty-one or eighty-two days before the Prophet passed away. Chronologically, no legal injunction was revealed after this verse."


Prophet said

1. : “God has sent me to accomplish virtues and to perfect the conduct”
-- H: : Sharah-i-sunnah. N: Jabir.
2. “God has sent me not to be harsh nor to make things difficult. He has sent me as a teacher (for the world), one who would bring ease.”
-- H: Muslim. N: Jabir.