Islam is to bring about an intellectual revolution in their minds based on tawheed, or the oneness of God. Our actions depend on our thoughts. That is why Islam gives great stress to reforming our thought

basic aim of Islam is to bring about an intellectual revolution in their minds based on the oneness of God. In this context, it is pertinent to discuss the notion of jihad in Islam. Jihad is, in fact, another

According to a Hadith report, a mujahid, one who engages in jihad, is he who for the sake of obedience to God combats his own base self or nafs. According to another tradition, when the Prophet returned from the

THE WORD OF GODFrom The Scriptures THE Quran is the book of God. It has been preserved in its entirety since its revelation to the Prophet of Islam between 610 and 632 A.D. It is a book that brings glad

bones, and clothed the bones with flesh. Then We brought him into being as a new creation—glory be to God, the best of creators—after this you shall surely die. Then you will be raised up again on the Resurrection

modern scientific findings. This provides a clear proof of the fact that the Quran is the Book of God. Had it not been so, such similarity between the findings of modern research and the statements of

away from their direction of prayer which they used to face?’ Say, ‘The East and the West belong to God. He guides whom He pleases to the right path.’ Thus, We have made you a middle nation, so that you

their backs on him. This was indeed a hard test for all but those whom God has guided. God will never let your faith go to waste. God is compassionate and merciful to humankind.” (2: 142-143) THE qiblah

than the spirit, of worship. A qiblah is appointed so that prayer may assume an organized pattern. God can change it as He pleases, for every direction faces Him. The direction that He lays down is the

POLITICAL SOVEREIGNTYNot a True Goal POLITICAL power is not the goal of Islam. However, God does grant political power to people as a means by which human beings are tested. Just as they are tested when

granted to every nation one after another according to God’s wisdom. This passing on of power from one nation or group to another is intended so that God might observe how people conduct themselves when they

attain political power. (10: 14) This political dominance, according to the Quran, is granted only by God. He bestows it upon whoever He wishes, and withholds it from whoever He wishes. The Quran says: Say

embodiment of a spiritual personality. —Maulana Wahiduddin Khan MARIFAH, OR GOD REALIZATION MOST people talk frequently of marifah (God-realization) without having attained it. The reason is that they want marifah

to him. How does one achieve this marifah? This journey begins with the acceptance that there is a God and finishes with one discovering the true Creator. The individual must first of all become a seeker

exception. The discovery of God is not something to be inherited that a father may give to a son. It is of a personal nature. Whenever anyone attains to Godrealization, it will happen only as a result

“Fight them until there is no more fitnah (religious persecution), and religion belongs wholly to God.” (8: 39) It is not a political commandment. This verse explains the principle of Islam in one particular

their rulers.,/p> This way of making religion a matter of state was against God’s creation plan. According to God’s creation plan, the present world is a world of test and trial. Therefore, every human

256) Religious coercion, or subjugation of religion to the state, was tantamount to the negation of God’s creation plan. So that man can freely adopt any religion he wants, the Prophet and his Companions

keen awareness of the greatness of God. For them God’s law became a reality, for God elevates all those who adopt the posture of humility. From there, by the grace of God, they went on to emblazon their deeds

humility, which marked their thoughts and deeds, was produced by their keen awareness of the greatness of God. The Muslims of the present day are the successors of the Muslims of those early stages. It is unfortunate

the true spirit of their faith so that they may be brought closer to the religion based on humility. God elevates the humble: the proud and the vain are cast by Him into oblivion. Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

divided into sects, ‘each one exulting in what they have.’ (THE QURAN 30: 32) Further, in this regard, God tells us: Your religion is but one religion—and I am your only Lord, therefore, fear Me. Yet they divided

of another Quranic verse: They have taken their learned men and their monks for their lords besides God. (THE QURAN 9: 31) From these Quranic verses, it appears that the phenomenon of a religion splitting

the religion of God. When this happens, it does not mean that a religious community ceases to take the name of God and their prophet. Members of such a community continue to talk of God and their prophet

the pit God's revelation came to him that he would emerge from it to a new life. And would soon reach such heights that even his own brothers would fail to recognise him. God knew the reality. God revealed

which says, “Beware of the believer’s wisdom, for he sees things by the light of God.” This is clearly illustrated by God’s divine inspiration about Joseph’s future life. It means looking into and not at

initially appears to be the worst fate soon changes for the better. Seeing things through the light of God will give us the vision to see the advantage in an apparently disadvantageous situation. Future plans