clothes sweep the ground. Abu Bakr said, ‘The cloth which I have worn around my waist trails no matter what I do. ‘ To this the Prophet said, ‘You are not one of those who do it out of arrogance.’ HADITH OF

knowledge that he is a tyrant, in order to strengthen him, is such as has already left the fold of Islam. HADITH OF AL-BAYHAQI ON THE AUTHORITY OF AUS IBN SHURAHABIL.

to live a productive and uplifting life. To aid me on this journey, I read the magazine Spirit of Islam (SOI) three times daily. SOI has been the source of my spiritual nourishment. Every day, this world

natural as well as man-made calamities. Human reason sans divine guidance is prone to misjudgement. What a relief it is to find practical solutions for not only mundane affairs but also lofty questions of

tempted, like David Crystal, to suggest to all our readers to read it daily. With this issue, Spirit of Islam enters the 10th year of its publication. This is a humbling occasion. It is special succour of God

other qualities of Islam, one is man’s renunciation of disadvantageous activities.” Wisdom and Islam both demand that action be invariably result-oriented. One must think only of what is beneficial; speak

speak only of what is well-meaning; do only what will yield positive results; and strive only to bring about a better future. (3.SS/9.95)

2. Islam (Surrender to God)Islam means to submit or to surrender with a full realization of God. Man abandons his ego, his freedom, and surrenders himself before God completely. In all matters of life

to lead a restrained life instead of a permissive one. This is what is called Islam.3. Dhikr (Remembrance)Dhikr means to remember—in Islamic terminology it means to remember God. When man discovers God,

with all His attributes.4. Salat (Prayer)Salat means prayer. It forms the most important part of Islamic worship. It is obligatory for a Muslim to offer prayer five times a day. Besides this, Nafil (voluntary

Fundamental to the religious structure of Islam is the concept of tawhid, or monotheism. As the seed is to tree, so is tawhid to Islam. For monotheism in Islam does not mean simply belief in one God, but

Fundamental to the religious structure of Islam is the concept of tawhid, or monotheism. As the seed is to tree, so is tawhid to Islam. For monotheism in Islam does not mean simply belief in one God, but

Islam among the Banu Abd al-Ashhal. The following is part of what he said to them: “If anyone, young or old, male or female, is in doubt about his religion, let him bring us better guidance so that we

we may accept it. By God, we must bow our head to what we have now received. (ABU NU‘AYM) Appreciating criticism “God bless the man who makes me a gift of my own shortcomings,” said Umar. Delivering

Christian. Shurayh then asked Ali to put forward his case. “This coat of armour is mine,” replied Ali “And what do you have to say?” asked the judge, turning to

action—small or big—is possible. GENESIS OF MUSLIM MILITANCY Result of the political interpretation of Islam MILITANCY in Muslim countries is not a simple kind of militancy. It is an ideologically justified

militancy will brush aside such condemnation by saying that it is from the enemies of Islam who do not want to see Islam gain political power. Muslim militancy can be killed only through an ideological weapon

idea that Islam is a complete system and that political power is a necessary part of it, because without it Islam cannot be implemented as a complete system of life. interpretation of Islam tried to implement

LIKE FOR OTHERS WHAT YOU LIKE FOR YOURSELFhopes of others, as would be expected from a human being, has failed to prove his humanity. Human perfection manifests itself in the total justice with which

individual being an individual of character. LIKE FOR OTHERS WHAT YOU LIKE FOR YOURSELF Social ethics demand that one should like for others what he likes for himself and disapprove of such behaviour towards

towards others as he does not like for himself. According to a hadith, the Prophet of Islam once observed: “No one can be a believer unless he

NATURAL SIMPLICITYA Simple Religion THE Prophet of Islam performed just one Hajj during the period of his prophetic mission. This Hajj of the Prophet is known as his Farewell Pilgrimage. He performed it

mentioned in the Quran. Islam is based on simple realities of life. It puts aside intellectual polemics and analogical intricacies. There is nothing artificial or forced about Islam. This apparently trivial

trivial incident contains great significance, for it shows Islam’s preference for simplicity. For the Prophet to have commenced his Sa’i from Marwah would have put people to unnecessary inconvenience. They