history against the reality of religion. They maintain that it was the particular historical Spirit of Islam Issue 27 March 2015 9 circumstances in which man found himself which gave birth to religious concepts

carry the burden of religion created supernatural powers. From diffuse magic manna to 10 Spirit of Islam Issue 27 March 2015 personal spirits; from spirits to gods; from gods to God—so crudely speaking,

which is a revelation of reality is an ideal in itself, and its history with all its 12 Spirit of Islam Issue 27 March 2015 manifestations has to be studied in this light. On the other hand, that which

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 tidings to mankind, along with divine admonition

intellectual level. Translated from Arabic and commentary by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan Believers, spend out of what We have given you, before the Day comes when there will be neither trading, friendship nor intercession

way of establishing peace is to revive the spirit of religion. The ideology of Islam is a peaceful one in the full sense. Islam embraces the whole of humanity. It does not believe in the ‘We’ and ‘They’ concept

Prophet of Islam said that all human beings are God’s family. All human beings are blood brothers and blood sisters. Therefore, they have to live in this world as a universal family. Islam teaches us

principle of Islam in this regard is to follow one and respect all. There are many religions in this world, and they have many things in common. While there are also many differences, Islam teaches us to

THE EDITORIAL DIRECTORDr. Farida Khanam has been a professor at the Department of Islamic Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi. A Study of World's Major Religions, A Simple Guide to Sufism are two

two of the books amongst others, of which she is the author. She has also translated many books on Islam authored by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan. Currently, the chairperson of Centre for Peace and Spirituality

series of courses on peace-building, countering extremism and conflict resolution. WOMANHOOD IN ISLAM O MANKIND, fear your Lord, who created you from a single soul. He created its mate from it and from

THE BOSS AT HOMEStatus of Woman in Islam ON a journey to the USA, I learnt of an American lady who, after embracing Islam, got married to a Pakistani Muslim, one Naseer Ahmad Mirza. Her present name is

become a means of conveying the message of Islam. When the newspapers ask them about Islam, they defend their newly acquired faith excellently, as quoted above. Islam does not degrade the status of women as

system of separate workplaces has been established. Islam has divided the affairs of life into two fields, one outdoor and the other indoor. According to Islam, man is in charge of the outdoor departments of

so one-sided that many Muslims considered it a humiliation; but, in reality, it paved the way for what the Quran called a “clear victory.”24 This treaty put an end to the atmosphere of confrontation, which

the faith. After this treaty, and the conciliatory effect it had on non- Muslims, the message of Islam spread rapidly throughout Arabia. In just two years, the number of Muslims increased tenfold. There

Makkah could ever be conquered by force of arms, yet it succumbed two years later to the force of Islamic teachings. One important aspect of the Prophet’s method was compassion towards his foes, even when

Prophets, before or after him. The expansion of Islam is the most miraculous of all miracles. (Historical Role of Islam, p.4)Seeing an Advantage Amidst DisadvantagesAfter attaining to prophethood, Prophet

deprived him of tribal protection, and resolved to kill the Prophet himself, in order to wipe out Islam forever etc. In those days the circumstances appeared to be extremely disadvantageous. It was a tribal

swallow up all other towns, people call it Yathrib, but it is Madinah.” (Muwatta Imam Malik, 641). What in essence he was saying was that God had decreed that he leave Makkah for another town, a town which

inhabitants entered the fold of Islam, and moreover, the Muslims scattered outside the periphery began to settle within the town. In this way, Madinah became a powerful centre of Islam. Within the space of a few

whole of Arabia entered the fold of Islam. Given the distressing nature of the circumstances in Makkah, it took great insight on the part of the Prophet to see what the future held for him in Madinah,

Islam is a religion of humanity. Islam considers serving others as a great act of worship. According to the teachings of Islam, it is only in serving people that we shall have a share in God’s mercy.JULY

and discover these hidden realities and then lead his life in complete accordance with them. Now what is required of man is to give all greatness to God, in spite of the fact that God’s greatness is not

enjoined to fast during the month of Ramadan, fasting being one of the five pillars of the religion of Islam. The translation of the relevant verse is as follows: Believers, fasting has been prescribed for you

as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard yourselves against evil. (2:183) What is meant by fasting? In this context, it is to abstain from eating and drinking for one whole month

Throughout this month, believers can eat and drink during the night, but not in the daytime. According to Islamic teaching, fasting is not simply about experiencing hunger and thirst. In fact, hunger and thirst