asked indignantly. The Prophet said that he did not. When he returned to the Quraysh, they asked him what had happened, “I said whatever you would have wanted me to say,” replied ‘Utbah. They asked whether

that which had overtaken Thamud and Ad. “What has become of you?” the Quraysh asked. “How is it that a person speaks to you in Arabic, and you do not understand what he says?” “Really, I didn’t understand

people were only familiar with religion in a particular, conventional form. To them, the message of Islam just appeared to be an indictment of their elders. Damad once came to Makkah to perform ‘Umrah. He

he bestows upon the world a real-life treasure. The very great importance attached to learning in Islam is illustrated by an event in the life of the Prophet. At the battle of Badr, in which the Prophet

history of Islam, established by the Prophet himself. It was of no matter to him that all its teachers were non-Muslims, all were prisoners of war, and all were likely to create problems again for Islam and Muslims

released. This Sunnah of the Prophet showed that whatever the risk involved, education was paramount. Islam not only stresses the importance of learning but demonstrates how all the factors necessary to progress

Here it is necessary to add that Islam and Muslims are not the same thing. Islam is the name of an ideology, while Muslims are a group that claims to have adopted Islam as its religion. Hence, the behaviour

behaviour of Muslims should be gauged according to Islamic teachings, rather than that their behaviour being considered representative of Islam. If a Muslim or group of Muslims engages in violence, it is

claim to follow Islam, they have not accepted it from their hearts (49:14). Some people complain that by equating Islam with terrorism, large sections of the media want to give Islam a bad name. But here

RESPECT FOR HUMANITY IN ISLAMRespect as a Birth Right We have indeed honoured the Children of Adam, and provided for them means of transportation on land and sea, and given them wholesome food and exalted

has an inner urge to love God’s servants. Respect for mankind is one of the basic teachings of Islam. Everyone whether of one’s own religion or of any other religious tradition, whether belonging to

to a friendly group or a group of strangers, is worthy of respect. According to the teachings of Islam human beings are to be respected despite their differences. Even where antagonism is displayed, we

way the wealthy are reminded of what is due from them to those who are less well-favoured in life or who are totally destitute. Zakat is an important part of the Islamic code of ethics. On the one hand

way the wealthy are reminded of what is due from them to those who are less well-favoured in life or who are totally destitute. Zakat is an important part of the Islamic code of ethics. On the one hand

much of the world was and still is, faced with an ideological vacuum. This vacuum can be filled by Islam alone. In the present world the developed countries have become economic or military superpowers,

ideological superpower, and that, potentially belongs to Islam. There is only one obstacle in converting a great potential into a reality in favour of Islam. And that is the repeated recourse to violence by

times. Such action has presented Islam before the world in the guise of a violent religion. For this reason, the man of today shies away from Islam. He fails to study Islam objectively. If this barrier could

CHAPTER NINE Anti-Islam in the Name of IslamSome time ago, I met a Muslim who lives in America. In the course of our conversation, he mentioned that these days the image of Islam has become so negative

I believe in Islam, they will at once say, “Then you must be a terrorist!”’ The man accused the media of manufacturing this image of Islam. But I replied, ‘No. Rather, this image of Islam has been created

violent movements in the name of Islam, which the media reports. Because Muslims spearhead these violent movements in the name of Islam, the media also attributes them to Islam. When Muslims themselves are

Wahiduddin Khan, born in 1925, in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, is an Islamic spiritual scholar who is well-versed in both classical Islamic learning and modern disciplines. The mission of his life has been

Sayyidina Imam Al Hassan Peace award for promoting peace in Muslim societies. He has been called ’Islam’s spiritual ambassador to the world’ and is recognized as one of its most influential Muslims1 . His

be anti-Muslim in nature. This reaction by the Muslims however, is wholly against the teachings of Islam: if you were to ask any Muslim why he was against Donald Trump he would refer to his election speeches

is the book of God. It has been preserved in its entirety since its revelation to the Prophet of Islam between AD 610 and 632. It is a book that brings glad tidings to humankind, along with divine admonition

by individuals, on behalf of God, and they are, therefore, rewarded for it by God in the Hereafter. What is the meaning of helping God or being the helpers of God in this verse? It means giving oneself wholeheartedly

followers to carry out this mission from one generation to the next and, in presenting the message of Islam to people of every age and time, bring people closer to God. This issue can be further explained by