rights, Islam set up an important precedent which had as far-reaching an effect on the civilization of the times as western civilization has had on the world of today. If Islam was able to accomplish such

virtues of Islam often repeat the dictum that Islam has relegated women to an inferior status. But to say that Islam gives women a share in property and then to say at the same time that Islam has degraded

Entitling women to have a share in property, contrary to the custom of the time, is a clear proof that Islam had no desire to degrade them. Had this been so, the first demonstration of this desire would have

the image of Islam to such an extent that, today, Islam and violence have become synonymous. A state of affairs has developed in which Muslims have come to believe that the cause of Islam can be served

peaceful Islam. Such a mission involves the risk of being discredited among one’s own co-religionists. In consequence, the call, goes unheeded. The Veil of Interpretation One reason for original Islam becoming

the original Islam was completely obscured from view. The wrong, man-made interpretations took the place of revealed guidance. In later times, people mistakenly took them to be the real Islam.

distinguish Islam from the deeds of Muslims, just as the ideology of democracy is studied by distinguishing it from the acts of democratic countries. The aim of this book is to present Islam as it is enshrined

information about Islam is the Qur’an. The Qur’an, according to Muslim belief, was revealed by God to the Arabian Prophet Muhammad, may peace be upon him. The second source of knowledge about Islam is the sunnah

enjoys the status of source of Islam. However, this book does not claim to be a comprehensive introduction to Islam. That is something which can be had only by studying Islam directly through its basic scriptures

INTERPRET ISLAM IN ANY WAY WE PREFER? HOW OPEN TO INTERPRETATION IS ISLAM?One is to change the accepted norm of religion which have been established by the Quran and the Hadith. For example, if Islam is a

principles of Islam. For instance, there are five pillars of Islam: namaz (prayer), sawm (fasting), Hajj (annual pilgrimage), zakat (obligatory almsgiving) and shahada (belief in the Islamic creed that there

the messenger of God). There cannot be any changes in these basic principles. The other aspect of Islam is where there is possibility of interpretation, for example, the Quran says about those who come

INTERPRET ISLAM IN ANY WAY WE PREFER? HOW OPEN TO INTERPRETATION IS ISLAM?One is to change the accepted norm of religion which have been established by the Quran and the Hadith. For example, if Islam is a

principles of Islam. For instance, there are five pillars of Islam: namaz (prayer), sawm (fasting), Hajj (annual pilgrimage), zakat (obligatory almsgiving) and shahada (belief in the Islamic creed that there

the messenger of God). There cannot be any changes in these basic principles. The other aspect of Islam is where there is possibility of interpretation, for example, the Quran says about those who come

means doing what is wanted and refraining from all such deeds as are undesirable. The month of Ramadan begins from the sighting of the moon. It is reported that when the Prophet of Islam saw the new moon

to meet his Maker. Islam has given us a number of prayers amongst its others teachings. Many of these prayers have been recorded in the books of Hadith. These prayers tell us what kind of words of invocation

mutual trust and promote positive values. The Prophet of Islam once observed: “Very soon the rulers will become corrupt.” The people asked what should be done at that time. The Prophet replied: “Give them

others he should also give benefit to others. Through the events of nature, God shows symbolically what principles he has fixed for success and failure in life. One principle is that in this world only

other doors still open, by entering which one can continue on one’s life’s journey. The Prophet of Islam once observed: “Hope is a blessing from God for my people. If there were no hope, no one would plant

difficulty in establishing exactly what he said and did in his life. The Prophet warned us that we are confronted with a reality which we can never change; we have no choice but to face it. Death and suicide

earthquake of the Last day occurs there will be no path to safety save that which the Prophet of Islam has laid down. We ignore that path at our own peril.