atmosphere for success in every endeavour. Without peace, no positive action—small or big—is possible. ISLAMIC INSPIRATION FOR PEACE THE Quran instructs us to avoid the ignorant (7: 199). The opposite of avoidance

may observe and ponder over it; so that realization of its greatness may lead us to a realization of what a small part we ourselves occupy in it; so that we may be imbued with the quality of humility, which

of human beings into male and female is the result of the purposeful planning of our Creator. In Islam, a woman enjoys the same status as that of a man. But in ancient times, women had come to be considered

considered inferior and were deprived, among other things, of the right to inherit property. Islam for the first time in human history gave them their due legal rights over property. Neither did it distinguish

Quran so aptly puts it: “You are members, one of another.” (3:195) Since the earliest ideal phase of Islam, Muslim women have successfully exploited their talents towards the field of education in particular

influence of a political interpretation of Islam. The present generation of Muslims has been particularly affected by this interpretation. Agitations in the name of Islamic revolution at many places in the world

so-called politics is by no means Islamic in character. If a strong word may be used, it would be right to say that this is a brand of satanic politics in the name of Islam, the founder of which is Satan

All those who have hoisted the flag of such politics are without doubt following Satan, and not Islam. The Quran tells us that before the creation of Adam, two creatures existed—angels and jinns, whom

BELIEF IN ANGELSTrue Fulfilment Belief in Malaika or the angels is a fundamental article of faith in Islam. A Muslim should believe in the existence of angels, although they may be unseen to us in this world

the Quran as a “trustworthy spirit” (al-ruh-al-amin)—brought divine revelations to the Prophet of Islam. Most important among the angels are Jibrail, Mikail, Izrail and Israfil. Jibrail, as mentioned, is

Jibrail once appeared before a gathering of the Companions of the Prophet in order to teach them about Islam. On that occasion, he took the form of a Companion of the Prophet. Angels can take any suitable form

life; true belief entails the governance of one’s whole life by Islam; it means devoting oneself heart and soul to the worship of God. Islam should radically change a person’s life, for the believer finds

being conscious of his responsibilities to the Lord. He strictly obeys God’s commandments. True Islam makes a person live in this world as if he were standing before God and being judged. The awareness

Islam is an ideology aimed at human development, and no process of human development can endure without involving humanity at large. There are several phases in the history of Islam, which illustrate this

the journey, because this guide was known to be an honest person in his profession. He is known in Islamic history as Abdullah bin Urayqit. He was a non-Muslim and died as a nonMuslim in Makkah.

the journey, because this guide was known to be an honest person in his profession. He is known in Islamic history as Abdullah bin Urayqit. He was a non-Muslim and died as a non-Muslim in Makkah. After the

campaigns of his opponents, known in Islamic history as Ghazwa alAhzab, was so devastating that even the Quran refers to it as one of the most terrifying moments in Islamic

return to their homes. Islamic history contains many examples of the role played by non-Muslims in the development of Islam. This principle of non-Muslim involvement in Islamic development can also be

al-Bukhari, hadith no. 4581)47.DOES THE QURAN PERMIT SLAVERY?slam does not promote slavery. According to Islamic teachings, all human beings are alike. At the time of the Prophet Muhammad, in the first half of

and have regular meals for themselves. It was a social phenomenon and not something introduced by Islam. It was due to the age factor that slavery was not radically abolished, as this would have made people

people devoid of their means of livelihood. The Prophet had taken several steps to abolish slavery. Islam discourages the taking of a free person into slavery. There are several hadith in this regard, such