ASK MAULANAWhat is Zakat? Zakat, or the alms-tax, is one of the five basic tenets of Islam. Its payment is obligatory, at the rate of 2.5%, on all wealth that is subject to growth. Eight categories of

'calling to the service of God'. The true objective of Islam is preaching, not fighting. Calling people to submit themselves to God is the Islamic point of departure; war is only resorted to when the other

other party starts hostilities, and forces the preachers of Islam to take up arms to defend themselves. The Egyptian scholar, Rasheed Raza Misri, has noted in his commentary of the Quran that the words

either as individuals, or as a community. The same holds true at national and international levels. What is Peace? Scholars have defined peace thus: “Peace is the absence of war.” Peace in fact means the

peace on its own does not bring justice. That is, justice is not necessarily an element of peace. What peace does, in actual fact, is open up opportunities. It creates favourable conditions that would

Everything else comes after peace, not along with peace. The Hudaybiya Peace Treaty The Prophet of Islam provides a clear historical example in his method of negotiating of the Hudaybiya peace treaty. On

fundamentalism has two meanings. To me one meaning is right, the other meaning is wrong. One meaning of Islamic fundamentalism is to take it in the sense of sticking to the fundamentals, called ittiba‘, adhering

no reason to raise an objection. Such a person is only exercising his religious freedom. But if Islamic fundamentalism is taken in the second meaning of imposing it on others by force, for instance, if

such a case, Islamic fundamentalism will go against the spirit of Islam as well as reason. This second concept of Islamic fundamentalism has produced what is known in modern times as Islamic extremism or

SPIRITALL religions give, through rituals and ceremonies, a defi nite form to the act of worship. Islam, too, has specifi c rites but emphasises the spirit in which these are to be carried out. Form is

person forsaking food and water.” Numerous statements in the Quran and hadith make it clear that in Islam the form of ritual practices and their spirit are not equal constituents of worship. In relation to

depending upon its nature and circumstances — have an external form, but, whether ritualised or formless, what is truly important is the spirit that underlies it. Form is an external manifestation of the

range of Islamic Books in many languages. It offers innovative products for children, including Quran stories, moral stories, craft and activity books, gift packs, Islamic games, Arabic and Islamic readers

obey the command of Allah, Who had created him. So, without hesitating, he said to his father, “Do what are you commanded, father. God willing, you will find me one of the steadfast.” Ibrahim took his son

part with their precious belongings, and their wealth, and dedicate their lives, if the cause of Islam so requires. Thus the Quran says: “Truly, my prayers, my sacrifice, my life and my death all belong

SocietyWhat are the teachings of Islam on the subject of the multi-religious society? When Islam is studied with this question in mind, we find clear commandments in this regard. In chapter

address non-Muslims thus: “I do not worship what you worship, nor do you worship what I worship. I shall never worship what you worship, nor will you ever worship what I worship. You have your own religion and

whatever their elected religion, must have due reverence for the religions adhered to by others. What establishes the need for such a formula is the edifice of religion being founded on the total conviction

SocietyWhat are the teachings of Islam on the subject of the multi-religious society? When Islam is studied with this question in mind, we find clear commandments in this regard. In chapter 109

address non-Muslims thus: “I do not worship what you worship, nor do you worship what I worship. I shall never worship what you worship, nor will you ever worship what I worship. You have your own religion and

whatever their elected religion, must have due reverence for the religions adhered to by others. What establishes the need for such a formula is the edifice of religion being founded on the total conviction

Khanam is an author, editor, translator, public speaker and former professor of Islamic Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. Among her books are ‘A Simple Guide to Sufism’ and ‘A Study of World’s

is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. SUSTAINABLE LIVING—AN ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE SUSTAINABLE living means to live in a manner without being a burden on the environment

generations. Islamic Perspective Before we embark upon an understanding of the Islamic perspective on sustainable living, we need to understand a few fundamentals about Islam. • The supreme concern of Islam is

MAN KNOW THYSELFMAN, KNOW THYSELF Purpose of Life I F a group of people were asked what the most important issue for mankind was today, different people would have different answers. Some would say the

paramount importance. Such diversity of opinion shows that people in general do not properly recognize what they themselves are. If they did, they would all agree that the most critical issue facing mankind

perpetually facing a peril much greater than this, yet no one feels the need to become anxious about it. What is this peril? It is the peril of the Last Day which has been destined for the world since the creation

RABBANIYAT ISLAMIC SPIRITUALITYRabbaniyat means one’s inner personality may acquire godly qualities by becoming immersed in thoughts of God and the Hereafter. This level of spirituality is produced

spirituality in Islam and what, from the Islamic viewpoint, the method was of attaining spirituality. I said that the word ‘spirituality’ (or ruhaniyat) began to be used later in the history of Islam. In the

renunciation. But that is not true. What we achieve by renouncing the world is not spirituality but mysticism (rehbaniyat) and, according to a tradition mysticism is not desirable in Islam. (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No