the role of bringing about peace and harmony in society in times of conflict. When we look at Islamic history, the first instance we find of such positive feminine influence is that of Khadija, the wife

the angel in the cave of Hira, it was a totally new experience for him, and he trembled in fear of what he had seen and heard. He immediately set off for his home after the disappearance of the angel. When

gifts of gentleness, sympathy, understanding, and, above all, selfless love. After the Prophet of Islam left this world, great differences arose among Muslims in many matters. During his lifetime, all such

supplicating to God, but not a single problem of mine has been solved. I have really no idea as to what I should do now.” He is one of many who pray to God for material things or for a solution to their

supplications are not accepted, this is what God wills. God knows better what is good for His servants. We are concerned only with our desires and do not know what is truly good for us. The ideal prayer

org/books ARTICLES  Read Maulana’s writings as he expounds on the spiritual wisdom of the religion of Islam.  cpsglobal.org/articles QURAN Read online and Download the Quran and its commentary in Arabic, English

that is, dar ud-dawah or ‘Abode of Invitation to accept the Faith’. This is what is in accordance with the spirit of Islam. Islam regards all people as mad‘us, or people who are to be invited to accept the

followers of Islam are peaceful or not. Hence, in accordance with the authentic understanding of Islam, only two terms are proper with regard to the issue being discussed here. One is dar ul-islam (‘Abode of

of Islam), and the other is dar ud-dawah. Other than these, all other terms that are used in the fiqh tradition to categorise territories (such as dar ul-harb, dar ul-kufr [‘Abode of Infidelity’], dar

given us, enabling us to successfully complete one year of publication of our magazine, SPIRIT OF ISLAM. To reiterate, the purpose of this magazine is neither to provide entertainment nor to cover topical

eternal questions like: Why am I here? Is there a God? What is my purpose in life? Is there any meaning in life? Did this universe happen by chance? What is the creation plan of God? In keeping with our quest

others. To men is allotted what they earn, and to women what they earn.61 That is, each has been blessed with different sets of attributes. So, what others have should not make one jealous. On the contrary

MUSLIM WOMEN Women, throughout the history of Islam, have played significant roles and, by their feats, have demonstrated not only the vast arena which Islam affords them for the performance of noble and

and heroic deeds, but also the exaltedness of the position accorded to women in Islamic society. Within the sphere of Islam, ‘Aishah, the daughter of Abu Bakr and wife of the Prophet, stands out as a woman

working peaceably on a large scale in the sphere of individual reform. Since Islamic fundamentalists target the Islamization of the State rather than the reform of individuals, their only plan of action

precious resources, and so on. It would be right and proper to say that Islam is a name for peaceful struggle, while the so-called Islamic fundamentalism is quite the reverse. From the foregoing details it

teachings of Islam, is a direct product of Islamic fundamentalism. Fundamental Principles of Islam If we are to put ‘fundamentalism’ in the correct perspective, we should be clear about what actually constitutes

66.WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ISLAM AND MUSLIMS?Islam is the name of an ideology of life given by the Quran. It means ‘to submit’. An adherent of Islam (or a Muslim) is expected to imbibe the tenets

principles of Islam and at other times, may simply follow free will. Therefore, it must be understood that Islam and Muslims are different. The actions of Muslims must be judged in the light of Islamic teachings

teachings, but Islam must never be judged on the basis of actions of Muslims.67.WHICH REFORMS ARE MOST REQUIRED AMONG THE INDIAN MUSLIM COMMUNITY?I have studied this issue in detail and have written about it

66.WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ISLAM AND MUSLIMS?Islam is the name of an ideology of life given by the Quran. It means ‘to submit’. An adherent of Islam (or a Muslim) is expected to imbibe the tenets

principles of Islam and at other times, may simply follow free will. Therefore, it must be understood that Islam and Muslims are different. The actions of Muslims must be judged in the light of Islamic teachings

teachings, but Islam must never be judged on the basis of actions of Muslims.67.WHICH REFORMS ARE MOST REQUIRED AMONG THE INDIAN MUSLIM COMMUNITY?I have studied this issue in detail and have written about it

differentiate between Islam as such and Muslims. It should be made clear that Islam and Muslims are not necessarily one and the same thing, so that one must differentiate between Islam and Muslims. Islam is an ideology

essential that Muslims be judged in the light of Islamic ideals: Islam should not be judged in the light of what Muslims do in the name of Islam.Prophetic PerspectiveIn a hadith Prophet Muhammad observed:

that Islamic virtue was at its peak in the first generation, and that there was a decline in righteousness through the second and the third generations. This stage is known in the history of Islam as the