ideological spread of Islam through peaceful dawah work that the Muslim Ummah has to struggle for everywhere and under all circumstances. Contrary to the prevalent misconception that Islam failed to provide

were spent in exactly what is nowadays termed a state of modesty. When, chronologically, more than three-quarters of the Prophetic mission portrays a picture of humility, what is it that makes one remark

remark that there is no Islamic model for Muslim minorities in India or elsewhere? The fact is that such people are so overwhelmed by the political glory built up during the later period of Muslim history

violence. But Islam is a religion of nature. It has held violence as inadmissible from the outset. Islam has been an upholder of peace, not violence, from day one. In the past, Islam played a great role

progress and development. The time has come today for Islam to play a great constructive role, leading human history once again into a new age of progress. What is called scientific or technical progress is the

insuperable obstacle to the progress of science. Scientific enquiry was anathema to men of religion. What Islam did was separate religion (which had become, in essence, a set of irrational beliefs) from scientific

son of Abdul Muttalib. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 2864) This incident shows that the Prophet of Islam possessed the highest degree of courage. His heart was completely free from all fear. Not even the

he was on the right path, had made him totally invincible. He once observed: “I see what you do not see. I hear what you do not hear. The sky is crackling, and it is liable to do so. By God, there is no

not even an inch where an angel has not bowed his head in submission to God. By God, if you knew what I know, you would cry more and laugh less. Women would cease to give you any pleasure. Calling God

son of Abdul Muttalib. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 2864) This incident shows that the Prophet of Islam possessed the highest degree of courage. His heart was completely free from all fear. Not even the

he was on the right path, had made him totally invincible. He once observed: “I see what you do not see. I hear what you do not hear. The sky is crackling, and it is liable to do so. By God, there is no

not even an inch where an angel has not bowed his head in submission to God. By God, if you knew what I know, you would cry more and laugh less. Women would cease to give you any pleasure. Calling God

ZAKATTHE PRESCRIBED CHARITYSocial Welfare ZAKAT, or the alms-tax, is one of the five basic tenets of Islam. Its payment is obligatory, at the minimum fixed rate of 2.5% per annum, on all wealth that is subject

would come to a standstill. The observance of Zakat is a way of acknowledging this fact of life. Islam desires that private wealth should be considered as belonging to God, and therefore should be spent

denied by God at the Last Reckoning. Responsibilities to Others Zakat gives a clear indication of what one’s responsibilities to others should be. Everyone is required to recognize the rights of others

categories, one called Islamists, and the other secular, or liberal. With non-religious ideologies dominating people’s minds today all over the world, it often happens that when elections are held in

democratic traditions are to be upheld, the Islamist group should bear with the liberals who have come into power until the expiry of their term in office. But Islamist groups in every country consider political

in control, the Islamist group assumes the role of aggressive opposition. Furthermore, whatever the activities of this Islamist group, they are all engaged in under the banner of Islam. As a result, its

wisdom behind it. In truth all human progress is associated with this variety and difference. This is what assists us to make new discoveries. It is this factor which results in the materialization of thinking

ethical systems. In Islam itself extremists interpret Islam as if it were a religion purely of politics and war. This is, however, an over-exaggeration and is far from being Islam’s true representation

to achieve this goal. But far from achieving their goal, the Soviet Union itself disintegrated. What is actually needed to make India a united, peaceful and developed country is national character.

word (Mishkat al-Masabih). That these are the five fundamentals of Islam has been made quite clear by the Prophet himself. Furthermore, what is desirable in the observance of all of these five pillars is the

external form. Now if certain people take it upon themselves to revive these five fundamentals of Islam, their endeavours will be confined to an entirely peaceful sphere of activity. At no stage would they

making an assessment of Islam in relation to politics, one crucial point must be taken into consideration, which is that politics is only a relative and not the real part of Islam. This difference between

continues on its journey. Can we ask God for death? No, this is completely forbidden according to Islamic teachings. This has been alluded to in the following Hadith: Sa’d ibn Ubaid narrated that the Prophet

individual has been appointed by God Himself. We should accept our natural time of death, as God knows what is best for us. Is there a positive aspect of the phenomenon of death? Yes, the positive aspect of

the starting point is ‘I am wrong’, or in other words, you blame yourself and not anyone else for what you experience. Generally, people do not admit that they were at fault. When one has the ability to

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 Muslims . His

reduced to being a group ‘with demands’ and as such have not become a giver group. The religion of Islam as it is, gives them enough stature to play a constructive and effective part in tackling the grave