ALCOHOL AND ISLAM

Alcohol is forbidden for Muslims to consume in all forms whether as a drink or in food, as it is an intoxicant and has the capability, if taken in more than small quantities, to cloud the mind. Alcohol could affect a Muslim's relationship with God as well as possibly causing health and social problems if taken excessively, therefore it is prohibited altogether.

Regarding Alcohol - The Holy Quraan states: "They ask Thee concerning Wine and Gambling, Say: In them is great sin, and some profit, for men; but the sin is greater than the profit." (Surah Al-Baqarah:219)

The Arabic word used in this text is Khamr which is applied to all intoxicating liquor or drug.

The Quraan further states in Surah Al-Maaidah verse 90: "O Ye who believe! Intoxicants and Gambling, Sacrificing to Stones, and (divination by) Arrows, are an abomination, of Satan's handiwork; Keep away from such, that Ye may prosper."

PEACE IN ISLAM

According to a tradition of the Prophet, ‘Peace is Islam’ (Al-Bukhari). This means that peace is one of the prerequisites of Islam. Similarly, a Hadith states: A Muslim is one from whose tongue and hands people are safe. One of the attributes of God described in the Quran is ‘As-Salam’, which means peace and security.’ That is to say that God’s Being itself is a manifestation of peace. Indeed, God is Peace (Al-Bukhari). In the Quran divine guidance is likened to the paths of peace. (5:16)

According to Islam, Paradise is the ideal human abode, and is thus called the ‘Home of Peace.’ It is also said that, the people of Paradise will wish peace to one another, indicating that the social culture of the people of Paradise will be based on peace. The Quran, avers that, ‘reconciliation is best’ (4:128), and judging by the consequences, the way of peace is far better than that of confrontation. By the law of Nature, God has decreed that success will be met with only on a reconciliatory path, and not on a confrontational or a violent course of action.

Whenever the Prophet had an option between two courses of action, he always chose the easier (non-confrontational) one. (Bukhari)

This means that, violent activism should not be indulged in if peaceful activism is an option. For, peace is the easier course as compared to violence.

BASIC HUMANRIGHTS AND ISLAM

• Equality Before Law

• Equality of Human Beings

• Freedom of Association

• Freedom of Conscience and Conviction

• Freedom of Expression

• Individual's Right to Freedom

• Protection from Arbitrary Imprisonment

• Protection of Religious Sentiments

• Respect for the Chastity of Women

• Rulers Not Above the Law

• The Protection of Honour

• The Right to a Basic Standard of Life

• The Right to Avoid Sin

• The Right to Basic Necessities of Life

• The Right to Co-operate and Not to Co-operate

• The Right to Justice

• The Right to Life

• The Right to Participate in the Affairs of State

• The Right to Protest Against Tyranny

• The Right to the Safety of Life

• The Sanctity and Security of Private Life

• The Security of Life and Property

• The Security of Personal Freedom

PRINCIPLES OF NONVIOLENCE IN ISLAM

Islam is a religion which teaches non-violence. According to the Qur’an, God does not love fasad, violence. What is meant here by fasad is clearly expressed in verse 205 of the second Surah. Basically, fasad is that action which results in disruption of the social system, causing huge losses in terms of lives and property. The Qur’an is not a sword or a gun. It is a book of ideology. In such a case performing jihad with the Qur’an would mean an ideological struggle to conquer peoples’ hearts and minds through Islam’s superior philosophy.

(Iqra) (96:1). By perusing this verse we learn about the initiation of Islamic action. It begins from the point where there is hope of continuing the movement along peaceful lines, and not from that point where there are chances of its being marred by violence.

According to the Qur’an there are two faculties in every human being which are mutually antipathetic. One is the ego, and the other is the conscience called respectively nafs ammara and nafs lawwama. (The Qur’an, 12:53; 75:26) What the violent method invariably does is to awaken the ego which necessarily results in a breakdown of social equilibrium. On the other hand, non-violent activism awakens the conscience. From this results an awakening in people of introspection and self-appraisal. And according to the Qur’an, the miraculous outcome of this is that "he who is your enemy will become your dearest friend." (41:34)

A great advantage of the non-violent method is that, by following it, no part of one’s time is wasted. The opportunities available in any given situation may then be exploited to the fullest extent—as happened after the no-war pact of Hudaybiya. This peace treaty enabled the energies of the believers to be utilized in peaceful constructive activities instead of being dissipated in a futile armed encounter. One great harm done by violent activism is the breaking of social traditions in the launching of militant movements. Conversely, the great benefit that accrues from non-violent activism is that it can be initiated and prolonged with no damage to tradition.

The greatest problem facing Islam today is, as I see it, that Muslims have almost totally forgotten the sunnah (Prophet’s way) of non-violence.

UNDERSTAND QURAN

The Quraan is the final revealed Book of Allah, that contains the message of guidance from Allah for all humankind. Welfare of the entire humanity depends upon following the guidance and understanding Quran. In other words, success in this world as well as the Hereafter for humankind is treasured in the Quraan. Therefore, it's a must for us to Learn Quran and understand it. There are 80,000 words in the Quran but the actual words are only around 2000!!! This is one of the miracles of the Quran. Accordingly, if a reader decides to learn only 10 new words everyday, he can understand Quran within a period of seven months! So it is indeed very easy to understand the Quran,provided one is willing to learn it.

DONT EAT PORK

The prohibition of pork in Islam may be found and mentioned directly in four chapter of Qur'an, i.e.: Al-Baqarah (2:173), Al-Ma'idah (5:3), Al-An'am (6:145), and Al-Nahl (16:115). From this four verses one can say that pork is totally prohibited inIslam to Muslim and non-Muslims as well. Chapter 6 is clearly explainedthat the prohibition is to everyone, to every human being. In this regard Allah says:"........forbidden to be eaten by ONE who wishes to eat it,...." (Al-An'am, 6:145)

Principles Of Islamic Banking

The best known feature of Islamic banking is the prohibition on interest. The Qur'an forbids the charging of Riba on money lent. It is important to understand certain principles of Islam that underpin Islamic finance. The Shari'ah consists of the Qur'anic commands as laid down in the Holy Qur'an and the words and deeds of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.). The Shari'ah disallows Riba and there is now a general consensus among Muslim economists that Riba is not restricted to usury but encompasses interest as well. The Qur'an is clear about the prohibition of Riba, which is sometimes defined as excessive interest. "O You who believe! Fear Allah and give up that remains of your demand for usury, if you are indeed believers." Muslim scholars have accepted the word Riba to mean any fixed or guaranteed interest payment on cash advances or on deposits. Several Qur'anic passages expressly admonish the faithful to shun interest.

a) Any predetermined payment over and above the actual amount of principal is prohibited.

b) The lender must share in the profits or losses arising out of the enterprise for which the money was lent.

c) Making money from money is not Islamically acceptable.

d) Gharar (Uncertainty, Risk or Speculation) is also prohibited.

e) Investments should only support practices or products that are not forbidden

Uniqueness of the Quran

The study and knowledge of the Qur'an is essential for every learned person as well as for all faithful believers. A brief glance over history would be enough to provide sufficient proof of the claim that there has been no such book that has ever influenced human societies to the magnitude of the Qur'an. It is for the same reason that the Qur'an automatically steps into the precincts of sociological discussions, and becomes the elemental constituent of the subjects of research in this discipline. This means that any deep study and profound research in the field of world history of the last fourteen hundred years, is impossible without the knowledge of the Qur'an.
The study of the Qur'an is essential for every committed Muslim, since it is the main source and foundation of the religious thought and faith. Whatsoever gives meaning, essence and sanctity to his existence lies in the Holy Qur'an. The Qur'an is not just like other religious books which are content to discuss the problems of existence of God and creation in cryptic tones, or like those which merely convey a series of simple moral advice and counsels, so that those who believe in them are hopelessly left to search for guidance in other sources. Unlike such books the Qur'an formulates the tenets of faith besides communicating the ideas and views that are essential for a man of faith and belief. Similarly, it also lays down the principles of moral and ethical values for the purpose of social and familial existence. It leaves the job of explanation, interpretation, and occasionally that of ijtihad and application of principles (usul) to secondary matters (furu') to be dealt with through ijtihad and sunnah. Accordingly, utilization of any other source depends on the prior knowledge of the Qur'an. The Qur'an is the criterion and standard for judging all other sources. We should judge hadith and sunnah in the light of the Qur'an. We can accept it only when it is in accordance with the Qur'an, otherwise we do not accept it.

BE A MUSLIM

The word “Muslim” means one who submits to the will of God, regardless of their race, nationality or ethnic background. Becoming a Muslim is a simple and easy process that requires no pre-requisites. One may convert alone in privacy, or he/she may do so in the presence of others.
If anyone has a real desire to be a Muslim and has full conviction and strong belief that Islam is the true religion of God, then, all one needs to do is pronounce the “Shahada”, the testimony of faith, without further delay. The “Shahada” is the first and most important of the five pillars of Islam

The Value of the Quran

The religion of Islam is superior to any other in that it guarantees happiness in man's life. For Muslims, Islam is a belief system with moral and practical laws that have their source in theQuran. God, may He be exalted, says, "Indeed this Quran guides to the path which is clearer and straighter than any other" [XVII:9]. He also says, "We have revealed to you the book which clarifies every matter" [XVI:89].

How to Approach the Quran

The Holy Quran is not like other books. Quran is Light. Quran is Wisdom. Quran is Good News. Quran is Absolute Knowledge. Quran is Remembrance. Quran is your book brought to you by One who cares about you. The Author of this Book is not after your money. He is not after fame. And He has no axe to grind. He just wants you to be happy. He just wants you to be truthful. He wants you to be successful.

Quran State Affairs SOVEREIGNTY

The difference between an Islamic State and a secular state is that in an Islamic State, affairs are conducted within limits laid down by the Quran. Nobody has the right to transgress these limits; in other words, the right to rule belongs to Allah Almighty alone. It is said in Surah Yusuf (12:40)
"Remember! The command is for none but Allah"
(18:26) "Nor does He share His Command with any one whosoever". If the right to rule is bestowed upon any person or a group of persons, whatever be their name, that shall amount to ascribing partners with Allah. No one, how highly placed he may be, even as high as a Messenger of Allahe, has the right to make people subservient to himself. Surah Aal-e-Imran says: (3:78) "It is not for any human being unto whom Allah Almighty has given the Book and wisdom and the Divine Message, that he should afterwards have said unto mankind, 'Obey me instead of Allah'. He should rather say, 'You should be amongst those who are subservient to Allah Almighty by following His Book which you study and teach others'." Be it clear, that it is the Messenger of Allah Almighty who first receives the Book, then he delivers it to others. That is how the Book of Allah Almighty reaches the common man. The Quran was initially revealed to the 'Nabi'e. Later it became inherited by Muslim Ummah. It is said in Surah Faatir (35:32)
"Then We have given the Book for inheritance to such of our servants as We have chosen (It means the Muslim Ummah)". The duty of the Ummah is to establish an Order according to this Book; thus an Islamic State is an agency that enforces the divine command. On the contrary, the system of government in which the right of law-making is exercised by human beings, is a secular regime, whatever its shape may be. That is the line of demarcation between infidelity and Islam, Kufar and Islam. Allah Almighty ordains: (5:44)
"Those who do not establish a rule according to what Allah Almighty has revealed, are non-believers."