tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79726795140890386302024-03-13T12:41:25.202-07:00About Islamvicky khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04904488564697054927noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7972679514089038630.post-52891253327362906562009-10-26T10:03:00.000-07:002009-10-26T10:25:47.796-07:00Abu Bakr Siddiq The First Caliph of Islam<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link style="font-family: arial;" rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CMuskan%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype style="font-family: arial;" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype style="font-family: arial;" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype style="font-family: arial;" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype style="font-family: arial;" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype style="font-family: arial;" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceType"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype style="font-family: arial;" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceName"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} h4 {mso-margin-top-alt:auto; margin-right:0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; mso-outline-level:4; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; font-weight:bold;} p {mso-margin-top-alt:auto; margin-right:0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} /* List Definitions */ @list l0 {mso-list-id:1065448441; mso-list-template-ids:-1714785460;} @list l0:level1 {mso-level-tab-stop:.5in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in;} ol {margin-bottom:0in;} ul {margin-bottom:0in;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >N</span>o one has been a better companion to me than Abu Bakr," said the holy Prophet in his last sermon.
<br />A great reward indeed! Abu Bakr had earned it. All his life he stood by the side of the Prophet. He did not care for his life. He did not care for his riches. He did not care for what others said about him. His only ambition was to serve the Prophet more than anyone else. The cost did not matter. The ambition was fulfilled. And Abu Bakr got his reward in full. The Messenger of Allah was well pleased with him. He gave him the first place among the Companions. Abu Bakr was to be the first man to fill the place of the Prophet. He was also to lie in eternal rest by the prophet's side.</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >A</span>bu Bakr was two years younger than the Prophet. His parents named him Abdul Kaaba, which means the servant of the Kaaba. When he became a Muslim, the Prophet changed his pagan name to Abdullah. Howevr, in early youth he had adopted the surname of Abu Bakr. He had come to be known by this name among people. Even to this day, the world generally knows him as Abu Bakr.</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>he name of Abu Bakr's father was Uthman, but he was known as Abu Qahafa. Salma was Abu Bakr's mother. She was also known as Umm-ul-Khair. Abu Bakr belonged to a branch of the Quraish.</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >F</span>rom early years, Abu Bakr was known for good and upright nature. He was honest and truthful. He came of a noble family. These things won him respect among the people. His goodness also won him the friendship of young Muhammad (Peace be Upon him). The two became fast friends in early boyhood. The friendship was to prove lifelong and history-making.</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >W</span>hen he grew up, Abu Bakr became a rich merchang. But he used to be very kind-hearted. When he saw someone in trouble, his heart melted. He did his best to help him. If his money could remove suffering, he did not care home much he had to spend. Once he gave away thirty-five dirhams out of his total fortune of forty thousand. He was so honest in his dealings that people kept their money with him. Above all, Abu Bakr had a sincere heart and a firm will. Nothing could stop him from doing what he thought was the right thing to do.</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>hese great qualities were soon to serve the noblest cause known to the world. Abu Bakr was to become the strongest supporter of the Redeemer of mankind. He was to become the first among the Companions. He was to make <st1:place st="on">Arabia</st1:place> and thereby the world safe for Islam after the Prophet has passed away.</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <h4 style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" align="center">Service to the Prophet</h4><p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >A</span>bu Bakr was always very close to the holy Prophet. He knew him better than any other man. He knew how honest and upright his friend had always been. So he was the first among men to believe in the Prophet's mission. He was the first adult male to accept Islam. After the first revalation, the holy Prophet told him what had happened at <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">Mount</st1:placetype> <st1:placename st="on">Hira</st1:placename></st1:place>. He told him that Allah had made him His Messenger. Abu Bakr did not stop to think. He at once became a Muslim. Once the holy Prphet himself remarked, "I called people to Islam. Everybody thought over it, at least for a while. But this was not the case with Abu Bakr. The moment I put Islam before him, he accepted it without any hesitation."</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >A</span>bu Bakr did more than that. As soon as he became a Muslim, he began to preach Islam to others. He had many friends. The friends knew that Abu Bakr was sincere and truthful. They knew he would never support a wrong cause. He called them to Islam and they became Muslims. Among them were men like Uthman, Zubair, Talha, Abdur Rahman bin Auf and Saad bin Waqqas. These men later became the pillars of Islam.</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>he holy Prophet called at Abu Bakr's house every day. The two sad down and thought out ways of spreading Islam. Together they went to people and places and delivered the message of Allah. Wherever the holy Prophet went, Abu Bakr went with him.</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><i>Risks His Life</i></p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>he messge of Islam made the people of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mecca</st1:place></st1:city> very angry. The idols were their gods. The holy Prophet openly mocked at these gods. He declared they could do neither any good nore harm. Among the chiefs of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mecca</st1:place></st1:city> was one Abu Jahl. He became the greatest enemy of the holy Prophet. He was always on the lookout to hurt him or even kill him, if he could. Abu Bakr kept an eye on this man, lest he should do a grave harm to Islam.</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >O</span>ne day the holy Prophet was saying his prayers in the Kaaba. He was totally lost in the thoughts of Allah. Abu Jahl and some other chiefs of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mecca</st1:place></st1:city> were sitting in the courtyard of the Kaaba. "I must finish with Muhammad today," said Abu Jahl. So saying, he took a long piece of cloth. He put it around the holy Prophet's neck. Then he twisted it hard. He was going to strangle the Messenger of Allah to death. The other chiefs looked on and laughed.</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >A</span>bu Bakr happened to see this from a distance. He at once ran to the help of the Prophet. He pushed Abu Jahl aside and took off the cloth from around the holy Prophet's neck. Thereupon Abu Jahl and other enemies of Islam came down upon Abu Bakr. They beat him very much. Indeed, the beating was so severe that Abu Bakr fell down senseless. He was carried home. He could not regain his senses till after several hours. And when he did come to himself, the first question he asked was, "Is the Prophet un-hurt?" Abu Bakr did not care for his own suffering. He was glad that he was able to save the Prophet's life. Abu Bakr knew full well that if any harm came to the Prophet, the only hope of mankind would be gone. This made him risk everything he held dear, for the safety of the Prophet and for the spread of his message.</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <h4 style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" align="center">Liberation of Slaves</h4> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;">
<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >A</span>s years went by, the people of <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Mecca</st1:city></st1:place> became more and more hard upon the Muslims. They made life difficult for them. Muslim slaves who had non-Muslim masters were the worst sufferers. They could not run away from their cruel masters, nor would they give up their faith. The heartless masters tried all kinds of torture to make them give up Islam. They made them lie, all naked, on burning sand. Then they put big stones on their chests. The poor slaves silently bore this all. They had no way of escape. Some of them found escape only in death.</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >A</span>bu Bakr's wealth came to the rescue of many helpless Muslim slaves. He bought them from their inhuman masters and set them free. Bilal, the negro, was one of such slaves. He was the slave of Omayya bin Khalaf. Omayya was a heartless man. He would strip Bilal of all clothes, make him lie on the burning sand at mid-day and then lash him mercilessly. Despite this torture Bilal would go on saying, "Allah is one! Allah is one!" One day Abu Bakf happened to pass by. He was greatly moved by the sight. "Why are you so cruel to this helpless man?" he asked Omayya. "If you feel for him, why don't you buy him?" retored Omayya. So Abu Bakr at once bought Bilal at a heavy price and set him free. Bilal afterwards became the well-known "Muazzin" [ one who gives the call for prayer ] at the Prophet's Mosque.</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <h4 style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" align="center">Migration to <st1:place st="on">Abyssinia</st1:place></h4> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;">
<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >W</span>hen Muslims found life difficult at <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mecca</st1:place></st1:city>, they thought of going to some other land. With the permission of the holy Prophet, a part of them went to <st1:place st="on">Abyssinia</st1:place>. here they lived in peace. So many more Muslims followed them.</p> <p style="font-family:arial;">Being the first man to go over to Islam, Abu Bakr had brought upon himself the special anger and hatred of the Meccan chiefs. Soon he felt hard pressed and asked permission of the Holy Prophet to go to <st1:place st="on">Abyssinia</st1:place>. The permission was granted and Abu Bakr set off on his journey.</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >O</span>n the way he met the chief of Qara, Ibn-ud-Daghna. "What place are you bound for, Abu Bakr?" he asked.</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >"</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>he people of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mecca</st1:place></st1:city> have cast me out," replied Abu Bakr. "I am going to <st1:place st="on">Abyssinia</st1:place>. There I will be able to worship the Lord the way I want to."</p> <p style="font-family:arial;">"<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >A</span> man like you should not be cast out," said Ibn-ud-Daghna. "You help the poor. You are kind to those in trouble. You are so nice to your guests. I will take you back to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mecca</st1:place></st1:city> on my own responsibility."</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >S</span>o Abu Bakr ws back at <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mecca</st1:place></st1:city>. Ibn-ud-Daghna declared to the people that Abu Bakr was under his protection, so no one was to harm him. The Meccans said that they would let Abu Bakr alone, only if he did not preach his faith publicly.</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >A</span>bu Bakr could not act on this condition very long. Soon he was preaching Islam as openly as ever. The Meccans complained to Ibn-ud-Daghna. He requested Abu Bakr not to make his position difficult. To this Abu Bakr replied, "I do not need your protection. Allah is enough for me."</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <h4 style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" align="center">The Title of <i>"Siddiq"</i></h4> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;">
<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >I</span> n the tenth yer of his mission, the holy Prophet had the Miraj of Ascension. One night the angel Gabriel came with the word that Allah the Almighty wanted the holy Prophet to come all the way up to the highest heaven. The holy Prophet undertook the journey.</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >I</span>n the morning, after the ascension had taken place, the holy Prophet talked to people about the Miraj. This drew the jeers of his enemies.</p> <p style="font-family:arial;">"<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >L</span>ook!" the howled out, "what nonsense he talks! Surely, now his followers too will laugh at him. Who is going to believe in such a midsummer night dream?"</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>he talk was going on when Abu Bakr came up. "Do you know, Abu Bakr, what news your friend has for you in the morning?" said one of the mean. "He says he was on the highest heaven last night, having a talk with Allah, the Almighty. Would you believe it?"</p> <p style="font-family:arial;">"<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >I</span> would believe anything that the Messenger of Allah says," replied Abu Bakr</p> <p style="font-family:arial;">When the holy Prophet learnt of this, he at once said, "Abu Bakr is the `Siddiq'." `Siddiq' is a person so sincere of heart that doubts never mar his love. Abu Bakr earned this title because of his faith was too strong to be shaken by anything.</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <h4 style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" align="center">Migration to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Medina</st1:place></st1:city></h4> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;">
<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >W</span> hen the Meccans were intent on putting out, once and for all, the light of Islam, Allah commanded the holy Prophet to move to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Medina</st1:place></st1:city>. In the burning heat of the midday sun, there was a knock at Abu Bakr's door. He ran to the door and found the Messenger of Allah standing outside. "I must leave for <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Medina</st1:place></st1:city> tonight," said he.</p> <p style="font-family:arial;">"<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >W</span>ill I also have the honor of going with you?" asked Abu Bakr eagerly.</p> <p style="font-family:arial;">"<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >O</span>f course," came the reply. "Set about getting things ready."</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >A</span>bu Bakr was beside himself with joy. "I have been looking forward to this day for months," he exlaimed. "I have specifically kept two camels to carry us to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Medina</st1:place></st1:city>."</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >I</span>t was Abu Bakr who made all the arrangements for the historic journey. for three days he and the Prophet lay hidden in the Thaur cave. Abu Bakr's slave tended the flocks of goats near the cave all day and supplied them fresh milk for food. His son, Abdullah, brought news about what the Meccans were doing.</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>he Meccans were searching for the holy Prophet like mad hounds. Once they came right to the mouth of the cave. Abu Bakr grew pale with fright. He feared, not for himself, but for the Prophet. However, the holy Prophet remained perfectly calm. "Do not fear," he said to Abu Bakr, "certainly Allah is with us."</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >O</span>f all the companions, Abu Bakr had the honor of being with the Prophet during the most critical days of his life. Abu Bakr knew full well what this honor meant. And he did full justice to the trust put in him.</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <h4 style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" align="center">Participation in Battles</h4> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;">
<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >A</span> bu Bakr took part in all the battles that the holy Prohpet had to fight. All his life, he fought bravely under the banner of the Prophet. At Ohud and Hunain, some of the men showed weakness. They forgot to do their duty. But Abu Bakr's faith never wavered. He always stood like a rock by the side of the Prophet.</p> <p style="font-family:arial;">At Badr, one of Abu Bakr's sons, who had not yet embraced Islam, was fighting on the side of the Meccan. Afterwards, when he became a Muslim, he one day said, "Father! at Badr you were twice under my sword. But my love for you held back my hand."</p> <p style="font-family:arial;">"<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >S</span>on!" remarked Abu Bakr, "if I had got that chance only once, you must have been no more."</p> <p style="font-family:arial;">When peace talks at Hudaibiya were going on, Abu Bakr sat by the side of the Prophet. During conversation, the spokesman of the Quraish ever now and then gave a jerk to the beard of the Prophet, after the Arab fashion. This was too much for Abu Bakr. He took out his sword and looked angrily at the man. "If that hand touches the beard of the Prophet again," he warned, "it will not be allowed to go back."</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>his amazed the Meccan agents. "What a change in Abu Bakr!" they whispered to one another. "He was known for soft-heartedness. How strong and firm he is now become! He is no longer the self-same Abu Bakr."</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>abuk was the last expedition of the holy Prophet. He was keen to make it a great success. He asked people to help the expedition with whatever they could. This time Abu Bakr beat all past records. He took all his money and household articles and heaped them at the Prophet's feet.</p> <p style="font-family:arial;">"<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >H</span>ave you left back anything for your wife and children?" asked the holy Prophet.</p> <p style="font-family:arial;">"<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >A</span>llah and His Apostle are enough for them," replied Abu Bakr calmly. Those standing around were stunned. It was impossible to outdo Abu Bakr in the field of service to Islam.</p> <p style="font-family:arial;">The holy Prophet felt much pleased at this answer. He made Abu Bakr the standard-bearer of the expedition.</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >A</span>bu Bakr's closeness to the Prophet and his boundless devotion to Islam won him universal respect. Not only was he the first man to accept Islam, he was also the foremost among Muslims to uphold the cause of Islam.</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <h4 style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" align="center">Agent to the Prophet</h4> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;">
<br /><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >M</span>ecca</st1:place></st1:city> fell in the eight year of Hijra. Kaaba was, for the first time, in the hands of Muslims. It had to be cleaned of the traces of idol-worship and the silly practices of pagan days. Hitherto pagan Arabs had done absurd things at the time of Hajj. They went around the House of Allah naked. They did many other foolish and unclean things. All this had to be stopped.</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>he first Hajj under Islam fell in the ninth year of Hijra. The holy Prophet was too busy at <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Medina</st1:place></st1:city> to lead the Hajj himself. So he sent Abu Bakr as his agent. He was to lead the Hajj in place of the Prophet. Ali was also sent with Abu Bakr. Abu Bakr read the Khutba (Sermon) of Hajj. Then Ali stood up and read out to the people the commandments of Allah concerning the idolworshippers. From that year on, they were forbidden to enter the Kaaba.</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >E</span>ver since he came to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Medina</st1:place></st1:city>, the holy Prophet himself led prayers in the Prophet's Mosque. It was an unusually high office which the Messenger of Allah himself filled. During his last illness, the holy Prophet could no longer lead prayers. He grew too weak to go to the mosque. He had to appoint someone to act in his place. This honor also fell to the lot of Abu Bakr. Aisha, who was Abu Bakr's daughter and a wife of the holy Prophet, thought that the burden was too much for her tender-hearted father. She pleaded with the holy Prophet to excuse here father from this duty. But the holy Prophet did not change his mind.</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>hus in the lifetime of the holy Prophet Abu Bakr came to fill the highest office under Islam. One day Abu Bakr was away on some business and Omar led the prayer in his absence. "This is not Abu Bakr's voice," remarked the ailing Messenger of Allah. "No one but he should lead prayers. He is the fittest person for this high office."</p> <p style="font-family:arial;">On the last day of his life, the condition of the holy Prophet became suddenly better for a while. It was early morning. Abu Bakr was leading the prayer in the mosque. The holy Prophet lifted the curtain of his door and fixed his gaze on the worshippers. They were busy in prayer under Abu Bakr's leadership. A smile lite up on the pale face of the holy Prophet. He let go of the curtain, as his weak hand could no longer hold it. But he was happy at the thought that he had chosen the best man to fill his place.</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <h4 style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" align="center">Abu Bakr Elected Caliph</h4> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;">
<br /><i>A Critical Moment</i></p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>he holy Prophet occupied a unique place among his people. He was everything to them. From warring ignorant pagans, he had made them a nation of peaceful, God-fearing people. They were "dead" as the Quran puts it and the holy Prophet had "raised them to life." So they rightly came to look upon him as the giver of life. Life without him seemed to be an empty thing.</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>he news of the Prophet's death came as a stunning shock to everyone. How could it be? He had been ill for some days, they all knew. But death was unbelievable. That simply could not be. A huge crows gathered in the mosque. No one knew what to do. There was utter confusion. Omar was so overcome with emotion that he drew his sword and declared, "If anyone says that the Messenger of Allah is dead. I will cut off his head!"</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>hings were in this state when Abu Bakr entered the mosque. Finding the holy Prophet better that morning, he had gone a few miles outside of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Medina</st1:place></st1:city>, earlier in the day, but had come back on hearing the sad news. He took his stand in a corner of the courtyard and called out to the people. All eyes were turned towards him. Then he began his famous address:</p> <p style="font-family:arial;">"O people! If anyone among you worshipped Muhammad, let him know that Muhammad is dead. But those who worship Allah, let him know that He lives and will never die. Let all of us recall the words of the Qur'an. It says, `Muhammad is only a Messenger of Allah There have been Messengers before him. What then, will you turn back from Islam, if he dies or is killed?"</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>hese words of Abu Bakr worked magic. In no time the confusion was gone. The words of the Qur'an swept of all doubts from people's minds. They got ready to face facts.</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><i>Election of Abu Bakr</i></p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>he first problem before the people was the election of a new leader. There had to be a head of the State of things could not work. The need was too urgent to allow delay. Delay might have meant disorder and the undoing of all that the Messenger of Allah had done. The prophet of Allah had died but the head of the state had to live on.</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>he two big groups among Muslims were the Muhajirin (refugees from <st1:city st="on">Mecca</st1:city> ) and the Ansar (helpers or the people of <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Medina</st1:city></st1:place>). The Ansar gathered together at Thaqifa Bani Saida, their meeting place, near the house of Saad bin Abada. The talk naturally centered around the election of a Caliph. Saad, the Ansar leader, stood up and said that the Caliph must be from among them. Many voices seconded him. One man, however, stood up and said, "But how about the Muhajirin? They have perhaps a better claim." "Then let there be two caliphs," suggested someone, "one from among the Ansar and the other from among the Muhajirin."</p> <p style="font-family:arial;">Someone told Abu Bakr what was going on at this gathering. He saw the need to act quickly or confusion might set in again. So taking with him a part of Muhajirin he went to Thaqif Bani Saida. He addressed the gathering and said, "Both the Muhajirin and the Ansar have done great services to Islam. But the former were the first to accept Islam. They were always very close to the Messenger of Allah. So, O Ansar, let the Caliph be from among them."</p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>o this a man from the Khazraj tribe replied, "If you don't want a Caliph from among us, let there be two Caliphs, one an Ansari and the other a Muhajif."</p> <p style="font-family:arial;">"<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>hat won't work," said Abu Obaida bin Jarrah. "O Ansar, you are the people who made Islam strong now, don't do anything that may undo your work."</p> <p face="arial">Hearing this, another man said, "O Ansar, if we did anything for Islam, we did it to please Allah and His Apostle. We did not thereby oblige anybody. This should not be made a plea to win office. Listen, the holy Prophet belonged to the Quraish tribe. The Quraish have a greater right to fill his place. By Allah, I do not think it right to quarrel with them over this matter. Fear Allah, and do not oppose them."</p> <p face="arial"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>his speach of a man from among them silenced the Ansar. They agreed to have a Muhajif as the Caliph. So Abu Bakr said, "Friends, I think either Omar or AbuObaida should be the Caliph. Chose one of these two gentleman."</p> <p face="arial">Hearing this both Omar and Abu Obaida jumped to their feet, and exlaimed, "O Siddiq, how can that be? How can anyone else fill this office as long as you are among us? You are the top man among the Muhajirin. You were the companion of the holy Prophet in the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Thaur</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Cave</st1:placetype></st1:place>. You led prayers in his place, during his last illness. Prayer is the foremost thing in Islam. With all these qualifications, you are the fittest person to be the successor of the holy Prophet. Hold out your hand that we many pledge loyatly to you."</p> <p face="arial">But Abu Bakr did not stretch out his hand. Omar saw that delay might lead to the reopening of the whole question. That could easily create difficulties. So he himself took Abu Bakr's hand and pledged loyalty to him. Others followed his example. Men from all sides rushed to pledge loyalty to the successor of the Prophet. Abu Bakr became Caliph by the general consent of the people.</p> <p face="arial"><o:p> </o:p></p> <h4 style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" align="center">The First Address</h4> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;">
<br />On the following day, Abu Bakr went to the Prophet's mosque Here people took the general oath of loyalty. When this was over, Abu Bakr mounted the pulpit as the Caliph of Islam. Then he spoke to the gathering as follows:</p> <p face="arial">"O people, I have been elected your leader, although I am not better than anyone from among you. If I do any good, give me your support. If I go wrong, set me right. Listen, truth is honesty and untruth is dishonesty. The weak among you are powerful in my eyes, as long as I do not get them their due, Allah willing. The powerful among you are weak in my eyes, as long as I do not take away from them what is due to others, Allah willing."</p> <p face="arial">"Listen, if people give up striving for the cause of Allah, Allah sends down disgrace on them. If a people become evil doers, Allah sends down calamities on them."</p> <p face="arial">"Listen, you must obey me as long as I obey Allah and His Messenger. If I disobey Allah and His Messenger, you are free to disobey me."</p> <p face="arial">Such was the Magna Carta granted by the first Caliph of Islam to his people, on the first day of his rule, without their asking. Abu Bakr showed by his example that in Islam government means government of the people, by the people and for the people.</p> <p face="arial"><o:p> </o:p></p> <h4 style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" align="center">Ali's Delay</h4> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;">
<br />For six months Ali and some of his relatives did not pledge loyalty to Abu Bakr. That was because of a difference of opinion with the Caliph. The holy Prophet had some land at <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Medina</st1:place></st1:city> and Khaibar. His daughter, Fatima, and his uncle, Abbas, laid claim to this land. But Abu Bakr set aside the claim, in the light of what the holy Prophet himself had said. "We Prophets cannot be inherited," was his saying; "whatever we leave behind is public property."</p> <p face="arial"><st1:place st="on">Fatima</st1:place> new nothing of this saying of her father. She thought she was perfectly right in her claim. This created a little bitterness in her mind, and the mind of her husband, Ali. The hypocrites were quick to add to the misunderstanding.</p> <p face="arial">But Abu Bakr and Ali were equally unselfish. During <st1:place st="on">Fatima</st1:place>'s illness, Abu Bakr himself went to see her and cleared away the misunderstanding. After her death, Ali went to Abu Bakr and said, "O Siddiq, we admit your superiority. We do not envy the position Allah has given you. But as relatives of the holy Prophet, we thought Caliphate to be our right. You had taken away this right of ours."</p> <p face="arial"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>hese words brought tears in Abu Bakr's eyes and he said, "By Allah, the relatives of the Prophet are dearer to me than my own relatives."</p> <p face="arial"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>he assurance satisfied Ali. He went to the mosque and publicly took the pledge of loyalty.</p> <p face="arial"><o:p> </o:p></p> <h4 style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" align="center">Usama's Expedition</h4> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;">
<br />Some weeks before his death, the holy Prophet has nominated Usama to lead an expedition against <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Syria</st1:place></st1:country-region>. He was to avenge the death of his father, Zaid, the freed slave of the holy Prophet. Zaid was killed by the Syrians in the battle of Muta. The preparations of the expedition were under way when the holy Prophet fell seriously ill and passed away. That help up Usama's expedition for some weeks. As soon as Abu Bakr became Caliph, the first thing he thought of was the sending out of the expedition.</p> <p face="arial"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>he death of the holy Prophet led some people to think that Islam was going to end with him. Many tribes had entered the fold of Islam only a short time before. They were by no means firm in the new faith. Many of them, now, showed signs of bolting out of the fold of Islam. Abu Bakr was facing a difficult situation.</p> <p face="arial">But Abu Bakr had to carry out the commands of the Prophet at all costs. He was determined to send out the expedition planned by the Messenger of Allah. Some of the companions said that he had better drop the idea for the time being. Trouble was brewing all around, they said. It was unwise to send troups out when they were urgently needed at home. But Abu Bakr would not listen to them. "How can I fold up the flag," he asked, "which the holy Prohet himself unfurled? It is simply unthinkable."</p> <p face="arial"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>hen someone suggested that Usama was too raw - he was below twenty - to lead the expedition. It was wiser to put a more experienced man in command. The suggestion made Abu Bakr angry. "What right have I," he demanded, "to dismiss a man appointed by the Messenger of Allah?"</p> <p face="arial">So the expedition left under Usama, about three weeks after the passing away of the holy Prophet. Abu Bakr accompanied Usama some distance out of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Medina</st1:place></st1:city>. The youthful commander was riding a horse, while the Caliph walked by his side. Usama said, "O successor of the holy Prophet, you also get on a horse and allow men to get down."</p> <p face="arial">"By Allah," replied Abu Bakr, "I will agree to neither of the two things. What harm is there is there if a little dust falls on my feet, while I go some steps in the way of Allah? For every step one takes in Allah's way, one gets the reward of seven hundred good deeds."</p> <p face="arial">Omar was also one of the men under Usama's command. But Abu Bakr needed him, at <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Medina</st1:place></st1:city>, for purposed of advice. So he made a request to Usama, to allow Omar to remain in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Medina</st1:place></st1:city>. The request was granted.</p> <p face="arial">Before the Caliph bade farewell to Usama, he gave him much useful advice. Some of it was:</p> <p face="arial">"Look! Be not dishonest. Do not deceive anyone. Do not hide the booty you get. Do not mutilate anyone. Do not kill the aged, the children and the women. Do not set fire to date-palms. Do not cut down fruit trees. Do not slaughter a goat, or a cow, or a camel, except for purposes of food. You will come across people who have give up the world and are sitting in monasteries. Leave them alone."</p> <p face="arial">Usama's expedition proved very successful. He raided the frontier districts of <st1:country-region st="on">Syria</st1:country-region> and was back in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Medina</st1:place></st1:city> after forty days.</p> <p face="arial"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>he expedition had another good result. It proved an eye-opener to those who thought Islam was dying out. They had a clear proof that Islam was still able to challenge one of the greatest powers of the world. This overawed the wavering tribes. Some of the tribes which had left Islam actually, rentered its fold.</p> <p face="arial"><o:p> </o:p></p> <h4 style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" align="center">The Imposters</h4> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;">
<br />Abu Bakr soon found the country in the grip of a civil war. The outlying provinces, like <st1:place st="on">Nejd</st1:place>, were the first to create trouble. They had accepted Islam when it seemed to be the only safest way to follow. They knew nothing of the true spirit of Islam. For centuries they had known no outside authority. They were wont to be as free as the winds that sweep across the desert. Islam put them under discipline. They had to live by the moral laws of Islam. The drinking and gambling of the "days of ignorance" were no more. The wild spirit of the desert rebelled against this moral control. It saw its oppurtunity in the death of the holy Prophet. Now was the time to throw off the yoke of Islam.</p> <p face="arial"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>he one thing which was especially irk-some to the chiefs of these tribes was the poor-rate. The government at <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Medina</st1:place></st1:city> took away from them, each year, two and a half per cent of their total wealth. True, this money was spent on the poor of their own tribe. But all the same, it was a burden on their pockets. If only <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Medina</st1:place></st1:city> would stop collecting the poor-rate, they could continue to be Muslims. Many chiefs made this decision known to the Caliph.</p> <p face="arial">A<span style=";font-size:24pt;color:blue;" > </span>more serious trouble also raised its head at the same time. People who had spent no time with the holy Prophet, nor studied him closely, thought of him as a mere ruler. The more clever among such people began to dream of a similar career. "All we have to do," they thought to themselves, "is to claim to be prophets and get a following." Thus they hoped to rise to power and fame. Many a cunning man fell prey to this ambition. Presently, a host of imposters appeared in different parts of <st1:place st="on">Arabia</st1:place>. They all claimed to be apostles of Allah.</p> <p face="arial"><o:p> </o:p></p> <h4 style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" align="center">Firm Action</h4> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;">
<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>he situation was serious. Utmost care was needed to handle it. Abu Bakr called a meeting of the Advisory Counsel and sought its advice. Many of the members were for slow action. "It is not wise," they said, "to start fighting on all fronts at one and the same time. Ignore those, for the time being, who refuse to pay the poor-rate. We can settle with them when imposters have been dealt with."</p> <p face="arial">Abu Bakr would not listen to such counsel. "By Allah," he declared, "even if a single kid is due from a man, he must give it. If he refuses. I will wage war against him. If others do not support me, I will fight alone. No one has the power to change a commandment of Allah."</p> <p face="arial">However, the situation was extremely difficult. Among the non-payers of the poor-rate were the neighbouring tribes of Abs and Zabyan, Asad and Toy. They thought of squeezing a concession from the Caliph before Usma's army was back in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Medina</st1:place></st1:city>. They sent a deputation to the Caliph, offering to stay withing the fold of Islam if they were exempted from paying the poor-rate.</p> <p face="arial"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>rue to his mettle, Abu Bakr firmly turned down the proposal. At the same time, he set about strengthening the defences of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Medina</st1:place></st1:city>, for he expected a treacherous attack from the rebel tribes.</p> <p face="arial">On the third night the treacherous blow came. But Abu Bakr was ready for it. He hit back so hard that the enemy fled back headlong.</p> <p face="arial">In a few days Usama was back in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Medina</st1:place></st1:city>. The Caliph decided to march in person against the treacherous tribes. People begged him not to risk his life but Abu Bakr would not listen. Leaving Usama in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Medina</st1:place></st1:city> as his deputy, the Caliph led an army against Abs and Zabyan and utterly defeated these tribes. Their pastures were taken over for army use.</p> <p face="arial"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>his firm action on the part of the Caliph convinced many a waverer that it was impossible to accept part of Islam and reject part of it. That saved the integrity of Islam as a way of life. Abu Bakr's invincible faith helped Islam keep its foundation in tact.</p> <p face="arial"><o:p> </o:p></p> <h4 style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" align="center">War on Imposters</h4> <p face="arial" class="MsoNormal">
<br />It was now time to strike at the imposters. Usama's army had rested and was ready to go into action again. Abu Bakr marched the army about twelve miles along the road to <st1:place st="on">Nejd</st1:place>. Here he divided it into eleven battalions. Each battalion was put under the command of an experienced commander. The commanders were then told to march against different imposters.</p> <p face="arial">Before these armies left, a general warning was given to the imposters and their followers. They were assured of pardon if they came back to Islam. The Caliph gave the following instructions to his commanders:</p> <p face="arial">"I request the soldiers of Islam to fear Allah, under all conditions. They should do their best to obey the commandments of Allah. They should fight against those who have left Islam and have fallen in the trap of the devil. But before taking out swords, they must declare the message of Islam. If the apostates accept it, they must at once hold back their hands. But if the message is rejected, they must attack and fight till these people give up disbelief. When the apostates re-enter the fold of Islam, the commander of the Muslim army must explain to them their rights and duties under Islam. They should be given their rights and should be made to do their duties. The commander should keep his men from hasty action and mischief. He should avoid a headlong plunge into enemy settlements. He should rather enter them after making sure of all precautions, lest Muslims suffer a loss. Whether he is on the march of in the camp, the commander should be kind and considerate towards his men. He should look to their comfort and should be gentle in speech."</p> <p face="arial"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>he Caliph explained these instructions to the commanders. Then they led their battalions against the several imposters.</p> <p face="arial">Abu Bakr then came back to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Medina</st1:place></st1:city>. He had already forced the waverers among Muslims to pay Zakat (the poor-rate). Now he launched an all-out attack on imposters and their followers.</p> <p face="arial"><o:p> </o:p></p> <h4 style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" align="center">Talaiha</h4> <p face="arial" class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>aliaha was one of the imposters. He belonged to the tribe of Banu Asad. On return from the last pilgramage, he laid claim to prophethood. All his tribesman became his followers. The tribes of <st1:place st="on">Tay</st1:place> and Ghatfan were the allies of Banu Asad. They also joined the imposter. With his huge following, Talaiha was encamping at the Bazakha spring in <st1:place st="on">Nejd</st1:place>. Khalid bin Walid defeated the imposter who fled to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Syria</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Afterwards, he again became a Muslim. He served in the Muslim army during the Iraqi campaign and tried to make amends for his past sins.</p> <p face="arial"><o:p> </o:p></p> <h4 style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" align="center">Malik bin Nawirah</h4> <p face="arial" class="MsoNormal">
<br />Khalid next marched against Malik bin Nawirah. He was the chief of the trib of Banu Tamim. He had stopped the payment of the poor-rate and had made war on the Muslims of his tribe. Hearing of Khalid's approach, he disbanded his men. Khalid put him and his men under arrest. The night happened to be unusually cold and the prisoners started shivering. The matter was reported to Khalid who ordered that they be warmed up. But the Arabic phrase for "warming up" also means "salying". Misunderstanding the order, the guards put Malik and his men to the sword.</p> <p face="arial">In the morning when Khalid came to know of Maliks's fate, he felt very sorry. But there was nothing he could do about it. "When Allah has ordained a thing," he said, "it does come to pass." Complaints reached the Caliph that Khalid had not acted on his instructions in this particular case. There was a demand that Khalid be punished for the hasty act. Abu Bakr himself paid bloodmoney for Malik bin Nawirah. "Khalid is the sword of Allah," he said. "This sword has flashed against the disbelievers. Who am I to make it disappear?"</p> <p face="arial"><o:p> </o:p></p> <h4 style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" align="center">Musailma the Liar</h4> <p face="arial" class="MsoNormal">
<br />Musailma was the most cunning of all imposters. He belonged to Yamama. When he learnt of the serious illness of the holy Prophet, he wrote him a letter, saying, "Allah has made me your partner in prophethood. Let us divide the earth between ourselves." To this the holy Prophet replied, "To Musailma the Liar! Surely the earth belongs to Allah. He grants possession of it to those of His servants whom He likes."</p> <p face="arial"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>he death of the holy Prophet gave Musailma the oppurtunity. He collected a large army. This army had first to deal with an impostress - Sajah by name. She ws a Christian. After the death of the holy Prophet, she laid claim to prophethood, "why should all prophets be men?" she said. "In me Allah has now sent a woman prophet." She raised a big army and was marching towards <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Medina</st1:place></st1:city>. On the way she came across Musailma's forces. The shrewd imposter at once saw that Sajah was a serious rival. He also felt that he could not defeat her on the battlefield. So he started a love affair, Sajah easily fell into the trap. The two were married. Now Musailma had a huge army, 4,000 strong, under his command.</p> <p face="arial"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>he battalion under Ikrama bin Abu Jahl was to attack Musailma. The battalion under Shurjil was to reinforce it. Ikrama had orders to wait for the reinforcement. But, hoping to get the whole credit for himself, Ikrama did not wait for Shurjil. He attacked Musailma and was badly beaten. The news made Abu Bakr sad. He at once wrote to Khalid bin Walid to deal with Musailma. The combined battalions of Khalid and Shurjil now fell upon the imposter. Musailma fought desperatley. Once his men reached the very tent of Khalid. But Khalid kept his nerve. He rallied his men and himself led a final attack. Confounded by the suddenness of the attack, Musailma's men took to flight. The imposter and a few of his companions hid themselves in a fortified garden but the Muslim warriors threw open the gates. The infamous imposter and his friends were all put to the sword. Among those who killed Musailma was Wahshi, the negro slave who had killed Hamza, the uncle of the holy Prophet at Ohud. He had done this to win his freedom. Hind, the wife of Abu Sufyan, had promised to buy him his freedom if he slew Hamza. After the fall of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mecca</st1:place></st1:city>, Wahshi became a Muslim. The Holy Prophet forgave him but said, "Please Wahshi, keep out of my sight. You remind me of my dear uncle."</p> <p face="arial">Wahshi had always felt sorry for his sin. He wanted to wash it out. The battle against Musailma gave him his chance. His javelin was in search of the imposter. With great skill he sank the poisoned end of his javelin into the imposter. The wretch gave a yell and fell to the ground. The next moment his head was cut off. "Thank Allah!" exclaimed Wahshi, "I have been able to make some amends for my sin."</p> <p face="arial">Musailma belonged to the tribe of Banu Hanifa. Orders were received from the Caliph that all mean of the tribe who had taken up arms against Islam should be put to death. But Khalid had already promised to spare their lives. So his wod was honored and the whol tribe re-imbraced Islam.</p> <p face="arial"><o:p> </o:p></p> <h4 style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" align="center"><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Bahrain</st1:place></st1:country-region></h4> <p face="arial" class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>he people of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Bahrain</st1:place></st1:country-region> embraced Islam in the lifetime of the holy Prophet. After his death a powerful tribe, Banu Bakr, threw off the yoke of Islam and started fighting against Muslims. Abu Bakr sent a battalino under <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Ala</st1:place></st1:state> bin Hadrami, to deal with the rebel tribe. The Banu Bakr were defeated. Their leader, Hatim, was killed. <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Bahrain</st1:place></st1:country-region> was once again secure under Muslim rule.</p> <p face="arial">Some tribes of Omman also gave up Islam. The generals of Abu Bakr brought them all back into the fold of Islam.</p> <p face="arial"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>hus in a few months Abu Bakr was able to put down the country-wide rising caused by imposters. Khalid bin Walid did more than any other man to make this possible.</p> <p face="arial"><o:p> </o:p></p> <h4 style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" align="center">The Era of Conquest Begins</h4> <p face="arial" class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>he kings of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Iran</st1:place></st1:country-region> had done all they could to crush Islam. In fact, the infamous Khusro Parvez had ordered the arrest of the holy Prophet. But a few days after, he was killed by his own son, Sharuya. Since that day, <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Iran</st1:place></st1:country-region> had known no peace. Abu Bakr had to take account of the ever-present danger on the eastern frontiers.</p> <p face="arial">In the first month of the year 12 A.H., Khalid bin Walid was sent with an army to challenge the might of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Iran</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Another army under Qaqaa bin Amr was to reinforce him. Khalid was to attack Kamla, the southern outpost of the Iranian empire.</p> <p face="arial">A second army, under Ayaz bin Ghanam, was to strike at the norther boundary of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Iraq</st1:place></st1:country-region>.</p> <p face="arial">According to the Islamic practice, Khalid addressed the following letter to Hurmuz, the Iranian Commander: "Accept Islam and you will be safe. If not, agree to pay the jizya or you will have to repent. I am bringing against you a people who love death as you love life."</p> <p face="arial"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>he proud Iranian Commander paid no heed to the warning. He was slain in the battle that followed. The Iranian army was utterly routed. After this a number of well-known Iranian generals came to fight Khalid. Bahman and Jahan were two of them. But they all met defeat. The Iranian losses were heavy.</p> <p face="arial">Hira, on the Iranian border, ws the stronghold of the Christian Arabs. They had so far fought on the Iranian side. Khalid conquered Hira. Soon after, the other frontier chiefs also submitted to Khalid.</p> <p face="arial">After Hira, Khalid conquered Anbar and Ain-ut-Tamr, two important outposts of the Iranian empire. He now received a letter from Ayaz, calling him to his help in <st1:place st="on">North Iraq</st1:place>. Ayaz was hard pressed at Dumat-ul-Jundal. Khalid rushed to his help and sent the following message to Ayaz:</p> <p face="arial">"Wait for a while. Camels carrying fierce lions are shortly reaching. Wave after wave of troops are on their way."</p> <p face="arial">One of the enemy generals, Akidar, knew from his own experience how impossible it was to halt Khalid's attack. He advised the other generals to stop fighting against the Muslims. When the advice went unheeded, he quietly left. His friends saw the truth of his remarks when they met humiliating engagement took place at Faraz. A huge force made of Iranians and Arabs crosed the <st1:place st="on">Euphrates</st1:place>. On the 15th of Dhul-Qaad, 12 A.H., Khalid routed this host at Faraz. From here he went back to Hira.</p> <p face="arial"><o:p> </o:p></p> <h4 style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" align="center">Khalid's Exploits</h4> <p face="arial" class="MsoNormal">
<br />Abu Bakr had no more than ten thousand troops when he took over as Caliph. With this small force, he had to put down a country-wide revolt. To all appearance the task was hopeless. But Abu Bakr met with amazing success. Much of this success was due to his unshakable faith in Allah. "Islam is the path of truth revealed by Allah," he said, "so Allah must defend it against enemies." It was not so much on troops as on Allah's help that Abu Bakr depended. Results proved that he was right in his faith.</p> <p face="arial"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>here was, however, another important factor which helped Abu Bakr. This was Khalid bin Walid, the greatest general of Islam. His tact and courage made the small forces of Islam look ten times stronger. The results were simply astonishing. With a handful of troops Khalid was able not only to overcome all internal enemies but also to make <st1:place st="on">Arabia</st1:place> safe for Islam. He was then able to jump on <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Iraq</st1:place></st1:country-region> and win it for Islam. From <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Iraq</st1:place></st1:country-region> he marched against the Byzantine forces and put them to rout. All this took place in the space of two years. Throughout the campaign not even once did Khalid meet with a reverse. By forced marches, he often gave a surprise to the enemy and did not rest till he overpowered them. This made Khalid the dread of the enemy. The truth is that Khalid's exploits put to shame the victories of an Alexander or a Napolean.</p> <p face="arial"><o:p> </o:p></p> <h4 style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" align="center">Allah's Sword</h4> <p face="arial" class="MsoNormal">
<br />Khalid bin Walid was born a general. At Ohud, he fought on the side of the Quraish. It was he who turned the tide of that battle. Muslim victory was clearly in sight. Quraish leaders were on the run. Suddenly Khalid saw the pass at the back of the Muslim army undefended. At the head of a strong party, he dashed through the pass and took the army of Islam by surprise.</p> <p face="arial">After the peace of Hudaibiya Khalid embraced Islam. His military talent soon began to outshine others. The Holy Prophet at once saw his worth and gave him the title of "Saif Allah" or "Allah's Sword." But it was not till Islam overleaped the boundaries of <st1:place st="on">Arabia</st1:place> that the world saw Khalid's unequalled military talent.</p> <p face="arial">Abu Bakr was quick to see Khalid's ability. So he put him in charge of the Iraqi campaign. Khalid's exploits in this campaign have few equals in history. In about eleven months, he over-ran the whole of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Iraq</st1:place></st1:country-region> and brought it under the banner of Islam. He had no more than ten thousand men. With this small force he defeated hosts twenty times as big. These hosts had superior arms and equipment. But Khalid knew how to win with smaller numbers and inferior arms.</p> <p face="arial">In Iraq Khalid fought fifteen battles in all. He won complete victory in all of them. He never allowed the standard of Islam to leave the battlefield until the enemy was completely beaten. Towards the later part of the campaign, Khalid became the dread of the enemy. The mere fact that Khalid commanded an army made the enemy tremble.</p> <p face="arial"><o:p> </o:p></p> <h4 style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" align="center">A Good Administrator</h4> <p face="arial" class="MsoNormal">
<br />Khalid was not only a great conqueror but also a first-rate administrator. He saw to it that things were managed well in the cities and territories he conquered. He never marched on until this had been done. He left behind a deputy to look after things. He also appointed a judge to settle people's disputes.</p> <p face="arial">Khalid was extremely kind hearded and just to the people. His army had strict orders not to do any harm to farmers and other civilians. "They are the real strength of society," he said. "They should always be treated with kindness and respect." This was something new for the conquered people. The Iranian and Byzantine officers had been very hard on them. Khalid's treatment won their hearts. So much so that they came to hate their old masters.</p> <p face="arial"><o:p> </o:p></p> <h4 style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" align="center">Hard on the Enemy</h4> <p face="arial" class="MsoNormal">
<br />Khalid was very hard on people who took up arms against Islam. He believed that such people should have only two choices. They should either give in or fight to death. If they fled from the battlefield, he would not let them go. He followed them wherever they went, until they either begged for mercy or were killed.</p> <p face="arial">This policy of Khalid proved very sound. He dealt with the beaten enemy once and for all. He did not allow them to take up arms a second time. Muslim forces were too small to deal with repeated risings.</p> <p face="arial"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>here is hardly another general in history who combines as many qualities as Khalid. Khalid is unquestionable the greates general produces by Islam.</p> <p face="arial"><o:p> </o:p></p> <h4 style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" align="center">War with Byzantian</h4> <p face="arial" class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>he need for military operations against <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Byzantium</st1:place></st1:city> began to be felt in the life-time of the Holy Prophet. So Abu Bakr was bound to do something about this danger. In the year 13 A.H., he prepared a big army and divided it into four battalions. Each battalion was put under a separate commander. Each of them was to strike at a different point on the Syrian border. Abu Obaida bin Jarrah was to march on Hims, Amr bin al-Aas on <st1:city st="on">Palestine</st1:city>, Yazid bin Abi Sufyan on <st1:city st="on">Damascus</st1:city> and Shurjil bin Hasna on <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Jordan</st1:place></st1:country-region>.</p> <p face="arial"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>hese battalions were to strike at the enemy at once and the same time. The aim was to keep the enemy from hitting with full force on anyone of the battalions.</p> <p face="arial">Before these armies left, Abu Bakr gave the following instructions to their commanders: </p> <ol style="font-family: arial;" start="1" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Always fear Allah. He knows what is in men's hearts. </li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Be kind to the men under you and treat them well. </li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Directions given should be brief. If too long, they are likely to be forgotten. </li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Improve your conduct first; others will improve when they see your example> </li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Honor the representatives of the enemy. </li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Keep your own arrangement a secret. </li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Be always truthful so you can get good advice. </li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">At night when you are free, sit among your men. This will keep you in touch with them. </li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Make good arrangements for the watch and ward of the army. </li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Keep away from untruthful men. Be intimate with truthful and faithful companions. </li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Be sincere to all whom you have dealings. </li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Beward of cowardice and dishonesty. </li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">You will come across people who have given up the world and are spending their days in place of worship. Leave such people alone. </li></ol> <p style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>he news of the Muslim invasion upset Emperor Heracleus. He was in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Jerusalem</st1:place></st1:city> at that time. He sought the advice of his nobles. He himself was in favor of coming to terms with the Muslims. "It is better to give up half of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Syria</st1:place></st1:country-region>," he said, "than lose the whole of it." To this the nobles did not agree.</p> <p style="font-family: arial;">So four huge armies were sent by the emperor to fight the Muslims. His own brother was leading one of the armies. Each army was several times more numerous than the Muslim army it had to fight. This made the Muslim commanders give thought to the matter. They met together for mutual counsel. One of them pinpointed the folly of fighting separately. "We will be crushed under the sheer weight of numbers," he said, "if we fight separately." The other generals saw the point. They agreed upon a plan to merge the four battalions into a single army. Thus, they thought, the Muslim army would stop looking too small in its own eyes. They informed the Caliph of their decision. He approved of it and sent the following written message:</p> <p style="font-family: arial;">"Muslims can never be defeated because of small numbers. But if their own sins overwhelm them, they will meet defeat. So let you all keep away from sins of all kinds."</p> <p style="font-family: arial;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <h4 style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" align="center">The <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Battle</st1:place></st1:city> of Yarmuk</h4> <p face="arial" class="MsoNormal">
<br />Heraclius learnt that the four Muslim armies had merged into one. He also ordered a smiliar move. The four Byzantine armies combined to fomr a gigantic mass of men. They dug up trenches in the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">valley</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">Yarmuk</st1:placename></st1:place>. By the Caliph's orders the Muslim forces, too, took up position on the opposite side. For weeks the two armies lay facing each other. Neither of the two sides dared to touch on the fighting.</p> <p style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>he Byzantine forces had every advantage on their side. In addition to numbers, they had the river in front and the mountains at their back. So the Muslim commanders requested the Caliph for reinforcements. HE at once wrote to Khalid to rush to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Syria</st1:place></st1:country-region>.</p> <p style="font-family: arial;">Khalid handed over the charge of affairs in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Iraq</st1:place></st1:country-region> to Muthanna bin Haritha. He then hastened to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Syria</st1:place></st1:country-region> at the head of ten thousand men. Despite all his haste, Khalid conquered many forts and cities on the way. At last he reached Yarmuk. Almost at the same time, the Byzantine army received a reinforcement. The brought their total strength to two hundred and forty thousand. The Muslim army numbered just thirty-six thousand.</p> <h4 style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" align="center">Khalid Reorganizes the Army</h4> <p face="arial" class="MsoNormal">
<br />Khalid at once saw that he must properly organize the army, in order to win. It meant a single command, in place of the four commands. So he called the other commanders and said, "We are fighting for the sake of the faith. We must all forget ourselves. We cannot afford to be split under many commanders. That would be a help to the enemy. Let there be just one commander, by turns if you please. If you agree to that let me be the commander for the first day of the battle."</p> <p style="font-family: arial;">All liked the plan. Khalid took the chief command. He divided the army into several sections. Each section was put under a commander. It was further subdivided into many troops, each with a leader. Abu Sufyan was appointed the fiery herald. He went about the army, speaking words of courage to men.</p> <p style="font-family: arial;">As the two armies stood facing each other, a Muslim soldier remarked. "How numerous the enemy is!" Khalid overheard the remark. "It is not the numbers that matter," he exlaimed, "it is rather the final outcome of the battle."</p> <p style="font-family: arial;">At long last the battle began. Khalid took some troops with him. He made a wild charge and was soon in the heart of enemy forces. He succeeded in driving a wedge between the enemy cavalry and infantry. The two were cut off from each other.</p> <h4 style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" align="center">Fighting unto Death</h4> <p face="arial" class="MsoNormal">
<br />Ikrama bin Abu Jahl was fighting at Yarmuk. Soon after the battle began, the Muslim troops began to real under the weight of numbers. Ikrama saw this. "Heretofore I fought all battles against the Apostle of Allah," he shouted out. "This is the first time I am fighting for the cause of Allah. In no casse will I turn my back on the battlefield. Now who are going to fight unto death with me?"</p> <p style="font-family: arial;">Saying this, Ikrama held out his hand to receive the pledge of others. His son, Amr, was the first go give the pledge. He was followed by four hundred more. Like wild cats, these men pounced upon the enemy hordes. They dealt such telling blows that the sea of man cleared before them. Their desperate attack caused confusion among enemy ranks.</p> <h4 style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" align="center">Rout of the Enemy</h4> <p face="arial" class="MsoNormal">
<br />Soon the enemy cavalry found itself walled between Khalid's troops and the main Muslim army. Confusion spread and they fled. The Muslim army made was for them to flee.</p> <p style="font-family: arial;">Now Khalid fell on the enemy infrantry. THe shield of the cavalry being no more, the infantry was take by surprise. In utter confusion it fell back. But the mountain blocked the way. In despair men ran back to the river. Here a watery death awaited them. Most of the men had tied themselves with iron chains to rule out the possibility of flight. The chains proved traps of death. When a few of the men fell into the river, they also dragged their companions into the watery grave. According to one estimate, one hundred and twenty thousand of them were drowned in the river. The Byzantine rout was complete. The Muslims loss was three thousand killed.</p> <p style="font-family: arial;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <h4 style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" align="center">Women's Courage</h4> <p face="arial" class="MsoNormal">
<br />Muslim women played a notable role in this battle. They formed a battalion which stood at the back of the army. They supplied water to the men. They also dressed their wounds. They shouted words of courage when the army showed signs of weakness. These words put a new heart into retreating men. They dashed forth like lightning and sowed death among enemy lines.</p> <p style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>he Byzantine army at first forced the Muslims to fall back. Muslim women stood on a bridge. Khalid came to them and said, "O daughters of Islam, if anyone turns his back on the battlefield, kill him at once."</p> <p style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>he women did what Khalid bade them to do. They stood at their post of duty. They had stones at their post of duty. They had stones in their hands and their eyes were fixed on the battlefield. If anyone fled for life, he was met by a shower of stones. Back he ran into the thick of battle and fought to the last.</p> <p style="font-family: arial;">Many Muslim soldiers had brought their families with them. The women stayed in tents at the back of the troops. Their words of courage for the brave and their taunts for the weak of heart, made a real difference in the tempo of fighting and in the outcome of the battle. Victory of Yarmuk was in no small measure due to the courage of Muslim women.</p> <p style="font-family: arial;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <h4 style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" align="center">Two Great Martyrs</h4> <p face="arial" class="MsoNormal">
<br />On the following morning Khalid took stock of his losses. Ikrama and his son, Amr, were brought to him. They were seriously wounded. Their condition was grave. Khalid put their heads on his lap. In a few minutes, the souls of both of them winged their way to heaven.</p> <p style="font-family: arial;">Ikrama was the son of Abu Jahl, the archenemy of Islam. When <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mecca</st1:place></st1:city> fell, Ikrama fled away for fear of life. But hearing that the Prophet had forgiven all enemies, he came back to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mecca</st1:place></st1:city>. To his surprise, the Prophet ran out to greet him. From that day on, Ikrama was a true son of Islam. He laid down his life fighting for the glory of Islam.</p> <p style="font-family: arial;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <h4 style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" align="center">Unparalleled Selflessness of Khalid</h4> <p face="arial" class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>he battle of Yarmuk was on when a letter arrived from <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Medina</st1:place></st1:city>. It was delivered to Khalid. It said that Abu Bakr had passed away and Omar has succeded him as Caliph. IT also said that the new Caliph had dismissed Khalid from his command and replaced him by Abu Obaida bin Jarrah. Khalid read the letter. He then informed Obaida that the command had passed to him. But the news was not made public, lest the army should lose heart. The letter had no effect whatever on Khalid. He went on fighting as desperatley as ever.</p> <p style="font-family: arial;">After the battle was over, Khalid's dismissale became known. Someone said to him, "How is it that the news did not damp your spirit at all?" "I was not fighting for Omar," replied Khalid, "I was fighting for the cause of Allah."</p> <p style="font-family: arial;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <h4 style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" align="center">Abu Bakr's Last Illness</h4> <p face="arial" class="MsoNormal">
<br />On the 7th of Jamadi-ul-Akhir, 13 A.H., Abu Bakr was taken ill. He had sever fever. Everything was done to bring down the fever, but all in vain. It became clear to the aged Caliph that his end was come.</p> <p style="font-family: arial;">Even in these last days, the thought that troubled Abu Bakr was the future of Islam. He wanted to make sure that nothing would go wrong with the affairs of Muslims, after he was no more. He had to spend every ounce of his energy to put down the violent storms of unrest that broke loose after the Prophet's death. He did not want this to happen after his own death.</p> <p style="font-family: arial;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <h4 style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" align="center">Omar's Nomination</h4> <p face="arial" class="MsoNormal">
<br />Welfare of Muslims had always been the first care of Abu Bakr. He would allow nothing that made Islam weak. The thing he feared most was division among Muslims. He remembered what had happened after the death of the Holy Prophet. He wanted to make sure that no differences should divide Muslims after he was no more. Unity was the secret strength. Unity must be had at any price.</p> <p style="font-family: arial;">As his sickness grew, Abu Bakr gave more and more thought to the matter. Who should be the Caliph after him? Should he himself name the best man? Or should he leave the matter to the people? In the latter case, quarrels might arise. These would certainly shake the very foundations of Islam. IT was too great a risk. Abu Bakr was not willing to take that risk.</p> <p style="font-family: arial;">After careful thought, he chose to nominate Omar. He put his proposal before the leading Companions. Most of them liked the proposal. But someone said, "Omar is no doubt the best man, but he is rather too strict."</p> <p style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>o this Abu Bakr replied, "As soon as the burden of Caliphate falls on his shoulders, he will become more mild."</p> <p style="font-family: arial;">When all Companions agreed, Abu Bakr called Othman. He dictated to him Omar's nomination. It was read out to the people. It said:</p> <p style="font-family: arial;">"<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>his is the will of Abu Bakr, the Caliph of the Holy Prophet. He is making the will when he is about to leave for the next world. This is the time when even a non-believer begins to believe and even a sinner begins to trust in Allah. I appoint Omar bin Khattab as your ruler. In appointing him, I have kept your welfare fully in mind. I hope he will be truthful and just. But if he leaves his path and becomes unjust, I know nothing about the unseen, I have only the well-being of Muslims at heart. Everybody is responsible for what he does."</p> <p style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>he will was read out to the people. After this Abu Bakr went to the top of his house, supported by two men. Addressing the people he said:</p> <p style="font-family: arial;">"My brethren in-faith, I have not appointed any of my own brothers and relatives as your Caliph. I have appointed a man who is the fittest person among you. Do you approve of him?"</p> <p style="font-family: arial;">"Of course we do," went up a shout from hundreds of men.</p> <p style="font-family: arial;">Next he called Omar to his bedside and spoke to him thus:</p> <p style="font-family: arial;">"Omar! I have nominated you my successor. My parting advice is that you fear Allah and work for the well-being of the Muslims. Remember, Omar, the duties you own to Allah are to be discharged at the proper time. Some of these are to be discharged at night and some during the day time. First things must come first. On the Day of Judgment only those will come out successful whose good deeds are weighty. Those whose evil deeds out-weigh the good deeds, will have a terrible time. For success and salvation, you have to make the Qur'an and the truth your guides. You know, Omar, that the verses of the Qur'an speak of good reward and punishment side by side. This is to put the fear of Allah in the believer's heart and to make him pray for forgiveness. Omar, when you read in the Qur'an about the inmate of fire, pray to Allah not to make you one of them. But when you read about the dwellers of <st1:place st="on">Paradise</st1:place>, pray for being one of them Omar, if you follow the path I have chalked out fo ryou, you will find me by your side."</p> <p style="font-family: arial;">When OMar had left the dying Caliph raised his hands in prayer and said:</p> <p style="font-family: arial;">"Lord! I have taken this step in the best interest of the Muslims. I feared disunion among them, so I took this step, the consequences of which are best known to You. After careful thought I have appointed a man who is the sinceristy and the most energetic worker for the well-being of the people. I am at death's door now, so help the Muslims, Lord after I am no more. THye are Your servants. Their future is in Your hands. Lord, keep their rules on the right path. Make Omar one of the noblest Caliphs and help the Muslims help him."</p> <p style="font-family: arial;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <h4 style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" align="center">Abu Bakr Passes Away</h4> <p face="arial" class="MsoNormal">
<br />After an illness of two weeks, Abu Bakr passed away. He was sixty-three at the time. He was buried by the side of the Holy Prophet.</p> <p style="font-family: arial;">Before his death he said, "Do not use new cloth to cover my dead body. The sheet of cloth I have on will do for me. Wash it clean."</p> <p style="font-family: arial;">"But this is too old and worn, father," said his daughter Aisha.</p> <p style="font-family: arial;">"This old and worn sheet will do for me," he replied.</p> <p style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>his parting wish was acted upon. The second wish of the dying Caliphs was, "Sell my land and pay back in the public treasury all the money I got as my salary." This was also done. Before he became the Caliph, Abu Bakr was a well-to-day merchant. The affairs of the Caliphate left him no time to look after his own business. The matter was put before the Companions. They allowed the Caliph a salary of six thousand dirhams a year. All this money was paid back to the Bait-ul-Mal (the Public Treasury) after the Caliph's death.</p> <p style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:blue;" >T</span>hus Abu Bakr, the first Caliph, left behind a noble example of selfless service. He lived and worked for Islam to the last breath. And for his tireless labors, he sought no worldly reward.</p> <p style="font-family: arial;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <h4 style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" align="center">Two Years of Abu Bakr's Calpihate</h4> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">
<br />Abu Bakr was Caliph for only two years, three months and ten days. This was a relatively short period of time in the life of people. But during this short period, Abu Bakr was able to do great things for Islam. These achievements have made his name immortal. They have placed him among the greatest men of all time.</p> <p style="font-family: arial;">When Abu Bakr too over, Islam was confined to <st1:place st="on">Arabia</st1:place> alone. And here, too its hold was rather shaky. In many parts of the country, Islam was but a name. It was not a way of life with most people. Scores of tribes had thought of the Holy Prophet has a mere king. They tried to throw off his yoke as soon as he was no more. Abu Bakr taught these people a lasting lesson. He taught them that Islam was a way of life.</p> <p style="font-family: arial;">Abu Bakr was able to do this because of his unshakable faith. No difficulties could take him off the path of the Prophet. Usama might be youthful and inexperienced, but Abu Bakr would not hear a word against him. He was appointed by the Prophet. There might be rising in the country, but Abu Bakr would not put off the expedition to Tabuk. The Prophet had ordered it. Abu Bakr stood unequalled in his love for Allah and His Apostle. This was the secret of his unbending strength. It was this inner strength that carried him through the darkest hours of his Caliphate.</p> <p style="font-family: arial;">Abu Bakr was as sincere as he was firm in faith. He lived up to every word of what he said at the beginning of his Caliphate. He was never anything but the faithful agent of Allah and His Apostle, and the humblest servant of his people. It was this fact which won him the deepest love and respect for all classes of his people. The result was that Islam took an unshakable hold on the coutrny of its birth. Soon it gathered enough strength to overlap its boundaries. It struck at the two most feared powers of the time. And lo! it was successful. Abu Bakr had put Islam on the road to worldwide expansion.</p> <p style="font-family: arial;">Islam means total submission to the will of Allah. It means that utter absence of all selfishness. The Holy Prophet showed by his example hwo that goal could be reached. He showed how the power of the State should not be used for private ends but for the public good. Abu Bakr was the first among his followers to live up to the Prophet's example. He go tno personal gain out of the Caliphate. He spent every minuted of the last two years of life in the service of his people, but got not a penny as wages.</p> <p style="font-family: arial;">Abu Bakr had several sons and many near relatives. For public offices, he did not choose anyone of them. He rather chose other people who were more fit for public service. He had to nominate his own successor to prevent quarrels. But his choice fell on none of his own relatives. His choice was rather the man whom he honestly believed to be the best among the Companions. All the same, he did not force his choice on people. He put his proposal before the Companions. When they had agreed to it, he put it before the people.</p> <p style="font-family: arial;">In short, Abu Bakr showed the world what government of the people, for the people, and by the people really meant. Neither the East nor the West had ever known such a form of government before. The mighty empires of <st1:country-region st="on">Iran</st1:country-region> and <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Byzantium</st1:place></st1:city> were based upon naked force.</p> <p style="font-family: arial;"><a name="97">In short Abu Bakr kept going the great work of the Prophet. For that he had to fight hard. He fought with a will and with a faith that amazed everyone. Islam is for ever grateful to him for the great services he rendered to it </a></p> vicky khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04904488564697054927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7972679514089038630.post-6794875423179612532009-10-22T08:18:00.000-07:002009-10-22T08:23:01.583-07:00Hazrat Adam (AS)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZLVFYz58k8E/SuB4fb73EFI/AAAAAAAAAOw/RTG0STtVxLA/s1600-h/image004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZLVFYz58k8E/SuB4fb73EFI/AAAAAAAAAOw/RTG0STtVxLA/s320/image004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395444835059961938" border="0" /></a><br /><p> <span style="font-size:130%;">Millions of years ago there was no world. Then God said, 'Kun' (Be), and the world was created. But, still it was without human beings. Even in Jannah (heaven), there were no human beings. </span></p><p> <span style="font-size:130%;">Jannah is the most beautiful garden anyone can ever dream of. It has all kinds of fruit trees-pomegranates, grapes, olives- every fruit that you can think of and more. Flowing in it are streams of cool sweet water, milk and honey. </span></p><p> <span style="font-size:130%;">One day, God said to His Angels in Jannah, ' I want to create a human being as my deputy.' The Angels asked, ' Are we not enough to carry out your orders?' God replied, 'I know better.' Then God created Adam. He taught him everything about the world, and gave him permission to live in Jannah, to do what he pleased, and to eat and drink what he liked. He could eat the fruit of any tree in the garden, except , the fruit of one particular tree.<br /></span></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZLVFYz58k8E/SuB4o5Gz9WI/AAAAAAAAAO4/iNmIVGsfh98/s1600-h/image002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 310px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZLVFYz58k8E/SuB4o5Gz9WI/AAAAAAAAAO4/iNmIVGsfh98/s320/image002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395444997509346658" border="0" /></a></p><p> <span style="font-size:130%;">And so Adam enjoyed himself. But he soon became lonely. He had no friends. So he said to God, 'Please give me a companion.' And God gave him a friend Hawwa (Eve). </span></p><p> <span style="font-size:130%;">After creating Adam, and teaching him about the world, God called all his angels and said, 'This is Adam. You should bow down to him in sajda.' </span></p><p> <span style="font-size:130%;">All the angels obeyed except Iblees or Shaitaan (Lucifer), who was a jinn. He said, 'Why should I bow to Adam? I am made of fire and he only of clay, I'll not bow to him.' </span></p><p> <span style="font-size:130%;">Iblees was cunning. He began thinking of ways to make Adam disobey God. One day, when Adam and Hawaa were in Jannah, he quietly whispered into Adam's ear that the fruit of the forbidden tree was the best fruit of all. 'If you eat it you will live forever,' he said. </span></p><p> <span style="font-size:130%;">Adam was tempted by what Iblees said. So he let Iblees them to that tree. As soon as Adam and Hawwa ate the fruit, they realized that they had made a mistake. Feeling ashamed, they hid themselves from God. But God knew, because He is everywhere with his knowledge.<br /></span></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZLVFYz58k8E/SuB4v-gBt6I/AAAAAAAAAPA/QtmqyO3rwsw/s1600-h/image005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZLVFYz58k8E/SuB4v-gBt6I/AAAAAAAAAPA/QtmqyO3rwsw/s320/image005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395445119216367522" border="0" /></a></p><p> <span style="font-size:130%;">God was very angry and said, 'Didn't I warn you never to eat the fruit of that forbidden tree? But you did not obey Me, Adam, and now your place be on earth and not in Jannah.' He threw Adam and Hawwa down to earth. Adam and Hawwa had not meant to disobey God, they just made a mistake and were very sorry about it. </span></p><p> <span style="font-size:130%;">They wept and wept and begged for God's forgiveness. At last, God took pity on them and pardoned them. Then God told them that if they were good and obeyed Him, He would call them back to the beautiful garden-Jannah-after death. But if they didn't, they would have something horrible waiting for them - dozakh (hell). </span></p><p> <span style="font-size:130%;">Adam and Hawwa spent the rest of their lives obeying God and doing good in the hope of winning God's pleasure and of returning to Jannah after death. </span></p><p> <span style="font-size:130%;">They had many, many children, and grand children. We too are all great great ... grand children of the same Adam and Hawwa. That is why Adam is called the 'father of the human race'. </span> </p>vicky khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04904488564697054927noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7972679514089038630.post-74530741569067457342009-10-20T04:24:00.000-07:002009-10-20T04:42:40.332-07:00Brief History Of Bu Ali Qalandar<span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZLVFYz58k8E/St2eOQwdlPI/AAAAAAAAAMo/jrtJHrLU9ws/s1600-h/bu_ali_shah_qalandar_panipa.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZLVFYz58k8E/St2eOQwdlPI/AAAAAAAAAMo/jrtJHrLU9ws/s320/bu_ali_shah_qalandar_panipa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394641896513311986" border="0" /></a>
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<br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>Hazrat Bu Ali Shah Qalandar</b>
<br />Bu-Ali-Shah Qalandar is one of the most renowned Sufi saints in history. He was born in early 1400 in <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Panipat</st1:city>, <st1:country-region st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place>. After the Ibadat of 36 years by standing in the water in Kernel he achieved the status of "Bu-Ali-Shah Qalandar". The Prophet Mohammed blessed him with the fragrance Bu Ali. After achieving this Rutba, many Sufi saints came to see Bu-Ali-Shah Qalandar. After many years of devotion and service Bu-Ali-Shah Qalandar is said to have disappeared into the sky in front of all his devotees. Now there is the Durbar of Bu-Ali-Shah Qalandar Sahib in Panipat, which is very well known as the Qalandari Gate.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br />More about the saint : His name was Sheikh Sharf Uddin and Bu-Ali Shah the title. His father, Sheikh Fakhar Uddin was a great scholar and saint of his time. The mother, Bibi Hafiza Jamal, was the daughter of Maulana Syed Nemat Ullah Hamdani. His father came from <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Iraq</st1:place></st1:country-region> in the year 600 Hijri and settled down in Panipat. His lineage with several links reached Hazrat Imam Abu Hanifa. He was born in 606 Hijri in Panipat.
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<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">He completed his studies at an early age and taught near the Qutub Minar in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Delhi</st1:place></st1:city> for 20 years. He was counted among renowned scholars and top-ranking teachers regarded him with respect.
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<br />Once during the studies he was lost in absorption and wonder. He got up and threw all the books into the river and trudged into the forest and busied in prayer and meditation there.
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<br />He undertook severe penance and meditation, stood in a state of absorption for several days in water till the fish ate away flesh form his calves. One day he was engaged in meditation, a voice he heard. It said, "Sharf Uddin, we granted you your prayer say, what do you want?" He said, "I need none save you. I will give away my life in love while standing at this place." The voice again descended, "Get out of water, you have to do much for us." He replied, "I will not emerge myself from the river of love. If you want it, then do it." Saying this he was lost again. He witnessed, in the state, that a saint appeared and lifted him out of the river and placed him on the bank.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZLVFYz58k8E/St2es31VMYI/AAAAAAAAAM4/7pfsG7C8VFE/s1600-h/Sayad-baba-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZLVFYz58k8E/St2es31VMYI/AAAAAAAAAM4/7pfsG7C8VFE/s320/Sayad-baba-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394642422398792066" border="0" /></a>
<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Several chroniclers opine that the saint was Hazrat Ali himself. He taught him some divine secrets and disappeared. From that day he was regularly lost in spiritual wonderment. His heart was filled with heavenly light. From that day he was call Boo-Ali Shah.
<br />
<br />
<br />Still some chroniclers say that he did not pledge obedience to a holy man but was admitted directly into the fold by Hazrat Ali. Some link him to the Mahboob-e-Ilahi whereas others bind him to Hazrat Qutub Uddin Bakhtiyar Ka'aki and Sheikh Shabu Uddin Suharawardy.
<br />
<br />He lived in Panipat till death and served the people form there. Hundreds drew spiritual or divine benefits from him. Besides, he undertook to regular teaching and propagation of Islam. Hundreds embraced Islam because of him. The Rajputs, who lived around, were the great beneficiaries. He left a deep impact on the royal dynasty of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Delhi</st1:place></st1:city>, and preached them of good conduct.
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZLVFYz58k8E/St2e2EaTplI/AAAAAAAAANA/lHgHjqoBiRg/s1600-h/haji_malang.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 282px; height: 280px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZLVFYz58k8E/St2e2EaTplI/AAAAAAAAANA/lHgHjqoBiRg/s320/haji_malang.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394642580393928274" border="0" /></a>
<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">One day a disciple of Shamsuddin Turk went to the city on an errand and saw Boo Ali Shah riding a lion and retold the episode to his teacher. Shamsuddin Turk said to his disciple, "Go to the residence of Boo Ali Shah and if you see him riding the lion, tell him: "The lion should live in the jungle." The disciple obeyed, found Hazrat Boo Ali Shah in the condition and conveyed his teacher's message. He rose from his place immediately and went to Ghote.
<br />Death- It is mentioned in 'Sair-Ul-Akhtab' that he died on 17, Ramazul Mubarak 724 Hijri at Budha Khera but lay to rest in Panipat instead.<o:p></o:p></span></p> vicky khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04904488564697054927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7972679514089038630.post-30373625897946661802009-10-19T06:56:00.000-07:002009-10-19T07:15:25.322-07:00This World is Not For Us<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='408' height='345' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyif4bsf1vA6lfMbY5tn7MIcAnmODcxAu_JtRWOovicFpw-SRErWITYi_IqF2WqSOqNWnL_X-hKRQmwCuxrwQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>vicky khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04904488564697054927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7972679514089038630.post-57141208099354553222009-10-18T01:12:00.001-07:002009-10-18T01:13:54.067-07:00Pictures<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZLVFYz58k8E/StrOLHJbCEI/AAAAAAAAAMg/M4NJMYD-NbY/s1600-h/image007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZLVFYz58k8E/StrOLHJbCEI/AAAAAAAAAMg/M4NJMYD-NbY/s320/image007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393850194022041666" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZLVFYz58k8E/StrOG2kE7LI/AAAAAAAAAMY/YI9rpliwiVg/s1600-h/image006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZLVFYz58k8E/StrOG2kE7LI/AAAAAAAAAMY/YI9rpliwiVg/s320/image006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393850120850959538" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZLVFYz58k8E/StrOA94fnTI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/rQT7IKdV1to/s1600-h/ATT2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZLVFYz58k8E/StrOA94fnTI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/rQT7IKdV1to/s320/ATT2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393850019736427826" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZLVFYz58k8E/StrN8U7IJWI/AAAAAAAAAMI/NcI4JSv68yk/s1600-h/ATT1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZLVFYz58k8E/StrN8U7IJWI/AAAAAAAAAMI/NcI4JSv68yk/s320/ATT1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393849940022142306" border="0" /></a>vicky khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04904488564697054927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7972679514089038630.post-90375965971304416582009-10-17T09:45:00.001-07:002009-10-17T09:48:50.631-07:00Beautiful Pictures<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZLVFYz58k8E/Stn1RhKf2BI/AAAAAAAAALQ/o9ZlChU4qmA/s1600-h/image005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZLVFYz58k8E/Stn1RhKf2BI/AAAAAAAAALQ/o9ZlChU4qmA/s320/image005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393611710061860882" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZLVFYz58k8E/Stn1LGGmwLI/AAAAAAAAALI/yGe6Kvu88Ew/s1600-h/image004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZLVFYz58k8E/Stn1LGGmwLI/AAAAAAAAALI/yGe6Kvu88Ew/s320/image004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393611599718564018" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZLVFYz58k8E/Stn1DrD7ZkI/AAAAAAAAALA/4ntS7fRQBo4/s1600-h/image003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZLVFYz58k8E/Stn1DrD7ZkI/AAAAAAAAALA/4ntS7fRQBo4/s320/image003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393611472200492610" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZLVFYz58k8E/Stn07L0AEcI/AAAAAAAAAK4/HE0oZ99EmvM/s1600-h/image002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 310px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZLVFYz58k8E/Stn07L0AEcI/AAAAAAAAAK4/HE0oZ99EmvM/s320/image002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393611326373237186" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZLVFYz58k8E/Stn0yy899uI/AAAAAAAAAKw/y8OI6Wd0lus/s1600-h/image001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 231px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZLVFYz58k8E/Stn0yy899uI/AAAAAAAAAKw/y8OI6Wd0lus/s320/image001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393611182261008098" border="0" /></a>vicky khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04904488564697054927noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7972679514089038630.post-11695405181545498622009-10-17T06:37:00.000-07:002009-10-17T07:26:10.418-07:00What Is Islam<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CMuskan%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceName"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceType"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Wingdings; 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mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial;">What Does Islam Means<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The word "Islam" itself means "Submission to Allah." The religion of Islam is not named after a person as in the case of "Christianity" which was named after Jesus Christ, "Buddhism" after Gutama Buddha , "Marxism" after Karl Marx, and "Confucianism" after Confucius. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Similarly, Islam is not named after a tribe like "Judaism" after the tribe of Judah and "Hinduism" after the Hindus. The Arabic word "Islam" means the submission or surrender of one's will to the will of the only true god worthy of worship, "Allah" (known as God "the Father" in Christianity). <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Anyone who does indeed submit to the will of Allah as required by Islam is termed a "Muslim," which means one who has submitted to the will of Allah. Many people in the West have developed the sad misinformed trend of calling Islam "Muhammadenism" and it's followers "Muhammadins." This is a totally foreign word to Muslims and unrecognized by them. No Muslim has ever called his religion "Muhammadenism" or called himself a "Muhammadin." <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial;">What Is The Basic Concept Of Islam<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">Islam teaches us that this life is a life of worship. We are placed on this earth in order to worship Allah and obey His command. During this earthly life we are subjected to a series of trials. We have the option of enduring these trials and conforming to certain laws, and our reward will be great in the next life, or we may decline to endure these trials and choose to not conform to the law, then we will be made to regret it in the next life. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">Each person will be solely and completely responsible for their own final reward. We are also told that God has designed these laws to make this life a better, safer, and more tolerable one for us. If we elect to conform to them then we will see the result in this life even before moving on to the next. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">We are told that the earthly life is a life of faith and work, and the next life is one of reward and no work. We have been placed on this earth to worship God, fast, pray, be industrious, good, kind, respectful, and a source of uprightness and morality. We are told that God has no need of our worship. Our worship can not increase the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place> nor add to His power, however, it is in our best interests both in this life and the next that we do. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">Unlike some other religions which claim that God entered in a covenant with a certain group of people and that this group is genetically better than all other human beings, or closer to God, Islam on the other hand teaches that no color, race, tribe, or lineage is better than any other. Islam teaches that all humans are equal in the sight of Allah and that the only thing that can distinguish them in His sight is their piety and worship. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">"O humankind! Verily! We have created you from a male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that you may know one another. Verily! the noblest among you in the sight of Allah is the most God-fearing. Verily! Allah is The Knower, The Aware." The noble Qur'an, Al-Hujrat(49):13.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial;">Levels Of Islam<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">Islam consists of three levels, each building upon the lower ones. They are: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <h4><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;">1) Islam:<o:p></o:p></span></h4> <ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family: Arial;">Testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family: Arial;">Establish the daily prayers <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family: Arial;">Pay Zakat (Obligatory charity due the poor) <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family: Arial;">Observe the fast of Ramadan <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family: Arial;">Perform pilgrimage to the Ka'aba (in Makkah ) once in your life if you are able<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul> <h4><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;">2) Faith (Iman):<o:p></o:p></span></h4> <ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family: Arial;">To believe in Allah <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family: Arial;">To believe in His angels <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family: Arial;">To believe in His Books (Scriptures) <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family: Arial;">To believe in His Messengers <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family: Arial;">To believe in the Day of Judgment <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family: Arial;">To believe in the Divine Decree (Divine fate) whether good or evil<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul> <h4><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;">3) Excellence/Goodness (Ihsan )<o:p></o:p></span></h4> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">To worship Allah (God) as if you see Him, for if you can not see Him, He assuredly sees you. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">In Sahih Muslim, Abdullah ibn Umar ibn al-Khattab narrated: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">"My father, Umar ibn al-Khattab, told me: One day we were sitting in the company of Allah's Apostle (PBUH) when there appeared before us a man dressed in pure white clothes, his hair was extraordinarily black. There were no signs of travel on him, but none among us recognized him.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">This man came and sat beside the Apostle (PBUH) kneeling before him and placing his palms on his thighs. He then said: Muhammad, inform me about al-Islam. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: Islam implies that you testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, and you establish prayer, pay Zakat, observe the fast of Ramadan, and perform pilgrimage to the (House) if you are solvent enough (to bear the expense of) the journey. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">He (the inquirer) said: You have told the truth. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">He (Umar ibn al-Khattab) said: It amazed us that he would put the question and then he would himself verify the truth. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">He (the inquirer) said: Inform me about Iman (faith). He (the Holy Prophet) replied: That you affirm your faith in Allah, in His angels, in His Books, in His Apostles, in the Day of Judgment, and you affirm your faith in the Divine Decree, either good and evil. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">He (the inquirer) said: You have told the truth. He (the inquirer) again said: Inform me about al-Ihsan (performance of good deeds). <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">He (the Holy Prophet) said: That you worship Allah as if you are seeing Him, for though you don't see Him, He, verily, sees you. He (the inquirer) again said: Inform me about the hour (of the judgment). <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">He (the Holy Prophet) remarked: The one who is asked knows no more than the one who is inquiring (about it). <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">He (the inquirer) said: Tell me some of its indications. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">He (the Holy Prophet) said: That the slave-girl will give birth to her mistress and master, and that you will find barefooted, destitute goat-herders vying with one another in the construction of magnificent buildings. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">He (the narrator, Umar ibn al-Khattab) said: Then he (the inquirer) went on his way but I stayed with the messenger of Allah for a long while. The prophet Muhammad then, said to me: Umar, do you know who this inquirer was? I replied: Allah and His Apostle know best. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">He (the Holy Prophet) remarked: He was Gabriel (the angel). He came to you in order to instruct you in your religion." <o:p></o:p></span></p> <h3><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial;">What Are The Pillars of Islam?<o:p></o:p></span></h3> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">Islam is built upon five major pillars. A Muslim is taught that anyone who dies observing these five basic pillars will enter heaven. As mentioned, they are: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">(1) To bear witness that there is no entity worthy of worship except Allah(God) alone, and that Muhammad (pbuh) was His messenger. This establishes obedience to God Almighty alone. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">(2) To perform five prescribed prayers to God every day according to a specific prescribed method and at specific prescribed times. This continually reminds us to bear God in mind in all actions, either before or after any given prayer. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">(3) To pay two and a half percent (2.5%) of ones wealth to charity every year if their savings exceed a certain minimum level which is considered above the poverty level. (This is the basic concept, the actual calculation is a little more complex). <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">(4) To fast the month of Ramadhan (from the Islamic Lunar calendar) every year from sun rise until sunset. This involves not eating, drinking, or having marital relations, from sun rise until sun set. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">(5) To perform a pilgrimage to Makkah (in the <st1:place st="on">Arabian Peninsula</st1:place>) once in a Muslim's lifetime if it is financially possible and their health permits. During this period, Muslims come from all over the world to join together for six days in a prescribed set of acts of worship. All Muslim men are mandated to wear the same garment which was designed to be very plain, simple, and cheap to obtain. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">Mu'ad ibn Jabal said: I said to Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him): Inform me about an act which would entitle me to enter into <st1:place st="on">Paradise</st1:place>, and distance me from the Hell-Fire. He (the Prophet) said: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">"You have asked me about a matter [which ostensibly appears to be] difficult but it is easy for those for whom Allah, the Exalted, has made it easy. Worship Allah and do not associate anything with him, establish prayer, pay the Zakat, observe the fast of Ramadhan and perform Hajj to the House (Ka'aba)." (Narrated by Ahmed, al-Tirmathy, and ibn Majah) <o:p></o:p></span></p> <h3><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial;">Prophet Muhammad (</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">PBUH</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial;">)<o:p></o:p></span></h3> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">Muslims are taught that prophets are humans who have been selected by God for a special purpose. They are given miracles to assist them in their message but these miracles are not performed through their own power, but through the power of God. The prophets of God have no divine powers of their own, nor even the power to decide who will go to heaven or to hell. They are merely there to convey the message entrusted to them by God to the best of their ability. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">In a similar manner, Muhammad (pbuh) was assisted by God with a number of miracles and entrusted to convey His message to mankind. Muhammad (pbuh) himself, however, was just a regular human being. He could not issue passes to heaven. He could not condemn people to hell. He could not change what was in people's hearts. He could only convey the message and hope that they would believe. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">Muhammad (pbuh) lived like any other man or woman of his people. He dressed like they dressed. He ate the same food they ate. He lived in the same manner and in the same sort of houses they did. It would be impossible for someone who did not know him to pick him out of a crowd. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">Muhammad (pbuh) taught his followers through example. If he commanded his followers to do something, he would be the first to abide by this command. He never broke his word, he was by far the most charitable man among his people. He was the most God-fearing and the least attached to this life. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">He never in his life accepted charity, but worked for a living. He never lied. It was not at all uncommon for him to spend months on end enduring severe hunger never seeing a single cooked meal. He taught his followers to be merciful to their children and respectful to their elders. He commanded them to never taste alcohol, gamble, engage in usury (interest), fornication, envy, deceit, or back-biting. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">Muhammad (pbuh) taught that no human being needs any other human being to intercede for him with God. He showed them that God is within the reach of all his creation. He hears and sees all and answers His servant's prayers. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">Muhammad (pbuh) further severely cautioned against promoting any of God's creation or groups thereof to higher levels of divine authority and closeness to God than others, or the excessive glorification of any human being. This includes the prophets of God themselves. He taught that the very best of God's servants are those who continuously seek out knowledge and that God sees all that they do.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">Muhammad (pbuh) taught his followers to be industrious and to earn an honest living. He taught them that the best Muslims are those who are not overly obsessed with earthly wealth since excessive wealth usually leads to corruption. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">However, he also taught that a wealthy person who is not blinded by his wealth is not condemned by God and may even be able to utilize his wealth in acts of worship not available to the poor. In other words, Muhammad (pbuh) taught moderation in all things. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">There is much more that could be said about the teachings of Muhammad (pbuh), however, probably one of the most general summaries made by Muhammad (pbuh) in this regard was: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">"Righteousness is good conduct, and sin is that which weaves inside your chest and you hate for it to be revealed to mankind." <o:p></o:p></span></p> <h3><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial;">No 'Religious' Hierarchy<o:p></o:p></span></h3> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">In Islam, there is no hierarchy of religious leadership such as the people of some other religions may have come to expect. There are no priests, bishops, monks, Popes, ...etc. Muslims define a scholar of Islam as an 'Imam' (not to be confused with the "Imams" of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Iran</st1:place></st1:country-region> who claim to have boundless supernatural powers and divine attributes). In any given neighborhood, the Imam is the person that a Muslim seeks for religious rulings. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">For example, if a Muslim dies and his sons want to distribute his inheritance, they go to the Imam and he presents them with the verses of the Qur'an and the Sunnah which describe the required procedure. This man will also usually give religious lectures to teach the Qur'an and the Sunnah. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">The Muslim Imams and scholars have no special divine powers. They cannot forgive sins. They do not receive divine "inspirations." They cannot issue passes to heaven. They do not have knowledge of the unseen. The can not change the law. They are just regular Muslims who have distinguished themselves with their study and their knowledge. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <h3><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial;">No Monasticism (monkhood)<o:p></o:p></span></h3> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">Islam commands Muslims to obey Allah and follow his command. It specifies acts of worship which are acceptable. It encourages Muslims to work and be industrious. It forbids 'monkhood ' and excessive 'spritualization' or 'Zen' and other such practices. A Muslim is commanded not to forbid upon himself that which was made lawful by Allah, nor to introduce new and innovative acts of worship into the religion. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">This means that a Muslim should not decide that even though Islam allows marriage, he will forbid it upon himself and remain celibate (he may choose not to marry, but he can not forbid it upon himself). If he wishes to perform extra worship, there are many avenues open to him, such as nightly prayer, charity, abstinence from sin....etc. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">Muhammad (pbuh) once gave the example of two men. One was practicing monasticism and excessive worship, totally detaching himself from this worldly life. The other was working for a living and paying for the food and drink that the "monk" was consuming each day. Muhammad (pbuh) told his followers that the man who was making an honest living and supporting the 'monk' was greater in reward in the eyes of Allah. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <h3><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial;">The Law<o:p></o:p></span></h3> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">Islam, like Judaism, is a structured set of laws and commandments. The basis of Islam is the five pillars mentioned previously. Anyone who dies observing the five pillars will enter heaven. Anyone who does not may enter Hell (there are exceptions). However, there are many subtle levels both above and below these. These levels are governed by the law. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">Islam teaches us that Muslims will be rewarded in proportion to their good deeds, their restraint from evil deeds, and their faith. In this manner we will have people who will enter different levels of heaven, as well as different levels of hell, in direct proportion to their faith and deeds. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">We learn about the laws of Islam from the Qur'an and the Sunnah. The Qur'an is the Holy book of Islam which contains the words of Allah Almighty and the broad guidelines of Islam. The Sunnah, is the traditions of the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) which included both his words and his actions. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">The Sunnah usually provides the details for those laws which are drawn out in broad outlines in the Qur'an. Each one of these two sources has a dedicated and very complex science associated with it. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">"And We have sent down unto you (O Muhammad) the Reminder (one of the names of the Qur'an), that you may clarify to mankind that which was sent down to them" The noble Qur'an, Al-Nahil(16):44<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">Al-Bukhari narrated upon the authority of Abu Hurairah, that he said: Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">"Allah said: 'I will declare war against him who shows hostility to a pious worshipper of Mine. And the most beloved things with which My slave draws nearer to Me is that which I have ordained upon him. My slave continues to draw closer to Me through performing 'Nawafil' (supplementary worship) till I love him. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">So I become the sense of hearing with which he hears, and the sense of sight with which he sees, and the hand with which he grips, and the leg with which he walks. And if he asks Me, I will give him, and if he asks my protection, I will protect him'" <o:p></o:p></span></p> <h3><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial;">The Way of Life<o:p></o:p></span></h3> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">Islam is not the same as some other religions from the point of view that it is not confined to a certain place of worship or a certain act, or acts, of worship. Islam teaches it's followers that every single aspect of their life, from eating, to drinking, to sleeping, and everything in-between can be done in one of two ways: Either a way that pleases God, or one that displeases Him. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">Islam is also a social, economic, and political way of life. Every single aspect of human existence is governed by the law of Islam. A Muslim is commanded to respect his elders and to show humility and respect to his parents. He is also commanded to show kindness and mercy to those who are younger or weaker than himself as well as all of God's beasts. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">A Muslim is commanded to have nothing whatsoever to do with usury, gambling, or alcohol. A Muslim, however, is not passive and weak. He is commanded that if he sees the laws of God being violated or an injustice being committed, he must stand up for the truth and fight to establish the law of God, defend the oppressed, and establish justice and peace. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <h3><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial;">A Just But Merciful Law<o:p></o:p></span></h3> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">Islam, as mentioned above, involves a structured set of laws and acts of worship. Some are more strict and rigid than others. For instance, there can be no excuse whatsoever for worshipping any entity other than Allah alone. Here there is no room for compromise. On the other hand, Islam is designed to also be flexible and lenient. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">For instance, if a Muslim is sick and can not fast during the month of Ramadhan without incurring bodily harm to himself, then even though this is one of the five pillars of Islam , he is not mandated to fast. In fact he is encouraged not to fast. The law allows for leniency in this, and most other cases. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">Muslims are taught that each good deed is multiplied by Allah Almighty till it becomes the equivalent of anywhere from ten up to seven hundred similar good deeds (sometimes more). An evil deed, however, is either counted as a single evil deed or is forgiven by Allah. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">A Muslim is further taught that as long as there is life there is hope. So long as death has not yet overcome him, he can still repent from his evil deeds and, if his intentions are sincere, Allah is willing to forgive all of his past evil deeds no matter if they exceed the drops of water in the ocean. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">Islam teaches Muslims that God holds them responsible for their INTENTIONS and not necessarily for their DEEDS. This is revealed by the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in the following saying which was narrated by Umar ibn al-Khattab in Sahih Al-Bukhari: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">"The Prophet (pbuh) said, "O people! The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions, and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended. So, whoever emigrated for Allah and His Messenger, then his emigration was for Allah and His Messenger, and whoever emigrated to achieve a worldly benefit or for a woman to marry, then his emigration was for that which he emigrated for". <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">"The good deed and the evil deed are not alike. Repel the evil deed with one which is better" The noble Qur'an, Fussilat(41):34<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">"Verily! Allah does not forgive that a partner should be ascribed unto Him. He forgives (all) save that to whom He will. Whoso ascribes partners to Allah, he has indeed invented a tremendous sin." The noble Qur'an, Al-Nissa(4):48.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">"Whatever of misfortune strikes you, it is what your right hands have earned. And He forgives much." The noble Qur'an, Al-Shurah(42):30<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">"And those who, when they do an evil thing or wrong themselves, remember Allah and implore forgiveness for their sins. Who forgives sins save Allah only? and they do not knowingly repeat (the wrong) they did. The reward of such will be forgiveness from their Lord, and Gardens underneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide for ever, a bountiful reward for workers!" The noble Qur'an, A'al-Umran(3):135-136.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">"He knows the treachery of the eyes, and that which the chests do hide." The noble Qur'an, Ghafir(40):19.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">"He is the One that accepts repentance from His Servants and forgives sins: and He knows all that you do." The noble Qur'an, Al-Shurah(42):25. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">"The likeness of those who spend their wealth in Allah's way is as the likeness of a grain which grows seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He will. Allah is All Embracing, All Knowing." The noble Qur'an, al-Bakarah(2):261<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">"Say: My slaves who have been prodigal to their own hurt! Despair not of the mercy of Allah, Who forgives all sins. Lo! He is the Forgiving, the Merciful. Turn unto Him repentant, and surrender unto Him, before there comes unto you the doom, when you cannot be helped. And follow the better (guidance) of that which is revealed unto you from your Lord, before the doom comes on you suddenly when you know not, Lest any soul should say Alas, my grief that I was unmindful of Allah, and I was indeed among the scoffers! Or should say: if Allah had but guided me I should have been among the dutiful! Or should say, when it sees the doom: Oh, that I had but a second chance that I might be among the righteous! (But now the answer will be): Nay, for My revelations came unto you, but you denied them and were scornful and were among the disbelievers." The noble Qur'an, Al-Zumar(39):53-59.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">Abu Hurairah narrated that Allah's messenger (pbuh) said <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">"When Allah completed the creation, He wrote in His Book which is with Him on His throne: Verily, 'My Mercy has overcome my Anger'." Narrated in Sahih Al-Bukhari. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">Abu Hurairah furhter narrated : I heard Allah's messenger (pbuh) saying: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">"Allah has divided His Mercy into one hundred parts, and He kept ninety nine parts with Him and sent down one part on the earth, and because of that one single part, His creatures are merciful to each other, so that even the mare lifts up it's hoof away from it's baby animal, lest it should trample it." Narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <h3><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial;">Names of God<o:p></o:p></span></h3> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">The people of Christianity have been taught to refer to their deity as "God." If you were to ask one of them: "What is your god's name?," they would respond "God!" (there are some exceptions). They object to Muslims worshipping "Allah," and usually picture "Allah" as some pagan god. Some of them will even go so far as to curse "Allah," not realizing that they are cursing "God." <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">Now the question becomes: where did the name "God" come from? Did Jesus (pbuh) ever say "God"? Did Moses (pbuh) ever say "God"? No! The Jews and Arabs are both Semitic tribes which descended from one father, Abraham (pbuh). Their languages are quite similar. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">The Old Testament tells us that Moses (pbuh) referred to God as "El" or "Elohiym." Jesus (pbuh) too, referred to God using a similar construct. Jesus (pbuh) spoke Aramaic, however, the ancient copies of the Gospel available to us today are mostly written in Greek. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">Very little of Jesus' actual words have been preserved to this day. However, we do know from Mark 15:34 that Jesus (pbuh) referred to God as "Eloi." "Eloi" is an Aramaic word which means "My God." It is pronounced as {el-o-ee'}. The Arabs would say the same word as "Elahi," pronounced {el-ah-ee'}. So Muslims refer to God with virtually the exact same word Jesus (pbuh) used. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">Muslims are taught that Allah Almighty has more than one hundred names, the most well known among them being "Allah." These names are to be found in many places throughout the Qur'an. They embody the major characteristics of Allah Almighty such as "The Gracious," "The Merciful," "The Majestic," "The Supreme"...etc.. These names are usually considered adjectives, unless they are applied to Allah Himself, in which case they are treated as proper nouns. For instance: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">"Allah's are the fairest names. Invoke Him by them. And leave the company of those who blaspheme His names. They will be requited what they do." The noble Qur'an, Al-Aaraf(7):180.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">"Say (unto mankind): Supplicate unto Allah, or supplicate unto the 'Rahman' (Compassionate/Merciful/Gracious), unto whichever you supplicate (it is the same). His are the most beautiful names." The noble Qur'an, al-Isra(17):110.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">"Allah! There is no god save Him. His are the most beautiful names." The noble Qur'an, Taha(20):8.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial;">"Not equal are the Companions of the Fire and the Companions of the Garden: The companions of the Garden, they are the triumphant. Had We sent down this Qur'an on a mountain verily you would have seen it humble, rent asunder for fear of Allah. Such are the similitudes which We propound to humanity that they may reflect. He is Allah, other than whom there is no other god, He is the 'Knower' of (all things) both the unseen and the seen; He is the 'Gracious' the 'Merciful'. He is Allah, other than whom there is no god, the 'Sovereign' the 'Holy One' the (source of) 'Peace,' the 'Guardian of Faith' the 'Overseer,' the 'Majestic,' the 'Irresistible,' the 'Supreme': Glory be to Allah! (highly exalted is He) above the partners they attribute to Him. He is Allah the 'Creator,' the 'Innovator,' the 'Fashioner'. His are the Most Beautiful Names: Whatever is in the heavens and on earth do glorify Him: and He is the 'Mighty' the 'Wise'." The noble Qur'an, al-Hashir (59):20-24.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Video</span></span>
<br /><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='388' height='292' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzkPmiGNhFQfOMDz_aWqZsvDnn3AkCE3Vz4i7OCFsTSkmiRod0oy5bN2jnTetb3rVoc1tpFSHg4AvLEO66ajg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>vicky khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04904488564697054927noreply@blogger.com5