The truth about Islam

1 . God’s Pure Word 

Which book has God’s pure word, undistorted and uncorrupted?

The Revealed Book, the only one, which has God’s pure word now is the Holy Quran, the Book of Islam. It has had only one version since it was revealed by God to Prophet Muhammad about fourteen centuries ago. It is in Arabic, the same language of its revelation. The text is still as it was, with no single word more and no single word less. You can trust this book as God’s pure word because other books such as the existing Old Testament and New Testament are just translations of lost originals. The Holy Quran is the last revelation because Prophet Muhammad is the last Prophet as God tells us in the Holy Quran: no more revealed books after the Holy Quran and no more prophets after Prophet Muhammad. 

God says in the Holy Quran,“We have, without doubt, sent down the Message, and We will assuredly guard it ( from corruption ) .” ( Al- Hijr: 9) .

2. The West and Islam 

Why does the West fight Islam? 

The West is afraid of Islam because Islam is exactly the opposite of the Western civilization and Western values. Islam is for monotheism; the West is for polytheism or atheism. Islam cancels bank interest; Westernism bases all its economy on bank interest. Islam is for religiousness; Westernism is for pleasure. Islam is for family and marriage; Westernism is for anti-family and anti-marriage. Islam forbids alcohol; Westernism loves it. Islam forbids adultery and fornication; Westernism encourages them. Islam is for this life and the Other Life; Westernism cares nothing for the Other Life. 

The West hates Islam because it hates the truth or is afraid of it. Add to this hatred its blind bias against Muslims owing to historical traces.

3. Language of the Quran

If the Quran is in Arabic, how can a non- Arab read it?

The language of the Holy Quran as it was revealed is Arabic. However, in the last century, the Quran has been translated in meaning from Arabic into dozens of modern languages, especially the most common ones such as English, French, German, and Spanish. 

I do advise every educated person all over the world to read the Holy Quran. It is God’s pure word addressed to all humans, regardless of race, color, country, continent, or nationality. In fact, the literal meaning of the word “Quran” is “the book to be read”. If you do not read it, you miss a lot, a lot indeed. 

4. God in Islam 

What is God according to Islam? 

God in Islam is as He described Himself in the Holy Quran: “Say: He is God, the One and Only. God, the Eternal, He begets not, nor is He begotten. And there is none equal to Him .” ( Al - Ikhlas :1- 4 ). 

God is the One: He has no partners and no equals. He is the One: not three in one or one in three. He is the Eternal. He is not a father of any son, nor is he the son to any father. He has no sons or daughters or wives. 

5. Jews 

Are the Jews believers from the Islamic point of view? 

A believer, according to Islam, is one who believes in ALL the Revealed Books of God and ALL His prophets up to the time of the believer. The Jews in the times of Moses who believed in ALL God’s prophets up to their time were believers, for certain. 

However, the Jews of today, 2000 A. D., are not believers in the above sense. They do not believe neither in Prophet Jesus nor in Prophet Muhammad; they do not believe in the two books revealed to Jesus and Muhammad, i.e., the Gospel and the Quran, respectively. They disbelieve in these two prophets despite the fact that their Old Testament prophesied the coming of these two great prophets. 

A believer in God should believe in ALL God’s messengers. It is not acceptable to be selective in this case: to believe in some prophets and disbelieve in some others. 

6. Christians 

Are Christians believers from the Islamic point of view? 

The Christians, at the time of Jesus, who believed in Prophet Jesus, all prophets before him, in his book, and all Revealed Books before the Gospel, were certainly believers, because they did fulfill the basic requirements of belief, i. e., accepting all the Revealed Books and all Prophets of God until their time. 

However, the Christians of today, 2000 A. D., are not believers in this sense. They disbelieve in God’s last prophet, i.e., Prophet Muhammad, and God’s last book, i. e., the Holy Quran. They have done to Muhammad exactly what the Jews have done to Jesus: rejection and denial. Unfortunately, Christians deny Prophet Muhammad although their New Testament prophesied his coming in many texts. 

If you are a real believer, you submit to God and obey Him . In fact, “ Muslim ” means a surrenderer to God. “Islam” means willing submission to God. If you really believe in God, you obey Him without doubt or hesitation. You accept all His messages, all His prophets, and all His revealed books . 

The Jews and Christians of today have failed to surrender to God. The Jews have rejected Jesus and Muhammad despite their Revealed Book. The Christians have also rejected Prophet Muhammad despite their Revealed Book. They want to tell God what to tell them, instead of complete submission to Him. 

Muslims, in contrast, believe in all prophets including Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad. They believe in all prophets starting from Adam or Noah, including Abraham and all the other prophets . They also believe in all Revealed Books .

7. The Right Path 

Who are on the right path : Jews, Christians, or Muslims ? The Holy Quran says: “ Nay, - whoever submits his whole self to God and is a doer of good, - he will get his reward with his Lord ; on such shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” ( Al-Baqara: 112). 

As was said before, at the time of Moses, the Jews who believed in God and all His prophets and all His Books up to Moses’ time were believers on the right track. These believers contrast with those who rejected prophets after Moses. 

The same is true about Christians, who, in the life of Jesus, believed in God, all His Books, and all His prophets up to the time of Jesus. These believers contrast with those who rejected Prophet Muhammad and God’s last book, i. e., the Holy Quran. 

The right path is clear according to Islam. Surrender to God; believe in ALL His Books and ALL His prophets. 

8. Divine Religions

How many divine religions are there in the world? 

According to Islam, there is only one divine religion, i. e., Islam. God is one and His religion is one. Islam is the religion of all prophets: Jesus was a Muslim; so was Abraham; so was Moses ; so were all prophets from Adam, the first prophet, to Muhammad, the last prophet. 

It will be unnatural and illogical to have one God and three religions. The purpose of divine religion is one: guidance. God does not guide in three different ways. One God and one guidance. Since God is one, His religion is one, obviously enough. 

The challenge is this: Where in the Old Testament is it mentioned that Judaism is Moses’ religion? The Old Testament never mentions the term ‘Judaism’. The same challenge stands for Christianity . The New Testament never mentions such a religion . Jesus never called himself ‘Christian’, and he never mentioned ‘Christianity’ in any of the gospels of the New Testament . Similarly, Moses never talked about a religion called ‘Judaism’. 

If Judaism or Christianity had been distinct religions, why would the Bible have not mentioned their names? One may argue that Islam is not mentioned in the Bible either. This is so because of the corruption inflicted on the Bible. On the other hand, the Quran mentions one divine religion, i. e., Islam, although it mentions ‘Jews’ and ‘Christians’ , but it does not refer to Judaism or Christianity, because, to God, there is only one religion, which He Himself called Islam, i. e., surrender to God. 

It is not true to say that there are three divine religions, from the Islamic point of view. When Jesus came, the Jews of his time should have accepted him. Jesus came to emphasize Moses’ message with minor modifications, as he himself affirmed. 

Before Jesus, there was Moses’ message. When Jesus came, Jesus’ message was, or had to be, the alternative message. When Muhammad came, Muhammad’s message had to be the final alternative message. 

God’s message is one at one time. That is abrogation and gradation in God’s message. God sent Prophet Muhammad with the last message to all humans. It is only one message; it is only one religion; it is only one guidance from the One God . 

God says in the Holy Quran,“ The religion before God is Islam … .” (Al-Imran: 19). Islam is simply surrender to the word of God.

9. Islam and Arabs

Is Islam for the Arabs only since the Holy Quran is in Arabic?

Islam is for all humans in all places and all times since it was revealed in 610 A. D. God says in the Holy Quran addressing Prophet Muhammad: “ And We have not sent you but mercy to all humans. ” (Al-Anbiya: 107) . 

Of course, when God sends a prophet, this prophet has to be somewhere on the earth, and the divine message has to be in some language. A prophet cannot be everywhere, and the message cannot be revealed to the prophet except in the prophet’s language. God would not send a message in Greek, for example, to a prophet who knows nothing but Arabic. 

That Prophet Muhammad was an Arab does not mean that Islam is for Arabia only. That the Quran is in Arabic does not mean that it is addressed to the Arabs only. 

If you believe in God, do you think that God will leave man with no guidance? This will contradict His mercy. Will He hold people responsible for what they do without Him guiding them? This will contradict His justice. Islam is God’s complete guidance. This is the truth, the undoubted truth, the whole truth. Do not close your eyes nor your ears because the truth remains the truth. Just open your heart to receive it. Islam is for America, for Europe, for Rome, for London, for humans wherever they are . 

Islam is an open religion: for you, for me, for him, for them, for her. It is the hope, the solution, the outlet, the light . Islam is not for a chosen people, not for a chosen color, not for a chosen race . Islam is for all.

10. Jews and Christians

Why does the Holy Quran sometimes praise Jews and Christians? 

The Quran praises those Jews in Moses’ time who believed in God, all Books, and all prophets up to Moses’ time. So does it do to Christians in Jesus’ time who believed in God, all Books, and all prophets up to the time of Jesus. Those were real believers and real Muslims, i.e., surrenderers to God . 

But God does not praise those who rejected his prophets. Some rejected Jesus and Muhammad. Those rejecters cannot be included in God’s praise. How is it possible that God praises those who deny His own prophets and His own Book? Christians have rejected Muhammad and the Quran. God praises those who accept ALL His Books and ALL His prophets. Simple and clear.

11. The Oneness of God

Is God one, three, or three in one ? 

God in the Old Testament is one. In fact, to believe in the One God is the first of the Ten Commandments of Moses. God in the New Testament is one. Jesus says, “ The Lord our God is one Lord.” (Mark 12: 29). God in the Quran is one: “Say: He is God the One and the Only .” (Al-Ikhlas: 1)

Every one is one; every thing is one. The three-inone is a unique illogical puzzle. That God is three in one, i. e., the Trinity, is not mentioned in the Bible, not in the New Testament, nor in the Old Testament. No Revealed Book said it and no prophet preached it. It is a later innovation added to Christianity and suggested by Paul, not by Jesus. God has always been the One and will remain so. 

12. Moderation

How is Islam the religion of moderation? 

Islamic moderation appears in many ways. First, Islam is moderate, compared to other religions, in the allowable and the disallawable. It only allows what is good food and only forbids what is bad food. It forbids alcohol and pork, which Christianity allows despite their obvious foulness . 

Second, Islam requires purity of the body, i. e., taking bath after each marital sexual intercourse, ablution before prayer, and purity of clothes and place of prayer, acts not paid attention to in Christianity. 

Third, the woman in her cycle is not eaten with according to Judaism, but she can be sexually slept with according to Christianity. In Islam, it is in between: she can be eaten with, but she cannot be sexually slept with. 

Fourth, Muslims respect and accept all God’s prophets and believe in them as such, unlike Jews, who killed some and tortured some, and unlike Christians, who made Prophet Jesus a God or God’s son. 

Fifth, Muslims believe in God’s Oneness and worship God the One, unlike Jews, who have rebelled against God since Moses, and unlike Christians, who made God three parts. 

Sixth, Muslims give God the glorification He deserves, unlike Jews, who described God as poor, miserly, or unable, and unlike Christians, who made a man, like Jesus, God. 

Seventh, Muslims have not changed God’s message: all the basics and details of Islam have been the same as they appeared in the Quran and Muhammad’s sayings fourteen centuries ago. They are unlike Jews, who refused Jesus’ Gospel, and unlike Christians, who abandoned Jesus and followed Paul. 

God says in the Holy Quran addressing the Islamic nation, “Thus, We have made you a nation justly balanced … .” (Al-Baqara: 143).

13. Prophet Muhammad

What is the difference between Prophet Muhammad and other prophets? 

First, Muhammad was sent to all humans in all times and all places, whereas other prophets were sent to a certain people for a certain time . For example, Moses and Jesus were sent to the people of Israel only. Jesus says, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israe.” (Matthew 15: 24). 

Second, Muhammad is the final prophet, whereas the previous prophets were not final. No prophet came or will come after Muhammad. 

Third, Muhammad’s miracle, i. e., the Holy Quran, is the only remaining miracle, whereas other prophets’ miracles disappeared with the prophets themselves. For example, healing the sick passed away with Jesus. Moses’ stick passed away with him as well. 

Fourth, Muhammad’s message, as it is in the Holy Quran and his sayings, remains pure, undistorted and uncorrupted, whereas other messages of other prophets were either completely lost, like Abraham’s, or distorted like Moses’ and Jesus’. 

Fifth, Muhammad’s revealed message stands safe and sound in its original, whereas, in the case of other prophets, their revealed messages now stand without originals. The Quran of Islam now has its original text exactly as it was. In contrast, the original of Jesus’ Gospel exists nowhere; what we have now is translations of a lost original. 

Sixth, Muhammad was a ruler besides being a prophet. Thirteen years after revelation began, in A. D. 623 he established a state under his leadership. He was the civilian leader of that state, the chief judge, and the military leader as well. He put his divine message into action under his own supervision. Thus, he was unlike most prophets, if not all, who were mainly preachers. 

God says in the Holy Quran addressing Prophet Muhammad, “We sent thee not but as a mercy to all creatures.” (Al-Anbiya: 107).

14. Non-Muslims

Can non-Muslims quote the Quran to defend themselves? 

Non-Muslims do not believe in the Quran as God’s Revealed Book. Therefore, they cannot quote it for self-defence. In contrast, Muslims can quote the Bible since they believe in Moses’ and Jesus’ prophethood and in the Pentateuch, i. e., the Tawrat, and the Gospel, i.e., the Injeel. As it is known, Islam enjoins that a Muslim must believe in God, the Last Day, angels, the Books, and all prophets. 

God says in the Holy Quran, “It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards east or west; but it is righteousness to believe in God, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the Messengers.” (Al- Baqara: 177). 

The unique characteristic of Islam is believing in all prophets. A Muslim respects Moses and Jesus as highly as he does to Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon them all. A Jew disdains Jesus; in fact, as Christians believe, it is the Jews who sent Jesus to die on the cross. A Christian mocks and rejects Muhammad although all the sayings of Muhammad show great respect to Jesus and although the Quran praises Jesus so highly. 

Islam includes all prophets and all revealed books. There is no word in the Quran against any prophet or any revealed book. How can it be, when all prophets are servants to God and were thus obedient Muslims? 

15. Need for Islam 

How can Islam solve the problems of the West, i. e., Europe and America?

Islam can solve the problems of all countries if applied properly. The main problems of the West are alcohol, drugs, crime, extra-marital sex, materialism, and atheism. These six problems create dozens of subproblems such as illegal children, divorce, broken homes, one-parent families, alcoholism, drug addiction, fraud, forgery, smuggling, and many others . 

Islam does not allow alcohol and drugs . It forbids not only taking them, but also making, selling, buying, serving, and traficking them. Belief in God and the Last Day on one hand and deterring penalties for crimes on the other hand make crimes a rarity under Islam. 

Islam forbids all sorts of extra-marital sex and all acts of seduction leading to it. It forbids nudeness, woman’s tight or tansparent clothes, unnecessary mingling of the two sexes, man-woman seclusion, dating, mate swapping, mixed parties, and sexual materials. These measures are for prevention. For punishment, transgressors are usually publicly punished with deterring penalties. 

Islam emphasizes spirituality to balance materialism, emphasizes the Other Life to balance this life, emphasizes the Last Day to balance these worldly days, emphasizes the mortality of this life to remind of the immortality of the Other Life, and, most importantly, emphasizes moral responsibility for our deeds to God. 

Islam can save the West from all its problems within several years as Prophet Muhammad could actually do. The pre-Islamic community of Arabia had the same problems suffered by the West nowadays. Within only twenty-three years, Prophet Muhammad could save the then community from all its diseases and turn it into a leading community, so strong, so ideal, and so active that it could extend Islamic territories from the borders of China in the east to the shores of the Atlantic in the west within four decades. 

The only solution to the Western crises is Islam, and nothing but Islam, the right path, the straight way, the only way to salvation. 

God says in the Holy Quran warning those who turn their backs on Islam: “But whosoever turns away from My Message, verily for him is a life narrowed down, and We shall raise him blind on the Day of Judgment.” (Taha: 124). You cannot live happily if you are not living according to the word of God, i. e., Islam, wherever you are.

16. Non-Muslim

Minorities Does Islam protect non-Muslim minorities inside the Islamic nation?

Surely, it does. Prophet Muhammad (P B U H) said, “He who hurts a covenanted man hurts me. And he who hurts me hurts God.” He also said, “He who hurts a covenanted man makes me his foe on the Day of Resurrection . ” 

Jews and Christians have been minorities within the Islamic nation for about fourteen hundred years. They have been living in safety, respect, and honor all through. There were, and still are, Jews in Morocco, Egypt, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. No massacres have been arranged against them neither in old days nor in modern days. 

Christians were and are everywhere in the Islamic countries. They have always been safe and sound, not because of Western power, but because of the basic principles of Islam, the principles laid by the Quran and the Sunna, i.e., Prophet Muhammad’s sayings: not to hurt people in covenant, not to hurt minorities since they are under the protection of Islam and Muslims. 

In contrast, look at what Christians and Jews did to Muslims. The Jews, since 1948, have carried out dozens of massacres against Muslim civilians in Palestine, Lebanon, and Egypt with no word of blame from the Christian West. France carried out massacres in Algeria from 1880-1950’s; so did Italy in Libya (1912-1930); so did Britain in Egypt and Palestine (1919-1948); so did USA to the Iraqi people (1990- 2000). The Serbs slaughtered thousands of Muslims in Bosnia in the 1990’s under the nose of all Europe and no word of reproach was out from that Europe. 

The Russians were no exception: they had their full share of massacres against civilian Muslims in Afghanistan in the 1980’s and in Chechnia and Tajakistan in the 1990’s with the silent blessings and approval of both Europe and USA. 

Back to history, the king of Spain, in 1492, arranged widescale massacres against the Muslims in Spain and gave them three “generous” choices: convert to Christianity OR be slain OR leave the country. Those Muslims who chose to leave were ambushed and slain anyhow, despite the royal promise. 

Look at the refugees of the nowadays world, i.e., those who were driven out of their countries at gunpoint and never allowed to return. UN statistics show that 80% of world refugees are Muslims, which means that non-Muslims do not respect the rights of minorities and that Muslims are often the victims. 

The non-Islamic world is in fact a very harsh, rough, brutal, and cruel world with little mercy or sympathy; it is indeed a sick world if evaluted by an objective observer. 

Muslims never carried out massacres against any one. Massacres, unfortunately, are always the devilish engineering of non-Muslims. The funny thing is that the West names itself, these days, the guardian of human rights although it often either plans for massacres or functions as the dumb-deaf Satan. It is often very difficult to believe a Westerner talking about human rights. You can believe him if he talks about protecting fishes, dolphins, and elephants, but not protecting human beings. When a Western politician talks about protecting animals, he means, “Leave them to save them.” When he talks about human rights, he means the rights of Christians or the whites only. When it comes to Muslims, he, tragically enough, means, “Kill them to save them .” 

Muslims do not regret their good treatment to non-Islamic minorities in spite of what the Christian West and Jews did to Muslims. Muslims have acted and will always act according to the great teachings of Islam: never hurt a person in covenant under your protection. Muslims have always treated others honorably and will always do so thanks to Islam, deeply rooted in the spirits, hearts, and conscience of the Islamic nation. 

Christian Europe and America, from time to time, plan anti-Muslim massacres or adopt a silence policy towards them because there is a defect in the ethical value system of their civilization, one based on bias, anti-humanism, racial discrimination, religious discrimination, ethnic cleansing, imperialism, and many other sick -isms .

17. The Woman’s Headscarf

Why does Islam require that the woman wears a headscarf?

Islam requires that the woman covers not only her hair but also all her body except the hands and the face. This is so because by nature the woman’s body ignites the man’s strong sexual excitement and attraction. Lab research has proved that the sexual hormone in the man is twelve times the sexual hormone in the woman. Therefore, the woman’s cover of her body saves the man a lot of trouble and a lot of sexual excitement. The woman’s hair is one of her beauty components and is as equally exciting as any other parts of her body. 

On the other side of the hill, some non-Islamic institutions choose to punish Muslim women who wear headscarfs. This happened, unfortunately, in France, the so-called mother of freedom, when a schoolmaster dismissed two Muslim sisters from school for the “crime” of wearing a headscarf (1990), believe it or not. Similar dismissals have occurred in some US institutions as well, unbelievable indeed. 

For an objective observer, punishing a woman or a girl merely for wearing a headscarf is in fact a horrible example of extremism, of hating a person on the account of his appearance, of anti-Islamism, and of lack of tolerance. Those Western extremists fight the headscarf not for the scarf itself but for what it symbolizes. The headscarf worn by a Muslim woman stands for abiding by Islam; the headscarf loudly declares that Islam is there. Anti-Islamists hate Islam so much to the extent that they cannot stand seeing any Islamic symbol like the headscarf on a Muslim woman’s head. They prefer to see women almost naked everywhere and, thus, declare war against headscarfs. 

The horrible war against headscarfs reached its peak when a female member in Turkey’s parliament was denied membership in 1999 simply because she was wearing the headscarf, and she was accused of showing no respect to the Turkish secular constitution as was phrased by Turkey’s Prime Minister and Turkish secularists. In fact, it is those secularists that really broke the constitution because what to wear comes under personal freedom, which is wellsafeguarded by the so-called Turkish constitution itself. 

These acts prove the point that Muslims have never been extremists. It is always the other side that sticks to extremism and thus forces the Muslims to react in self-defence. If one is to blame, it is non- Muslim extremists who provoke Muslims and force them to react after they run out of patience and cannot bear any more provocation and oppression. 

18. Allah

Do Muslims have a special God called Allah? 

Allah is the Universal God of all humans . There is one God. In English, they call Him God. In French, they call Him Dieu. This does not mean that the God of France is different from the God of Britain. 

In Islam, God in the Holy Quran, the Revealed Book of Islam, calls Himself Allah. Allah is the proper name referring to God. “Allah” cannot be pluralized, dualized, or femininized, whereas the word “god” can be gods, two gods, or goddess . 

Islam is a religion of monotheism: Allah is one, with no equal or partner. Islam is against polytheism: God is one in Islam, not three in one or one in three. Islam is also against dualism, which preaches two gods: one god for good and one god for evil. Islam is against pantheism as well, which holds that God is in everything. 

“Allah” fits the referent more than “God”. Allah is the proper name of God. Every human being has a name; what about the Supreme Being? Doesn’t He have a name? Doesn’t the Creator of all humans and beings have a name or deserve a name? In fact, He has. God has given Himself a name, i. e., Allah. 

The name “Allah” also appears in the Bible as in “hallelujah,” which means “thanks to Allah”. No one can hide the truth when Allah wants it to be known.

19. Muslim-Christian Dialogue

Does Islam welcome Muslim-Christian dialogue? 

Islam always welcomes dialogue with Christians. We Muslims feel that true Christians in particular, from among all humans, are the closest to us. They believe in God as we do. They have soft hearts as we have. We are ready to listen to them as they to us. They glorify God as we do. They believe in Moses, Jesus, and other messengers as we do. They believe in the Last Day as we do. They believe in Paradise and Hell as we do. True Christians are very much similar to true Muslims, indeed. 

Once I received a letter from a Christian priest calling me to embrace Christianity. I wrote to him in reply that I am already a Christian although I am a Muslim. I believe in Jesus Christ and in the Gospel as revealed to Jesus. I glorify Jesus and respect him. In this sense, I am a Christian, and all Muslims are Christians. 

I told him that I call him to embrace Islam, not to cancel his own beliefs, but to add to them two more: first, that Muhammad is God’s messenger and, second, that the Holy Quran is God’s last revealed book. 

The man got interested in my argument. He asked me to send him more books on Islam and a copy of the Holy Quran in English, which I did. Eventually, the man embraced Islam. 

The distance between Christianity and Islam is not far. There is only a thin border line, in fact. One step in the right direction, and you are across the border to Islam, the absolute complete truth. 

My call to Christian friends is very simple and sincere. You know 90 % , say, of the truth; add some more to what you believe, and you will have 100% of the truth. Go one step forward, and you are a Muslim. Add “Muhammad” to your list of Messengers. Add “The Holy Quran” to your revealed books. If you do that, you hold the whole truth instead of a part of it. 

God says in the Holy Quran guiding Muslims how to deal with non-Muslims, “Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching, and argue with them in ways that are bes.” (Al-Nahl: 125).

20. Man

Is man good or evil as Islam sees him? 

According to Islam, man is not all evil or a sinner by nature, nor is he all good. Man can be what he chooses to be. Man, of course, is not an angel, who always obeys God. Nor is he a Satan, who always disobeys God. Man, in Islam, is responsible for his behavior because he is responsible for his choices made by his free will. The freedom of choice entails one’s accountability. Man is held responsible to God if he enjoys sanity, i. e., rational responsibility, and enjoys adulthood, i. e., maturity and legal responsibility. Another condition of man’s accountability before God is knowledge of the divine law. This is unlike accountability before human law, where ignorance of the law does not exempt one from responsibility, as the general prosecutor always says before the jury at court . In contrast, God will not hold you responsible if His message does not reach you. The last condition of responsibility before God is free will. You are responsible of any act you do with your free choice and free will. If compelled to sin, you are forgiven by God. If one is a sane adult, acting with his free will knowing that he is disobeying God, he will be held responsible for his actions by God. Even then, God forgives whomever He wills to forgive. God says in the Holy Quran, “We showed him the way: whether he be grateful or ungrateful (rests on his will).” (Al-Insan: 3). This means that God showed man the right virtuous way through divine books, and it is man who chooses either this right way or the wrong way.

21. Prophets 

Must the Muslim believe in all prophets?

Yes, he must. Prophets here mean messengers sent by God. A Muslim must believe in all prophets and all revealed books in their true form, i. e., exactly as revealed by God to His prophets. It is not accepted from a Muslim to believe in only some prophets. God says in the Holy Quran, “Those who deny God and His apostles and wish to separate God from His apostles saying, ‘We believe in some and reject some,’ and wish to make a compromise are really unbelievers, and We have prepared for unbelievers a humiliating punishment.” (Al-Nisa’:150 -151). That is why a Muslim believes in the prophethood of Abraham, Jacob, Isacc, Ishmael, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad. A difference between Muhammad and the other prophets is that his mission has been universal to all humankind, whereas the others’ missions were tribal, i. e., to certain tribes or peoples. 

22. The Bible and the Quran

Did the Quran borrow from the Bible? 

No, it did not. Similarities between the Quran and the previous Bible does not mean borrowing, copying or plagiarism. Similarities are expected because the source is the same. All revealed books, by virtue of definition, were revealed by God for the same purpose, i. e., guidance of humans. Similarities between the two books are due to their having the same revealer, i.e., God, not due to either book borrowing from the other. The Quran, being the last revealed book, supercedes and abrogates previous revealed books such as the books revealed to Moses and Jesus, i. e., the Tawrat, i.e., the Pentateuch, and the Gospel, respectively. 

23. Rituals 

Does Islam emphasize rituals only? 

Islam emphasizes all aspects of life: spiritual, material, economical, political, ethical, financial, mental, physical, and psychological. Islam, being of a divine source, a final revealed religion, and a uninversal one, is designed by God to be comprehensive, balanced, perfect, and ideal for all humans in all places and all times. If you follow God’s way, you are the one who wins. Otherwise, you are the one who loses. 

24. Reversion 

Is embracing Islam conversion or reversion? 

I think that it is better to call it reversion, i. e., going back to a former state. It is man’s innate nature to be a monotheist, believing and submitting to God. It is his family and community that make him otherwise. Therefore, if anyone embraces Islam, he does not convert to Islam; it is better to say that he reverts to Islam because he goes back to where he was by his very nature. Everyone is a Muslim by nature; it is his parents who Judanize or Chritianize him, as Prophet Muhammad said. Everything in Islam is simple, fair, logical, practical, natural, ethical, and in line with human sound nature. 

25. Good and Bad

What is the criteria for good and bad in Islam? 

To some non-Muslims, the criteria for good and bad is their tentative judgment or relative human criteria, which differ from place to place, from time to time, and from person to person. Their criteria are fluctuating and changeable: what is good now may become bad tomorrow, and what is bad now may become good later. To a Muslim, good and bad are determined by divine ordainments. Anything allowed by God is good, and anything disallowed by God is bad. What is good remains good, and what is bad remains bad, a system of static ethical values. 

26. Statistics about Muslims 

Which religion is growing faster ? 

As numbers of followers tell, Muslims now are 1200 million, whereas Christians are 1800 million. However, if the growth rate is considered, we find that the growth rate of Islam over the last fifty years has been 235%, whereas the gowth rate of Christianity has been 47% and of Jadaism 4%. This means that Muslims will outnumber Christians in the year 2022. In 2035, Muslims will make 25% of world population. The growth rate of Muslims per year is 4.7%, of Christians is 0.94%, and of Jews is 0.08%. These statistics tell that Islam will be dominating the world within a century’s period. God promises the victory of Islam over all religions in the Holy Quran, “It is He who has sent His apostle (Muhammad) with guidance and the religion of truth that He may proclaim it over all religion, even though disbelievers may detest (this end) .” (Al-Saff: 9).

27. The Quran and Science

In Islam, which is given priority: the Quran or science? 

The Quran does not contradict well-established scientific research because the Quran, being God’s pure word, always tells the truth and thus cannot possibly deny scientific facts. However, to a Muslim, the Quran is given priority over scientific theories if contradiction exists. A Muslim trusts the Quran more than science. Whether science goes in line with the Quran or not, a Muslim gives priority to the Quran simply because the Quran is God’s infallable word, which conveys the absolute unquestionable truth. Science gives us both theories, which may be true or not, and established facts. The Quran always matches established facts and true theories, but it does not match untrue theories.

28. Commonalities among Prophets 

What is common among the prophets sent by God? 

Since a prophet functions as a model to other humans, to begin with, all prophets were the best in morality, integrity, and righteousness. Second, all prophets were supported by miracles from God to convince people of their prophethood. Third, all prophets clearly stated that their message is not theirs, but it is God’s message. Fourth, all prophets confirmed divine messages revealed before them and whatever messages coming after them. Fifth, all prophets emphasized the basics of God’s religion such as the Oneness of God, the other life, the Day of Judgment, and Hell and Paradise. Sixth, all prophets were sent to guide man to the right path as willed by God. However, Prophet Muhammad, being the last one, came with a message universal to all humans and abrogating all previous messages. God says in the Holy Quran, “We sent not an apostle but to be obeyed in accordance with the will of God.” (Al-Nisa: 4). He also says, “Then We sent apostles successively.” (Al-Mu’minoun: 44). He also says, “ Muhammad is not but an apostle preceded by ( other ) apostles.” (Al-Imran: 144). He also says about Jesus, “Christ son of Mary is not but an apostle preceded by (other) apostles.” (Al-Ma’da: 75).

29. Mosques 

Does Islam allow establishing a mosque over a burial place? 

No, it doesn’t. There is the fear that if the mosque is built over a grave of a person, this would give the buried person a status of worship, which is some kind of associating partners with God. In Islam, worship is due to God only. God says in the Holy Quran addressing people, “And worship Allah, and do not associate anything with Him.” (Al-Nisa’: 36).

30. Distortions 

Does Islam allow distorting facts for any reason? 

No, it doesn’t. Islam does not allow corruption, distortion, telling lies, forgery, or false testimony, not for any reason. Some non-Muslims, unfortunately, allow such things, including distorting the Holy Quran of Islam. For example, a US internet company distorted Islam on purpose on two sites, one of which added three forged chapters to the Holy Quran. Later, upon Muslims’ pressure, the America-on-Line Company (AOL) cancelled these two interpolated sites. God says in the Holy Quran, “Verily, those who ascribe false things to God will never prosper.” (Al- Nahl: 116). God warns liars and distorters, and He says in the Holy Quran, “Then woe to those who write the Book with their own hands, and then say ‘This is from God’ … .” (Al-Baqara: 79).

31. Aggression 

Does Islam allow aggression? 

No, it doesn’t. Islam emphasizes peaceful co-existence inside the one state among the majority and all minorities and among different states as well. God specifically says in the Holy Quran, “Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not transgress limits, for God does not love transgressors.” (Al-Baqara: 190). This Quranic text shows that war in Islam is allowed in self-defence only: fight those who fight you. It also shows that Muslims are ordered not to start war against others. Taking the twentieth century as an example, we notice that all wars or military activities by Muslims are exclusively launched in sheer self-defence to liberate their countries, to establish their independence, or to drive out an invader. It has never happened that a Muslim majority massacred a non-Muslim minority in any Islamic country. In contrast, it has been the hobby of some non- Muslims to relentlessly crush Muslim minorities or Muslim neighbors in unprecedented acts of horror and violence in forms of clear cases of unjustified aggression. Recent examples are what the Russians did in Afghanistan and Chechnia, what the Serbians did in Bosnia and Kosovo, and what Israel did to the Lebanese and Palestinians. Even if Muslims are forced to go to war, they abide by the noble human rules of war. They do not kill civilians; they do not kill captives; they do not horrify children or rape woman, unlike Christian or Jewish warriors, who are specialists in raping women and massacring civilians, including burning them alive or ordering them to dig their own graves before slaughtering them, cutting off hands, legs, and fingers, shelling schools and hospitals, burning houses, using dogs against children, killing parents before their own children, raping women before their own family members, or using atomic bombs to demolish hundreds of thousands of civilians in a second. These are only some examples of real horrible actions done by real people, real non-Muslims, people who always label themselves as “advanced progressive democratic Western whites”. When Christians and Jews go to war, they rarely observe the minimum limits of human ethics. They always reiterate, “War is war. Anything is allowed in war.” This is the opposite of Islam, and the opposite of what Muslims do or accept. After the fall of the Soviet Union in 1990, the West, led by Jewish instructions, has been advised to look for a new enemy, i. e., Muslims. The West now, under the USA leadership, is getting ready to fight Muslims politically, economically, and militarily if need be. Examples are Western sanctions against Libya, Iraq, and Sudan. The Westen compaign against Islam and Muslims is openly and secretly activated by zionists and some Jews, who paid or bribed, in better words, a US sociologist to write a book on “the conflict of civilizations” in an attempt to antagonize non-Muslims against Muslims under the false pretext that the Western-Islamic conflict is inevitable and that Islam is the coming danger that threatens the West .

32. Modernization

 Is Islam against modernization ? No, it isn’t. Some people mistakingly think that modernization should go hand in hand with secularization and Westernization. They wrongly think that in order to be modern, you have to be europeneanized or americanized, and you have to be secularly-minded and Westernly-hearted. In fact, Islam urges people to be modern and progressive. It urges them to enjoy themselves without crossing beyond the limits laid by God, to enjoy the bounties of God, to think of the universe, to explore nature, to explore their own bodies, and to think scientifically and empirically. There is no contradiction at all between science and Islam or between modernity and Islam. One can be modern and a Muslim at the same time. Modernity is basically a matter of using technology, whereas Islam is a matter of values. You can certainly use and enjoy technology and maintain your Islamic values at the same time. As a matter of fact, what the world now needs most is the combination of technology and Islamic values. Experience has proved to us that technology without ethical values is very destructive to man. Science without ethics is a real problem. I personally prefer a world without technology or science but with ethics to a world with technology but without ethics. A world without ethics will be exactly a jungle, and man without ethics is worse than a wild beast, undoubtedly. Look at the ailments of some non-Islamic “modern” communities: juvenile delinquency, illicit sexual relationships, alcoholism, drug addiction, crimes, violence, broken marriages, broken families, broken hearts out of adultery, lack of discipline at schools, psychological disorders, murder crimes, rape crimes, suicide cases, AIDS, and a long list of social diseases. What is the use of technology when man’s life is simply shattered like this? Islam says that we can be modern, yes, but ethical at the same time. Prophet Muhammad said, “God loves moderation in all matters.”

33. Education 

Does Islam encourage seeking knowledge and education? 

Of course, it does. Prophet Muhammad said, “Seeking knowledge is the duty of every male Muslim and female Muslim.” He also said, “Seek knowledge even though in China.” He also said, “He who desires the world should seek knowledge, he who desires the Hereafter should seek knowledge, and he who desires both should seek knowledge.” God said in the Holy Quran, “Say, ‘Are those who know equal to those who do not know? ’ ” (Al-Zumur: 39). Islam, in both text and spirit, has always been for knowledge, learning, and education. In fact, the first word revealed in the Holy Quran was ‘ READ in the name of thy Lord .’ (‘Iqra’: 1) .

34. Sexual Excitement 

Does Islam allow sex-exciting media? No, it doesn’t. Islam is completely against licentiousness, indecency, public sexual excitement, pornography, dirty sex-excitement in literature or mass media, cheap books on sex, nudism, dirty sexual advertisements, naked pictures, pornographic magazines, erotic music, frank discussion of sex without minimal modesty or decency, and Internet pornography. Islam absolutely rejects the sex-mania pattern dominant in the Western life today. This sex-mania has proved to be destructive at all levels and in all aspects. It has destroyed the family structure, caused marriage dissolution, led to a horrible rate of divorce, ended up in terrible kinds and rates of sex crimes, caused unimaginable cases of sexual abnormality, and led to the spread and initiation of sexual diseases, the most horrible one of which is AIDS. Sex-mania, of which the West is proud, will be, tragically, a major nail in the coffin of Western civilization. The Islamic pattern is the right pattern of life, the only right pattern, for sure. Jesus said, “If your eye looks (at women), uproot it.” Now the so-called followers of Jesus do not only look at women, but also do everything, imaginable or not, to women. They even have changed terms from “adultery” to “love-making”, from “alcohol” to “spiritual drinks”, and from “aggression” to “defending national interests”. Modern media has become a medium to the destruction of all noble values, owing to some Satanic devils often behind the curtains.

35. Westernism

What is the major difference between Islam and Westernism?

There are many differences, but all of them can be traced back to one main difference. Islam bases life on Divine Revelation: man should surrender to God, to religion, and the revealed word of God. According to Islam, what God allows is allowed, and what He disallows is disallowed. Our life must be planned and our behavior must be controlled according to God’s commandments and teachings. Westernism, in contrast, holds that God has nothing to do with us, God may exist or not, man’s mind can plan for man’s life, we do not need God in our life, let us do what we wish to do, let us live naturally, what gives us pleasure is allowed no matter what, let us live instinctively, let us enjoy sex, drink alcohol and have drugs, go around naked, let us forget God and His revealed books and His prophets, and man is the god of himself. All differences between Islam and Westernism are the result of one main difference. In Islam, our life should be based on Divine Revelation and God’s commandments, whereas, in Westernism, life should be based on man’s judgments with no religion, no God, and no divine revelation. There is only one straight way between any two points. This is true in both geometry and life. There is only one straight way between man and happiness. God says in the Holy Quran, “Whosoever turns away from My Message, verily for him is a life narrowed down, and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Judgment.” (Taha: 124).

36. Divorce 

How does Islam deal with divorce? 

Divorce in Islam is the last resort, and it is the most hateful allowed thing, as Prophet Muhammad put it. That is why divorce in Islamic countries has a very low rate compared to many non-Islamic countries, where it sometimes reaches 70% of marriages as is the case in some US cities as an example. In Islam, marriage is a liftime commitment and an essential institution in the community fabric. The main threat to marriage often comes from disloyalty, adultery, suspicion, unlimited intermingling of the two sexes, uncontrolled relations of the two sexes, libertinism, dating, fornication, and a long list of indecent and immodest acts. Islam protects marriage by prohibiting all misbehavior that may threaten marriage continuity. Prophet Muhammad said, “The allowed action most hated by God is divorce.”

37. Democracy

Does Islam approve of democrac? 

Yes, it does. Democracy stands for justice, which is a major value in Islam. Democracy implies the rule of the majority, freedom of expression, and human rights, all of which come at the top of Islamic values. If we look at Western democracies, we notice that they are biased ones with double or triple standards. They often talk about human rights, but when Muslims are the victims, they prefer to be silent if not supportive to whipping and humiliating the victims. When Islamists in Algeria won elections in 1992, a coup took place, the elections there were cancelled, and Muslim leaders were jailed, killed, or persecuted. The West favored the coup and said no word in favor of the victimized Muslims. In Turkey, something similar took place. The majority Islamic party, i. e., the Welfare Party led by Mr. Arbakan, was forced to step back, and the party was forced by the military to dissolve itself with the complete approval and silence of Western democracies, which hypocritically talk about human rights day and night. In 1999, an Islamist Turkish parliamentarian lady, Marwa Qawigchie, was denied membership in the Turkish parliament because she wore a headscarf, a symbol of Islamic commitment, astonishingly with the complete silence of both Western media and Western governments. Democracy should imply one set of standards, not two . Double standards mean hypocrisy, lying, and lack of ethics. Democracy and hypocrisy cannot meet. Democracy is the opposite of dictatorship, and Islam encourages democratic attitudes in life in general. God says in the Holy Quran about the good qualities of believers, “ … Who (conduct) their affairs by mutual consultation. ” (Al-Shoora : 38).

38. Women’s

Why does Islam order the woman to cover her body and her hair? 

Islam is God’s teachings. All prophets and revealed religions ordered the woman to be decent in her appearance and to cover her body and hair. Look at Christian nuns and see how they are dressed: they cover all their bodies and hair, and nothing of them is shown except the hands and the face. Look at Mary the Virgin: she used to be dressed the way Christian nuns are. The purpose of women’s decent dressing is to avoid sexual excitement, to make the woman behave like a person, not like a moving sexual toy, to help both men and women lead a modest pious life, and to emphasize the woman’s purity. Secular Westernism emphasizes the display of the woman’s beauty and emphasizes the physical beauty of the woman through mass media and advertisements. The Western woman is forced to be in continuous anxiety about her body, shape, size and shape of thighs, hips, breasts, weight, height, legs, arms, neck, hair, etc., with emphasis that all the woman’s body is for public display. In Islam, as in true Christianity, the woman’s body is a very private area, her own business, not for public exhibition . The woman’s body and beauty is for her husband to see, not a commodity for display to hungry eyes on beaches, streets, clubs, and everywhere . Prophet Muhammad said, “If the woman reaches the age of menstruation, nothing must appear of her except this and this,” pointing to his face and two hands.

39. Orphans

Does Islam require a special care for orphans? 

Yes, it does. Islam orders the Muslim to be kind to everyone, especially to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, the needy, neighbors, and wayfarers. Islam orders the Muslim to be charitable to orphans and fair to them. God orders the Muslim not to harm the orphan and says in the Holy Quran, “ And come not near the orphan’s property except to improve it until he attains the age of full strength … .” (Al-’An’am: 152). He also says in the Holy Quran ordering the Muslim to be kind to the orphan, “Treat the orphan not with harshness.” (Al-Duha: 9).

40. Embracing Islam 

Why is there a growing rate of conversion to Islam in the West?

In the West and all over the world, there are many converts to Islam. This conversion happens everyday everywhere around the world. The reason is very simple: man does crave for spiritual values in a materialistic society. Westernism provides people with sex, alcohol, dollars, pleasure, drugs, hamburgers, and fashion. But man does need much more than that. He needs values, ethics, and spirituality. He needs God, before anything else. Islam gives man the balanced life that he is looking for. In fact, the truth is that every child is born on Islam, as Prophet Muhammad said, “Every child is born on Islam (by his very nature), but then his parents make him Jewish, Christian, or Magian.” Non- Muslims who embrace Islam do not convert to Islam; they indeed revert to it because they go back to their very pure nature.

41. God-centered 

Why does Islam emphasize “ God ” ? 

It does so because God is our Creator, Who is not created, the Lord of the world, the Supreme Being, the Only and the One, Who has no equal or partner. Once a scholar used to say, “Whenever in doubt of God’s existence, I used to hurry up to my lab and my microscopes, through which I could always see the wonders of God’s creation.” Scientists, more than laymen, are nearer to faith in God because they are always in close contact with the greatness of creation. The human tongue, for example, has 9,000 knots to taste; the ear, 100,000 cells to hear; the eye, 130,000,000 cells to pick up the light rays. Is all this by mere coincidence? Impossible. The sun, the center of the solar system, is 2,000,000 kilometers from the earth, still there for millions of years, not going farther nor coming nearer. Some stars are one million light years far from us; each light year equals ten thousand billion kilometers. Is this mere coincidence? Impossible. Stars, unimaginably gigantic in size, turn around themselves and around other orbs at tremendous speeds without colliding with one another. They abide by strict traffic rules, orbits, and regulations. How come? 56 The atom, so small but so miraculous, is a microcosmos by itself, with so minute components and immeasurable reservoir of energy, with its electrons, protons, neutrons, and physical and chemical characteristics that distinguish every atom from others. The atom, this small mysterious world, is so small that if you line up 40 million atoms side by side, their total length will not exceed one millimeter. This complicated and sophisticated creation cannot be without a Creator, nor can it be created by itself. God exists, and we have to submit to Him, to His word, to His commandments, to His final revealed book, i. e., the Holy Quran. God does not need us; it is we who need God. God remains God whether people obey Him or not, believe in Him or not. It is we who win if we believe in Him, and it is we who lose if we disbelieve in Him.

42. Women 

What are the requirements of women’s clothes in Islam? 

Because the woman means a lot to the man both sexually and othewise, Islam pays a great attention to the woman’s appearance so that the woman may not cause continuous sexual excitement to men. These are the requirements of the woman’s dress worn in public according to Islam: 1. The woman’s dress must cover all her body except the hands and the face. 2. It must be thick and opaque so as not to reveal the skin color and the form of her body parts. 3. It must be loose so as not to show the shape and size of her body. Skin-tight clothes are not allowed in Islam. 4. It must not be so attractive or seductive. Bright colors, bold designs, reflective dresses, and perfume are not the right things for a Muslim woman. 5. Her clothing must differ from men’s clothing. Prophet Muhammad cursed men dressed like women and women dressed like men. 6. Her clothing must differ from that of unbelievers. She must not imitate unbelieving women in their clothes and fashions. 7. Her clothing must not be vain, ostentatious, very showy, excessively expensive, or excessively tattared. The purpose of all these regulations regarding women’s dressing is to cool down sexual excitement in public, close the doors to excessive sexuality outside marriage, protect the family and marriage institution against seduction and enticement, and protect both men and women from public sexual excitement and eventual adultery.

43. Terrorism 

Does Islam allow terrorism? 

No, it does not. Islam is a religion of peace. God orders Muslims not to launch aggression against their neighbors. A Muslim is ordered not to hurt non- Muslims. Prophet Muhammad said, “He who hurts a non-Muslim is my foe on the Day of Judgment.” Unfortunately, Western media, sometimes controlled by ill-intentioned groups that can easily tell lies and distort facts owing to lack of ethics, has 59 been unfairly accusing Muslims of terrorism for the last decade. Media can tell lies, can be unfair, and can disfigure people out of blind prejudice as it has been the case with Western media attitude towards Muslims. Muslims, indeed, are the least of all humans given to terror. When a Serbian or European acts or misacts, media does not mention his “Chritianity”, but when an Arab misacts, Western media always label him as a “Muslim” or “Muslim fundamentalist”. The Western-media motive for this dirty game is clear: to make an unfair association between terror and Islam in the minds of people all over the world. Media can be fair and unfair. In this case, Western media is absolutely unobjective, unfair, telling lies, distorting facts, harboring ill-intentions, and moved by devils behind the curtains. If facts are to be given, all main massacres in old and modern history were planned and carried out by Christians against Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Just as examples from modern recent history, look at what Germany did to Europe in the Second World War, what the allies did to Germany or what USA did to Japan in the same war, what the Soviets did to Afghanistan in the 1980’s, what the Russians did to Chechnia, and what the Serbians did to Bosnia and Kosovo in the 1990’s. The list is long. 60 Muslims are the last people on earth that act terrorizingly. Most of the time, they are the victims of terror by non-Muslims. God says in the Holy Quran addressing Muslims, “Do not commit aggression; God does not like aggressor .” (Al-Baqara: 190).

44. Time 

Does Islam allow cursing time or blaming luck? 

Time is created by God, and it is nothing more than days, weeks, months, and years. How can one blame days and weeks for whatever misfortunes afflict him? A Muslim should not curse time. Actually there is nothing called good luck or bad luck. Luck means mere coincidence. In Islam, everything is determined by God, and we are tested by whatever God determines for us, whether a reward or a misfortune ; both are tests to man. A Muslim should be grateful to God if he enjoys something good and should be patient if he suffers something bad, and God will reward him for both his gratitude and his patience alike.

45. Tolerance 

Does Islam teach tolerance with other religions ? 

Yes, it does. First, Islam holds that there is no compulsion in religion: you cannot compel anyone to embrace Islam. Second, Islam orders Muslims to respect other religions and the followers of those religions. Islam calls Christians and Jews “the people of the book”, referring to their revealed books. In practice, Muslims have never persecuted religious minorities, never. Muslims were even tolerant with their invaders; an example was Saladin, who set free all captutured Crusaders in A. D. 1190 despite their atrocities against Muslims. Now, in Islamic countries, a Christian student is given the choice to attend courses on Islam or not. No Christian student is forced to attend Islamic courses; Christian students attending governmental or private schools in Islamic countries are exempted from Islamic courses, and they are sometimes given Christianity courses instead if they ask for it. In all Islamic history, Muslims have never massacred, humiliated, or persecuted a religious minority, as Christian Serbians did to Muslims in Bosnia and Kosovo in the 1990’s. Muslims have never practised ethnic or religious cleansing ; they have never even thought of it. Tolerance is an essential principle in Islam. Islam only orders Muslims to fight those who launch aggression against them. In Islam, war is only allowed in self-defence, never in aggression. Prophet Muhammad warns against hurting Christian or Jewish citizens, “He who wrongs a covenanted man, or diminishes his due, or overburdens him beyond his capacity, or takes from him anything against his will is protested against by me on the Day of Resurrection.”

46. Inheritance Distribution 

Why does Islam favor the man over the woman in inheritance? 

The man is given twice the share of the woman in inheritance according to Islam. This does not mean that the man is favored over the woman . In Islam, the man is financially responsible for his wife, children, and parents. He has to cover all the family’s expenses and needs. In contrast, the woman is not financially responsible for anyone, not even herself. Before marriage, her father or brothers are financially responsible for her. After marriage, her husband becomes responsible for her. In fact, Islam is favoring the woman. The man gets two shares with all financial responsibilities demanded from him, whereas the woman gets one share with no financial responsibilities at all. The general rule in Islam is man-woman equality unless there is a justifiable reason for inequality owing to differences in nature or social roles. Prophet Muhammad said, “Women are the sisters of men,” emphasizing the equality of the two sexes.

47. Witnesses 

Why does Islam consider two female witnesses as equal to one male witness? 

No one can deny that there are biological and functional differences between men and women. For example, women get pregnant, deliver infants, and foster them, whereas men do not, of course. Biological differences naturally lead to psychological and mental differences. We are not saying that either sex is superior or inferior; we just say that the two sexes show some differences in biology, psychology, and function. Research has shown that women’s forgetfulness is four times that of men. In London’s trains, 80 % of things forgotten belong to women, and only 20 % to men. This proves the point: women are much more forgetful than men. That is why Islam considers two female witnesses as equal to one male witness. God mentions the reason explicitly in the Holy Quran,“ … So that if one of them errs, the other can remind her … .” ( Al-Baqara : 282 ). The only reason is that women are liable to forgetfulness more than men.

48. Modernism 

Is Islam for or against modernism? 

It depends on the meaning of this -ism . If modernism means progress and development in science, medicine, technology, civil services, transportations, and communications, Islam does certainly support such modernism. But if modernism means secularism, atheism, godlessness, anti-religion, or getting rid of God, Islam is, of course, against such modernism. Islam supports progress in science, technology, and civil services provided that the basics of Islam are not endangered. Develop science and worship God too. Advance technology and advance your relation with God as well. Apply science and obey God at the same time. Be modern and be religious also. Technology without godliness is ruin, for sure. Sex without religion is destruction. We need God in our daily life, but God does not need us. G. Pompidou, a French president, used to say, “There are three roads to destruction: women, gambling, and technology .” He is right, I believe . We now need less science, may be, but more religion, science with morality, and technology with ethics. Science alone will lead man to self-destruction, more suffering, more problems, and more arrogance. It is religion that can achieve the needed balance. God urges Muslims to work for improving their daily life without forgetting to work for their other life. He says in the Holy Quran, “But seek with the ( wealth ) which God bestowed on thee the Home of the Hereafter, nor forget thy portion of this world … .” (Al-Qasas: 77). There is no contradiction between Islam and modernism as long as the teachings and basics of Islam are observed and respected.

49. Smoking 

Is smoking allowed in Islam? 

No, it isn’t. Alcohol, for instance, is disallowed in Islam because of its obvious dangers against both the individual and community. Similarly, in analogy to prohibiting alcohol, Islamic scholars have prohibited smoking, which has been scientifically proved to be a main cause of lung cancer and many cardiovascular diseases. Some more lenient scholars classify smoking as “ hateful ” rather than“ prohibited ” . God clarifies in the Holy Quran the basic principle of permission and prohibition and says referring to Prophet Muhammad, “… For he commands them what is just and forbids them what is evil; he allows them as lawful what is good and prohibits them from what is bad … .” (Al-’Raf: 157).

50. Unforgivable Sins 

What is the sin that God does not forgive? 

God tells us in the Holy Quran that He may forgive any sin if He wills. The only unforgivable sin, as God tells us in the Holy Quran, is to associate others with God. God, in Islam, is the Almighty, the One, the Only, the Creator, the Sustainer, the Just, the Merciful, the Compassionate, the Eternal, the Absolute; He does not beget, nor is He begotten. He has no partner or equal. He has no son. God does not get tired, nor did he rest on the seventh day of creation. He did not wrestle with Jacob. He does not forget. He does not plot against man. He is not incarnate in Jesus or in any other being. God is one, not one in three or three in one. Islam is based on crystal clear monotheism, as all true divine messages were. God says in the Holy Quran, “God forgives not (the sin of) joining other gods with Him, but He forgives whom He pleases sins other than this … .” (Al-Nisa’: 116).

51. God and Life 

Why does Islam emphasize God in daily life?

Islam is a divine religion based on faith in God. Faith, as Prophet Muhammad defines it, is that which resides firmly in the heart and which is proved by deeds. It is not enough to believe in God. You have to believe in God and obey Him. Faith must make a difference in daily behavior. In order to strengthen faith, one has to remember God every day, every hour, every minute, and every moment. Remembering God keeps faith unceasingly alive. Keeping faith alive keeps the believer committed to God’s guidance. If the heart has faith in God, the mind becomes ready to listen to God, listen to God’s word, listen to the Holy Quran, abide by it, behave Quranically, speak and deal with others as regulated by the Quran. Faith pushes you closer to God, closer to prophets, closer to Paradise, closer to spirituality, and farther from materiality. Faith in God is the only way to happiness and success in this life and the other life. God says in the Holy Quran, “Fear God, and know that He knows everything .” (Al-Baqara: 231). He also says, “Fear the Fire that is prepared for disbelievers.” (Al-Imran: 131). He also says, “Do not collaborate in sin and aggression, and fear God .” (Al-Ma’da: 2). He says, “And Fear God if you are believer .” (Al-Ma’da: 57 ).

52. Wife 

What are the duties of the Muslim wife toward her husband? 

Duties and rights are mutual between the husband and the wife. As for the wife’s duties, they are many, but the most important one is her obedience to her husband, without disobeying God. Prophet Muhammad said, “No one should obey another in disobedience to God.” Prophet Muhammad said emphasizing the wife’s respect and obedience to her husband, “Had I ordered anyone to prostrate himself to another one, I would have commanded the woman to prostrate herself to her husband.” The wife’s obedience to her husband makes him love her more and more every day. With this love, the family holds on for ever in strong solidarity. Prophet Muhammad also said explaining the wife’s duties, “It is unlawful for any woman who believes in Allah to admit anyone to her husband’s home against his will, or to go out without his permission, or to side with anyone against him, or to banish herself from his bed, or beat him.” The Prophet’s saying can be summarized in two words: obedience and respect. Most of marital quarrels, in fact, stem out from the wife’s disobedience to her husband.

53. Fundamentalism 

What is the difference between fundamentalism and extremism? 

Fundamentalism, as the morphology of the word tells, is sticking to the fundamentals (or basics) of Islam, and this is what Prophet Muhammad and his companions did and what true Muslims should do: to preserve the essential doctrines and trends of Islam. There is nothing wrong with fundamentalism in this sense. Extremism, on the other hand, is going too far, beyond the reasonable, which is undesirable everywhere, and thus rejected by Islam. Islam welcomes fundamentalism and rejects extremism. However, unfortunately, Western media, as usual, loves to distort facts through brain-washing campaigns of subtle propaganda with hidden agenda. This biased media makes these two -isms synonymous: if you stick to Islam and abide by it, you are an Islamist, label No. 1, a fundamentalist, label No. 2, and an extremist, label No. 3. Western media, out of blind prejudice, wants to associate Islam with extremism; it is a hidden cold war against Islam flaring up especially after the fall of the Soviet Union, a war planned by some Jewish leaders and sold to the West especially the Americans, who love to be in war always with someone or sometimes with anyone. The West cannot live without war: they love to fight in cold and hot wars. They look for hot wars; if a hot war is not available, they create a cold war. If there is no one to fight, they fight themselves or fight the windmills, as Don Quixote did. Westerners claim the right to free belief. But when it comes to Islam, they ignore this right and start a media war against Islam, then a cold war, and then a hot war if they have the appetite.

54. Bank Interest

Why does Islam disallow bank interest? 

Here, I would like to quote what J. Jaikaran, an American banker, argued. He gave a hypothetical example of a village inhabited by five men, each of whom had to borrow 100 dollars from a rich lender, the sixth man in that village. The rich man stipulated an 8% annual interest. At the end of the year, each man had to pay $108, a total of $540 paid by the five men. Since all the money in their hands is $500, how could they pay back $540? Some could pay the $108, but some could not, so they borrowed more and more from the rich man, and so on. The interest system cripples economy instead of boosting it. As the example shows, the total debt increases every year, and some borrowers would not be able to pay back their loans, so they would borrow more and more or they would go to bankruptcy. The interest system means bitter competition: you cannot win unless some one else loses. Islam prefers a system of partnership, which stems from cooperation, solidarity, and shared responsibility, shared profit or shared loss. God says in the Holy Quran, “…God has permitted trade and forbidden usury … .” (Al-Baqara: 275).

55. Islamization of Science 

What is meant by Islamization of science? 

Most of scientific findings are empirical, i. e., based on experimentation. However, some of what is called science is just hypothetical, and some is metaphysical. The hypothetical part is just assumptions far from being factual. The metaphysical part is and should be outside the scope of science because science should deal with the physical, not the metaphysical. For example, Newton’s laws are factual science. Islam accepts the final facts of science and urges people to find out such facts. In contrast, Darwin’s theory of evolution is just a hypothetical theorization, not factual science. Such hypothesizing is questionable and not welcomed by Islam especially if it goes against the divine Quranic texts. Moreover, when science goes outside its scope to the area of metaphysics, Islam supercedes science here because science has nothing to say about metaphysics, nor can its findings here be valid or reliable. For example, when some scientists deny God’s existence, such denial cannot be accepted as valid or reliable because God is not a topic for the laboratories of chemistry or physics. Islamization of science means that Muslims are to accept only the final facts of science and to reject any theory that denies God or goes against the divine Quranic texts. In the field of social sciences and humanities, Islamization means that Muslims should accept what Islam accepts and should reject what Islam rejects and should abide by Islamic ethics, values, and priorities. Muslims should not be imitators repeating what others say; they should be critical innovators giving Islam priority over any other non- Islamic trends.

56. Terrorism 

Are Islamists terrorists? 

No, they are not. Islam is against terror. In fact, Islamists fight here and there only to defend themselves against acts of terror performed by anti-Islam groups inside and outside the Islamic world. Why did the Islamists fight in Algeria in the 1990’s? The Algerian army cancelled election results when the Islamists won those elections, jailed the Islamic leaders, killed some of them, terrorized their relatives and supporters, exiled some outside Algeria, and dismissed some from their jobs. It is the Algerian military dictatorship that started terror against the Islamists, who reacted later in mere self-defence. Why did the Palestinian and Lebanese resistance groups, whether Islamist or otherwise, fight Israel? It is Israel that stimulated them to do so when it occupied their land, massacred thousands of civilians, bombed Arab villages daily, jailed children and adults, deprived them of their rights, humiliated them, blew up their houses, killed their relatives, and in brief made their life impossible on their own homeland. A Muslim, by definition, loves peace and abhore aggression. This is the truth. No Muslim on earth fights unless he is wronged, unless there is clear aggression against him. Those in the West who label Muslims as terrorists are lying to their media, to their people, and to themselves. The real terrorists are not Muslims, but those who aggress against Muslims’ rights and thus push Muslims to fight back in self-defence. If the West wants the Muslims to lay down their arms, the way before the West is very clear and simple: give Muslims their rights, withdraw from their lands, do not steal their natural resources, do not intefere in their internal affairs,do not support ruling dictators against their own peoples, do not rule the rulers of Islamic countries by phone, do not occupy oil fields, do not threaten all Islamic capitals night and day, be ethical, and stick to a single-set of standards. Muslims love peace like anyone in the world, even more. If the West wants peaceful Muslims, the West must stop aggression against Muslims’ rights. You cannot call a man defending his country against occupation a terrorist. The real terrorist is not a Palestinian or a Lebanese fighting Israeli occupation. The real terrorist in this case is Israel, which has been occupying Palestine since 1948 and 1967, and the Lebanese land since 1982. The Muslim hates nothing more than terror, but self-defence cannot be terror. Real terror is aggression, occupation, and ethnic cleansing, none of which is done by Muslims, and all of which are practised against Muslims by Western countries and Israel. God says in the Holy Quran, addressing believers, “Do not commit aggression, for God does 78 not like aggressors.” (Al-Baqara: 190). He also says, “For wrong-doers there must be a grievous penalty .” (Ibraheem: 22). Islam is against aggression, wrongdoing, injustice, and terrorism, with no doubt at all.

57. Reform 

Can Islam be reformed? 

Some secret powers, no more secret, such as some Jewish and Christian groups, plan to undermine Islam under the pretext of reforming Islam. Islam cannot and must not be reformed because Islam is a divine religion, not a human constitution that needs or allows reform. The basics of Islam do not need reform, nor can they be reformed. The Quranic texts are untouchable: they are God’s pure final word. Prophet Muhammad’s sayings are untouchable too since they are the second source of Islam, so is the companions’ concensus, being the third source. These three sources of Islam, i.e., the Quran, the sayings of Prophet Muhammad, and concensus, do not need reform, nor are they reformable. However, the fourth 79 source of Islam, which is the exercise of judgment, is a flexible source that meets the ever changing conditions of life along centuries. The Holy Quran is the only book in the world that still exists in the language of its revelation and in the exact text of its revelation. It is the only book, revealed or unrevealed, that is memorized from cover to cover, with its hundreds of pages, by millions of people all around the world. Islam is God’s word, God’s guidance, God’s teachings, God’s legislation. Reform is a term used to correct what is correctable, to reform what is reformable. Islam, being divine, is unreformable. Islam is eternally true because it is God-made, not human-made. According to Islam, right and wrong are constant. Good and bad are constant. Ethical values are constant. In Rome, Muslims do what Islam tells them to do, not what Romans do. Islam does not surrender to other -isms. It should be the other way around: others should succumb to Islam. Islam does not follow; Islam is to be followed. Islam always comes first, being second to none. God says in the Holy Quran, “Verily, this Quran does guide to what is most right and gives the glad 80 tidings to the believers who work deeds of righteousness that they shall have a magnificent reward.” (Al-Isra’: 9).

58. Predestination 

Does the Muslim’s belief in predestination make him helpless? 

No, it doesn’t. This belief in predestination simply means to accept what comes to us with patience. God knows in advance what will happen to each of us, but we do not know what He knows about our future. Our future is completely known to God because God knows the past, present, and future. God’s knowledge is perfect, true, and absolute. God’s knowledge about us does not force us to behave in a certain way because we do not know what he knows about us. Man is free to act, react, behave, think, and plan, and that is why he is held responsible for what he does or says. The Muslim’s belief in predestination makes him satisfied, self-content, hopeful, and at the same time always ready to try again and again without giving up. When the Crusaders invaded the Middle East in the 10th and 11th centuries, the Muslims went on fighting them back for 200 consecutive years, yes 200 years, until they drove them out back to where they came from, i. e., Europe. Islam is a dynamic power unparalleled in nature and quality. It creates persons who never know surrender, never know despair, never know retreat. Islam is the most influential weapon ever, a weapon for defence, never for aggression, a weapon for restoring rights, never for surrender. God says in the Holy Quran referring to man, “… We have shown him the two ways … .” (Al- Balad: 90). This text emphasizes man’s responsibility for what he does because God has shown him the two ways: the way for good and the way for evil, and man is the one who chooses what to do.

59. Adultery 

Is the Islamic punishment for adultery very cruel? 

No, it is not. The Islamic punishment is very much softer than the Biblical punishment. The Bible (Deuteronomy 22: 22-24) advocates death for men and women, whether married or not, involved in adultery or fornication. In contrast, Islam advocates death for the married culprit and whipping for the unmarried one. This whipping is one hundred stripes afflicted in public for deterrence purposes. You cannot protect both the family and the marriage institution and allow adultery at the same time. It is either protecting the family or allowing adultery. Islam has chosen to protect the family and to prohibit adultery, all for the sake of everybody in the community. God says in the Holy Quran warning against adultery, “Nor come nigh to adultery, for it is a shameful (deed) and an evil opening to the road to other evils .” (Al-Isra’: 32).

60. Gambling 

Does Islam allow gambling? What about chess? 

Islam does not allow gambling because it involves earning money by chance which results in grudge and enmity between people, especially in losers’ hearts against winners, who will eventually be losers one day or another, sooner or later. Chess, however, is different. Chess playing does not depend on chance or luck. It requires thinking. When a chess player wins, he does so because he is a better thinker or planner, a fact surely admitted by the losing partner himself. God says in the Holy Quran, “O ye who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, (dedication of ) stones, and (divination by) arrows are an abomination of Satan’s handiwork; avoid such (abomination) that ye may prosper .” (Al-Ma’da: 90).

61. Beauty Contests 

Does Islam allow beauty contests? 

No, it does not. In beauty contests, the woman is treated as a toy, a body, a thing beautiful and sexy in males’ eyes. Her body is measured, including every piece of it and every organ. It is a cheap treatment of the woman that goes against her dignity as a person in the first place. Islam looks at the women as a person, not as a delicious cake, as a dignified person, not as a sexy female. In Islam, the woman’s body is completely hers, not for public exposition, not for public measurement and public evaluation.

62. The West 

If Islam is so great, why don’t the people of the West embrace it? 

Islam is the only religion accepted by God. But, unfortunately, this fact is not known to many people around the world. I myself conducted some research on this matter and distributed a questionnaire to some university students in USA. The sample was 37 students. Have a look at some questions: 1. Muhammad is one of God’s prophets. 54 % of the respondents do not know. 2. Islam is a revealed religion. 56% do not know. The responses were agree, disagree, have no idea, no response. 3. The Holy Quran is a revealed book. 70% do not know. These responses show that most Americans have no idea about Islam, in addition to those who have misconceptions about it. Muslims are to be blamed for not propagating Islam so widely, especially in the time of Internet, radio, and satellite TV.

63. Nationalism 

Does Islam advocate chauvinism and nationalism? 

No, it doesn’t. Chauvinism has often been responsible for bloody wars in the world; it was the reason underlying the first world war and the second world war, both of which caused the death of dozens of millions of people, military and civil. Nationalism has divided the world into hundreds of competing countries. Besides, nationalism is the first step towards chauvinism. It is this nationalistic hysteria that developed into nazism and fascism. Islam advocates international brotherhood, that all humans belong to the same parents, i. e., Adam and Eve, that no race is superior, that different peoples of the world should cooperate and exchange peaceful relations, that they should not compete to the edge of bloodshed, and that the best in God’s sight is the most righteous. God says in the Holy Quran, “O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into peoples and tribes that you may know each other. Verily, the most honored of you in the sight of God is the most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well acquianted (with all things).” (Al-Hujurat: 13). Prophet Muhammad said in his farewell sermon, “O people! Verily, your Lord is one and your father is one. All of you belong to Adam, and Adam was created out of clay. There is no superiority for An Arab over a non-Arab, nor for a non-Arab over an Arab, nor for a white over a black or for a black over a white, except 87 in piety. Verily, the noblest among you is he who is the most pious.”

64. Modesty 

Why does Islam emphasize modesty? 

Modesty is essential to morality, and morality is essential to Islam. Modesty implies shunning indecent behavior. With modesty, one feels pain at just the idea of committing a sin or doing something wrong, feels a sting in the conscience at hearing or seeing indecencies. Prophet Muhammad said “Modesty is a branch of faith.” In contrast, Westernism fights decency, makes indecency look attractive, and makes decency look retroactive. Now nudism and overt sex are made public and one of the top priorities in many Western TV nets. Western media, books, and magazines consider indecency as main part of their daily content, a tragic signal towards more and more immorality.

65. Science 

How should the relationship between Islam and science be? 

In Islam, there is no dichotomy between religion and science. Islam believes in the unity of knowledge, be it scientific or revealed. A Muslim, a true Muslim, respects revealed knowledge because it is God’s word and also respects scientific knowledge because it reveals the secrets of God’s creation. Science, according to Islam, is not a rebellion against God. On the contrary, it is added evidence to the Greatness and Glory of God. Science supports faith in God. Through science, man discovers more and more about the universe, animals, plants, seas, space, and about man himself. Science leads us to know more about the secrets of creation and the absolute ability, wisdom, and glory of the Creator. In Islam, science is to be used and applied in line with religion, in obedience to God, under religious codes, for God’s sake, within godly ethical values, to serve man, not to destroy him. In Islam, science remains a human achievement strictly controlled by Islamic ethical values. In Islam, all human behavior must remain Islamic, including scientific discoveries, inventions, and applications. Science without ethics turns into destructive madness.

66. Success 

Does Islam allow strife for success? 

Of course, Islam urges the Muslim to work and strive for success in this life, collect money but lawfully, compete with others in a fair noble manner, with no monopoly, cheating, deceit, or bluffing. Islam disallows gambling, lottery, monopoly, blackmailing, or cheating in all life aspects, including business. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “He who cheats us is not one of us.” A piece of wisdom says, “Work for this life as if you live for ever, and work for the other life as if you die tomorrow.” Thus, Islam emphasizes the balance between the two lives: strive for success in this life keeping in mind the other life, and always remember God wherever you are in whatever you do or say. Do not aim at worldly success at any price. Islam holds that a good goal requires a good means. Islam is against the slogan that the end justifies the means. Islam emphasizes that man must fear God and obey Him in all his words and deeds, in public and in private. According to Islam, you are a complete failure if you displease God even if you are a millionaire or even a billionaire. You are a success if you are in good terms with God, obey Him, and fear Him even if you are penniless. But, of course, you do not need to be penniless to please God. You can be a success in this life and pious at the same time. Striving for money should not make you forget God, nor should your piety make you bankrupt. You strive for this life without forgetting the other life . Remember God whenever and wherever you do anything. God says in the Holy Quran, “Every soul shall have a taste of death … .” (Al-Imran: 185). If death is the end of everyone, why is all that greed for money, power, or anything?

67. Circumcision 

Is circumcision compulsory to Muslim males? 

Yes, it is, preferably when the male is still a child between one year and five years of age. The justification for male circumcision is cleanliness and hygiene . Muslims usually publicize marriage, and do not publicize circumcision. The justification here is that not all families have male children to circumcise; thus, publicity of circumcision may create some envy or social pain to parents with no children in general or with no male children in particular. 

68. Lottery 

Is lottery allowed in Islam? 

No, it is not. The rule in Islam is simple: any action that leads to gaining or losing money by chance is not allowed. This means that gambling is prohibited in Islam. So is gaining money through cards or dice or lottery. God says in the Holy Quran, “O you who believe! Eat not up your property among yourselves in vanities.” (Al-Nisa’: 29). Money, in Islam, can be gained through work or trade, not though gambling or games of 92 chance, which lead to envy, hatred, grudge, and bankruptcy. 

69. Women 

Why does Islam insist that the woman must cover all her body except the face and the hands? 

In the West, for example, the woman wears all sorts of clothes that may expose any part of her body, including arms, breast, thighs, legs, chest, back, and even buttocks. The result is stimulating, exciting, and igniting men’s sexual motives up to sexual harrasment and even up to rape. Most sexual harassments are caused by sexy clothes or sexy women almost naked. Undecent clothes of women are a real threat to both men and women. Therefore, Islam insists that a woman must cover all her body except the face and the hands. This is an essential way to curb sexual motives and to protect both men and women against risky sexual stimulation. There is no other solution, indeed. 

70. Religion at School 

Is it right not to teach religion at schools? 

According to Islam, bread alone is not enough for man to live. Man needs spiritual education as well as materialistic education. In Islamic countries, now more than fifty-five countries, Islam is taught at schools to children aging from six to eighteen in 2 - 8 hours weekly. In some countries, this Islamic education continues even at the university level. Religion provides one with ethics, values, and essential guidance that cannot be obtained otherwise. Secularism, on the other hand, has proved to be a failure because it has ended with youth believing in nothing, sure of nothing, interested in nothing except sex, alcohol, and dollars. 

71. Islam and Today 

Is Islamic legislation, fourteen centuries old now, still good for today? 

Yes, absolutely so. Islam is God’s way, God’s guidance, not a parliament’s resolution or a philosopher’s idea. God is the All-Knowing, the Wise, the Almighty. He knows what is best for man. Man is man. Man two thousand years ago is the same as man of today and the same as man after thousands of years to come. Man’s needs do not change; neither do man’s motives and instincts. Man in essence is man regardless of place or time. Man in USA is exactly like man in Australia, China, Africa, Europe, Asia, or anywhere. “Don’t steal, don’t kill, and don’t lie ” are good for all times, for sure. “Obey God, be good, be kind, be polite ” are still good for all people in all times and all places. 

72. Islam and Science 

Does Islam contradict science? 

No, not at all. Not only that, but Islam does also support science. In fact, both Islam and science confirm each other. This mutual support has led many Western scientists to embrace Islam. The Holy Quran, the Holy Book of Muslims, said about 1400 years ago, “It is He (God ) Who has let free the two bodies of flowing water: one palatable and sweet, and the other salty and bitter; yet has He (God) made a barrier between them, a partition that is forbidden to be passed.” (Al-Furqan: 53). The famous French oceanographer J. Cousteay discovered many sweet water springs amidst salty water at different ocean sites, without the intermingling of the two kinds of water. Later, he knew about the Quranic verse that confirms his own discovery. The result was his conclusion that the Quran cannot be but God’s revelation, and he eventually embraced Islam. This is just one example of how the Holy Quran confirms science and how science confirms the Holy Quran. There are, in fact, hundreds of Quranic examples in the same line. Since the Quran came between A. D. 610 and 633, i. e., about fourteen centuries ago, and since Prophet Muhammad was an illiterate man, and since this human discovery about the seas by J. Cousteay is just a new discovery of the twentieth century, the only valid conclusion is that the Holy Quran must be God’s true revelation. This Quranic-scientific match proves that God exists, that the Holy Quran is God’s word, and that Muhammad is His messenger. 

73. Essence of Islam 

What is Islam, in brief? 

Islam is very simple because it goes with man’s nature. Islam is this. Obey God, be good to everybody around. Smile at your fellows, be kind, guide whoever asks you, help whoever asks your help, say soft nice comforting words to others, be good to parents, wife, sons, daughters, friends, neighbors, and all people. Do charitable acts, be merciful, do your duties, give others their rights, be modest, visit the sick, be ethical, care for your family, cherish family ties, avoid sinning, and worship God. Don’t steal, don’t hurt others, don’t sin, don’t lie, don’t commit adultery, don’t cheat, don’t deceive others, don’t be arrogant, and don’t despise others, don’t overeat, don’t overspend money, and don’t do to others what you hate to be done to you. Islam is full submission to God’s word and guidance as mentioned in the Holy Quran and Prophet Muhammad’s traditions. Islam leads you to do anything that is good and avoid anything that is bad, very simply. Islam tells you what is right and what is wrong, what is good and what is bad. 

74. Worship 

What is the essence of worship in Islam? 

Any good action done by the Muslim with the intention of seeking reward from God is worship. Any action done by the Muslim in obedience to God’s commandments is an act of worship, for which God will reward the Muslim. Worship, according to Islam, includes even little acts such as a nice word, a smile at another fellow human, helping a person cross the street, taking a stone away from the road, answering a question, giving advice, giving a hand, and giving a cent or a penny to the needy. Worship also includes negative actions such as not sinning and not hurting others as long as the intention is to obey God. 

75. Neighbors 

What is the Muslim’s duty towards his neighbor? 

Islam emphasizes good relations with neighbors. Imagine how life would be if one has tensed relations with all his neighbors around. Neighborhood includes at least 56 houses around: seven houses in each of the eight directions, as Prophet Muhammad teaches us. Prophet Muhammad said, “Among the happiness of a Muslim is a good neighbor.” He also said, “He is not believing in me, the one who sleeps full while his neighbor is hungry.” He also said, “Whoever believes in God and the Day of Judgment should not harm his neighbor.” He also said, “Angel Jibreel advised me continuously to take care of the neighbor until I thought that God is to make him an inheritor .” 

76. Globalization 

Does Islam accept globalization? 

It depends on the meaning of the term. If it means useful mutual cooperation between the countries of the globe, Islam supports such cooperation. However, this term is a sugar-coat of the real term, i. e., Americanization. Notice that the term globalization appeared after the victory of USA over USSR in the cold war in the 1980’s. Globalization, in fact, aims at US dominance in the areas of politics, economics, and culture. Globalization means that USA wants to rule the world politically, economically, culturally, and even militarily. The tools of this Americanization are the International Bank, the International Monetary Fund, NATO, multi-national companies, and GAT, not to forget the UN Security Council. The US President looks at himself as if he is the president of the six continents. He interferes everywhere. Economically, USA wants all for itself: all the world is a US farm. Culturally, USA wants everyone in the world to live the American way. Globalization, in fact, is another term for American dominance. In this sense, Islam rejects this kind of globalization. Islam believes in economical partnership and mutual equal cooperation, not in US dominance. Politically, Islam believes in the true independence of countries, not in US interference. Culturally, Islam holds that US culture is not the culture that the world needs or is waiting for. The Islamic divine culture is by far much more integrated and balanced than any other culture on the earth. If the world needs anything, it does need Islamization, rather than Americanization or globalization, in my opinion. 

77. Inter-religion Debate 

Does Islam welcome the debate among religions? 

Surely, it does. Islam always welcomes and calls for debate with Christians and Jews. God says in the Holy Quran,“O people of the Book! Come to common terms between us and you: that we worship none but God, that we associate no partners with Him, and that we do not erect from among ourselves lords and partners other than God … .” (Al-Imran: 64). Islam refers to Jews and Christians as the people of the Book because both Moses and Jesus received revealed books from God, i. e., the Tawrat and the Gospel, respectively. Islam does not only welcome debate with Christianity and Judaism, but it commands Muslims to run this debate in a very kind respectful manner. God says in the Holy Quran, “And dispute not with the people of the Book except with good means … .” (Al- Ankaboot: 46). In fact, some scholars truly hold that there will be no peace in this world unless there is peace among religions, and there will be no peace among religions unless there is debate among religions. Muslims, as it must be known, believe in Moses and Jesus as messengers from God. They also believe in their revealed books in their true forms, i. e., the Tawrat of Moses and the Gospel of Jesus. On the other hand, the Jews reject both Jesus and Muhammad, and Christians reject Muhammad. Islam is the last divine religion. It embraces all divine religions before it. A Muslim believes in all prophets and messengers, including Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad. He also believes in all revealed books, including the Tawrat, the Gospel, and the Holy Quran. Islam stretches its arms wide open for debate and mutual understanding. Islam is for all humans, not for a certain tribe or a certain race or a certain continent. 

78. Non-Muslim Minorities 

Does Islam protect non-Muslim minorities in Islamic countries? 

Of course, it does. Muslims, as a rule, have always respected and protected non-Muslim minorities, which, in fact, exist in all Muslim countries. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Whoever hurts a covenanted person hurts me,” referring to Christians and Jews in Muslim countries. Non-Muslim minorities are treated on equal footing with Muslims in health care, education, job opportunities, parliamentary representation, taxes, all rights, and all duties. They live safe and sound, secure about their lives, property, human rights, honor, and dignity. In fact, in many cases, the members of such minorities are better off, more educated, and higher in social status than their fellow Muslim citizens. Islam teaches Muslims to be fair to all, not to be prejudiced against any human being. 

79. Terrorism 

Does Islam support terrorism? 

No, it does not, for sure. Prophet Muhammad said, “God will not show mercy to a person who does not show mercy to other.” A Muslim has the most merciful heart. Besides, the daily greeting among Muslims is “ Peace be upon you”. Muslims say and hear this greeting hundreds of times every day. Islam orders the Muslim not to kill, not to betray, not to wrong others, even not to kill animals playfully. Prophet Muhammad said, “Help the oppressed and guide those who have lost their way. ” In fact, the last thing a Muslim may be is a terrorist. Islam encourages the Muslim to forgive even his enemies. However, Western media unfairly label some Muslims as terrorists. Moscow unfairly called the fighters in Chechnia, Afghanistan, and Daghistan terrorists although they were fighting for liberation or independance against Russian occupation. Serbians used to unfairly call Kosovans terrorists. US media used to unfairly call fighters against US occupation in Vietnam terrorists as well. Israel unfairly calls Arabs fighting against Israeli occupation in Palestine and Lebanon as terrorists. All Muslims called by Western media as terrorists are in fact fighters for freedom, liberation, or independence against Western troops here or there. Islam is undoubtedly against terrorism, but Islam is definitely for fighting for liberation. Unfortunately, Western media labels a terrorist anyone fighting against Western occupation; anyone against Washington is a terrorist. You must be a slave, a sheep, a rabbit, or a coward in order to get US blessings and Western smiles! 

80. Integrated Personality 

Is Islam for an integrated personality? 

Certainly, it is. The human is body, mind, psyche, and soul. Islam wants an intergrated personality, where the body, mind, psyche, and soul are taken care of in a balanced way. Take care of your physique, i. e., body. Give your body its due rights of rest, exercises, and cleanliness. Take care of your mind: provide it with knowledge, experience, know-how, and knowledge about this life and the other life, religious and worldly knowledge alike. Take care of your psyche: stick to ethics, to good morals, and to noble values. Thus, one should develop physically, intellectually, and morally. As for the fourth component, i.e., the soul, it makes one alive: once it leaves the body, the body is temporarily dead until the Day of Resurrection. 

81. Neighboring Countries 

How does Islam organize the relations between Muslims and their non-Muslim neighboring countries?

Islam classifies non-Muslim neighbors into two categories. The first category is a non-Muslim neighbor who is peaceful with Muslims, who does not fight Islam, nor did he expel Muslims from their land, a neighbor who believes in and practises mutual peaceful coexistence. Such a neighboring country deserves a good kind fair treatment, all due respect, and complete sincere cooperation from Muslims. The other category is a non-Muslim country which conspires against Muslims night and day, fights Islam in all ways possible, expels Muslims from their homeland, or help others to fight Muslims. Such a country is a foe, cannot be treated as a friend, and cannot be allied with or be made peace with. God says in the Holy Quran, “God does not forbid you, with regard to those who do not fight you for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them, for God loves those who are just. God only forbids, with regard to those who fight you for (your) Faith and drive you out of your homes and support (others) in driving you out, for turning to them (in friendship and protection). He who turns to them as such does wrong (himself).” (Al- Mumtahina: 8-9). 

82. Fundamentalism 

What is Islamic fundamentalism? 

In the Christian West, fundamentalism refers to strictly believing in the infallibility of the Bible in faith, morals, and historical matters. Hence, the term in the West has negative connotations such as rigidity, unreasonable logic, and stubbornness. 

According to true Muslims, i. e., Islamists, the term fundamentalism indicates the wish to go back to the fundamentals of Islam, i. e., to the teachings of God in the Holy Quran and teachings of Prophet Muhammad in his traditions. The term refers to a return to a religious revival, loyalty to God, piety, religiousness, righteousness, and straight ethics. 

In contrast, according to “Muslims in name” , the term has negative connotations such retroaction and rigidity. Such Muslims are in fact apostates, no more Muslims. They are swept over and brainwashed by Westernism, Western media, and Western ideologies. They are usually fond of secularism, atheism, materialism, and irreligiousness. They are ready imitators of whatever is Western. They are ready to follow Western ways so blindly: they will enter a lizard’s hole if Westerners enter it, as Prophet Muhammad put it in one of his sayings. 

However, some governments, in fact most of them, in Islamic countries do not allow positive fundamentalism to exist as a political party in a truly democratic society. The result of this political oppression practised by some govenments against Islamists is that Islamic moderation is pushed to the corner of extermism and violence in natural self-defence. Extremism on the part of governments leads to extremism on the part of Islamists. It is always true that pressure leads to explosion. 

Islam is against violence, and Islamists never go to violence unless they are treated in violence or deprived of their human rights or prejudiced against or excluded from political life. Islamists are the most peace-loving people. Their violence, if it comes up, is only a reaction to severe violence or injustice exercised against them. Some governments in some Islamic countries do not allow Islamists to form political parties, as in Egypt, Tunisia, and Turkey. Some governments cancel the results of free elections if the Islamists win, as in Algeria in 1992. 

Some governments dissolve the Islamic party if it wins elections, as in Turkey in 1996. Lack of real democracy results in violence, for sure. Those governments which hate violence must learn to avoid causes of violence: you cannot suppress people and expect them to be quiet and peaceful at the same time. 

83. Secularism 

Is there room for Islam today when the general trend all over the world is towards more and more of secularism and materialism? 

Yes, there is. In fact, this secular trend itself will enhance the need for Islam and spirituality. The new world order, as it is called, is a mono-polar order mainly dominated by USA and manipulated by Judeo- Christian anti-Islamic circles. This new world order is anti-religious, anti-Islamist, for Westernization, for globalization, and for the dominance of the West, especially USA, culturally, economically, politically, and even militarily. 

This Westernism carries with it a bundle of highrate diseases such as moral decay, alcoholism, sexual libertinism, family dissolution, adultery, crime, homosexuality, suicide, illegitimate births, murder, and nervous breakdown. This new world “disorder”, in fact, has killed conscience and destroyed moral values and man’s innate search for spirituality. 

This much of these horrible diseases associated with secular Westernism is going to be the very reason for the revival of Islam, the felt need for Islam, for religion, for spirituality, for God’s guidance, and for God’s word. 

Enough is enough, as it is said. Secularism has absolutely failed to bring security and balance to human life. Let’s give Islam the chance to achieve what secularism has failed to do. The future, I am sure, is for Islam, not only in the Middle East, but also all over the globe. Islam, which is fought harshly by the West today, is the only saviour of the same West and all the world, indeed. Islam is the only cure to all human ailments - I emphasize the word “only”, believe it or not. The truth remains the truth: it does not change as time passes on. 

84. Pillars of Islam 

What is the psychological effect of the pillars of Islam? 

The pillars of Islam represent some major characteristics of Islam: the two testimonies, prayer, obligatory charity, i. e., zakat, fasting, and pilgrimage. 

The two testimonies emphasize the Oneness of God and the prophethood of Muhammad. They imply full submission to God and acceptance of Islam as a divine message. 

Prayer, five times a day, increases spirituality, leads to a balanced psyche, cultivates punctuality, requires purity and cleanliness, connects man with God, and develops inner resistence of evil. It also enhances sociability, through collective prayer, social cohesion, brotherhood, humility, and equality. Prayer is a unique spiritual remedy and a social cure. 

Zakat is a practical solution to poverty; it requires paying annually 2.5% of one’s savings collected by the state and given to the poor and the needy. Zakat makes social solidarity not merely a verbal slogan, but an actual obligatory must. You do not give because you choose to do so or when you have the mood for it, but you have to. Of course, in addition to this obligatory zakat, a Muslim is urged to give whenever he can. Prophet Muhammad said, “The upper hand is better than the lower hand .” 

The fourth pillar of Islam, i. e., fasting, from dawn to sunest for thirty days in the month of Ramadan, is a practical exercise in patience, selfcontrol, sympathy, equality, obedience to God, charity, physical regime, dieting, spirituality, worship, and many other social, ethical, physical, and psychological advantages. 

The fifth pillar, pilgrimage, once in one’s life, builds up human brotherhood, concentrates on the unity of prophethood, dwells on Muslims’ unity, and refines the Muslim’s spirituality and obedience to God. 

85. Women 

What is the main difference between Islam and non-Islam concerning the woman? 

The basic difference is that the woman in Islam is looked at mainly as a person, whereas non-Islam looks at her mainly as a sex being. The non-Islamic view emphasizes the woman’s femininity, which appears in how women are dressed. Women, according to the non-Islamic view, are sexy, beautiful, and attractive and thus men have the right to enjoy that feminine beauty. The woman, according to non-Islam, should expose her flesh everywhere, on beaches, streets, offices, homes, bars, clubs, restaurants, schools, universities, TV screens, cinema screens, video-films, and ads, night and day. The non-Islamic view allows the woman to sell her body and to use her body to seduce men if she wants to and allows men to use her body in business, in spying, and in blackmailing. The non-Islamic view emphasizes the sex role of the woman with marriage or without it, inside marriage or outside it, before marriage or after it: sex and sex and sex anywhere, anyhow, any time, at any cost. 

On the other hand, Islam emphasizes the woman’s role as a person, as a mother, as a wife, as a daughter, with no sex before marriage or outside it. The woman’s body is for her husband only, not for boy-friends, nor for exhibition. The woman’s body is to be covered with modest clothes, no nudeness, no nakedness, no miniskits, no minijobs, no nude thighs or legs, no nude chests or breasts or backs or arms. The woman is a precious jewel, not for sale, not for exhibition, not a decoy or a sexy toy. The woman in Islam is somehow a holy being: she deserves all respect, all honor, all care, all devotion, whether she is a daughter, a wife, a sister, or a mother. 

The non-Islamic view looks at the woman as a creature to be hunted by males through different tricks and tactics under so many labels and pretexts. The Islamic view looks at the woman as a creature to be somehow sacred, a creature to be honored, and respected. This is the difference between the two views in brief. 

86. Donations 

Does Islam allow ovum donation or sperm donation? 

No, it doesn’t. Islam permits sperm-ovum unity only if it is between a husband and his wife whether naturally inside the ovary or artificially outside the ovary, i. e., in test tubes. Islam does not allow ovum fertilization by an alien sperm, i. e., a sperm of a man other than the woman’ s husband. Islam does not allow donating a sperm to fertilize an alien ovum, i. e., an ovum of a woman other than the man’s wife. Islam, similarly, does not allow donating an ovum to be fertilized by a non-husband sperm. In brief, any fertilization between the husband and his wife is permissible. Any fertilization between a man and a woman who are not husband and wife is impermissible. In Islam, there cannot be falsehood in parenthood: the father has to be a natural father, and the mother has to be a natural mother. 

87. Organ Transplantation 

Does Islam allow organ transplantation? 

Yes, it does provided that such transplantation happens with the previous consent of the donor to save the life of another person upon the recent death of the donor, who will be rewarded by God for his great act of charity, i. e., donating a specific organ of his own body to be transplanted upon his death. Of course, Islam does not allow selling organs as some poor people may consider doing. 

88. Men and Women 

Does Islam look at women as inferior to men? 

No, not at all. Islam looks at men and women as equals. Prophet Muhammad said, “Women are the sisters of men.” Women are equal in dignity before law and God, equal in duties and rights, equal in religious obligations, and equal in reward and punishment in the other life. 

Sometimes there are justifiable differences due to differences in roles, nature, and functions. For example, the man’s share of inheritance is double the woman’s share because it is the man, not the woman, who is financially responsible for the family. In this case, equality in inheritance despite inequality in financial responsibility would be unfair to the man. 

Another example is the man’s testimony weight versus the woman’s: two women versus one man. This is so due to the feminine nature of the woman, a nature of modesty on one hand and forgetfulness on the other hand. Research has shown that women’s forgetfulness is four times that of men. Islam here is in line with scientific objectivity and research findings. 

A third example is the family leadership being given to the man because the man is abler than the woman in struggling with life, bread-winning, shouldering difficulties, and facing and solving tough problems. We are not saying that the woman cannot shoulder hardships; we simply say that the man is abler, not to forget that the woman does often go through pregnancy, the monthy cycle, fostering her children, baby-sitting, or / and home management. It is in the woman’s interest to be exempted from leading the family since she has enough problems to handle, multiple roles to play, and multiple functions to do. 

In Islam, women are equal to men in all cases except when absolute equality is not fair or when it causes a damage to another value or when it is not in the family’s interest. 

89. Extremism 

Does Islam allow extremism? 

No, it does not, but it orders Muslims to defend their land and their religion. Muslims may forgive or tolerate anything except two things: aggression against their own land and aggression against their own religion. Islam holds this motto: live and let others live. Islam is completely for peaceful co-existence: you respect my borders and my faith, and I respect your borders and your faith. 

When you find some Muslims going to extremism, this is only because the other party has gone to the extreme in fighting Muslims, or Islam, or both . Some Muslims may go to extremism because the other party has left them no choice. 

Look at Islamists in Algeria. In 1992, they won free elections, and suddenly a coup took place and the results of the elections were cancelled simply because the Islamists had won. Who is the extremist? Some Islamists there took arms to defend their usurped rights. 

In many Islamic countries, Islamists are deprived of their natural rights to found political parties. In fact, any group is allowed to found a political party in many Islamic countries, with the exception of Islamists, e. g., Tunisia, Egypt, Turkey, and Syria. Such governments are practicing extremism and thus push some Islamists to extremism in selfdefence as a reaction. 

In Turkey, the secular government ordered the Welfare Party to dissolve itself because it adopts Islamic trends ! The same government denied a woman her membership in the parliament because she was covering her hair with a headscarf! The Turkish government closed Islamic schools, did not allow building new mosques in large cities, did not accredit degrees of Islamic universities around the world, and cancelled permits of some Islamic magazines. Who is the extremist? 

Islamic extremism is always a reaction to extremism launched against Islamists for long years. As it is said, pressure leads to explosion. If the world does not like Islamic extremism, everyone should think twice before starting aggression against Muslims, whether against their lands, their religion, or their dignity. Muslims may be slow in reaction sometimes, but their reaction can be fatal when it comes; it comes probably slowly, but surely, mind you. Nothing can stand in the way of Muslims when they rise to defend their land, their rights, and their dignity, teaching aggressors the lesson they need to learn. 

Islam is centainly against aggression, against terrorism, and against extremism, but Islam certainly and strongly urges Muslims to defend themselves, defend their lands, defend their rights, and defend their religion, for the information of those who do not know Islam or Muslims very well.

90. Dressing Code 

What is the Islamic dress code for women? 

The woman’s dress, according to Islam, should cover all her body except the face and the hands. The head cover must cover not only the hair, but also the neck and be extended to the bosom. Her dress should be loose enough so as not describe the shape of the body. The dress must be thick enough so as not to reveal the skin color or body shape underneath. The dress should not be very attractive to men’s attention, nor should it be similar to unbelievers’ constumes. The women’s dress should not be similar to men’s clothes. Nor should it be a dress of fame, pride, and vanity. Islam does not allow women’s nakedness or nudeness. The woman’s body, according to Islam, should not be a commodity for sale or exhibition or a factor in commercials.

91. Adoption 

Is adoption allowed in Islam? 

Yes, but not in the same way of Western adoption. In Islam, adoption is controlled by these guidelines: 1. The adopted child keeps the name of his natural father, not the name of his adopting father. 2. The adopted child is not entitled to inherit from his adopting parents, but he is entitled to inherit from his natural parents, of course. 3. The adopted child can return to his natural parents whenever he wishes to. 4. The adopted boy is not like a natural son; he can marry his adopting mother or her daughters. The same applies to an adopted girl. 5. The adopted child must be told that he is adopted and that the adopting parent is not his natural parent. God says in the Holy Quran, “… Nor has He made your adopted sons your sons. Such is (only) what you say by your mouths. But God tells the truth and He shows the (right) way.” (Al-Ahzab: 4). 

92. Family 

Why does Islam emphasize family? 

Through a family, children are brought to existence. The family, thus, preserves the human species from extinction, maintains the true geneology of people, and protects men and women from moral degeneration and venereal diseases. The family satisfies the sexual needs of both men and women in a noble moral clean way. The family satisfies the man’s need for fatherhood and the woman’s need for motherhood. The family provides children with a unique ideal unreplaceable environment, where they can grow in peace and safety. The family brings peace of mind to all its members, i. e., husband, wife, and children. In non-Islamic societies where the family is not very much respected, the only alternative is a complete chaos. Islam is the only way to really protect the family: no sex outside marriage. In Arizona (USA), for example, divorce is the fate of 88% of marriages. The choice is really this: either Islam and family or no Islam and no family. 

93. Extremism 

Does Islam allow extremism ? 

Certainly NO. Islam is a religion of moderation in everything: in belief, in conduct, in worship, and legislation. Unfortunately, some blind enemies of Islam unfairly accuse Islam of extremism. God says in the Holy Quran, “Thus have We [God] made of you a moderate nation … .” (Al-Baqara: 143). Prophet Muhammad said, “Beware of excessiveness in religion. People before you have perished as a result of such excessiveness.” Now, Western media, because of blind bias, labels as an extremist anyone who calls for the application of Islamic legislation, anyone who is devoted to Islam, anyone who is proud of Islam, and anyone who sticks to Islamic values. Western media love people who are Muslims in name only, who commit adultery whenever they can, who dance and rock and roll as Westerners do, who drink alcohol more than water, and who represent Satan on earth. Unfortunately, Westernism has been in strategic alliance with Satan against God, against religiousness, against the family, and against morality. No one is pleased with Westernism more than Satan because Westernism realizes all that Mr. Satan has dreamed of. 

94. Miracles 

What is Prophet Muhammad’s miracle? 

God gave every prophet a miracle with which he was to convince his people of his prophethood. One of Jesus’ miracles, for instance, was to cure the sick and quicken the dead. As for Prophet Muhammad, his main miracle was the Holy Quran, the book revealed to him in piecemeal by God, starting in A. D. 610. The miraculousness of the Quran is everstanding. As Dr. Maurice Bucaille, the well-known French scientist, said, since the Quran does not include or support wrong statements about the cosmos, nor does it include the false theories of its time, and since it includes scientific facts proven to be true by modern science, and since such facts were not known in Muhammad’s age, then the only conclusion that follows is that the Holy Quran cannot be Muhammad’s word and that it must be God’s word, for sure. 

95. Moral Principles 

What are the moral principles of Islam? 

Islam emphasizes morals very much. When God praised Prophet Muhammad in the Holy Quran, He said, “And thou are of exalted morals.” (Al-Qalam: 4). The Islamic slogan is that you should treat others as you wish to be treated. Be dutiful, ethical, good, honest, kind, honorable, fair, pious, righteous, tolerant, punctual, courageous, truthful, chaste, generous, forgiving, benevolent, helpful, cooperative, virtuous, charitable, moderate, modest, and merciful. Islam orders the Muslim to abide by all known virtues and abandon all known vices: not to kill, not to steal, not to lie, not to bribe, not to cheat, and not to commit adultery, even not to come near adultery. Islam is indeed a perfect code of morality for any human who wants to be really of good morals . Prophet Muhammad said, “I have been sent to perfect noble morals.” 

96. Punishment

Why does God punish people if He is kind and loving? 

According to Islam, if you do good, it is for you, and if you do evil, it is against you. It is quite acceptable, fair, and logical that God will not treat the good and the bad equally. God loves those who deserve His love and does not love those who deserve not to be loved. God loves the good, the pure, the pious, charity-givers, the patient, and the just. He does not love liars, transgressors, disbelievers, hypocrites, evil-doers, the unfair, the arrogant, the distrustable, spendthrifts, the dishonest, and the disloyal. It is quite fair and logical that God rewards the good and punishes the bad if they do not repent. God says in the Holy Quran, “Know that God is strict in punishment and that God is Oft-Forgiving and Most Merciful.” (Al-Ma’da: 98). He also says, “That God may reward them according to the best of their deeds and add even more for them out of His Grace, for God does provide for those whom He will without measure.” (Al-Nour: 38). 

97. Homosexuality 

What does Islam say about homosexuality? 

Islam prohibits homosexuality, whether male or female homosexuality, i. e., lesbianism. Such acts are sinful and punishable. They are against pure human nature. They do bring a lot of diseases, the most serious of which is AIDS. Islam looks at homosexuality as the most abominable most disgusting misbehavior, which deserves a very strict punishment. In contrast, some countries like USA and Britain allow, even bless, homosexuality. Britain, very astonishingly, has allowed male-male marriages, believe it or not. This is Westernism; don’t forget. What a shame! 

98. The Oneness of God 

Does Islam accept the Oneness of God or the Trinity? 

Islam is the religion of oneness: God is one. Islam rejects polytheism and the Trinity . In fact, many Christians have rejected Christianity because of the puzzle of the Trinity, because of the impossible formula, i. e., 1+1+1=1. How can God the father, God the son, and God the Holy Spirit be each God and yet all of the three together be also one God? How can 3 be 1? How can God plus God plus God be one God? In the Old Testament, God is one. How did He become three in the New Testament? All prophets including Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad emphasized that God is one. God says in the Holy Quran teaching Prophet Muhammad what to answer when he is asked about God, “Say: He is Allah, the One and Only. Allah, the Eternal, the Absolute. He does not beget; nor is He begotten. And there is none equal to Him.” (Al-Ikhlas: 1- 4). 

99. Education

What is the relation between education and Islam? 

Islam believes in the great importance of morality and ethical values. Man without morality is a devil, even more dangerous than a devil. In secular countries, education at schools and universities is planned to be valueless or moral-free, and the output of such education is not certainly a source of pride. Islam believes that morality is the essence of humanity. Without morals, nothing noble remains under the term “humanity”. Since religion is the basic source of morality, religion must be an essential component of educational curricula at both schools and universities. Science alone is not enough at schools. The school is not a source of scientific knowledge only; it must be a source of moral education as well. Life is much more than physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics. 

100. Adolescence

What is the position of Islam with regard to adolescence? 

Western psychology makes adolescence a very special period of growth with special characteristics such as rebellion, lack of respect for elders, sexual permissiveness, no respect for values, no respect for parents, no respect for religion, and running crazily after sex, fun, and fashion. Islam does not approve such adolescence; nor does it approve the “teenager” term. Tariq Ibn Ziyad, who led Islamic armies that conquered Spain in A. D. 711, was nineteen years old. In Islam, the so-called teenager is required to behave like an adult. In fact, it is the society that determines what is expected from each age. If you expect from the teenager to behave like a brainless rebellious creature, he will behave so. In contrast, if you expect from him to behave like a mature adult, he will and can behave so, for sure. 

101. God and Man 

Is Islam merely a relation between man and God? 

Islam is not only a relation between man and God. Islam has thousands of commandments, directions, ordainments, and regulations that organize the individual’s relation with God, parents, sons, daughters, friends, relatives, neighbors, and humans in general. Islam regulates the basics of economics and the broadlines of political relations with neighboring countries. Islam regulates marriage, divorce, inheritance, ethics, business transactions, and all the main areas of human life. Islam is the only solution to all human problems. Islam is a complete code of life. Islam is not just a word or a label; it is a whole life, righteous life, balanced life, and happy life. God says in the Holy Quran, “And if any fail to judge by (the light of) what God has revealed, they are (no better than) disbelievers.” (Al-Ma’da: 44). 

102. Regulations 

Why does Islam have a lot of do’s and don’t’s? 

All constitutions have hundreds of do’s and don’t’s, either implicitly or explicitly. You cannot organize human life by keeping silent. In the West, where many people often do not find a clear code of personal behavior owing to the prevailing secular trends there, such people find themselves quite astray owing to lack of guidance. Without do’s and don’t’s, there will be no reference, no guidance, and a lot of the so-called freedom with a lot of confusion and disorder and pain at the same time. We must thank God for Islam, for guidance. These Islamic do’s and don’t’s are the best of God’s bounties to humans. Without the divine do’s and don’t’s, man would be lost in the dark of ignorance and skepticism. 

103. Modernism 

What is the position of Islam with regard to modernism? 

It depends on the meaning of the term. If modernism means technological progress, industrial development, and modernization of equipment, Islam is certainly for such modernism. However, the term is sometimes used to be synonymous with secularism, Westernism, europeanization, americanization, globalization, and anti-religousness. In this case, of course, Islam is against modernism in this sense. Such modernism is man-centered; Islam is God-centered. Modernism is against divine religion; Islam is a divine religion. Modernism is pleasure-centered; Islam is ethicscentered. Modernism emphasizes this life; Islam emphasizes this life and the other life. Modernism emphasizes materialism; Islam makes a balance between materialism and spirituality. Modernism pays little attention to ethical values; Islam is essentially those ethical values. Modernism is based on man-made laws; Islam is based on God-revealed laws. Modernism is submission to the animal in man; Islam is submission to God. Modernism is relativism and skepticism; Islam is absolute standards and clear attitudes. Modernism can be anything; Islam is divinely-decreed static standards. 

104. Pilgrimage

What are the advantages of pilgrimage in Islam? 

They are many. Muslims are made to meet at the same place at the same time. Pilgrimage, thus, embodies the unity of Muslims. Pilgrims wear the same white seamless cloth, another symbol of unity, modesty, equality, and submission to God. Pilgrimage, most importantly, reminds the Muslim of Abraham’s readiness to sacrifice not money or time or effort, but to sacrifice his only beloved son, the farthest extreme of sacrifice, only because he had seen in a dream that God ordered him to sacrifice his son Isma’l. Isma’el was not less obedient to God than his father Abraham, i. e., Ibraheem: the son obeyed his father and surrendered himself to be slain by his father, when Ibraheem was called out that God ransomed Ibraheem with a momentous ram as a sacrifice. Pilgrimage, therefore, reminds the Muslim of the great example of submission to God given by both Ibraheem and his son Isma’el: the father was ready to sacrifice his own son in obedience to God, and the son was ready to be sacrificed for the same reason. The core of Islam is submission to God. In fact, the word Islam means surrender and submission, of course, to God. 

105. Accepted Religion

Does God accept religions other than Islam? 

Islam means submission to God, full obedience to Him, believing in all His prophets up until this or that time. The followers of Moses in Moses’ time were Muslims because they believed in all prophets until Moses’ time. The followers of Jesus in Jesus’ time were Muslims because they believed in all prophets up to Jesus’ time. 

God always puts Islam as His only acceptable religion. Moses was a Muslim; Abraham was a Muslim too; Jesus was a A Muslim; of course, Muhammad, the last prophet, was a Muslim. 

Any person who believes in all prophets up to his time was and is a Muslim. This means that this person accepts God’s word, God’s prophets, and God’s books up to his time. 

If you believe in God, your belief cannot be complete unless you believe in all His prophets and all His books. Now, at our time, a believer is to believe in God, all His prophets, e. g., Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad, and all His books including the divine books revealed to Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad . 

Being the last prophet, Muhammad was sent with the final divine message, which encompasses all previous divine messages. Therefore, the Holy Quran was revealed to be the last divine book superceding all previous revealed books. 

The divine message as conveyed by Prophet Muhammad, known as Islam, is a comprehensive overwhelming message dominating all previous divine messages. The only religion acceptable to God has always been Islam in its wide sense, i. e., complete surrender to God. 

God says in the Holy Quran, “Indeed, the only true religion in the sight of God is Islam.”(Al-Imran: 19). 

106. Human Life 

Does the human life have an end, according to Islam? 

No, it doesn’t. One’s life starts at his mother’s womb. Then, he is born and becomes a living citizen somewhere on this earth. He (or she) lives for a certain number of days or years, after which his body is sent to the grave, which is not the end, of course. At death, the living spirit leaves the dead body; notice that the body is dead, but the spirit is alive somewhere. 

The spirit waits until the Resurrection Day, which no one knows when it will be. When resurrection occurs, the Day of Judgment begins, after which the lasting life begins in the final abode in either Paradise or Hell. 

At resurrection, the spirit comes back to a new body, a body that fits eternity. Thus, the so-called death is not the end of anyone; it is just a different way of being, a waiting period, an intervening period between this first life and the other life. 

In brief, we can classify man’s life into three consecutive stages. The first stage is this life, which begins at the womb and ends at the grave . This stage may be divided into two substages, if you wish: the pre-birth substage, which lasts from fertilization until birth, and the post-birth substage, which lasts from birth until death. The second stage is the waiting stage, which extends from death to resurrection; you may call it the grave stage, if you like. This stage does not mean the end of life because whereas the body is dead and is decaying, the spirit is alive somewhere waiting for the body-spirit reunion at the future resurrection. The third stage is the other life, which starts at the Resurrection Day and never ends. This third stage includes resurrection of bodies, judgment, and consequently rewarding or punishing people according to their records in the first stage. 

According to Islam, the most important stage is the last one, i. e., the other life or the Hereafter. This stage is the stage that one should work hard for because it is the eternal stage, where his fate is determined whether in Paradise or in Hell. 

The relationship between the three stages is quite strong in the Muslim’s mind. The first stage, this life, is a temporary immortal one, where one is being tested by God and is thus held accountable for his deeds. The second stage is an intervening period between the first stage and the third stage. The third last stage is solely dependent on the first stage: you reap in the third stage what you sowed in the first stage. 

God says in the Holy Quran, “Whoever does an atom’s weight of good shall see it, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil shall see it.” (Al-Zalzala :7-8). 

The three stages of life may be looked at this way. The first stage is taking the test. The second stage is waiting for results. The third stage is announcing the results. In Islam, this first life is considered to be a preparation for the other life, for the Day of Judgment, the Last Day, the Day of Reckoning. 

Belief in the other life is a cornerstone in a Muslim’s life. It is this belief that makes the difference, enhances man’s responsibility for his behavior in the first life, and encourages man to do good hoping for God’s reward and avoid evil fearing God’s punishment. Without belief in the other life and the Day of Judgment, our first life becomes meaningless, without a hope, without a reference, and without accountability. 

According to Islam, one’s life has a beginning, but has no end. It is a life of accountability, a life observed and controlled by God, a life aiming at obedience to God. 

107. Supplication 

Does God answer the Muslim’s supplication? 

God tells us in the Holy Quran that He answers our supplications provided that they are passed to Him in sincerity, humility, and earnestness. 

God may answer your supplication at once or at any delayed time, but your supplication is certainly answered, no matter when. God’s knowledge is absolute and perfect; He knows, for example, that it is better for you if your supplication is answered later rather than now, in some cases. 

Sometimes, God answers your supplication in a way unknown to you. You may not know how, when, or where He answered or will answer your invocation. It might be that God answers your wish by not answering it because it might be that your request is not really in your interest. God knows what is good to you even better than you yourself. 

God says in the Holy Quran, “Your Lord says: ‘Pray Me and I will answer you .’ ” (Ghafir: 40).