Understanding Islamic Teachings and Faith - Importance and Guidance

Derived from the teachings of Derived from the teachings of Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat d mat barak tuhum d mat barak tuhum

Allh All h S says, says, Invite (people) to the way of your Lord with Invite (people) to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good counsel. wisdom and good counsel. ( (16:125 16:125) )

DONTS When engaging in any discussion, the When engaging in any discussion, the branches of faith SHOULD NOT BE branches of faith SHOULD NOT BE DISCUSSED FIRST: DISCUSSED FIRST: Examples: Examples: * * ij b ij b * * Jih d Jih d * * al h al h * * Zak h Zak h * * ajj ajj

FIRST & MAIN FOCUS: DOS! Existence, Oneness, Sovereignty of All h S. Taw d Prophethood of Ras lull h s. Ris lah Authenticity of Glorious Qur n. Kit bull h

RISLAH Its acceptance will lead to the belief in the Qur n, since it was conveyed by the Prophet s. KIT BULL H - Its authencity s acceptance will establish Prophethood of Ras lull h s, as it is proved through the Qur n.

Tawd Ris lah Kit bull h Faith in Isl m

DONTS The Commands of All h The Commands of All h S should not become main point of discussion either. main point of discussion either. should not become WHY?... WHY?...

TYPES OF COMMANDS OF ALLH S Al-Amr Ma q lul-Ma n (Understood by intelligence) Al-Amr Al-Ta abbud (Complied with submission but not comprehensible to our limited intellect) Why we only pray 5 times? Why only 1 ruk ? Why only 2 suj d? al h Why fast 30 days and not 15 or less or more? awm Why give only 2.5% and not e.g. 5 or 10%. Zak h Why wash only certain body parts and not whole body? Wu

LEAP OF FAITH All religions of the world demand to believe blindly in All religions of the world demand to believe blindly in whatever does not make sense and is not logical, whatever does not make sense and is not logical, regarding their religious fundamentals. regarding their religious fundamentals. versus versus ISLAMIC LEAP OF FAITH: ISLAMIC LEAP OF FAITH: A test from All h A test from All h S in one s willingness to believe in Him in one s willingness to believe in Him unconditionally. unconditionally.

WHATS THE DIFFERENCE? Isl m Isl m Accepts challenge of its Core beliefs OPEN TO QUESTIONING OPEN TO QUESTIONING i.e. from the Divinity to the Scriptures WHEN IN SEARCH OF TRUTH. SEARCH OF TRUTH. WHEN IN Other Faiths Other Faiths Their followers have to believe blindly in the tenets of their faith, even though they seem incomprehensible to them, to the point that they are not able to explain these to others.

CONDITIONS OF QUESTIONING THE FAITH Decides to become Muslim Da wah Begins Acceptance of Truth 1-Oneness & Existence of All h. Person interested in Isl m searches for Truth. No more room No more room for questioning. for questioning. 2-Prophethood of Muhammad s. One can challenge fundamentals BUT NOT commands; otherwise feeble faith without real face value. Questions Core Beliefs. 3-Qur n is the Last Word of All h & remains unchanged. HAS HAS SINCERITY!!! SINCERITY!!!

Adapted from other sources Adapted from other sources

ARGUMENTS AGAINST ACCEPTING ISLM Some Non Some Non- -Muslims claim that Muslims claim that All h only spoke to the Israelites Israelites and Divine Revelation was sent to their and Divine Revelation was sent to their Prophets Prophets u only. only. A: A: All h sent revelation to the Israelites as well as to All h sent revelation to the Israelites as well as to other nations. The Israelites disobeyed their Prophets other nations. The Israelites disobeyed their Prophets u as well as the All h the Almighty. They are invited to as well as the All h the Almighty. They are invited to ponder about their own practice and dealing with ponder about their own practice and dealing with Prophets Prophets u and indifference to and indifference to All h (Qur (Qur n n - - 2:83 2:83, , 5:18 5:18, , 5:41 5:41, , 5:44 5:44, , 61:5 All h only spoke to the All h s s Commands. Commands. 61:5- -8 8) )

ARGUMENTS AGAINST ACCEPTING ISLM Some Non Some Non- -Muslims claim that Muslims claim that Is messenger to the earth and that he is also God and/or son of messenger to the earth and that he is also God and/or son of God. God. Since he died for the forgiveness of mankind through Since he died for the forgiveness of mankind through crucifixion there is no need for any other Prophet after him. crucifixion there is no need for any other Prophet after him. A: A: s s u was a just another human being chosen to be a was a just another human being chosen to be a Prophet. All h does not have any children. If there were to be a Prophet. All h does not have any children. If there were to be a son of God this would be son of God this would be dam dam u and not Jesus former was created without father and mother, this being a former was created without father and mother, this being a greater miracle. All h is not three gods in one. All h does not greater miracle. All h is not three gods in one. All h does not need the crucifixion of anyone for mankind to gain salvation; He need the crucifixion of anyone for mankind to gain salvation; He just forgives when we repent. just forgives when we repent. s s u taught people to believe in one God and foretold the coming of Prophet Mu one God and foretold the coming of Prophet Mu ammad Christians divided into different sects that differ into the nature Christians divided into different sects that differ into the nature of God and Jesus of God and Jesus u. . (Qur n (Qur n 6:101, 6:159, 5:18, 5:116 6:101, 6:159, 5:18, 5:116- -117, 5:172, 9:30 112:1 112:1- -4, 4:116, 17:42, 21:21 4, 4:116, 17:42, 21:21- -22, 13:6) 22, 13:6) Is u was the last Divine was the last Divine and not Jesus u since the since the taught people to believe in ammad s. . 117, 5:172, 9:30- -31, 61:6, 31, 61:6,

ARGUMENTS AGAINST ACCEPTING ISLM Some Non Some Non- -Muslims claim that Muslims claim that Religion has no place in today s modern world. today s modern world. Miracles are a thing of the past. Miracles are a thing of the past. Technology is the answer Technology is the answer to humanity s problems. to humanity s problems. A: A: People who hold these views are happy with their People who hold these views are happy with their lifestyle without the interference of God in their lives. A life lifestyle without the interference of God in their lives. A life without giving account to the Most Divine leads to one without giving account to the Most Divine leads to one becoming greedy and materialistic. It must be realized that becoming greedy and materialistic. It must be realized that Isl m is not against technological advancement and Isl m is not against technological advancement and Science. Countless Science. Countless Qur nic Qur nic verses prove the existence of God. These type of people only remember God when they God. These type of people only remember God when they are in calamity or anxiety and after their problems are are in calamity or anxiety and after their problems are solved they forget about the Creator once again. People solved they forget about the Creator once again. People can find lasting and truthful inner peace with All h and His can find lasting and truthful inner peace with All h and His remembrance. remembrance. (Qur n (Qur n 3:180, 10:12, 3:14 3:180, 10:12, 3:14- -15, 2:212, 3:188, 13:28, 15, 2:212, 3:188, 13:28, 3:190, 2:204 3:190, 2:204- -206, 70:42, 2:257) 206, 70:42, 2:257) Religion has no place in verses prove the existence of

ARGUMENTS AGAINST ACCEPTING ISLM Some Non Some Non- -Muslims are struggle to accept they will be held accountable for their actions. struggle to accept they will be held accountable for their actions. Life on this earth is all that matters. People live with Life on this earth is all that matters. People live with unlimited freedom freedom to do as they wish, without a moral compass. to do as they wish, without a moral compass. A: A: Most of the people who claim that they live a life full of Most of the people who claim that they live a life full of freedom, are enslaved/controlled by their base desires. Absolute freedom, are enslaved/controlled by their base desires. Absolute freedom leads to destruction. Isl m teaches to live a freedom with freedom leads to destruction. Isl m teaches to live a freedom with limits and responsibility. limits and responsibility. Shay Shay n n encourages people to pursue lust and pleasure without limits. Wrong doings and actions will be lust and pleasure without limits. Wrong doings and actions will be accounted for in the afterlife. People who incur in immorality and accounted for in the afterlife. People who incur in immorality and wilfully go against the Divine commandments, will definitely suffer wilfully go against the Divine commandments, will definitely suffer of void and emptiness and stress of all sorts, illnesses (suicide not of void and emptiness and stress of all sorts, illnesses (suicide not ruled out) in this world and will face loss in the hereafter. ruled out) in this world and will face loss in the hereafter. (Qur n (Qur n 2:168 2:168- -169, 4:118 169, 4:118- -119, 2:15 119, 2:15- -16, 18, 3:185, 16:111, 2:256, 74:38, 7:33, 50:16 2:256, 74:38, 7:33, 50:16- -19, 2:204 19, 2:204- -206, 70:42, 2:257, 18:57, 7:28, 21:38 7:28, 21:38- -40, 7:53, 7:187, 18:55, 18:58 40, 7:53, 7:187, 18:55, 18:58- -59, 14:10, 2:170, 5:104, 28:78 5:104, 28:78- -82, 15:13, 67:15 82, 15:13, 67:15- -18, 90:4 18, 90:4- -7, 17:66 19:77 19:77- -80, 5:100, 10:7 80, 5:100, 10:7- -8, 10:48 8, 10:48- -56) Muslims are reluctant to change their ways of life. reluctant to change their ways of life. They They unlimited encourages people to pursue 16, 18, 3:185, 16:111, 206, 70:42, 2:257, 18:57, 59, 14:10, 2:170, 7, 17:66- -70, 13:26, 70, 13:26, 56)

ARGUMENTS AGAINST ACCEPTING ISLM Some Non Some Non- -Muslims claim that Muslims claim that Prophet Muhammad learnt everything he knew from the Bible or from some learnt everything he knew from the Bible or from some Christians. Christians. A: A: The Qur The Qur n is not equivalent to the Bible nor does it n is not equivalent to the Bible nor does it contain passages of it. There are parallels to it and contain passages of it. There are parallels to it and mention of the same Prophets mention of the same Prophets u. The and contents differ. The only Christian in Makkah and contents differ. The only Christian in Makkah ( (Waraqah Waraqah ibn ibn Nawfl Nawfl) passed away, just as Nab ) passed away, just as Nab Mu Mu ammad ammad s was bestowed with Prophethood. There was bestowed with Prophethood. There were no Jews in Makkah. Prophet Mu were no Jews in Makkah. Prophet Mu ammad not know how to read or write (an not know how to read or write (an ummi not have been even influenced by other religions not have been even influenced by other religions scriptures. scriptures. (Qur (Qur n n 11:13 11:13, , 16:103 16:103, , 39:28 39:28, , 62:2 Prophet Muhammad s . The Qur Qur nic nic style style ammad s did ummi), so he could ), so he could did 62:2, , 10:37 10:37- -41 41) )

ARGUMENTS AGAINST ACCEPTING ISLM Some Non Some Non- -Muslims Almighty Creator of the universe at all. Almighty Creator of the universe at all. A: A: The Qur n talks about signs that All h has sent to The Qur n talks about signs that All h has sent to mankind that establish His existence. The spiritually mankind that establish His existence. The spiritually blind or with a heart tainted with pride, refuse to blind or with a heart tainted with pride, refuse to acknowledge these signs despite their truthfulness. acknowledge these signs despite their truthfulness. And whether people believe in Him or not, All h is And whether people believe in Him or not, All h is there and everywhere. there and everywhere. (Qur n (Qur n 2:28 2:28- -29, 6:104, 2:99, 11:13, 69:38 29, 6:104, 2:99, 11:13, 69:38- -43, 34:31 34:31- -32, 14:15, 10:4 32, 14:15, 10:4- -20, 30:52 20, 30:52- -53) Muslims don t believe in a God don t believe in a God or an or an 43, 53)

ARGUMENTS AGAINST ACCEPTING ISLM Some Non Some Non- -Muslims signs, signs, witnessing of magic, miracles, angels or witnessing of magic, miracles, angels or another another supernatural event supernatural event in order for them to believe. believe. A: A: The greatest miracle is the Qur n. It also narrates The greatest miracle is the Qur n. It also narrates many miracles of the Prophets many miracles of the Prophets u, and miracles in nature by the Will of the Creator. Even if angels nature by the Will of the Creator. Even if angels appeared or books appeared to them miraculously, appeared or books appeared to them miraculously, this group of people would insist they are mere this group of people would insist they are mere illusions and magic. illusions and magic. (Qur n (Qur n 17:92 17:92- -93, 13:27, 15:6 93, 13:27, 15:6- -15, 6:7 Muslims insist on experiencing divine insist on experiencing divine in order for them to , and miracles in 15, 6:7- -9, 6:103, 21:5) 9, 6:103, 21:5)

ARGUMENTS AGAINST ACCEPTING ISLM Some Non Some Non- -Muslims simply Muslims simply cannot accept the concept of the afterlife of the afterlife and that there will be a day of and that there will be a day of Judgement. Judgement. A: A: Justice and Logic demand the existence of the Justice and Logic demand the existence of the afterlife wherein an impartial judge will reward the afterlife wherein an impartial judge will reward the innocent and victims of this world and will punish the innocent and victims of this world and will punish the oppressive un oppressive un- -punished tyrants of this world. All h punished tyrants of this world. All h also granted us life to begin with and He has the also granted us life to begin with and He has the power to recreate us after our death in order to judge power to recreate us after our death in order to judge us and give account of our worldly life. us and give account of our worldly life. (Qur n (Qur n 17:49 17:49- -50, 19:66 50, 19:66- -67, 17:9, 2:28, 6:94, 75:36 67, 17:9, 2:28, 6:94, 75:36- - 40, 50:1 40, 50:1- -15, 17:71 15, 17:71- -73, 10:37, 10:24, 10:31 73, 10:37, 10:24, 10:31- -36, 30:54) 30:54) cannot accept the concept 36,

ARGUMENTS AGAINST ACCEPTING ISLM Some Non Some Non- -Muslims human being to deliver His Divine message to human being to deliver His Divine message to humanity. humanity. They think that if the Creator wanted to They think that if the Creator wanted to guide mankind He would have sent angels or another guide mankind He would have sent angels or another supernatural forces of the like. supernatural forces of the like. A: A: They can They can t believe a man was chosen to deliver the t believe a man was chosen to deliver the last will of God for mankind. They fail to recognise that last will of God for mankind. They fail to recognise that a human being is better equipped to explain the a human being is better equipped to explain the Divine message as he is equipped with his human Divine message as he is equipped with his human rationale; otherwise there would not be a fair testing rationale; otherwise there would not be a fair testing ground. All h chose the best of the same creation to ground. All h chose the best of the same creation to deliver His message to the rest of His creation. deliver His message to the rest of His creation. (Qur (Qur n n 14:11 14:11, , 14:17 14:17, , 14:94 14:94- -95 2:118 2:118, , 21:2 21:2, , 10:2 10:2- -6 6) ) Muslims don don t believe God would choose a t believe God would choose a 95, , 13:43 13:43, , 15:6 15:6- -9 9, , 64:56 64:56, ,

ARGUMENTS AGAINST ACCEPTING ISLM Some Non Some Non- -Muslims consider that Muslims consider that Prophet Muhammad conceived the Qur conceived the Qur n and its contents himself. n and its contents himself. They consider he was a consider he was a man of great wisdom, a great thinker of man of great wisdom, a great thinker of all times. all times. A: A: Prophet Mu Prophet Mu ammad ammad s faced some very difficult faced some very difficult situations such as one of his wives been accused of situations such as one of his wives been accused of immorality by the Hypocrites just as the Israelites did with immorality by the Hypocrites just as the Israelites did with Maryam Maryam M. He . He s had also been commanded to marry the had also been commanded to marry the divorcee of his adopted son Zayd divorcee of his adopted son Zayd t. If Prophet Mu had fabricated the Qur n himself, he would have had fabricated the Qur n himself, he would have announced the necessary announced the necessary yats yats (verses) to make life easier for him . Peter Hart also ranked him No 1 above the most for him . Peter Hart also ranked him No 1 above the most influential personalities of mankind throughout history. influential personalities of mankind throughout history. Prophet Muhammad s They . If Prophet Mu ammad ammad s (verses) to make life easier (Qur n (Qur n 24:11 24:11- -12, 33:37) 12, 33:37)

DOS Assess whether the addressee is sincere in search for Assess whether the addressee is sincere in search for truth or will listen with an objective and fair mind. truth or will listen with an objective and fair mind. Develop common ground between yourself and your audience; it Develop common ground between yourself and your audience; it could be on religious or secular topics, or simply being friendly could be on religious or secular topics, or simply being friendly and showing hospitality. This will lead to trust and confidence in and showing hospitality. This will lead to trust and confidence in the speaker. the speaker. Assess the addressee s intellectual background and address Assess the addressee s intellectual background and address your audience according to their level of intellect/understanding. your audience according to their level of intellect/understanding. To determine direction of conversation with regards to To determine direction of conversation with regards to Aq id (beliefs), inquire about the addressee s religious background. (beliefs), inquire about the addressee s religious background. Proceed according to personal knowledge of that particular faith. Proceed according to personal knowledge of that particular faith. Convey true facts of Isl m, not mere assumptions of what you Convey true facts of Isl m, not mere assumptions of what you think Isl m is; for this, educate yourself. think Isl m is; for this, educate yourself. Aq id

DONTS Don t be intimidating by loud tone of voice but be Don t be intimidating by loud tone of voice but be assertive; don t be oppressive in silencing sincere search for assertive; don t be oppressive in silencing sincere search for truth, and remain directive/in command of the conversation. truth, and remain directive/in command of the conversation. When being criticized, don t react aggressively, defensive or When being criticized, don t react aggressively, defensive or sensitive; rather make intellect & knowledge prevail. sensitive; rather make intellect & knowledge prevail. Don t demonize other religions, systems, cultures and/or Don t demonize other religions, systems, cultures and/or countries. Our criticism should be always constructive built on countries. Our criticism should be always constructive built on undisputable and valid moral ground. undisputable and valid moral ground. Don t think it is our duty to convert/revert someone. It is All h Don t think it is our duty to convert/revert someone. It is All h S who opens the heart and we can only be means of who opens the heart and we can only be means of hid yah (guidance), without breaking His commands. We should never (guidance), without breaking His commands. We should never put ourselves in a difficult situation e.g. free intermingling, just put ourselves in a difficult situation e.g. free intermingling, just for the sake of propagation of our d n. for the sake of propagation of our d n. hid yah

DONTS In explaining Isl m, there is no need for being apologetic In explaining Isl m, there is no need for being apologetic simply because we do not have good enough answers or are simply because we do not have good enough answers or are not strongly footed in d n ourselves. not strongly footed in d n ourselves. It is not recommended to hand out the Qur It is not recommended to hand out the Qur n to someone interested in Isl m, even if it is an English translation only interested in Isl m, even if it is an English translation only (According to the majority of the Scholars the latter is (According to the majority of the Scholars the latter is impermissible, since it could lead to the changing of the impermissible, since it could lead to the changing of the original meaning unaccompanied by the Arabic Text). This is original meaning unaccompanied by the Arabic Text). This is due to the fact that the Qur due to the fact that the Qur n needs n needs tafs r especially for those especially for those yats yats which would be easily which would be easily misinterpreted. Instead, a reliable misinterpreted. Instead, a reliable Isl mic tenets of Isl m should be handed out. tenets of Isl m should be handed out. n to someone tafs r (explanation), (explanation), Isl mic book with the basic book with the basic

REMEMBER! Even if someone does not accept Isl m because of our Even if someone does not accept Isl m because of our efforts, at least through our character and good efforts, at least through our character and good example people will have a positive image of Isl m. example people will have a positive image of Isl m.

SOME RECOMMENDED LITERATURE / REFERENCES Forty Sayings of the Messenger of Mercy Forty Sayings of the Messenger of Mercy s, by Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat afizahull h afizahull h, , Isl mic Isl mic Da wah Academy. Da wah Academy. , by Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat Isl m Isl m A Message of Mercy, by Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat A Message of Mercy, by Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat afizahull h Da wah Academy. Da wah Academy. afizahull h, , Isl mic Isl mic The Best The Best s, by Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat , by Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat afizahull h afizahull h, , Isl mic Isl mic Da wah Academy. Da wah Academy. Sayyidun Sayyidun Is Isl mic Isl mic Da wah Academy. Da wah Academy. Is A Prophet of Isl m A Prophet of Isl m u, by Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat , by Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat afizahull h afizahull h, , D n and D n and Shar ah Shar ah, by Mawl n , by Mawl n Manz r Manz r Nu m n Nu m n ( (ra ra matull hi matull hi alayh alayh). ). Fiqh of Da wah by Fiqh of Da wah by Muft Muft Mu Mu ammad ammad Sajj d Sajj d, As , As- -Suffah Suffah Institute. Institute. The Four Pillars of Isl m, by Shaykh Abul Hasan The Four Pillars of Isl m, by Shaykh Abul Hasan Al Al Nadw Nadw ( (ra ra matull hi matull hi alayh alayh). ). Isl m the Natural Way, by Abdul Wahid Hamid. Isl m the Natural Way, by Abdul Wahid Hamid. Gospel of Gospel of Barnabus Barnabus. . What is Christianity, by What is Christianity, by Muft Muft Taqi Taqi Uthm n Uthm n ( ( afizahull h afizahull h). ). The Prophet of Mercy The Prophet of Mercy - - Mu ( (ra ra matull hi matull hi alayh Mu ammad ammad Ras lull h Ras lull h s, by Shaykh Abul Hasan , by Shaykh Abul Hasan Al Al Nadw Nadw alayh). ).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Please contact Please contact LIGHT OF HIRA LIGHT OF HIRA: : Classes for New Muslims One-to-one sessions/email with people interested in Isl m. A contact point for workers/professionals who know someone interested in Isl m. info@lightofhira.org info@lightofhira.org