Frequently Asked Questions on Muslim Belief

[Umm Mohammad]

200
FAQ ON MUSLIIM BELIIEF

Shiekh Hafiz Ibn Ahmed Al Hakami
Translated by 'Ali As-Sayed Al-Halawani


Q 1: What is the first (religious) obligation on worshippers?

A--- The first religious obligation on worshippers is to realize the purpose for which Allah the Almighty created them; and for which He took their covenant and sent them His Messengers and Books; and for which He created this present life, the Hereafter, Paradise and Hell-fire; and for which the Inevitable would come true; and the Event would befall; and for which the Balance is set and the Records fly; and for which there would be either happiness or misery; and according to which the lights would be divided, for any to whom Allah gives not light, there will be no light for him!

Q 2: What is that thing for which Allah innovated the Creation?

A--- Allah the Almighty says: {And We created not the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, for mere play. We created them not except with truth (i.e. to examine and test those who are obedient and those who are disobedient and then reward the obedient ones and punish the disobedient ones), but most of them know not}.(Ad-Dukhan, 38-39)

He says also: {And We created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them without purpose! That is the consideration of those who disbelieve!}.(Sad. 27)

He says also: {And Allah has created the heavens and the earth with truth, in order that each person may be recompensed what he has earned, and they will not be wronged}. (Al-Jathiyah, 22)

He says also: {And I (Allah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone). I seek not any provision from them (i.e. provision for themselves or for My creatures) nor do I ask that they should feed Me (i.e. feedthemselves or My creatures). Verily, Allah is the All-Provider, owner of Power, the Most Strong}.(Ad-Dhariyat, 56-58)

Q 3: What does the word ` Abd (worshipper) mean?

A--- The word Abd1 means the subdued or subjugated. This meaning encompasses all sorts of creation: higher and lower, rational and reasonless, animate and inanimate, dynamic and static, apparent and hidden, believing and disbelieving, and pious and dissolute, etc.; all of which are created by Allah he Almighty. They are subjected to Him, and managed by Him Alone. Moreover, all of them have a limit and destination and each one runs (its course) or an appointed term. Such is the judgment and ordering of (Him), the Exalted in Power, the Omniscient. And if the intended sense is the modest God-loving worshiper), in this case it refers only to the believing men and women who are Allah's honorable slaves and pious godly ones; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve

[Umm Mohammad]

Q 4: What is Worship?

A--- "Worship" is a comprehensive word that refers to all that which pleases Allah, and that which He likes, viz., good words and deeds that are made manifest or concealed; and freedom from all that which contradicts this.

Q 5: When can a deed be an act of worship?

A--- If there are two things: perfect love (for Allah) along with perfect subjection (to Him). Allah Almighty says: {But those who believe love Allah more (than anything else)}.(Al-Baqarah, 165)

Allah the Almighty says: {Verily those who live in awe for fear of their Lord}.(Al-Mu'minun, 57)

Allah the Almighty gathered the two things in the following verse that reads,{Verily, they used to hasten on to do good deeds, and they used to call on Us with hope and fear, and used to humble themselves before Us}.(Al-Anbiya', 90)
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1 The Arabic word' Abd means a male slave, a slave of Allah the Almighty. (Translator)


Q 6: What can tell that Allah's slave loves his Lord, the Almighty?

A--- What can tell is that, one should love what is loved by Allah and dislike what is disliked by Him; he should act on His Orders and avoid His Prohibitions; he should be with those who love Allah, and show severe enmity to His enemies. That is why love and hatred for the sake of Allah are the most affirmed signs of Iman (Faith).

Q 7: How could Allah's slaves know what He loves?

A--- They know it through the coming of Messengers and the Revelation of the Heavenly Scriptures that contain the ordainments and prohibitions of Allah the Almighty. Thus; He presented His irrefutable proof and showed His infinite wisdom to all mankind. Allah the Almighty says: {Messengers as bearers of good news as well as of warning in order that mankind should have no plea against Allah after the (coming of) Messengers}.(An-Nisa', 165)

He says: {Say (O Muhammad (Peace be upon him) to mankind): If you (really) love Allah then follow me,2 Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful}.(Al 'Imran, 31)
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2 Accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur'an and the Sunnah. - Translator


Q 8: How many are the conditions of worship?

A---They are three

First: Sincere determination which is a condition that goes with the act of worship itself

Second: Sincerity of intention

Third: Compatibility with Islamic Law (Shari 'ah) ordained by Allah

The later two represent conditions for accepting an act of worship

[Umm Mohammad]

Q 9: What does "Sincerity of determination" mean

A--- It means warding off lethargy and laziness, and exerting one's effort in making his words go with his deeds. Allah the Almighty says: {O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do? Most hateful it is with Allah that you say that which you do not do}.(As-Saff, 2-3)

Q 10: What does "Sincerity of intention" mean

A --- It means that all the words and deeds of Allah's slave made manifest and concealed, must be for nothing save to seek the Countenance of Allah, the Most High. Allah the Almighty says: (And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allah, and worship none but Him Alone]}.(Al-Bayyinah, 5)

He says:{And who has (in mind) no favor from anyone to be paid back. Except to seek the Countenance of his Lord, the Most High}. (Al-Lail, 19-20)

He says:{We feed you seeking Allah's Countenance only. We wish for no reward, nor thanks from you}.(Al-Insan, 9)

He says:{Whosoever desires (by his deeds) the reward of the Hereafter, We give him increase in his reward, and whosoever desires the reward of this world (by his deeds), We give him thereof (what is decreed for him), and he has no portion in the Hereafter}.(Ash-Shura, 20)

Q 11: What is the only religion man is ordered to embrace?

A --- It is Pure Islamic Monotheism (Worshipping Allah Alone and nothing else); the religion of Ibrahim [Abraham] (Peace be upon him). Allah, Most High says:{Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam}. (Al' Imran, 19)

He says:{Do they seek other than the religion of Allah (the true Islamic Monotheism worshipping none but Allah Alone), while to Him submitted all creatures in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly}.(Al' Imran, 83)

He says:{And who turns away from the religion of Ibrahim (Abraham) (i.e. Islamic Monotheism) except him who befools himself?}.(Al-Baqarah, 130)

He says:{And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers}.(Al 'Imran, 85)

He says:{Or have they partners with Allah (false gods) who have instituted for them a religion which Allah has not ordained?}. (Ash-Shura, 21

[Umm Mohammad]

Q 12: How many are the grades of Islam?

A--- They are three: Being a Muslim, attaining Iman (Faith), and Ihsan (Perfection of Faith).

Q 13: What is Islam?

A--- Islam means perfect submission and subjection to Allah; and testifying complete Monotheism and freedom from polytheism and disobedience to Him. Allah, Most High says:{And who can be better in religion than one who submits his fate (himself) to Allah}. (An- Nisa', 125)

He says: {And whosoever submits his face (himself) to Allah, while he is a Muhsin, 3then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold}. (Luqman, 22)

He says: {And your Ilah (god) is One Ilah (God -Allah), so you must submit to Him Alone (in Islam). And (O Muhammad) give glad tidings to the Mukhbitun 4}. (Al-Hajj, 34)


Q 14: What is the proof that the word "Islam" is used to denote the whole matter of religion?

A--- Allah the Most High says: {Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam}. (Al' Imran, 19)

Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) says: "Islam started in loneliness and will end as it started in loneliness, blessed be the lonely".(Sahih Muslim)

He (Peace be upon him) says: "The best of deeds in Islam is Belief in Allah". (Musnad Ahmed)

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3Muhsin: i.e. good-doer (one who performs good deeds totally for Allah's sake without any show off or to gain praise or fame and does them in accordance with the Sunnah of Allah's Messenger Muhammad (Peace be upon him». (Translator)

4Mukhbitun: Those who obey Allah with humility and are humble from among the true believers of Islamic Monotheism. (Translator