THE MUSLIM'S BELIEF

BY ShaikhMuhammad as-Silehat-Uthaimin Translated by Dr. ManehHammadal-Johani

TABLE OF CONTENTS Translator's Foreward ShaikhIbn Baz'sPreface Author's Introduction Beliefin Allah's Lordship,Oneness, and Attributes Allah's Will: Universal and Legal More of Allah's Artributes Describing Allah by His Revelation

Chapter I

chapterrl : il::::;.::#'o.lll,-,
tions Chapter III Chapter IV Chapter V Angel's Functions Beliefin Allah'sBooks Booksknown

contradi.

The Qur'a-n Protected from Change Previous Scriptures Changed. Beliefin l\,lessengers The Firstend LastMessengers The BestMessengers

Chapter VI ChapterVII ChapterVIII -

Messengers Human beings are Islam:The Universal and Final Message RightlyGuidedcaliphs Prophet's Companions Beliefin the Angels Beliefin Resurrection Beliefin Records and Scales The Prophet's Intercession The StraightPath Beliefin Paradise Hell and Beliefin What Happens the Grave in Belief in Fateand Divine Decree Levelsof Beliefin Fate Man's FreeWill Fate No Excuse Sinners for Evil Not Attributable Allah ro Virtuesof Beliefin Allah Virtuesof Beliefin Angels Virtuesof Beliefin Books Virtuesof Beliefin Messengers Virtuesof Beliefin Day of Judgement Virtuesof Beliefin Fate.

TRANSLATOR'SFOREWARD
ln the Name of Allah. Mosl Grgcious, Most Merciful I found this treatise of the Muslim's creed a conciseand useful presentation of a very important topic. The need for this treatise,especially among the non-Arabic speakingreaders.cannot be over-estimated.Therefore, I decidedto transalte it and make it accessable English readers. to I would like to draw the attention of the readersto the following points: l. I gave the book the title THE MUSLIM'S BELIEF insteadof the author's'Agidat Ahl rs Sunnahwe-l-Jami.ah which may be translated as The Creed of the Peopleof Sunnahand Mejority. I think my preference justified by: is a) The title I preferredis shorter b) The two titles mean almost the same c) The original title containssometechnicalterms that are not only difficult to translate,but also difficult to understandby many readers. d) The original title may antogonizesome readerswho are misinformed about the true designations the words in the original of title. 2. I provided, in parentheses after every Qur'dnic verse,the numbers cf chaptersand versesquoted by the author without giving their proper reference. This I deemed useful for readers who do not know the Qur'an by heart and would like to check any of these verses. 3. Because author, in most cases,quotes or paraphrases the some of the Prophetic traditions without indicating them to the readers.I tried, wheneverI could recognize thesetraditions, to put them in quotations and to cite in parentheses Prophetic collectionsin the which they are reporred.In most casesI limited myself to Bukhari and Muslim collections, whenever sayingis quoted in them. If it the is not in thesetwo collections,'l mention one or two of the other collectionsthat contain the quoted saying. 4 . I p r o v i d e dt h e a r r a n g e m e no f t h e t e x t i n t o c h a p t e r s n d h e a d l i n e s a t for easeof reading and understanding.I also provided a table of contentsfor easeof reference.

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5.

quoted in this treatise,I did not ln translatingthe Qur'6nic verses follow any specific translation of the Qur'in. I benefited from more than one, but followed my own preference.

It is my sincere desireand hope that this book would be of greathelp to thosewho consult it. Please include in your prayer all those who contributed to its presentshape.

M.J.

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PREFACE SHAIKH ABD AL.AZIZ IBN BAZ BY

In the Name of Allah. Most Gracious.l\fost l\lerciful. P r a i s eb e l o n g st o A l l a h a r o n e ;p c a c ea n d b r c . ' r i r r orn t h e l a s t p r o , p h e t ,h i s f a m i l v a n d h i s c o m p a n i o n s . I w a s i n t r o d u c c d o r h el a l u a b l ea n c lc o n c i s c r c a t i s ro n t h e M u r l i m . s t t . belief preparcd b1' our brorher. rhe -ereatschotar. shaikh N{uhanrrnad a s - s d l e h l - U r h a i m i n . l i s r c n c .tc l i t a l l a n d t ' o u n d; h a r i r c o v e r s h e a I tr t crccd o f t h e S u n n i r c s n d t h e m a i ' s t r c a n lm a j o r i t yo f l l r c i l u s l i m s , i n t h c a arca o f t h e o n e n e s so f A l l a h . H i s A , r r r i b u t e s , c b c r i c f i n r h e A n g e r s .t h c th B o o k s a n d r h e \ l c s s c n - c c r sl.: c D a 1 ' o f J u d g e m e n a n d i n t h e b c l i e f o f i r F a t e a n c !D i ' i n c D e c r e e .H e ' s u c c c c d c dn c o l l c c t i n gu h a r r h c s e c k c ro f i k n o r r ' l c d ga n d L ' \ ' c r )\ t u s l i m n c c d i n h i s b e l i c . t ' i n I l a h . H i r , \ n g e l , . H i s c A S c r i p t u r e sH i s m e s s c ' n g e r s ,e D a 1 . o l ' J u d g c n r . ' a n c iF u t c .H c i n c l t r r l c < l . th nr i n h i s t r c a t i s e s c f u li n t o r m a t i o nr c l a r e crlo t h c l r t u s l i m , s e l i c f sr h a r u b are n o t r e a d i l ya ' a i l a b l c i n m a n y o f t h e b o o k s w r i r r e no n r h e s e o p i c s .M a y t Allah re'*'ardrhc aurhor, incrcasehim in knouredgcand guidance,ancl make this book and his othcr books mosr uselul. i\lay-Allah the Hcarer and the Close, blessus and him and all our brothersanclmake us among thosewho are guiding and righrly guidedto call peopleto Allah uirh surc knowledge.

D i c t a t c db v ' A b d a l - A z i z i h n B a z . n r l y A l l a h f o r g i v c h i n t u n d s h o w e rp e a c ca n d b l e s s i n g n o < r u rP r o p h c r l \ t u h a m n r a d ,h i s l ' : r m i 1 1a . d h i s .n companions.

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AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTION I n t h e N a m e o f A l l a h , M o s t G r a c i o u s ,M o s l M e r c i f u l . w P r a i s e e t o t h e L o r d o f t h e u n i v e r s e h o g i r e st h e b e s tr e w a r dt o t l r c b godfearingand the great lossto the transgressor. bear witnessthat there I I real is no God but Allah; He has no partner and possesses sovereignty. the bear witnessthat Muhammad is His servantand messenger; seal of the Prophetsand the leaderof the godfearing.May Allah blesshim and blesshis family, companionsand those who follow them till the Day of Judgement. Muhammad, peacebe upon him' with Allah has sent His messenger guidanceand the true religionas a mercyto mankind, a model for the real those who do good, and Allah's argument against mankind. Through to Mumhammad and what was revealed him, namely,the Qur'6n and the Prophetic sayings,Allah showedmankind all meansof reforming themselves and straighterring their religious and mundane affairs in sound beliefs,right conducts,fine morals, and laudablemanners.The Prophet, peacebe upon him, 'left his followers' on a clear straight path, only the doomed will deviatefrom it." (lbn Mdjah & Ahmad) His followers,the companiorrs,their followers and those who faithfully followed them are his the best of mankind. They established law, upheld his way and held fast to it as a belief and piactice,a moral and manner. By this, "They are consideredthe party who are victorious, on the straight path, unharmed by those who are against them till the end of the world." (Bukhiri & Muslirl). We, thanks to Allah, are following their footstepsand guided by their exampleswhich are supported by the Qur'dn and the Prophetic traof ditions. We are sayingthis only as an announcement Allah's blessings and clarificationof what every Muslim should believe.We pray to Allah that He may keep us and our brotherson the straightpath in this life and in the Hereafter and give us mercy from Him, He is the Giver. It is beeauseof the importance ol this topic and the difference of opinions about it, that I want to briefly explain our creed - the belief of the Sunnites and the main stream Muslims (Ahl as-Sunneh wr-l-Jami'ah). This creedis the belief in Allah, His Angels, His Books, the His Messengers, Day of Judgement,and Fate whether good or bad. I prav to Allah to make this effort sincerefor His sake, in agreementwith Hrs wish, and useful for His people. M.S.U.

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CHAPTER I
OUR CREED Our creedis to believe Allah, His Angels, in His Books,His Messengers, Day of Judgertrent, Fatewhether the good or bad. and Belief in Allah's Lordship,Oneness, Attributes snd We believe Allah'sDivinity,thatis He is theLord, theCreator, in the Sovereign, the Manager all affairs. and of We believe Allah's Codship; in that is, He is theTrue God andevery other deity is false. We believein His Namesand Attributes, that is He has the mosr magnificent Namesand the sublimeperfectAttributes. We believe His Oneness all this, that is, He hasno associate in in in His Divinity,His Godship, Names, His Attributes. His or Allah says in the Qur'6n: "He is the Lord of the Heavens and the Earth and all that is in betweenthem, so worship Him and be patient in His worship, you know any equalto Him." (19:65) do We believe that He is "Allah thereis no Cod but He, the Living the Everlasting.Slumber does not seizeHim, neither sleep;to Him belongs that is in the Heavens all and the Earth. Who is therethat with Him except His permission? knowswhat is shallintercede by He beforethem and what is behindthem, and they do not emcompass anythingof His knowledge what He wills. His Throneextends except over the Heavens and the Earth; the preservation them doesnot of burdenHim; He is the High, the Great." (2:255) We believe that "He is Allah, thereis no god but He - the Knower of the Unseen the Visible,He is the Most Gracious, and Most Merciful. He is Allah, thereis no God but He, the King, the Holy One, the Source of Peace, the Keeper of Faith, the Guardian, the Almighty, the Subduer, Sublime.Glory be to Allah abovewhat the they associate with Him. He is Allah, the Creator, the Maker, the Shaper, arethe mostbeautifulNames. that is in the Heavens His All and the Earth glorfies Him. He is the Almighty, the Wise." t59:22-4) We believe that to Him belongs kingdomof the Heavens the the and Earth: "He creates what He pleases. gives,to whom He wills, He females, He gives, whom He wills, males,. He couples to and or them, males and females; whom He wills barren.Surely,Hc and He makes is the Knowing.the Powerful." (42:49-50).

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We believethat "There is nothing whateverlike unto Him, He is thc All-Hearing, the AII-Seeing.To Him belongsthe keys of the Heap a v e n s a n d t h e E a r t h . H e e n l a r g e s n d r e s t r i c t s r o v i s i o n st o w h o m He wills. Surely He has knowledgeof everything." (42:l l-12). We believethat "There is no creaturethat movesin the Earth but its provision dependson Allah. He knows its dwelling and its resting place. AII is recordedin a clear Book." (l l:6) We believethat "With Him are the keys of the Unseen;none knows them but He. He knows what is in land and sea;not a leaf falls, but He knows it. Not a grain in the deep darknessof the Earth, not a thing greenor dry but it is in a clear Book." (6:59). We believethat "Allah alone has the knowledgeof the Hour, sends down rain, and knows what is in the wombs. No soul knows what it shall earn tomorrow, and no soul knows in what land it shall die. Surely, Allah is All-knowing, All-aware." (31:34) We believe that Allah speaks wbatever He pleaseswhenever [{e pleases"And Allah spoke to Moses directly." Q:164) "And when Moses came at Our appointed place, and his Lord spoke to him." (7:143) "We called to him from the right side of the Mount (Sinai), and We brought him near in communion." (19-52) We believethat "If the oceanbecameink for the words of my Lord, the ocean would be finished before the words of my Lord came lo a n e n d . " ( 1 8 : 1 0 9 )" A n d i f a l l t h e t r e e st h a t a r e i n t h e e a r t h w e r e pens, and the ocean (were ink), with sevenoceansswellingit therefore, the words of Allah would not be exhausted.Surely, Allah is M i g h t y , W i s e . " ( 3 1: 2 7 ) . We believe that Allah's words are the most truthfirl in conveying information, the most just in ruling, and the fairest in conversation. He said, "The word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and justice." (6:l15) "And who is more truthful in his word than Allah?" (4:74). We believethat the Qur'an is Alllh's words. He literally spoke it to Gabriel who conveyedit to the Prophet, peacebe upon him: "Say (O Muhammad) the Holy Spirit has brought it down from your Lord in truth." (16:102) "Truly it is the revelationof the Lord of the worlds brought down upon your heart by the Faithful Spirit sc that you may be one of the warners,in a clear Arabic tongue." (26:192-5) We believethat Allah is well above his creaturesin His person and His Attributes, becauseHe says, "He is the High, lhe Great."

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(2:255) over His servants, He is the Wise.the "He is Supreme and (6: All-aware." l8). - We believe that He "created Heavens the Earthin six days, the and then He settledHimselfon the Throne;He manages everything." (i0:3) His "settling on the Throne" meansthat He is sitting in person His Thronein a way that is becoming His Majesty on to and greatness. Nobodybxcept knowsexactly He how He is sitting. - We believe that He is with His crearures while He is still on His Throne.He knowstheir conditions, hearstheir sayings, sees their deeds and manages their affairs.He provides the poor'andthe for broken.He givessovereignty whom He pleases takesaway to and sovereig,nty from whom He pleases; exaltswhom He wills and He whom He wills. In His hand is all good and He is He abases powerful over everything.Whoever possesses these qualitites is literallywith His creatures evenif He is literallyaboverhemon His Throne. "There is nothing whatsoever unto Him; He is the like g." the All-hearing, All-seein (42:lll - We do not say as the Incarnationists among the Jahomites and otherssay, that is, Allah is living with His creatures Earth. We on considerwhoeversaysthis a non-believer strayingawaybecause or he attributedto Allah that doesnot become Him of defects. - We believein what His Messenger told us that He descends the to nearsky beforethe lastthird of everynight and says:"Who prays his to Me and I will answer prayers? Who asksfMe and I will give him? Who asksmy forgiveness I will forgivehim? (Bukhari& and Muslim). - We believe that He will comeat the Day of Judgement judge to people amongHis because said,"No indeed! He whenthe Earth is crushed powder,and your Lord comes to down with the angels in rowsafter rows,and Hell is broughtour that day. On that day man will remember, but what will rememberance avail him?" (89:21-23) - We believe that He is the Doerof what He wills.

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ALLAH'S WILL: UNIVERSAL AND LEGAL - We believe that His will is of two kinds: Universal will: through which His intention is carried out. It is not that what is carried out is liked by Him. This type of will means necessary permission,as Allah said, "Had Allah willed, they would not have fought one againstthe other, but Allah doeswhateverHe desires," (2:253)and to "If Allah desires lead you astray, He is your Lord." (ll:34). Legal will: which does not necessarilyentail that the execution of His desire.The will, in this case,cannot be but what He likes, as He said, "Allah wants to forgive you." (4:21) We believethat His universal and legal wills are part of His wisdom. Every thing He performs in the universe or requires legally from His creatures is for a good reason and according to His wisdom, whether we grasp it or it escapes our reasons: "ls not Allah the best of Judges?" (95-9), "And who is better than Allah in judgement for a peoplewho have firm faith." (5:50) We believethat Allah loves His selectservantsand they love Him: "Say if you love Allah, follow me and Allah will love you," (3:31) "Allah will bring a people whom He will love and who will love Him", (5:45) "Allah loves the steadfast," (3:146) "And act justly, surely, Allah loves the just," (49:9) and "Do good; Allah loves those who do good." (5:93) We believe that Allah likes what He prescribed of good deeds and sayingsand He dislikeswhat He prohibited of bad deedsand sayings:"If you disbelieve, surely Allah does not need you, yet He does not like disbelief for His servants;if you are thankful, this pleases Him," (39:7), "But Allah disliked their marching forth. So He kept them back, and it was said to them: "Stay with the weaklings." (9:aQ. We believethat Allah is pleasedwith those who believein Him and do good deeds: "Allah is well pleasedwith them and they are well pleasedwith Him. That is for him who fears his Lord." (98:8) We believe that Allah is angry with those who deserveHis anger among the non-believers and others; "And those who think evil thoughts of Allah, against them shall be the evil turn of fortune. Allah is angry with them." (48:6) "But whoever opens his heart to disbelief, on them is Allah's wrath and they shall have a severe p "rnishment. (16:106). "

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MORE OF ALLAH'S ATTRIBUTES - We believethat Allah has a glorious and dignified face: "There will reinain the face of your Lord, majesticand splendid." (55:27) - We believe that Allah has two generous hands: "No, both His hands are wide open; He spendshow He pleases,"(5:64) "They do not esteemAllah with the esteemthat is due to Him. The whole Earth will be His handful on the Day of Resurrection,and the Heavenswill be rolled up in His right hand. Glory be to Him and exaltedis He above that which they associate with Him." (39-67) - We believe that Allah possesses two real eyes, becauseHe said, " A n d b u i l d t h e a r k u n d e r O u r e y e sa s W e r e v e a l . " ( l l : 3 7 ) T h e Prophet, peace be upon him, said, "His veil is light. Had He removed it, the sublimity of His countenance would have burnt all that His sight reached." (Muslim & Ibn Mijah) The Sunnitesunanimously have agreedthat His eyes are two. This is supported by the Prophet's saying about rhe Dajjdl (the anri-Christ) that "he is one-eyed and your Lord is not one-eyed." (Bukhiri & Muslim) We believethat "Eyes cannot perceiveHim, but He perceives the e y e s ,H e i s t h e I n c o m p r e h e n s i b l t h e A l l - a w a r e . " ( 6 : 1 0 3 ) e, - We believe that the believerswill see their Lord on the Day of Resurrection:"Upon that day some faces shall be radiant, gazing upon their Lord." (15:22-3) - We believethat Allah has no equal because His Attributes are perfect: "There is nothing whatsoevelike unto Him. He is the Allr H e a r i n g ,t h e A l l - S e e i n g . "( 4 2 : l l ) - We believethat "No slumber or sleepseizesHim," (2:255)because His life is perfect and eternal. - We believethat He does not do injustice to anybody becauseHis fairnessis perfect. - We believethat He is not unawareof His servants'deedsbecause of His perfect supervision and comprehensive knowledge. - We believethat He is capableof doing anything in the Heavensor in the Earth because His perfect knor.rledge of and power: "lndeed His command, when He desires thing, is only to say to it 'Be' and a it is." (36:82) - We believe that He is free from wearinessand weaknessbecauseof His super-power:"Surely, We created the Heavensand the Earth and all that is betweenthem in six days, and no weariness touched

U s . "( 5 0 : 3 8 ) .

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DESCRIBINGALLAH B Y H I S R E V E L A T I O I \ We believe all that H e a s s i g n e do H i m s e l l ' o r w h a t H i s M e s s e n g : r in t described Him with. of names and attributes; but we reject two concepts: l) To say or believe that Allah's Attributes are similar to those of His creatures:
2) To say or believethat Allah's Attributes are like such and such.

We negateall what He negatedabout Himself or what His Messenger negatedabout Him. We believethat negation implies the affirmation of a perfect opposite. We do not discusswhat He or His Messenger did not mention about Him. We believe that following this apprach is a must becausewhat Allah affirmed or negated concerning Himself is a statement He made about Himself. He knows Himself best, His words are most just and trustful and people cannot know everything about Him. What affirmed or negatedabout Him is a statementhe Aliah's Messenger made about Allah. Besidesknowing Allah bettcr than anyone, he is the most truthful, sincereand eloquentamong people.Thus, in what Allah said and what His prophet said concerning His Names and Attributes is truth, knowledge,and clarification. Therefore,we have no execuseto reject or even hesitate in accepting it.

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PART II
T H E Q U R ( A N A N I ) S U N N A H : S O U R C E SO F H I S A T T R I B U T E S All that we mentionedabout Allah's Altributes whetherbriefly or in is detail, affirmalively or negatively, basedon the Book of our Lord and with the practiceof the preof our Prophet. lt also agrees the traditions of vious generations Muslims and the rightly guided scholarswho gnms a f t e rt h e m . We believeit is obligator;-to take the texts of the Qur'an and the Allah's Attributes at their face valueand Prophetictraditionsconcerning interpret them in a way that is suitableto Almighty Allah. We reject the of practiceof thosewho twistedthe meanings thesetextsand understood b t h e m i n a w a y .l h a t w a s n o t i n t e n d e d y A l l a h a n d H i s m e s s e n g e r . We also reject the practiceof thosewho made them devoid of their We meanings conveyedby Allah and His Messenger. finally reject the as who the exaggerationists gavethem a pnysicalinterpretation approachof t h a t m a k e sA l l a h s i m i l a rt o s o m eo f H i s c r e a t u r e s . O THU QUR'AN AND SUNNAII: SOURCUS I HtS ATTRIBUTES i W e k n o r v f o r s u r et h a t w h a t i s r e v e a l e dn A l l a h ' s B o o k a n d i n t h e s t r a d i t i o n so f H i s M e s s e n g ei r t h e t r u t h . l t d o e sn o t c o n t a i na n y c o n t r a d i c t i o n : " D o t h e y n o t p o n d e ro v e r t h e Q u r ' d n ? I f i t h a d b e e nf r o m o t h e r t h a n A l l a h , s u r e l yt h e y w o u l d h a v e f o t r n d i n i t a l o t o f d i f f e r e n c e s . " (4:82) i i s C o n t r a d i c t i o n sn s t a t e m e n t f a l s i f y l h e m , a n d t h i s i s i m p o s s i b l en p,e a c e f e t h o s es t a t e m e r r trs v e a l e dr o m A l l a h a n d s a i d b y l { i s M e s s e n g e r n b e u p o n h i m . \ \ / l r o o ' e rc l a i m st h a t t h e r ea r c c o n t r a d i c l i o n is t h e Q u r ' a n , t h e t r r ' om u s t h a v eu i c k c d i n t e n t i o n t o tht'l'ronheticraditions r betueen h a n d a m i s g u i d e d e a r t .S o h e s h o u l dr e p e n ta n d q u i t h i s s i t r . l l ' s o n r e o n e s t h i n r a g i n ets a t t h c r ca r c \ o r n ec o t t t r i t d i c t i t t itlrrs h e Q u r ' a n ,t l r es a y i n g o f r, l t h e P r o p h c to r b c l w e e n h e s el r v < ,t h i s m u s t b e a r e s u l to f h i s l i t t l e k n o w h l e d g e ,i n a d e q u a t e n d e r s t a n d i no r l a c k o l d e e pt h i n k i n g .T h e r e f o r e , e u g u e s h o u l ds e e kk n o r v l e d g a n d d o h i s b e s t ' i nr e f l e c t i o n n t i l t h e t r u t h i s c l e a r e t o h i m . l f a f t e r a l l t h e s e f f o r t s , t h e t r u t h i s n o t c l e a rt o h i m , h e s h o u l d t l e a v e h e w h o l e m a t t e rl o t h e O n e w h o k n o w si t a n d s h o u l dq u i t h i s i m a i s g i n a t i o na n d s a ya s t h o s ef i r m l y r o o t e di n k n o w l e d g e a y : " W e b e l i e v en r i t . a l l i s f r o m o r r rI o r d " ( l : 7 ) H e m u s l k n o r r t h a t t h e r ea r e n e i t h e c o n t n t r a d i c t i o n s o r d i f f e r e n c e is t h e O u r ' a n , t h e S u n n a ho r b e t u e e n h e t w o . n

ll

CHAPTER III
BELIEF IN ANGELS -

of We believein the existence the angelsof Allah and that they are ,,honoured beforeHe does,and theyact They do not speak servants. them and they worsby His command." (2l.26l Allah created only do hippedand obeyedHim. Thosewho are at His presence not disdain to worshipHim, nor do theyweary." (21:19) from us, we cannotseethem' Allah may show Angclsare concealed The ProphetMuhammadsawcabriel them to someof His servants. in his reat shapewith six hundredwings that coveredthe horizons human (Bukhlri & Muslim). Gabrieltook the form of a handsome with her. He came conversation beingwho met Mary and exchanged in to the Prophet while he was among his companions the appeanot showany traceof long travel, ranceof an unknownman who did with very white clothesand very black hair. He sat facingthe Probe phet: his kneesto the Prophet'sknees,peace upon him, and his patmsontheProphet'sthighsandtalkedwiththeProphet.The -Prophet that latr told his companions the man theysawwasGabriel (Brrkhiri& Muslim).

ANGEL'S FUNCTIONS -

certainfunctions.Among the are We believe tbat the angels assigned it He with is angels Gabrielwho is entrustect revelation. brings down rrom nttatr to whomeverHe wishesamong His Prophetsand Messengers. of Among them is Michaelwho is in charge rain and plantation. of is in charge blowingthe Horn at the Among them also is tsraftLwho Among them is the Angel of and ftesurreclion, time oi Thunderbolring soulsat the time of death'Amongthe people's death,who takesar"af of and Malik, the keeper of angeliis the onewho is in charge mountain; Hell. Someangelsareinchargeofembryosinwombs,othersareresp are and otherangels busyin recorthe siblefor protecting humanbeings ding men's deeds:two angelsfor everyperson,"when the two angels word one ,"..iu. (hisdeeds), sittingon the right and oneon theleft, not a are otherangels (50:18) Some ready." hf utteri but by him is an observer put in his last abode.Two the in chargeof questioning deedafter he is and his cometo him and ask him abouthis Lord, his Religion, angels

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Prophet.There"Allah confirmsthosewho believe with the firm say,in the present life and the Hereafter,and Allah leadsastraythe evildoers and Allah doeswhat He wills." (14:27) Someof the angels in charge the dwellers Paradise: are of of "The angels enterto them from everygate,saying'peace upon you for that be you werepatient.How excellent your final home." (13:24) is The Prophet, peacebe upon him, told us that seventythousand angels enteror pray in the PopulousHousein Heaven everyday. They nevercomebackto it aslong asthey live." (because their turn will never come)(Bukhiri & Muslim).

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CHAPTER IV
BELIEF IN ALLAH'S BOOKS as We believe that Allah revealed Books to His Messengcrs pr'oof against nankind and a guidance for the righteous workers. They purified nd taught them wisdom by these Books. We be e that Allah sent down a Book with every Messenger with the becaur He says "lndeed We sent down our Messengers clear signs, and We sent down with them the Book and the Ilalanceso that people may uphold justice." (57:25)

BOOKS XNOWN Among theseBooks we know the following: I to The Torrh which was revealed Moses,peacebe upon him. lt is the grealcst among the lsraelites' books. "Surely, \f,'e sclrt down the Torah, whercin is guidanceand light; by its laws tltc Jcrrs have beerr judged by the Prophets who surrenderedthemselves Allah, the lo lhey were entrustedthe prothe doctors of law becau:;e rabbis and thereto." (5:44) tection of Allah's book and were witnesses

to 2. The GospelrvhichAllah revealed Jesus,peacebe uporr him. lt is a confirrnation of the T0rah and a complementto it. "And we gave him the Gospel, *'herein is guidance and light and confirming the Torah before it, as a guidance and an admonition to th, godfearing." (5:46) "And to make lawful to you certairrthings that, trefore,were forbidden to you." (3:50) 3. The Psalmswhich Allah gave to David, peacebe upon ltitlr. 4. Tablels of Abraham lnd Moses, peacebe upon them. 5. The Glorious Qur'an which was revealed to l{is Prophet Itlulrammad, the Seal of the Prophets. ll is "a guidance to the right and pcoplc and clear signs of guidanceand criterion bet\\'cct.l ( 2 :I 8 5 ) u rong." TI{E QIJR'AN lS PROTECTED ['ROM CHANGII Ihe Qur'an is "confirming the scripture that was bcfore it and standsas a guardianover it." Thus, by the Qur'an Allah ablogatedall the its pt cvi6n5Books. Allah hasalso guaranteed protectionlrotn any play or and We will distortion. "lndeed, We sent dorvn the messagc nriscnievous m t g t r a r di t . " ( 1 5 : 9 )T h a t i s b e c a u s eh e Q u r ' a n i s a p r o o f a g a i n s t a n k i n d till the f)ay of Judgement.

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PREVIOUS SCRIPTURES CHANGEI.) The previousscripturrs were meant for a limited period that ended what had takcn with the revelationof what abrogatedthcm and exposed place in them of distortion and change.That is why they were not protected from corruption. They underwentdistortion, addition and omission. "Some of the Jewspervertwords from their meanings." (4:46)"So 'This is woe to thosewho write the Book with their hands, and then say, from Allah,' that they may sel. it for a little price. So woe to them for what their hands have written, and woe to them for their earnings." (2:79)"Say, who sentdown the Book that Mosesbrought as a light and a guidanceto people?You put it into sheets papershowingsomeof thent of and concealingmuch." (6:91) "And there is a group among them who twist their tongueswith the Book, that you may think it is a part of the 'lt Book, but it is not part of the Book. And they say is from Atlah,' yet it is not from Allah, and they tell a lie againstAllah and they know it. lt is not for any human beingto whom Allah hasgiven the Book, the Wisdom and the Prophethood to say to men "Worship me intead of Allah," (3:J8-70) "People of the Book! Our Messengerhas come to you, of making clear to you many things you have beenconcealing the Book and forgive you much. A light has come to you from Allah and a glorious Book, with u'hich He will guide whoeverfollows His pleasurein the way into the light by His will." of peace,and bringsthem forth from darkness ( 5 :I 5 - l 6 )

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CHAPTER V
BELIEF IN MESSENGERS who were We believethat Allah has sent to His people messengers good tidings and warning, so that mankind might have "bringing Allah is Allno argument against Allah after the messengers. mighty, All-wise." (4: 165)

THE FIRST AND LAST MESSENGERS is We believe that the first among the Messengers Noah and the last is Muhammad, peacebe upon them all. "We revealedto you as We revealed to Noah and the Prophets after hiin." (a:163) "Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but the Messengerof Allah and the Sealof the Prophets." (33:40)

THE BEST MESSENGERS is We believe that the best among the messengers Muhammad, Moses, then Noah and then Jesus, son of then Abraham, then Mary. It is they who are meant by the following Qur'inic verse: "And when We took compact from the Prophets, and from you, and from Noah. and Abraham, Moses, and Jesus,son of Mary. We took from them a solemn compact." (33:7) W e b e l i e v e t h a t M u h a m m a d ' s m e s s a g e ,p e a c eb e u p o n h i m , of includes all the merits of the messages those dignified messengers becauseAllah says, "He ordained for you that He enjoined on Noah and what He revealedto you and what He enjoined on this faith and be Abraham Moses and Jesus,namely, established u n i t e di n i t . " ( 4 2 : 1 3 )

MESSENGERS ARE HUMAN BEINGS are created human beings who We believe that all messenSers have none of the divine qualities of Allah. Allah, the Exalted. said about Noah. who was the first among them, "l do not say to y o u , ' l p o s s e s sh e t r e a s u r e s f A l l a h , ' I d o n o t k n o w t h e u n s e e n , o t 'l am an angel'." (ll:31) Allah directed and I do not say: Muhammad who is the last among them to say: "I do not say to you I possessthe treasures of Allah, nor do I know the unseen, 'l am an angel." (6:50) And to say: "l and I do not say to you have no power to bring profit or hurt for myself, but as Allah

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wills." (7:188) And also to say: "1 have no power to hurt or benefit you. Say none can protect me from Allah, nor can I find any refuge besidesHim." (72:21-2) - we believe that the messengers are among Allah's servants. He blessedthem with the message and describedthem as servants,in the context of praising and honouring them. So, He says about Noah, the first among them: .,you.,are the descendants those of whom We carried with Noah, he was a truly thankful servant." (l7:3) Allah said about the last among them, Muhammad, peacebe upon him: "Blessed be He who sent down the eur'dn to His servant,that he , ,And may warn mankind." (25: I ) He said about someother messengers: mention our servantsAbraham, Isaac, and Jacob men of might and vision." (38:45) "And rememberour servantsDavid who was a mighty a n d p e n i t e n tm a n . " ( 3 8 :l 7 ) " A n d t o D a v i d , w e g a v eS o l o m a n ,h e w a s a n excellentand penitent servant." (38:30) Allah said about Jesus, son of Mary: ,,He is only a servantwhom We blessed we made him an exampleto the children of Isreal." (63:59) and - we believethat Allah concludedall messages with the message of Muhammad, peacebe upon him, to all people because Allah said: " S a y , ' O m a n k i n d , I a m A l l a h ' s m e s s e n g etro y o u a l l . T o H i m belongs the Kingdom of the Heavensand the Earth; There is no god but He. He ordains life and death. So believe in Allah and His messenger, the unlettered prophet who believesin Allah and His words. Follow him so that you may be rightly guided." ( 7 :I 5 8 )

ISLAM: THE UNIVERSAL AND FINAL MESSAGE - we believe that rhe Sharijah of the prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is the religion of Isram which Ailah has chosen for His servants and does not accept from anyone other rerigion, b e c a u s eA l l a h , t h e E x a l t e d , s a i d , , , S u r e l y , r h e t r u e r e l i g i o - n n i A l l a h ' s s i g h t i s I s l a m , " ( 3 : 1 9 )a n d . H e a l s o s a i d , . . T o d a y I have perfectedyour religion for you and I have completed my favour u p o n y o u , a n d I h a v e c h o s e nl s l a m t o b e y o u r r e l i g i o n . , , ( 5 : 3 ) And "whoever desiresa religion other than Isram, it wilr never be acceptedfrom Him, and in rhe Hereafrer he will be among the l o s e r s . "( 3 : 8 5 )

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of lt is our opinion that whoeverclaims the acceptability any existingreligiontoday - other than lslam - such as Judaisnt, l{e Christianity and so forth, is a non-believer. shouldbe askedto because he repent,if he doesnot, he must be killed as an apostate is rejecting Qur'an. the message rejects universal the of It is alsoour opinionthat whoever peace upon him, is rejedting message all messenthe of be Nluhamntad, . gers,evenif he claimsthat he believes followshis messengeAllah, and (26:105) the the Exalted,said: "Noah's peoplerejected messengers." despite fact the all them rejecting the messengers Thus, Allah considered beforeNoah. This is alsoclearfrom the folthat therewasno messenger lowing verses: and in "Those who disbelieve Allah and His messengers, wish to in and Allah and His messengers, say:'We believe makcdivisionbetween Those in someand disbelieve others,'wishingto take a midwaycourse. for a and indeedare the unbelievers, We have.prepared the unbelievers (4: punishment." 150-l) humiliating - We believe that thereis no prophetafter Muhammad,Allah's Messenger,peacebe upon him. Whoever claims prophethoodafter because is he it, in claiming is a disbeliever him, or believes anyone and rejecting Allah, [Iis messenger, the Muslims'consensus' TIIE RICHTLY GUIDED CALIPHS - We believethat the Prophet, peace be upon him, had rightlyguidedsuccessors carriedout his Sunnrh in spreading knowwho ledge, calling to Islam and managingthe Muslims' affairs. We believethat the best among them and the most entitled to Caliphate was Abii Bakr as-Siddiq,then 'Umar lbn al-Khattab,then 'Urhman lbn 'Affan, then 'Ali lbn Abi TAlib, may Allah be to pleased with them all. Thus their succession the Caliphatewas the accordingto their virtues. Allah, the Exalted, who possesses infinite wisdom, would not appoint a ruler over the best of generatiorrsunlesshe was the most superioramong them and had the bestclairnto Cdiphate. - We believethat the inferior among those rightly guided companions can be superiorin a specificvirtue to thosewho are better because the absolute superiority than him, but he doesnot deserve are superiority variedand numerous. Slements constituting - We believe and that the Muslim Ummahis the bestamongnations,

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Allah, the Dignified and Exalted, has blessedit becauseHe said, "You are the best nation ever brought forth for mankind, enjoin i n g w h a t i s r i g h t a n d f o r b i d d i n gw h a t i s w r o n g , a n d b e l i e v i n g n i A l l a h . " ( 3 :I l 0 ) IHE PROPHET'S COMPANIONS - - W e b e l i e v et h a t t h e b e s t a m o n g t h e M u s l i m U m m a h a r e t h e P r o . p h e t ' s C o m p a n i o n s ,t h e n t h e i r f o l l o w e r s ,a n d t h o s e w h o f o l l o w e d them. - W e a l s o b e l i e v et h a t a g r o u p o f t h i s U m m a h w i l l a l w a y s r e m a i n v i c t o r i o u so n t h e r i g h t p a t h , u n h a r m e d b y t h o s e r v h o l e t t h e m d o w n o r t h o s ew h o o p p o s et h e m , u n t i l t h e D a y o f J u d g e m e n t . - We believethat the disputesthat took place among the Prophet's Companionswere the result of sincere interpretations they rvorked hard to reach. Whoever was right among them would be rervarded twice, and whoever was wrong among them would be rervarded once and his mistake would be forgiven. - lt is our opinion that we shouldstop talking about thcir nristakes and mention what they deserve of beautiful praise. \\re should purify our hearts from hatred and malice against any of them, Allah said about them, "They are nol equal: those among because you who spent and who fought before the conquest of N,lakkah. Those are higher in rank than those who spent and fought afterw a r d s . B u t t o a l l A l l a h h a s p r o m i s e da E r e a tr e w a r d . " ( 5 7 ; 1 0 ) n d A Allah said about us, "And those who came after them say: our Lord, forgive us and our brotherswho preceded in faith, and do us not put in our hearts any malice against those who have believed. Our Lord, You arethe most Kind, most Merciful." (59:10)

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CHAPTER VI
BELIEF IN THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT - We believe the Final Day, which is the Day of Judgement, in when peoplewill be resurrected alive to remain in the abodeof enjoypunishment. ment or in the abodeof severe BELIEF IN RESURRECTION - We believe Resurrection in which is Allah's bringingto life all the dead when Israfil blows the Horn for the secondtime, "And the Trumpet shall be blown and all who are in the Heavens and who are in the Earth shall fall down fainting exceptthose that Allah shall spare.Then, it shall be blown againand they shall risegazing around them." (39:68) People will stand up from their graves, answering call of the Lord of the Universe. the They are going to be bare-footed,naked, and uncircumcised, "As We started the first creation,so We shall bring it back again. This is a promise from Us, so We shallassuredly fulfil it." (21:104) BELIEF IN RECORDS& SCALES - We believein the recordsof deedsthat will be given to peoplein their right handsor behindtheir backs,in the left hands:"As for him who is givenhis book in his right hand, he shall surelyreceive an easyreckoning and he will return to his family rejoicing.But as for him who is given his book behind his back, he shall call for destruction on himself and will burn in a Blazing Fire." (84:.7-12) "Everyman'swork We have fastened his own neck, on We and on the Day of Judgement shall bring out for him a book which he will see spread open, saying, fRead your own bookf Enough for you this day that your own soul should call you to (17: account." l3-14) - We believethat scales deedswill be set up on the Day of Judof gementand no soul shall be wronged. "Whoever has done an atom's weightof good shall seeit." (9:70E) "Those whosescales arl heavy. theyaie the successful; thosewhose are but scales light, they are the ones who have I'st their souls in Hell dwelling forever. The Fire will burn their faces, and there they will be gloomy with lips displaced." (23:102-al "He that does a good deed shall be rewardedten times the like of it, and he that does

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evil shall only be rewarded like of it, and they shall not be the (6:160) wronged." THE PROPI{ET'SINTERCESSION - We believe in the special great prophet of .Intercession the peace upon him. He will pleadwith Allah, after Muhammad, be His permission and on behalf of mankind,to judge among His when they suffer from worries and troubleswhich they servants cannotbear.They will go to Adam, then Noah, then Abraham, then to Moses,then to Jesus and finally to ProphetMuhammad, peace upon him. be - We believein the intercession which concenrs somebelievers who were to be taken out from the Fire. This mediationis grantedto the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and to others amongthe Prophets, believers, the angels. the and - We believe also that Allah will savefrom Hell somepeopleamong the believers without the intercession any one, but by His grace of and mercy, TI{E PROPHET'SPOOL - We believein the Pool of the Prophet, peacebe upon him, the water of which is whiter than milk and sweeter than honey and betterin fragrance than musk. Each of its lengthand width is the distanceof a month-travel.Its glasses as stars in beautyand are number. The believers among the Prophet's followers come to take from this greatcisterna drink after which they will neverbe thirsty. THE STRAIGHT PATH - We believein the Straight Path isiret) set uD over Hell. people passover it according their deeds:the first of them as fast as to lighting, then as fast as wind, then as fast as birds, and then as running men. The Prophet will be standingon the Path, saying, "Lord, Save!Save!" Somepeople's deeds will fall short. Someof them will come crawling. At both sides of the Path there are hooks that are designed take whom Allah wills: someare saved to but bruised;othersare thrown into Hell. (Bukhiri & Muslim). - We believe all that is mentioned the Qur'in or the Prophetic in in sayingsconcerning that day and its horrors, may Allah saveus from them.

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(shef6'sh)of ProphetMuhammad, We believein the intercession peacebe upon him, for the peopleof Paradise enter therein. to This intercession is exclusively limited to the Prophet Muhammad,peace upon him. be

BELIEF IN PARADISE & HELL is We believe Paradise in and Hell. Paradise the abodeof enjoyment which Allah, the Exalted,preparedfor the righteous.The blessing no theyenjoy there,no eyehaseverseen, ear haseverheardof, and no humanbcinghaseverthoughtof: "No soul knowswhat comfort Hell is is kept hiddenfor them,as a rewardfor their deeds."(32:17) for which Allah has prepared the unbeliethe abodeof punishment vers and the evildoers. The torture and horror in it clnnot be imagined. "Surely, We have preparedfor the evildoersa fire, whose pavilionencompasses them. If they call for help, they will be helped with water like molten copper which will scald their faces.How (18:29) dreadfula drink and how evil a resting-place!" - Both Paradise they will neverperish. and Hell are existingnow and He in "Whoever believes Allah and doesrighteousness, will admit which riversflow, to dwell thereinfor ever. to Gardens him beneath provision." (65:ll) Allah had indeed m.adefor him an excellent for and Allah hascursedthe unbelievers prepared them "Certainly, a blazing Fire to dwell therein forever, they shall find neither protector nor helper.On the day when their facesare turned about in the Fire, they shall say "Would that we had obeyedAl\ah and (33:64-6) obcyedthe Messenger!" - We confirm Paradise whom it is confirmedin the Qur'6n or the to Prophetictraditions either by name or desciption. Among those by who are grantedParadise and mentioned namesare Ab0 Bakr, 'Umar, 'Uthmiln, 'Ali and otherswho were specified the Proby phet, peacebe upon him (Bukh?lriand Muslim). Among those they fit the description whom we confirm to enterParadise because the faithful and the pious. are - We likewise confirm Hell to whom it is confirmedin the Qur'an and Among of the sayings the Prophet,whetherin nameor description. those who are meirtionedby namesto be in Hell are Ab'il Lahab, 'Amr lbn Luhai Al-Khuza'i and others(Bukhfri & MuSlim).Confirmation of Hell which is ba3ed on description includes every unbcliever,polytheistor hypocrite.

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BELIT,F \+'HATHAPPENS THE GRAVE IN IN - we believe the Triar of the Grave,which in is the questioning the of dead personin his graveabout his Lord, his relijion and iis prophet.There"Allah confirms those who believe with tne firm say,in the present rife and the Hereafter."(14:27) The believer wilr say: "Allah is my Lord,_.lslam my religion,and Muhammad is is my Prophet."The unbeliever the hypocrite or will say,.,I don,t know, I heardthe people saying something I saidit.,, and - we believein the comfort of the grave ,,Those for the berievers. whoselivesthe angels ,peace take in stateof purity, saying be on you; enterParadise what you weredoing'.,,(t6:31) for - we believein the punishment of the grave for the transgressing unbelievers: you courdonry seewhen the evirdoers "rf are- rhe in agoniesof death and the angersare stretchingout their hands, saying,'Give up your souls!Today you shall be rewarded with the punishment humiriationfor what you usedto of say untrury about Allah, and for scornfully rejecting signs.,, His (6:93iThesayings of the Prophetare numerous and welr-knownin this area. e vusri. must believe ail that is reportedin the in eur'6n and prophetictraditions concerning unseen the matters.He shourdnot contradictit by his worldly experience becausethe affairs of the Hereafter cannot be measured the affairs of this life. The difference by betweenthem is very great.Allah is the source help. of BEI,TEF FATN AND DIVINE DECREE IN - we believe Fate,whether in good or bad, which Alrah hasmeasured and ordainedfor all creatures according His previousknowredge to and as deemed suitable His wisdom. bv LEVELS OF BELIEF IN FATE - Beliefin Fatehas four levels: The first level is knowledge:We believethat Allah, may He be exalted,knows everything. knew what had happened He and what will happenand how it will happen.His knowledge eternal.He is does not acquire a new knowledgenor does he forget what He Knows. The secondlevel is Recording:we believe that Altah has recorded in the Secured Tablet (el-Lrwlr el-Mahfodh)whateveris going ro happenuntil the Day of Judgement. "Did you not know that Allah knows all that is in Heavenand Earth? Surerythat is in a Book. Surelythat for AIIah is an easymatter." e2.n\

zt -

The third level is Will: We believe that Allah has willed everything in the Heaven and Earth. Nothing happens except by His will; whatever He wills, will take place; and whatever He does not wish, will not take place. The fourth level is Creation: We believe that "Allah is the Creator of all things; He is the Guardian over all things, and to Him belong the keys of the Heavens and the Earth." (39:62-3) The fourth level include whatever Allah Himself does and whatever His creaturesdo. So, all that people perform of sayings,deeds,or omissions are known to Allah and He has recorded them, willed them and created them, "To those among you who will to be upright. But you shall not will exceptas Allah wills, the Lord of the Worlds." (81:28-9) "And has Allah willed they would not have fought one againstthe other; but Allah does whateverHe desires." (2:253) "Had Allah willed, they would not have done so, but leave them alone and their false inventions." (6:137)"And Allah created you and what you do." (37:96) MEN'S FREEWILL We believe,however, that Allah has granted man a power and a freewill by which he performs his action. That man's deeds are by his power and freewill can be proven by the following points: Firstly, Allah's saying, "So approach your fields (wives)when and how you will." (2:223) "Had they desired to go forth, they would have made some preparation for it." (9:46) In these'verses Allah affirmed for man "a going forth" by his will and "a preparation" by his desire. Secondly,directing man to do or not to do. If man has no freewill and power, these directions mean that Allah is asking man to do that which he cannot. This proposition is rejected by Allah's wisdom, His mercy and His truthful statementin the verse "Allah does not charge a soul beyond its capacity." (2:286) Thirdly, Praising the virtuous for his deedsand blaming the evildoer for his actions and rewarding each of them with what he deserves. the action is not done by the individual's freewill, then If praising the virtuous is a joke and punishing the evildoer is an injustice, and Allah is, of course, free from joking and being unjust.

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Fourthly, Allah has sent messengers who are "bearing good tidings, and warning, so that mankind might have no argument against Allah after the messengers."(40:165) If the individual's action is not performed by his freewill, his argument is not invalidated by the sen{ing of messengers. Fifthly, every doer of actions feels that he does or does not do a thing without any coercion. He stands up and sits; comes in and goes out; travels and stays by his own freewill without feeling anybody forcing him to do any of theseactions. In fact, he clearly distinguishes between doing something of his own freewill and someoneelse forcing him to do that action. The Islamic law also wisely distinguishesbetween these states of affairs. It does not punish a wrong-doer for an action done under compulsion. NO EXCUSEIN FATE TOR SINNI,RS - We believethat the sinner has no excusein Allah's Divine Decree begausehe commits his sin by his freewill, without knowing that Allah has decreedit on him. That is. because one knows Allah's no decree before it takes place: "No soul knows what it will earn tomorrow." (31:34) How can it be possible, then, to present an excusethat is not known to the personwho is advancingit when he commits his offence? Altah invalidated this type of argument in His saying: "The idolaters will say 'Had Allah willed, we would not have been idolaters, neither our fathers, nor would we have forbidden anything.'So did the people before rhem cry lies until they tasted our might. Say: 'Have you any proofs that you can show us? You follow nothing but assumption,and you are lying." (6:148) We say to the sinner who is using Divine Decree as an excuse: 'Why did not you perform deeds of obedience assuming that Allah has decreed them upon you since there is no difference between them and sins in being unknown before they happened from you? That is why when Prophet Muhammad told his companions that everyone'sposition in Paradiseor Hell has been assigned, they said: "Should not we rely on this and stop working?" He said: "No, work and every one will be directed to what he is createdfor," (Bukhdri & Muslim) We may say to the sinner who is trying to find excusein Divine Decree:"Suppose, you want to travel to Makkah. There are two roads that may take you there. You are told by a truthful person that one of theseroads is dangerous and difficult, the other is easyand safe.You will

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take the secondone. You will not take the first road and say it is decreed upon me. If you did, peoplewould consideryou crazy. We may also say to him: "lf you are offered two jobs, one of them is h i g h e ri n s a l a r y .Y o u w i l l c e r t a i n l yt a k e t h e o n e w i t h t h e h i g h e rs a l a r y . How come do you choosdwhat is lower in rhe Hereafterand use Divine Decreeas an excuse?" We may further say to him: "We seeyou when you are inflicted with you knock every phy'sician's a disease, door looking for treatment and bearing whateverpain that may result from surgicaloperationsand the W b i t t e r n e s o f m e d i c i n e . h y d o n o t y o u d o t h e s a m ew h e n y o u r h e a r t i s s s p i r i t u a l l ys i c k w i t h s i n s ? " EVII, NOT ATTRIBUT},D T0 ALI,AH W e b e l i e v e h a t e v i l s h o u l dn o t b e a t t r i b u t e dt o A l l a h b e c a u s e f H i s t o perfect mercy and wisdom. The Prophet said: "And cvil is not a t t r i b u t a b l et o Y o u . " ( M u s l i m ) T h u s , A l l a h ' s d e c r e eb y i t s e l f h a s no evil whatsoeverbecauseit is coming from mercy and wisdom. t E v i l m a y , h o w e v e r ,r e s u l t l r o m s o m e o f H i s d e c r c c s , e c a u s e h e b P r o p h c t s a i d i n t h e s u p p l i c i l l i o nf o r g u n I l w h i c h h c t a u g h t t o al-Hasan: "And protect us from the evil of what You decreed" ( T i r m i t h i & O t h e r s ) H e r e , t h c P r o p l r c t a t t r i b u t e do ' i l t o w h a t H c d e c r e e d . e s p i t et h i s , e v i l i n H i s d e c r e e s n o t p u r e e v i l . l t i s r a t h e r D i good in anothcr or it is cvil in onc case,and good evil in one respect, i n a n o t h e r . T h u s , c o r r u p t i o n i n t h e l a n d r e s u l t i n gf r o m d r o u g h t , poverty and fear is evil, but it is good in another rcspccl. disease, o A l l a h , t h e E x a l t e ds a i d : " C o r r u p t i o n h a s a p p e a r c d n t h c l a n d a n d sea for what men's hands have earned. Allah has ordained this for men, so that they may taste some o[ what they have done, in ordcr that they may rurn back (frorn evil)." (30:41) uttingoff the thief's C h a n d o r s t o n i n gt h e a d u l t e r e ri s a n e v i l t h i n g f o r t h e t h i e f a n d t h e it adulterer,but it is good for them in one respectbecause is a purificatidn for them so that the punishment of this life and thc Hereafter are not combined for them. lt is also good in anothe!' respect. The application of these punishment is a protection ol' property, honors, and relationships.

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CHAPTER VIII TRUITSOT'FAITH f'his rublirnc'bclief which includesthose great principlesbears in believes it. and usefultypesof fruits for whoever numcrous of Virtues Beliefin Allsh: in instils theindividual in and . Belief Allah,His Names His Attributes love and His glorificationthat resultin performingAllah's ins' Allah's which are the means achiev' of tructionsand avoidingHis proscriptions for in ing ultimat,'happiness this life and the Hereafter the individualas deed,while doesrighteous r.r'ell the society. as "Whoever,maleor female, granthim a goodlylife, and We shall'reward We believing, shallassuredly (16:97) to themaccording the bestof theirrleeds." I'irluesof Beliefin the Angels: the Firstly.appreciating Dignityof Allah,His mightandHis sovereignty. He uratitude Secondh. toward Allah because puts someof the angelr and other thingsthat in chargeof His servantsr recording their deeds benefitthem. 'thirdll of because what they are for the angels . lorc and admiration doing, namely, *orshipping Allah in the best possiblemanner and prayingfor the believers. of Virtues Beliefin the Books: in andcarefor His people that He sent Allah'smercy I irsttl, appreciating dou'na Book to everynationfor theirguidance. He Allah's Wisdom because revealedin these Secondll'.appreciating Booksto everynationwhat suit them.The glorious Qur'6n is the final untilthe Day to at Books andit is suitable all people all tiines among these of Judgement. gratitude Allah'smercyin revealing these Books. for Thirdly, showing I'irtues of Beliefin Messengers: Allah's mercyand carefor His proplefor sending finitly. apprc'ciating Path' greatmcssengers guidethemto the straight to themthose Allah for thisgreatfavour. thanking Secondll, them in what and praising the Thirdly. lovingand respecting Prophets and among they theydeserve because are Atlah'smessengers His choice

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to Allah according the bestof their.ability, They worshipped His people. to mankind,gavesincere advise themand bore to His conveyed message patientlywhatever hurt they received. Virtuesof Belief in the Day of Judgement: Fintly, endeavor obeyAllah to gettherewardof that day and to avoid to His disobedience fear of His punishment. for Secondly, consolation the believer whatever misses worldly a for for he of enjoymentby what he hopesto gain of blessings and reward of the Hereafter. Virlues of Belief in Fate end Divine l)ecree: Firstly, dependence Allah when doing any action because on both the cause and effectare the resultof Allah's decree. of whenthe individualknows Secondly, ease mind and comfort because is that everything by Allah's decree and'that mishaps going to take are placeanyway,his soul will be at ease and his heartwill be satisfied with No Allah's decree. one has more comforiablelife, worry-freesoul, and in strongerconfidence than a believer Fate. Thlrdly, freedomfrom arrogance whena goalis achieved because is a this blessing from Allah throughwhat He decreed the causes good and of of success. individualshouldthank Allah for that and freehimselffrom The arrogance. of }'ourthly, freedomfrom worry and boredomin case failureor mishap because that is by Allah's decreewho possesses Heavensand the the Earth. Sincethat is going to happenanywa)',the individual shouldbe patientand hope for the rewardfrom Allah. Allah poins to the last two virtuesby the following verse: but can on "No misfortune happen earthor in yourselves is recorded that in a decree beforeWe bring it into existence, is reallyeasyfor Allah; you, nor rejoicein what has that you may not grievefor what escapes boaster." (57:22-3) cometo you..Allah doesnot love any vainglorious We prayto Allah, the Exalted, reward I'orthisbeliel', realize lo us to to our for us its fruits, to increase blessings, keepus on the Right Path to from Him, He is which He hasguidedus, and to bestow us a blessing on indeedthe Giver. Praiseand gratitudebe to Allah, the Lord of the be Worlds and peaceand blessings on the Prophet Muhammad, his and thosewho rightly follow them. family, his Companions,

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