Discussion Groups / English Usage / February 2007

Happiness is a common goal that everyone strives to attain.
Philosophers, intellectuals, doctors and artists alike have all
strived in search of the causes of happiness and ways to escape
anxiety.

The reality is, however, that the proposed solutions achieve only
partial or superficial happiness. They are more or less like drugs
which only provide temporary relief; when their effect wares off,
anxieties return two fold.

The following words invite you to ultimate happiness and will lead you
to true success. But before you begin reading, I hope that you to take
a moment to try to open your heart and mind - as the intelligent one
is he who searches for the truth no matter where it lies.

An undeniable reality is that permanent happiness cannot be achieved
except by believing in God - The Creator - and following His guidance.
Since it is He who created mankind, He is the one who knows what
pleases and benefits them, just as he knows what saddens and harms
them. A number of psychologists have affirmed that only a religious
person lives with true content and serenity. So if believing in God
leads to ultimate happiness, then how can this be achieved?

There are numerous religions and a variety of creeds. However, their
critical differences in core issues make it impossible for all of them
to be correct. So which is the correct religion? What is the correct
creed that God requires us to believe in and in the end pleases Him?
And which one of these creeds guarantees us happiness in this life and
in the hereafter?

Before answering these questions, a criterion must first be
established to be used as a basis for correctly determining the true
religion. I firmly believe that all sensible people will agree that a
religion is not deemed correct simply due to the fact that one was
raised in that religion, had parents that adhered to it, or lived in a
society that practiced it. Rather a religion's accuracy and
authenticity are based upon substantial evidence and firm intellectual
proofs. Intellect, the distinguishing factor between mankind and
animals, must be applied when studying the issue of religion, which is
undeniably the most important and gravest of all matters.

A short journey into the world of religions and sifting through
various creeds could prove to be a good method in arriving at the
desired conclusion. In order to save you the time and effort, I say
with full conviction and confidence that no matter how much you
investigate this issue, you will only arrive at one reality: that the
true and correct religion is Islam and that true happiness and content
lies within it.

Before you hastily rebut this statement and stop reading, please
realize that completing the rest would not harm you at all, and it may
in fact benefit you. Also, remember that you have an intellect by
which you can distinguish things and determine truth from falsehood.

Why Islam?

This is an important question, indicating that the questioner is
mature and enlightened. In response I say:

Islam is a religion that includes a number of merits and
characteristics that are absent from other religions. These
characteristics, alone, serve as convincing evidence that Islam is the
true religion of God. You can determine the authenticity of this
statement by contemplating them.

Islam's many merits and characteristics make it impossible to
elaborate on all of them. However, some of the most important can be
summarized as follows:

1. Amongst the greatest merits of Islam is that it fulfills the
spiritual aspects of the human being and enables those who embrace it
to have an ongoing connection with God. This makes it possible for
them to be at ease spiritually. It shields them from chaos, being lost
or feeling (spiritually) empty, and protects from mental instability.

2. Another of Islam's merits is that it coincides totally with common
sense. All of the Islamic legislation and its rulings are acceptable
intellectually and are never contradictory. One man who embraced Islam
was asked why he did so and replied, "Islam never ordered me to do
anything that I later wished wasn't obligated, and it never forbade me
from anything that I later wished wasn't forbidden."
Much of what is readily accepted in other religions causes great
confusion. This confusion makes it difficult to believe many of the
fundamental tenets/doctrines that these religions are based upon. On
the other hand, we find that Islam respects the intellect, prohibits
ignorance, and condemns blind following.

3. Islam is an all-inclusive way of life attending to both spiritual
and physical needs. Practicing Islam does not mean that one has to be
secluded or that he is prohibited from the finer things in life.
Rather, according to Islam, a person can be religious and still enjoy
a normal life - attaining prestigious ranks/positions and achieving
the highest academic degrees.

4. Among the merits of Islam is that it is a comprehensive religion.
Every aspect of a person's life is managed by Islam. There is not a
problem except that a solution for it lies in Islam, which makes it
possible to embrace and practice in every time and place. How can this
not be the case in such a well organized religion that has guidelines
and positive instruction for every aspect of life including: conflict
resolution, buying and selling, social and marital relations,
greetings, public etiquettes, and even how a person eats, sleeps and
dresses. These practices have not been addressed generally, but rather
in precise detail, causing the mind to wonder in amazement. Know that
Islam even provides direction on how to wear and remove footwear. It
encourages people to use their right hand when eating, drinking,
shaking hands, and when giving and receiving items. As for disliked
affairs such as using the bathroom, the left hand is to be used.
Islam also has wonderful instructions regarding going to sleep and
waking up. When two Muslims meet, Islam directs them on how they
should greet each other; a rider should initiate greeting the
pedestrian, the youth should initiate greeting the elderly, and a
small group should initiate greeting a larger group. These are but a
few of Islam's many comprehensive guidelines for all aspects of life.

5. Another of Islam's merits is that it establishes good for mankind
in all its regulations and safeguards them from evil. It is man
himself who benefits from these regulations. Islam's prohibition of
alcohol and drugs for example is only because of the great harm they
cause to a person's physical and mental health. You can witness the
state of a drunken man, no longer human except in appearance. A lot of
murders, disputes, traffic accidents and rapes would not have taken
place were it not for consuming these mind-altering products.
Islam's prohibition of premarital sex relieves societies of
destructive diseases (such as AIDS and other STDs), immoral behavior,
and the existence of a generation of illegitimate children. This
generation is often deprived of a mother's love and a father's
upbringing which can lead them to become burdensome on society. Islam
prohibits women from displaying themselves publicly. This is because
Islam considers women to be valued, preserved pearls; not some cheap
merchandise to be displayed for all to see. It does so to protect them
from the wolves of mankind - those who are only concerned with
satisfying their lusts, even if it is at the cost of a woman's honor,
nobility, status, and purity.
On the other hand, Islam permits all harmless and beneficial drinks.
It also permits married couples to enjoy one another within a happy
home.
In summary, Islam has not eliminated freedoms and desires. Rather, it
regulates them for the benefit of mankind and the society at large.

6. A radiant aspect of Islam is that it pays a great deal of attention
to values, character, and praiseworthy manners, while prohibiting
mankind from oppression, transgression and bad character. Islam is a
religion of love, unity and mercy. It defines an individual's
relationship with his parents, relatives, neighbors, friends and all
people. Islam embeds the best of manners in those who embrace it and
prevents them from living selfishly. It encourages its followers to
help others and take others' feelings into consideration - especially
the poor, orphans, elderly and widows. They all have rights in Islam
that must not be taken lightly by Muslims. Muslims shouldn't feel like
they are bestowing favors upon others when giving them their due
rights, rather these rights are obligations upon Muslims. It is
considered to be a great sin in Islam for one to go to sleep with a
full stomach knowing that his neighbor is hungry.
Islam even prohibits two people from whispering to each other in the
presence of a third, taking his feelings into consideration. Islam
goes even further than that, obligating kind treatment to animals and
prohibiting harming them. More specifically, Islam prohibits
slaughtering an animal while another watches, or sharpening a knife
while it is watching, so that it is not tormented along with being
slaughtered.
Truthfulness, trustworthiness, bravery, generosity, humility, abiding
by promises, visiting the sick, attending funerals, being dutiful to
parents, visiting relatives and neighbors, and striving to help others
are all etiquettes that are encouraged by Islam.
On the other hand, Islam strictly prohibits oppression, lying,
conceitedness, envy, and insulting or betraying others. It is
impermissible in Islam to speak ill of a person in his absence, even
if what is being said is true. Islam encourages people to moderate in
spending, being neither excessive nor misers.
During times when a lot of societies complain about cold heartedness,
materialism, selfishness and so on, we find that Islam has proven
remedies for all of these problems.

This summarized introduction should make it clear that Islam is a
logical religion that can be easily understood by all people. The
doors to Islam are wide open and do not shut for anyone looking to
enter.

Understanding all of Islam's teachings in a short article is
impossible. However, briefly discussing some of its fundamental tenets
should assist in further clarifying the religion for those who are
interested.

All of Islam's regulations and teachings are important, but some have
precedence over others. There are six essential articles of faith that
one must believe in, and five pillars that one's faith must be built
upon.

As for the six articles that must be believed in:

1. Believing in Allah (God) alone, associating no partners unto Him in
worship. This is done by believing that Allah alone is the Creator of
this universe and everything that is within it, and that it is He
alone who disposes its affairs as He sees fit. Consequently, worship
can only be offered to Him alone. Worship is implementing the
teachings of Islam and its legislation while believing that all other
religions are false.

2. Believing in the angels. Angels were created by Allah but we can
not see them. They worship Allah and never disobey Him. Allah orders
them to carry out many of the universe's affairs. The angel Gabriel,
for example, (peace be upon him) delivers Allah's revelation to the
messengers. Another is Mikayeel (peace be upon him), who is entrusted
with the affairs of rain. Still there are other angels responsible for
writing the deeds of mankind - deeds which they will be held
accountable for on the Day of Resurrection. It is essential to believe
that all of the angels act solely upon the order of Allah and do only
what He wills.

3. Believing in the Books of Revelation. This means to believe that
Allah revealed books to His servants comprising of His words. These
books contain bliss for mankind by clarifying what Allah is pleased
with as well as what He dislikes. The Angel charged with delivering
revelation to the Prophets is Gabriel (peace be upon him) - the
greatest of angels. A prophet then conveys the revelation to the rest
of mankind.
Allah has revealed many books, amongst them: The Torah, revealed to
Moses (peace be upon him), The Psalms, revealed to David (peace be
upon him), The Gospel, sent down to Jesus (peace be upon him) and the
Quran, which was revealed to Muhammad (peace be upon him).
One must believe that the Quran has abrogated all books prior to it,
meaning that - after the Prophet (Muhammad) was sent - it is the only
book that can be acted upon, especially since the Quran combines all
the merits of past books and further supplements them.
Know that the Quran is from the greatest evidences that this religion
is the truth revealed by Allah (God) the Most High. The Quran was
revealed over 1400 years ago. Since then till this day, no
contradictions or mistakes have been found in the Quran, not even in a
single word. Many of the scientific discoveries of modern times were
mentioned in the Quran. Since that time until today, nothing has been
added to or subtracted from the Quran, while previous revelations have
been tampered with and altered.
It is for this reason that you can pick up a copy of the Quran in the
far East and find it to be exactly the same as one you pick up in the
far West. If you were to come across a copy of the Quran that is
hundreds of years old, you would also find that it is exactly the same
as the one being printed currently - you wouldn't be able to find even
one letter that is different. This is because of Allah's protection of
this Book, the Book of the religion that sealed all other religions.
Speaking about the Quran would take a lot of time. However, it is
enough for you to know that there is nothing like it whatsoever; not
by way of (literary) style, its effect on people, nor its information
about the unseen.

4. Believing in the Prophets. This is done by believing that Allah has
chosen the best of mankind to be recipients of His revelation and
ordered them to convey His religion to the people. There are numerous
Prophets, among them are: Noah, Abraham, David, Solomon, Lot, Joseph,
Moses and others (peace be upon all of them). Also from them is Jesus.
It is imperative to believe that he is among the best of Prophets and
to love and respect him. Whoever despises him or denies his
prophethood is not Muslim. Likewise it is compulsory to believe that
Allah created him from a mother only, with no father, just as Allah
created Adam with neither a mother nor a father.
Having mentioned this, we now know that Jesus is a noble messenger and
not God, nor is he a son of God. He foretold the coming of a prophet
to come after him; Muhammad ibn (the son of) Abdullah, the last of the
prophets.
Muhammad ibn Abdullah (peace be upon him) was sent 1400 years ago. It
is compulsory for everyone who comes after him until the Day of
Judgment to believe in him and his message, and obey his orders and
prohibitions.
All those who studied the biography of this messenger have agreed that
he is a great personality who has been bestowed with the best of
manners and most noble etiquettes. He had characteristics which were
not present in anyone before him and will not be present in anyone
after him. Anything that you read about him, no matter how small it
is, confirms what I am saying.
Allah has also granted him proofs and evidences that establish the
authenticity of his prophethood, thus having doubt in this fact is
intellectually impossible. Having been given such proofs and evidences
of his prophethood, whoever denies his truthfulness, would make it
impossible for that individual to establish the truthfulness of any
other prophet.

5. The Last Day. This is fulfilled firmly believing that after this
life of ours is over, there is another more complete life. In it,
there are immense rewards and magnificent luxuries, as well as
punishment. Luxury is in Heaven and punishment in Hell. So whoever is
righteous and believes in the religion of Islam enters Heaven, a place
that contains untold pleasure and unimagined bliss. All the luxuries
on earth cannot be compared to it at all. Whoever enters Heaven will
continue to live in such luxuries for eternity as death does not exist
therein.
As for those who act upon evil and do not believe in Islam, they would
end up in Hell, which contains fires and punishment that can not be
imagined, all of the fires of earth and forms of punishment cannot be
compared to the punishment of the hellfire at all.
The existence of punishment and reward after this life is an issue
that is intellectually acknowledged, because it is impossible for this
world to exist and then just diminish into nothingness. This is
trifling about, and our Lord, the Creator, does not engage in such
activities.

6. Believing in Divine Decree. This is to believe that everything that
happens in this world is due to Allah's knowledge and will. Nothing
except what He wills takes place, and what He does not will, does not
take place. Allah has written everything in a great book (The
Preserved Tablet). Believing in divine decree also includes believing
that Allah created everything.

As for the five pillars that must be practiced:

1. Uttering a phrase that is the key to entering into Islam. It is a
contract between a servant and his Lord, signifying that he is upon
this religion:
"Ashhadu an la ilaha ila Allah, wa ashadu ana Muhammad 'abduhu wa
rasuluhu."
"I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah,
and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger."
This testimony signifies the acceptance, admission, and adherence to
the fact that worship must be offered to Allah alone. It also includes
the acceptance of Islam as the only correct religion, Allah as the
only true deity deserving worship, and that all other deities and
religions are false. The second part of the testimony entails an
affirmation that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah and that he is to
be obeyed and believed in all that he says.

2. The Prayer. It is a combination of statements, actions and
invocations carried out in a specific manner. It is performed five
times daily and doesn't take much time at all. In fact, a prayer may
not take more than five minutes. Prayer is the link between a servant
and his Lord. It enables a Muslim to be confident, mentally and
spiritually at rest, calm and untroubled.

3. The Zakaat. A wealthy Muslim must give a small portion of his money
to the poor, 2.5% of his wealth to be exact. Even though it is a small
amount, it enables the Muslim community to be conciliated and merciful
amongst each other. It propagates brotherhood, love and concern
amongst Muslims. And again, Zakaat is only to be given out by the
wealthy, not the poor.

4. Fasting. What is meant by fasting is that a person withholds from
eating, drinking and sexual relations during the month of Ramadan
[which is the 9th month of the lunar calendar] between dawn and
sunset. The sick, travelers, and those with valid excuses are pardoned
from fasting. They are permitted to eat and drink but must make up the
missed days once they become able.
Fasting has many health, personal, and social benefits. Amongst them
are: giving the digestive system a break, allowing Muslims to grow
spiritually and practice good mannerisms. It enables Muslims to be
conscious of their needy brothers and sisters, those who are unable to
find enough food to satisfy their needs throughout the year.
Consequently, the Muslims humble themselves and strive to help them.

5. Hajj. It is a form of worship that must be performed only once in a
lifetime, in Makkah. Those who are physically incapable or not
financially able to perform it are pardoned from doing so.
Hajj contains many magnificent benefits; the gathering of Muslims from
all around the globe in one place getting to know each other and
displaying love for one another, not to mention what a Muslim achieves
by way of spiritual purification and character refinement due to
experiencing such a spiritual environment in the shade of Hajj.

Hopefully what has preceded is sufficient in clarifying - in a
summarized fashion - some of the merits of Islam. I invite all who
have not yet entered into the fold of Islam to listen to a sincere
invitation from one who only wants good for you: save yourself before
death takes you by surprise, and thus you die upon other than Islam -
what a great loss that is!

Do you know what dying upon other than Islam means? It means that you
would enter the Hellfire, abiding therein for eternity. This is what
Allah has warned all those who die without embracing Islam. So why
would you take a chance with an issue as grave as this?

I'm going to ask you a question that I want you to answer honestly:
What would you lose if you embraced Islam?

If you embrace Islam, you can continue living your normal ordinary
life, but in a more spiritual, organized, and pleasant fashion...and
after death, tremendous delight and eternal pleasure await you.

If you have reached a level of conviction, believing that Islam is the
true religion, but fear that embracing Islam would prevent you from
enjoying pleasures that you cannot live without, then compare these
temporary pleasures with eternal pleasure. Which of the two should be
given preference?

Furthermore, you can embrace Islam and then gradually try to reduce
such pleasures. And if you were to honestly invoke Allah, He would
surely aid you in leaving them. In any case, embracing Islam and
having shortcomings is better than not embracing Islam at all.

If the barrier between you and Islam is due to having a weak
personality, the inability to make such a big decision, or because you
fear that people may talk about you or mock you, know that these are
just unrealistic thoughts. You would not be the first person to
embrace Islam; a lot of others have made the decision to do so. They
did not lose anything, their lives were not ruined, nor do they have
any regrets. Furthermore, does it make sense that you sacrifice your
own well being and happiness in this life and in the hereafter just
because you fear mockery or admonishment?

This affair is worthy of your time. Contemplate upon it deeply.

My last words: Do not lose yourself! I ask Allah to bless you with
true guidance.

One who wishes only the best for you,
Dr. Saleh Abdul Azeez As Sindee.