Importance of Charity in Islam and the Third pillar of Islam.

CHARITY IN ISLAM

Allah Almighty said,

"O son of Adam! Spend, and I shall spend on you."

(Narrated by Abu Huraira: Bukhari, 64)

Charity is called Sadaqah or Zakat in Islam and Muslims give voluntarily to poor people to please Allah Almighty. This act also describes an uncoerced charitable act towards other people through love, generosity, faith, and compassion. Even the simple kind deeds such as helping others, and smiling, are seen as Sadaqah.

Anyone can give sadaqah for any good purpose and amount. Many companions of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) were extremely bounteous in giving charity, often giving away big portions of wealth and keeping only small enough for their needs.

In Islam being caring and sympathetic to others is the central part of belief. At different points in the Quran, charity is mentioned several times and one can help being struck by them. Various references in the Quran about feeding the poor and needy, helping relatives, orphans, and travelers, and spending for the pleasure of Allah emphasize the importance of Sadaqah in Islam.

In addition to the undeniable benefits of charity, Islam mentioned the courage to spend your money selflessly with a strong belief that everything they have in life comes from Allah Almighty. We must not collect our money and blessings because we believe that He wishes for us to be sympathetic and share our blessings with others without pride.

 

Believers! Do not nullify your acts of charity by stressing your benevolence and causing hurt as does he who spends his wealth only to be seen by people and does not believe in Allah and the Last Day. (Al- Baqarah: 264)

Types of Charity in Islam

Zakat or charity is the third pillar of Islam. Spending wealth as charity for needy and poor people is the most important characteristic of Islam. Muslims should realize how their charity could build strong societies. It is necessary for the well-being of the poor as well as the ultimate pleasure of the giver. Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) explained the forms of charity. One is Zakat and another is Sadaqah. Zakat is given to deserving people with a specific or standardized percentage of wealth. But sadaqah is not for specific people or in a standardized form, we can give it to anyone in different forms. The smile, true advice, or any good help is Sadaqah.

The Prophet said: "Your smile for your brother is a charity. Your removal of stones, thorns or bones from the paths of people is a charity. Your guidance of a person who is lost is a charity." (Bukhari)

Awards on the day of Judgment

On the Final day of judgment when the sun will be too hot to bear and everyone lost shade and could not protect themselves from heat waves, Allah Almighty will save those under shade who spend money for the poor and give charity. The sacrifices of Muslims in this life will be the protection on the Day of Judgment.

The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) said: "The believer's shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity." (Al-Tirmidhi)

Giving Sadaqah that is too easy can save you from the hellfire if Allah Almighty so wishes.

The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) said:

 

"Guard yourself against the Hellfire, even with half of a date in Sadaqah. If he cannot find it, then with a kind word."  (Bukhari and Muslim)

Sometimes we consider the small acts are not enough and we avoid ourselves to do these acts but Allah Almighty reminds us repeatedly that they are much enough and that we should do the act of kindness even when we can not see the value in them.

Another power of Sadaqah is that it can protect you from difficulties, calamities, trials, and hardships.

"Give Sadaqah without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity." – Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (At-Tirmidhi)

There are many reasons to give Sadaqah even when you are not particularly religious. You might help poor people and teach your children as an act of generosity or selflessness. But when you are Believer your reasons for spending money, care, and time for others are tied to the higher rank.

 

The question is: Will you act on this?

If ALLAH is free of all wants, then why does He ask us to worship Him?

 

If ALLAH is free of all wants, then why does He ask us to worship Him?     

 

First consider the question;

In Sahih Muslim, Hadith number; 6572, our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that Allah says;

"My slaves! If all of you, the first of you and the last of you, if all the men and all the jinn among you, were to be as god-fearing as the most god-fearing heart of any one of you, that would not add anything to My Greatness If they were to be evilest as the evilest heart of any one of you, that would not decrease anything even not a little bit in My Dominion. If they were to join together in one place and then ask of Me, and I gave every man among them what he asked for that, that would not reduce My Dominion at all, except as the sea is decreased if a needle is dipped into it."

 

There are some verses in the Quran that explain the Greatness of Allah Almighty.

وَمَن جَٰهَدَ فَإِنَّمَا يُجَٰهِدُ لِنَفۡسِهِۦٓۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَغَنِيٌّ عَنِ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ 

“And whosoever strives, he strives only for himself. Verily, Allah is free of all wants from the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns, and all that exists).” (Surah Al-Ankabut, Verse; 06)

 

Allah repeats a similar message in another Surah.

يٰۤاَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اَنۡتُمُ الۡفُقَرَآءُ اِلَى اللّٰهِۚ وَاللّٰهُ هُوَ الۡغَنِىُّ الۡحمید 

“O people, it is you who need Allah;36 as for Allah, He is Self-Sufficient, Immensely Praiseworthy.” (Surah Fatir, Verse no; 15)

 

But in another Surah Allah is asking for worshipping Him!

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْاِنْسَ اِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوْنِ

 “And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” (Surat Adh-Dhariyat, verse no; 56)

 

Dozens of verses in the Qur'an mention that Allah (the Glorified and Merciful) does not attains anything through being praised, but rather He is the Gracious Giver to performers of good and evil-performers alike. Without getting sufficient thought to the nature of the Almighty Allah, and without ingress to His revealed words, a person misperceives the Creator as a needy. (نعوذ بالله ) Considering that the Allah Almighty is egotistically driven to demand devotional service is neither common sense nor sound logic.  So, what is the reason that He is asking for worship and also saying that He doesn't need our worship? The reason is that Allah Almighty wants us to worship Him not because of His benefit but for our benefit. How will we benefit if we worship Allah? You just need to revise the first three verses of Surah Al-Fatiha, the first surah of the Quran, and the most important part of our best form of worship (Salah). Without the recitation of surah Al-Fatiha, the Salah cannot complete. In these three verses, you see the praise of Allah;

ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعالَمِينَ

In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful

ٱلرَّحْمن ٱلرَّحِيمِ

The Most Compassionate, Most Merciful

ملک يَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ

Master of the Day of Judgment

 

Every time a Muslim prays with an alert heart, he/she finds God listening attentively and replying with gifts that only the never-exhausting treasures of the Most Bountiful can afford. Outside of prayer, a Muslim remains invited to connect with God and experience His Nearness at every moment. Allah starts the Quran with his praise because He is well known to human psychology. A human when starts praising someone, he starts following him. For example, if you the most gorgeous or successful person in your family or in surrounding become your ideal and you automatically start following him. The steps that you take to follow him will only benefit you not the person whom you are following. In the same way, Allah wants us to praise Him because if we praise Him we will automatically start following Him and the path of Allah is for the True Success of humans.

If we say Allah u Akbar a thousand times in a day, it will not add anything to Allah's Greatness because He is already greatest and will remain greatest. The only reason for why we have to follow Him or praise him is when we praise Him, we will follow His advice.  We will follow the whole Quran and Sunnah that are full of His Advice. Our praise to him helps us to realize that we have to follow the one, who is the Greatest, most wise, most knowledgeable, and Merciful. As for the Muslim, he or she is blessed to understand that Allah loves to be worshipped and obeyed by His creation, not because of a need for authentication or enslavement, but because He loves to see the benefit we achieve from it. And all praise is due to Allah, the compassionate Lord of all the worlds.

If Allah is all-powerful and merciful, then why does He allow poverty, violation, and sufferings on earth?

 

If Allah is all-powerful and merciful, then why does He allow poverty, violation, and sufferings on earth?

Why people are homeless? Why people are suffering from pain? Why there are different kinds of violations in the world? Why innocent children are handicapped? Why innocent girls are getting raped? Why there are deadly diseases in the world of Allah Almighty?

According to the report of the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), each year 3.1 million children die from hunger and malnutrition. United Nations Human Rights Office (UNHRO) estimates over the past 10 years more than 499, 657 civilians killed in Syria's civil war. According, to an estimated report 1.9 million women and 3.2 million men are physically harassed in the United States. World health organization reported 14.9 million deaths because of the COVID-19 pandemic in the years 2020 and 2021.

The Quran starts with the words “In the name of Allah, the Beneficent and Merciful." These words are found at the start of every Surah. Quran declares that Allah is All-powerful, the Creator of the Universe, and the Lord of all living and nonliving things.

لِلّٰهِ مُلْكُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ الْاَرْضِ وَ مَا فِیْهِنَّؕ-وَ هُوَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَیْءٍ قَدِیْرٌ۠

To Allah, ˹alone˺ belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and everything within. And He is Most Capable of everything. (Surah Al-Maidah, verse: 120)

Allah is capable of everything, which means He is also capable of all these sufferings, violations, and hunger.

مَآ أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ  وَمَن يُؤْمِنۢ بِٱللَّهِ يَهْدِ قَلْبَهُۥ  وَٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌۭ

In no way is there any affliction that afflicts, except it be by the permission of Allah. And whoever believes in Allah, He will guide his heart, and Allah is Ever-Knowing of everything. (Surah At-Taghabun, verse: 11)

Allah mentioned in the Quran Surah Al-Mulk verse number 02;

ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلْمَوْتَ وَٱلْحَيَوٰةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًۭا  وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْغَفُورُ

He who created death and life—to test you—which of you is best in conduct. He is the Almighty, the Forgiving.(Surah Al-Mulk, verse;02)

This life of the world is the test for the hereafter. This test includes many sub-tests and these tests are a means for a human to fulfill the promise that he had made with Allah to do his worship before coming on the earth. Through tests, Allah Almighty distinguishes between us because their results expose the faith and lack of faith. Allah mentioned in the Quran in Surah Al. Baqarah verse: 155

وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَىْءٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْخَوْفِ وَٱلْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَنفُسِ وَٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ  وَبَشِّرِ ٱلصَّـبرِينَ

We will certainly test you with a touch of fear and famine and loss of property, life, and crops. Give good news to those who patiently endure. (Surah Al-Baqrah, verse: 155)

Allah is saying, every human being will be tested with fear and hunger, with the loss of goods and lives, and with human toils but will give glad tidings to those who patiently preserve. As I mentioned this life is the test for the hereafter and Allah Almighty tests different human beings in different ways. Allah does not have the same paper or exam paper for everyone that keeps on differing every year. So he tests some people with wealth, some with health, some with poverty, and some with diseases do they yet have faith in Allah Almighty? There are some people whose children are handicapped, they are test for their parents. Depending upon how you will react, will you get angry with Allah Almighty or will you accept it with OKAY, you will get the reward in the hereafter. No verse of the Quran says that it's difficult for the poor to get a place in Paradise. In fact, it is easy for poor people to get Jannah.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be Upon Him) said;

(It was reported) from the Prophet (PBUH) who said: "Indeed greater reward comes with a greater trial. And indeed, when Allah loves a people He subjects them to trials, so whoever is content, then for him is pleasure, and whoever is discontent, then for him is wrath."(Jami` at-Tirmidhi Hadith no; 2396)

The sufferings and violations happening in the world are a test for all of us. Many of us are suffering from difficulties, but consider the above Hadith that you are loved by Allah Almighty, He wants to wash all your sins in this world. He has set a beautiful place in Paradise for you. This is Allah's way to manage the world.  Allah is All-powerful and merciful, but he wants to test you in different ways. All the hunger deaths, rape cases, diseases, and violations are just for the test of human beings. The violations Muslims are facing in Syria, Myanmar, and Kashmir are tests for whole Muslim society otherwise it is not tough for Allah Almighty to say the word "Kun" for vanishing the whole violation.

 

 

If Allah is Merciful and not egoistic then why does he says, I will put you in hell if you worship anyone else other than me?

 If Allah is Merciful and not egoistic then why does he says, I will put you in hell if you worship anyone else other than me?  

The largest sin in Islam is worshipping someone else other than Allah, or worshipping Allah as well as someone else. This sin is called "Shirk". شرک

  It is mentioned in Quran, Surah Al-Nisa,

اِنَّ اللّٰہَ لَا یَغۡفِرُ اَنۡ یُّشۡرَکَ بِہٖ وَ یَغۡفِرُ  مَا دُوۡنَ ذٰلِکَ لِمَنۡ یَّشَآءُ ۚ وَ مَنۡ یُّشۡرِکۡ بِاللّٰہِ فَقَدِ افۡتَرٰۤی  اِثۡمًا عَظِیۡمًا ﴿۴۸

"Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allah has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin. (Surah An-Nisa, verse: 48)."

 

It is also mentioned in Surah Luqman, Ayah: 13;

وَإِذْ قَالَ لُقْمَانُ لِابْنِهِ وَهُوَ يَعِظُهُ يَا بُنَيَّ لَا تُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ إِنَّ الشِّرْكَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِيمٌ

"And when Lokman said to his son, in warning: 'My son, associate none with Allah, to associate others with Allah is a tremendous wrong."       

 

So, in Islam, there is No Forgiveness for A MUSHRIK. But Allah is most Merciful and most compassionate. His mercy surrounds everything. In Quran it is mentioned in Surah ul Aeyraaf, verse: 156;

وَ رَحۡمَتِیۡ وَسِعَتۡ کُلَّ شَیۡءٍ

"But My mercy encompasses all things." 

 He loves the person more than anyone else. There is a Hadith that explains the love of Allah for humans.

Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Some prisoners were brought to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and there was a woman among the prisoners who was searching (for her child). When she found her child she embraced him and put him on her breast. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said to us, ‘Do you think that this woman would throw her child in the fire?’ We said, ‘No, by Allah, not if she is able not to.’ The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, ‘Allah is more merciful to His slaves than this woman is to her child.’” 

So, why he will punish the MUSHRIK and will not forgive him at any chance? If he loves the man more than the love of seventy mothers, then how he can give hard punishment to His slaves?  For instance, if your son wants to hurt himself, what will you do? Will you let him do it? Of course not because you know what is better for your son. You will give him instructions to live. You will spend money for his studies. You will set an award for him. All this is because you love him. But when your son will grow up and say not only my father raised me but someone else raised me. What you will do at this time? If you will punish him, you are egoistic and Allah is NOT egoistic, He is far superior to a human, then why he will punish MUSHRIK? مشرک

Answer: Allah does not require you, you require Allah. When a Muslim says Allah u Akber (Allah is the greatest) and if he will not say that Allah is the greatest, Allah’s Greatness will not become less because He will remain always Greatest irrespective you will say it or not. He only wants humans to say that because Allah knows human psychology. For example, if one of your loved ones will have a serious injury. You will find the best specialist for his treatment and if an inexperienced or non specialist person suggests you a doctor and at the same time another experienced and specialist suggests you another doctor. To who’s suggestion, you will take? Answer; The suggestion of specialist because, you know the worth of his experience and believe in him. The same thing requires when you worship Allah and he sets different rewards and punishments for you for your better life. If the first step of belief will be weak in you then how you can be a strong believer and follow the Best religion, Islam? So, just to build a strong belief in human, Allah set the unbearable punishment. It is the single sin that has no forgiveness because it is the basic and most crucial level for Believers. Murder or killing is the Second biggest sin in Islam. Yet, it can be forgiven once a person has turned to Allah in repentance and expiated for it by doing good deeds. So every other sin will be forgiven on some chance but Shirk is not. It is not because Allah is egoistic; it is because He is Merciful and Wise. He knows how to build a strong belief of His presence in Believers and how much it is important to follow Islam and for true success of human.

 In the world, every man has a different way of working. Some need logic, some need a reason, some need reward and some need punishment to be straight on the right path. It is the way of getting rules or understanding the regulations of all humans. Some people when hearing about the punishment get fear and stop themselves to perform sin.

Muslims do many things to please Allah, then why non-Muslims are in the list of most successful persons in the world? (Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates)

 

Muslims do many things to please Allah then why non-Muslims are in the list of most successful persons in the world? (Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates)

 

Usually, we see only a small number of Muslims are successful or rich in the world. Muslims do many things to please Allah. They offer prayer, pay Zakat, do fasting, offer Hajj and believe in all those aspects that Allah wants them to believe then why Non- Muslims are more successful and these non-Muslims do nothing to please Allah. They even don't believe in Allah.

It is reported by Abu Huraira that;

 The Messenger of Allah, peace, and blessings be upon him, said, "I do not fear poverty for you, rather I fear that you will compete for riches. I do not fear for your mistakes, rather I fear for what you do on purpose.” (Musnad Aḥmad 8013)

 

The True Success of a Muslim

Prophet Muhammad Peace be Upon Him had this fear that His ummah will grow rich, will earn wealth and this wealth will become the cause of their sins. So wealth or being rich is not the criteria for success. Most of us consider that being successful means having more wealth and the more rich the person the more successful he is. In Quran, it is mentioned in Surah Al-Hujrat that true richness is the richness of Eman and Taqwa.

یٰۤاَیُّهَا النَّاسُ اِنَّا خَلَقْنٰكُمْ مِّنْ ذَكَرٍ وَّ اُنْثٰى وَ جَعَلْنٰكُمْ شُعُوْبًا وَّ قَبَآىٕلَ لِتَعَارَفُوْاؕ-اِنَّ اَكْرَمَكُمْ عِنْدَ اللّٰهِ اَتْقٰىكُمْؕ-اِنَّ اللّٰهَ عَلِیْمٌ خَبِیْرٌ(۱۳)

O mankind, indeed we have created you from male and female and made you people and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the noblest of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted. ( Al Hujrat 49:13).

 

The criteria of judgment in the sight of Allah are not cast, color, wealth, and money but RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Prophet Muhammad Peace be Upon Him said;

يَدْخُلُ فُقَرَاءُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ الْجَنَّةَ قَبْلَ أَغْنِيَائِهِمْ بِنِصْفِ يَوْمٍ وَهُوَ خَمْسُ مِائَةِ عَامٍ

The poor Muslims are admitted into Paradise before the rich by half a day. And that is five hundred years. (Sunan al-Tirmidhi 2354)

 

 A rich man has to give accounts of all his spending. He will be questioned about Zakat. Whereas, the poor man will get a hundred out of a hundred in Zakat because he doesn't need to pay Zakat. For this, we can even see the example of the most successful person in the world in the sight of Allah. Without any doubt, he is the Beloved Prophet Muhammad Peace be Upon Him. What he did leave behind? Did he leave behind wealth and money? No, He left behind Sahaba, who were the taught bearers of the world.

The direct lines from the last sermon of Prophet Mohammad Peace Be Upon Him;

"I leave behind me two things, the Quran and the Sunnah and if you follow these you will never go astray." "All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly."

 

Today, even though many Arab Muslims are counted as the richest persons in the world but still Muslims have no power like non-Muslims. The reason behind this is only that, we left the Quran and Sunnah. We divided and lost unity.

Who is the richest person in the world? Most of young Muslims will answer, "Jeff Bezos".  But, what did our Prophet Muhammad Peace be Upon Him said about the richest person in the world? He said;

 

رکعتاالفجر خیرمن الدنیا وما فیھا

"The two Rak'ah before the dawn (Fajr) prayer are better than this world and all it contains."

So we Believers of Islam just need to strive for the hereafter and the only thing that will be acceptable in the sight of Allah is on the day of judgment, it is not your money, not your wealth but it is your Good deeds, it's your righteous deeds. So, even if a person is rich in this world, he may not be rich in the hereafter. If a person runs behind money and wealth in this world and considers it a success, he may not get a share in the hereafter. Therefore for Muslims, the prime focus or the true richness is the richness of Iman, Taqwa.

“Success is based upon the Person's good deeds or the person's righteous deeds. So we need to understand that even though some people, maybe rich, may be wealthy but that is never the criteria to judge the success of Human beings.”

 

 

The basic principles of Religion Islam, 10 Commandments for Muslims

 

The basic principles of Religion Islam, Commandments and Prohibitions for Muslims

The Five Pillars of Islam

It is the need of time, to discuss the fundamental principles of this religion. The Five Pillars might be act as cornerstone of Religion Islam, even they explain the core concepts and regulations that every single Muslim has to accept and follow. 

1.     Shahadah (ٱلشَّهَادَةُ

The first and most basic pillar is called Shahadah. It describes the proclamation of one's faith in All-powerful and All-knowing Allah that is holding the existence of every living and nonliving thing. Furthermore, Shahadah makes the belief in worthiness of Prophets, angles and sanctities of Religious Books. Finally, believing in this pillar, Muslims must believe that Prophet Mohammad PBUH is the Marvelous Prophet of Allah. Shahadah is the key pillar of Islam. Every root of belief of Muslim grow from this pillar. 

لا الہ الا اللہ محمد رسول اللہ

There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger. 

2.     Salat (Salah)

The second Pillar of Islam is Salat. The word Salat means Prayer. For Muslim, it is the set of prayers that he has to offer 5 times a day. Allah commands more than 700 times in Quran to offer Salat.

Command to Pray

وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَارْكَعُوا مَعَ الرَّاكِعِينَ

“And establish Salah and give Zakah, and bow down (in worship) along with those who bow down (in worship)” (Surah Baqarah 2:43)

 

3.     Zakat

The Third Pillar of Religion Islam is realted to Zakat. This principle compels every Muslim to help poor people. Every believer has the responsibility of alms-giving.

4.     Sawm

The fourth core tenet of Islam is fasting during the month of Ramadan. The fast is from dawn to dusk of the day and its purpose is to practice generosity, self-control or self-resistance and piety.

5.     Hajj

 It commands to every Muslim to make a Hajj or Pilgrimage to Mecca once on a whole life.

"And proclaim that the people shall observe Hajj pilgrimage. They will come to you walking or riding on various exhausted (means of transportation). They will come from the farthest locations."

If any person, follow these principles, he has the strong pillars of his building of belief. Islam distinguishes from all other religions on the base of these five pillars. For example, Christians believe that, Jesus is the Son of God, and for Muslims Jesus was the great Prophet of Allah. Muslims believe that Allah is indivisible and only one (monotheistic). Muslims cannot agree with the statements of Jews, Christians or any non-Muslim who do not consider Muhammad PBUH and Jesus PBUH, the Prophets of Allah.

 

10           Most important Prohibitions and Commandments for Muslims

1. Do not Insult the Gods of others

“And insult not those whom they (disbelievers) worship besides Allah, lest they insult Allah wrongfully without knowledge” [al-An‘aam 6:108] 

2.     Do not lie"

Quran says about Liers

O you who believe! Be afraid of Allah, and be with those who are true (in word and deeds).[Al-Tawbah 9:119]

3.      Grateful to your Parents, Respect your Parents

“Be grateful to me and both your parents...” (Sura Luqman: Ayat 14).

 4.            Do not you hate Guests?

5.     Control your anger

6.      Feed the poor

وَيُطْعِمُونَ ٱلطَّعَامَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ مِسْكِينًۭا وَيَتِيمًۭا وَأَسِيرًا

And they give food, out of their love for Him (Allah), to the needy, and the orphan, and the captive, (Surah Al-Insan) 

7.           Do not take bribes, it is a Sin

8.     Do not waste

9.    Do not harm others (Believers)

10.   Do not make Fun of others

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا يَسْخَرْ قَوْمٌ مِنْ قَوْمٍ عَسَىٰ أَنْ يَكُونُوا خَيْرًا مِنْهُمْ

O ye who believe! Let not some men among you laugh at others: It may be that the (latter) are better than the (former) (Surah Al-Hujarat verse: 11)

There are many other commandments are also mentioned in Quran. These commandments are the basic need of every Muslim and also the keys of his success. Success needs Act, regulations, limitations, boundaries, self reflection and connection. Islam teach all of these. 

Relationship of Religion Islam and Environment

The Holy Quran and Environment 

 
 “He has let loose the two seas (the salt water and the sweet) meeting together. Between them is a barrier which none of them can transgress’’ (Surah Ar – Rahman 55:19-20)

Many people including the Muslims and non Muslims gave some questions, i.e. What does Quran say about Environment?, How Islam is related to Environment?, What is the exact relationship of Religion and Environment?, 

These verses represent the magic that human mind is unable to comprehend which is the separation between two seas that fail to meet even with the pressure of huge waves and storms. They own a barrier that human brain cannot explain.

The tafseer of this verse in the light of different books claim that the term two seas reflect most common water types on the global scale that are fresh water and salty water from the rivers and the seas in the respective manner. Surah Al Furqan verse 53;

وَ هُوَ الَّذِیْ مَرَجَ الْبَحْرَیْنِ هٰذَا عَذْبٌ فُرَاتٌ وَّ هٰذَا مِلْحٌ اُجَاجٌۚ-وَ جَعَلَ بَیْنَهُمَا بَرْزَخًا وَّ حِجْرًا مَّحْجُوْرًا

Also confirms this claim in the words that “one palatable and sweet and other salt and bitter”. In addition, the barrier between the two seas has basically two perspectives that are non-contradictory towards each other. These perspectives generally accepted are as follows.

v  In the first place, the scholars are agreed on the fact that a piece of land actually acts as a separation point between the seas and rivers as a result of which they fail to meet even though they have different destinations and different courses.

v  In the second place, as narrated by Imam al – Qurtubi, there lies an invisible barrier between the both seas laid by Allah Almighty that prevents the waters from amalgamating with each other. This barrier is what human brains are unable to comprehend.

The Holy Quran and Modern science 

The barrier is surely an example of wisdom of Allah Almighty. Till date, the science has discovered that each water type is actually pushing the other one in the opposite direction as a result of which an amalgamation between them never occurs. In addition, relative difference between their densities is high to an appreciable extent due to different components of salty water and fresh water as a result of which fresh water cannot enter in the boundary of salt water and vice versa as per Al-‘Allaamah at-Taahir ibn ‘Aashoor. In accordance to oceanographers, this barrier that can be dry patch of land or invisible one is the reason behind the separation of fresh water and salt water in particular. This is where the line between the Quran and the science actually diminishes as the science is bound to accept what Quran has explained 1400 years ago. Quran has relatinship with Environment from many years ago. Allah create this universe and also Quran.

This investigation in regard to barrier was carried out by a renowned researcher names as Captain Jacques Cousteau who is one of the largest marine scientist in the French history. He presented his results in the manner as follows.

The examination of results deduced by different scientists is clearly of the view that in seas, separation of different masses is done by some barriers in place that are quite contradictory to scientific explanations. In addition, the research shows that a peculiarity is present in density, the level of salinity and life forms of Mediterranean Sea as well. In addition, mass of water of Mediterranean Sea was different from mass of water of Atlantic Ocean that raised several questions as well. In the normal consequences, these seas should have no peculiarity in density, the level of salinity and life forms while merging at the strait of Gibraltar. At least, these factors of the twos seas should be very close if not same with each other. In reality, this situation is not observed as completely different structures are present at the place where the seas actually meet with each other. Through very close investigation, Captain Jacques Cousteau and his team analyzed a very important fact that left them all in an amazed state as water curtain was observed between the seas that was the reason behind why the waters never amalgamated with each other. These results provided confirmation for the work of German scientists who discover water barrier of the same kind in 1962 at Bab al-Mandab where the convergence of waters of Gulf of Aden and Red Sea takes place. This investigation was further carried out after which Captain Jacques Cousteau and his team confirmed that similar barriers are witnessed in the merging points of almost all seas that have peculiar nature and peculiar characteristics.

Another example of water barrier was observed where rivers of fresh water flow in the seas i.e. at the bays and the deltas. The taste of water at Estuary is little brackish especially at the few small areas where the water of river flows into the sea. This is where the wonder of Allah Almighty is visible as brackish water never flows back in the rivers that hold drinkable water. The reason behind it in scientific terms is water surfaces and bottom currents that never allow this amalgamation through any particular mean. All praise to Allah Almighty for setting up these barriers that restricts saline water from entering fresh water which is highly essential for the human life as it supports the life in particular on the Earth. In the other verse of Quran, this situation is also depicted as follows.

“And He is the One who merges the two bodies of water: one fresh and palatable and other salty and bitter, placing between them a barrier they cannot cross”.

This idea of separation of the seas is a true miracle of Allah Almighty that speaks of the control of him all over the globe. This is where the line between the Quran and the science actually diminishes as the science is bound to accept what Quran has explained 1400 years ago.