GENDER EQUALITY IN ISLAM

 

GENDER EQUALITY IN ISLAM

Does Islam subjugates Women? On what basis Islam distinguishes between Men and Women?

Unfortunately, some Muslim cultures and practices may indeed lead us to the conclusion that in Islam women are oppressed and deprived of their basic human rights. However, if you will examine objectively, the primary sources of evidence in Islam, namely the Glorious Quran and the Hadith, you will find that it has not only guaranteed the fundamental human rights for women but also it secured those rights.

In the Glorious Quran Allah Almighty mentioned that men and women are spiritually equal.

 

وَمَن يَعۡمَلۡ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ مِن ذَكَرٍ أَوۡ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤۡمِنٞ

 فَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ يَدۡخُلُونَ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ وَلَا يُظۡلَمُونَ

 نَقِيرٗا

“And whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer - those will enter Paradise and will not be wronged, [even as much as] the speck on a date seed.”  (Surah An-Nisa: 124)

 

A few years ago, discussion about the rights of women began to emerge in the western context but in Islam, from 1400 years ago women's rights are defined. Men and women are equal in the sight of Allah Almighty. Allah Almighty is the master and all are His creation, He does not distinguish between a male and a female based on gender but on biologically and physically. In fact from an Islamic paradigm, Allah Almighty does not distinguish between human beings based on their color or race but rather He looks at their hearts and their actions. And this is beautifully exemplified in the Glorious Quran in many of its verses. For example;

  

“Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fast women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so – for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.” (Surah Al-Ahzab, 35)

 

In this particular verse, Allah Almighty clearly shows that in His sight, men and women are equal in terms of their spirituality, conduct, moral ethics, or actions. Men and women are equal in Islam but based on the makeup of their creation by Allah Almighty, they are different physiologically, psychologically, and biologically. Depending upon their makeup Allah Almighty set rules for them. For example, men and women are at times allotted different rights and cultural expectations. The Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) states that;

"A man is expected to be the "guardian of [his] family," whereas a woman is expected to be the "guardian of her husband's home and his children."(Sahih Bukhari 9:89:252)

 

The Western people or non-Muslims who speak against Islam and say, Islam, subjugates women because of not giving them equal rights in Olympics, sports, forces, and inheritance. Let's take a brief review of their behavior with women. What are they doing with women? In their Olympics and sports, why do women and men have separate teams? Why they don't make one team of boys and another of girls and set a match between them? Why do they prefer to show girls over boys in their ads? I have answers to these questions. They do because they are well known for the difference in physical power and beauty attraction between men and women. While on the other side, they evaluate the intelligence of men and women together in exams because they know that men and women are equal in intelligence. The western world knows but they don't want to admit it and they are subjugating the women.

 

However, in many fields of life men and women stand together but in some fields, Islam separates them. Depending upon this Allah Almighty set rules for them like women have to give birth to children and if Allah Almighty orders the women to go on Jihad, it would be a very tough practice for them. So, Islam favors women in many situations but does not subjugate them. In Islam, women have the rights of marriage, education, economics, property, vote, and business under sacred law or Sharia. Men are stronger than women and Allah Almighty created men for the protection of their women. In the Glorious Quran Allah Almighty mentioned;

 

ٱلرِّجَالُ قَوَّٰمُونَ عَلَى ٱلنِّسَآءِ

"Men are in charge of women." (Surah An-Nisa: 34)

 

Therefore Islam behaves equally to men and women but not identically. It can be more understandable through this example if two players got the same number of gold medals in last decade. Now by the progress, they stand on the same point but they both were appeared in every annual match and played against one another, but maybe player A lost the first one and player B won, and in the next match, player B lost and player A won. So, in some matches player A won, and in some matches player B won but now they have the same points of progress and their success is equal but not identical.

Why is the share given to Men in Islam regarding inheritance is double than that given to women?

 

Why does son receives  double the  share  of a daughter?

It is often stated in modern times that Islam oppress women by giving them half of their inheritance than that of men. Being Muslims we have a strong belief in ALLAH Almighty’s immutable features and this belief keeps such objections from affecting our thoughts and heart. The Glorious Quran says;

"ALLAH Almighty is no oppressor for His slaves." (Surah Al-Hajj: 10)

 

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَظۡلِمُ مِثۡقَالَ ذَرَّةٖۖ

Indeed! ALLAH Almighty is not unjust even as much as an atom’s weight (Surah An-Nisa: 40)

 

Muslim believes that ALLAH Almighty is a just judge and He does not do any kind of injustice to humans or any of His creatures. The statements of the Quran give us a firm conviction in ALLAH Almighty’s decisions. Therefore, such arguments or complaints by Non-Muslims cannot not shake our belief but rather calls for a critical analysis of inheritance law description by the Glorious Quran.

 

The distinction in inheritance is not because of the Gender of the heir but of a Logical Reason

First, understand the amount of inheritance according to the level of relationship to the dead. Regardless of gender in heir, the closer the kinship to the deceased, the more a person will get in inheritance. For example, an deceased woman's daughter receives half of the inheritance while the husband of an deceased woman only receives 1/4 (one-fourth). This is because of the level of closed relationship with deceased woman. But when we talk about the distinction of inheritance between siblings, it comes to half for daughters by father. The logic behind this difference is;

Financial Responsibility

The male is responsible for the financial service of his wife, whereas, for his married sister's financial maintenance, her husband or son is responsible. So, the woman gets favor in every practical purpose of life even though she is not responsible to spend her inheritance's money on household expenditures, and is hers to spend as she pleases. In Islam, it is the man who bears the financial burden before a woman is married the father and brother and after she is married it is the husband and son who look after her lodging, clothing, and all financial aspects. In the religion of Islam men treat women like "The Queen" who has no worries of financial difficulty. 

To make it more considerable, I would like to add an example and your mind will understand it correctly. For instance, a father died and after giving the inheritance part to all the deserving relatives of the deceased father. The property of 60,000 PKR left.  This portion is for daughter and son, as the deceased father had one daughter and one son so, the son will get double 40,000 PKR than the daughter who will get 20,000 PKR. Is it injustice? No, because the son has the financial burden of his family and he is going to spend 90% of it on his family, while the daughter is just like the princess and she has no financial burden and the 20,000 PKR is only for her. Therefore every Commandment of ALLAH Almighty has wisdom and logic behind it and we must analyze them and learn good acts from Islam. 

The most specific share division of Inheritance from the Glorious Quran;

“Allah instructs you concerning your children: for the male, what is equal to the share of two females? But if there are [only] daughters, two or more, for them is two-thirds of one's estate. And if there is only one, for her is half. And for one's parents, to each one of them is a sixth of his estate if he left children. But if he had no children and the parents [alone] inherit from him, then for his mother is one third. And if he had brothers [or sisters], for his mother is a sixth, after any bequest he [may have] made or debt. Your parents or your children - you know not which of them are nearest to you in benefit. [These shares are] an obligation [imposed] by Allah. Indeed, Allah is ever Knowing and Wise.” (Surah An-Nisa: 11)

 

“And for you is half of what your wives leave if they have no child. But if they have a child, for you is one-fourth of what they leave, after any bequest they [may have] made or debt. And for the wives is one-fourth if you leave no child. But if you leave a child, then for them is an eighth of what you leave, after any bequest you [may have] made or debt. And if a man or woman leaves neither ascendants nor descendants but has a brother or a sister, then for each one of them is a sixth. But if they are more than two, they share a third, after any bequest which was made or debt, as long as there is no detriment [caused]. [This is] an ordinance from Allah, and Allah is Knowing and Forbearing.” (Surah An-Nisa: 12

 

There are several verses of the Glorious Quran that give instructions on inheritance on several bases and in some cases, women get an equal share to men. For example;

·         If the deceased person leaves a mother, a father, and a son's son

·         If the deceased person leaves a blood brother and sister

·         If the deceased person leaves blood brothers, sisters, or full sisters

·         If the deceased person leaves a maternal grandmother, a father, and a son's son

·         If the deceased person leaves a husband, a mother, two blood sisters (A half sister having the same mother but a different father), and a full brother

 

There are also some cases where women get more than men in inheritance. For example;

·         If the deceased person leaves a husband and one daughter

·         If the deceased person leaves a husband and two daughters

·         If the deceased person leaves a daughter and maternal uncle

 

Some other verses are also for inheritance distribution. For example, in;

·         Surah Al- Baqarah Verse: 180

·         Surah Al-Baqarah Verse: 240

·         Surah An-Nisa Verse: 19

·         Surah An-Nisa Verse: 33

·         Surah An-Nisa Verse: 79

 

 

 

 

WOMEN AS MOTHER, WIFE, AND DAUGHTER IN ISLAM

 

WOMEN AS MOTHER, WIFE, AND DAUGHTER IN ISLAM

 

Before Islam women were extremely mistreated. Newborn female babies were buried alive. They were sold just like other commodities. In this age of Darkness Islam was the first monotheistic religion to introduce the rights of women. It is the only religion that led the world to woman's rights.

The honor of Mother in Islam

The word "Mother" is not only the synonym of Love but also a relationship that is referred by Allah Almighty to discuss His love for a human. He says "I love my men more than 70 mothers." It raised the status of a woman as the mother to the greatest level and in Islam serving a mother is not only an act of generosity but is also rewarded in heaven. It is also mentioned in the Glorious Quran to behave well with our parents.

 

وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعۡبُدُوٓاْ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ وَبِٱلۡوَٰلِدَيۡنِ إِحۡسَٰنًاۚ إِمَّا يَبۡلُغَنَّ عِندَك

 ٱلۡكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَآ أَوۡ كِلَاهُمَا

 فَلَا تَقُل لَّهُمَآ أُفّٖ وَلَا تَنۡهَرۡهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوۡلٗا كَرِيمٗ

"And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age (while) with you, say not to them (so much as), "uff", and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word." (QS. Al-Isra: 23).

Also in Hadith Book it is mentioned;

Once, a companion sought Prophet (SAW)'s permission to participate in the Jihaad. Prophet (PBUH) asked if his mother was still living. Getting the answer in the affirmative, Prophet (PBUH) advised him to look after and attend to his mother as Paradise is close to her feet. [Ibne Majah, Nisai]

 

The honor of Daughter in Islam

Allah Almighty announced the gift of heaven for every father who raises his daughters according to the rules of Islam, fulfills their basic needs, and hands them over to marry legally.

In Hadith it is mentioned;

"Whoever takes care of two girls until they reach adulthood - he and I will come (together) on the Day of Resurrection - and he interlaced his fingers (meaning in Paradise)." (Reported by Muslim).

 

So the position of daughters in Islam is great and also a kind of encouragement for them. As neither of Prophet Muhammad's (Peace be Upon Him) sons survived but he did not mourn at them. Instead, the love of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) for his daughter Fatima(R.A) reflects the love for daughters in Islam. As Islam does not give preference to sons over beautiful daughters. For the haters of the daughter, it's mentioned in Quran;

 

"If you dislike them, it may be that you dislike a thing and Allah brings through it a great deal of good." (An-Nisa' 4:19)

 

The honor of Wife in Islam

A wife in Islam is also never to be put down or taken for granted and she has permission to balance her duties and goals without disappointing her husband. In English wife can be called a "housewife" but in Arabic, she is called as "Rabbaitul Bait" or the "Queen of the house". So this is a brief description of the honor of a woman in Islam. It is stated in Islam:

 

"And among His signs is that He created for you mates from among yourselves that you may live in tranquility with them, and He had put love and mercy between you; Verily, in that are signs for people who reflect."

 

The marriage is not only for a physical or emotional purpose but it is a sign from ALLAH Almighty. It is the mutual relationship between woman and man based on divine guidance. Islam gives the right of kind treatment to the wife. As Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) said;

 

"The most perfect believers are the best in conduct. And the best of you are those who are best to their wives."

ALLAH Almighty stated in His glorious book that He created mates and tranquility, love and mercy between them. Islam gives the absolute right to a woman over Mahr/alimony. Islam also gives the charge to the husband as a guardian to his wife who can support his wife as a senior partner in life.

 

ٱلرِّجَالُ قَوَّٰمُونَ عَلَى ٱلنِّسَآءِ بِمَا فَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ بَعۡضَهُمۡ عَلَىٰ بَعۡضٖ وَبِمَآ أَنفَقُواْ مِنۡ أَمۡوَٰلِهِمۡۚ

 فَٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتُ قَٰنِتَٰتٌ حَٰفِظَٰتٞ لِّلۡغَيۡبِ بِمَا حَفِظَ ٱللَّهُۚ وَٱلَّٰتِي تَخَافُونَ نُشُوزَهُنَّ فَعِظُوهُنَّ وَٱهۡجُرُوهُنَّ

 فِي ٱلۡمَضَاجِعِ وَٱضۡرِبُوهُنَّۖ فَإِنۡ أَطَعۡنَكُمۡ فَلَا تَبۡغُواْ عَلَيۡهِنَّ سَبِيلًاۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيّٗا كَبِيرٗا

"Husbands should take care of their wives with [the bounties] Allah has given to some more than others and with what they spend out of their own money. Righteous wives are devout and guard what Allah would have them guard in their husbands' absence." (Surah An-Nisa: 34).

 

To conclude all aforementioned things about Honor of Women in Islam, I would to create a question and that is how women should get benefit from this honor and maintains it for lifelong?

Many Muslims and non-Muslims argues about the restrictions for women in Islam, but Islam or its Creator cannot make mistakes. So, the rights that Islam gives to women are supreme and no doubt it gives the greatest honor to women being as Mother, daughter, sister or wife but in return women have great responsibility of nation, house, husband, and children.

"The Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) said: 'Women are the (equal) sisters of men'. Women make up half of society and they are responsible for the nurturing, guidance and reformation of the subsequent generations of men and women. It is the female who imbues principles and faith into the souls of the nation."

“It is the requirement of this age. The whole world is facing a lot of crises and being Muslim women, we can help them out through performing our duties under the rules of Islam as mother, daughter and wife.”

The honor of Women in Islam

 

THE HONOR OF WOMEN IN ISLAM

I would like to do a quick analysis of the time before the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him). So before Islam in the Arab peninsula when girls were born and someone come and tell the father that a female child was born to his wife. His face used to go dark with shame and anger and then he used to contemplate how do I get rid of myself of this Museebat. Then some Arabs didn't do that but many of them would go and dig a hole and bury the female child alive. Other than Arabia, in the subcontinent of India women had another kind of challenge. There traditionally all the men used to marry younger girls and then naturally as men died first and yet girl remained alive, the religion and culture required the young girl would be burnt with  corpse of her husband. Then they make firewood and the young girl had to sit on top of it. And then they used to lit the fire. Besides this, in Europe people didn't consider women human, and then later the catholic church said women are human but defected. They said the woman is inevitably evil like her mother eve who took the man out of the favor of Allah Almighty and make him eat from a forbidden tree. So, this was the situation of women before Islam and in this climate, Islam came. Allah Almighty honored the world with Islam. One of the first revelations of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) was about;

 

وَإِذَا ٱلۡمَوۡءُۥدَةُ سُئِلَتۡ

And when the girl [who was] buried alive is asked

بِأَيِّ ذَنۢبٖ قُتِلَتۡ

For what sin she was killed? ( Surah At-Takwir)

 

Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) established  this act is Haram in Islam. Even, in these days Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) was finding survival difficulties of his own life but He was preaching emancipation of womankind. Islam called the news of female birth glad tidings.

وَإِذَا بُشِّرَ أَحَدُهُم بِٱلۡأُنثَىٰ ظَلَّ وَجۡهُهُۥ مُسۡوَدّٗا وَهُوَ كَظِيمٞ

And when one of them is informed of [the birth of] a female, his face becomes dark, and he suppresses grief. (Surah An-Nahl)

There is even one chapter in the Glorious Quran devoted to women and named "An-Nisa" which means women. In old times women did not get any part of inheritances when their relatives died. So Allah Almighty revealed a verse about inheritance, giving the just of it to women. Then in the end mentioned both sexes, male and female as well, have the right to inherit what is left by a late relative.

Allah instructs you concerning your children: for the male, what is equal to the share of two females? But if there are [only] daughters, two or more, for them is two-thirds of one's estate. And if there is only one, for her is half. And for one's parents, to each one of them is a sixth of his estate if he left children. But if he had no children and the parents [alone] inherit from him, then for his mother is one third. And if he had brothers [or sisters], for his mother is a sixth, after any bequest he [may have] made or debt. Your parents or your children - you know not which of them are nearest to you in benefit. [These shares are] an obligation [imposed] by Allah. Indeed, Allah is ever Knowing and Wise. (Surah An-Nisa: 11)

 

In Islam, the rank of a mother is more dignified or glorified, even before that of a father. This is witnessed in one of the Prophet Muhammad's (Peace be Upon Him) hadith that follows:

An apostle asked the Prophet PBUH: "O Messenger of Allah Almighty, among all mankind who is it that I am much obliged to glorify?" The Prophet answered, "Your mother." "And then who else?" again the man asked. "Your mother," again the Prophet answered. "And then who else?" the man ask for the third time. "Your mother still answered the Prophet. "And then who else?" asked the man for the fourth time. "Your father," at last the Prophet said.

Subhanallah (Glory be to God). Women are ranked in such great and noble positions as they are mentioned by three times in a row by our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him). So do you see that initially women were very downtrodden but Islam lifted them up. So the rank of Women in Islam is extremely high that not any other Religion can compete with it. But you know, the greatest ranks or positions also have greatest responsibilities. If you are a girl, Islam makes you so much more important, but what responsibilities it is giving to you?

 

 

Muslim by Coincidence or Muslim by Choice

 

Muslim by Coincidence or Muslim by Choice

Have you ever thought of why a Muslim person was born into a Muslim family and a Non-Muslim one into a non-Muslim family? Is it the fault of humans born into a particular family? Have I been special for Allah Almighty that he make me Muslim since my birth? Do the people who are Muslims by birth have pure faith? 

Many times people ask these types of questions whenever they see a great number of people who opt for Islam by their choice and practice it more competitively.

I observed some of my Muslim Srilankan friends who are living in a non-Muslim country but practicing Islam in a far superior manner than us who are Muslims by birth and living in Muslim country. You also observed that people from non-Islamic religious systems converted to Islam and become good Muslim than the customary ones. What's the reason behind it?

In Glorious Quran Allah Almighty says;

 

وَإِذۡ أَخَذَ رَبُّكَ مِنۢ بَنِيٓ ءَادَمَ مِن ظُهُورِهِمۡ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمۡ 

وَأَشۡهَدَهُمۡ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡ أَلَسۡتُ بِرَبِّكُمۡۖ قَالُواْ 

بَلَىٰ شَهِدۡنَآۚ أَن تَقُولُواْ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ إِنَّا كُنَّا عَنۡ هَٰذَا غَٰفِلِينَ

 And [mention] when your Lord took from the children of Adam -  from their loins - their descendants and made them testify of themselves, [saying to them], "Am I not your Lord?" They said, "Yes, we have testified." [This] -  lest you should say on the day of Resurrection, "Indeed, we were of this unaware." (Surah Al-A'raf: 172)

 

 

 This verse significantly illustrates the fact devotion of humans to Allah as the primary covenant and then messages escorted by all the Prophets of Allah Almighty as secondary covenant meant to revive the primary covenant.

In Hadith book;

Abu Huraira reported: The Prophet, peace, and blessings be upon him, said, "No child is born but that he is upon instinct. His parents make him a Jew, a Christian, or a Magian. As an animal delivers a child with limbs intact, do you detect any flaw?” Then, Abu Huraira recited the verse, “The nature of Allah upon which he has set people. (Sahih Bukhari: 1292)

 

Every human being is equally vulnerable to whether or not they revert to Islam. Allah Almighty is Just for everyone, He do not  prefer anyone to born in Muslim family. Here I used the word "revert" not "convert" because the word converted to Islam is wrong because every child is born a Muslim and when he comes back to Islam he is reverted to Islam or his instinct. Some people get influenced by their parents and remained Jewish or Christian. But some find the right path and came back to Islam irrespective of the influence of their parents.

 

Idealizing this journey as individuals, through our research, putting Allah Almighty as our foremost noteworthiness in life enables us to identify the energized Aqeedah (Faith) of the first covenant, the one instinct in us.  Quran is the most refined guidance as final truth till the day of Judgment for the whole of Mankind. Finding the virtuous path and journeying from non-Muslim to Muslim is to truly find Allah. It is to coordinate oneself to the frequency of Aqeedah (faith) and to realize the Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) instructions as our eventual Salvation.

 

Another thing, people born into a Muslim family, they all will not go to heaven and people born into a non-Muslim family, they all will not go to hell. Saying only the Kalima Tayibah can not ensure heaven for Muslims. The requirements of heaven are given in glorious Quran.

إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ لَفِي خُسۡر(2)

إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ وَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِٱلصَّبۡرِ(3)

 

Indeed, mankind is at a loss, Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.

 

These two verses explain four minimum requirement of Heaven.

First: “Except such as have Faith”

Second: “And do righteous deeds”

Third: “And recommend one another to the Truth”

Fourth: “And recommend one another to patience”

 

Therefore, being born into a Muslim or non-Muslim family doesn't matter. Everyone is Muslim by birth. The need is to find the righteous path by them. The people who are Muslims by coincidence or by birth, they also have to discover Allah Almighty and the purpose of their lives to become the Muslims by choice.

 

Answer this question.

Are you a Muslim by Coincidence or a Muslim by Choice?

 

 

 

 

Why Non- Muslims who are more righteous than Muslims will go to Hell?

 

Why Non- Muslims who are more righteous than Muslims will go to Hell?

Is not Allah unjust to put non-Muslims who are more righteous into hell and just for the Muslims who are not righteous to put into heaven? Will Good righteous non-Muslims like Mother Teresa go to hell? Why only Muslims will go to Paradise and non-Muslims will go to hell? What are its references in the Glorious Quran?

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَظۡلِمُ مِثۡقَالَ ذَرَّةٖۖ وَإِن تَكُ حَسَنَةٗ يُضَٰعِفۡهَا وَيُؤۡتِ مِن لَّدُنۡهُ أَجۡرًا عَظِيمٗا

Indeed, Allah does not do injustice, [even] as much as an atom's weight; while if there is a good deed, He multiplies it and gives Himself a great reward. (Surah An-Nisa: 40)

Allah is the justest, He will not do even a minute fraction of injustice. As far as the question is concerned, we have to understand what is the meaning of righteousness and who is the righteous person. I will give you some examples to understand the importance of Tauheed to get a place in Heaven. I hope you all know that in the education system, we have practical exams besides theory exams. To pass the subject you have to pass the practical exam as well, it is compulsory. If you fail the Practical exam and pass the theory exam of the same subject, it means you fail the theory exam as well. No matter how many good marks you achieve in the theory exam. If you want to pass the exam you have to pass the practical exam. You cannot argue because this is a rule set. So, in Islam, the compulsory paper is Tauheed, the first pillar of Islam. You should believe in only one God (Allah Almighty) and Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) as a messenger of Allah. It is compulsory, if you fail in this you fail the test of righteousness. You may do as many good deeds but if you do not believe this you are not righteous.

 

If I say Allah Almighty sets the Five pillars of Islam in sequence according to their compulsion.  And this world is the exam for the hereafter. In this exam paper, you have 10 questions of hundred (100) marks. The first question is Tauheed and carries 51 marks. The other four questions are based on Salah, Zakat, Saum, and Hajj. These four questions carry 30 marks. The remaining 19 marks are for other small good deeds. To pass the exam you have to score 50 marks. And if you will get zero marks in the first question which is Tauheed and being a non-Muslim you do not believe in the oneness of Allah and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as His messenger. You cannot pass this exam.

 Allah says in Holy Quran;

 

 ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَ ٱلۡمَوۡتَ وَٱلۡحَيَوٰةَ لِيَبۡلُوَكُمۡ أَيُّكُمۡ أَحۡسَنُ عَمَلٗاۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡغَفُورُ

 [He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed - and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving. (Surah Al-Mulk: 2)

 

Allah Almighty has sent us into this world as a test for the hereafter and the rules and regulations he laid down in the Quran as His last and final revelation. He kept on sending revelation, when the moment got more corrupted He sent a new revelation and His new messenger. There were many revelations sent on the face of the earth. But the last and final revelation is the glorious Quran and the last and final messenger is Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him). So, sometimes these types of questions came into our mind like, this non-muslims is very honest, and what are the marks for his honesty? Answer: Maybe this honest person gets five marks on the paper of 100 marks. Or any other person who is more charitable, he maybe gets 10 marks. But out of 100 marks, these 5 or 10 marks will not make him pass the examination. The best would be a Muslim, who believed in Tauheed, offer Salah, give charity/Zakat, fast and does the Hajj, and does other good deeds like good to neighbors, love his parents, do not gamble, etc. He will get maybe more than 90 marks on paper and he would be the best Muslim. 

The main thing we need to understand is "what is righteousness?"

Allah says in Holy Quran;

 

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقۡنَٰكُم مِّن ذَكَرٖ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلۡنَٰكُمۡ شُعُوبٗا وَقَبَآئِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوٓاْۚ إِنَّ أَكۡرَمَكُمۡ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ

 أَتۡقَىٰكُمۡۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٞ 

O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples 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. (Surah Al-Hujrat: 13)

 

This verse depicts the criteria of Judgement in the sight of Allah Almighty, it is not gender, not wealth, not color, not race, but it is TAQWA. It is righteousness and God's consciousness. So, Allah is not unjust to put No-Muslims into Hell. He has set all the rules and regulations for us to be more righteous with detailed explanations in the Glorious Quran. Refusing the oneness of Allah Almighty is the biggest sin in Islam. So, how the Non-Muslims who have been refusing oneness of Allah Almighty from the start of their lives till end, can go to heaven?

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.