In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists).
The Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
The Only Owner (and the Only Ruling Judge) of the Day of Recompense (i.e. the Day of Resurrection).
You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything).
Guide us to the Straight Way.
The Way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace , not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger, nor of those who went astray.
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2. Why the Name 'Consider Islam' ?
'Consider' according to Oxford Dictionary means:
1. Contemplate mentally, esp. in order to reach a conclusion
2. Examine the merits of
3. Look attentatively at
4. Take into account; show consideration or regard for
Hence, the name 'Consider Islam'.
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3. Basic Principles: What is Islam? (part 1)
by Wassim Dannawi, New South Wales.
Islam
Islam is an Arabic word which means total submission to God, peace, purity, acceptance and commitment. As a religion, Islam calls for complete acceptance of the teachings and guidance of God.
Islam is a religion, but not in the western meaning of religion. The western connotation of the term "religion" is something between the believer and God. Islam is a religion that organizes all aspects of life on both the individual and national levels. Islam organizes your relations with God, with yourself, with your children, with your relatives, with your neighbor, with your guest, and with other brethren. Islam clearly establishes your duties and rights in all those relationships.
Islam contains complete systems of life. It establishes a clear system of worship, civil rights, laws of marriage and divorce, laws of inheritance, code of behavior, what not to eat and drink, what to wear, and what not to wear, and how to worship God. It also tells us how to govern, the laws of war and peace, when to go to war, when to make peace, the laws of economics, and the laws of buying and selling, etc.
Islam is a complete code of life. Islam is not for mosque only. Islam is for life, daily life. Islam is a guide to life in all its aspects: socially, ethically, economically, and politically. Islam is the complete constitution. Thus Islam keeps the Muslim away from confusion, because Islam is logical and rational. Allah is one. Allah is one Allah has no sons. Allah is not trinity. Allah does not kill to save. No mediation is required between Allah and man. Islam organizes human nature, but does not go against it. There is not a hierarchical class of clergy in Islam; nor is there celibacy. Islam is the complete code for human life.
Muslims
A Muslim is one who freely and willingly accepts the supreme power of God and strives to organize his life in total accord with the teachings of God. He also works for building social institutions which reflect the guidance of God.
"Muhammadanism" is a misnomer for Islam and offends its very spirit since the Prophet Muhammad was a messenger of God, and not a divine being worshipped by Muslims.
Muslims use the word "Allah" for the English word "God". The understanding of Deity in Islam differs from some of the connotations in the English word, God. For the convenience of English speaking readers, the word God is used except when the word "Allah" is in the quotations from the Qur'an.
Continuity of The Message
Islam is not a new religion. It is, in essence, the same message and guidance which God revealed to all His previous messengers.
"Say: We believe in Allah and that which was revealed to us, and that which was revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes and that which was given to Moses and Jesus and to the Prophets from their Lord; We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we submit". Qur'an 3:83
The message which was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is Islam in its comprehensive, complete and final form.
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4. The Position of Women in Islam
by Shifa Mustapha, Queensland.
Perhaps the most loudly-voiced misconception regarding Islam in Western nations is the one in which it is stated that women in Islam are considered unworthy, of no account, hence they are oppressed and ill-used.
Origin of misconception
It is little wonder that the position of women is so much the focus for those seeking equal human rights within Western nations, for this has been an area of gross injustice over the centuries which has only, during this last century, been addressed in any way at all.
It is because of those referred to as women’s liberationists (later known as women’s libbers) that the term women’s rights has become part of the modern English vocabulary, and that we see some of the inequalities being addressed.
Women had been degraded and devalued as human beings for a very long time in the Christian/Western civilisations. We know that they were not allowed to own property, in fact, to quote Bernard Shaw:
“The moment a woman marries, all her personal possessions become her husband’s in accordance with English Law.”
The position was that woman had no personal rights, being owned by her father and later by her husband. Certainly within society she had no voice, no say and no vote.
It was not until the 20th century that some of these inequalities were righted. However, even today it may be said that woman does not, within Western society have full equality with man.
Scriptural Inequality
The second reason that people are looking towards Islam as a root cause of this so-called inequality for Muslim women is that in Western societies the cause of such abject failure in affording women a place of respect was brought about due to religion.
The People of the Book - in this case the Christians - took to heart their scriptures in which it is said in Genesis 3:12
“And the man said, ‘The woman whom Thou gavest to be with me. She gave me of the tree and I did eat.’”
St. Paul further enforced this theme in 1 Tim.2:14,
“And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in transgression.”
By the time of St. Tertullian this was so rigid a belief that he wrote of women in de Coltu Feminarum,
“Do you know that each of you is an Eve? The sentence of God on this sex of yours lives in this age; the guilt must necessarily live also. You are the Devil’s gateway; you are the unsealer of that tree; you are the first deserter of the Divine Law; you are she who persuaded him when the devil was not valiant enough to attack. You destroyed so easily God’s image in man. On account of your deserts (i.e. death) even the Son of God had to die.”
The Global Scourge
The third reason for suspicion regarding the position of women other than those who are Western/Christian is that worldwide women have suffered dreadfully over the centuries and we have to acknowledge that for non-Muslim women, worldwide, there were no forms of equality, nor even rights - they were degraded and virtually enslaved.
Socrates is reported to have said,
“Woman is the greatest source of chaos and disruption In the world. She is like the Dafali tree which outwardly looks very beautiful, but if sparrows eat of it they will die without fail.”
In China women were described as “waters of woe” and were accorded no rights whatsoever - often female babies, even well into last century, were killed at birth.
Hinduism as stated by Professor Indra in Status of Women in Mahabharata held the belief that “There is no creature more sinful than woman. She is burning fire. She is the sharp edge of a razor - verily men should not love them.”
Also in the ordinance of Manu v.147, “A woman must never seek independence and must never do anything according to her mere pleasure.”
Women in Islam
So what of women in Islam?
During the sixth century - at a time when Arabia, along with the whole world, looked upon women as merely chattels and sources of pleasure and amusement; when for women humiliation was their constant companion, and darkness enveloped them; the Creator God, Allah, sent the Message of Islam to the holy Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, in which women were granted light and hope; respect and honour.
From a Scriptural point of view women in Islam have never had to bear the stigma of failure and evil which their Christian/Western sisters carried on behalf of Eve’s supposed disgrace.
The Qur’an stated of both Adam and Eve that they had fallen into the trap of Satan:
“Then did Satan make them slip from.. the state (of felicity) in which they had been….” Qur’an 2:36
This position is upheld also in Qur’an 17:19-24
Of mothers it was stated:
“Reverence the wombs that bore you..” Qur’an 4:1.
Of wives we read:
“O ye who believe! Ye are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should ye treat them with harshness…on the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity…” Qur’an 4:19
Of marriage generally we find:
“And among His signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves that you might live in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your hearts; Verily in that are signs for those who reflect.” Qur’an 30:21.
It should, therefore, come as no surprise that women were given many rights: The right to education; the right to play a worthy part in the community; to inheritance; to own and maintain their own businesses; to own property; as well as choice of husband.
A Muslim woman was also given the right to be protected, cared for, and her physical needs met - firstly as a daughter, then as a wife - later as a mother.
Religiously she had equality with man - many of the Qur’anic verses referring to both man and woman - as follows:
“The Believers, men and women, are protectors, one of another: they enjoin what is just, and forbid what is evil: they observe regular prayers, practice regular charity, and obey Allah and His Messenger; On them will Allah pour His mercy: for Allah is Exalted in power, Wise.” Qur’an 9:71
The Muslim Perception
While Western women may feel that they have achieved a great deal, they are still seeking an equality which, in effect, is elusive. Many have equated moral integrity, and family security and protection with gender inequality. Therefore they are, through, ignorance and spiritual blindness, rushing headlong down a road leading to destruction of the feminine part of themselves, as well as enabling destruction of the fabric of society.
What they have not taken into account is the fact that women and men are not equal in all aspects. Physically and emotionally, women and men differ, and in Islam this is recognised. This is for a very good reason. It is in this difference that mankind has been preserved.
Man being created stronger is protector and maintainer, the bringer of physical security to the family. Woman, with her softness and her maternal instinct, being nurturer. In this they have been created to complement each other. This does not exclude her from education or a useful position In the community; it does not take from her her spiritual rights. In fact, her position in Islam is one of honour.
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5. The Voice of New Muslims
by Nasirah Cavaney, Victoria.
From 'considering Islam' to embracing Islam as our way of life
New Converts – is the stereotype correct?
When people think of Muslim converts, what image comes to mind?
They may envision a woman so besotted by a Muslim man that she embraces Islam blindly so to be able to marry him.
A recent introduction to the portrayal of Muslim converts is of those shown on television fighting for the cause of Al Qaida.
Both of these images tend to make out that those who convert to Islam are either brainwashed or weak. Islam is a religion of logic and as Allah (swt) says in the Qur’an, truth stands out from error.
"Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in God hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And God heareth and knoweth all things." Qur'an 2:256
It is very true that many western women have married Muslim men only to become Muslim. What many do not realize is that these women sometimes become Muslim years after their marriage.
In Islamic law, a Muslim man may marry a practicing Jewish or Christian woman and there is no need for her conversion to Islam. After the marriage these women sometimes explore the faith their husband holds dear in hope of understanding him better or to help educate their children about Islam. They may then become interested for themselves and research Islam on a deeper more personal level. They tend to do this researching without their husband’s knowledge so that he does not influence their decision.
To change your belief system is a major change in your life and it is not something to change lightly.
What is the true profile of a typical western convert?
* Relatively young, between the ages of 25 and 40
* Idealistic
* Self sacrificing
* Non-conformist
* Non-materialistic
* An activist
* Very curious
* Highly opinionated. Stubborn. Confident. Contemplative.
* Tends toward rationalism as opposed to spiritualism in religion
* Well educated
* Socially and politically liberal
As you have read, Islam is a religion that attracts strong-minded individuals, people with reason and common sense.
Islam is a religion that has no barriers of race or age. Although the average convert, embraces Islam between the ages of 25 and 40 there are many who are much younger and much older. Allah (swt) sent it down for all nations of the world and all times.
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6. Islam and Comparative Religion by Muhammad Altaf, Western Australia.
Since this is the first edition, let us define Religion and categorize Religions.
Religion
According to:
Oxford Dictionary: (2001 Christian Era edition)
(a) The belief in the existence of a god or gods and the activities that are connected with the worship of them.
(b) One of the systems of faith that are based on the belief in the existence of particular god or gods.
Webster's Dictionary
The service and worship of god or the supernatural.
Reader's Digest: Universal Dictionary
The expressions of man’s belief in and reverence for a superhuman power or powers regarded as creating or governing the universe.
Categorization Of Religions (Major World Religions)
1. SEMITIC RELIGIONS:
According to the Bible, Prophet Noah (Peace be upon him) had a son named Shem. Those who were the descendents of Shem came to be known as Semites. The religion, the Semites followed is called the Semitic religion. The Semitic religions basically originated among the Jews, Arabs, Assyrians and Phoenicians. The modern day major Semitic religions are Judaism, Christianity and Islam (although Islam is a Universal religion but since the Glorious Qur’an was revealed amongst Arabs and the message was spread from them as such Islam has been included along with other Semitic religions).
Basic features of the major Semitic religions:
Generally we find that these Semitic religions at least in their claim have the common fundamentals for e.g. all these 3 major Semitic religions i.e. Judaism, Christianity and Islam believe in the concept of Monotheism (the existence of only one God worthy of worship). They believe in Revelations from God for guidance of the mankind in the Do’s and Don’ts of life and the belief in the Hereafter. All these 3 religions are said to be Prophetic religions because they believe that at different periods of time since the beginning of the history of mankind on earth, the Almighty God kept sending Prophets and Messengers for the mankind in order to guide them in matters in which they differed.
Unlike followers of other religions, the followers of Christianity and Islam claim exclusiveness for their respective religions, therefore followers of both these religions propagate their teachings.
2. NON-SEMITIC RELIGIONS:
The non-Semitic religions are basically divided as non-Aryan and Aryan religions.
Non-Aryan Religions:
The popular non-Aryan religions are from different origins for e.g. Confucianism and Taoism are of Chinese origin. Shintoism is of Japanese origin.
Mostly these non-Semitic, non-Aryan religions are referred as ethical systems because they do not have a basic concept of God.
Aryan Religions:
According to certain historical sources recorded in Encyclopedia Britannica we come to know that the Aryas are the followers of Aryan religion. These Aryas are assumed to be a powerful group of Indo-European speaking people that spread through Iran and Northern India in the first half of the second millennium BC.
Non-Vedic & Vedic Religions:
Non-Vedic religions are those which do not believe in the teachings of Vedas as the word of God. For e.g. Zoroastrianism is supposed to be Aryan, non-Semitic, non-Vedic religion. Zoroastrianism is a non-Semitic, Aryan religion that claims to be a Prophetic Religion (the belief that God sent Prophets).
The other non-Vedic religions are Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism etc. The major most non-Semitic, Aryan, Vedic religion is the modern day Hinduism said to be a misnomer for Brahmanism.
