Muslims respect and revere Jesus (peace
be upon him). They consider him one of the greatest of God’s
messengers to mankind. The Quran confirms his virgin birth, and a
chapter of the Quran is entitled ‘Maryam’ (Mary). The Quran describes
the birth of Jesus as follows:
(Remember) when the angels said, “O Mary, God gives you good news of a
word from Him (God), whose name is the Messiah Jesus, son of Mary,
revered in this world and the Hereafter, and one of those brought near
(to God). He will speak to the people from his cradle and as a man, and
he is of the righteous.” She said, “My Lord, how can I have a child
when no mortal has touched me?” He said, “So (it will be). God creates
what He wills. If He decrees a thing, He says to it only, ‘Be!’ and it
is.” (Quran, 3:45-47)
Jesus was born miraculously by the command of God, the same command that
had brought Adam into being with neither a father nor a mother. God
has said:
The case of Jesus with God is like the case of Adam. He created him
from dust, and then He said to him, “Be!” and he came into being.
(Quran, 3:59)
During his prophetic mission, Jesus performed many miracles. God tells us that Jesus said:
“I have come to you with a sign from your Lord. I make for you the
shape of a bird out of clay, I breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by
God’s permission. I heal the blind from birth and the leper. And I
bring the dead to life by God’s permission. And I tell you what you eat
and what you store in your houses....” (Quran, 3:49)
Muslims believe that Jesus was not crucified. It was the plan of Jesus’
enemies to crucify him, but God saved him and raised him up to Him.
And the likeness of Jesus was put over another man. Jesus’ enemies took
this man and crucified him, thinking that he was Jesus. God has said:
...They said, “We killed the Messiah Jesus, son of Mary, the messenger
of God.” They did not kill him, nor did they crucify him, but the
likeness of him was put on another man (and they killed that man)...
(Quran, 4:157)
Neither Muhammad nor Jesus came to change the basic doctrine of the
belief in one God, brought by earlier prophets, but rather to confirm
and renew it.
Source: islam-guide.com
Human Rights and Justice in Islam
Islam provides many human rights for the individual. The following are some of these human rights that Islam protects.
The life and property of all citizens in an Islamic state are considered
sacred, whether a person is Muslim or not. Islam also protects honor.
So, in Islam, insulting others or making fun of them is not allowed.
The Prophet Muhammad said: {Truly your blood, your property, and your
honor are inviolable.}1
Racism is not allowed in Islam, for the Quran speaks of human equality in the following terms:
O mankind, We have created you from a male and a female and have made
you into nations and tribes for you to know one another. Truly, the
noblest of you with God is the most pious.2 Truly, God is All-Knowing,
All-Aware. (Quran, 49:13)
Islam rejects certain individuals or nations being favored because of
their wealth, power, or race. God created human beings as equals who
are to be distinguished from each other only on the basis of their faith
and piety. The Prophet Muhammad said: {O people! Your God is one and
your forefather (Adam) is one. An Arab is not better than a non-Arab
and a non-Arab is not better than an Arab, and a red (i.e. white tinged
with red) person is not better than a black person and a black person is
not better than a red person,3 except in piety.}4
One of the major problems facing mankind today is racism. The developed
world can send a man to the moon but cannot stop man from hating and
fighting his fellow man. Ever since the days of the Prophet Muhammad ,
Islam has provided a vivid example of how racism can be ended. The
annual pilgrimage (Hajj) to Makkah shows the real Islamic brotherhood of
all races and nations, when about two million Muslims from all over the
world come to Makkah to perform the pilgrimage.
Islam is a religion of justice. God has said:
Truly God commands you to give back trusts to those to whom they are
due, and when you judge between people, to judge with justice....
(Quran, 4:58)
And He has said:
...And act justly. Truly, God loves those who are just. (Quran, 49:9)
We should even be just with those who we hate, as God has said:
...And let not the hatred of others make you avoid justice. Be just: that is nearer to piety.... (Quran, 5:8)
The Prophet Muhammad said: {People, beware of injustice,5 for injustice shall be darkness on the Day of Judgment.}6
And those who have not gotten their rights (i.e. what they have a just
claim to) in this life will receive them on the Day of Judgment, as the
Prophet said: {On the Day of Judgment, rights will be given to those to
whom they are due (and wrongs will be redressed)...}7
_____________________________
Footnotes:
(1) Narrated in Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #1739, and Mosnad Ahmad, #2037.
(2) A pious person is a believer who abstains from all kinds of sins,
performs all good deeds that God commands us to do, and fears and loves
God.
(3) The colors mentioned in this Prophetic saying are examples. The
meaning is that in Islam no one is better than another because of his
color, whether it is white, black, red, or any other color.
(4) Narrated in Mosnad Ahmad, #22978.
(5) i.e. oppressing others, acting unjustly, or doing wrong to others.
(6) Narrated in Mosnad Ahmad, #5798, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #2447.
(7) Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #2582, and Mosnad Ahmad, #7163.
Source: islam-guide.com
The Family in Islam
The family, which is the basic unit of
civilization, is now disintegrating. Islam’s family system brings the
rights of the husband, wife, children, and relatives into a fine
equilibrium. It nourishes unselfish behavior, generosity, and love in
the framework of a well-organized family system. The peace and security
offered by a stable family unit is greatly valued, and it is seen as
essential for the spiritual growth of its members. A harmonious social
order is created by the existence of extended families and by treasuring
children.
Source: islam-guide.com
What Is the Status of Women in Islam?
Islam sees a woman, whether single or
married, as an individual in her own right, with the right to own and
dispose of her property and earnings without any guardianship over her
(whether that be her father, husband, or anyone else). She has the
right to buy and sell, give gifts and charity, and may spend her money
as she pleases. A marriage dowry is given by the groom to the bride for
her own personal use, and she keeps her own family name rather than
taking her husband’s.
Islam encourages the husband to treat his wife well, as the Prophet
Muhammad said: {The best among you are those who are best to their
wives.}1
Mothers in Islam are highly honored. Islam recommends treating them in
the best way. A man came to the Prophet Muhammad and said, “O
Messenger of God! Who among the people is the most worthy of my good
companionship?” The Prophet said: {Your mother.} The man said, “Then
who?” The Prophet said: {Then your mother.} The man further asked,
“Then who?” The Prophet said: {Then your mother.} The man asked
again, “Then who?” The Prophet said: {Then your father.}2
_____________________________
Footnotes:
(1) Narrated in Ibn Majah, #1978, and Al-Tirmizi, #3895.
(2) Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #2548, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #5971.
Source: islam-guide.com
How Do Muslims Treat the Elderly?
In the Islamic world, one rarely finds
“old people’s homes.” The strain of caring for one’s parents in this
most difficult time of their lives is considered an honor and a blessing
and an opportunity for great spiritual growth. In Islam, it is not
enough that we only pray for our parents, but we should act with
limitless compassion, remembering that when we were helpless children,
they preferred us to themselves. Mothers are particularly honored.
When Muslim parents reach old age, they are treated mercifully, with
kindness and selflessness.
In Islam, serving one’s parents is a duty second to prayer, and it is
their right to expect it. It is considered despicable to express any
irritation when, through no fault of their own, the old become
difficult.
God has said:
Your Lord has commanded that you worship none but Him, and that you be
kind to your parents. If one of them or both of them reach old age with
you, do not say to them a word of disrespect, or scold them, but say a
generous word to them. And act humbly to them in mercy, and say, “My
Lord, have mercy on them, since they cared for me when I was small.”
(Quran, 17:23-24)
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