In the name of Allah most gracious most merciful.

Faith into the Messengers

Written by Sk. Dr. Younis Saleh

Translated by: Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa

29 May 2009 ad

05 Jumada Al-Thani 1430 H

All thanks be to Allah, and may peace and prayers be upon His messenger Muhammad.

The messenger (ppbu) said: {I among the messengers, is like a man who built a house and perfected it, and gave it all the finishing touches, and completed the decorations but he left just one tile that he left out. People walk by that building and get amazed by it, and they say: “if that tile was just put into place”. For I among the messengers is like the placing of that tile}.

Dear Muslims, Messengers are ambassadors of Allah to his slaves, and they are His argument and evidence. They give the glad tidings and also warning and admonition; with one message yet many religions. Allah says: {and any messenger We sent before you, that We inspired to him that there is no god but I, therefore warship Me}. Whosoever believes in them and was truthful about his or her belief then his or her belief would be supported or will include the following four points:

1) Believing that their message is truly from Allah. This who does not believe in the message of any of them then he or she would disbelieve in all of them.

2) Belief into any of them whom we knew his name and all the details about him, like Noah and Abraham (pbu), and also belief that there are those whom we do not know about.

The messenger (ppbu) asked the messenger about the total number of prophets. The messenger (ppbu) said: {One hundred and twenty four thousand messengers. From those, three hundred and fifteen are the majority in numbers}. According to this there are many many more prophets than there are messengers. There are 23,685 prophet and 315 messengers.

Don’t think there have been too many prophets or messengers. Allah say: {your God would not destroy a town until He send a messenger into it}. In fact, in His mercy, Allah used to send numerous prophets into the same nation one after the next. And some times they appear at the same time. Allah says: {and give them an example the people of the town for who messenger were sent. We sent two, and they disbelieved them, so we affirmed with a third and said we have been sent to you}.

Part of belief in messengers is having conviction in their true stories; and rejecting all lies of the Jews about them, and the claims of the Christians about the messengers in their Torah and Bibles. This is not unusual for a nation which was known to be killers of prophets, and blood shed nation. What is strange is to find amongst Muslims who choose not to see those facts. They seek their agreement and satisfaction. Allah says: {Is it that you wish that they will faith into you, and yet a group of them used to listen to Allah’s words then they would knowingly falsify it after they understood it}. Here are some of the falsifications and claims they made:

They Jews claimed that the prophet of Allah; Aron (pbu) made a statue of a calf and worshiped it along with the children of Israel. They also said about Jacob that he stole livestock and took it out in secret without the knowledge of the true owners. They also claimed that prophet Suleiman at the end of his life turned as infidel or a unbeliever worshiping status and build a large temple for them. They also claimed that Abraham (pbu) gave his wife Sarah to Faro so she may bring him good luck. They also claimed that prophet Lut (pbu) drank alcohol and got drunk and committed adultery with his two daughters.

Christians claimed that Jesus (ppbu) gave witness that all prophets sent to Israel are thieves and rubbers. They also claim that Jesus insulted and scorned his mother Miriam in a cowed. If you want to know more of that you may look at a book called “Muhammed, the prophet of Islam” (ppbu).

Dear faithful, if our messenger Al-Mustafa (ppbu) told of the punishment of whoever defames his companions then do you not think that the punishment is even more befitting to those who slander and insult the prophets of Allah. The messenger (ppbu) said: {whoever defames my companions then he shall be cursed by Allah, and by the angels and by all the peoples}.

Dear Muslim, just as Jews and Christians and who followed them exceeded all limits of the rights of the prophets; we also deplore those at the other extreme, those who magnify the characteristics of the prophets and who associate them with features that are only fit for their creator. They made them competitors to Allah, the pray to them and seek their help, and make pilgrimage to them, and visit their shrines, and give offerings and sacrifices. Jews claimed prophet Auzair is the son of God and Christians said Isa is the son of God. The messenger (ppbu) warned against that. At his death bed as he was slipping in and out he said: {Allah cursed Jews and Christians for they turned the shrines of their prophets into temples}. He warned against what they did. Prophets and messengers (ppbu) are humans who do not possess of God’s characteristics. Allah says on the behalf of his prophet (ppbu): {say I can do not for my self what would benefit me or would hurt me except with the will of Allah. And if I can tell the future then I would have made riches and no harm would befall me, for I just bring warning and good tidings to those who have faith}.

Yet despite that, Allah has given special features and benefits to his prophets and messenger. Some messengers talked to Allah, and some are at higher levels than others. The most honorable of them all are the five known as “the strong resolute” or the strong determined. And the most honorable of them all is our prophet (ppbu). And why not when he led them all in a prayer at Al-Aqsa Mosque, and he is the mediator for all the creations on the day of resurrection, and the one with the largest followers, and the first for whom the doors of paradise shall open. Our prophet (ppbu) is the one who was granted five features that were never granted to a prophet before him and they are in his own words: {(1) I am granted victory by my enemies fearing me a month before I get to them, (2) the entire earth is suitable place for me to pray. Any man of my followers caught up by time for prayer then let them pray where ever he happens to be. (3) gains and spoils of wars were made legal to me and they were not to any before me. (4) I was given the power to mediate on the day of resurrection. (5) Prophets used to be sent to their own people, and I was sent to all peoples}.

The messenger (ppbu) also said: {I was granted to pick 70,000 of my people to bring into paradise with out being judged or without being brought to an account, their faces shall be like the moon when it is full, and their hearts united. I asked my Lord for more and granted me for each of them 70,000 more}

Our messenger (ppbu) was given the best of all the words, the start, the totality and the summary. His name is mentioned at each call to prayer, he is prayed for or upon at each prayer, yet that never made him vain nor gave him ego, or made him look down upon his companions, or thought he was better than other people. His wife A-Esha said that he used to stitch his own shoes, and saw his clothes, milk his sheep, care for himself, and labor in the home just like any of you would. He was human like the all the sons of Adam. He used to visit the needy, and sit with the poor, and answer the invitation when invited, and sits with his friends like one of them, and used to be against standing up for him as others stand in the presence of their kings. Allah says: {Say I am just a human like you, who receives inspiration that your God is the one God. So this who hopes to meet his God then let them do a good deed, and never associate partners when worshiping his God}.

Notes:

Adhan - The call to prayer.

Ansar (or Al-Ansar): The inhabitants of the city of Al-Medina that received and supported the messenger (PPBU) when he immigrated from Mekkah in the very early years of Islam.

Assalam Alaikum - The Islamic greeting, literately means: Peace be with you. Used when approaching or leaving. When used during approaching it will be like saying: I bring no harm to you . and when said during leaving somebody it will mean: No harm will come to you after I leave.

Aya (or Ayah): is a verse of the Koran. It also means a miracle or a sign from God.

Arafa (or Arafah or Arafat): is a mountain outside the city of Mecca that represents the climax of the Hajj worship. All doing Hajj must stay at this location on the same day.

Badr - The place of the first significant battle between the Muslims and the pagans of the Quraish. It is located in Saudi Arabia.

Caliph - A Muslim ruler. See: (Khalifa)

Dajjal - Antichrist or the False Massiah.

Dawah - The proliferation of Islamic teachings through word and deed.

Deen (Din) - Religion or way of life.

Duaa: a prayer in the form of talking to Allah; praising him and asking him for help.

Fatwa - Legal verdict given based on the Qur'an (Koran) and the Sunnah which are the recorded sayings and deeds of Muhammad.

Ferdose: is the highest level of the all the gardens of Eden or paradise.

Fiqh - Religious law.

Hadeeth: is something reported that the messenger have said. It includes all the speeches and ceremonies he gave. It is usually narrated or told by one of his companions. There is a list of hadeeths approximately 14000 that are reported and checked to be genuine. No more hadeeths are acceptably added to this list.

Hajar - The Black Stone set into the corner of the Ka'aba in Mecca. It is said to be a stone from Heaven.

Hajj - The pilgrimage to Mecca which takes place in the last month of the Islamic calendar. One of the five pillars of Islam.

Hasana or hasanas: is the reward for a good deed. a hasana is a point or a merit for a good deed.

Hadith - The sayings and not deeds of the prophet Muhammad recorded by his followers. Considered authoritative and perfect.

Hajj: is the worship of pilgrimage.

Hijra (or Hejrah): the event of the immigration of the messenger from Mekkah to Madina. This event marks the start of the Islamic calendar. the Islamic calendar has 12 months based on the lunar cycle, each is 29.5 days. Hijra is also used as a name for the Islamic dating system.

Ibadah - Worship. All the words and deeds with which Allah is pleased. These deeds could be prayer and charity.

Iblis - (Ibleese): On of Satan's names.

Ibn (Ebn): the son of. Used by Arabs as part of an individual's name. Example: Ali whose father is Omar or the son of Omar, would be called: Ali Ibn Omar.

Imam (or Emam)- The leader for a prayer. In the Shiaa sect, an Imam is the individual who has the religious authority.

Iman: belief or faith

Injil (Enjeel) - The Bible. The book inspired to Jesus for the Christians.

Islam - Submission, the religion of all the prophets of Allah culminating in Muhammad.

Jannah - The heavenly garden, Paradise. The place of the faithful in the afterlife.

Jihad: is striving in the line of Allah in many forms. Includes a very wide scope varying from improving oneself to fighting a defensive war in protection of Allah's word. The greatest Jihad is the fight one's self against temptations. It also means "holy war."

Jinn - Supernatural, invisible beings race of beings, below angels. They were made from fire. Like humans, there amongst them are the faithful and the non beleivers and Jinn shall be judged on Judgment Day.

Ka'aba: A cube shaped building in Mecca containing a stone laid there by Abraham and Ishmael. Some say Ka'aba was first built by Adam, and some say by Abraham. It is the holiest place for Muslims. It is where all Muslims face in their daily prayers. Ka'aba also makes a major part of the pilgrimage in a ritual known as Tawaf.

Khalifa: is the Muslim ruler. Head of the Islamic empire. Exact translation: "Successor".

Khutbah - A sermon given in a Mosque, usually on Friday.

Kufr - Denial or Disbelief. A term Muslims use for anyone who denies existence of Allah or the prophecy of Muhammed.

Koran - Also spelled Qur'an. The holy book of Islam revealed to Muhammad by Allah through the Archangel Gabriel. Koran literally means "the recital." It is the final revelation of Allah given to the prophet Muhammad. It consists of 114 surahs (or chapters.)

Madinah - (Medinah): A city in the Arabian peninsula (in the country known now as Saudi Arabia). A city where the messenger had to immigrate to. Then it was called Yathrib.

Masjid - A center for Muslim activity. It is referred to as a mosque.

Masiah - A sin, or a sinful act

Mecca or Makkah: is the holiest city for Muslims. It contains the Ka'aba mosque with the famous black cubical shape. Mecca is the birth place of the messenger (PPBU).

Mosque - A Muslim house of worship.

Muhajir - (Muhajireen) Immigrant, one who leaves his home town due to lack of religious freedom. It was first used to describe early Muslims immigrating from Mecca to Median and Ethiopia.

Muhammad - the final messenger and prophet of God whose message abrogated all previous revelations. He received the Koran through the angel Gabriel over a 23 year period. Born in Mecca and died in Medina at the age of 63. His full name: Muhammad ibn Abd-Allah

Muslim - One who holds faith to the religion of Islam.

Nafilah: a voluntary prayer other than the five obligatory prayers; performed at any time.

Nasara - Christians. Nasrani: A Christian individual. Nasraniah: Christianity.

Ommah: is the Arabic word for a nation. It usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise specified.

Paradise - Another word for heaven. A garden of bliss, fruits, rivers and all forms of pleasures imaginable and imaginable. No suffering, disease or death. Service is provided by angels. All live in it an ever lasting youthful life. Promised by Almighty Allah to all faithful, true Jews, true Christians and True Muslims. Paradise is one of two places every person will go to, either Paradise or Hellfire.

PPBU (P.B.U.H.) : Peace and Prayers Be Upon him. A statement Muslims use any time they mention the name of the messenger or make a reference to him.

Qadar - Fate. Preordainment is the teaching that all things, good and bad, are preordained to occur.

Qadr - (night of Qadr): The night when the first revelation of the Koran took place. Most likely it happened during one of the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. Or when the Koran was brought down to the nearest heaven in one go, and from there it was brought down in bits and few verses at a time over a period of 23 years. This night is considered the holiest night for Muslims with tremendous advantages.

Qibla - The direction which Muslims turn for daily prayers, towards Mecca.

Quraish - An ancient Arab tribe to which the messenger Muhammad belonged.

Ramadan - The ninth month of the Islamic calendar which is the month of the fast. The holiest month in the Muslim colander.

Salat - Prayers. Generally it covers all forms of worship, but more specifically refers to the Muslim rituals which is performed to worship Allah five times daily.

Shiaa: A sect of Islam that teaches that a religion leader (Imam) should be the political ruler and must be direct descendants of the messenger (PPBU). Therefore, disapproving of all Muslim leaders who ruled After the messenger (PPBU) except Ali, the messenger's grandson.

Shirk - Associating another god with Allah. Or associating anyone or anything with Allah. Or using anyone or anything as a medium to Allah. The opposite of Monotheism or Tawheed.

Siam or Soam- Fasting

Sunni: is a the title of those Muslims who are suppose to be following the life style of the messenger. This differentiates them from the Shiaa of Iran.

Sunna (Sunnah): Is how the Messenger PPBU lived, what he did or said. It includes the way he dressed, ate, drank, prayed, interacted with other people and fought. Basically, sunnah is the life style of the messenger PPBU. It is considered the second source of legislation in Islamic laws and it is considered to be an important reference to be used for concluding arguments and disputes. It is also a title give to the main stream Muslims who make 90% if all Muslims.

Surah - A chapter of the Koran.

Tawaf: part of the pilgrimage (Hajj) ritual. It involves walking round the Ka'aba Mosque in anti-clock wise direction a number of seven circles.

Tauhid - Tawheed - Monotheism, in Islam is the teaching that there is only one God who alone is worthy of worship. The first requirement of becoming a Muslim. It is included in the testimony of faith for new Muslims when declaring that God is one: (No God but Allah)

Taqwah - Proper fear and veneration of Allah. A divine spark that enables the person to understand God.

Taurat: The old Testaments and scriptures of Mosa.

Ummah - the word means: a Nation. Usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise stated.

Umrah - (Amrah): A mini hajj. A Minor form of pilgrimage to Mecca. Unlike Hajj which can only be done on the 12th month of the Islamic year, Umrah can be performed at any time.

Wathoo (wadoo): a washing up ritual done by Muslims before each of the five daily prayers known as ablution.

Zaboor - The Psalms

Zakat - The third pillar of Islam. Alms giving, charity that is given to the poor.

Faheem Bukhatwa, my email address is : faheemfb@gmail.com