SCIENTIFIC MIRICALES IN THE QURAN9

We should even be just with those who we hate, as God hassaid:(...And let not the hatred of others make youavoid justice. Be just: that is nearer to pi-ety....)(Qur’an, 5:8)The Prophet Muhammadrsaid:{ People, beware of injus-tice,1for injustice shall be darkness on the Day of Judgment. }2And those who have not gotten their rights (i.e. what they havea just claim to) in this life will receive them on the Day ofJudgment, as the Prophetrsaid:{ On the Day of Judgment,rights will be given to those to whom they are due (and wrongswill be redressed)... }3What Is the Status of Women in Islam?Islam sees a woman, whether single or mar-ried, as an individual in her own right,with the right to own and dispose ofher property and earnings withoutany guardianship over her (whetherthat be her father, husband, or anyoneelse). She has the right to buy and sell,give gifts and charity, and may spend hermoney as she pleases. A marriage dowry is given by the groomto the bride for her own personal use, and she keeps her own familyname rather than taking her husband’s.Islam encourages the husband to treat his wife well, as theProphet Muhammadrsaid:{ The best among you are those whoare best to their wives. }4What Is the Status of Women in Islam?Chapter 3General Information on IslamA Brief Illustrated Guide To Understanding Islam63(1) i.e. oppressing others, acting unjustly, or doing wrong to others.(2) Narrated inMosnad Ahmad, #5798, andSaheeh Al-Bukhari, #2447.(3) Narrated inSaheeh Muslim, #2582, andMosnad Ahmad, #7163.(4) Narrated inIbn Majah, #1978, andAl-Tirmizi, #3895.
Mothers in Islam are highly honored. Islam recommendstreating them in the best way.A man came to the ProphetMuhammadrand said: “O Messenger of God! Who amongthe people is the most worthy of my good companionship?”The Prophetrsaid: { Your mother. } The man said: “Thenwho?” The Prophetrsaid: { Then your mother. } The manfurther asked: “Then who?” The Prophetrsaid: { Then yourmother. } The man asked again: “Then who?” The Prophetrsaid: { Then your father. }1(Please visitwww.islam-guide.com/womenfor more infor-mation on women in Islam.)The Family in IslamThe family, which is the basic unit of civilization, is nowdisintegrating. Islam’s family system brings the rights of thehusband, wife, children, and relatives into a fine equilibrium. Itnourishes unselfish behavior, generosity, and love in the frame-work of a well-organized family system. The peace and securityoffered by a stable family unit is greatly valued, and it is seen asessential for the spiritual growth of its members. A harmonioussocial order is created by the existence of extended families andby treasuring children.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 oftheir lives is considered an honor and a blessing and an opportunityfor great spiritual growth. In Islam, it is not enough that we onlypray for our parents, but we should act with limitless compassion,remembering that when we were helpless children, they preferredus to themselves. Mothers are particularly honored. When Mus-lim parents reach old age, they are treated mercifully, with kind-ness and selflessness.The Family in IslamŸHow Do Muslims Treat the Elderly?Chapter 3General Information on IslamA Brief Illustrated Guide To Understanding Islam64(1) Narrated inSaheeh Muslim, #2548, andSaheeh Al-Bukhari, #5971.
In Islam, serving one’s parents is a duty second to prayer, andit is their right to expect it. It is considered despicable to expressany irritation when, through no fault of their own, the old becomedifficult.God has said:(Your Lord has commanded that you wor-ship none but Him, and that you be kind toyour parents. If one of them or both of themreach old age with you, do not say to them aword of disrespect, or scold them, but say agenerous word to them. And act humbly tothem in mercy, and say: “My Lord, havemercy on them, since they cared for me whenI was small.”)(Qur’an, 17:23-24)What Are the Five Pillars of Islam?The Five Pillars of Islam are the framework of a Muslim’s life.They are the testimony of faith, prayer, givingzakat(support ofthe needy), fasting during the month of Ramadan, and the pilgrim-age to Makkah once in a lifetime for those who are able.1) The Testimony of Faith:The testimony of faith is saying with conviction,“La ilahailla Allah, Muhammadur rasoolu Allah.”This saying means“There is no true god but God (Allah),1and Muhammad is theMessenger (Prophet) of God.”The first part, “There is no truegod but God,” means that none has the right to be worshipped butGod alone, and that God has neither partner nor son. This testi-mony of faith is called theShahada, a simple formula which shouldbe said with conviction in order to convert to Islam (as explainedabove on pages 52-53). The testimony of faith is the most impor-tant pillar of Islam.Chapter 3General Information on IslamA Brief Illustrated Guide To Understanding IslamWhat Are the Five Pillars of Islam?65(1) For more details on the wordAllah, see the next to last paragraph ofpage 47.
2) Prayer:Muslims perform five prayers a day. Each prayer does nottake more than a few minutes to perform. Prayer in Islam is a directlink between the worshipper and God. There are no intermediariesbetween God and the worshipper.In prayer, a person feels inner happiness, peace, and comfort,and that God is pleased with him or her. The Prophet Muham-madrsaid:{ Bilal, call (the people) to prayer, let us be com-forted by it. }1Bilal was one of Muhammad’srcompanions whowas charged to call the people to prayers.Prayers are performed at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset,and night. A Muslim may pray almost anywhere, such as in fields,offices, factories, or universities.(Please visitwww.islam-guide.com/prayerfor more infor-mation on prayer in Islam.)23) GivingZakat(Support of the Needy):All things belong to God, and wealth is therefore held byhuman beings in trust. The originalmeaning of the wordzakatis both‘purification’ and ‘growth.’ Givingzakatmeans ‘giving a specified per-centage on certain properties to cer-tain classes of needy people.’ Thepercentage which is due on gold, sil-ver, and cash funds that have reachedthe amount of about 85 grams of gold and held in possession forone lunar year is two and a half percent. Our possessions arepurified by setting aside a small portion for those in need, and, likethe pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encouragesnew growth.A person may also give as much as he or she pleases asvoluntary alms or charity.Chapter 3General Information on IslamA Brief Illustrated Guide To Understanding IslamWhat Are the Five Pillars of Islam?66(1) Narrated inAbu-Dawood, #4985, andMosnad Ahmad, #22578.(2) Or refer to the book entitledA Guide to Prayer in Islamby M. A. K.Saqib. For a copy, please visit the web page mentioned above.
4) Fasting the Month of Ramadan:Every year in the month of Ramadan,1Muslims fast from dawnuntil sundown, abstaining from food, drink, andsexual relations.Although the fast is beneficial to health,it is regarded principally as a method of spiri-tual self-purification. By cutting oneself offfrom worldly comforts, even for a short time,a fasting person gains true sympathy withthose who go hungry, as well as growth in his orher spiritual life.5) The Pilgrimage to Makkah:The annual pilgrimage (Hajj) to Makkah is an obligation oncein a lifetime for those who are physically and financially able toperform it. About two million people go to Makkah each year fromChapter 3General Information on IslamA Brief Illustrated Guide To Understanding IslamPilgrims praying at theHarammosque in Makkah. In this mosque is the Kaaba (the blackbuilding in the picture) which Muslims turn toward when praying. The Kaaba is the placeof worship which God commanded the Prophets Abraham and his son, Ishmael, to build.What Are the Five Pillars of Islam?67(1) The month of Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar(which is lunar, not solar).