Importance of respect and hospitality for guests in Islam (Sunnah Prophet Muhammad ﷺ)

It is said that guests are God send and they should be treated with honour and respect and presented with the best food one may have and accommodated well even if the host has to abandon his best bed for the guest. The Prophet ﷺ believed in treating all guests with dignity, regardless of their background, showing that hospitality transcends religious differences.

There are many sayings of the revered Prophet ﷺ and acts (Sunnah) that shows the the importance given to guests by the revered Prophet of Allah and the profound way in which Prophet Muhammad ﷺ modeled the Islamic principle of hospitality, which is grounded in generosity, humility, and kindness toward others. He also advised his companions to be courteous and hospitable to the guests. 

One such saying is mentioned in Sahi al-Bukhārī  (Book 78: Good Manners and Form (Al-Adab) / كتاب الأدب / Chapter 31:  Whosoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should not harm his neighbor / باب مَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ فَلاَ يُؤْذِ جَارَهُ / as Hadith 6019, given herein under:

Narrated Abu Shuraih Al-Adawi: My ears heard and my eyes saw the Prophet (ﷺ) when he spoke: 

"Anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day, should serve his neighbor generously, and anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day should serve his guest generously by giving him his reward." It was asked. "What is his reward, O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)?" He said, "(To be entertained generously) for a day and a night with high quality of food and the guest has the right to be entertained for three days (with ordinary food) and if he stays longer, what he will be provided with will be regarded as Sadaqa (a charitable gift). And anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day should talk what is good or keep quiet (i.e. abstain from all kinds of dirty and evil talks).

Arabic Text:

حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي سَعِيدٌ الْمَقْبُرِيُّ، عَنْ أَبِي شُرَيْحٍ الْعَدَوِيِّ، قَالَ سَمِعَتْ أُذُنَاىَ، وَأَبْصَرَتْ، عَيْنَاىَ حِينَ تَكَلَّمَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ ‏"‏ مَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ فَلْيُكْرِمْ جَارَهُ، وَمَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ فَلْيُكْرِمْ ضَيْفَهُ جَائِزَتَهُ ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالَ وَمَا جَائِزَتُهُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ ‏"‏ يَوْمٌ وَلَيْلَةٌ وَالضِّيَافَةُ ثَلاَثَةُ أَيَّامٍ، فَمَا كَانَ وَرَاءَ ذَلِكَ فَهْوَ صَدَقَةٌ عَلَيْهِ، وَمَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ فَلْيَقُلْ خَيْرًا أَوْ لِيَصْمُتْ ‏"‏‏.‏

The hadith emphasizes the importance of hospitality and respect for guests in Islam. To understand its significance, we can interpret it in the light of the Quran and the personal life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Here's a breakdown of its meaning and context:

The hadith underscores a critical aspect of Islam: the treatment of guests. It connects the act of honoring a guest with one's faith in Allah and the Last Day. The phrase "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day" indicates that the treatment of guests is not just a social norm but an act that reflects a person's deep belief in the core tenets of Islam, namely, belief in Allah and the Day of Judgment.

The hadith advises Muslims that to demonstrate true belief, they must embody virtues such as generosity, hospitality, and kindness—traits that will be recognized and rewarded by Allah, especially on the Day of Judgment. In this context, honoring guests goes beyond basic hospitality; it becomes an expression of one’s piety and adherence to the moral principles that Islam promotes.

Reflection in the Quran:

The Quran also speaks about the importance of hospitality and kindness to others, including guests.

• Surah Az-Zariyat (51:24-27): The Quran mentions the story of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), when angels came to him in the form of guests. Despite not recognizing them immediately, Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) treated them with the utmost respect, offering them food. The Quran says:

"And when the great-grandfather of all nations (Ibrahim) received the guests, they said: 'We are sent to a people who are criminals.' He then offered them a roasted calf." (Quran 51:24-27). This story highlights the exemplary behavior of Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) in his hospitality and serves as a lesson for Muslims in respecting and caring for their guests, even when they are unaware of the guest's true identity or significance.

• Surah Al-Insan (76:8-9): In this surah, the Quran also speaks of the virtuous believers who, in their acts of kindness, provide food to the needy and to those in need of help, which includes guests:

"And they give food, despite their love for it, to the needy, the orphan, and the captive, [saying], 'We feed you only for the sake of Allah. We do not wish from you reward or gratitude.'" (Quran 76:8-9). This reflects the spirit of hospitality where the act of giving is done solely for the sake of Allah, without seeking any material gain in return.

Personal life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ:

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ embodied the teachings of this hadith in his life in numerous ways, setting a personal example of kindness, hospitality, and generosity toward guests.

• Hospitality to Guests: The Prophet ﷺ frequently hosted guests in his home, sometimes even when there was very little food available. A well-known example is when a guest came to the Prophet ﷺ looking for food, and despite having nothing but a small amount of dates, the Prophet ﷺ offered what he had. When the guest was still hungry, the Prophet ﷺ sent someone to his companions to offer them food as well. His generosity was not confined to just his family or close companions, but extended to all, including travelers, strangers, and those in need of hospitality.
• The Rewards of Hospitality: The Prophet ﷺ also said: "The reward for a guest is that when he is treated well, it is a reward for the host in this world and the next." This indicates that treating guests well is a noble act that earns both material and spiritual rewards.

Incidents of treating guests well: 

• It is narrated that Zaid ibn Haritha (RA), one of the beloved companions of the Prophet ﷺ, once brought a guest to the Prophet’s home. The Prophet ﷺ received them warmly and invited them to share a meal. However, the Prophet ﷺ had very little food, consisting mainly of simple dates and water. Despite the simplicity of the meal, the Prophet ﷺ offered his guests the best of what he had, sharing the food with generosity. His act showed that hospitality is not about the quantity or quality of food but about the heart with which it is offered.
• One day, a Jewish man came to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to ask for his help. The Prophet ﷺ invited him into his home and treated him with great respect. He sat and listened attentively to the man’s concerns and promised to assist him. Despite the fact that the guest was from another faith, the Prophet ﷺ treated him with the utmost kindness, emphasizing the universal principle of hospitality.

Lessons for Muslims Today:

• Strengthening Faith: The hadith teaches that belief in Allah and the Day of Judgment is not just an internal belief but should manifest in our actions, particularly in how we treat others. Honoring a guest is a tangible way to show faith.
• Cultivating Good Character: Islam places great emphasis on good character. Hospitality is a means of developing personal virtues such as kindness, generosity, and selflessness. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ showed that true believers go out of their way to care for others, even when they have little.
• Spiritual and Social Impact: Honoring guests strengthens social bonds, promotes peace, and fosters a sense of community. It is also an act of worship when done with sincerity, seeking Allah's pleasure and rewarding the believer in both this world and the Hereafter.
• Responsibility of the guests: While a host is to respect and treat his guests with best of his means, it is also incumbent upon the guests not to prolong their stay to burden their hosts. For one may not know the sustenance ability of one's host. Remember that Mark Twain quote: House guests are like fish; they are only good for three days.

In summary, this hadith reflects the importance of hospitality and generosity as core values of Islam. By honoring guests, a Muslim demonstrates their commitment to the teachings of the Quran and the example of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. It is a reflection of one’s belief in Allah, kindness toward others, and a reminder of the importance of treating every person with respect and care, especially those who enter our homes.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Please refer to our exclusive reference page Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for more Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

You may also refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given below. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

Photo | Source of Hadith

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

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Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Why Islam stresses on the Gender Segregation (Scholars Viewpoint)

The concept of gender segregation irks people in the West, for they are of the opinion that it severely restricts the growth and freedom of the growing young girls and later in their practical life. There are many views about it, specially the freedom to interact with men and wearing whatever the women feel like wearing. 

Non-Muslims, specially in the West, generally object to gender segregation in Islam for various reasons, often rooted in differing cultural, social, and ideological perspectives. These objections can be understood within the broader context of how gender roles, individual freedoms, and social norms are perceived differently across cultures. Here are some common reasons:

• Different Cultural Norms and Values:
• Western Ideals of Gender Equality: In many Western societies, gender equality is often associated with the idea of men and women having equal access to all spaces and opportunities. Gender segregation can be perceived as a form of discrimination or inequality, as it separates men and women in various aspects of life, such as education, work, and social settings. 
• Freedom of Choice: Many non-Muslims value individual freedom and autonomy highly, including the freedom to interact with people of all genders. Gender segregation might be seen as restrictive, limiting personal choices and freedoms.
• Perception of Gender Segregation as Oppressive: 
• Association with Patriarchy: Some non-Muslims view gender segregation as a manifestation of patriarchal structures that aim to control and limit women’s roles and freedoms. This perception is often influenced by the view that gender segregation reinforces traditional gender roles, which some see as outdated or oppressive.
• Impact on Women’s Rights: Critics often argue that gender segregation can lead to unequal opportunities for women in education, employment, and social participation. For example, if certain professional or educational opportunities are only available to men or are harder for women to access, this is seen as a violation of women's rights.
• Misunderstandings and Stereotypes: 
• Lack of Understanding of Islamic Principles: Some objections arise from a lack of understanding of the religious and cultural reasons behind gender segregation in Islam. Without knowledge of the concepts of modesty (haya) and the prevention of temptation (fitna), non-Muslims may see gender segregation as arbitrary or unjustified. 
• Stereotypes and Media Portrayals: Media portrayals of Muslim societies often focus on extreme cases or negative aspects of gender segregation, reinforcing stereotypes that it is inherently oppressive. These portrayals can shape public perception and lead to broader objections.
• Concerns About Integration and Multiculturalism:
• Integration into Western Societies: In multicultural societies, there is often a concern that practices like gender segregation might hinder the integration of Muslim communities into the broader society. Some non-Muslims worry that maintaining such practices could create divisions or reduce social cohesion.
• Conflicts with Secular Values: In secular societies, the separation of religion from public life is a key value. Practices like gender segregation, which are religiously motivated, might be seen as incompatible with the secular principle of equal treatment for all citizens, regardless of gender.
• Human Rights Perspectives: 
• Universal Human Rights: Some non-Muslims argue from a human rights perspective, suggesting that gender segregation violates principles of universal human rights, such as freedom of movement and association. They may view gender segregation as a practice that infringes upon the rights of women, particularly when it is seen as enforced rather than a voluntary choice.
• Concerns About Coercion: There is also concern that gender segregation in some Muslim societies is not always voluntary and that women may be coerced into accepting these norms due to social, familial, or legal pressures.
• Differences in Gender Dynamics:
• Gender Dynamics in Non-Muslim Societies: In many non-Muslim societies, interactions between men and women in social, educational, and professional contexts are generally seen as normal and even necessary for social development. Gender segregation may be perceived as hindering these interactions, which are considered important for fostering mutual respect and understanding between the genders.
• Concerns About Extremism: 
• Association with Extremism: Some non-Muslims may associate strict gender segregation with extremist or fundamentalist interpretations of Islam. This association can lead to objections based on the fear that such practices might contribute to the marginalization or radicalization of communities.

The Islamic Viewpoint

Unlike other faiths, Islam emphasizes gender segregation in certain contexts as a means to maintain modesty, protect moral values, and promote a respectful and safe social environment. This concept is rooted in the principles of modesty (haya), chastity, and the prevention of inappropriate interactions between men and women who are not closely related (non-mahram).  

And when we do away with the concept of modesty and brace ourselves to be rubbing shoulders with other gender, there is every likelihood of crossing over to the borders of modesty and self preservation of one's honour. The outcome of extreme liberalism and freedom of choice, many a teenagers get involved into sexual relation with the opposite gender much before the age of understanding of its consequences, only to be regretful when all is over.

As per a number of studies conducted in the West, the proportion of teenage girls losing their virginity before the age of 18 in Western countries generally falls between 30% and 40%. This figure varies slightly depending on the country and specific social or cultural factors. These statistics are based on self-reported data, which can sometimes be influenced by the willingness of respondents to disclose such personal information.

Due to these pre-marital relations, the concept of family is fast diminishing and many a "couple" elect to live outside the matrimonial bond, have children too and then breakaway at their will. More than boys, it si women who suffer who have to live alone like single parent and managing their finances all by themselves. 

So much for gender equality, freedom and liberalism. 

Now coming over to Islam and its stress on the gender segregation.  While there are certain restrictions on both men and women, more so on women for it is their attire and unthoughtful openness leads to many a ill in the society, Islam does not discourage women from seeking knowledge and higher education. However, when in company of men, care must be taken to avoid being so close to men that may induce wrong signals which may be taken advantage of. That is why it is strictly prohibited for men and woman to meet in seclusion all by themselves. for it may lead to development of unlawful intimate relations. Likewise, when in in a mixed company, the drinking of alcohol generally results in losing control over oneself which is often taken advantage of by the opposite gender. It is for this reason, Islam advises women to not to wear revealing clothing that may act as an uninvited invitation. 

The guidelines for gender interaction in Islam are drawn from the Quran and Hadith, with the aim of preserving moral integrity and fostering a respectful society.

1. Modesty and Chastity:

• Quranic Teachings: 
• Lowering the Gaze: The Quran instructs both men and women to lower their gaze and guard their modesty.

Surah An-Nur (24:30-31): "Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is acquainted with what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women."

This directive emphasizes the importance of modesty in interactions between men and women, encouraging a culture of respect and decorum.

• Hijab (Veil): The Quran also commands women to dress modestly, which includes covering their bodies in a manner that is not revealing or provocative.

Surah Al-Ahzab (33:59): "O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful."

This verse highlights the importance of women dressing modestly to protect themselves from harm and to promote a respectful social environment.

Hadith Teachings:

• Prohibition of Free Mixing: The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) discouraged unnecessary mixing between men and women who are not closely related.

Sahih Muslim (2172): `Uqba b. `Amir reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: Beware of getting, into the houses and meeting women (in seclusion). A person from the Ansar said: Allah's Messenger, what about husband's brother, whereupon he (ﷺ) said: Husband's brother is like death.

This hadith underscores the seriousness of avoiding physical contact between non-mahram men and women.

• Separate Spaces in Worship: During the time of the Prophet, men and women prayed in the same mosque but in separate areas. This practice of separate spaces for men and women during worship continues in many Muslim communities.

The Prophet said, "The best rows for men are the front rows, and the worst are the back rows, and the best rows for women are the back rows, and the worst are the front rows."

 

This arrangement was designed to maintain modesty and prevent distractions during worship.

2. Prevention of Fitna (Temptation): Islam teaches that certain interactions between men and women can lead to fitna, or temptation, which could result in immoral behavior. By encouraging gender segregation in specific settings, Islam seeks to minimize the chances of such temptations arising.

Surah Al-Ahzab (33:53): "And when you ask [his wives] for something, ask them from behind a partition. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts."

This verse was revealed in the context of the Prophet's household, emphasizing the need for a barrier or partition to avoid inappropriate interactions.

• Prohibition of Khalwa (Seclusion):

Sahih Bukhari (3006): Narrated Ibn `Abbas: That he heard the Prophet (ﷺ) saying, "It is not permissible for a man to be alone with a woman, and no lady should travel except with a Muhram (i.e. her husband or a person whom she cannot marry in any case for ever; e.g. her father, brother, etc.)." Then a man got up and said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! I have enlisted in the army for such-and-such Ghazwa and my wife is proceeding for Hajj." Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Go, and perform the Hajj with your wife."

This hadith prohibits a man and a woman from being alone together in a secluded place, as it could lead to inappropriate behavior.

3. Respect and Dignity: Gender segregation in Islam also serves to uphold the dignity and respect of both men and women. By establishing clear boundaries, Islam aims to ensure that interactions between genders are respectful and honorable.

Surah Al-Ahzab (33:32): "O wives of the Prophet, you are not like anyone among women. If you fear Allah, then do not be soft in speech [to men], lest he in whose heart is disease should covet, but speak with appropriate speech."

This verse advises the wives of the Prophet to speak in a manner that does not attract inappropriate attention, reinforcing the importance of maintaining dignity in interactions.

4. Cultural and Social Contexts:

It's important to note that while Islam provides general guidelines for gender segregation, the implementation of these guidelines can vary based on cultural and social contexts. In some societies, the rules of segregation may be more strictly enforced, while in others, there may be more flexibility, as long as the core principles of modesty, respect, and dignity are maintained.

Islam stresses gender segregation in certain contexts to uphold modesty, prevent temptation, and ensure respectful interactions between men and women. The guidelines, drawn from the Quran and Hadith, emphasize the importance of maintaining moral integrity and protecting individuals from situations that could lead to inappropriate behavior. While the principles are clear, the application of gender segregation can vary depending on cultural and social contexts, always with the aim of promoting a safe and respectful society.

Now watch a video on the subject (in Urdu with English sub titles) by one of the most learned and eminent Muslim scholar of time from Pakistan, Professor Javed Ahmad Ghamidi, known for his stress on morals and ethics in Islam:

Non-Muslim objections to gender segregation in Islam are often rooted in differing cultural values, perceptions of gender equality, and concerns about individual freedoms. These objections can arise from a lack of understanding of the religious and cultural reasons behind the practice, as well as from broader concerns about women’s rights, integration, and social cohesion. Understanding these differing perspectives is important for fostering dialogue and mutual respect between Muslim and non-Muslim communities.

Photo | 

For more Scholarly views and videos, please read our reference page: Scholars' Viewpoint on Important Issues Related to Islam. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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How the world view Islam as the fastest growing religion

I started writing my blog back in 2018 to know why non Muslims embrace Islam and since my first post, everyday is a new day for me to get an answer to my question. Every single revert experience is so absorbing and meaningful that solidifies my faith in Islam more than yesterday. 

There have been many surveys that have been carried out in the past and are still being carried out to find why Islam is getting a firm foothold in every non Muslim country around the world and why the Muslim population is on the increase in the recent years. Muslims were a billion plus some twenty years ago, but the rapid reversion of non Muslims of every faith has made the Muslim population swell to more than 2.5 billion. Every year, more than 400o-5000 Americans revert to Islam, and the ratio is no less in other non Muslim countries. In Russia alone the Muslim population is around 23 million, despite the ruthless clamping of the Muslims in the communist era. Mind you the growth of Islam is undeterred by the general conception of Islamophobia and considering Muslims as terrorists and illiterate vagabonds. Many around the world believe that by the present growth size of Muslims, Islam will become the dominating religion in the world by year 2050, surpassing Christianity.

One of the amazing find of the surveys is that despite a general hatred for Hijab, the ratio of women embracing Islam is more than the men.  Many interview reveal that women wearing Hijab feel more confident of themselves, more precious that before when they wore revealing clothes and men stared on the bodies rather than finding more about character. The separate identity that Hijab gives to Muslim women is much more valuable to them rather than when they were out there in open, playing in the hands of lust of the men.

Today, I share an exhaustive video on what drives people to embrace Islam - a video that is a must watch for all Muslims and non Muslims, mulling to enter the fold of Islam.  In this video, despite the general prejudice about Islam, non Muslims are forced to confess Islam as the most peaceful religion that answers many a unanswered queries of the non Muslims about all prophets that have lived before the  last of the prophets, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, difference between God and Allah, and the concept of Trinity. In fact Qur'an, the last of the Divine Scripturas after Psalms, Torah and the Bible, talks more about Prophet Eesa (Jesus, peace be upon him) than Bible as some Christians think.

Please take out time and watch the video. If you are running short of time, then don't fast forward it, rather read in short lengths to understand the true growth of Islam around the world.  I for myself feel proud of living in a time when more and more access is available to Islam and people are willingly reading Qur'an, and Hadith / Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and taking Shahadah. Even priests, monks and bishops too are among those who are reverting to Islam, for they know where the truth lies.

I feel happy for being a part of the Da'wah (invitation to Islam) drive by writing about Islam and sharing information, like the one in the above shared video, with firm belief that these efforts will not go waste. And all my posts in my blog will be read over from every corner of the world, and if even one non Muslim takes Shahadah after reading my post, I will say I have achieved my mission to introduce Islam to the world, though my effort is like a drop of water dropped into the ocean of knowledge being shared around the world by scholars, imams and preachers.

May Allah (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us have unflinching faith and trust in Divine Wisdom and decisions and should never lament for we do not know that something better has been planned for us by our most caring Lord. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Disclaimer: The data / video for this post has been collected from the references given below or YouTube. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

To read personal accounts of many who have reverted to Islam, please visit our page: Embracing Islam: Revert Experiences. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.

Photo | Resource References: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Islam in South Korea

Islam came to the United Korea in the middle to late 7th century. Muslim traders had traversed from the Caliphate to Tang China and established contact with Silla, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. However, the first verifiable presence of Islam in Korea dates back to the 9th century during the Unified Silla period with the arrival of Arab navigators and traders. According to numerous Muslim geographers, including the 9th-century Muslim Persian explorer and geographer Ibn Khordadbeh, many of them settled down permanently in Korea, establishing Muslim villages.

Islam survived in the region in varying numbers of Muslims. But Islam was practically non-existent in Korea by the 16th century and was re-introduced in the 20th century. It is believed that many of the religious practices and teachings did not survive. However, in the 19th century, Korean settlers in Manchuria came into contact with Islam once again.

The reintroduction of Islam in Korea is generally attributed to the Turkish peace keeping force that came to the South Korea during the Korean War. Shortly after the war, some Turks who were stationed in South Korea as UN peacekeepers began preaching Islam to Koreans. Early converts established the Korea Muslim Society (한국이슬람협회) in 1955, at which time the first South Korean Mosque was erected at Imun-dong.[24] The Korea Muslim Society grew large enough to become the Korea Muslim Federation in 1967.

Islam and the Korean Peninsula share a history of mutual fascination and curiosity. From the era of the Silk Road in the 9th century to today’s modern interconnected world, the bonds that were once forged through maritime travel have now been passed on to a new generation of young Muslim Koreans, who try to find a balance between their Korean culture and newfound religion. [2]

Spectacular view of the Seoul Central Masjid in Seoul’s Itaewon neighbourhood

[Photo: Radu Diaconu/Al Jazeera]

Among Muslim communities, there are two distinct groups: Traditional and immigrant Muslims. The "traditional" community of Muslims are usually Korean converts to Islam, while immigrants are people who migrated from Islamic countries to Korea for jobs. Migrant workers from Pakistan and Bangladesh make up a large fraction of the Muslim population. The number of Korean Muslims was reported by The Korea Times in 2002 as 45,000[15] while the Pew Research Center estimated that there were 75,000 South Korean Muslims in 2010, or one in every five hundred people in the country. The first masjid, the Seoul Central Mosque was built in Seoul's Itaewon neighborhood in 1976. Today there are also mosques in Busan, Anyang, Gyeonggi, Gwangju, Jeonju, Daegu, and Kaesong. 

In recent times, South Korea is opening its doors to Muslim tourists, trying to fill the vacuum left by the declining number of Chinese tourists following the debacle launched with the deployment of the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system. Various generations of native Korean Muslims reflect on their double identity as Koreans and Muslims in South Korea. The number of Muslim tourists coming to the country saw a 33 percent increase last year from 2015 and is expected to reach 1,2 million people by the end of 2017, as revealed by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO).[2]

Since, one of the major concerns of Muslims of Halal meat, it is available and the Korean Muslim Federation provides halal certificates to restaurants and businesses. Their halal certificate is recognized by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), and there are a total of 14 KMF-halal approved restaurants in South Korea as of January 2018.

A lack of familiarity with Islam, coupled with the headline-grabbing antics of groups like the Islamic State and Al Qaeda, have helped breed a degree of Islamophobia in South Korea. This is often stoked by less inclusive Christian groups and publications, who have come up with alarmist reports overstating the number of Muslims, alleging that Muslims are using tactics like “spreading halal food” and having more children through polygamous families in order to “Islamize” Korea. [4]

In the backdrop of above anti Islam sentiments, let us see how is life of Muslims in South Korea? Well, there have been mixed feelings and expressions:

Living as a Muslim in South Korea has been tough, and is getting tougher due to Islamophobia, said Ahn, who converted to Islam a decade ago after marrying a Pakistani Muslim. “Lots of incidents occur allegedly in connection with Islamist extremists and terror groups, and many Korean people just think all Muslims could be associated with them,” she added. “Hatred and prejudice against Muslims still prevail here.” Ahn, a Korean Muslim, told Arab News.

Bora, a revert explains her experience of being a Muslim in SOuth Korea: "Some people would yell at me and tell me to go back to my country, while others would say that I have a bomb in my jacket," she says. "For them, being a foreigner who is Muslim is acceptable, but not a Korean Muslim. Most Koreans have a stereotypical image of Islam that is wrongly portrayed in Korean media." She works at the Seoul Mosque and gives lectures to many South Korean Christians who want to know more about Islam. She tries to answer all their questions to avoid any misunderstandings. "I was once a non-Muslim and I understand their misconceptions, which is why I want to give them all the information they need to understand what Islam really is, that [it] is, a religion of peace and respect." [3]

However, despite challenges and indifferent attitude towards Muslims, many young Muslims have become flag-bearers of Islam in South Korea via social media. Umar (Daesik) Choi, is part of the new wave of young Korean Muslims who are trying to spread awareness on Islam in South Korea through social media. He promotes Muslim-friendly restaurants in Seoul in collaboration with the Seoul Tourism Organization as part of a video series called "From Kebab to Kebab" on YouTube. And he is not alone in his mission to promote Islam. He is joined in by many other young Muslims and social abound in their efforts.

Muslims awaiting to break fast [Photo]

Despite being a small community, the Muslims as a community is peaceful and vibrant, and they love the country as much as anyone. Ramadan occupies a special month on the Islamic calendar as one of the most significant holidays in the religion. Though not all locals know about Ramadan, they respect the values, beliefs, rituals and customs of Islam. While I attended university, my professor always gave me a break during Ramadan so that I could offer prayers. My working friend said he is always allowed time to pray during working hours, says Majid Mushtaq from Pakistan. [5] 

You may like to watch a short video clip on Dramatic Rise of Islam in South Korea:

Disclaimer: The data for this post has been collected from the references given below. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

To know more about life of Muslims in other non-Muslim countries, please visit our Reference Page: Islam and Life of Muslims in Non Muslim Countries

You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.

Photo - Flag | References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |

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Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Islam in Namibia

Namibia or the Republic of Namibia, is a country in Southern Africa with an overwhelming Christian population of about 2.5 million (2020 estimate). The Muslims form part a tiny fraction of the total Namibian population, officially about 70,000 or a little more. Islam is not very new to this part of the world. It was only in 18th century that Muslims found inroad to this largely barren and deserted land. The initial Muslims were mainly from India when they were brought to lands what presently constitute Namibia by the British and Dutch colonists.

It was the port city of Luderitz where the Muslim traders of Indian traders and merchants settled in the late 1800s. These early Muslims built the first mosque in Namibia, which still stands today and serves as a hub of the Muslim community in Luderitz.  And it was from here that Islam started to spread to other parts of Namibia, particularly the capital city of Windhoek. Now there are several mosques and Islamic organizations in Windhoek. There is also a significant number of Muslims in the northern part of the country, particularly in the regions of Oshana and Ohangwena.

The Muslim community started to expand with lot of diversity as Muslims with various ethnicities of Indian, Pakistani, Arabs, and Africans origins. The Muslims are generally located in the urban areas. The majority of Muslims following the Hanafi school of thought. Apart from the original non-Namibian Muslims, there have been many local Namibians who have reverted to Islam. 

The first indigenous female Namibian is believed to have embraced Islam in the 1940s, while the first indigenous male is believed to have embraced Islam in 1979. 

However, due to very late presence of Muslims in this part of the world, Islam is still struggling to become a meaningful minority. Interestingly, Islam combined with Judaism, Buddhism, and the Baháʼí Faith, account for less than 1% of the population of Namibia.

As per one survey, Namibians are fairly open-minded towards Islam, however, due to the lack of cultural presence of Islam in Namibia, many people do not quite know much about Islam. In an interview, Dr. Armas Abdul Malik Shikongo, the Head of the Windhoek Islamic Centre based in Windhoek West. reveals his experience of reversion to Islam and said: 

Some Namibians do not even know that Muslims are a different religious community and separate from Christianity, for example referring to a place of worship in Islam as a 'Muslim or Islamic Church', which is quite inaccurate, since Islam is a separate religion, not a part of Christianity, though there are a number of similarities between the two Abrahamic faiths, just like Judaism. It seems more like many Namibians are [ignorant] about Islam, yet curious, as they tend to look at Muslims as resembling people described in the Bible, especially in terms of some behaviors such as their dress code, dietary habits and religious practices. [3]

There are about seven mosques in the capital city, Quba Mosque is one of the big ones as shown under

The Quba masjid draws many Muslims to it, especially on Friday congregational prayer.

The Quba masjid, which also the part of Windhoek Islamic Center, is the first masjid in the country. It has rightly been named as Quba, as the first ever masjid that was established in the early days of Islam in the city of the Medinah was named Quba by Prophet Muhammad. As of May 2009, there were twelve mosques in the country, six in Windhoek, two in Katima Mulilo, one in Walvis Bay, and three in the north of the country in the former Ovamboland.

Despite small Muslim population, the Adhan (call to prayer) has become a familiar sound and even non-Muslims know that Muslims are being called for their prayer.  The Imam of the masjid claims: "Despite Muslims being like apples hanging in a tree crowded with pears, but Islam has made a major impact here and our numbers are growing." [4]

The dominating Muslim tribe is that of Nama. Why mainly Muslims are from this tribe. Imam Ali tells the story of Jacobs Salmaan Dhameer, the country’s incumbent Electoral Commissioner. “Jacobs attended an Islamic Conference in Maseru (Lesotho) in 1980 and converted to Islam. He is the country’s first black Muslim,” he recalls. “When he returned from the conference he spread the word to his own people, the Nama. That is why many of them are practicing Muslims.”

While the going is great for the Namibian Muslims, they face major challenges. Muslim voices are hardly heard while Christians have airtime on state radio, television and columns in newspapers. The resistance to Islam is not because of terrorism. Neither is it a tale of fundamentalism. Car bombs and jihad, the holy Muslim war, belong to a different theatre in the world thousands of kilometers from Windhoek and other Namibian towns. Here is a story of the attraction some Namibians experience when it comes to Islam, a religion taking hold in a basically overwhelmingly Christian country. [6]

Although there is no representation of Muslims in the state affairs, the matters related to Muslims are generally taken care of by the Namibia Islamic Judicial Council is based on Ondobe in the Ohangwena Region. NIHA (Namibia Islamic Halaal Association) is Namibia's oldest and most well-known Halaal Certifying body, recognized by the Halaal Certification body in South Africa and in many Islamic states. NIHA was established in 2001 and before known as the Namibia Halaal Slaughterers Association. It certifies food outlets in the country. [1]

I could not get a video on life of Muslims in Namibia and their customs and traditions to celebrate Islamic festivals. But got hold of a short video clip on extending Dawah (Invitation to Islam) to villagers in Namibia:

Disclaimer: The data for this post has been collected from the references given below. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

To know more about life of Muslims in other non-Muslim countries, please visit our Reference Page: Islam and Life of Muslims in Non Muslim Countries

You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.

Photo | References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

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Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Why Latinos are Reverting to Islam in the USA?

Reading revert experiences is both educative and reassuring: Educative in the sense that these experiences give an insight into the mindset of the non-Muslims that finally leads them to reverting to Islam, and Reassuring for despite a n immense number of negativities being shown on social media and labeling Muslims as terrorists and unsuitable for "civilized' societies, thousands enter into the fold of Islam every day around the world.

AS for the USA, it is one single country were ratio of those accepting Islam is much more than in any country otherwise. As per estimates, 25,000 Americans convert to Islam per year. The conversion rate of Americans has become 4 times more since September 11. As of now, the Latino Muslim community is estimated to be between 40,000 and 200,000.

Of those reverting to Islam, there is measurable number of Latinos and Hispanic Americans who are willingly attracted to Islam for they believe that Islamic values harmonize with the traditional values of Latino culture. Converts have cited such similarities as respect for social solidarity, the family, the importance of religion, and education. Some Latino Muslims claim conversion to Islam as a return to their true heritage. 

Another imposing factor is that most Latinos who revert to Islam are Catholics, who find an intrinsic closeness to Islam, leaving aside concept of Jesus being God or son of God.  Similarities like the belief in Monotheism, reverence of Mary, mother of Prophet Eesa (Jesus, peace be upon him), pilgrimage, praying (Salat for Muslims), fasting and charity, attract Latinos to Islam for the concept of all these factors is clearer in Islam than Christianity.

In one of the revert experiences of a Catholic Latino, the one-to-one connection between God and the Muslims, was the deciding factor for they have been approaching God with priests acting as mediators. There is a relative simplicity within Islam with structure and theology in this respect.

Many Latino converts come from Catholic backgrounds and the similarities between Catholicism and Islam give them a sense of familiarity with their new religion. However, some Latino Muslims had difficulty with the Church, believing in original sin, and in the Holy Trinity. Islam solves the problems many Latinos have with the Catholic Church. Fathi Osman, resident scholar at the Omar Foundation, says "in their own countries Hispanics did not see the Church supporting the rights of the poor. Rather it sided with the rich and the influential." This, he argues, has contributed to some Latinos converting to Islam. [1] 

Twenty-year-old Gabby Gonzalez. like other converts, found the Catholic Church too bureaucratic and too impersonal. She also had a hard time with certain aspects of the faith, like the hierarchy of the church, belief in the Trinity and original sin. She remembers going to mass weekly with her grandmother and cousins, and just feeling lost.

As per a report, "Latinas Choosing Islam over Catholicism", published by NPR, at the North Hudson Islamic Education Center, weekly classes on what it means to be a Muslim cater to the mosque's growing Hispanic population. Mosque leaders say 10 years ago there were only a handful of Hispanics at Friday prayers, and today there are roughly 150. On this night a couple dozen new Spanish-speaking converts gather in a small classroom next to the main prayer room. [3]

The concept of repentance and forgiveness of sins by God is one of the major contributing for criminals and prisoners reverting to Islam. This perhaps is a major breakthrough in the reformation of criminals who otherwise do not find a respectful place in society. But once in the fold of Islam, they not only are reassured that whatever sins they had committed as non-Muslims will be washed away and their life starts as if they are born afresh. Not only this, their lives as Muslims are a complete transformation from their previous life and they become very useful part of society. 

Islam allows those convicted of crimes to recover from the stigma of being a "criminal".[9] By following the teachings of Islam, people who are convicted of a crime have a moral framework for rehabilitation and recovery as well as providing prisoners with a more positive way to cope with the harsh environment in prison, which in turn lessens their likelihood to have to turn to violence and aggression.[13] Spalek and El-Hassan suggest that the work of prison Imams is vital and needs to have greater support, especially during the transition period when individuals and adjusting to life after being released from prison.[13] Studies also show that rates of recidivism are lower for Muslim converts. [1]

The Latino and Hispanic reverts, like elsewhere in the world, draw a severe reaction from their friends and families. Specially women, who when start wearing Hijab, become instant target of fury of their relatives. But it is very reassuring to know that most of the reverts are getting along with the negative outburst by their near and dear ones, and are continue to cling to their new found faith and are even helping others reverts who take these negativities rather seriously and need counseling. Although, Islam may restrict freedom of women while wearing Hijab, yet women feel they are now more respectful than before.

We may go on and on to talk on the subject as the experiences of Latinos and Hispanic American are never ending. But the purpose of this post is only to share how the Latino and Hispanic feel about Islam and how their grievances with the Church and concepts of Trinity, Jesus being God are leading them to find a soothing solace as Muslims.

To sum up, please watch the video below which says it all about reversion of Latinos to Islam in USA:

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Disclaimer: The data / video for this post has been collected from the references given below or YouTube. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

To read personal accounts of many a celebrity who have reverted to Islam, please visit our page: Embracing Islam: Revert Experiences.

You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.

Photo | References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

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Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Understanding Islam: Difference between Islam and Iman

We have written a number of posts to clear many a doubt about Islam and how to better understand it. Today we take on a subject which is mostly misunderstood by many non-Muslims, and even Muslims. But perhaps we are too shy to clear our doubts and understand various terminologies related to Islam. The theme thus being discussed in this post is The Difference between Islam and īmān (إِيمَان ).

To start with, many believe that by taking Shahadah, one has become a Muslim and that is all about it. But those who ponder over religious matters know for sure that by taking Shahadah, they have only taken the first step on a long and arduous journey that lies ahead after entering the fold of Islam.

Here we would like to quote the 14th verse of Surah 49 Al Hujaraat (The Private Chambers) which set forth a ground to clarify the difference between Islam and Iman (Faith):

قَالَتِ الۡاَعۡرَابُ اٰمَنَّا​ ؕ قُلْ لَّمۡ تُؤۡمِنُوۡا وَلٰـكِنۡ قُوۡلُوۡۤا اَسۡلَمۡنَا وَلَمَّا يَدۡخُلِ الۡاِيۡمَانُ فِىۡ قُلُوۡبِكُمۡ​ ۚ وَاِنۡ تُطِيۡعُوا اللّٰهَ وَرَسُوۡلَهٗ لَا يَلِتۡكُمۡ مِّنۡ اَعۡمَالِكُمۡ شَيۡـئًـا​ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ غَفُوۡرٌ رَّحِيۡمٌ‏

(49:14) The Bedouins say: "We believe.'' Say: "You do not believe. But say, `We have submitted,' for Faith has not yet entered your hearts. But if you obey Allah and His Messenger, He will not decrease anything in reward for your deeds. Verily, Allah is Forgiving, Most Merciful.'

In very simple explanation, Islam is the submission to enter the religion we call Islam. A newly reverted Muslim may outwardly pray five times, pay Zakat, keep fats during the month of Ramadan and also perform Hajj, if his pocket allows to embark upon the journey. But we do not know what goes into his heart: Whether his decision to enter the fold of Islam is really engrained into his heart and he is ready to embark upon a journey based on the commandments of Allah as mentioned in Qur'an and Hadith and Sunnah of the last of the prophets, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ? Or in other words, as the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ had said that " الإسلام علانية والإيمان سريرة " - Al-Islam is the apparent (declaration) and al-Iman is the hidden (belief). That is, one's true conviction in Allah is the hallmark of Islam. Unless one's heart is not filled up with love for his Creator and is willing to undertake a journey as commanded for his, he may continue to be in the fold of Islam but with weak Iman.  For, from now onward, he is to accept the will of Allah without an iota of doubt and hesitation.

The more a Muslim is tested, encountered with tests and trials, more his faith gains. In fact, those who choose to obey are tested more than others for Allah knows they will succeed and will accordingly raise their status, both in this world and in the Hereafter.

Differentiation between faith (Iman) and Islam is best answered by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ when one day Angel Jibraeel (Gabriel) came and asked, "What is faith?" Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) replied, 'Faith is to believe in Allah, His angels, (the) meeting with Him, His Apostles, and to believe in Resurrection." Then he further asked, "What is Islam?" Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) replied, "Islam is to worship Allah Alone and none else, to offer prayers perfectly to pay the compulsory charity (Zakat) and to observe fasts during the month of Ramadan." (Read full hadith here). 

You may scroll down to listen to a short yet enlightening commentary on the subject by eminent Muslim scholar Mufti Menk.

The very next verse, Allah clarifies:

اِنَّمَا الۡمُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا بِاللّٰهِ وَرَسُوۡلِهٖ ثُمَّ لَمۡ يَرۡتَابُوۡا وَجَاهَدُوۡا بِاَمۡوَالِهِمۡ وَاَنۡفُسِهِمۡ فِىۡ سَبِيۡلِ اللّٰهِ​ ؕ اُولٰٓـئِكَ هُمُ الصّٰدِقُوۡنَ‏ 

(49:15) Indeed the ones possessed of true faith are those who believed in Allah and His Messenger and then they did not entertain any doubt and strove hard in the Way of Allah with their lives and their possessions. These are the truthful ones.

Skipping out the commentary by eminent Muslim scholar Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, Mouddi in his explanation of the verse 14 mentioned above, which explains the background which shows the behavior of some of the newly reverted Muslims who had only outwardly accepted Islam with their hollow hearts, lets focus on the actual substance that differentiates between the terms Islam and Faith, that is Iman:

Another translation of the words qulu aslamna can be; Say: We have become Muslims. From these words some people have concluded that in the language of the Quran, Mumin and Muslim are two opposite terms. A Mumin is he who has believed sincerely and a Muslim he who might have accepted Islam only verbally without true faith. But, in fact, this is an absolutely wrong idea. No doubt the word iman here has been used for sincere affirmation by the heart and the word Islam for only outward and external submission but to understand them as two independent and mutually contradictory terms of the Quran is not correct. A study of the Quranic verses in which the words Islam and Muslim have been used, shows that in the Quranic terminology of Islam is the name of the Faith, which Allah has sent down for mankind. It comprehends the faith and obedience both, and a Muslim is he who believes with a sincere heart and obeys the commands practically. This is borne out by the following verses:

Indeed, Islam is the only right way of life in the sight of Allah. (Surah Aal-Imran, Ayat 19).

And whoever adopts any other than this way of submission (Islam), that way shall not be accepted from him. (Surah Aal-Imran, Ayat 85).

And I have approved Islam as the way of life for you. (Surah Al-Maidah, Ayat 3).

Whomever Allah wills to guide aright, He makes his breast wide open to Islam. (Surah Al-Anaam, Ayat 125).

Obviously, in these verses Islam does not imply obedience without the faith. Here are some other verses: Say (O Prophet): I have been enjoined to be the first one to affirm (faith in) Islam. (Surah Al-Anaam, Ayat 14).

If they have surrendered (to Islam), they are rightly guided. (Surah Aal-Imran, Ayat 20).

All the Prophets, who were Muslims, judged the cases according to the Torah. (Surah Al-Maidah, Ayat 44).

Here, and at scores of other places, acceptance of Islam cannot mean adopting obedience without the faith. Likewise, here are a few verses in which the word Muslim has occurred signifying the meaning in which it has been used repeatedly in the Quran: O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should truly be feared and see that you do not die save as true Muslim. (Surah Aal-Imran, Ayat 102).

Allah had called you Muslims before this and has called you (by the same name) in this Quran, too. (Surah Al-Hajj, Ayat 78).

Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was a Muslim, sound in the faith. (Surah Aal-Imran, Ayat 67).

And remember that when Abraham and Ishmael were raising the walls of this House, they prayed: Lord, make us Thy Muslims and also raise from our offspring a community which should be Muslim. (Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayat 128).

(The Prophet Jacob’s will for his children): O my children, Allah has chosen the same way of life for you, hence remain Muslims up to your last breath. (Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayat 132).

After a study of these verses who can say that in these the word Muslim implies a person who does not believe sincerely but has accepted Islam only outwardly? Therefore, to make the claim that in the Quranic terminology Islam implies obedience without the faith and the Muslim in the language of the Quran is he who accepts Islam only outwardly is absolutely wrong. Likewise, this claim also is wrong that the words iman and mumin have been used in the Quran necessarily in the sense of believing sincerely. No doubt, at most places these words have occurred to express the same meaning, but there are many places where these words have also been used for outward affirmation of the faith, and all those who might have entered the Muslim community with verbal profession have been addressed with, “O you who have believed”, no matter whether they are the true believers, or people with a weak faith, or mere hypocrites. For a few instances of this, see (Surah Aal-Imran, Ayat 156); (Surah An-Nisa, Ayat 135); (Surah Al-Maidah, Ayat 54); (Surah Al-Anfaal, Ayats 20-27); (Surah At-Taubah, Ayat 38), (Surah Al-Hadid, Ayat 28); (Surah As-Saff, Ayat 2).

Javed Ahmad Ghamidi Explanation:

The actual word is: اَسْلَمْنَا. Here it refers to outward obedience. It occurs in the Arabic language in this meaning also. The implication is that it is not befitting for them to lay claim to faith; what they can say is that when they saw that Islam had become a political force, they submitted to its authority. This too is a form of subservience and how can they term it as a favour?

True faith, which when entering a person, grasps the mind and heart in such a way that nothing from his thinking and deeds remains unaffected and uninfluenced by it.

(God shall not make any reduction in your deeds.) He will fully reward them. Hence this obedience will be of benefit to them; nothing of these has any benefit for God.

([So, reform your selves.] God certainly is Forgiving, Ever-Merciful.) This is an invitation to reform one’s self. Most of these people were naive. Thus, besides warning them, they are invited at various instances to turn towards God and seek forgiveness; their Lord’s mercy awaits them; He is very forgiving.

Yusuf Ali Explanation: 

The desert Arabs were somewhat shaky in their faith. Their hearts and minds were petty, and they thought of petty things, while Islam requires the complete submission of one's being to Allah. See next verse. Some of the failings of the desert Arabs are described in xlviii. 11-15. But the reference here is said to be to the Banu Asad, who came to profess Islam in order to get charity during a famine.

'This is what ye ought to prove if your faith has any meaning, but ye only say it with your tongues.'

Tafsir Qur'an Wiki:

As the Surah draws to its end, it fittingly explains the truth of faith in reply to those Bedouins who claimed to be believers when they did not even understand the nature of faith. This also serves as a reply to those who tried to press their acceptance of Islam as a favour they thought they did for the Prophet. In essence, they do not appreciate that it is only through God's favour that people believe.

The first of these verses is said to have been revealed in relation to the Bedouins of the Asad tribe who, as soon as they accepted Islam, boasted saying, 'We have attained to faith.' They even counted this as a favour they performed for the Prophet. They said to him: "Messenger of God! We have become Muslims. Other Arabs have fought you, but we have not." God wanted to show them the truth of what was in their hearts when they said this, stating that they only embraced Islam in submission while the truth of faith had not touched their hearts or souls. "Say [to them]: 'Believers you are not. Rather say, "We have submitted ourselves', for true faith has not entered your hearts." (Verse 14)

Nevertheless, God's grace has dictated that they will be rewarded for every good action they do, letting nothing go to waste. Even the outward manifestation of Islam, which has not yet penetrated into people's hearts to become genuine faith, is sufficient to make their good deeds count and be recorded. Thus, their deeds are not wasted like those of unbelievers. No part of their reward is wasted as long as they continue to obey: " If you truly pay heed to God and His Messenger, He will let nothing of your deeds go to waste." (Verse 14) This is because God is quick to grant forgiveness and bestow His mercy. He accepts from His servant the first step and rewards him for submission and obedience while waiting until faith settles in his heart: "God is indeed much-forgiving, merciful." (Verse 14)

For explanation of the aforesaid verse by Ibn e Kathir, please click here.

You may like to listen to a short but crystal-clear delineation by Islam and Iman by Mufti Menk:

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Photo | references: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |

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