Who is a Muslim to Allah

Ask someone in the Western world: Who is a Muslim? And one will get a widely varied response. The perception of Muslims in the West is rather complex, influenced by historical, social, and political factors. It can range from positive to negative, depending on various contexts and individual perspectives. For many, the word Muslim brings to mind the image of a terrorist, an Afghan Taliban and someone living in desert chasing camels. This perception mainly arises from the perception of Muslims aired on the social media. One would never get to see someone defining Muslim as a well educated and literate person, for a large number of Muslims are employees of some of the major conglomerates and business empires.

Today, let us define for you who actually is a Muslim. Or should we say who a Muslim is to Allah, for there is bond between a true believing Muslim and his Creator. This bondage thus defines who a Muslim is.

A Muslim is defined in the Quran as someone who submits to the will of Allah, believes in His oneness, accepts all His prophets, believes in the unseen, performs righteous deeds, accepts Allah's decree, and supports the community of believers. This comprehensive definition encompasses faith, practice, and ethical conduct, reflecting the holistic approach of Islam to human life and spirituality.

Let us now elaborate the above quoted definition of Muslim as condensed form a number of verses from Qur'an, meaning by this the man whom Allah considers to be a Muslim. Herein under is the further elaborate the characteristics of the person called Muslim:

Submission to Allah:

A Muslim is one who submits his will to Allah. This is the fundamental meaning of the term "Muslim" (from the Arabic root S-L-M, meaning "to submit" or "to surrender").

Surah Al-Baqarah (2:112): "Yes, whoever submits his face to Allah and he is a doer of good, then his reward is with his Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve."

Belief in Allah and the Prophets:

Muslims are those who believe in Allah and accept all His prophets, including the final prophet, Muhammad ﷺ. Here it may be said that Muslims believe in the entire chain of prophets and messengers right from Adam, followed by Noah, Moses, Abraham, Ishmael, and Ishaq. The list also includes Eesa (called Jesus by Christians) as a prophet of Allah too, and not as an associate or even a god at par with the One and the Only God of the universe.

"The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers. All of them have believed in Allah and His angels and His books and His messengers, [saying], 'We make no distinction between any of His messengers.' And they say, 'We hear and we obey. [We seek] Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the [final] destination.'"

Faith in the Unseen: This is the hallmark of a person called Muslim. Often atheists ask Muslims whether they have seen Allah they believe in? And even ask scientific explanations for they know nothing beyond 2+2=4.  But they fail to see the signs, not only the earth and countless living creations as small as a being which can only be seen with the help of a microscope, but also the fathomless and never ending ends of the universe. Even the Hubble Telescope, the marvel of the present day science has not been able to reach anything close to the ends, which to my mind do not exist. Yet Muslims believed in Allah unseen when Prophet Muhammad ﷺ asked the illiterate, rigid, hard core Bedouins of Arabia.

Muslims believe in the unseen, including the existence of Allah, angels, the afterlife, and other metaphysical aspects.

Surah Al-Baqarah (2:3): "Who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them."

Righteous Deeds: Being a Muslim involves performing righteous deeds, which include prayer, charity, fasting, and other acts of worship and kindness.

"Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is in one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives his wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; [and who] establishes prayer and gives zakah; [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:177):

 

Acceptance of Allah's Decree: Muslims accept Allah's decree and trust in His wisdom and judgment.

"And those who strive for Us - We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good." (Surah Al-Ankabut 29:69) 

Community and Brotherhood: Muslims are part of a global brotherhood, the Ummah, and are encouraged to support and care for each other.

"The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy." (Surah Al-Hujurat 49:10)

Muslims are asked by Allah to call others to the Straight Path: Allah expects a person who calls himself a Muslim to invite others to Islam as has been directed in the verse mentioned below:

For every people We have prescribed a way of worship which they follow. So, (O Muhammad), let them not dispute with you concerning this, and call them to Your Lord. You are certainly on the Straight Way. (qur'an 22:67) 

The act of worship differs between the people of the Book, that is Jews, Christians and the Muslims. In the verse above, While Muslims have been asked to interfere with their form or act of worship, they have been asked to call them to Your Lord. You are certainly on the Straight Way.

These attributes are of  person whom Allah calls a Muslim and will reward them if they follow His prescribed path with complete faith in Allah and invite others to the staright path that leads to One Omnipotent Allah.

You may also like to read our earlier post: Who is a Muslim

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.

For more Q&A about Understanding Islam, please refer to our reference page: Understanding Islam - Frequently asked Q&A

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 Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Responding to Misinterpretation of Qur'an: (Prophet) Mohammed (ﷺ) asked Muslims to turn to Christians to get the truth

There is no limit to raise objections about Islam by misinterpreting verses of Qur'an and twisting the facts by non Muslims, specially the people of the Book (that is Torah and the Gospel). I recently came across a post in which a Muslims has been quoted as saying that he adopted Christianity for a number of reasons, one being the topic of our post today. One of the reason he quoted for his conversion to Christianity is:

Mohammed is asking the Muslims to turn to Christians to get the truth (as mentioned in Surah 10 Yunus, verse 94)

I am amazed to hear this from a "former" Muslims for the reason that he seems as naïve about Qur'an, specially the above quoted verse. And at the same time the one who consolidated his "reasons" without himself reading the post with reference to the context and publishing it as a point scoring over Muslims.

Before I give the counter comments, let me make one thing very clear right from the outset. Qur'an is one book of merely six to seven hundred pages encompassing events from expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Paradise, going over mentions of all major prophets including Noah, Moses, Abraham, Eesa and civilizations like Ad and Thamud, and related anecdotes in mere summary form. It is for this reason that details of accounts are skipped for these have been discussed and mentioned in previous unadulterated scriptures. Now if Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has been mentioned in Qur'an to consult the People of the Book, it is only as far the historical references, anecdotes and parables. and IN NO WAY to accept the teachings of prophets that have been written in a much later timeframe by people who were no way near to the earlier prophets. Thus whatever is written, specially in the Bible, is about Jesus and not the revelation from one true God.

Now coming over to the 94th verse of Surah 10. Yunus:

Quran 10:94 reads: "So if you are in doubt, [O Muhammad], about that which We have revealed to you, then ask those who have been reading the Scripture before you. The truth has certainly come to you from your Lord, so never be among the doubters."

The idea that Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) asked Muslims to turn to Christians for the truth is not supported by any authentic Islamic texts. Instead, Islamic teachings emphasize that Muslims should seek guidance primarily from the Quran and the Sunnah (the teachings and practices of the Prophet Muhammad). Rather there are instances in the Quran where it is mentioned that the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) had knowledge of previous revelations and that some among them were aware of the coming of a new prophet, and yet the hide it for it would have underscored their faith. Remember, the chain of Divine Scriptures and commandments continued from Prophet Adam, and with each Book, the same theme was carried forward with amendments and add on for the Divine Commandments were gradually revealed. 

However, when it comes to mention of a prophet who was yet to come, the priests and religious scholars suppressed such information to uphold their faith as final. Quran mentions in Quran 2:146:

"Those to whom We gave the Scripture know him as they know their own sons. But indeed, a party of them conceal the truth while they know [it]."

There are many such verses in Qur'an that indicate that people of the previous scriptures had knowledge that could recognize the truth in the message brought by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). However, this is not an instruction for Muslims to seek the truth from them, but rather it acknowledges that the previous scriptures contained prophecies and signs about the coming of Muhammad (ﷺ).

While Muslims are encouraged to understand the messages of previous prophets and respect the People of the Book, the primary sources of truth and guidance in Islam remain the Quran and the Sunnah. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) did not direct Muslims to seek religious truth from Christians or Jews, but rather to acknowledge the shared heritage and to follow the final revelation given in the Quran.

Now let us specifically decipher the verse of Qur'an that "led a Muslim to accept Christianity:"

Explanation of Quran 10:94

This verse is addressed primarily to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) but also has a broader implication for all believers. Here are some key points to understand this verse:

Context and Background:

This verse is part of Surah Yunus (Jonah), which deals with themes of divine guidance, the truth of the Quran, and the consequences of accepting or rejecting that guidance. The verse addresses the idea of doubt and reassurance of the truth of the Quran.

Addressing Doubt:

The verse acknowledges the possibility of doubt, which is a natural human experience. However, it reassures that the revelation given to Muhammad (ﷺ) is true and from Allah.

It suggests that if there is any doubt, one should refer to those who have knowledge of previous scriptures (i.e., the Torah and the Gospel) because the Quran confirms the core messages found in those earlier revelations.

Consulting the People of the Book:

"Ask those who have been reading the Scripture before you" implies that people knowledgeable about the Torah and the Gospel could verify that the Quran's message aligns with the prophecies and teachings found in earlier scriptures.

This serves to confirm that the Quran is part of the same divine tradition and is consistent with previous revelations.

Reassurance of Truth:

The verse reassures the Prophet and believers that the truth has come from Allah. It emphasizes that the revelation of the Quran is certain and should not be doubted.

The mention of doubt is not to suggest that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) himself doubted, but it serves as a general principle for believers who might encounter doubts.

Broader Implications for Believers

• Affirmation of Faith: The verse encourages believers to seek confirmation of their faith by understanding the continuity and consistency of divine messages throughout history.
• Respect for Previous Scriptures: 
• It emphasizes respect for the Torah and the Gospel and acknowledges the shared heritage between Islam and the previous Abrahamic faiths.
• Muslims are encouraged to recognize the connections and confirmatory nature of the Quran with previous scriptures.
• Addressing Doubts: The verse provides a method for addressing doubts by seeking knowledge and understanding, reinforcing the importance of knowledge in strengthening faith.

In view of the above explanation, Quran in fact reassures the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and all believers of the truth of the Quran, highlighting its consistency with previous scriptures and encouraging the seeking of knowledge to resolve doubts. It underscores the importance of understanding the continuity of divine revelation and strengthens the believer’s conviction in the truth of the Islamic message. 

Thus the concept that Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) asked Muslims to turn to Christians for the truth is a misunderstanding. Islamic teachings emphasize that the Quran and Sunnah are the ultimate sources of truth and guidance for Muslims. Respect for previous revelations and prophets is integral to Islam, but the final and complete guidance is found in the Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).

Remember brothers and sisters in Islam, many of us do not have in depth knowledge of Qur'an nor we have ever read any authentic exegesis / tafsir of Qur'an and Hadith to brush our knowledge about Islam not only to be better Muslims, but also to responded to observations / lies about Islam and misinterpretation of Qur'an. The number of reasons listed by that some ex Muslim seems factious in the first place. But at the same time, such change of faith may occur when someone has a weak faith founded on Qur'anic and Hadith illiteracy. Such believers are easy targets for the well read missionaries who with their articulation and jugglery of words can mislead such believers of illiterate Muslims.

Let us know Islam well and let no one deceive about Islam by lies, misinformation and disinformation. Islam provides the easiest access to Allah without any intermediary to speak to Him, repent one's sins and seek forgiveness.

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.

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.

You may read more posts on countering / responding to lies / misinformation and disinformation about Islam: The Rebuttal: Countering disinformation being spread about Islam (Reference Page)

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | 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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Who will be the Three Unlucky People Allah will not look at on the Day of Resurrection

Qur'an is full of promises of His blessings and forgiveness for those who do good to them and others as well. At the same time, there those unlucky ones who did nothing that could please others, and so Allah too. For Allah says that anyone who looks after the others, feeds the orphans and travelers, looks after the poor, specially the widows, will have a higher status on the Day of Resurrection than the selfish and the misers.

The same theme is echoed in the sayings of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in many of his Hadiths. We are sharing one such Hadith which is mentioned in Sahi al-Bukhārī  (Book 42 Distribution of Water /  كتاب المساقاة / Chapter 5:  The sin of him who withholds water from travelers / باب   إِثْمِ مَنْ مَنَعَ ابْنَ السَّبِيلِ مِنَ الْمَاءِ‏ ) as Hadith 2358, given herein under:

Narrated by Abu Huraira:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "There are three persons whom Allah will not look at on the Day of Resurrection, nor will he purify them and theirs shall be a severe punishment. They are: -1. A man possessed superfluous water, on a way and he withheld it from travelers. -2. A man who gave a pledge of allegiance to a ruler and he gave it only for worldly benefits. If the ruler gives him something he gets satisfied, and if the ruler withholds something from him, he gets dissatisfied. -3. And man displayed his goods for sale after the `Asr prayer and he said, 'By Allah, except Whom None has the right to be worshipped, I have been given so much for my goods,' and somebody believes him (and buys them). The Prophet (ﷺ) then recited: "Verily! Those who purchase a little gain at the cost of Allah's Covenant and their oaths." (3.77)

Arabic Text:

حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَاحِدِ بْنُ زِيَادٍ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا صَالِحٍ، يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ ثَلاَثَةٌ لاَ يَنْظُرُ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ، وَلاَ يُزَكِّيهِمْ، وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ رَجُلٌ كَانَ لَهُ فَضْلُ مَاءٍ بِالطَّرِيقِ، فَمَنَعَهُ مِنِ ابْنِ السَّبِيلِ، وَرَجُلٌ بَايَعَ إِمَامًا لاَ يُبَايِعُهُ إِلاَّ لِدُنْيَا، فَإِنْ أَعْطَاهُ مِنْهَا رَضِيَ، وَإِنْ لَمْ يُعْطِهِ مِنْهَا سَخِطَ، وَرَجُلٌ أَقَامَ سِلْعَتَهُ بَعْدَ الْعَصْرِ، فَقَالَ وَاللَّهِ الَّذِي لاَ إِلَهَ غَيْرُهُ لَقَدْ أَعْطَيْتُ بِهَا كَذَا وَكَذَا، فَصَدَّقَهُ رَجُلٌ‏"‏ ثُمَّ قَرَأَ هَذِهِ الآيَةَ ‏{‏إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَشْتَرُونَ بِعَهْدِ اللَّهِ وَأَيْمَانِهِمْ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلاً‏}‏

In the hadith above, three categories of the unlucky people have been mention. 

• A man who can feed the travelers and provide them water but holds back despite abundance of resources available to him. These resources are in his possessions not due to his handwork but blessed on him by Allah as a test. If one fails the test, he ranks in the unlucky people whom Allah will not even have a look on the Day of Resurrection.
• The second category is of those people who take allegiance of support to the a ruler hoping to be rewarded. The allegiance of support to the a JUST ruler without any lust is the hallmark of a believer. But only unjust rulers reward people who support them and then reward them. Such supporters and rulers both will be among the lowly category of people who will be totally ignored by Allah.
• The third category is that of traders who swear upon Allah to to sell his merchandise which he purchased at a much lesser price but enticed buyers by swearing on Allah that he is selling his merchandise on no profit. Such traders too will be among the ranks of unlucky people and will be ignored by Allah.

While cautioning believers, the Prophet then recited the 77th verse of Surah 3. Al'Imran:

اِنَّ الَّذِيۡنَ يَشۡتَرُوۡنَ بِعَهۡدِ اللّٰهِ وَاَيۡمَانِهِمۡ ثَمَنًا قَلِيۡلًا اُولٰٓـئِكَ لَا خَلَاقَ لَهُمۡ فِى الۡاٰخِرَةِ وَلَا يُكَلِّمُهُمُ اللّٰهُ وَلَا يَنۡظُرُ اِلَيۡهِمۡ يَوۡمَ الۡقِيٰمَةِ وَلَا يُزَكِّيۡهِمۡ وَلَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ اَ لِيۡمٌ‏ 

(3:77) There shall be no share in the Life to Come for those who sell away the covenant of Allah and their oaths for a trivial gain. On the Day of Resurrection Allah will neither address them, look at them, nor will He purify them. A painful chastisement lies ahead of them.

Let us then, be God fearing, honest, man loving and good to others and believe in blessings of Allah. If we have these traits, Allah promises good reward and elevated status on the Day of Resurrection. Time is too short to bag as much blessings of Allah as possible to meet our Creator with heads high, In Sha Allah.

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 reference page: Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Warning and Cautions for more Hadiths on the subject

For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Source of Hadith

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given above. 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.

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.

Follow @IslamUltimate

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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Responding to Misinterpretation of Qur'an: Prophet of Muslims did not know what will be done to him

Every other day I  read I come across objections and lies about Islam based on misinterpretation of verses of Qur'an only the purpose of point scoring and let down Islam and its Prophet (Muhammad ﷺ). Today we share yet another objection on Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as given below:

Such accusations are made when one is not well read and carried out adequate research to know why this verse was revealed in Qur'an and under what circumstances. From the face of it the verse shows that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was a blind man who did not know what will become of him nor his followers, who as per objections are also considered as blind, thus a blind leading the blind to fall into a pit.

Now let us go step by step. First let me reproduce the 9th verse of Surah 46. Al Ahqaf which is being referred to:

( 9 )   Say, "I am not something original among the messengers, nor do I know what will be done with me or with you. I only follow that which is revealed to me, and I am not but a clear warner."

To understand verse 9, we need to know the background: 

When the Prophet (peace be upon him) presented himself as Allah’s Messenger, the people of Makkah raised different kinds of objections against it. They said: What kind of a Messenger he is who has a family, who moves about in the streets, eats and drinks and lives a common man’s life. There is nothing special about him, which might distinguish him above the other people and therefore we may know that Allah has specially made this man His Messenger. Then they said: Had he ban appointed a Messenger by God, He would have sent an angel as an attendant with him who would have announced that he was God’s Messenger, and would have punished with a scourge every such person who had behaved insolently towards him. How strange that God should appoint a person as His Messenger and then should leave him alone to roam the streets of Makkah and suffer every kind of humiliation. If nothing else Allah should at least have created a magnificent palace and a blooming garden for His Messenger. He should not have been left to depend on his wife’s resources. Besides, these people demanded different kinds of miracles from him and asked news of the unseen. They thought that a person’s being God’s Messenger meant that he should possess supernatural powers to turn deserts at once turn into green fields. He should have the knowledge of the past and the future events and of everything hidden from others.

An answer to the same has been given in these sentences, and each sentence contains a world of meaning:

First, it is said: Tell them, I am not a novel Messenger. That is, my being appointed as a Messenger is not a novel event of its kind in the world so that you may have some confusion about the characteristics of a Messenger. Many Messengers have come to the world before me, and I am not any different from them. Never has a Messenger come who did not live a common man’s life. Never has an angel descended as an attendant with a Messenger, heralding his prophet-hood and carrying a whip before him. Never have gardens and palaces been created for a Messenger and never has a Messenger been spared of the hardships which I am suffering. Never has a Messenger shown a miracle by his own power, or known everything by his own knowledge. Then, how is it that you are bringing forth these strange criteria only to judge my Prophethood?

Now coming over the above quoted misinterpretation and its answer:

Then it is said: Tell them also, I do not know what shall befall you tomorrow nor what shall befall me. I am not a knower of the unseen so that everything of the past and present and future should be known to me, and I should have the knowledge of everything in the world. Not to speak of your future, I do not even know my own future. I only know that of which I am given knowledge by revelation. It is not a Messenger’s job to tell the whereabouts of the lost articles, or tell whether a pregnant woman will deliver a boy or a girl, or whether a sick patient will live or die. 

In conclusion, it is said: Say to them, I am no more than a plain warner. That is, I do not possess divine powers so that I may show you the wonderful miracles that you demand from me every next day. My only mission is that I should present the right way before the people, and should warn of an evil end those who do not accept it. 

Let me explain the above said verse again to make it more clear to understand and shun any misunderstanding germination in some minds. This verse emphasizes several key aspects of the prophetic mission of Muhammad (ﷺ) and his role in the broader context of divine revelation.

Key Points

Continuity with Previous Messengers:

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) is instructed to say that he is not a new or unique phenomenon among the messengers. This means he is part of a long line of prophets who came before him, delivering the same essential message of monotheism and submission to Allah.

This emphasizes the continuity of the message of Islam with previous revelations given to prophets like Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus (peace be upon them all).

Limited Knowledge of the Unseen:

The Prophet (ﷺ) acknowledges that he does not have knowledge of the unseen, including what will happen to him or to his people in the future. This underscores the human aspect of the Prophet and distinguishes him from Allah, who is the only knower of the unseen.

This is a reminder that ultimate knowledge and decision-making lie with Allah alone.

Adherence to Revelation:

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) declares that he follows only what is revealed to him by Allah. His teachings and actions are based on divine guidance rather than personal opinions or desires. This stresses the importance of the Quran and Sunnah as the primary sources of guidance for Muslims.

Role as a Warner:

The verse concludes by describing the Prophet (ﷺ) as a "clear warner." His primary role is to warn people about the consequences of their actions and to call them to the worship of Allah alone. The term "clear warner" indicates that his message is straightforward, clear, and meant to be understood by all.

Implications for Muslims (and everyone else) to understand Qur'an and the wisdom of Divine Revelations:

Following the Prophet's Example:

Muslims are encouraged to follow the example of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) by adhering strictly to the Quran and Sunnah, recognizing that these are the true sources of guidance.

Humility and Reliance on Allah:

The verse teaches humility by showing that even the Prophet (ﷺ) does not possess knowledge of the unseen or control over future events. This should inspire Muslims to place their trust and reliance on Allah.

Unity of the Prophetic Message:

Understanding that Muhammad (ﷺ) is part of a long line of messengers highlights the unity of the message of all prophets, fostering a sense of continuity and respect for previous scriptures and prophets.

To sum up, this verse serves as a profound reminder of the Prophet Muhammad’s (ﷺ) place within the prophetic tradition, his adherence to divine revelation, and his role as a warner. It calls Muslims to follow the clear and revealed guidance, remain humble, and trust in Allah’s ultimate knowledge and wisdom. And that they should never take any of the previous prophets / messengers and Prophet Muhammad’s (ﷺ) as well to take them as fortune tellers and predicting the events yet to unfold. The followers of any prophet / messenger should try to understand the warnings being sounded by them, as directed by the Lord of the universe, the one and the only God Almighty without any associates, Muslims call Allah. If one has the wisdom to object, then one should have the wisdom to first carryout a research of the information about a particular religion and then raise an objection, rather than misinterpreting an information based on no or very shallow knowledge.

So let no one deceive about Islam by lies, misinformation and disinformation. Islam provides the easiest access to Allah without any intermediary to speak to Him, repent one's sins and seek forgiveness.

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.

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.

You may read more posts on countering / responding to lies / misinformation and disinformation about Islam: The Rebuttal: Countering disinformation being spread about Islam (Reference Page)

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. 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 | Resource References: | 1 | 

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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Reward to a traveler and the sick of their good deeds (Hadith Prophet Muhammad ﷺ)

Islam is a religion that promises countless blessings of Allah for those who do good with good intentions to please Allah, and not to show of their good deeds to others. And if a man is in a habit of always doing good and stays away from the enticement of the evil, he is promised immense reward for his good deeds.

We share today a hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in which he conveyed the good tidings to such people and assured them the reward of their regular good deeds even when sick or on a journey.  This Hadith is mentioned in Sahi al-Bukhārī  (Book 56 Fighting for the Cause of Allah (Jihaad) /  كتاب ا الجهاد والسير / Chapter 134:  A traveller is granted reward / باب   يُكْتَبُ لِلْمُسَافِرِ مِثْلُ مَا كَانَ يَعْمَلُ فِي الإِقَامَةِ‏ ) as Hadith 2996, given herein under:

Narrated by Ibrahim Abu Isma`il As-Saksaki:

I heard Abu Burda who accompanied Yazid bin Abi Kabsha on a journey. Yazid used to observe fasting on journeys. Abu Burda said to him, "I heard Abu Musa several times saying that Allah's Apostle said, 'When a slave falls ill or travels, then he will get reward similar to that he gets for good deeds practiced at home when in good health."

Arabic Text:

حَدَّثَنَا مَطَرُ بْنُ الْفَضْلِ، حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ بْنُ هَارُونَ، حَدَّثَنَا الْعَوَّامُ، حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ أَبُو إِسْمَاعِيلَ السَّكْسَكِيُّ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا بُرْدَةَ، وَاصْطَحَبَ، هُوَ وَيَزِيدُ بْنُ أَبِي كَبْشَةَ فِي سَفَرٍ، فَكَانَ يَزِيدُ يَصُومُ فِي السَّفَرِ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو بُرْدَةَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا مُوسَى مِرَارًا يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ إِذَا مَرِضَ الْعَبْدُ أَوْ سَافَرَ، كُتِبَ لَهُ مِثْلُ مَا كَانَ يَعْمَلُ مُقِيمًا صَحِيحًا ‏"‏‏.

A simple message with far reaching rewards. Therefore one must always strive to be good to others, do good deeds and save himself from bad deeds and the evil. Such good deeds accompany a traveler or a sick when ordinarily they are in no position to continue doing their usual good deeds. But they are assured of the Divine blessings  and rewards for as long as they are traveling or are sick. 

One never knows when an ailment hits or one has to embark upon a journey. But if one is habitual of doing good, then the traveler and the sick need not worry for not being able to do good as they had been doing when they were healthy and at rest. This promise of Allah should encourage us to always be thinking, doing good and helping others to keep the reservoir of our goodness full. This will allow us avail the opportunity to bag similar rewards as we had been doing when in good health or not travelling.

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 reference page: Collections of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Rewards for more Hadiths on the subject

For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Source of Hadith

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given above. 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.

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.

Follow @IslamUltimate

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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Responding to objections about Islam: Quran claims there is no change in words of Allah, But Allah also says He changes old verses with new ones

Qur'an is often the target of the non Muslims, specially those who see a high rate of reversion of their followers to Islam. Thus there is every effort to downplay the Qur'an by finding faults in its verses and presenting Qur'an not as a Divine Scripture but a brainchild of Islamic Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). However, despite severe criticism, more and more non Muslims are finding the Divine Wisdom contained in Qur'an. But on the other hand, many are engrossed in finding verses that could be twisted to suit their malice intentions. 

However, it is generally seen that most of the objections are raised by those who have never read Qur'an, specially in the reference to the context, and take out one odd verse to confront the Muslims and telling them that that even  God, Allah of Muslims, has made mistakes and (God forbids) does not know what He intend saying. We, in our previous posts have tried to reply many such objections / lies and disinformation about Islam which are consolidated in out reference page: The Rebuttal. 

Today we take yet another objection by non Muslims, which is elf explanatory by the captions so added:

Before we answer the observation, let us go back to the time of revelation of Qur'an in the seventh century AD to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.  Qur'an was revealed on the most stubborn, and motile people of the time: The Bedouins. They were in the habit of gambling, drinking, free sex, keeping as many slaves as they could keep. While they had lust for women, they also detested birth of a baby girl and resorted to inhuman act of burying the newly born baby girls alive. Such were the habits that were drilled into them and were not easy to remove.

And that is the reason, Qur'an was revealed slowly and gradually spanned over a period of 23 years to condition the newly reverted Muslims to conform to the principles and tenets of Islam. Thus many a earlier verses were replaced with new ones to supersede the older commandments with new ones so that newly reverted Muslims continue to be updated for the final commandments of Allah.

The concept changing older verses / commandments with new ones is known as "abrogation" (Naskh) in Islamic theology. Abrogation means that certain verses of the Quran were replaced or superseded by later verses. This phenomenon is mentioned in the Quran and has been a topic of discussion among Islamic scholars.

Quranic References to Abrogation: Qur'an explains the concept of abrogation of verses as under

• "We do not abrogate a verse or cause it to be forgotten except that We bring forth [one] better than it or similar to it. Do you not know that Allah is over all things competent?" (Surah 2. Al Baqara:106:)
• "And when We substitute a verse in place of a verse - and Allah is most knowing of what He sends down - they say, 'You, [O Muhammad], are but an inventor [of lies].' But most of them do not know." (Surah An-Naḥl 16. [Arabic: الْنَّحْل; The Bee ]:101:

Reasons for Abrogation

• Gradual Implementation of Laws: Abrogation allowed for the gradual introduction and implementation of Islamic laws and principles. This gradual approach made it easier for the early Muslim community to adapt to significant changes.
• Contextual Relevance: Some verses were revealed to address specific circumstances or issues faced by the early Muslim community. As circumstances changed, new verses were revealed to provide updated guidance.
• Testing Obedience and Faith: Abrogation served as a test of the believers' faith and obedience. It tested their willingness to follow Allah's guidance, even when it changed.

Examples of Abrogation in the Quran

• Alcohol Consumption: Alcohol drinking was deep rooted in the Bedouin culture and the reverted Muslims could not break away from this menace. Since drinking has a deep impact on the logical thinking process of a man, it had to be abolished. Likewise women when intoxicated could easily be lured in by the lustful men for unlawful sex. That is why this otherwise deep rooted menace from the lives of Muslims needed to eradicated. The Qur'an addresses the consumption of wine (intoxicants) in several verses, gradually prohibiting it in a few stages. Here are the main references and what they say about drinking wine:
• Initial Stance: Moderation in alcohol consumption.  "They ask you about wine and gambling. Say, 'In them is great sin and [yet, some] benefit for people. But their sin is greater than their benefit.'" (Surah Al Baqara 2:219)
• Prohibition During Prayer: Prayer, As salat, is a means of one to one communication between the servant and his Master. Thus one should be in perfect and clear state of mind when offering prayer, or in other words talking to Allah. Therefore in the second stage a commandment was revealed: "O you who have believed, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated until you know what you are saying..." (Surah An-Nisa (4:43). This verse prohibits approaching prayers in a state of intoxication, emphasizing the importance of being clear-minded during worship.
• Final Stance: Complete prohibition. "O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful. Satan only wants to cause between you animosity and hatred through intoxicants and gambling and to avert you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. So will you not desist?" (Surah 5. Al-Ma'idah - The Table Spread:90-91)
• The Qur'an's approach to prohibiting wine (intoxicants) was gradual, first highlighting its harm, then restricting its use during prayer, and finally completely forbidding it. The complete prohibition is aimed at preventing the negative social and spiritual impacts of intoxication, such as enmity, distraction from worship, and moral decay.
• Direction of Prayer (Qibla):
• Initial Direction: Praying towards Jerusalem. "The foolish among the people will say, 'What has turned them away from their qibla, which they used to face?'" (Surah Al Baqara 2:142)
• Final Direction: Praying towards the Kaaba in Mecca. "So turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Haram. And wherever you [believers] are, turn your faces toward it [in prayer]." (Surah Al Baqara2:144)

Scholarly Perspectives

• Classical Scholars: Many classical Islamic scholars, such as Imam Al-Suyuti and Imam Al-Qurtubi, wrote extensively about abrogation, providing examples and explaining the wisdom behind it.
• Modern Interpretations: Some modern scholars and thinkers argue for a more nuanced understanding of abrogation, suggesting that it reflects the dynamic and contextual nature of divine guidance.

In light of few examples quoted above, the concept of Abrogation in the Quran reflects Allah's wisdom in providing guidance that is both contextually relevant and progressively suitable for the evolving circumstances of the Muslim community. It illustrates the adaptability and responsiveness of Islamic law to the needs of its followers. This concept is rooted in the belief that Allah, in His infinite wisdom, knows what is best for humanity and provides guidance accordingly.

So let no one deceive about Islam by lies, misinformation and disinformation. Islam provides the easiest access to Allah without any intermediary to speak to Him, repent one's sins and seek forgiveness.

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.

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.

You may read more posts on countering / responding to lies / misinformation and disinformation about Islam: The Rebuttal: Countering disinformation being spread about Islam (Reference Page)

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. 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 | 

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.

Follow @IslamUltimate

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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Spending on one's family intending to receive Allah's reward is regarded as Sadaqah (Hadith Prophet Muhammad ﷺ)

Spending on one's family is considered a form of Sadaqah (charity) in Islam. Both the Quran and Hadith provide evidence of the virtuous nature of providing for one's family.

"They ask you, [O Muhammad], what they should spend. Say, 'Whatever you spend of good is [to be] for parents and relatives and orphans and the needy and the traveler. And whatever you do of good - indeed, Allah is Knowing of it.'" (surah 2. Al Baqarah:215)

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ too has on a number of occasions stressed the need to support one's family wholeheartedly for those who do so to please Allah and expect a reward, their act will be considered as charity and rewarded accordingly.

One such Hadith is mentioned in Sahi al-Bukhārī  (Book 69 Supporting the Family /  كتاب النفقات / Chapter 1:  The superiority of providing for one's family / باب  فَضْلِ النَّفَقَةِ عَلَى الأَهْلِ‏ ) as Hadith 5351, given herein under:

Narrated by Abu Mas`ud Al-Ansari:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "When a Muslim spends something on his family intending to receive Allah's reward it is regarded as Sadaqah for him."

Arabic Text:

حَدَّثَنَا آدَمُ بْنُ أَبِي إِيَاسٍ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ عَدِيِّ بْنِ ثَابِتٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ يَزِيدَ الأَنْصَارِيَّ، عَنْ أَبِي مَسْعُودٍ الأَنْصَارِيِّ، فَقُلْتُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ فَقَالَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ إِذَا أَنْفَقَ الْمُسْلِمُ نَفَقَةً عَلَى أَهْلِهِ وَهْوَ يَحْتَسِبُهَا، كَانَتْ لَهُ صَدَقَةً ‏"‏‏.‏

Although providing means of sustenance and substance to one's family is the primary responsibility of the head of the family, yet if a man undertakes all his responsibilities to please Allah and expects a reward i return, his so act will be considered as Sadaqah (voluntary charity) and rewarded accordingly.

Just see, my brothers and sisters in Islam, how Allah opens venues for believers to earn His blessings for acts that are undertaken to please Him. Let us take care of our families and feed, clothe and provide good education, both Islamic and other, with a pleasing heart and not as a compulsion. For our families look upon to the head of the families and expect them to take good care of them. And if this sacred task of taking care of one's family is taken with a sense of willing responsibility, Allah will surely reward as someone is rewarded for giving Sadaqah.

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.

For Hadiths on the subject, please refer to our reference page: Collection of Hadiths attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Sadaqah صدقة  / Voluntary Charity

For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Source of Hadith

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given above. 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.

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.

Follow @IslamUltimate

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.

Read More