ISLAMIC LESSONS / Islamic Belief | Contents |
| Contents | Our Beloved ^ISA (Jesus)
Introduction
Allah sent many messengers to the humans as a mercy from Him. Allah sent them all to teach the people what is the correct and acceptable worship of Allah--their Creator and the Creator of everything. All the prophets of Allah, the first of whom was Adam and the last of whom is Muhammad, came with one Religion--Islam, one creed--the belief in the Oneness of Allah. They all taught that Allah is attributed with all the perfect attributes and that He does not resemble any of His creations. They taught what Allah ordered us to perform with and refrain from in this life. They taught there is the Judgment Day in which each one of us will be judged as to whether or not we fulfilled our obligations in this life. None of them taught their people what contradicts the belief in the Oneness of Allah. Each one of them ordered their followers to believe in the rest of the prophets. Imam al-Bukhariyy related that Prophet Muhammad, sallallahu ^alayhi wa sallam, said what means:
<<The prophets are like brothers from the same father with different mothers. Their Religion is one although their Shari^ah (rules of the Religion) differed. I am the most deserving of Prophet ^Isa. There was no other prophet between us.>>
Allah revealed Prophet ^Isa (Jesus) as the messenger before Prophet Muhammad. He was one of the five best messengers of Allah, called Ulul-^Azm, those with the highest status, who were the most patient. He was ^Isa, the son of Maryam, the daughter of ^Imran, from the sons of Israel. Prophet ^Isa, as all the prophets, was truthful in what he conveyed from Allah, and although today we follow the Shari^ah of Prophet Muhammad, Muslims respect, love, and believe in ^Isa and in his prophethood.
MARYAM, THE MOTHER OF ^ISA
Maryam (Mary), the mother of ^Isa, was a pious Muslim woman from the offspring of Israel during the time of Prophet Zakariyya. Prophet Zakariyya was a prophet of Allah revealed to convey to the people to follow the Shari^ah revealed to Prophet Musa. In the Qur'an there is a chapter named Maryam referring to Maryam (Mary),), the mother of ^Isa. This chapter talks about Maryam: her birth, her story, and the birth of Prophet ^Isa, and other things. Maryam's mother conceived and delivered Maryam when she was an old woman, at an age when women usually can no longer have babies. One day Maryam's mother saw a bird feeding its young and she longed for a baby herself. She made a supplication to Allah to bless her with a child and vowed that she would make him a servant for the Holy House in Jerusalem, dedicated for worship, because she thought the child would be male. Allah answered her supplication and Maryam's mother conceived and delivered a baby girl. She named her "Maryam" and asked Allah to protect her and her offspring from evil.
Since Maryam's father had died, Prophet Zakariyya (who was the husband of Maryam's sister) became Maryam's guardian. From him, Maryam learned the Religion. She grew up as a righteous, pure, and pious Muslim woman worshipping Allah and endeavoring greatly in performing obedience to Him. Before she turned fourteen (14) years old, Maryam was a waliyyah (a very pious woman with a special status). She became the best of the women in the world. It is mentioned in the Qur'an that the angels said Allah chose Maryam and preferred her to the other women of the world. (Al ^Imran, 42-43).
THE BIRTH OF ^ISA
Ibn Jarir and others narrated that one day Maryam ran out of water. She asked her cousin, Yusuf, the son of Ya^qub to go with her to get some. He declined, saying he had his sufficiency for that day, so Maryam went to fetch water alone. There, she found Jibril, whom Allah had sent to her in the shape of a man. Thinking he was a human who might harm her, she asked refuge with Allah from him. Jibril told her, "I am the Messenger of your Lord to you. I was sent to give you a pious child who is pure from sins." Maryam told him, "How would I have a son? I have no husband, and I am not an adulterer or a fornicator." Jibril told her, "Creating a son without a father is an easy matter to Allah. Allah will make him a sign for the people and an indication of the Power of Allah. He will send him as a mercy from Him and an endowment to the one who follows him and believes in him. Creating him is a matter Allah willed and destined, so it will not be blocked or changed." Jibril blew the soul of ^Isa into Maryam and ^Isa's soul entered into her womb. Maryam became pregnant with ^Isa, peace be upon him. There is a difference of opinion as to the term of her pregnancy, some said nine months, some said eight, and some said other than that. However, when the signs of pregnancy became apparent on her, her cousin, Yusuf the Carpenter, was disturbed and did not know how to interpret that matter. If he wanted to accuse her he would remember how pious she was. If he wanted to declare her innocence, he would see the signs of pregnancy. So he decided to open the subject with her. He asked her, "Tell me, would plants grow without seeds? Would trees grow without rainfall? Would there be a child without a male?" To all these questions Maryam said "Yes." Then she asked him, "Did you not know Allah made the plants emerge without seeds the day He created them? Did you not know Allah created the trees the first time without rain? Did you not know Allah created Adam and Hawwa' (Eve) without a father or a mother?" Yusuf knew all these things and when she responded in this way, he felt assured of her innocence and that this was something special given to her by Allah. When the signs of her pregnancy became apparent, Maryam went away from her people. The pangs of birth led her to the trunk of a dead palm tree. Out of her shyness from the people, and fearing they would accuse her of having done something ugly, she wished she was dead and not a trace of her could be found. Jibril called to her, comforting her. He told her Allah made a small river run under her from which she could drink, and should she shake the trunk of the dead palm tree next to her, it would turn green and moist dates would fall down from which she could eat and be nourished. Jibril told her when she faces her people with her son to tell anyone who questions her about him that she had made a vow not to talk to any human for that day. That day, Maryam gave birth to her son, ^Isa, peace be upon him. Forty (40) days later she carried him back to her people. They accused her of having fornicated. In response, Maryam pointed to her son, meaning to tell them to talk to him. They were angered at this and thought she was mocking them by asking them to speak with a 40-day old baby lying in a small cradle. At this, Allah made ^Isa speak. He said what means, which are verses 30-33 of Surat Maryam:
[I am a slave of Allah. He will reveal the Book to me and make me a prophet. He blessed me wherever I am. In the rules revealed to me there will be a special attention given to Prayers and Zakat. Allah predestined that I will be kind to my mother and not a tyrant with a bad ending. Peace was on me the day I was born. Peace will be on me on the day I will die and on the day I am raised alive again.]
When Maryam's people heard that, they refrained from harming her or Prophet Zakariyya, about whom they had made ugly accusations. After Baby ^Isa spoke these words, he did not speak again until he became at an age when children normally begin to speak. ^Isa's speaking from the cradle was a preparation and a sign of his creed and coming prophethood, when he would call the people to believe in Allah, the One Who does not have a partner and to believe in the message of ^Isa--that he was the slave and messenger of Allah. The first words he spoke were, "I am a slave of Allah."
EARLY LIFE OF PROPHET ^ISA
Lady Maryam took ^Isa to Egypt where they stayed for a period of time. Then they returned to the countries of ash-Sham--to a city known as an-Nasirah. ^Isa, peace be upon him, studied the Torah in the schools and memorized it. He spoke Syriac, the language of the people of Palestine at that time, and the language in which the Heavenly Book, called the Injil, was revealed to him. He was a pious worshipper of Allah, following the rules of the Torah revealed to Prophet Musa.
THE REVELATION OF PROPHET HOOD
Allah sent the Revelation of Prophethood
to ^Isa when he was thirty years old. Allah revealed to him new laws which abrogated
some of the laws revealed to Prophet Musa. Prophet ^Isa conveyed the revelation
to the people and called them to believe in his message. Prophet ^Isa, like
all the prophets of Allah, performed miracles. Allah sent all the prophets with
miracles as a proof to their prophethood, so the people would witness, know
about them, and believe in their prophethood. Many of Prophet ^Isa's miracles
were in curing illnesses, to be a stronger proof of his truthfulness, since
the people at his time were famous for being knowledgeable in the field of medicine.
Prophet ^Isa cured those with seemingly incurable illnesses. Prophet ^Isa cured
a man inflicted with leprosy. He put his honorable hand on the face of a man
who was born blind and cured his sight. Once Prophet ^Isa supplicated to Allah
to bring back to life one person who had died and was being carried to the burial
place, and Allah brought this person back to life. Prophet ^Isa had other kinds
of miracles also. He formed the shape of bats from clay and then they would
fly away a distance. One of the miracles of ^Isa is mentioned in the Qur'an
in Surat al-Ma'idah, Verses 112-114, which tells about one time when Prophet
^Isa and the people who were with him reached to a place where there was not
enough food for all the people with him. The students of ^Isa asked him to supplicate
Allah for food which would come down on them from the sky. ^Isa made supplication
to Allah and the angels brought down the food on a piece of material before
the eyes of the people. Hundreds and hundreds of people ate from that food,
and there was no sign the food had diminished in quantity. This miracle increased
the belief of the believers. The blasphemers however, claimed ^Isa had performer
sorcery on their eyes. After his revelation, Prophet ^Isa lived on earth for
about three years. He used to travel from place to place calling people to the
proper worship of Allah. He was so detached from the worldly matters that he
did not worry that he did not have a house to return to at night. He used to
sleep wherever the night would fall on him, whether he was in an open land or
in a sheltered place. He wore clothing made out of unwoven wool. He ate from
the raw plants of the earth, without desiring to cook them. He did not marry
or have children.
THE INJIL (Original Bible)
^Isa received a Heavenly Book, the Injil, which contained the Shari^ah, (rules of the Religion) revealed to him. In it was the prohibition of associating partners with Allah. In it was the prohibition to consume the usurious gain (riba), pig meat, blood, and the meat of animals not slaughtered properly. It contained the order to perform the Prayer (with bowing and prostration) twice a day. It had the order to fast (but other than the month of Ramadan), and the order to perform taharah. Prophet ^Isa came with a Shari^ah that contained making permissible some of the things which had been forbidden upon the children of Israel in the Torah. Although what is called "The Bible" today contains some true stories of Prophet ^Isa, it does not contain the true Injil which was revealed to him.
THE ASCENSION OF PROPHET ^ISA
When Prophet ^Isa was 33 years old, the blasphemers among the offspring of Israel plotted to kill him, but Allah saved him from their harm. Ibn Abi Hatim and an-Nasa'iyy narrated from the route of Ibn ^Abbas that he said: Prophet ^Isa was in session with twelve of his elite companions in a house. He told them that among them would be who would blaspheme in the future. Then he asked them, "Who among you would want to be made to look like me, be killed in my place, and be my companion in Paradise." The youngest among them stood up and said, "Me." Prophet ^Isa told him to sit, then repeated his same question. Again, the same young man said, "Me." Again, Prophet ^Isa told him to sit, then again asked the same question. After the same young man volunteered for the third time, Prophet ^Isa received the Revelation that this young man would be the one who would be made to look like him and killed instead of him. Prophet ^Isa was raised to the sky from an opening in the ceiling of the house. When the Jews came after Prophet ^Isa, they saw that young man, whom Allah made to look like ^Isa. They took him, thinking he was Prophet ^Isa, and crucified him. It should be noted here there are two widespread false stories about this matter. In one, it is claimed that one of ^Isa's students was paid a great sum of money to lead those Jews to ^Isa however Allah made him look like ^Isa, so they though he was ^Isa and they crucified him. In another, it is said that the person killed in place of ^Isa was the leader of the Jews. Both of these stories are false. After Prophet ^Isa was raised to the sky, his nation lived following his guidance, teaching, and methodology for two hundred (200) years. However, the nation of Prophet ^Isa did not remain steadfast to Islam. Three hundred (300) years after Prophet ^Isa was raised to the sky, those who were following the ones who had perverted the teachings of Prophet ^Isa became very numerous, and those who were truly following the Religion of Islam were few and weak. After some five hundred (500) years, none of the believing Muslims of ^Isa's nation were left. When Prophet Muhammad was revealed, he was the only Muslim worshipping only Allah from among the people of the earth.
PROPHET ^ISA'S DESCENT TO EARTH
Prophet ^Isa, peace be upon him, is still alive--in the second sky--worshipping Allah. He will descend to earth before the Day of Judgment and his descent will be one of the great signs of the nearing of that Day. Prophet Muhammad informed us ^Isa will descend to earth at a place on the eastern side of Damascus, with his hands on the wings of two angels. Prophet ^Isa will perform Hajj and travel to visit the grave of the Prophet to salute him, and to greet him by saying, "As-salamu ^alaykum ya rasul Allah", as narrated by Abu Dawud at-Tayalisiyy and others. During his time, the people of Ya'juj and Ma'juj will appear and cause great destruction to the earth and devastation to the Muslims. Prophet ^Isa will take the believers to Mount at-Tur to supplicate Allah there to relieve them from these people. Allah will answer their du^a' and destroy all the people of Ya'juj and Ma'juj. After that there will be a time when peace, comfort, and safety will prevail. Prophet ^Isa will live for forty (40) years on earth after he descends. He will marry and have children. Then, he will die and be buried. ^Adullah Ibn Salam said, "It is written in the original Torah that Prophet ^Isa will be buried next to Prophet Muhammad" (in the chamber of Lady ^A'ishah.)
CONCLUSION
Prophet ^Isa was a messenger of Allah revealed to convey to the people the religion of Islam and to call them to worship Allah, their Creator. Muslims believe in his prophethood and in his truthfulness in conveying that message. Prophet ^Isa is alive now, living in the second heaven, worshipping Allah. He will return to earth before the Day of Judgment and will rule the Muslims with the Shari^ah of Prophet Muhammad. Peace be upon this respected, honored and beloved Messenger of Allah.
Praise be to Allah, and Allah knows best.
Verse #33 of Surat Maryam means:
[Peace was on me the day I was born. Peace will be on me on the day I will die
and on the day I am raised alive again.]
| Contents | Names of some Ash^ariyy Scholars
Names of some Ash^ariyy Scholars
Those are just some of the many Ash^aryy Scholars
| Contents | The ^Aqidah of Ibn^Asakir
Shaykh Fakhrud-Din Ibn ^Asakir, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
Know, may Allah guide us and you, that it is obligatory upon every accountable person to know that Allah is the only God in His Dominion.
He created the entire world, the upper and lower, the ^Arsh and Kursiyy, the heavens and earth, and what is in them and in between them.
All the creation is subjugated by His Power. No speck moves except by His will.
He has no manager for the creation with Him, and has no partner in Dominion.
He is attributed with Life and is Qayyum. He is not seized by somnolence or sleep.
He is the One Who knows about the unforeseen and what is evidenced by His creation. Nothing on earth or in heaven is hidden from Him. He knows what is on land and in sea. Not a leaf does fall but He knows about it. There is no grain in the darkness of earth, nor anything which is moist or dry but is inscribed in a clear Book. His Knowledge encompasses everything. He knows the count of all things.
He does whatever He wills. He has the power to do whatever He wills.
To Him is the Dominion and He needs none; To Him belong the Glory and Everlastingness. To Him are the Ruling and al-Qada' (the Creating). He has the Names of Perfection. No one hinders what He decreed. No one prevents what He gives. He does in His dominion whatever He wills. He rules
His creation with whatever He wills.
He does not hope for reward and does not fear punishment.
There is no right on Him that is binding, and no one exercises rule over Him.
Every endowment from Him is due to His Generosity and every punishment from Him is just. He is not questioned about what He does, but they are questioned.
He existed before the creation. He does not have a before or an after. He does not have an above or a below, a right or a left, an in front of or a behind, a whole or a part.
It must not be said: When was He? Or where was He? Or how is He? He existed without a place. He created the universe and willed for the existence of time. He is not bound to time and is not designated with place.
His management of one matter does not distract Him from
another. Delusions do not apply to Him, and He is not encompassed by the mind.
He is not conceivable in the mind. He is not imagined in the self nor pictured
in delusions. He is not grasped with delusions or thoughts.
This Ayah means: [Nothing is like Him and He is attributed with Hearing and
Sight.]
| Contents | The Order of Creation After the Water and the Throne
After Allah created the water and the Throne, He created the Upper Pen, then the Guarded Tablet, and then the rest of the creations.
The Upper Pen and the Guarded Tablet: It was narrated in the description of the Guarded Tablet that it is a white pearl and its edge is made of red ruby. Its width is the traveling distance of five hundred (500) years.
Allah ordered the Pen to write. The Pen wrote, by the Will of Allah, without anyone holding it. It wrote on the Guarded Tablet what was and what will be in this life until its end. Fifty thousand (50,000) years after this event, Allah created the heavens and Earth in six (6) days. No person is born and no drop of water falls except in accordance to what was written in the Guarded Tablet.
Earth: The Earth that we are on is one of seven (7) Earths that Allah created; it is also the highest one. Each Earth is separated from the other. In the seventh Earth there is a place called Sijjin. The souls of the blasphemers go there after their bodies decay, until the Resurrection (Ba^th). Hellfire (Jahannam) is under the seventh Earth. It is the fire with which Allah threatened the blasphemers and sinners among His slaves. Allah created this Earth during the first two days.
The Seven Heavens: After Allah created the Earth, He created the seven heavens. Each heaven is a solid body that is held up without any pillars. The heavens are separated. From one heaven to the other is a distance of five hundred (500) years, and every heaven has a gate.
The first heaven is so far away from the Earth. Some people are unable to encompass this to the extent that they believe that the space which contains the stars and planets is the entire universe. They also falsely believe that it extends without an end. There is no point to their claims, because Allah told us in the Qur’an and the Prophet also informed us in his hadiths what is contradictory to their claims. Paradise exists above the seventh heaven.
The Earth: After the creation of the seven heavens, Allah created what is on the Earth: rivers, trees, mountains, and the like.
Adam: Allah then created Adam on the last and sixth day, which was Friday. Adam was the last kind of the creation, humans. He is the first of the prophets. Allah created him from clay after it was mixed with water from Paradise. From his left rib, Allah created Lady Eve (Hawwa'). Angels, jinn, and animals were created before Adam.
| Contents | The First Creation: Water
When Prophet Muhammad, sallallahu ^alayhi wa sallam, was asked how this universe started to exist, he said:
“Allah existed [eternally] and nothing else existed with Him. He created the ^Arsh (Throne) [and was positioned] above the water. Then He ordered the Pen to write in the (Guarded) Tablet everything that would happen. Then Allah created the heavens and Earth.” (Related by al-Bukhariyy.)
The Prophet answered this question by first stating that Allah's Existence does not have a beginning, i.e., He is Eternal. There is no one attributed with eternity other than Him. In other words, nothing existed eternally except Allah, and Allah created everything, i.e., He brought all the creation from non-existence into existence.
Allah, ta^ala, did not create all the creations at one time. Had He willed for this, it would have occurred. Rather, in six days, He created the heavens and Earth; and for Earth Allah created rivers, mountains, and valleys. The wisdom of this is to teach us not to be hasty in doing things.
The first creation is water. The Prophet, sallallahu ^alayhi wa sallam, said:
Innallaha ta^ala khalaqa kulla shay’im minal-ma’.
Which means: “Allah created everything from water.” (Related by Ibn Hibban.)
This also means that Allah created water before creating light, darkness, Earth, the heavens, the Throne, or the Guarded Tablet. Allah made water the origin for other creations. He created the Throne from water. Then He created the Upper Pen, then the Guarded Tablet. After these creations, Allah created the rest of the creations: the Earth, heavens, animals, mountains, trees, and rivers. Adam, peace be upon him, was of the last kind of creation, humans.
The (^Arsh) Throne: It is a platform with four pillars; it is the largest of Allah's creations. It is also the ceiling of Paradise.
The Prophet, sallallahu ^alayhi wa sallam, said:
Mas-samawatus-sab^u fi jambil-Kursiyyi illa kahalqatin fi ardin falah. Wa fadlul-^Arshi ^alal-Kursiyyi kafadlil-falati ^alal-halqah.(Related by Ibn Hibban.)
This hadith means that the seven heavens in relation to the Kursiyy are like a ring in a very big open space. Likewise, the Kursiyy in relation to the Throne is like a ring in a very big open space. This indicates the huge size of the Throne, which is now carried by four (4) huge angels. It takes a fast bird seven hundred (700) years to cover the distance between the ear lobe and the shoulder of any of these four angels. On the Day of Judgment eight (8) angels will carry the Throne.
The Throne is surrounded by angels. It is not a place for Allah, because Allah is not a body in need of a place.
Imam ^Aliyy, may Allah raise his rank said:
Innallaha, ta^ala, khalaqal-^Arsha idh-haral-liqudratihi wa lam yattakhidh-hu makanal-li Dhatih.
Which means: “Allah created the Throne as an indication of His Power; He has not taken it as a place for Himself.”
| Contents | The Attributes of Allah
The scholars said that it is obligatory upon every mukallaf to know thirteen Attributes of Allah. They are: Existence, Oneness, Eternity, Everlastingness, Non-neediness of others, Power, Will, Knowledge, Hearing, Sight, Life, Speech, and Non-resemblance to the creation.
The explanation of these attributes is as follows:
1. Existence: It is obligatory to believe that Allah exists and that there is no doubt in His Existence. He exists without a place. Time does not lapse on Allah.
2. Oneness: Allah is One without any partners. He is One in His Self, His Attributes, and His Actions.
3. Eternity: Allah is Eternal; there is no beginning to His Existence. He has existed since before the creation.
4. Everlastingness: Allah is Everlasting; His existence does not come to an end. He does not perish.
5. Non-neediness of others: Allah does not need any of His creations and they are all in need of Him.
6. Power: Allah has Power over everything.
7. Will: Everything that occurs in this world is by the Will of Allah.
8. Knowledge: Allah knows about all things before they occur. Allah knows what happened, what is currently happening and what is going to happen in the future.
9. Hearing: Allah hears all what is hearable, without an ear or any other organ.
10. Sight: Allah sees all what is seeable, without a pupil or any other organ.
11. Life: Allah is alive without a soul, skin, or heart. His Life is not similar to ours. He is alive and does not die.
12. Speech: Allah's Speech is without a tongue or lip. His Speech is not in a language, Arabic or anything else. His Speech does not resemble the speech of the humans.
13. Non-resemblance to the creations: Allah does not resemble the creations.
| Contents | The Oneness of Allah
Allah, ta^ala said in the Qur’an:
Laysa kamithlihi shay’.
Ayah 11 of Suratush-Shura means: {Nothing resembles Him (Allah) in any way.}
This means that Allah, ta^ala, does not resemble any of His creations.
It was related that a group of non-believers came to the Prophet, sallallahu ^alayhi wa sallam, and said: “O Muhammad, describe to us your Lord Whom you worship.” Then the Qur'anic Chapter Al-Ikhlas was revealed, and Prophet Muhammad said, “This is the description of my Lord.”
The question posed was with the intent of mockery and not to seek the knowledge.
The answer of the Prophet, sallallahu ^alayhi wa sallam, indicates that Allah is attributed with attributes, and just as Allah Himself does not resemble His creation, His Attributes do not resemble the attributes of the creation. Allah is attributed with all the proper perfection, and He is clear from all the attributes of imperfection.
Allah, ta^ala, said in the Qur’an:
Wa lillahil-mathalul-a^la.
Ayah 60 of Suratun-Nahl means: {Allah has the perfect Attributes that are not similar to the attributes of others.} Everything other than Allah is created (i.e., this entire universe).
Allah is the only One attributed with Eternity. That is, Allah has no beginning and likewise His Attributes are eternal, without a beginning. The attributes of other than Allah are created; they change from one state to another. Allah is clear of change. He is the One Who creates changes in His creations, but He does not change. He is the One Who creates development in His creations, but He does not develop.
It is helpful to look at the following phrases to understand this subject of Tawhid (Creed).
Allah is Eternal; He has no beginning. All the creations have a beginning. Allah created them.
Allah is Everlasting; He has no end. It is mentally possible for all the creation to end.
The Attributes of Allah are eternal and everlasting; they have no beginning or end. The attributes of the creation are created. They have a beginning and it is mentally possible for them to end.
The Attributes of Allah do not change, develop, or transform, because those processes belong to the attributes of the creation. The attributes of the creation change, develop, and transform from one state to another, because Allah is their Creator.
Allah is the Creator of the world and what is in it; He is the Creator of the actions of the slaves, and He is their Sustainer.
Allah is One with no partners to Him. He is One in His Self, Attributes, and Actions. Meaning His Self, Attributes and Actions do not resemble the self, attributes and actions of the creations. The creations are of many different shapes and colors. Even the same kind of fruit can be either sweet or sour. Yet the creations still resemble each other in many aspects.
Allah is not a body; He does not have a size, and does not occupy space. The creations have sizes and places in which they reside.
Allah does not need the creation; The creations are in need of their Creator; they are in need of Allah.
Allah is the only One Who deserves to be worshipped; No one is God but He. The creations do not deserve to be worshipped, because they are weak and are in need of their Creator.
Imam al-Junayd, may Allah have mercy on him, said: “Tawhid is to differentiate between the Eternal (God) and the created (The creation).”
| Contents | Allah is the Creator of This World
Allah, ta^ala, said in the Qur’an:
Afi-llahi shakk.
Ayah 10 of Surah Ibrahim means: {There is no doubt about the existence of Allah.}
The first obligation on the mukallaf person is to know about Allah, ta^ala. Allah is the Creator of all the existent things and is the One Who manages all the creation. If, with our sound mind, we carefully think about all the creations and ponder about their existence, we must know that they have a Creator Who created them.
The mental proof that Allah (God) exists:
With the sound mind, we know irrefutably that every writing has to have a writer,
the act of hitting has to have a hitter, and that a building has to have a builder.
Therefore, it follows that this universe with all the creations in it has to
have a creator Who is Alive, attributed with Will, Knowledge, and Power, and
this is Allah. He is clear of all imperfections. He is the One Who does not
resemble any of His creations, and nothing resembles Him. The sound mind does
not accept the existence of an action without someone who carried it out.
It is not conceivable for nature to be the Creator, because nature has no will. So, how would nature create? It is also not permissible for something to create itself. Finally, something cannot create something that resembles it.
For example, the child is born small; he does not talk or walk. Then he develops. He starts gradually and slowly to talk and walk. Then he matures and becomes a young man, then middle-aged, then old, after which he dies. Who changed him and transformed him from one state to another? Allah is the One Who created and changed him, and willed for him to die.
A story of a man who denied the existence of Allah:
It is related that a man who denied the existence of the Creator came once to
one of the caliphs and told him: "The scholars of your time say that there is
a creator for this universe, and I am prepared to prove to them that this universe
has no creator."
The caliph sent for one of the top scholars telling him of the man's claim and ordering him to come. The scholar was purposely late; then he came. The caliph welcomed him and seated him in the center of the session. Present at this meeting were many scholars and important people. So the man said: "Why were you late in your arrival?" The scholar said: "What if I tell you that a very strange matter occurred to me, and because of it I was late? My house is behind the river of Dijlah (Tigris). I came to cross the river, but I did not find anything other than an old boat with broken planks. When my gaze fell onto it, the planks moved, came together, and reassembled so that the boat became seaworthy. All this happened without the work of a carpenter or a worker. I sat in it, crossed the river, and came to this place.”
The man said: "O people, listen to what your scholar says. Have you heard anything more absurd than this? How can a boat exist without a carpenter to build it? This is an explicit lie."
The scholar said: "O blasphemer, if the mind does not accept the existence of a boat without a builder or carpenter, then how do you say that this entire universe exists without a creator?" The man became silent. He was refuted.
| Contents | The Accountable (Mukallaf)
Islamically, the accountable person (mukallaf) is the one who is pubescent, sane, and has received the message of Islam. Pubescence happens when one reaches the age of fifteen (15) lunar years, or otherwise. The sane person is the one who has not lost one’s mind.
For one to be accountable (mukallaf), it is a condition that one receives the call of Islam. This means that if the person is pubescent and sane, he becomes mukallaf simply by receiving the message of Islam, which is: “No one is God except Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.” The non-believer mukallaf is required to embrace Islam and follow its teachings. He must also perform all the obligations and avoid all the sins.
From this, it is understood that the young child is not accountable until he reaches pubescence. Likewise, the insane person is not accountable. The pubescent one who did not receive the message of Islam is also not accountable.
Allah, ta^ala, said in the Qur’an:
Wa ma kunna mu^adhdhibina hatta nab^atha rasula.
Ayah 15 of Suratul-Isra’ means: {Allah does not torture those who do not receive the basic message of Islam.}
The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ^alayhi wa sallam, said:
Rufi^al qalamu ^an thalathah: ^anin-na’imi hatta yastayqidh, wa ^anis-sabiyyi hatta yahtalim, wa ^anil-majnuni hatta ya^qil.
Which means: “The pen has been lifted from [writing the deeds of] three: the one who is asleep until awakening, the young child until becoming pubescent, and the crazy person until becoming sane.” (Related by Abu Dawud)
Note:
During the season of Hajj when many of the Arab non-believers used to assemble
from different places in Makkah, the Prophet called them to Islam. They would
hear from the Prophet the Two Testifications: “I bear witness that no one is
God except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.” The non-believers
came to the Ka^bah in keeping with the traditions of their Muslim ancestors.
| Contents | The True Belief
Allah, ta^ala, said in the Qur’an:
Ya ayyuhal-ladhina amanut-taqullaha haqqa tuqatihi wa la tamutunna illa wa antum muslimun.
Ayah 102 of Suratu Al ^Imran means: {O believers, fear Allah properly (as you should) and do not die but as Muslims.}
The Religion of Islam: Islam is the true Religion that the sound mind supports, and it is appropriate for every age and time. It is the Religion of all the prophets from the first of them, Adam, to the final one, Muhammad, may peace be upon them all. Allah sent the prophets to guide the people to what is good and beneficial, to guide them to piety, and to teach them to be steadfast on this Religion until the end of their lives.
Piety: Piety (Taqwa) occurs by doing all the obligations and avoiding all the sins. Whoever achieves this state becomes a pious person. The first among these obligations is knowing and believing in Allah, ta^ala, and His Prophet Muhammad, sallallahu ^alayhi wa sallam.
Professing the Two Shahadahs: In regards to the blasphemer who wants to embrace Islam, the belief is not accepted without one uttering the Two Testifications (Shahadahs). In addition, the Muslim is obligated to recite the Two Testifications (Shahadahs) in every prayer for validity of that prayer. The Two Testifications are: I testify that no one is God except Allah and I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
The meaning of the Two Shahadahs:
• The meaning of Ash-hadu alla ilaha illallah is: I know, I believe, and
I declare that no one is God except Allah, i.e., no one deserves to be worshipped
except Allah.
• The meaning of Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar Rasulullah is: I know, I believe,
and I declare that our Master Muhammad, the son of ^Abdullah, is the Messenger
of Allah to both the humans and jinn, and that he is truthful in all of what
he conveyed from Allah.
The purpose of the Two Testifications: To confirm that Allah is the One and only God, and that Muhammad is His Messenger, while rejecting that which contradicts this.
Allah, ta^ala, said in the Qur’an:
Wa mal lam yu’mim billahi wa rasulihi fa’inna a^tadna lil-kafirina sa^ira.
Ayah 13 of Suratul-Fath means: {Those who do not believe in Allah and His Messenger are non-believers, for whom Allah has prepared Hellfire.}
| Contents | HOW DOES ONE BECOME A MUSLIM?
One becomes a Muslim by believing in the Two Testifications of Faith and uttering them with the intention of leaving out blasphemy.
What are the Two Testifications of Faith?
The Two Testifications of Faith are:
In English
I BEAR WITNESS THAT NO ONE DESERVES TO BE WORSHIPED EXCEPT ALLAH and
I BEAR WITNESS THAT MUHAMMAD IS THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH
In Arabic
ASHHADU ALLA ILAHA ILLALLAH
WA ASHHADU ANNA MUHAMMADAR-RASULULLAH
The non-Muslim embraces Islam by believing in the Two Testifications of Faith and uttering them with the intention of leaving out blasphemy.
MEANING
The first Testification means that no one or thing deserves
to be worshipped except God Who is the Creator of everything.
The second Testification states that Muhammad the son of ^Abdullah who was born
in Makkah approximately 1400 years ago is a messenger of God. He was sent to
convey what God revealed to him so that the humans believe in and work with
the Laws he received and brought. He is truthful in all what he conveyed.
The Two Testifications reject the Godhood of anyone or anything other than God. They confirm the Godhood of God (Allah) only with the acknowledgment of the message of Prophet Muhammad.
| Contents | THE SUPPLEMENT TO THE CREED OF SHEIKH FAKHR UD-DIN IBN ^ASAKIR
Know, may Allah be merciful to you by guiding you to the acceptable deeds, that our Master Muhammad, the son of ^Abdullah, the son of ^Abdul Muttalib, the son of Hashim, the son of ^Abdu Manaf, the son of Qusayy, the son of Kilab, the son of Murrah, the son of Ka^b, the son of Lu'ayy, the son of Ghalib, the son of Fihr, the son of Malik, the son of an-Nadr, the son of Kinanah, the son of Khuzaymah, the son of Mudrikah, the son of Ilyas, the son of Mudar, the son of Nizar, the son of Ma^add, the son of ^Adnan--is the slave of Allah, His Messenger, His Prophet, and His Khalil.
He is the best of the entire creation, and the leader of his followers who will have shining faces and illuminating upper arms and lower legs on the Day of Judgment. His Lord sent him to the humans and jinn as a luminous lantern--giving good tidings and warnings, and calling to worship Allah by His Will.
He got the Revelation through the entrusted Jibril who
is the head of the honored angels. Allah created them from light. Obedience
is inherent in them, and Allah gave them the strength to obey. They do not sleep
and they do not get tired. They do not eat or drink. They do not disobey Allah,
but rather they perform all that which they are ordered to do.
His Book is the Wise Dhikr. His laws are straight, truthful, and easy. His nation
is the best of the nations. No human has a higher status than his, and no creature
can attain his status.
He is the last of the Prophets and their leader, the most knowledgeable among
them and the highest in status, the most articulate and the strongest, the most
beautiful, brave, courageous, and generous. He had the most signs among them
and the most outstanding miracles.
All the prophets were people of merit and patience, belief
and certainty, truthfulness and religiousness, chastity and impeccability, intelligence
and brilliance, trustworthiness; and conveyance of the message. The prophets
were numerous--the first of them was Adam, peace be upon him, who was created
from clay as an unimpaired human in the best of forms. After him among his offspring
are: Shith, Idriss, Nuh, Hud, Salih, Shu^ayb, Ibrahim, Lut, Isma^il, Ishaq,
Ya^qub, Yusuf, Musa, Harun, Yusha^, Yunus, Ayyub, Dhu-l-Kifl, Ilyas, al-Yasa^,
Dawud, Sulayman, Zakariyya, Yahya, ^Isa, al-Khadir, and many others.
Their religion is one--Islam. They are the best of Allah's creations. They are
alive, praying in their graves. They are al-wasilah, they intercede on the Day
of Judgment, and the intercession of our prophet is the greatest.
The summation of all what was mentioned in the creed named Al-Murshidah and its supplement is included in the hadith of the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ^alayhi wa sallam: << The belief is to believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Day of Judgment, and Destiny--what is good and what is evil. >> This hadith is sahih, related by Muslim.
And Allah knows best.
| Contents | SUNNIS AGAINST EXTREMISM
About the author
Darulfatwa is an endeavour of a group of committed and highly educated Muslims who collaborated with diverse community officials to establish what is the final frontier to bridge the gap between the needs of Muslims and their productive co-existence in the wider Australian community. Darulfatwa is a non-partisan and independent institution, lobbying for the right of all Muslims to a better living standard without prejudice and discrimination and defending the civil liberties and privileges of those at risk. It set forth in its endeavor to produce this text to empower the reader with knowledge to discriminate between moderation and extremism and expel the latter.
Preface
Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him said: “The extremist fanatics are doomed.” Although extremism is not a new phenomenon, the rebel exacerbations witnessed today requires prompt action and a strong resolve. The global extremist movement driving this form of anarchy is manifested in groups known by a multitude of names hiding behind Islam to roam among the Islamic communities without drawing suspicion. Extremism does exist. Admitting this and recognising it as a dangerous force we can better plan to weed it from society. Islamic practice is a true following of the rules of Islam and extremism is a perverted view that deviates from the meanings of the merciful and moderate Islamic shari`ah. This elucidation is presented along this backdrop.
Abstract
This elucidation explores the type of extremism and terrorism practiced under the pretext of Islam. It draws on the Quran, the sayings of Prophet Muhammad and the sayings of Muslim scholars to expose the roots of extremism and assert the just position of Islam. It also discloses revealing statements of deviant men/groups to add to the case against them. First the historical place of Islam in society is explored, then how deviations from orthodox Islam occurred and lead to the emergence of extremist ideologies manifesting historically in groups like the khawarij (dissenters) and in modern times in groups including the named al-Jama`ah al-Islamiyyah, the Wahhabis and Hizbut-Tahrir. Their actions and methodology are identified. Today, extremist movements have killed many people in Egypt, Algeria, Syria, Saudi, Iraq and other places. Based on misleading reasoning, they have killed innocents. Daring to masquerade as Muslims, these extremists have attempted to destroy the reputation of Islam and Muslims. To refute them we quote a series of statements from moderate Sunni scholars; clarifying the Sunni stand against terrorism and extremism. Finally, this paper delivers solutions and warnings including, a need for Islamic scholars, Sheikhs and Islamic religious workers to remain at the forefront of the line of defence against extremists and prevent access to the extremist books. It is recognised that this work requires qualified and diligent individuals trained in deflating the calls of the named terrorist groups and activists of today.
The Beginnings of Extremism
Historically, many people embraced Islam freeing their hearts from the odious practices of ignorance and tribalism. Those true Muslims whose hearts pacified to the call of the Prophet were a people of middle ground, fairness and justice.
Others, whose hearts did not pacify with peace of mind, had ulterior motives and emerged to spread envious gossip by attempting to split the line. They constitute the fringe sects of destruction and diseased ideologies who had to conceal themselves with the cloak of Islam to spread their evil, disrupting the harmony of Islam.
The khawarij (dissenters) are among those who appeared in the first century on the Islamic calendar and whom the Prophet peace be upon him warned against in his hadith: “There will be those that come after me who will read the Qur’an but it does not go past their throats. They leave Islam like a spear leaves a prey, and they never return to it. They are the worst of the creations.”
Extremism in Modern Times
The majority of Muslims do not subscribe to extremist ideologies and theological perversions, which is why extremists find themselves constantly challenged, striving in every era to increase their small number and expand on their fringe positioning. Consequently, extremists have always tended to overtly gather to protect and pass their distorted views to the next generation built on youth. Today the khawarij still exist despite appearing under different names. Like their elders, they pass group-blasphemy to all those outside their sects. They continue to assault, to shed blood and to extort the properties of all those who defy them, the same way their elders did with the sons of the companions of the Prophet. Except today their threat is greater especially when they are not being faced with a unified and prompt ideological counter-offensive.
The khawarij of today follow the same concepts of their elders resulting in copycat acts of terror shedding the blood of the rulers; peoples of states; Imams; contractors; journalists; ambassadors; engineers; doctors; farmers; craftsman, and old and young males and females. They call upon peoples to dissent against the leaders by way of revolutionary coup d'états and armed revolts, to hit at the infrastructure of governments and to kill its soldiers and police officers. If people refuse their calls, they apostatize them and shed their blood and extort their properties; leading to the bombing of civilian buses and to planting explosives at airports, trains, public roads. Previously they have even destroyed mosque minarets with the praise of some locals. One of their speakers here in Sydney said on a local radio station about such killing that includes the likes of people in the police force: “It’s as permissible to us as drinking water”. Let us not forget the killing and slaughtering of the kids in East Jordan on the hands of these extremists. Their activist was caught saying: “Do not prevent us from its blessing”, implying he too wanted to contribute to the cowardice slaughtering. Clearly, these and the killing of the innocent are attempts to destroy the reputation of Islam and Muslims.
The extremists have killed many people in Egypt, Algeria,
Syria, Saudi, Iraq and other places thinking that their killing of those who
oppose them is a means of seeking reward from God. Amongst those they’ve killed
are:
• Sheikh Muhammad ash-Shami: the Mufti of a village near Aleppo called
`Ifrin,
• Sheikh Dr. Hussayn adh-Dhahabi: the Minister for Islamic Endowments and
an academic at an Islamic College in Egypt.
• Sheikh Nizar al-Halabi: the chairman of the Islamic Charity Projects
Association in Lebanon.
To plainly discover their deviant ideology and unjust reasoning underpinning their acts of terror, one needs only to observe extremists’ books.
Quotes from extremists’ books:
• In their book fi dhilal al-Qur’an (In the Shades of the Qur’an) [vol. 3/G8/p.1198] they say: “He who obeys a human in a secular law even if it were partial obedience then this person is a mushrik (idolater) and a blasphemer no matter how emphatically he utters the testifications of faith”.
• In the same book [vol. 2/G7/p.1057]: “All humankind in the East and the West inclusive of those who repeat the testifications of faith on the minarets with no indicator or factual happening are deeper in sin and worse in punishment on the Day of Judgment because they have blasphemed for the worship of creations”.
• In the same book [vol 3/p.1449] is written: “It is required upon those who are called the Jama`ah al-Islamiyya or the brotherhood group to snatch the reigns of power from the rulers and to destroy their systems and to revolt against them by way of coups throughout the states”.
However, historic and contemporary Islamic literature abounds with refutations against deviant sects. Islamic scholars fought and debated them including the great Prophetic companion `Abdullah Ibn `Abbas and the fourth Khalif (successor) Master `Aliy Ibn Abi Talib, followed by the four Sunni schools of thought and their orthodox followers. The four Sunni schools of thought are the highest authority for the Sunnis in refuting this global extremist movement and its aligned groups who falsely claim to be part of the Sunni populace.
Quotes from the four Sunni schools:
• The Mufti of the Hanbalis in Mecca Sheikh Muhammad bin `Abdullah bin Hamid (d. 1295 H.) said in his book as-suhub al-wabilah (The Downpouring Clouds) page 276 about the leader of the extremist Wahhabi movement: “If he was contested and refuted and could not overtly kill his contester, he sends a hit man to murder him on his bed or at night in the market place, because he believed in the blasphemy of those who opposed him and the shedding of their blood”.
• The Mufti of the Shafi`is in Mecca Sheikh Ahmad Zayni Dahlan (d. 1304 H.) wrote in his book ad-durar as-sunniyyah (The Sunni Gems) about the leader of the extremist Wahhabi movement that he used to say: “And all that is under the seven skies is a mushrik (idolater) fully, and he who kills a mushrik is rewarded with Paradise”.
• He (Mufti) also relayed about the Wahhabi leader his statement: “He who enters our way shares our rights and obligations, and he who doesn’t is a blasphemer whose blood is shed and wealth is squandered”.
• He also mentioned in his book ‘umara’ al-balad al-haram (The Princes of the Holy Land) that when the Wahhabis entered at-Ta’if they killed the people en mass including the elderly and the children, the honourables, the princes and the layman. They even slaughtered the suckling infants by their mothers’ breasts. They also assaulted the pilgrims to Mecca through extortion and murder.
• The Maliki Sheikh Ahmad as-Sawi (d. 1241 H.) mentioned in his commentary on al-Jalalayn [vol.3 p.307-308] about the khawarij who misinterpret the true meanings of the Qur’an and the Prophetic traditions shedding in that the blood of the Muslims as is witnessed today in their localities. They are a sect in the Hijaz region (East Arabia) who are called the Wahhabis, they think they have a legitimate authority but in deed they are the liars who have been deceived by the devil who has made them forget the remembrance of their Lord. Those are the evil satanic sect; in fact the sect of Satan is defeated.”.
• Dr Muhammad al-Ghazali (d. 1996) and who was a disciple of Sheikh Hasan al-Banna may Allah have mercy on him mentioned in his book min ma`alim al-haqq (From the Characteristics of Truth) [p.264]: “Those underground youth were later on a major threat to the group, as they started turning against each other in assassinations until they became a destructive tool for terror in the hands of those who had no true knowledge of Islam and could not be relied upon for the common interest of society”. Hasan al-Banna also said about them before he died that they were not brothers and they were not Muslims.
Today, the threat of extremists is escalating and reaching new fronts beyond New York, Madrid, Bali, London and Sharm El-sheikh. They kill unjustly on one hand and call themselves ‘the Salafy Group’ on the other hand. But, no two concepts can be more polarised. They hide behind the banner of Jihad and martyrdom and under the veil of Islam. The fact of the matter remains that Islam is against them and against their evil acts. Refuting them is an Islamic obligation and diffusing them should be a way of life for the true Muslim.
Remedies and Solutions
The war against extremism is a systematic war which has
to be accompanied with preventative measures which include:
• Satisfying the need for Islamic scholars, Sheikhs and Islamic religious
workers who remain at the forefront of the line of defence against them.
• To continue training new religious workers and Sheikhs with the know
hows and the rebuttal documents enabling them to expose extremism and its proponents.
• To expose those in the public arena so that they cannot continue to find
access to the general public.
• To maintain a media, broadcast and print, that supports rebutting and
curtailing extremist acts and undressing their disguise and motives
• To encourage Islamic leaders of today to speak out against the modern
version of the khawarij in order to prevent them from teaching their ideology
through pulpits, mosques, radio stations, satellite channels, schools, public
lectures.
• To protect the Muslim youth from their danger by preventing access to
the extremist books
Curtailing extremism should not be limited to security measures, which sometimes defeats the aim. Security measures may sometimes bloat the motives of extremists who act upon a recursive chain of actions and reactions in order to expand their sphere of conflict from one generation to another. Alone it could also attract the attention of some oblivious youth who might grant their sympathy to these extremist groups. Some people have even put a spin on hypocrisy, disguising it as public relation and promotion; thus luring the passive. Such deviant people compete for air time and coverage, while concealing their true identity and motives behind void utterances of peace and moderation. Their private sessions contain the same rants that they distribute in their bookstores claiming to advise the youth towards the right path for salvation. It is also behind doors that they accuse those calling against extremism to be mere agents or informers. It was only recently, when one of them was extolling extremists by saying that if it weren’t for them “Allah would have sunk the Earth from underneath us” and he called those carrying out suicidal attacks “martyrs”. Consequently, continued learning about Islam and application becomes a necessity for differentiation.
The conclusion is framed in what the trustworthy Prophet peace be upon him said: “Allah rewards for gentleness what He does not reward for violence” [related by Muslim and others]. Clearly, the onus is upon all Muslims to resolve this phenomenon, each through his informed area of expertise and with as much capacity as one could bear. Muslims in Australia and abroad following the orthodox teachings of Islam condemn all forms of terrorism, extremism and social destruction. Thus, it is essential to conquer terrorism and its kin, that governments, nations and the media differentiate between Muslims and terrorists and to further promote that there is no relation between Islam, terrorism and extremism. To execute this objective Muslims throughout the world and particularly in Australia should assert their moderate stand loudly, empowered by textual and logical proofs. They must restate that they are not the ones who exchange conviction for positions, and are not those who disregard the true Islamic fatwa for any agenda or program. Counselling against extremists cannot be achieved only by statements and words, but has to be accompanied with a continuous effort in order to eradicate this social dilemma and save nations and its peoples from its danger. This work requires qualified and diligent individuals trained in deflating the calls of the named al-Jama`ah al-Islamiyyah, the Wahhabis and Hizbut-Tahrir.
| Contents | Angels
Among the most important matters of the belief (Iman) is to believe in the angels, i.e., to believe, although we don't usually see them, that angels exist and they are one of the kinds of creations Allah created. Allah created the angels from light. They are neither males nor females. They all worship Allah and obey His orders; they do not sin.
As narrated by Imam Muslim in the famous hadith known as Hadith Jibril, the Prophet, sallallahu ^alayhi wa sallam, when asked by Angel Jibril to inform him about the belief, said what means:
<<Belief (Iman) is to believe in Allah, His Angels, His Revealed Books, His Messengers, the Day of Judgment, and to believe in destiny--both good and evil, (that is that both are decreed by Allah).>>
In the response of Prophet Muhammad to Angel Jibril, notice how he ordered those most important matters of the belief. He said the belief is (first) to believe in Allah, because this is the basis of the belief. To believe in Allah includes believing that Allah exists and that His existence is without time and without a place, unlike the existence of the created things. The belief in Allah includes believing that He is eternal; there never was a time Allah did not exist and then He came into existence. He is everlasting; there never will be a time when He will cease to exist. Rather, Allah is the Creator of everything. He created everything by his Power, Knowledge, and Will. He does not need any of His creations, nor does He resemble any of His creations. Allah is attributed with Sight and Hearing; He sees and hears all things without an eye, ear, or any other instrument. Allah is not a body and does not have parts. He is One, there is no god except Allah. He has no partner, no division, no sub-division. The proper belief in Allah includes believing in all these issues.
The one who believes in Allah, believes that Allah is
the Creator of everything, the True Owner of everything, and that He deserves
to be worshipped, and that He deserves to be obeyed. The one who believes that
Allah deserves to be worshipped and obeyed needs to know how to worship and
obey Him. Allah, by His great generosity and mercy, sent His Revelation to the
people, so they would know how to worship and obey Him. The one who believes
in Allah, believes in His Revelation. After mentioning the belief in Allah,
the Prophet mentioned the belief in the angels, the Books, and the Messengers
of Allah, because this is how Allah's orders reached us. The ones who convey
the orders of Allah are the angels. What they came with are the revealed Books.
These Books were revealed to the Messengers of Allah, who were ordered to convey
them to the people. Angels are wondrous creations of Allah and have a very high
status among His creations. Allah created all the angels from light, all at
once.
Imam Muslim narrated the Prophet said what means:
<< Allah created the angels from light, created the jinn from the pure flame of fire, and Adam from that which was described to you (i.e., the clay.)>>
This is an authentic (sahih) hadith which proves Iblis was not an angel who blasphemed, thus becoming the devil--as some people claim. Iblis is a jinn and is the father of all the jinn-kind, as Adam is a human and is the father of all the human kind. Allah created the angels as they are now. They do not grow or develop or age. In their original shape, they are gentle bodies; gentle bodies meaning they can't be grasped or held by the hand. Although they are gentle bodies, they do not have internal cavities--unlike humans and jinn--and they do not eat or drink. This is why when Prophet Ibrahim gave food to the angels who were visiting him (in the shape of men), they did not eat.
The angels have different body parts: feet, shoulders, ears, hands, and wings. Some angels have two (2) wings, some have three (3), others have four (4). Some, like Angel Jibril, have up to six hundred (600) wings. If just one of his wings was spread open, it would cover what is between east and west. Allah gave the angels the power to change their shapes, and it is permissible that they would take the shape of a man, however, without the male genital organ. Often Angel Jibril would appear to the Prophet in the shape of a man to teach him the Revelation. Angels do not take the form of the woman. The one who believes that the angels are female is not a believer as it entails contardicting the Qur'an. Verse 27 of Suratun-Najm means:
[Those who do not believe in the Hereafter are those who name the angels with feminine names, (i.e., believe that they are female.)]
Some of the angels are very big. It was narrated that the Prophet told us about one of the angels who carries the ^Arsh. He said that the distance between that angel's ear lobe and his shoulder is equal to the distance that a fast flying bird would cover flying for 700 years. There are other angels whose feet are in the seventh earth and upper body above the seventh sky. Allah created obedience inherent in the angels. They do not disobey Allah. All of them are obedient slaves to Allah, as Allah described them in Surat at-Tahrim, Ayah 6. This verse means:
[They do not disobey Allah in what He orders them (to do), and they do exactly what they were ordered.]
Angels, like humans, have a will, but angels choose only to be obedient to Allah. They do not sin. They perform only that which Allah ordered them to do. What was falsely claimed about the two angels, Harut and Marut, committing sins is untrue. Some claimed that they were seduced by a woman named az-Zuhrah, and as a result, drank alcohol and committed adultery. It is also claimed they killed a soul unrightfully and prostrated to an idol. These claims are pure fabrication, none were confirmed by the Prophet. Such claims contradict the Qur'an, the Rules of the Religion, and the Sunnah of the Prophet. What is mentioned in the Religion about Harut and Marut is they came down in Babylon (in Iraq) to teach the people the matters of sorcery. This was not, however, to enable the people to practice sorcery, rather it was to enable the people to differentiate between sorcery and the true miracle. Angels are the most numerous kind of creation of Allah. There are more angels than the other creations of Allah, including the humans and jinn--even the trees. At-Tirmidhiyy related the hadith of the Messenger of Allah in which he said:
<<There is no space equivalent to (the width of) four fingers in the sky except one would find an angel mentioning (worshipping) Allah--either standing, bowing or prostrating.>>
They stay as such until the Day of Judgment worshipping Allah. Allah endowed the angels with the strength to perform the obedience without getting tired, and without being in need of food, drink, sleep, or rest. They do not eat or drink or sleep. They perform only that which Allah ordered them to perform. Every angel has an assignment. Angel Jibril is the Messenger of Allah to his prophets. Angel Israfil is the angel assigned to blow the horn on the Day of Judgment. ^Asra'il is the Angel of death, whose assignment is to capture the soul of the person when it leaves his body at death. Ridwan is the angel in charge of Paradise, Malik the angel in charge of Hellfire. There are angels in charge of the clouds, the winds, and the plants. With each human there are eight (8) angels--whose assignment is to protect that person from the harm of the jinn. It was narrated that if it were not for these angels, the jinn would play with the person like the person plays with a ball. The zabaniyah are angels in charge of torturing the blasphemers in Hellfire. There are other angels who roam around, writing down the leaves that drop off the trees. Some angels are in charge of delivering the salutations to the Messenger of Allah in his grave of the one not present at the grave of the Prophet who says salams to him. There is an angel in charge of the womb of the woman. He writes matters on the forehead of the fetus when the fetus is 120 days old and his soul joins his body. There are the angels who carry the ^Arsh. Rata'il is the angel in charge of relieving the sadness of the believers; Mika'il is the angel in charge of the rain. Angel Isma^il is in charge of 12,000 angels in one sky who are his direct assistants. There are the angels who write down the deeds of the person-each one has two with him, one who writes the good deeds, and the other who writes the mubah and the bad deeds.
There are the angels, Munkar and Nakir, who question
the person in the grave, and many, many more. Allah endowed the angels with
great strength. Angel Jibril was described in the Qur'an that he is very strong.
Among the examples of his strength is how he destroyed the cities of the people
of Prophet Lut. With just the edge of one of his 600 hundred wings, Angel Jibril
pulled out of the ground the (4 or 5) cities of Prophet Lut's people, and raised
them near to the first sky, until the angels inhabiting that sky could hear
the barking of the dogs and the crowing of the roosters. Then he turned those
cities upside down and sent them down to the earth. Allah ordered Angel Jibril
to destroy those cities of the people of Prophet Lut to punish them because
they belied Prophet Lut and harmed him. Among all the angels, Angel Jibril is
the one with the most merit and highest status. He is the Messenger of Allah
to the messengers of Allah, meaning mostly it was Jibril who would bring the
Revelation to the prophets. Angel Jibril would come to Prophet Muhammad and
convey the Revelation to him, and the Prophet would hear his words and memorize
them immediately. Angel Jibril used to come to the Prophet not in his own shape--usually
he would take the shape of a man. However, when Angel Jibril brought the Revelation
of prophethood to Prophet Muhammad in Cave Hira', he retained his original shape.
When Prophet Muhammad saw Jibril this first time in his original shape, he fainted.
He fainted, not out of fear of what he was seeing, (because Jibril did not at
all resemble what one usually sees, i.e., humans, animals, the sun, the moon,
etc.) and not out of fear that Jibril would harm him. Rather, he felt that he
was seeing a very strange and a very great thing, and was so affected by the
aura of what he was seeing that he fainted. During the night of al-Mi^raj, the
Prophet once again saw Angel Jibril in his original shape. However, this time
the Prophet did not faint at the sight of Jibril , because before that the angels
had washed his heart to make it stronger and ready to see the wondrous things
in the upper world during the ascension. Allah gave Prophet Muhammad a great
strength, enabling him to bear many unfamiliar sights and unusual matters that
night.
Angels are truly wondrous creations of Allah. If one thinks about this creation of Allah, it will strengthen, with assurity, his belief in the One Who created the angels--the One Who Created Everything-- Allah.
And Allah Knows best