Why is Islam facing opposition?

 What is Islam? 

The Arabic word for Islam means submission. Another meaning is peace. In other words, living in submission to God brings peace in this world and in the afterlife, which is the doctrine proposed by this faith.

That is, whatever commands God gives us about what we should do, we must do them. The name for that is merit, virtue, or righteousness. Whatever He prohibits, we should not do those things. It is called as evil or sin or adharma. Those who accept this doctrine and live accordingly are referred to as "Muslim" (one who submits) in the Arabic language 

This is a universal doctrine for everyone!

Anyone can accept this doctrine and live accordingly. It does not belong to any particular race, nation, or community. It is not a new path either. Throughout all ages, the messengers of God sent to various parts of this world have preached this doctrine to the people. The same doctrine has now been reintroduced in the name of Islam by the final messenger of God, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

The Ultimate Life Goal

Those who accept this philosophy – that is, those who do good and refrain from evil – attain heaven in the afterlife. Those who live indifferently, disregarding both God and the doctrine of life that He has given, will attain hell.

Movement of Self-Respect 

The key principle of this ideology is that only the God who created and governs this world is worthy of worship. No one else—be they great human beings, kings, or spiritual leaders—should be referred to or worshipped as God. Man should not worship the tombs of the deceased, idols, stones, or trees. One must worship God directly, without any intermediaries.

Unity and Brotherhood of Humankind

The fundamental principle of this doctrine is that all human beings have evolved and multiplied from one man and one woman. All human beings - regardless of their religion, country of origin, language spoken, or color - are siblings belonging to the same family. Therefore, everyone is equal! No hierarchies should be taught based on factors like country, ethnicity, language, clan, or caste among them. Islam states that one can rise over others only through piety.

Enjoin goodness , and prohibit evil 

According to this ideology, those who accept it should not only have faith in God in this world but also should do and promote good; they must stay away from evils and, whenever they encounter evils, they should strive to prevent them in every possible way.

Now you can understand why this doctrine of Islam faces opposition!

When righteousness spreads, those who have embraced unrighteousness rise in anger.

= When people feel that they can approach God directly, it makes the intermediaries lose their peace! Those who spread superstitions among the people and exploit them over time will not like this policy spreading!

= Those who live by claiming the superiority of their color, race, language, and caste and treating other people as slaves and dominating them will not like this policy spreading.

= This policy encourages people to live with a sense of self-respect, and as a result, people become aware and turn against the dominant powers. They fight to free their countries from them and prevent the plunder of their national resources.

Thus, this doctrine is making the guardians of unrighteousness all over the world sick. That is why they are working together to prevent this religion from spreading. They criticize it in every way they can, both nationally and internationally. They portray those who accept this religion and those who fight against unrighteousness as terrorists through the media.

But the Lord of this world says in His Holy Quran that this religion has been revealed as a blessing for the people of the worlds, and no one can prevent it:

'They wish to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths - but Allah will not fail to perfect His light, even though the disbelievers may abhor it.' (Al-Quran 9:32)

But no one needs to worry about its growth. It has not come to destroy or elevate a race or nation. Rather, if one realizes that it has come to establish Dharma and spread peace on earth, then the opposition will disappear. Today's enemies will become tomorrow's guardians of this religion. That is what the growth of this religion in America, Europe and other countries today indicates.

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What is Islam? Who is Muslim?

https://houseofpeaceblr.blogspot.com/2024/11/what-is-islam-who-is-muslim.html

Who is Allah?

https://houseofpeaceblr.blogspot.com/2024/11/who-is-allah.html

10 Biggest terrorist activities by colonial forces

https://houseofpeaceblr.blogspot.com/2024/10/10-biggest-terrorist-activities-by.html 

Who is Allah?

 

The creator God is mentioned in the Holy Quran by the word 'Allah'.  The term "Allah" refers to the singular God who creates and governs the entire world. Just as the word God is used in English, Kadavul in Tamil, and Bhagwan in Hindi, the Arabic word for God is Allah! However, when compared with words in other languages, this word has a couple of unique features:

 The true meaning of this word is 'the only God worthy of worship.'

This word has no masculine or feminine forms, nor does it have a plural. It always signifies unity. For example, the English word God into Gods, Goddess or in Tamil 'kadavul - kadavulargal'  and Bhagwan- Bagavadhi,  change to suit plural and gender, but the word Allah never deviates.

Due to such distinctions, Muslims around the world refer to God as Allah. However, do not assume that Allah simply means the God of the Arabs or the family deity of Muslims. The Holy Quran addresses all the doubts that may arise in human minds regarding that God:

There is only one God

What does our reasoning say about the fact that there is only one God?

If there are two principals in a school or two or more drivers for a bus, it can lead to great confusion, chaos, or accidents. Similarly, if there were more than one God in this world, even our common understanding tells us that it would have long since perished. 

The Holy Quran states this as well: '(If there were) other deities besides Allah in (the heavens and the earth), both would certainly have been ruined...' (Quran 21:22)

God is one, and regarding His attributes, the Holy Quran states as follows: 

“O Prophet, say: ‘Allah is One. He is the Self-Sufficient. He begets not, nor is He begotten. And there is none comparable to Him.’” (Quran 112: 1-4)

 He is Allah , other than whom there is no deity, Knower of the unseen and the witnessed. He is the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.

 He is Allah , other than whom there is no deity, the Sovereign, the Pure, the Perfection, the Bestower of Faith, the Overseer, the Exalted in Might, the Compeller, the Superior. Exalted is Allah above whatever they associate with Him.

He is Allah , the Creator, the Inventor, the Fashioner; to Him belong the best names. Whatever is in the heavens and earth is exalting Him. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise. (Quran 59:22-24)

Who is worthy of worship?

O mankind, worship your Lord, who created you and those before you, that you may become righteous  (Quran 2:21)

It is He who forms you in the wombs however He wills. There is no deity except Him, the Exalted in Might, the Wise. (Quran 3:6). 

Thus, the Holy Quran emphasizes that only the One God, who is common to all humanity and possesses all power, should be worshipped.

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What is Islam? Who is Muslim?

https://houseofpeaceblr.blogspot.com/2024/11/what-is-islam-who-is-muslim.html

What is Islam? Who is Muslim?

Consider a factory, a school, an army, or a hospital. For these institutions, which function with the participation of many people, to provide the necessary benefits, there must be a stable leadership and defined rules and order that must be followed by everyone. Similarly, in this world we live in, if we accept the leadership of God, the owner of this world, and follow the rules and discipline He teaches, life will become meaningful. We can see in nature that all creations, except for man, are structured to be beneficial in this way.

Islam means submission. Its other meaning is peace. That is, when individuals live by submitting to the rules set by the Creator who created and sustains this world, it results in discipline and moral conduct in personal and social life. The peace that arises from this can be called Islam. Those who live by maintaining this also continue to experience peace in the life after death, That is, a Paradise filled with eternal bliss is offered to them as a reward. This is the doctrine presented by this divine path.

Muslim means one who submits. For example, a student who behaves with respect towards the teacher or a servant who obeys the master can be considered a Muslim in terms of the Arabic word. Similarly, those who act in accordance with the commands of God are called Muslims. No one can become a Muslim just by wearing a cap or a beard or by having a name in Arabic or Urdu. Even if a person is born to Muslim parents, they cannot be considered a Muslim. One can only be a Muslim by completely adhering to the teachings.

The word Muslim can also be understood in this way. Look at nature. Trees, bushes, plants, the sun, the moon, stars, fish, birds, animals... all these live in accordance with the commands of the creator – that is, the rules set by the creator. Therefore, all these are Muslims! Not only that, but consider our own body. Each of our body parts – the heart, stomach, intestines, nerves, brain, kidneys... all of these are also Muslims! The reason is that they all exist in a state of submission to the creator. That is to say, even if a person is not yet a Muslim, his body is always a Muslim!

So, based on this, whoever possesses the quality of submission to God, no matter in which religion they were born, no matter what language they speak, no matter in which corner of the world they were born... also, it doesn't matter in which era they lived, all of them are Muslims! This is the broad perspective that Islam teaches us.

Islam is not new!

Yes, dear brothers and sisters, you must now realize the truth that Islam is not a new religion. Unfortunately, however, the majority of people still believe that it is a new religion created by Prophet Muhammad. Even today, this misconception continues to persist without correction in school textbooks.

Yes, dear ones, when we say that we all belong to the same family, it becomes clear that our God must have given us only one religion. That same religion has been introduced repeatedly through many prophets wherever our families have spread over different times. That same religion was finally reintroduced through the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This religion is known today in Arabic as ‘Islam’. On the contrary, the Prophet Muhammad did not bring anything new or create anything new.

Islam instills deeply in the minds of individuals three beliefs that transform humanity from being engrossed in sins to becoming disciplined and responsible. Furthermore, it liberates them from superstitions and divisive arguments, establishing global brotherhood and human equality.

1. One Humanity:

O mankind! Fear your Lord, who created you from one soul. And from it, He created its mate. And from both of them, He spread many men and women. Fear Allah, through whom you ask one another, and [fear] the ties of kinship. Indeed, Allah is ever, over you, an Observer. (Quran 4:1)

 (Allah means the One God worthy of worship.)

That is, Islam teaches that despite the differences created by color, race, country, language, wealth, education, status, and position, every human being is a brother to one another and that everyone has rights on this earth which must be respected and upheld by all.

2.. One God:

Say, “He is God, the One. God, the Absolute. He begets not, nor was He begotten.  And there is none comparable to Him.” (Quran 112:1-4)

Islam teaches that understanding God's attributes in this way means that one should worship Him directly, without intermediaries, superstitions, or unnecessary rituals. 

(O Prophet!) Whenever My servants ask you about Me, I am indeed very near to them. I respond to the call of the one who calls upon Me. Let them call upon Me for guidance, let them place their faith in Me. (Quran 2:186)

Except for the Creator, everything else is a creation. Therefore, worshipping created beings – whether they are living or even lifeless forms without life and consciousness – or teaching that they are God is considered a deception and sin in Islam. This act diminishes God and creates a neglectful attitude towards Him in human minds. Consequently, it becomes a significant obstacle to maintaining good morals, leading to an increase in sins within society. Furthermore, as people attempt to imagine and worship God in different forms, the human race becomes divided, fighting amongst themselves and fading away, and intermediaries exploit the name of God to deceive and survive. The Qur'an states that God does not forgive this sin, which leads to many confusions and evils.

3. Divine judgment and the afterlife.

Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion.(Quran 3:185)

That is to say, this world will one day be completely destroyed, and when God's command comes, all humans will be resurrected for the final judgment. Eternal abodes filled with immeasurable pleasures will be granted to the righteous, and severe punishments will be provided to the sinners.

Thus, this temporary life is a test, and this world has been created as a testing ground for it, which is the truth that Islam reminds us of. Forgetting this is the cause of humanity's lack of peace.

Practical guidance

The aforementioned beliefs are not just mere teachings; they provide a clear life plan and guidance for a person to uphold throughout his life, through the final revelation, the Holy Quran, and the exemplary life of the final messenger, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It can be understood by those who explore that they serve as guides in all areas of human life.

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Islam is about reformation of mind and character

 

Is Islam inherited by birth?

The term Islam means submission. Another meaning of it is peace. That is, if one lives submitting to God, one can attain peace in this worldly life as well in the hereafter. This is the principle presented by this divine path. 

The term Muslim means one who submits. For example, a student who behaves respectfully towards a teacher or a servant who obeys his master can be called a Muslim in terms of the Arabic word. Similarly, those who act according to God's commandments are called Muslims. Simply wearing a cap or beard, or having a name in Arabic or Urdu does not make one a Muslim. Even if one is born to Muslim parents, it does not automatically make one a Muslim. One can only be a Muslim through complete adherence.

In nature, all trees, shrubs, plants, the sun, moon, stars, fish, birds, and animals... all of these live according to the commands of God – that is, the rules set by God. Living in such a manner is Islam! The one who lives like this is called as Muslim! Yes, in this world, everything except for humans is indeed in a state of Islam.

how can a person  become a Muslim?

So, when or how can a human become a Muslim? When a man accepts the God Who created him, understands His commandments, and begins to live accordingly, only then does he become a Muslim. In other words, a human becomes a Muslim when they make a covenant with the Creator saying, "O God, I accept You as the One and only worthy of my worship. I accept the messenger You have sent. From today onwards, I will live according to Your commands." This means he must accept the life plan given by God and begin to live accordingly.

What is this life plan? 

It is called the pillars of Islam.

Declaration of faith: To sincerely accept and verbally affirm the statement “There is no deity but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger.”

Prayer five times a day: To systematically implement this life plan, we must maintain a connection with the Creator. Only then will the distractions that lead us to wrongdoing and the whispers of Satan not mislead us. For this, we perform prayers at dawn, noon, evening, after sunset, and before sleeping, fulfilling the prayers taught through His messenger.

Obligatory charity: All possessions and wealth belong to God. These are given to us as a means of testing. A specific portion of what is given to us is for the poor. Therefore, we must give these away as a duty.

Fasting in the month of Ramadan: Abstaining from eating, drinking, and physical relations during the daylight hours of the month in which the Holy Quran was revealed.

The holy pilgrimage known as Hajj: Those who have the means and physical health should visit the Kaaba in the city of Mecca at least once in their lifetime.

If someone wishes to adhere to the aforementioned policy and life plan, there is no need for anyone's grace; it is between that person and God.

By sincerely affirming the mentioned doctrine in his heart and verbalizing it, he became a Muslim at that moment. There is no need for the presence of any religious guru, witness, or registration in a place of worship! There is no requirement for him to change his name there either!

Yes, apart from a change of heart and a change of character, no other changes matter in accepting this path. But you must be firm in the accepted belief. Calling anything other than the Creator as God, worshipping imaginary forms, or deviating from prayer should not be done! Understand that as long as you live according to this belief, that is how long you are a Muslim! If you embrace death in that state, then paradise is guaranteed for you! The Creator says in His holy scripture:

‘"O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims."’ (Qur'an 3:102)

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