The 10 Most Common FAQs on Muslim Beliefs
= The first religious obligation on worshipers is to realize the purpose
for which Allah the Almighty created them; and for which He took their
covenant and sent them His Messengers and Books; and for which He
created this present life, the Hereafter, Paradise and Hell-fire; and for
which the Inevitable would come true; and the Event would befall; and
for which the Balance is set and the Records fly; and for which there
would be either happiness or misery; and according to which the lights
would be divided, for any to whom Allah gives not light, there will be no
light for him!
2: What is that thing for which Allah innovated the Creation?
= Allah the Almighty says: {And We created not the heavens and
the earth, and all that is between them, for mere play. We created
them not except with truth (i.e. to examine and test those who
are obedient and those who are disobedient and then reward the
obedient ones and punish the disobedient ones), but most of them
know not}. (Ad-Dukhan, 38-39)
He says also: {And We created not the heaven and the earth and
all that is between them without purpose! That is the
consideration of those who disbelieve!}. (Sad. 27)
He says also: {And Allah has created the heavens and the earth
with truth, in order that each person may be recompensed what
he has earned, and they will not be wronged}.(Al-Jathiyah, 22)
He says also: {And I (Allah) created not the jinn and mankind
except that they should worship Me (Alone). I seek not any
provision from them (i.e. provision for themselves or for My
creatures) nor do I ask that they should feed Me (i.e. feed themselves or My creatures). Verily, Allah is the All-Provider, owner of Power, the Most Strong}. (Ad-Dhariyat, 56-58)
3: What does the word `Abd (worshiper) mean?
= The word Abd means the subdued or subjugated. This meaning
encompasses all sorts of creation: higher and lower, rational and
reason less, animate and inanimate, dynamic and static, apparent and
hidden, believing and disbelieving, and pious and dissolute, etc.; all of
which are created by Allah he Almighty. They are subjected to Him, and
managed by Him Alone. Moreover, all of them have a limit and
destination and each one runs (its course) or an appointed term. Such is
the judgment and ordering of (Him), the Exalted in Power, the
Omniscient. And if the intended sense is the modest God-loving
worshiper), in this case it refers only to the believing men and women
who are Allah's honorable slaves and pious godly ones; on them shall be
no fear, nor shall they grieve.
4: What is Worship?
= "Worship" is a comprehensive word that refers to all that which
pleases Allah, and that which He likes, viz., good words and deeds that
are made manifest or concealed; and freedom from all that which
contradicts this.
5: When can a deed be an act of worship?
= If there are two things: perfect love (for Allah) along with perfect
subjection (to Him). Allah Almighty says: {But those who believe, love
1 The Arabic word' Abd means a male slave, a slave of Allah the Almighty.
Allah more (than anything else)}. (Al-Baqarah, 165)
Allah the Almighty says: {Verily those who live in awe for fear of
their Lord}. (Al-Mu'minun , 57)
Allah the Almighty gathered the two things in the following verse that
reads, {Verily, they used to hasten on to do good deeds, and they
used to call on Us with hope and fear, and used to humble
themselves before Us}. (Al-Anbiya', 90)
6: What can tell that Allah's slave loves his Lord, the Almighty?
= What can tell is that, one should love what is loved by Allah and
dislike what is disliked by Him; he should act on His Orders and avoid His Prohibitions; he should be with those who love Allah, and show severe
enmity to His enemies. That is why love and hatred for the sake of Allah
are the most affirmed signs of Iman (Faith).
7: How could Allah's slaves know what He loves?
= They know it through the coming of Messengers and the Revelation
of the Heavenly Scriptures that contain the ordainments and prohibitions
of Allah the Almighty. Thus; He presented His irrefutable proof and
showed His infinite wisdom to all mankind. Allah the Almighty says:
{Messengers as bearers of good news as well as of warning in
order that mankind should have no plea against Allah after the
(coming of) Messengers}. (An-Nisa', 165)
He says: {Say (O Muhammad (Peace be upon him) to mankind):
If you (really) love Allah then follow me,2 Allah will love you and
2 Accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur'an and the Sunnah.
forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful}.
(Al 'Imran, 31)
8: How many are the conditions of worship?
=They are three.
First: Sincere determination which is a condition that goes with the act
of worship itself.
Second: Sincerity of intention.
Third: Compatibility with Islamic Law (Shari 'ah) ordained by Allah.
The later two represent conditions for accepting an act of worship.
9: What does "Sincerity of determination" mean?
= It means warding off lethargy and laziness, and exerting one's effort
in making his words go with his deeds. Allah the Almighty says: {O you
who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do? Most
hateful it is with Allah that you say that which you do not do}.
(As-Saff,2-3)
10: What does "Sincerity of intention" mean?
= It means that all the words and deeds of Allah's slave made manifest
and concealed, must be for nothing save to seek the Countenance of
Allah, the Most High. Allah the Almighty says: (And they were
commanded not, but that they should worship Allah, and worship
none but Him Alone]}. (Al-Bayyinah, 5)
He says: {And who has (in mind) no favor from anyone to be paid
back. Except to seek the Countenance of his Lord, the Most High}.
(Al-Lail, 19-20)
He says: {We feed you seeking Allah's Countenance only. We wish
for no reward, nor thanks from you}. (Al-Insan, 9)
He says: {Whosoever desires (by his deeds) the reward of the
Hereafter, We give him increase in his reward, and whosoever
desires the reward of this world (by his deeds), We give him
thereof (what is decreed for him), and he has no portion in the
Hereafter}. (Ash-Shura, 20)
