The signs in the heavens and on the earth

Assume that you set up a big cityby bringing millions of Legos together.
Let there be in this cityskyscrapers, twisting roads, railway stations,
airports, shopping malls, subways and also rivers, lakes, forests and a
beach. Let there also be living in it thousands of people wandering in
its streets, sitting in their homes and working in their offices. Take
every detail into account. Even the traffic lights, box offices, and the
signboards at the bus stations.
If someone came up to you and said that all the Legos of this city,
which you had founded by planning it right down to the smallest detail,
and each piece of which you had picked up withgreat pains, had been
brought together by coincidence to produce this city, what would you
think of the mental state of that person?
Now, go back to the city you have built and consider that the whole city
would be leveled to the ground if you had forgotten to put into place
even a single Lego, or changed its place. Can you imagine what great
balance and order you have had to establish?
Life in the world where we live isalso made possible by the accumulation
of such a great number of details incomprehensible to the human mind.
The absence of even one of these details might mean the end of life on
the earth.
Everything, every detail from the atom, the smallest unit of matter, to
the galaxies harboring billions of stars, from the moon, an inseparable
adjunct of the world, to the solar system, all work in a perfect harmony
. This well-organized system runs flawlessly, just like a watch. People
are so confident that thisbillions-of-years-old system will go on
functioning without leaving out even the smallest detail that they can
freely make plans about something they think will be realized in the
next 10 years. No one is worried about whether the sun will rise the
next day. A great majority of people do not think about 'whether the
world may ever chance to break free from the gravitation of the sun and
start to move towards the unknown in the pitch-dark space'; or ask 'What
keeps this from happening?'
In the same manner, when people are about to sleep, they are very
confident that their hearts or respiratory systems will not relax as
their brains do. However, even a few seconds' halt in any one of these
two vitalsystems may well cause results that will cost one's life.
When the 'glasses of familiarity' which surround the whole of lifeand
cause every event to be assessed as if 'it is taking place in its
natural course' are taken off, one is free to see that everything is
made up of such closely interdependent, meticulously planned systems
that it is as if we were hanging on to life by the skin of our teeth.
You notice an excellent order prevailing in every spot you turn your
eyes on. Certainly, there is a great power that creates such an order
and harmony. The possessor of this great power is God, Who
createdeverything out of nothing. In a verse of the Qur'an, it is said:
He Who has created seven heavens in full harmony with one another: no
incongruity will you see in the creation of the Most Gracious. And turn
your vision (upon it) once more: can you see any flaw? Yea, turn your
vision (upon it) again and yet again: (and every time) your vision will
fall back upon you, dazzled and truly defeated. (Surat al-Mulk, 3-4)
When we look at the living beings in the heavens, on the earth and in
all that lies between them, we see that theyall prove the existence of
their Creator in their own right. So I suggest we all take a moment to
reflect on the natural phenomena and living beings that every one sees,
yet never thinks about, and how they havecome into being and continue
their existence. If we were to write down all the signs of God in the
universe, they would fill many thousands of volumes of encyclopedias.
For God Exists.
To Him is due the primal origin of the heavens and the earth and He is
known through reason.

Good or evil?

Good and evil are concepts which people talk and think about the most
throughout their lives. Some people endeavor "to be a good person" and
"to protect himself and his loved ones from bad people and behavior."
This effort shown to avoid evil is, of course, very important. However,
many people who endeavor in this direction may not have actually thought
how close evil is to them because people who do not live according to
the moral values of the Qur'an determine good and evil in terms of
theirown beliefs, thoughts, worldview and sociocultural tendencies.On
the contrary, the source from which we can truly learn what good and
evil is, is the Qur'an and the sunna of the our Prophet (saas). Allah
sent the Qur'an to people to reveal right and wrong and to bring them
from the darkness to the light. What good and evil is, and the reasons
that lead a person to evil are revealed in the Qur'an. In one verse it
is revealed:
I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed satan-
"Or do those who perpetrate evil deeds suppose that We will make them
like those who have faith and do right actions, so that their lives and
deaths will be the same? How bad their judgement is!" (Surat
al-Jathiyya, 21)
Good?
The Real Good Revealed in the Qur'an is the Attitudes of Those Who Fear
Allah and Abide by His Commands
I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed satan-
"... Rather devoutness is possessed by those who have fear of Allah...."
(Surat al-Baqara, 189)
A person who fears Allahacts according the good pleasure of Allah and
themoral values of the Qur'an in every situationhe or she faces, and so
does good deeds throughout his or her life. Knowing that every incident
occurs by Allah'sleave and command, considering everything in terms of
goodness and wisdom, thinking that every deed, hidden or open, will be
faced in the Hereafter lead the individual to always think rightly and
do good deeds.
Good Deeds Erase Bad Deeds
I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed satan-
"…Good actions eradicate bad actions. This is a reminder for people who
pay heed." (Surah Hud, 114)
For as long as they are determined about displaying good moral values,
Allah will take fear and sorrow out of the lives of His servants,
forgive their bad deeds and respond to them with the best of their
deeds:
I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed satan-
"As for those who have faith and do right actions, We will erase their
bad actions from them, and recompense them for the best of what they
did." (Surat Al-'Ankabut, 7)
Those Who Follow Allah'sTrue Path Will Attain Salvation
People leading a good life, avoiding secret pains depend on their own
behavior. Allah showed people the way to be happy and to get rid of
troubles; and revealed that this is only possible to follow the true
path Allah showed:
I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed satan-
"... But when guidance comes to you from Me, all those who follow My
guidance will not go astray and will not be miserable." (Surah Ta Ha
Suresi, 123)
Evil?
The Source of Evil; The Lower Self and Satan
There are two main sources of evil revealed to people in the Qur'an. One
of these is the lowerself, which every person has, and which constantly
commands a person to do evil. The inner self tries to direct people away
from the right path and drag them to disaster, by the suggestions it
whispers.
I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed satan-
"I do not say my self was free from blame. The selfindeed commands to
evilacts – except for those my Lord has mercy on..." (Surah Yusuf, 53)
Another being who is assigned to command people to evil and ugly
behavior, and who is thesupporter of the inner self is "satan." In the
Qur'an it is revealed that satan only calls people toevil as such:
I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed satan-
"He only commands you to do evil and indecent acts and to say about
Allah what you do not know." (Surat al-Baqara,169)
Satan Deceives People ByMaking Good Appear As Evil, and Evil As Good
Satan sets forth a varietyof false evidences to convince people that
they are on the right path, despite the fact that they are not abiding
by the morality of the Qur'an. Those whodo not consider these evidences
with a religious perspective would be easily convinced and shape their
behavior accordingly in terms of these false facts.
I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed satan-
"If someone shuts his eyes to the remembrance of the All-Merciful,We
assign him a satan who becomes his bosom friend – they debar themfrom
the path,yet they still think they are guided." (Surat az-Zukhruf,
36-37)
The Return of Evil is the Fire
It is revealed in the Qur'an that those who prefer evil will be sent
tothe Fire, an eternal torture that cannot be compared to any pain in
this world, and will stay there eternally as follows:
I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed satan-
"No indeed! Those who accumulate bad actions and are surrounded by their
mistakes, such people are the Companions of the Fire, remaining in it
timelessly, for ever;" (Surat al-Baqara, 81)

Quran: the way to salvation

The Book of Allaah is the rain thatbrings forth true life on Earth.
I bear witness that there is no deity besides Allaah—alone, who has no
partner, no equal; Lord of the Messengers, Creator of the heavens and
the earths. I bear witness that Muhammad is His devoted-servant and His
Messenger sent with a Clear Bookthat separates guidance from
misguidance, deception from righteousness, and conjectures from
certainty.
Allaah revealed the Book (Noble Quran) in order for us to read it, and
mull over it with care and vigilance; to enrich our souls from its
remembrance; to carry itand construe it in the best of manners; to
affirm it and strive to establish its commands and prohibitions; pick
the fruits of its precious knowledge that is our way to Allaah and to
glean the wisdom from its gardens and flowers.
For it is His Book, and nothing else, that can guide His seekers toHim.
It is the path that leads the traveler to Allaah. It is His
brilliantLight that illuminates the darkness of uncertainty and
disbelief. It is His mercy of guidance and source of happiness for all
creation. It is the bridge that connects His devotee to Him when all
else fails. It is the great door to Him that remains open, when all else
is closed. It is the straight path that is not tainted by the opinions
of mortals. It is the remembrance full of wisdom thatis not swayed by
desires. It is the noble revelation containing wisdom that sages can
never fathom. Its wonders never end, nor are its clouds barren, its
signs are never exhausted, its agreements never contradict.
The more a soul delves into its depths, the more it increases in insight
and guidance. It is the cure for mankind from diseases of the heart. It
is life to the hearts and pleasure and brillianceto the souls. It is the
harbinger that calls night and day: "O seekers of good, hurry to me"
It is the caller of faith at the headof the straight path, calling
(whatmeans): "O our people, respond to the caller of Allaah and have
faith in Him so He may forgive your sins for you and may save you from a
painful chastisement." [Referring to verse 31 of chapter 46]
The Quran is Allaah's greatest blessing on us. It is the fulfillment of
His promise to Aadam and his descendants, as Allaah Almighty Says (what
means): ''…There shall come to you guidance from Me, and whatsoever
follows My Guidance no fear shall be on them, nor shall they sorrow''
[Quran 2:38]
It is the only weapon for struggling against the forces of evil and
temptation in this world.It is the only means to overpowerour fear and
anxiety. It is the onlyLight as we grope in the darkness, with which to
find our way to success and salvation. It isthe only healing for our
inner sickness, as well as the social ills that may surround us. It is
the constant reminder of our true nature and destiny, of our stationand
our duties.
But alas! Desires have put out thelamps of the hearts, and opinionsof
the mortal humans have shut those doors of Divine guidance and lost the
keys. The hearts are laden with the rust of their own earning, so much
so that they do not find the realities of the Quranopening to them. The
burdens of ignorance have so settled upon itthat its knowledge does not
blossom into righteous actions.
Woe unto you, how have you made the nourishment of your heart those vain
opinions that contradict the Quran and Sunnah (Prophet's Tradtion) that
neither replenish it nor quench its thirst?So now your heart does not
accept nourishment of the Word of the Lord of the worlds, and thespeech
of His eminent Messenger!
For how will you ever find your way through the darkness of conjectures
and opinions of mortals to the clear distinction ofright and wrong when
you haveclosed your eyes to the light of the Book of Allaah and the
way ofthe Messenger?
Woe unto you, how have you adulterated the right opinions with the sick
ones, and the accepted ones with the rejected ones, and have managed to
incapacitate your souls from receiving the guidance and knowledge from
the Book that is immune to falsehood from all directions.
Nay, but it is, by Allaah, a trial that has blinded the hearts from the
sources of righteousness and has embezzled the minds from their goals.
The Book of Allaah is the coolnessof eyes for which the
competitorscompete, the finality to which the contenders contend.
How can you still be in the dark under a rising sun?
How can you lose your way undera bright constellation?
Glory be to Allaah, The Exalted!

What is Hajj (Pilgrimage)?

The word Hajj, linguistically, means heading to a place for the sake of
visiting; in Islamic terminology, it implies heading to Makkah to
observe the rituals of pilgrimage.
Hajj is obligated by Allaahupon every Muslim, male and female, who is
physically and financially capable. It is obligatory only once during
the lifetime of a Muslim. Allaah Almighty Says (what means): "…And [due]
to Allaah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House – for whoever is
able to find thereto a way…." [Quran 3:97]
The Prophet said: "Islam is built upon five (pillars): the testimony
that none has the right tobe worshipped except Allaah and Muhammad is
the Messenger of Allaah, the establishment of the prayer, paying Zakaat,
Hajj to the House (i.e. Ka'bah,) and fasting in Ramadhaan." [Al-Bukhaari
& Muslim]
The Prophet also said: "Hajj is mandated once, so whoever does it more
(than that), then it is supererogatory." [Abu Daawood and Ahmad]
Hajj was prescribed in the sixth year after Hijrah(migration) upon the
revelation of the following verse in which Allaah Says (what means):
"And complete the Hajj and 'Umrah for Allaah..." [Quran 2:196]
Hajj is not a new institution introduced by Islam, rather it is as old
asthe Ka'bah itself. Allaah Almighty Says (what means): "Indeed, the
first House [of worship] established for mankind was that at Bakkah
[i.e., Makkah] – blessed and a guidance to the worlds." [Quran 3:96]
The whole origin of Hajj is rooted to the acts of devotion of Prophet
Ibraaheem . This demonstrates that Muhammad did not innovate this
institution, all he did was to clear it of all the evil practices that
had crept into it. After a few centuries of the death of Ibraaheem and
his son Ismaa'eel, may Allaah exalt their mention, people abandoned
their teachings and gradually went astray, like all otherpeople around
them. Hundreds of idols were installed in the Ka'bah, which was built by
Ibraaheem and Ismaa'eel,may Allaah exalt their mention, as a centre for
the worship of the One True God. Ironically enough, idols were madeafter
the image of Ibraaheem and Ismaa'eel too, whose whole lives had been
spent eradicating idol-worship.The descendants of Ibraaheem who had
himself repudiated all idols, began to worship idols. The Ka'bah was
turned into a type of temple for idol-worship and superstition. This
predicament lasted for about two thousand years, until the advent of
Prophet Muhammad .
Hajj is rightly said to be the perfection of faith, since it combines in
itself all the distinctive qualities of other obligatory acts of prayer,
patience, privation of amenities of life, devotion, Zakaat (alms),
slaughtering the sacrificeand supplication. In fact, the physical
pilgrimage isa prelude to the spiritual pilgrimage to Allaah when man
would bid goodbye to everything ofthe world and present himself before
Him as His humble servant saying: 'Here I am before You, myLord, as a
slave.'
There are three forms of Hajj:
1. Hajj At-Tamattu': This is where a pilgrim assumes Ihraam for 'Umrah
only, during the months of Hajj, which means that when he reaches
Makkah, he makes Tawaaf and Sa'i for 'Umrah. Then he shaves or clips his
hair. On the eighth day of Thul-Hijjah,the pilgrim assumes Ihraam again
for Hajj only and carries out all ofits requirements.
2. Hajj Al-Ifraad: This is where a pilgrim assumes Ihraam for Hajj only.
When he reaches Makkah, he performs Tawaaf for his arrival andSa'i for
Hajj. He does not shave or clip his hair as he does not disengage from
Ihraam. Instead, he remains in Ihraam until after he stones the
Jamratul–'Aqabah on 'Eedday. It is permissible for him to postpone his
Sa'i for Hajj until after his Tawaaf for Hajj (i.e. Tawaaf Al-Ifaadhah).
3. Hajj Al-Qiraan: This is where a pilgrim assumes Ihraam for both
'Umrah and Hajj, or he assumes Ihraam first for 'Umrah, then makes his
intention for Hajj before his Tawaaf for Hajj. The obligations on one
performing Ifraad are the same as those on oneperforming Qiraan, except
that the latter must slaughter whereas the former is not obligated to do
so.
The best of the three forms is Tamattu'. It is theform that the Prophet
encouraged his followersto perform.
Hajj is undertaken in company with all the other pilgrims. The months of
Hajj are: Shawwal, Thul-Qi'dah and Thul-Hijjah (the last three months of
the Hijri calendar). One can perform 'Umrah for Hajj At-Tamattu' at any
time within these three months (i.e. he may perform 'Umrah during the
Hajj season, and then subsequently making Hajjthe same year at the fixed
time, beginning on the eighth day of Thul-Hijjah).
The Makkan territory is sacred. The pilgrim enters this territory in a
state of Ihraam (a state inwhich one is forbidden to do certain things
that are otherwise permissible).
Ihraam, for men, entails wearing a special garment. A male pilgrim is
not allowed to wear form-fitting clothes or to cover his head or hands
with gloves, or his feet with socks or shoes. This is done in order to
foster a sense of humility and a feeling of brotherhood among the
Muslims.
The male pilgrim's garment consists of two sheets of white woollen or
cotton cloth, of which one is wrapped around the waist and reaches below
the knees and above the ankles, while the other is wrapped around the
upper part of the body. The head and the right shoulder are left
uncovered during Tawaaf. This attire is for males, whereas females have
to cover all of their body except the face and hands.
Before donning this dress, the pilgrim is recommended to take a bath
(Ghusl). A man in Ihraam is consecrated. Hecannot hunt, pick plants,
shed blood, or have sexual intercourse or partake in whatever leads to
it. The excellence of Hajj:
1. It is one of the best deeds:
Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet was once asked: "What is the best
deed?" He replied: "To believe in Allaah and His Messenger." The
enquirerthen asked: "What next?"The Prophet replied: "To fight in the
cause of Allaah." He again asked: "What is the next best thing?" He
replied: "Hajj 'Mabroor' (i.e., the Hajj that is free of sin andall its
pillars and conditions are fulfilled)." [Al-Bukhaari]
2. It is a form of Jihaad:
Al-Hasan Ibn 'Ali and his father, said that a man came to the Prophet
and said: "I am a coward and a weak person. Is there anything I can do?"
The Prophet replied: "You may go for a Jihaad that involves no fighting,
that is, Hajj." ['Abdur-Razzaaq and At-Tabaraani]
The Prophet also said: "Hajj is the Jihaad for theold, the weak and the
women." [An-Nasaa'i]
3. It wipes away past sins:
Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet said: "He who performs Hajj
seeking Allaah's pleasure and avoids all lewdness and sins (therein)
will return after Hajj free from all sins, just as he was on theday his
mother gave birth to him." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
4. Pilgrims are the Guests of Allaah:
The Prophet said: "Pilgrims and those performing 'Umrah are Allaah's
guests; their prayers are answered and their supplications for
forgiveness are granted." [An-Nasaa'i andIbn Maajah]
5. The Reward of Hajj is Paradise:
The Prophet said: "All sins committed in between the performance of one
'Umrah and the next are expiated and erased, andthe reward of Hajj
'Mabroor' is nothing saveParadise." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]