For children, - God in Islam: Does God Exist? God and Logic, God and Commonsense, Proof of God

It is a well known incident of Baghdad. A person arrived there who was
a non-believer in God. He had no proof of his belief nor was he
willing to listen to any argument regarding the existence of God. He
said that the universe came into existence by itself and continues to
exist. Any argument based on Noble Qur'an and Hadith too wouldn't
convince him. People went to the extent of telling him that there must
be someone who created the universe and runs it. He boasted saying
that the entire city was unable to convince him about the existence of
Allah (SWT).
The Vizier of Baghdad asked Sheikh Mufeed to handle the situation. The
vizier said that the person was visiting the court everyday and he
posed his question to the gathering in the presence of the ambassadors
from the non-Muslim countries. The inability to give him a convincing
reply was causing a lot of embarrassment.
Sheikh Mufeed thus agreed to attend the court for a debate with the
non-believing person. The person was very cunning that he wouldn't
utter any word when arguments about the existence of Allah (SWT) were
advanced to him.
Sheikh Mufeed attended the court and told to the person, "You have
claimed that you have contested the claim of all the courtiers about
the existence of Allah (SWT) and that they were unable to convince
you. Allah (SWT) willing, I shall come tomorrow and give a convincing
reply to your question! But you must report at the court promptly at
the appointed time. I am wondering if you will absent yourself fearing
to face my debate on the subject!"
The non-believing man replied with lot of confidence, "There is no
chance of my running away from the debate. In fact, I have the fear
that you might try to escape since none of your compatriots has been
able to convince me and you may meet the same fate!"
The appointed time arrived the next day but there wasn't any sign of
Sheikh Mufeed in the court. Since Sheikh Mufeed had ridiculed the
person by saying that he might try to elude the debate by absconding
from the court, the man looked around the court and smiled
sarcastically. All the courtiers felt belittled that the Sheikh Mufeed
had made tall claims but had absented himself from the proceedings.
The Sheikh Mufeed purposely arrived at the court very late. When he
arrived in front of the non-believing man, he asked, "Where were you
hiding yourself?!"
The Sheikh Mufeed replied, "I would have reached the court on
schedule, but as I reached the riverside, I saw a peculiar scene
there. It was so astonishing that my feet wouldn't advance towards my
destination! I saw a boat in the river that was floating on the water
without any sailor. It was coming ashore on one side, picking up
passengers and disembarking them on the other side. From that side it
picked up passengers and dropped them on this side! When I saw the
boat had no sailor I was very astonished!"
The non-believing man had a hearty laugh and said, "How is it that the
boat was making the up and down trips without any sailor?"
The Sheikh Mufeed now said, "When you think that a small boat cannot
fend for itself without someone to row it, then how do you imaging
that such a big universe will function without the One who controls
it!"
The non-believing man said that none else had debated with him in this
manner! I now bear witness that there is no god but Allah (SWT)!

For children, - Allah: Arabic name for God, Allah the most Merciful, Allah the Creator and Lord of the Universe

Allah is the standard Arabic name for "God". The term is best known in
the west for its use by Muslims as a reference to God. Arabic-speakers
of all faiths, including Christians and Jews, use the word Allah to
mean "God". The Muslim and Christian Arabs of today have no other word
for "God" than Allah.
In Islam, Allah is the only deity, transcendent creator of the
universe, and the judge of humankind. Some Islamic scholars feel that
"Allah" should not be translated, because they perceive the Arabic
word to express the uniqueness of "Allah" more accurately than the
word "god" for two reasons:
1. The word "god" can take a plural form "gods", whereas the word
"Allah" has no plural form.
2. The word "god" can have gender as male god or female god (called
goddess) whereas the word "Allah" does not have gender.
Tawhid (Tawheed, Tauheed)is the Islamic concept of monotheism
(Oneness of God). In Islam, Tawhid means to assert the unity of Allah.
The opposite of Tawhid is Shirk, which means "division" in Arabic,
referring to idolatry.
Shaykh Saduq, one of the most distinguished of Shi'a
scholarsexpressed: "Verily, God is One, Unique, nothing is like Him,
He is Eternal; Hearing, Seeing, Omniscient, Living, Omnipotent, above
every need. He cannot be described in terms of substance, nor body,
nor form, nor accident, nor line, nor surface, nor heaviness, nor
lightness, nor color, nor movement, nor rest, nor time, nor space. He
is above all the descriptions which can be applied to His creatures.
He is away from both extremes: Neither He is just a non-entity (as
atheists and in a lesser degree Mutazilites implied), nor He is just
like other things. He is Existent, not like other existing things."
Shi'a do not believe that God can or will ever be seen, and also
reject the notion of Him having body parts, or any parts whatsoever.
In a new study, Vander Hoven, a psychologist from Netherlands,
discovered the effect of reading the Noble Qur'an and repeating the
word ALLAH both on patients and on normal persons.
The Dutch professor confirms his discovery with studies and research
applied on many patients over a period of three years. Some of his
patients were non-Muslims, others don't speak Arabic and were trained
to pronounce the word "Allah" clearly; their result was great,
especially on those who suffer from dejection and tension.
Al-Watan, a Saudi daily has reported that the psychologist was quoted
to say that Muslims who can read Arabic and who read the Noble
Qur'anregularly are enjoying a great chance of protecting themselves
from psychological diseases. The psychologist explained how each
letter in the word "Allah" affects healing of psychological diseases.
Vander Hoven pointed out in his research that pronouncing the first
letter in the word "Allah" which is the letter (A), released from the
respiratory system, controls breathing. He added that pronouncing the
velar consonant (L) in the Arabic way, with the tongue touching
slightly the upper part of the jaw producing a short pause and then
repeating the same pause constantly, relaxes the aspiration. Also,
pronouncing the last letter which is the letter (H) makes a contact
between the lungs and the heart and so this contact controls the
heartbeat.
What is exciting about this study is that this psychologist is a
non-Muslim, but interested in Islamic sciences and searching for the
secrets of the Noble Qur'an.
Allah (SWT), The Great and Glorious, says in the Noble Qur'an: "We
will soon show them Our signs in the Universe and in their own souls,
until it will become quite clear to them that it is the truth. Is it
not sufficient as regards your Lord that He is a witness over all
things?" (41:53)
"ALLAHU AKBAR [Allah (SWT) is great], Allah (SWT) keeps me going day
and night. Without Allah (SWT), I am no one. But with Allah (SWT), I
can do everything. Allah (SWT) is my strength."

Rights of Neighbors

Apart from a man's parents, children and near relatives, there also
exists a permanent association and contact between him and his
neighbors. The state of his association - be it good or otherwise has
a great influence on his life and morals. The Prophet (PBUH) had
attached great importance to this and has constantly urged the Ummah
topay due regard to the rights of neighborsto the extent that he had
declared good neighborliness to be part of Iman (Faith) and an
essential requisite for salvation.
Three Categories Of Neighbors
In a Hadith, related by Jabir (R.A.), the Prophet (PBUH) is reported
to have said
"Neighbors are ofthree kinds.Firstly, the neighbor who enjoys only one
right (and as far as rights are concerned) he is of the lowest
grade.Secondly, the one who enjoys two rights andthirdlythe neighbor
who enjoys three rights.
The neighbor with only one right is thePolytheist(i.e. a non-Muslim
neighbor with whom there are no family ties). The neighbor with two
rights is the neighbor who is also aMuslim(as such he has a claim as a
neighbor as well as a fellow Muslim) and the one with three rights is
the neighbor who is aMuslim and a Relative- he has a claim as a
neighbor, as a fellow Muslim and as a relative".
This Hadith clearly explains that the obligation to live in peace and
harmony with neighbors, as demanded in the Holy Quran and the
Traditions, also includes the non-Muslim neighbors. They too have a
claim to our kindness and sympathy. We treat the animals with kindness
and we have been warned against ill treating them, then what of our
fellow humans - more so our neighbors. It will be significant to note
that in all Ahadith Traditions mentioned, with regards to the basic
rights of neighbors, no distinction had been made between Muslims and
non-Muslims.
Emphasis On The Rights Of Neighbors
It is reported, on the authority of Ayesha (R.A.) and Ibn Umar (R.A.)
that the messenger of Allah (PBUH) said "The Angel Jibra'il (A.S.)
counseled me so frequently regarding the rights of the neighbor that I
feared, he too would be declared an heir."
This Hadith shows that Angel Jibra'il (A.S.) brought commandments from
Allah, concerning the rights of the neighbor so frequently and
stressed the need to be kind and courteous to him with such force and
regularity that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) thought that the neighbor also
will be made an heir i.e. just as parents, children and near relatives
inherit the property left by the deceased, he thought that the
neighbor, too, will be given a share in it.
Note:-The purpose of this Hadith is not merely to state a fact, but
rather it is most effective way of highlighting the importance of the
neighbor to the Muslims.
Importance Of Good Treatment To Neighbors (It is an essential
condition of Iman (faith))
It is narrated byAbu Shurayh (R.A.) that the Prophet (S.A.W.)said
"Whoever believes in Allah and the final day (Day of Judgment) it is
essential that hedoes not harm his neighborsand whoever believes in
Allah and the final Day it is essential for him toentertain his guest
with kindnessand generosity and whoever believes in Allah and the
Final Day it is essential that he speak what is good or otherwise
remain silent."
Amongst other points this Hadith explains that it is essential for the
true believer to be mindful of his neighbors at all times so that he
does not harm him in any way. It also gives us an idea of the value
placed on the rights of neighbors by the Holy Prophet of Islam (PBUH).
In another Hadith related byAbu Hurairah (R.A.) the Prophet (PBUH)said,
"By Allah, he is not a true believer, By Allah, he is not a true
believer, By Allah, he is not a true believer (three times). He was
asked 'Who?" Upon which he replied, "The one whose neighbors do not
feel secure from his mischief and evil.
The construction and manner of the Hadith shows how agitated the
Prophet (PBUH) must have been when he said this. The essence contained
in this Hadith is that the Muslim whose character is such that his
neighbors expect nothing but evil from him and they live in fear of
being hurt or harmed by him,cannot be regarded as a true and faithful
believer- he doesn't deserve the title of Muslim or Mu'min. On another
occasion the Prophet (PBUH) is reported to have said that such a
person (whose neighbors do not feel safe on his account)shall not go
to Heaven.
Note:-In the language of Prophet hood, when special emphasis is laid
on a deed, the customary way of putting it is to say that whoever
neglects it etc. is not a true believer, and he shall not go to
Heaven. It should be understood that this does not imply that he has
actually been thrown out of the fold of Islam and now the laws of
Infidelity (Kufr) will apply to him, and that in the hereafter he will
be treated as an infidel, but rather this is an emphatic way of
explaining that such a person does not possess the true spirit of Iman
which is the glory of a Muslim and is pleasing to Allah. The
particular phrasing is used to lend greater force to the matter.
In yet another Hadith, related byAnas (R.A.), the Prophet (PBUH)said
"He has not affirmed faith in me (i.e. he is not a true follower) who
eats to his satisfaction and sleeps comfortably at night while his
neighbor goes hungry - and he is aware of it."
How astonishing that such a wide gap has occurred between these
teachings and traditions and the actual conduct of the Muslims as a
whole! It is extremely difficult for an unknowing person to believe
that such, really, were the teachings of the Holy Prophet of Islam
(PBUH).
Nevertheless, these traditions and teachings explain clearly
theimportance of good and kind treatment to neighborsand they are a
clear admonition to those who remain indifferent to the needs and
difficulties of their neighbors and care nothing for them.

Prohibition of a Muslim Woman Marrying a Non-Muslim

It is haram for a Muslim woman to marry a non-Muslim man, regardless
of whether he is of the People of the Bookor not. Allah Almighty says
in Quran,
"...And do not marry (your girls) to idolaters until they believe...."
( Surah 2: Verse 221)
And He said concerning the immigrant Muslim women,
"...Then if you know them to be Believers, do not send them back to
the unbelievers. They are not halal for them (as wives), nor are they
halal for them (as husbands)." ( Surah 60: Verse 10)
No text exists which makes exceptions for the People of the Book,
hence, on the basis of the above verses, there is a consensus among
Muslims concerning this prohibition. Thus, while a Muslim man is
permitted to marry a Christian or Jewish woman, aMuslim woman is not
allowedto marry a Christian or Jewish man.
There are many sound reasons for this difference. First, the man is
thehead of the household, the one who maintains the family, and he is
responsible for his wife. And while Islam guaranteesfreedom of belief
and practiceto the Christian or Jewish wife of a Muslim, safeguarding
her rights according to her own faith, other religions, such as
Judaism and Christianity, do not guarantee the wife of a different
faith freedom of belief and practice, nor do they safeguard her
rights.
Since this is the case, how can Islam take chances on the future of
its daughters by giving them into the hands of people who neither
honor their religion nor are concerned to protect their rights? A
marriage between a man and woman of different faiths can be based only
on thehusband's respect for his wife's beliefs; otherwise a good
relationship cannever develop.
Now, the Muslim believes that both Judaism and Christianity originated
in divine revelation, although later distortions were introduced into
them. He also believes that God revealed theTaurat to Mosesand
theInjeel to Jesus, (Taurat refers to the original scripture revealed
to the Prophet Moses by God, and Injeel to the Prophet Isa (Jesus).
These are not to be confused with either the existing Torah or Old
Testament, or the four Gospels of the New Testament.
Accordingly, the Christian or Jewish wife of a Muslim lives under
theprotectionof a man who respects the basic tenets of her faith, her
scripture, and her prophets, while in contrast to this the Jew or
Christian recognizes neither the divine origin of Islam, its Book, or
its Prophet (peace be on him). How then could a Muslim woman live with
such a man, while her religion requires of her the observance of
certain worships, duties, and obligations, as well as certain
prohibitions.
It would be impossible for the Muslim woman to retain her respect for
her beliefs as well as topractice her religionproperly if she were
opposed in this regard by the master of the house at every step. It
will be realized from this thatIslam is consistentwith itself in
prohibiting the Muslim man to marry a mushrik woman, for since Islam
is absolutely opposed to shirk, it would obviously be impossible for
two such people to live together inharmony and love.