Dought & clear, - The non Muslims ask who created Allaah.

I tell non-Muslims that Allah created everything in this universe.
They ask me who created Allah ? How can Allaah have been there since
the beginning?
How can I answer them ?
Praise be to Allaah.
This question which the non Muslims have asked you is inherently false
and self-contradictory. If we were to say – for the sake of argument –
that someone created Allaah, then they would ask you, Who created the
creator of the Creator? Then, who created the creator of the creator
of the creator?! And so on, ad infinitum. This is irrational and
impossible.
All of creation goes back to the Creator Who created all things. No
one created Him; He created everything other than Himself. This is
what makes sense and is logical. This Creator is Allaah, may He be
glorified and exalted.
With regard to what our religion tells us, the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) told us about this question, where it
comes from, and how to respond to it.
Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: the Messenger of
Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "People will
keep on asking questions until someone will say, 'Allaah created the
universe, but who created Allaah?' Whoever encounters anything like
that, let him say, 'Amantu Billaah (I believe in Allaah).'"
The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: "The Shaytaan will come to one of you and say, 'Who created the
heaven? Who created the earth?' He will say, 'Allaah'" – then he
mentioned something similar (to the previous report), and added, "And
His Messengers." [i.e., amantu Billaah wa Rusulihi = I believe in
Allaah and His Messengers]
The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: "The Shaytaan will come to one of you and say, 'Who created such
and such?' until he says to him, 'Who created your Lord?' When it
reaches that stage, let him seek refuge with Allaah [say A'oodhu
Billaahi min ash-shaytaan ir-rajeem = I seek refuge with Allaah from
the accursed Shaytaan] and stop thinking about it."
The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: "The Shaytaan will come to a person and say, 'Who created such
and such…'" and he narrated the whole report. (Imaam Muslim, 134).
In these ahaadeeth (Prophetic narrations) we see:
Where this question comes from – from the Shaytaan;
How to deal with it, which is:
to stop pursuing these thoughts and these tricks of the Shaytaan
to say, "I believe in Allaah and His Messengers"
to seek refuge with Allaah from the Shaytaan.
It was also reported that one should spit drily three times to one's
left, and recite Qul Huwa Allaahu ahad.
(See "Problems and Solutions" in the Shaykh's Books section of this website).
3. With regard to the prior existence of Allaah, our Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) has told us about this, for
example:
He (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "O Allaah, You
are the First and there is nothing before You; O Allaah, You are the
Last and there is nothing after You." (Narrated by Muslim, 2713)
He (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Allaah existed
when there was nothing apart from Him." According to another report:
"There was nothing before Him." (Narrated by al-Bukhaari; the first
report 3020; the second report 6982).
This is in addition to what is stated in the aayaat (verses) of the
Qur'aan. The believer believes without a doubt, the non Muslim denies
and the munaafiq (hypocrite) doubts. We ask Allaah to grant us sincere
and certain faith with no doubts. And Allaah is the Source of
strength.

Dought & clear, - Ruling on saying “We arethe children of Allaah”.

What is the rulling on, when a Muslim say "We believe we are all
children of Allah" Basing it on the weak Hadeeth (All creations are
sustained by Allah). Please provide details of the ruling.
Praise be to Allaah.
The hadeeth mentioned was narrated by al-Bazzaar and Abu Ya'la from
Anas, and says, "All of mankind are the dependents of Allaah, and the
most beloved of them to Allaah are those who are most helpful to their
dependents." This is a very weak (da'eef jiddan) hadeeth as al-Albaani
said inDa'eef al-Jaami', hadeeth no. 2946.
Any Muslim who says, "We believe that we are all the children of
Allaah" should be asked to explain what he means before any judgement
is made concerning him.
1 – If what he means by being children is the metaphorical meaning,
which is that people are dependent upon Allaah, and he is using this
word for a purpose allowed in sharee'ah, such as refuting the
Christians who say that the Messiah is the son of God, then there is
nothing wrong with that if he uses it only with Christians in order to
show that their belief is false, but he should not use it with others
lest that generate confusion and misunderstanding. That is because one
of the means of showing the Christians' beliefs concerning 'Eesa
(peace be upon him) to be false is to use the same expressions as are
mentioned in their holy Book (the Bible) to prove that others were
described as "sons of God" as well as 'Eesa, which clearly indicates
that what is meant by being a son of God in the texts of the Gospels
is not "sonship" in the literal sense, which St. Paul claimed for
Jesus in order to lead them astray from belief in Divine Oneness
(Tawheed). St. Paul based his argument on the confusion that may arise
from the use of the words "father" and "son". Some of the Bible texts
that may used to refute their argument are as follows:
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus said of those who believed in him:
"They are like the angels. They are God's children since they are
children of the resurrection."
[Luke 20:36]
And in the Book of Isaiah:
"Bring back My sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth"
[Isaiah 43:6]
And this is what was said describing God as the Father, as it is
narrated in the Gospel of Matthew that the Messiah said to his
students:
"If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven."
[Matthew 6:1]
In the Gospel of Luke:
"When you pray say, 'Our Father, Who art in heaven…'"
[Luke 11:2]
In the Gospel of John:
"I am returning to my Father and your Father, my God and your God."
[John 20:17]
The Christians do not say that the angels, the Children of Israel and
the Disciples were sons of God in a literal sense, or that God was
their father in a literal sense, rather they interpret that in a
metaphorical sense, i.e., that He is a father to them in the sense of
blessing them, being kind to them, protecting them and taking care of
them, and they are His children in the sense that they worship Him,
need Him and are dependent upon Him.
This demonstrates the falseness of their understanding of 'Eesa being
the son of God, basing their argument on some texts that say that he
is the son of God.
2 – If he means that all people are children of Allaah just as 'Eesa
is the son of Allaah, in the sense of the Christian belief, then this
is kufr (disbelief) that is worse than the kufr of the Christians.
3 – If he means that we are all children of Allaah or dependent upon
Him, with no difference between Muslims and kaafirs, and he means that
the Jews, Christians and idol-worshippers are not kaafirs, then this
is riddah or apostasy from Islam, because whoever doubts that the Jews
and Christians are kaafirs or approves of their religions is a kaafir,
according to scholarly consensus.
4 – If he means thereby to justify using the word "brother" for Jews
and Christians, because we are all the children of Allaah, this is
false, because there is no brotherhood between the believers and the
disbelievers. The hadeeth (which some may interpret as meaning that
all men are brothers) has been proven to be not saheeh. Even if it was
saheeh, it could not be interpreted in this fashion.
We must beware of using confusing words which may cause a person to
fall into something haraam or make people think badly of him,
especially words which have to do with the Oneness of Allaah (Tawheed)
and His Uniqueness in His names and attributes. For the rights of
Allaah take precedence and must be taken care of, and we must avoid
anything that may violate them, especially when those words are used
by the Jews and Allaah quotes them in the Qur'aan in the context of
condemnation.
"And (both) the Jews and the Christians say: 'We are the children of
Allaah and His loved ones.' Say: 'Why then does He punish you for your
sins?' Nay, you are but human beings of those He has created…"
[al-Maa'idah 5:18 – interpretation of the meaning]
And Allaah knows best.

Dought & clear, - Who do Muslims worship?.

Who do Islams worship?
Praise be to Allaah.
Before answering, we would like to express our appreciation for your
interest, at such a young age, in the religion of Islam. May Allaah
open the door for you to find much blessing through your asking this
question, and decree for you guidance such as you have never thought
of. Allaah[the Arabic name for the One True God – Translator]says in
the Qur'aan[the Holy Book of Islam](interpretation of the meaning):
"This is the Guidance of Allaah with which He guides whomsoever He
will of His slaves…" [al-An'aam 6:88]
"And whomsoever Allaah wills to guide, He opens his breast to Islam…"
[al-An'aam 6:125]
With regard to this important question – who do the Muslims worship? –
the answer is to be found in the Holy Qur'aan, which is the Scripture
of Islam, and in the words of the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad(peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) who received Revelation from his
Lord.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"In the name of Allaah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. All
praises and thanks be to Allaah, the Lord of the 'Aalameen (mankind,
jinns and all that exists), the Most Beneficient, the Most Merciful,
the Only Owner (and the Only Ruling Judge) of the Day of Recompense
(i.e., the Day of Resurrection). You (Alone) we worship, and You
(alone) we ask for help (for each and every thing)." [al-Faatihah
1:1-5]
"O mankind! Worship your Lord (Allaah), Who has created you and those
before you so that you may become al-muttaqoon (the pious)."
[al-Baqarah 2:21]
"Such is Allaah, your Lord! None has the right to be worshipped but
He, the Creator of all things. So worship Him (Alone), and He is the
Wakeel (Trustee, Disposer of affairs, Guardian) over all
things."[al-An'aam 6:102]
"And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you
be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old
age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at
them but address them in terms of honour." [al-Isra' 17:23]
Muslim worship Allaah [the One True God] whom all the Prophets
worshipped. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Or were you witnesses when death approached Ya'qoob [Jacob]? When he
said unto his sons, 'What will you worship after me?' They said, 'We
shall worship your God, the God of your fathers, Ibraaheem [Abraham],
Ismaa'eel [Ishmael] and Is-haaq [Isaac], One God, and to Him we submit
(in Islam)." [al-Baqarah 2:133]
The Muslims worship Allaah and call others who follow different
religions to worship Allaah Alone, as Allaah says (interpretation of
the meaning):
"Say [O Muhammad]: 'O People of the Scripture [Jews and Christians]:
come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none
but Allaah, and we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us
shall take others as lords besides Allaah.' Then, if they turn away,
say, 'Bear witness that we are Muslims.'" [Aal 'Imraan 3:64]
It is Allaah Alone Whom Nooh [Noah] (peace be upon him) called his
people to worship, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Indeed, We sent Nooh [Noah] to his people and he said: 'O my people!
Worship Allaah! You have no other god but Him. Certainly, I fear for
you the torment of a Great Day!.'" [al-A'raaf 7:59]
It is Allaah Alone whom the Messiah [Jesus] (peace be upon him) called
people to worship, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Surely they have disbelieved who say: 'Allaah is the Messiah [Jesus]
son of Maryam [Mary].' But the Messiah said: 'O Children of Israel!
Worship Allaah, my Lord and your Lord.' Verily, whosoever sets up
partners in worship with Allaah, then Allaah has forbidden Paradise
for him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the zaalimoon
(polytheists and wrong-doers) there are no helpers." [al-Maa'idah
5:73]
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And (remember) when Allaah will say (on the Day of Resurrection): 'O
'Eesa [Jesus], son of Maryam [Mary]! Did you say unto men: 'Worship me
and my mother as two gods besides Allaah?' He will say: 'Glory be to
You! It was not for me to say what I had no right (to say). Had I said
such a thing, You would surely have known it. You know what is in my
inner-self though I do not know what is in Yours. You, only You, are
the All-Knower of all that is hidden and unseen.
Never did I say to them aught except what You (Allaah) did command me
to say: "Worship Allaah, my Lord and your Lord." And I was a witness
over them while I dwelt amongst them, but when You took me up, You
were the Watcher over them, and You are a Witness to all
things.'"[al-Maa'idah 5:116-117]
When Allaah spoke to His Prophet Moosa [Moses] (peace be upon him), He
said (interpretation of the meaning):
"Verily, I am Allaah! None has the right to be worshipped but I, so
worship Me, and perform al-Salaah [prayer] for My Remembrance."
[Ta-Ha 20:14]
Allaah commanded His Prophet Muhammad(peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) as follows (interpretation of the meaning):
"Say [O Muhammad]: 'O mankind! If you are in doubt as to my religion
(Islam), then (know that) I will never worship those whom you worship,
besides Allaah. But I worship Allaah Who causes you to die, I am
commanded to be one of the believers." [Yoonus 10:104]
It is Him Alone, with no partner or associate, Whom the angels worship
and do not worship anyone or anything besides Him, as He says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"To Him belongs whosoever is in the heavens and on earth. And those
who are near Him (i.e., the angels) are not too proud to worship Him,
nor are they weary (of His worship)."[al-Anbiya' 21:19]
Everything that is worshipped instead of Allaah can neither bring
benefit nor cause harm, it can neither create nor provide. Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"Say (O Muhammad, to mankind); 'How do you worship besides Allaah
something which has no power either to harm or to benefit you? But it
is Allaah Who is the All-Hearer, All-Knower.'" [al-Maa'idah 5:76]
"You worship besides Allaah only idols, and you only invent falsehood.
Verily, those whom you worship besides Allaah have no power to give
you provision, so seek your provision from Allaah (Alone), and worship
Him (Alone), and be grateful to Him. To Him (Alone) you will be
brought back." [al-'Ankaboot 29:17]
Having explained this, we must complete the topic by asking: why
should we worship Allaah Alone with no partner or associate? The
answer is as follows:
Firstly: because there is nothing and nobody else in the universe that
deserves to be worshipped, for Allaah is the Creator and Sustainer,
Who has created the universe out of nothing and has bestowed so many
blessings upon us. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"So glorify Allaah, when you come up to the evening [i.e., offer the
Maghrib (sunset) and 'Isha' (night) prayers], and when you enter the
morning [I.e., offer the Fajr (morning) prayers].
And His is all the praise and thanks in the heavens and the earth, and
(glorify Him) in the afternoon [i.e., offer 'Asr (mid-afternoon)
prayer] and when you come up to the time when the day begins to
decline [i.e., offer the Zuhr (mid-day) prayer].
He brings out the living from the dead, and brings out the dead from
the living. And He revives the earth after its death, and thus shall
you be brought out (resurrected).
And among His Signs is this, that He created you (Adam) from dust, and
then [Hawwa (Eve) from Adam's rib, then his offspring from the semen,
and], - behold you are human beings scattered!
And among His Signs is this, that He created for you wives from among
yourselves, that you may find repose in them, and He has put between
you affection and mercy. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people
who reflect.
And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and
the difference of your languages and colours. Verily in that are
indeed signs for men of sound knowledge.
And among His Signs is the sleep that you take by night and by day,
and your seeking of His Bounty. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a
people who listen.
And among His Signs is that He shows you the lightning, by way of fear
and hope, and He sends down water (rain) from the sky, and therewith
revives the earth after its death. Verily, in that are indeed signs
for a people who understand.
And among His Signs is that the heaven and the earth stand by His
Command, then afterwards when He will call you by single call, behold,
you will come out from the earth (ie.e, from your graves, for
reckoning and recompense).
To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth. All are
obedient to Him.
And He it is Who originates the creation, then will repeat it (after
it has perished), and this is easier for Him. His is the highest
description (i.e., none has the right to be worshipped but He, and
there is nothing comparable unto Him) in the heavens and in the earth.
And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise." [al-Room 30: 17-27]
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Is not He (better than your gods) Who created the heavens and the
earth, and sends down for you water (rain) from the sky, whereby We
cause to grow wonderful gardens full of beauty and delight? It is not
in your ability to cause the growth of their trees. Is there any god
with Allaah? Nay, but they are a people who ascribe equals (to Him)!
Is not he (better than you gods) Who has made the earth as a fixed
abode, and has placed rivers in its midst, and has placed firm
mountains therein, and has set a barrier between the two seas (of salt
and sweet water). Is there any god with Allaah? Nay, but most of them
know not.
Is not He (better than your gods) Who responds to the distressed one,
when He calls Him, and Who removes the evil, generations after
generations. Is there any god with Allaah? Little is it that you
remember!
Is not He (better than your gods) Who guides you in the darkness of
the land and the sea, and Who sends the winds as heralds of glad
tidings, going before His mercy (rain)? Is there any god with Allaah?
High Exalted be Allaah above all that they associate as partners (to
Him)!
Is not He (better than your so-called gods) Who originates creation,
and shall thereafter repeat it, and Who provides for you from heaven
and earth? Is there any god with Allaah? Say: 'bring forth your
proofs, if you are truthful'
Say: 'None on the heavens and the earth knows the unseen except
Allaah, nor can they perceive when they shall be resurrected.'"
[al-Naml 27:60-65]
So is there anyone or anything besides Allaah that deserves to be worshipped?
Secondly: Allaah did not create us except to worship Him, as He says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"And I (Allaah) created not the jinns and humans except they should
worship Me (Alone)."[al-Dhaariyaat 51:56]
Thirdly: No one will be saved on the Day of Resurrection except those
who used to worship Allaah truly and sincerely. After death Allaah
will resurrect His slaves and call them to account, rewarding or
punishing them according to their deeds. No one will be saved on that
day except for those who used to worship Allaah Alone. The rest will
be gathered into a Hell, a terrible fate! The Prophet of Islam,
Muhammad(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), was asked by his
Companions: "Will we see our Lord on the Day of Resurrection?" He told
them:
"Do you doubt that you can see the sun and the moon when the sky is
clear?" We [his Companions] said, "No." He said, "Then you should not
doubt that you will see your Lord on that Day, you will see Him as you
see them (the sun and moon)." Then he said, "A caller will call out,
'Let every people go to that which they used to worship.' So the
worshippers of the cross will go with their cross, the worshippers of
idols will go with their idols and the worshippers of every god will
go with their gods, until there will be left those who used to worship
Allaah, whether they were righteous or otherwise, and a few of the
People of the Book [Jews and Christians]. Then Hell will be brought
and shown to them as if it is a mirage. It will be said to the Jews,
'What did you used to worship?' They will say, 'We used to worship
'Uzayr, the son of God.' It will be said, 'You have lied. Allaah does
not have a wife or son. What do you want?' They will say, 'We want
something to drink.' It will be said to them, 'Drink!' and they will
fall into Hell. Then it will be said to the Christians, 'What did you
used to worship?' They will say, 'We used to worship the Messiah, the
son of God.' It will be said, 'You have lied. Allaah does not have a
wife or son. What do you want?' They will say, 'We want something to
drink.' It will be said to them, 'Drink!' and they will fall into
Hell. Then there will be left those who used to worship Allaah,
whether they were righteous or otherwise. It will be said to them,
'What are you waiting for? All the people have gone.' They will say,
'We have separated from them and we need Him more today. We heard a
caller saying that every people should follow that which they used to
worship, so we are waiting for our Lord.' He will say, 'Al-Jabbaar
[the Compeller, i.e., Allaah] will come…' And He will say, 'I am your
Lord.' They will say, 'You are our Lord,' but none will speak to Him
except the Prophets… then every believer will prostrate to
Him."(Reported by al-Bukhaari, no. 6886). These believers are the
people of Paradise on whom shall be no fear neither shall they grieve,
and they will dwell therein for ever.
We hope that this matter has now become clear. In conclusion we can
say nothing except that which Allaah has said (interpretation of the
meaning):
"Whoever goes right, then he goes right only for the benefit of his
ownself. And whoever goes stray, then he goes astray to his own loss…"
[al-Isra' 17:15]
Peace be upon him who follows the guidance..

For children, - The Charity givers are alive even if they die, Charity Removes Evil, Disasters, Sickness

The great religion of Islam has only come for the benefit of mankind,
and one of Allah (SWT)'s mercies on us is that He (SWT) has opened for
us a great door of opportunity of doing good deeds which remains open
even after death. The key to this door is through charity and
sacrifice.
During his life, a Muslim may contribute his money towards the
building of a mosque or an orphanage or the printing of a useful book.
After his death these deeds lighten up his grave and this indeed is a
great opportunity, unique to the teachings of Islam. A man should be
so crafty so as to sow his farm only to reap the harvest in the
hereafter. The teachings of our Imams have emphasized a lot on this
aspect.
Often Imam Ali (AS) used to raise his voice during the nights in the
city of Kufa so as to be heard by every one: "Prepare for a journey
and do good deeds with what you have been blessed, for what lies in
front is difficult road full of obstacles and frightening junctions
from which there is no escape."
Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS) says that: "Three things help a man after his
death, and these are: a charity given by him, a good habit he taught
to others and a good offspring he leaves behind, who prays for his
forgiveness."
Prophet Muhammad (S) says that: "Four things continue to reward a
person even after his death; a man who dies on the true path, a good
advise or knowledge given by him to someone who acts on that advice,
an act of charity and a good son who prays for him and asks for
forgiveness on his behalf."
Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS) says that: "Six things benefit a man after his
death; a pious son who asks for forgiveness on his behalf, a copy of
the Noble Qur'an he read from, a tree he planted, a glass of water he
quenched others' thirst with, a well he dug, and a good tradition or
habit he left behind to those around him."