Tariqa Tijaniyya's
principles are purely based on the Qur'an and Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (SAW).
Sheikh Ahmad Tijani himself warned that "If you hear something transmitted
from me then weigh it on the balance of the shari'ah, if it agrees with it then
receive it, if it does not then reject it. Scoffers and distractors from the
path blame bid'ah (innovation) on the meritorious principles and practices of
the tariqa. They heavily draw upon the following hadith:
On the authority of Aishah, who said : The messenger of Allah said:
"He who innovates something in this matter of ours that is not of it
will have it rejected."
p narrated by Bukhari and Muslim
And in one version by Muslim it reads :
"He who does an act which our matter is not [in agreement] with will
have it rejected."
The hadith clearly defines what innovation is: Any matter that does not agree
with Islam or that is not path of Islam. Now the question is how do we know
when a matter is not part of Islam? - If it is not in the Quran or Sunnah of
the Holy Prophet (SAW). Nowadays, the opponents of the tariqa invent their own
definition of bid'ah which to them is ONLY anything the Holy Prophet (SAW) did
not do. This is a very deviated and distorted understanding of the sunnah of
the holy Prophet (SAW) because the sunnah is NOT ONLY anything the Prophet (SAW)
did but also what he INSTRUCTS and what he ALLOWED and what he did NOT
CRITICIZE during his blessed lifetime.
We have provided a list of proofs and evidences for each practice and condition
the tariqa instructs based on the Qur'an and Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (SAW).
Please don't just go over the evidences, study them deeply and understand them
well. Surely truth has become manifest over falsehood.
1. Istigfaar be recited morning and evening a 100 times
Proofs for constant seeking of forgiveness in the
Quran:
Allah the Exalted said: "And vie with each other for forgiveness from your Lord, and
for a Paradise as wide as are the heavens and the earth, prepared for those who
ward off evil (the righteous)."
[Al Imran Verse 133]
Allah the Exalted said: "But Allah would not punish them while thou was with
them, nor will He punish them while they seek forgiveness."
[Anfal Verse 33]
Allah the Exalted said: “And those who, when they have committed an indecency
or wronged themselves, remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their sins – and none can forgive
sins but Allah – and do not persist in what (wrong) they have done, while they
know"
(Surah 3 verse 135).
Allah the Exalted said: “Seek
pardon of your Lord lo! He was ever forgiving. He let loose the
sky for you in plenteous rain. And will help you with wealth and sons, and will
assign unto you Gardens and will assign unto you rivers."
[Nooh verses 10-12].
Proof from the Sunnah:
Abu Saeed El-Khudari narrated that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
"Iblis (Satan) said to his Lord: By Your Might and Majesty, I shall
continue to beguile mankind as long as their souls dwell in them. So the Lord
said to him: By My Might and Majesty, I shall continue to forgive them as long as they ask for My
forgiveness." [Ahmed, Abu Ya'la, and El-Hakim and
said: authentic]
Abu Hurayrah (R.A.A.) said: I heard Allah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلمsaying,
"By Allah! I ask Allah
for forgiveness and repent to Him more than seventy times a day."
[Bukhari]
Anas narrated "I do ask
Allah for forgiveness seventy times a day." [Ibn
Habban, and Ibn Majah]
Abu Hurayrah (R.A.A) said: the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "I do ask Allah for forgiveness and repent
to him a hundred times a day". [Haithami said:
trustworthy chain]
Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلمgathered the people
and said: "O people!
Turn to Allah in repentance, for I do repent a hundred times a day."
[Muslim, Nisa'i and Ahmed]
Abdullah ibn Bisr said: I heard the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلمsaying, "Beatitude
is for him in whose Record is found a lot of Istighfar (seeking of Allah's
forgiveness)". [Nisa'i ,and Ibn
Majah. El-Haithami and Nawawi said: authentic chain].
Abu Hurayrah (R.A.A.) said: I heard the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلمsaying,
"A man committed a sins and then said `O Lord! I have committed a sin,
forgive me!' Then his Lord said: `Does My servant know that he has a Lord Who
forgives sins and also punishes for it? Lo! I have forgiven My servant.' Then
sometime passed and again committed a sin, and said, `O Lord! I have committed
another sin, forgive me,' Allah the Exalted said: `Does My servant know that he
has a Lord Who forgives sins and also punishes for it? I have forgiven My
servant.' Then after some time he committed a sin and said: `O my Lord! I have
committed another sin, forgive me for it'! Allah the Exalted said: `Does My
servant know that he has a Lord Who forgives sins and punishes for it? I have
forgiven My servant three times; let him do what he likes." [Bukhari and Muslim]
Ali ibn Rabi'a (R.A.A) said "I saw Ali ibn Abu Talib (R.A.A.) once, when
he was about to ride. When he inserted his foot in the stir-up he said:
'Bismillah' (in the name of Allah), and when he leveled himself on the saddle
he said: praise be to Allah, 'Praised be to He Who hath subdued these unto us,
and we were not capable of subduing them and Lo! Unto our Lord we are
returned'. Then he praised Allah three times, and magnified (Him) three times.
Then, he said: 'Glory be Thee! There is no God but You, I have wronged my soul,
forgive me'. Then he smiled. We asked, 'O Leader of the believers! Why did you
smile?' he replied, 'I have seen Allah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم doing
like what I have just done and then smiled, so I asked: 'O Messenger of Allah!
Why did you smile?' He said ' Allah,
the Exalted & the Most-High, expresses His pleasure with a servant who
asks: O my Lord! Forgive me. Allah says 'My servant has known
that none forgives sins save Me'". [Abu Da'ood, Nisa'i, Hakim, Ahmed,
and Tirmidhi, and said Authentic]
2.
Blessings of the Prophet be recited
morning and evening a 100 times
Proof in the Quran for constant blessing on the Prophet (SAW)
Allah, the Exalted, said, "Lo! Allah and His angels send their Salat
(prayers) on the Prophet, O
ye who believe! Send your Salat on him, and salute him with a
worthy salutation."
[Ahzab, verse 56].
Proofs and commandments from
the hadith to constantly send blessings on the Prophet (SAW)
Aus ibn Aus (R.A.A.) narrated that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said,
"Friday is one of the best of your days. So, recite plenty of prayers (Salat) upon me, for your prayers will be presented
(shown) to me." The Companions asked: O Messenger of
Allah, how will our Salat be presented to you, after your body has dispersed
into the earth. He صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "Allah has forbidden the earth
to consume the bodies of the Prophets". [Abu Daood with authentic
chain, Nisa'i, and Ibn Majah. El-Hakim: through Mas'ood El-Ansari
(R.A.A), and said: of authentic chain].
Et-Tufail ibn Ubayy ibn Ka'ab narrated that his father said: when two third of
the night had passed, the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم would get up
and say, "O people, remember Allah, remember Allah, the first blast of the
Trumpet has come and will be followed with the second blast, death has come
with all that it conceives, death has come with all that it conceives."
Ubayy said, 'I said, O Messenger of Allah, I recite a lot of prayers (Salat)
upon you, how much of my prayers should I make for you? He said. "Whatever
you want." I said, 'A quarter?' He said, "Whatever you want, and if you increase it,
it will be better for you". I said, 'Half?' He said,
"Whatever you want, and
if you increase it, it will be better for you." I said,
'two third?' He said, "Whatever you want, and if you increase it, it will
be better for you." I said, 'Should I make my whole prayers for you?' He said, "Then, you will
be relieved of your distress, and your sins will be forgiven".
[Tirmizi, and said: good & authentic].
3. Haylala
(La ilaha illa lahu) be recited morning and evening a 100 times
Proof from the Qur’an
Allah, the Exalted, said: "Allah bears witness that there is no God but
He, and the angels and those having knowledge (also bear witness to this); (He
always) maintains His creation in justice; there is no God but He, the
Almighty, the All-Wise).
[Al Imran verse 18]
Proof from the hadith
Abu Dhar (R.A.A.) said:I came to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم while he was
wearing white clothes and sleeping. Then I went back to him again after he had
got up from his sleep. He said, "Nobody says: La ilaha illa Allah (there is no God but Allah,), then
dies while believing in that, except that he will enter Paradise".
I asked: Even if he had committed adultery and theft. He said, "Even if he
had committed adultery and theft". I asked: Even if he had committed
adultery and theft. He said, "Even if he had committed adultery and
theft". I asked: Even if he had committed adultery and theft. He said,
"Even if he had committed adultery and theft, In spite of Abu Dhar's
dislikeness". [Bukhari].
Abu Moosa narrated his father as saying: I came to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلمin
a group of my people. So, he said to us, "Have glad tiding, and spread the
glad tiding to those who are behind you that: he who sincerely bears witness that there is no God but Allah (La ilaha
illa Allah) enters Paradise". So, we went out happily
giving glad tiding to people. Omer ibn El-Khattab met us, took us back to the
Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, and said: O Messenger of Allah, then people will
rely (on this). The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلمkept silent (made no
comment)". [Ahmed, and Tabarani. Authentic chain].
Jabir (R.A.A.) said: I heard the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "The best remembrance (of Allah) is La ilaha
illa Allah (there is no God but Allah); and the best
supplication is El-Hamdu Lillah (Praise be to Allah)". [Tirmidhi and
said good, and El-Hakim and said authentic chain].
Abdullah ibn Omer said that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said,
"Glorification of Allah (saying: Subhan Allah) is half the Balance, and
the Praise (of Allah) fills it, and
'La ilaha illa Allah' (no God but Allah) has no veil between it and Allah until
it reaches Him'. [Tirmidhi]
Abu Hurayrah (R.A.A.) said that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "increase recitation of the testimony: 'La
ilaha illa Allah' (no God but Allah) before it is intervened
between you and it (the witness)'. [Abu Ya'la, with authentic narrators].
Abu Saeed El-Khudari (R.A.A.) narrated that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم
said, "Moosa (Moses), peace be upon him, said: O Lord! Teach me something
that I remember You with, and pray to (call) You with. He (the Lord) said: O
Moosa! Say 'La ilaha illa Allah' (no God but Allah). Moosa said, O Lord! All
Your servants say that. He (the Lord) said: Say La ilaha illa Allah. Moosa
said: There is no God but You my Lord, but I want something You favor me with.
He (the Lord) said: O Moosa! If the seven heavens and their inhabitants, except
Me, and the seven earths are (put) on one hand (of the scale), and La ilaha
illa Allah is (put) on the other hand, La ilaha illa Allah will outweigh them all". [Nisa'i,
Ibn Habban, and El-Hakim who said: of authentic chain].
Um Hani' bint Abu Talib (R.A.A.) said: I said O Prophet of Allah! I became old
and feeble woman. So, guide me to a deed. He said, "Magnify Allah a hundred times, and praise
Allah a hundred times,
and glorify Allah a hundred
times. This is better for you than a hundred accepted camels
(in Allah's sake), and better than a hundred horses, saddled & reined, in
the cause of Allah, and better than a hundred manumitted slaves (as a devotion
to Allah) accepted (by Allah); and, saying 'la ilaha illa Allah' does not leave a sin, and no deed resembles it".
[Tabarani].
Abud-Darda'a narrated that the prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "No
servant (of Allah) says 'la
ilaha illa Allah' a hundred times, except that Allah resurrects
him, in the Day of Resurrection, with a face like a moon in a full moon night. And, no deed is raised, on that day, for
anyone better than his, except for someone who says similar to his or more".
[Tabarani].
Ibn Omer said that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "The people of la ilaha illa Allah
feel no desolation in their graves or in their resurrection, and as if I see the people of la ilaha illa Allah
dusting off their heads and saying praise be to Allah who took away the grief
from us". [Tabarani, Abu Ya'la, and Behaqi].
Abu Hurayrah (R.A.A.) said that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said,
"Renew your faith. They asked: O Messenger of Allah! How we renew our
faith? He said: increase
saying 'la ilaha illa Allah' (no God but Allah)". [El-Hakim,
and said authentic chain]
4. The
zikr of Juma’ah (recitation of La ilaha illa lahu) in congregation after
salatul Asr on Friday till sunset (this can be done individually when it is not
feasible to perform in a gathering)
Proof from the Qur’an:
And when the Prayer (Juma’ah prayers) is finished, then may ye disperse through
the land, and seek of the Bounty of Allah. and celebrate the Praises of Allah often (and without stint): that ye
may prosper.
[Jumuah verse 10]
"O! Ye, who believe, remember Allah with much remembrance."
(Surah Ahzab Verse 41).
Proof from the ahadith:
Anas reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him
peace, said, "When you come upon the meadows of the Garden, graze in
them." He was asked, "What are the meadows of the Garden?"
"Circles of dhikr,"
he replied. (at-Tirmidhi)
Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant
him peace, said, "Allah Almighty has angels who travel the highways and
by-ways seeking out gatherings
of dhikr in the earth. When they find a gathering of dhikr,
they enfold them with their wings stretching up to the heaven. Allah asks them,
'From where have you come?' They reply, 'We have come from Your slaves who are
glorifying You, praising You, proclaiming
Your oneness, asking of You and seeking refuge with You.' He
says - and He knows better than them, 'What are they asking Me for?' They
reply, 'They are asking You for the Garden.' He says, 'Have they seen it?' They
reply, 'No, our Lord.' He says, 'How would it be if they were to see it?' Then
He asks - and He knows better than them, 'What are they seeking refuge from?'
'From the Fire,' they reply. He asks, 'Have they seen it?' 'No,' they reply.
Then He says, 'How would it be if they were to see it?' Then He says, 'I
testify to you that I have forgiven them, I have given them what they ask Me
for, and I give them the refuge which they ask of Me.' They say, 'Our Lord,
among them is a wrongdoer who is sitting with them, but is not one of them.' He says, 'I
have forgiven him as well. The one sitting with these people will not be wretched.'" (Muslim, at-Tirmidhi, al-Hakim)
Abu Hurayra reported from Abu Sa'id al-Khudri that the Messenger of Allah, may
Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "There are no people who remember Allah
without the angels surrounding them,
mercy covering them, tranquillity descending on them, and Allah mentioning them
to those who are with Him." (Muslim,
at-Tirmidhi)
Mu'awiya reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace,
went out to a circle of his
Companions and asked, "What is it that has caused you to sit together?" They
answered, "We have sat down to remember Allah and praise Him." He said, "Jibril came to me
and reported to me that the angels are boasting about you." (Muslim, at-Tirmidhi)
Agharr Abi Muslim reported: I bear witness to the fact that both Abu Huraira
and Abu Sa'id Khudri were present when Allah's Messenger may peace be upon him)
said: The people do not sit but
they are surrounded by angels and covered by Mercy, and there descends upon
them tranquillity as they
remember Allah, and Allah makes a mention of them to those who
are near Him. This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Shu'ba with the
same chain of transmitters. (Bukhari)
Abu Sa'id Khudri reported that Mu'awiya went to a circle in the mosque and said: What makes you sit
here? They said: We are
sitting here in order to remember Allah. He said: I adjure you
by Allah (to tell me whether you are sitting here for this very purpose)? They
said: By Allah, we are sitting here for this very purpose. Thereupon he adjured by Allah and asked if
that only was the purpose of their sitting there whereupon he (the Messenger)
said: I am not asking you to take an oath because of any allegation against you
but for the fact that Gabriel came to me and he informed me that Allah, the
Exalted and Glorious, was talking to the angels about your magnificence.
(Bukhari)
5. Performing
all salat (5 daily prayers) in congregation as much as possible
Proof from the Qur’an
And be steadfast in prayer; practise regular charity; and bow down your heads with those who bow down
(in worship). [Baqra verse 43]
Proof from the ahadith
A blind man said, "Oh Messenger of
Allah, I do not have someone to guide me to the Mosque," and thus asked
the Messenger SAW to grant him special permission not to attend congregational
prayers. As he was leaving, the Messenger called him and said "Do
you hear the call? ", he said "yes". He SAW said,
"Then answer." (Muslim)
Narrated by Ibn Maktoom that he said: "Oh Messenger of Allah, I am blind,
live far away, and have a guide that does not suit me, so can't you give me
consent to pray at home?" He said "Do you hear the call?"
Ibn Maktoom replied "Yes". The Prophet SAW then said "I
cannot find an excuse for you." (Ahmad)
According Abdullah bin Masoud (May Allah’s Mercy upon him) the Prophet said: “O Muslims! Allah has
prescribed paths of right guidance for you among which is the offering of the
daily prayers in congregation in the masjid, if you start saying your
prayers individually at home, as so-and-so does, you will be forsaking the
Sunnah of your Prophet, and if you forsake the Sunnah of your Prophet, you will
certainly be going astray.” (Muslim)
According to Anas (May Allah’s Mercy upon him), the Prophet said: “The person who offers his
prayers continuously for 40 days without missing the first takbeer (meaning in
congregation), is granted a two-fold immunity by Allah: immunity from Hell-fire
and immunity from hypocrisy. (Tirmidhi)
6. Respecting
the parents
Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him, and that ye be kind to parents. Whether
one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of
contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honour. (Isra’i verse
23)
“And lower unto them the wing
of submission and humility through mercy, and say: ‘My
Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was
small.’” (Isra’i verse24)
“And We have enjoined on man (to
be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him
in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two
years give thanks to Me and to your parents, unto Me is the final
destination.”
(Luqman verse 14)
One of Prophet Muhammad’s companions asked about the deeds God loved
most. The Prophet replied, the prayer offered on time and honouring parents... (Saheeh
Bukhari)
7. Performing
the wird (litanies or zikrs) till death
Proof from the Quran:
And serve thy Lord until there come unto thee the Hour that is Certain.
(Al-Hijr verse 99)
"And those who are constant,
seeking the pleasure of their
Lord, and keep up prayer and spend (benevolently) out of what
We have given them secretly and openly and repel evil with good; as for those,
they shall have the (happy) issue of the abode."
[Ar-Ra’d verse 22]
"Peace be on you because you were constant, how excellent, is then, the issue of the
abode."
[Ar-Ra’d verse 24]
Proof from the ahadith:
It was narrated by Alqama that he asked Aisha, "Did Allah's Messenger, use
to choose some special days (for fasting)?" She replied, "No, but he
used to be regular (constant)
(in his service of
worshipping) . Who amongst you can endure what Allah's
Messenger used to endure?" (Bukhari)
It was also narrated that Masruq asked Aisha, "What deed was the most
beloved to the Prophet?" She said, "The regular constant one." I said, "At what
time did he use to get up at night (for the Tahajjud night prayer)?' She said,
"He used to get up on hearing (the crowing of) the cock (the last third of
the night)." (Bukhari)
8. Not
combining the wird of the tariqa with another
“They perform (their) vows,
and they fear a Day whose evil flies far and wide.”
(Al-Insan verse 7)
As one pledges or makes a vow not to combine the wird of the tariqa with wird
from other tariqas, it is therefore binding for the aspirant to fulfill his/her
vows. Moreover, tariqa Tijaniyya is the combination of the virtuous principles
of all the tariqas combined without any of their weaknesses. The tariqa
tijjaniyya also enjoys the highest status owing to the direct reception of
knowledge from the Prophet (SAW) through the Khatm awliya and Qutb Maktum
Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani (RTA).
9. Non visitation of saints of other tariqas with the aim of
receiving spiritual benefits as the The tariqa tijjaniyya also enjoys the
highest status owing to the direct reception of knowledge from the Prophet
(SAW) through the Khatm awliya and Qutb Maktum Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani (RTA).
Friday, 10 August 2012
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE REMARKABLE LIFE OF SHEIKH IBRAHIM NIASSE (RTA)
His
father’s name was Shaykh Abdullahi Niasse and was one of the greatest
scholars of the Sene-gambian region in the early 20th century. He
initially engaged in arms struggle against the French colonialist before
settling down to become a farmer. He was the first Sene-gambian Islamic
tijani scholar to obtain unlimited license of authorization (ijaza
mutlaqa) which was granted to him by Shaykh Ahmad sukayrij (RTA) in Fez.
His initial jihad activities against the French colonialists and his
rising fame and popularity greatly alarmed the French who exiled him to
Gambia in 1900 along with his students after burning down his mosque and
library in Tauba, the village he founded earlier. He later returned to
settle down in Kaolack probably with the help of his friend’s mediation
with the then French authorities’ al-hajj Malik Sy. He was blessed to
have received many favours and gifts from Allah (SWT) and was among the
respected and well-versed Tijani scholars of his time. For instance, he
was given the original copy of Jawahirul Ma’ani in Shaykh Ali Harazimi’s
(the closest disciple of Shaykh Ahmad Tijani) own hand writing as well
as the prayer rosary of Shaykh Ahmad Tijjani (RTA) by the head muqadam
of the Fez zawiyya Sidi Arabi bin Muhibb. He also use to have the waking
vision of Shaykh Ahmad Tijani (RTA) where in one of their encounters
prayed to Allah (SWT) for one of his children to become the Ghawth al-zaman (leader of all saints for the age).
Before leaving the zawiyya, he saw a vision of his young son Ibrahim in
the courtyard and knew that his prayers had been answered.
HIS BIRTH
Shaykh Ibrahim Niasse (RTA) was born in Taiba located in present day Senegal on the November 8th 1900 which was equivalent to 15 Rajab 1320 AH to Shaykh Abdullahi Niasse and Sayyada Aishatu. The month that she conceived the Shaykh, she dreamt of standing in a high place and saw the moon came down upon her. She narrated the dream to her husband who advised her to keep it secret.
EDUCATION AND EARLY LIFE
The Shaykh (RTA) said “I learned Quran and hadith from my father and received my first ijaza from my father, then from Shaykh Aburrahman bin al-hajj al-alawi then from Shaykh Ahmad Sukayrij who himself had eraned some 600 different ijaza from different shuyukhs”. Shaykh Ahmad Sukayrij stated that “the one to whom I gave authorization in all these chains of transmission was the Khalifa al-hajj Ibrahim Niasse.” The young Shaykh was brought up in an atmosphere of religious training and learning and by the age of 20, he started preaching and teaching Islam due to his academic brilliance and mastering of almost all fields of Islamic sciences.
An important event in his early life was the foretelling of his great spiritual position of the Sahibul Fayda (Inheritor of the spiritual flood) by the Mauritanian Shaykh, Abdullahi wuld al-Hajj (RTA) a great Islamic scholar and Tijani saint who was among those who sought for the spiritual station of Sahibul Fayda (Inheritor of the spiritual flood), a very lofty spiritual position foretold by Shaykh Ahmad Tijjani (RTA) who said “ A fayda will overwhelm my companions to the point that people will enter our path in multitudes. This Fayda will come at a time when mankind will be in a state of utmost difficulties.” The clarity of the matter came to Shaykh Abdullahi wuld al-Hajj (RTA) when he discovered that Allah has already granted it to Shaykh Ibrahim Niasse (RTA) in a vision just when he was about to declare the lofty spiritual position for himself. After series of eventful occurrences he was able to locate the home of the then young Ibrahim through spiritual guidance. Upon seeing him, he remarked “Allahu akbar, by Allah this is the Sahibul Fayda great saints have so longingly sought”. He ordered the Shaykh’s father to keep the matter secret until such a time Allah wills the affair to be public. Upon returning home Shaykh Abdullahi Chinguiti informed his children and admonished them to hearken to the Shaykh’s call when Allah has made the matter open to all.
EARLY PREACHING AND ACTIVITIES WITHIN SENEGAL
After the death of Shaykh Ibrahim’s father, Shaykh Abdullahi wuld al-Hajj returned to Kaolack to offer his condolences to the family. He chose to be accommodated in Shaykh Ibrahim’s room which provided him with the opportunity for the guest to give his host the glad tidings of his spiritual position and transfer privileged Tijani secrets to the young Shaykh. He was however warned not to disclose his status to anyone until news has reached him of his own death which the young shaykh complied with. Four years after the incident, the soul of Shaykh Abdullahi passed on to his Creator an event which made the Shaykh declared during the Maulud of the Prophet in 1929 (Salla lahu alaihi wa sallam) that he is the spiritual inheritor and Khalifa of Shaykh Ahmad Tijani (RTA): the Sahibul Faydatu Tijjaniyya. His eldest brother and Khalifa of their late father asked whether the Shaykh Ibrahim was well to which he responded in the affirmative. He (his brother and khalifa of their father) then declared that the jinns have affected Ibrahim and that people should assist in exorcizing Ibrahim’s jinns. The Shaykh insisted he is sound in body and mind and said all he said was with authority.
The khalifa denied him outright and instructed his students to do likewise. Shaykh Ibrahim continued to call people to Allah and teaching them all forms of Islamic sciences and tasawwuf. He met stiff resistance and decided to relocate to Kossi a village founded by his father where he continued his Islamic and spiritual mission. He attracted large followers from all parts of Africa who had come to drink from his ocean of knowledge and spiritual illuminations. The enmity other Islamic scholars had for him was so great that when he came back to his home town in Kaolack, he was stoned and stopped from praying inside his father’s mosque.
MIGRATION AND COMMENCEMENT OF INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES
After much opposition and oppression, Shaykh Ibrahim decided to migrate away from Kaolack and find his own settlement due to the difficulties he and his students were experiencing in carrying out their religious and other daily activities. On a fateful morning after the fajr prayers, he informed his students and all those who wish to follow him to leave Kaolack. After obtaining permission from the colonial officers governing Kaolack administrative area, he migrated about 3 miles east of kaolack and camped by a big tree which was to become his home till date. His town is now called Madinatu Kaolack. Since the newly founded abode provided an atmosphere of security and peace he wanted for his students and himself, he focused his attention to fulfill the rites of hajj pilgrimage which he did later the same year.
Upon returning back from the pilgrimage, he started the project of building his own mosque, converting people to Islam, educating the Muslims and revival of the sunnah of the Prophet (salla lahu alaihi wa sallam) through the proper understanding of fiqh, Iman and helping them attain the perfect state of Ihsan through the tariqa Muhammadiyya Tijaniyya which he had become its spiritual inheritor and Khalifa. These activities were not only confided within Senegal but throughout North and West African regions. His style, methodology and spiritual zeal had made all and sundry flock to him to quench their thirst from the overflowing flood of knowledge, illuminations, secrets, understanding and perfect state of Ihsan from Shaykh Ibrahim and the tariqa.
His distractors were greatly alarmed and disturbed by his success and progress in calling people towards Allah and upliftment of Islam in the surrounding regions and beyond which eclipsed their combined efforts and make them look like amateurs. They connived against him by lying to the French administrator of the region named Bulus that he was trying to build an army of supporters to rebel against the French colonialist, a claim the Shaykh dispelled and was allowed to continue to with his teaching and preaching.
GLOBAL IMPACT
Shaykh Ibrahim (RTA) has traveled vastly throughout the world in order to spread Islam. To him goes primarily the credit of turning Senegal into a Muslim majority country. In Ghana alone, he converted no fewer than 8 thousand Christians and pagans to Islam. It is not surprising therefore that he was feared as a “terror” by Christian missionaries in West Africa. It is because of men like the Shaykh, his disciples, students and followers that islam is today spreading in Africa in the face of other other religions and resurgent paganism. He has swept the Muslim lands he had visited with such a spiritual force through the tariqa Tijaniyya that multitude of Muslims have now tasted the rare sweetness of pure tawhid and monotheism in an unprecedented manner never before seen in Africa since the time of the early Muslim generation. A clear and unmistaken example is in Nigeria where the frequent proclamation of “lailaha illa lahu” has dominated the sky lines with an intense love of the holy Prophet (salla lahu alaihi wa sallam).
He was not only an erudite and versatile scholar but also a prolific writer who has written over 70 books on various subjects including fiqh (muslim canon law), arabic language and grammar, Islamic ethics, tasawwuf (Islamic mysticism), seerat (life of the noble Prophet salla lahu alaihi wa sallam), tafsir (Quranic exegesis) among many other Islamic disciplines which he treated with admirable competence and excellence. He was a poet of the highest order composing some eight anthologies. Due to his immense knowledge and understanding of Islam, he was awarded the title of Shaykhul Islam by the eminent head of the al-Azhar University Cairo Egypt Muhammad Mahmud Shaltut. This title is only given to Islamic scholars who have attained a level of competence and mastery in at least 25 disciplines in Islam.
He advocated for mass education for both males and females. In reference to this, the shaykh said in a speech that “women should compete with men in knowledge”. It is because of this that women of the path are found to be well versed in quran and hadith. Suffice to say that all his female children have memorized the entire Quran and are Islamic scholars in their own rights who engage in continuous education of women and children throughout sub-sahara Africa. He also established a zawiyya (Islamic study centre) in his hometown of kaolack which has now developed into an institute that is affiliated with Al-azhar University in Cairo through which thousands of students all over the world attend to complete their studies. This scholarly act was imitated by his disciple who established many of these zawiyyas all over Africa, a consequent of which literacy has been improved. At a time when the Muslim world were still rejecting the recitation of Quran over the radio and other electronic gadgets such as loudspeakers, he issued a fatwa that not only is it allowed but compulsory for Muslims to embrace these inventions because they promote piety and helps to spread Islam. He was among the first West African Islamic scholars to write a book explaining the rules of pilgrimage to Makkah for those traveling by plane.
Not only did the Shaykh emphasize on Islamic knowledge, he also encouraged western education as is evident in the speech he gave for the maulud at kaolack in 1386 AH where he addressed the muslim youth saying “Go ahead and be vanguard in all things for the future of nations is based on its youth and make every efforts to seek and do your best to acquire knowledge not only Islamic knowledge and mathematics but also be part of and co-operate with those whose zeal is to discover the unknown and unseen things of this world (by that he meant sciences).”
Shaykh Ibrahim was a distinguished and highly honoured member and official of global Islamic organisations such as the Muta’amarul alamil Islami (Islamic World Congress)in Karachi Pakistan for which he was vice president and Majma'ul Buhuthil islamiyya (Academy of Islamic Studies) in Egypt for which he was a highly respected contributor. He was a co-founder of the Muslim World League, and a member of General Islamic Conference for Jerusalem, Association of Islamic Universities based in Morocco and High Islamic Council in Algeria (Majlisul a'ala li shu'unil Islamiyyah). He attended various Islamic international conventions whose central theme was mostly on da'awah (call to Islam). Contrary to the claims of distractors and scoffers who try to taint the tariqa as being bid’ah, to the shaykh (RTA) goes the full credit of reviving a neglected sunnah of placing the hands over the chest while praying in salat for which he wrote the book "Raf'al malam". He even went through the troubles of snapping a picture of himself praying with his hands over the chest to confirm to the sub-saharan muslim population that this is the right way thereby setting an example that got wide acceptance till this day (the strategy of a picture was used to visually show people that this sunnah practice was indeed endorsed and advocated by the Shaykh as television was not a luxury enjoyed by millions of Africans then). By doing this he revived a long neglected sunnah of the Prophet (salla lahu alaihi was sallam)
He contributed towards socio-political stability in countries he had visited with his methods and preaching of tolerance and mutual respect. For example, he sowed seeds of love and understanding as well as cementing trust among various tribes through promoting inter-tribal marriages in Nigeria and international marriages in other West African countries. A very significant number of inter-tribal marriages (if not majority) between the Hausa-Yoruba are found among those of the tariqa. Other examples are marriages between Morrocan-Senegalese, Algerian-Senegalese etc. He preached religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence with people of other faiths. It is worthy of note that in addition for advocating for the welfare of muslims in countries he visited, he also gave advises to Christian leaders towards ensuring political stability and peace as was the case with Kwame Nkrumah (former president of Ghana), General Yakubu Gowon (former military president of Nigeria), Leopold Singore (former president of Senegal).
The Shaykh had great disdain for oppression and transgression prompting him to write several treatises on the plight of the colonized people world-wide. In one of his famous pro-freedom treatise Al Ifriqiyya lil Ifriqiyyin (Africa to the Africans), he accurately predicted that Africans will rule Africans (alluding to the end of colonialism) before his life comes to an end. Indeed, very shortly after the publication of this treatise (within few months), there was a massive galore of independence granted to many African countries around the 1960s. He caught global attention because of this treatise especially among the middle-eastern leaders who invited him for discourses and advice on several occasions. A well-known visit was the one he had with President Jamal Abdunasser of Egypt and King Faisal of Saudi Arabia. (The responsibility for publishing this treatise was given to one of the closest confidante of Sheikh Ibrahim Niasse (RA) in person of Shaikh Sani Awwalu (RA). See the full treatise which has a written authorization of Sheikh Ibrahim (RA) himself to Sheikh Muhammadu Sani Awwalu under "tijaniyya books").
Shaykh Ibrahim (RTA) was recognised internationally for his unprecedented efforts. Among the numerous awards given to him for his exceptional service to humanity include:
1. Medallion of the Throne (Morocco)
2. Medallion of the Republic of Tunisia
3. Medallion of Nigeria
4. Legion d’Honneur (France)
5. Medal of Merit of the society of Ancient Warriors (France)
6. Grand Croix (Senegal)
7. Honorary doctorate degree from Libya
Sheikh Ibrahim Niass (RTA) with former military president of Nigeria General Yakubu Gowon during the president's state visit to Senegal. The Sheikh was of immense help towards healing the divide between the Nigerians in the aftermath of the country's civil war.
Sahibul Faedhatu Tijjaniyya Sheikh Ibrahim Niass (RTA) being decorated by King Hassan of Morocco for his outstanding contribution to Islam during his visit to the country.
Khalifatu Sheikh Ahmadu Tijjani, Sheikh Ibrahim Niass (RTA) delivering an address in the presence of the Moroccan royal cabinet on issues related to Islam.
Sheikh-ul Islam Alhaji Ibrahim Niass (RTA) with King Faisal of Saudi Arabia during an invitation by the Royal family to discuss on Islam-related issues. This visit was instrumental in the establishment of the World Muslim League which the Sheikh was a co-founder.
Sheikh ul Islam Alhaji Ibrahim Niass (RTA) with President Anwar Sadat of Egypt during an invitation by the Presidency for advises on Islam. on the right is one of the prominent Islamic scholars of Al-Azhar University in Cairo.
Sheikh Ibrahim Niass (RTA) with President Senghor of Senegal. Sheikh was the single most important force in making Senegal a Muslim-majority country (90% muslims) through mass conversion by the grace of Allah (SWT)
Sheikhul Islam with President Mukhtar Ould Dada of Mauritania during one of his Africa preaching tours
Sheikh Ibrahim Niass in Tunisia during one of his Islamic activity tours
Sheikh Ibrahim Niass the Sheikhul Islam with the then Prime minister of Pakistan where he was given an honorary membership of the Muta'amarul alamil Islam ( a prominent Islamic organisation in the country)
Sheikhul Islam Alhaji Ibrahim Niass Kaolack with Sheikh Abu A'ala Mawdudi one of the most repected and prominent islamic scholar in Indo-Pakistan.
Sheikh Ibrahim Niass (RTA) with President Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana and Tito
Shaykh Ibrahim Niass (RTA) with the Japanese President
(From left to right) Sheikh Ibrahim Niass (RTA), Emir Abdullahi Bayero of Kano, Sir Ahmadu Bello (Premier of Northern Nigeria)
HIS BIRTH
Shaykh Ibrahim Niasse (RTA) was born in Taiba located in present day Senegal on the November 8th 1900 which was equivalent to 15 Rajab 1320 AH to Shaykh Abdullahi Niasse and Sayyada Aishatu. The month that she conceived the Shaykh, she dreamt of standing in a high place and saw the moon came down upon her. She narrated the dream to her husband who advised her to keep it secret.
EDUCATION AND EARLY LIFE
The Shaykh (RTA) said “I learned Quran and hadith from my father and received my first ijaza from my father, then from Shaykh Aburrahman bin al-hajj al-alawi then from Shaykh Ahmad Sukayrij who himself had eraned some 600 different ijaza from different shuyukhs”. Shaykh Ahmad Sukayrij stated that “the one to whom I gave authorization in all these chains of transmission was the Khalifa al-hajj Ibrahim Niasse.” The young Shaykh was brought up in an atmosphere of religious training and learning and by the age of 20, he started preaching and teaching Islam due to his academic brilliance and mastering of almost all fields of Islamic sciences.
An important event in his early life was the foretelling of his great spiritual position of the Sahibul Fayda (Inheritor of the spiritual flood) by the Mauritanian Shaykh, Abdullahi wuld al-Hajj (RTA) a great Islamic scholar and Tijani saint who was among those who sought for the spiritual station of Sahibul Fayda (Inheritor of the spiritual flood), a very lofty spiritual position foretold by Shaykh Ahmad Tijjani (RTA) who said “ A fayda will overwhelm my companions to the point that people will enter our path in multitudes. This Fayda will come at a time when mankind will be in a state of utmost difficulties.” The clarity of the matter came to Shaykh Abdullahi wuld al-Hajj (RTA) when he discovered that Allah has already granted it to Shaykh Ibrahim Niasse (RTA) in a vision just when he was about to declare the lofty spiritual position for himself. After series of eventful occurrences he was able to locate the home of the then young Ibrahim through spiritual guidance. Upon seeing him, he remarked “Allahu akbar, by Allah this is the Sahibul Fayda great saints have so longingly sought”. He ordered the Shaykh’s father to keep the matter secret until such a time Allah wills the affair to be public. Upon returning home Shaykh Abdullahi Chinguiti informed his children and admonished them to hearken to the Shaykh’s call when Allah has made the matter open to all.
EARLY PREACHING AND ACTIVITIES WITHIN SENEGAL
After the death of Shaykh Ibrahim’s father, Shaykh Abdullahi wuld al-Hajj returned to Kaolack to offer his condolences to the family. He chose to be accommodated in Shaykh Ibrahim’s room which provided him with the opportunity for the guest to give his host the glad tidings of his spiritual position and transfer privileged Tijani secrets to the young Shaykh. He was however warned not to disclose his status to anyone until news has reached him of his own death which the young shaykh complied with. Four years after the incident, the soul of Shaykh Abdullahi passed on to his Creator an event which made the Shaykh declared during the Maulud of the Prophet in 1929 (Salla lahu alaihi wa sallam) that he is the spiritual inheritor and Khalifa of Shaykh Ahmad Tijani (RTA): the Sahibul Faydatu Tijjaniyya. His eldest brother and Khalifa of their late father asked whether the Shaykh Ibrahim was well to which he responded in the affirmative. He (his brother and khalifa of their father) then declared that the jinns have affected Ibrahim and that people should assist in exorcizing Ibrahim’s jinns. The Shaykh insisted he is sound in body and mind and said all he said was with authority.
The khalifa denied him outright and instructed his students to do likewise. Shaykh Ibrahim continued to call people to Allah and teaching them all forms of Islamic sciences and tasawwuf. He met stiff resistance and decided to relocate to Kossi a village founded by his father where he continued his Islamic and spiritual mission. He attracted large followers from all parts of Africa who had come to drink from his ocean of knowledge and spiritual illuminations. The enmity other Islamic scholars had for him was so great that when he came back to his home town in Kaolack, he was stoned and stopped from praying inside his father’s mosque.
MIGRATION AND COMMENCEMENT OF INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES
After much opposition and oppression, Shaykh Ibrahim decided to migrate away from Kaolack and find his own settlement due to the difficulties he and his students were experiencing in carrying out their religious and other daily activities. On a fateful morning after the fajr prayers, he informed his students and all those who wish to follow him to leave Kaolack. After obtaining permission from the colonial officers governing Kaolack administrative area, he migrated about 3 miles east of kaolack and camped by a big tree which was to become his home till date. His town is now called Madinatu Kaolack. Since the newly founded abode provided an atmosphere of security and peace he wanted for his students and himself, he focused his attention to fulfill the rites of hajj pilgrimage which he did later the same year.
Upon returning back from the pilgrimage, he started the project of building his own mosque, converting people to Islam, educating the Muslims and revival of the sunnah of the Prophet (salla lahu alaihi wa sallam) through the proper understanding of fiqh, Iman and helping them attain the perfect state of Ihsan through the tariqa Muhammadiyya Tijaniyya which he had become its spiritual inheritor and Khalifa. These activities were not only confided within Senegal but throughout North and West African regions. His style, methodology and spiritual zeal had made all and sundry flock to him to quench their thirst from the overflowing flood of knowledge, illuminations, secrets, understanding and perfect state of Ihsan from Shaykh Ibrahim and the tariqa.
His distractors were greatly alarmed and disturbed by his success and progress in calling people towards Allah and upliftment of Islam in the surrounding regions and beyond which eclipsed their combined efforts and make them look like amateurs. They connived against him by lying to the French administrator of the region named Bulus that he was trying to build an army of supporters to rebel against the French colonialist, a claim the Shaykh dispelled and was allowed to continue to with his teaching and preaching.
GLOBAL IMPACT
Shaykh Ibrahim (RTA) has traveled vastly throughout the world in order to spread Islam. To him goes primarily the credit of turning Senegal into a Muslim majority country. In Ghana alone, he converted no fewer than 8 thousand Christians and pagans to Islam. It is not surprising therefore that he was feared as a “terror” by Christian missionaries in West Africa. It is because of men like the Shaykh, his disciples, students and followers that islam is today spreading in Africa in the face of other other religions and resurgent paganism. He has swept the Muslim lands he had visited with such a spiritual force through the tariqa Tijaniyya that multitude of Muslims have now tasted the rare sweetness of pure tawhid and monotheism in an unprecedented manner never before seen in Africa since the time of the early Muslim generation. A clear and unmistaken example is in Nigeria where the frequent proclamation of “lailaha illa lahu” has dominated the sky lines with an intense love of the holy Prophet (salla lahu alaihi wa sallam).
He was not only an erudite and versatile scholar but also a prolific writer who has written over 70 books on various subjects including fiqh (muslim canon law), arabic language and grammar, Islamic ethics, tasawwuf (Islamic mysticism), seerat (life of the noble Prophet salla lahu alaihi wa sallam), tafsir (Quranic exegesis) among many other Islamic disciplines which he treated with admirable competence and excellence. He was a poet of the highest order composing some eight anthologies. Due to his immense knowledge and understanding of Islam, he was awarded the title of Shaykhul Islam by the eminent head of the al-Azhar University Cairo Egypt Muhammad Mahmud Shaltut. This title is only given to Islamic scholars who have attained a level of competence and mastery in at least 25 disciplines in Islam.
He advocated for mass education for both males and females. In reference to this, the shaykh said in a speech that “women should compete with men in knowledge”. It is because of this that women of the path are found to be well versed in quran and hadith. Suffice to say that all his female children have memorized the entire Quran and are Islamic scholars in their own rights who engage in continuous education of women and children throughout sub-sahara Africa. He also established a zawiyya (Islamic study centre) in his hometown of kaolack which has now developed into an institute that is affiliated with Al-azhar University in Cairo through which thousands of students all over the world attend to complete their studies. This scholarly act was imitated by his disciple who established many of these zawiyyas all over Africa, a consequent of which literacy has been improved. At a time when the Muslim world were still rejecting the recitation of Quran over the radio and other electronic gadgets such as loudspeakers, he issued a fatwa that not only is it allowed but compulsory for Muslims to embrace these inventions because they promote piety and helps to spread Islam. He was among the first West African Islamic scholars to write a book explaining the rules of pilgrimage to Makkah for those traveling by plane.
Not only did the Shaykh emphasize on Islamic knowledge, he also encouraged western education as is evident in the speech he gave for the maulud at kaolack in 1386 AH where he addressed the muslim youth saying “Go ahead and be vanguard in all things for the future of nations is based on its youth and make every efforts to seek and do your best to acquire knowledge not only Islamic knowledge and mathematics but also be part of and co-operate with those whose zeal is to discover the unknown and unseen things of this world (by that he meant sciences).”
Shaykh Ibrahim was a distinguished and highly honoured member and official of global Islamic organisations such as the Muta’amarul alamil Islami (Islamic World Congress)in Karachi Pakistan for which he was vice president and Majma'ul Buhuthil islamiyya (Academy of Islamic Studies) in Egypt for which he was a highly respected contributor. He was a co-founder of the Muslim World League, and a member of General Islamic Conference for Jerusalem, Association of Islamic Universities based in Morocco and High Islamic Council in Algeria (Majlisul a'ala li shu'unil Islamiyyah). He attended various Islamic international conventions whose central theme was mostly on da'awah (call to Islam). Contrary to the claims of distractors and scoffers who try to taint the tariqa as being bid’ah, to the shaykh (RTA) goes the full credit of reviving a neglected sunnah of placing the hands over the chest while praying in salat for which he wrote the book "Raf'al malam". He even went through the troubles of snapping a picture of himself praying with his hands over the chest to confirm to the sub-saharan muslim population that this is the right way thereby setting an example that got wide acceptance till this day (the strategy of a picture was used to visually show people that this sunnah practice was indeed endorsed and advocated by the Shaykh as television was not a luxury enjoyed by millions of Africans then). By doing this he revived a long neglected sunnah of the Prophet (salla lahu alaihi was sallam)
He contributed towards socio-political stability in countries he had visited with his methods and preaching of tolerance and mutual respect. For example, he sowed seeds of love and understanding as well as cementing trust among various tribes through promoting inter-tribal marriages in Nigeria and international marriages in other West African countries. A very significant number of inter-tribal marriages (if not majority) between the Hausa-Yoruba are found among those of the tariqa. Other examples are marriages between Morrocan-Senegalese, Algerian-Senegalese etc. He preached religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence with people of other faiths. It is worthy of note that in addition for advocating for the welfare of muslims in countries he visited, he also gave advises to Christian leaders towards ensuring political stability and peace as was the case with Kwame Nkrumah (former president of Ghana), General Yakubu Gowon (former military president of Nigeria), Leopold Singore (former president of Senegal).
The Shaykh had great disdain for oppression and transgression prompting him to write several treatises on the plight of the colonized people world-wide. In one of his famous pro-freedom treatise Al Ifriqiyya lil Ifriqiyyin (Africa to the Africans), he accurately predicted that Africans will rule Africans (alluding to the end of colonialism) before his life comes to an end. Indeed, very shortly after the publication of this treatise (within few months), there was a massive galore of independence granted to many African countries around the 1960s. He caught global attention because of this treatise especially among the middle-eastern leaders who invited him for discourses and advice on several occasions. A well-known visit was the one he had with President Jamal Abdunasser of Egypt and King Faisal of Saudi Arabia. (The responsibility for publishing this treatise was given to one of the closest confidante of Sheikh Ibrahim Niasse (RA) in person of Shaikh Sani Awwalu (RA). See the full treatise which has a written authorization of Sheikh Ibrahim (RA) himself to Sheikh Muhammadu Sani Awwalu under "tijaniyya books").
Shaykh Ibrahim (RTA) was recognised internationally for his unprecedented efforts. Among the numerous awards given to him for his exceptional service to humanity include:
1. Medallion of the Throne (Morocco)
2. Medallion of the Republic of Tunisia
3. Medallion of Nigeria
4. Legion d’Honneur (France)
5. Medal of Merit of the society of Ancient Warriors (France)
6. Grand Croix (Senegal)
7. Honorary doctorate degree from Libya
SOME MEMORABLE PICTURES OF THE SHEIKH (RTA)
Sheikh Ibrahim Niass (RTA) with former military president of Nigeria General Yakubu Gowon during the president's state visit to Senegal. The Sheikh was of immense help towards healing the divide between the Nigerians in the aftermath of the country's civil war.
Sahibul Faedhatu Tijjaniyya Sheikh Ibrahim Niass (RTA) being decorated by King Hassan of Morocco for his outstanding contribution to Islam during his visit to the country.
Khalifatu Sheikh Ahmadu Tijjani, Sheikh Ibrahim Niass (RTA) delivering an address in the presence of the Moroccan royal cabinet on issues related to Islam.
Sheikh-ul Islam Alhaji Ibrahim Niass (RTA) with King Faisal of Saudi Arabia during an invitation by the Royal family to discuss on Islam-related issues. This visit was instrumental in the establishment of the World Muslim League which the Sheikh was a co-founder.
Sheikh ul Islam Alhaji Ibrahim Niass (RTA) with President Anwar Sadat of Egypt during an invitation by the Presidency for advises on Islam. on the right is one of the prominent Islamic scholars of Al-Azhar University in Cairo.
Sheikh Ibrahim Niass (RTA) with President Senghor of Senegal. Sheikh was the single most important force in making Senegal a Muslim-majority country (90% muslims) through mass conversion by the grace of Allah (SWT)
Sheikhul Islam with President Mukhtar Ould Dada of Mauritania during one of his Africa preaching tours
Sheikh Ibrahim Niass in Tunisia during one of his Islamic activity tours
Sheikh Ibrahim Niass the Sheikhul Islam with the then Prime minister of Pakistan where he was given an honorary membership of the Muta'amarul alamil Islam ( a prominent Islamic organisation in the country)
Sheikhul Islam Alhaji Ibrahim Niass Kaolack with Sheikh Abu A'ala Mawdudi one of the most repected and prominent islamic scholar in Indo-Pakistan.
Sheikh Ibrahim Niass (RTA) with President Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana and Tito
Shaykh Ibrahim Niass (RTA) with the Japanese President
(From left to right) Sheikh Ibrahim Niass (RTA), Emir Abdullahi Bayero of Kano, Sir Ahmadu Bello (Premier of Northern Nigeria)
Monday, 6 August 2012
What is Islam
The
History of Islam:
Pre-Islamic
The Arabian Peninsula the birthplace of Islam is one of the hottest and driest regions in the world, consisting mainly of deserts. Since ancient times tribes of the nomadic race had populated the region. Considered the descendents of Noah’s third son Shem they are called Semites. Over the centuries theses Semitic people have migrated into the Fertile Crescent and were assimilated to into existing civilizations.
In the sixth century AD, north of the Arabian Peninsula two great powers were locked in a seesaw power struggle. The Christian Byzantine kingdom, successors of the Roman Empire was to the Northwest and controlled the Mediterranean Sea, North Africa and the lands of Palestine. In the northeast lay the Zoroastrian Persian kingdom. Both the Byzantine and Persian kingdoms had client Arab tribes allied to their cause of trade and conquest.
The Arabian Peninsula became a land of refuge for those seeking escape from both of these empires. Heretic Christian sects like the Nestorians, and Jewish tribes escaping the oppressive Byzantines found refuge in the protective deserts and cities of the Peninsula.
Arabia
was divided into tribes and cities. Each city had gods and
goddess. Once a year the tribes and cities of Arabia would meet
in the city of Mecca during an event known as the Hajj. In
Mecca, the Kaba (Cube), a large cube shaped building housed 360
idols from all the tribes of Arabia. The Kaba was the center of
Arabian religious life. Here all the warring tribes would put
aside their differences as they circled the Kaba. From the Kaba
they would proceed to the other shrines outside of Mecca
during this five day religious event. The Hajj was a tradition
that Arabs of the peninsula remembered going back hundreds of
years.
Mohammed
It was in this world Mohammad Ibn Abdallah was born in the year 570 AD in the city of Mecca. His father died before he was born and his mother Amina died when he was 6 years old. Al-Muttalib his grandfather took charge of the youth and died 2 years later. Abu Talib his uncle adopted young Mohammed into his family and raised him as his own son. At the age of 12, young Mohammed was taken on a caravan-trading venture to Syria and experienced the world outside of Arabia for the first time. Here Islamic tradition informs us that a Christian monk named Buhaira, proclaimed Talib’s young nephew is the last prophet and warns him about the Jews. For the next 13 years little is known of his life except that he was involved in caravan trading in and out of Arabia.
At the age of 25, Mohammed marries a 40 year old wealthy, widow named Khadijah who owns trading caravans. During the next 15 years of his life he interactes with Arabs known as the Hanefites. Hanefites were Arabs who rejected idol worship and were searching for the true religion. They looked to the religion of the Jews and Christians as being close to the goal. The Hanefites abandonded their idols and would retreat to the caves of Mecca in meditation and prayer.
At age 40 Mohammed had his first vision in the year 610 AD. He was in a cave on Mt. Hera and thought he was demon possessed. He went to Khadijah and told her about the event. She consulted with her uncle Waraca, a Hanefite who converted to Christianity, who assured them Mohammed vision was from God. Waraca declared Mohammed was a prophet to the Arab peoples, Waraca died 2 years later never becoming a Muslim.
Mohammed proclaimed Allah as the one true god and rejected the idol worship of Mecca. Khadijah, his wife, was Mohammed first convert to Islam. Few listened to Mohammed’s message and animosity grew against him as he confronted the idol worshippers and preached his religion to Mecca. Abu Talib his uncle and his tribe the Hasims protected him during this early Meccan period. In 619 Khadijah and Abu Talib died. Abu Talib headed the Hasim clan, which Mohammed was a member. The new leader of the Hasim tribe his uncle Abu Lahab refused to protect Mohammed. During the next 3 years Mohammed would fear for his life. He sought refuge and protection in nearby cities from those seeking his life.
Then in 621 during the Hajj, Arab tribes from the city of Yatrob later to be called Medina, came for the annual pilgrimage. They met Mohammed and thought him to be a prophet and invited him to their city to bring peace and settle disputes between the warring tribes. Yathrob was founded by three Jewish tribes and the idea of monotheism was familiar to its Arab tribesmen. The Arabs of Medina had been told by Jewish tribesmen about the coming Messiah who would one day conquer the world including the Arabs. The Arab tribes hoped to find this individual before the Jews. Meeting Mohammed they thought he was the one.
The Hejira (Flight)
The next year the situation became intolerable for the Muslims and in in June 622 they made what has become known as the Hejira or flight. In small groups the 150 Muslims of Mecca left for the city of Medina 280 miles to the north. When word reached those of Mecca about the escape to Medina they tried to kill Mohammed. Mohammed and Abu Bakr were able to sneak out of the city and escape to Medina by another route in September 622.
In Medina the warring Arab tribes submitted to Mohammed leadership and prophet-hood. The Jewish tribes rejected his claims of prophet and ridiculed his revelations. With most of the new arrivals from Mecca without work they needed to earn a living. Ghazu or caravan raiding was a way tribes would prevent one tribe from becoming to powerful. The Muslims in Medina began to rob the caravans heading toward Mecca. This is where the Muslim doctrine of Jihad was created.
With their caravan business being threatened, Mecca responds with one thousand solders at the battle of Bedr in March 624 the Muslims fielded 300 warriors. The battle went to the Muslims. Mohammed proclaimed his victory was a sign from Allah and his status in Medina was magnified. The lack of enthusiasm by one of the Jewish tribes caused them to be expelled by the victorious Muslim army. The direction of prayer was also changed from Jerusalem to Mecca as the Jews rejected Mohammad’s prophet-hood.
Exactly one year latter Mecca amassed 3000 solders at the battle of Uhud and the Muslims fielded 1000 solders. The battle did not go as planned. The Muslims defeated by Mecca retreated to Medina. Disheartened, Muslims blamed the second Jewish tribe as conspirators against their cause. Their homes and possessions were confiscated, and they are expelled from the city in 626 AD.
The Meccans in the hope of ending the caravan raids by the Muslims assembled 10,000 solders to attack the city of Medina in the year 627. After a two weeks siege in the hot sun they are unable to penetrate the fortress like city. They returned to Mecca. After this unsuccessful attack, Mohammed and the Muslims attacked the last remaining Jewish tribe. The tribe surrendered to the mercy of Mohammed. The men were killed and the women and children were sold into slavery.
The Muslims then begin to consolidate their power with the surrounding Arab tribes and cities.
Mecca began to feel the economic impact of its trading losses and Mohammed’s power grew in the north. They reluctantly signed the 10 year Hudaybiah peace agreement with Mohammed and the Muslims in march 628. Muslims are allowed to return to Mecca and worship at the Kaba once a year. The people of Mecca would leave their city so the Muslim could come and worship.
Two years later, in January 630, Mohammed leads 10,000 warriors to Mecca and nullifies the treaty of Hudaybiah because Muslims have been killed. The city submits to Mohammed and his warriors and accepts him as prophet. Mohammed goes to the Kaba and destroys the 360 idols in the structure. From Mecca, the “Muslims” wage Jihad on the surrounding cities forcing them to accept Islam as their religion and Mohammed as their prophet.
Mohammed made his final Hajj in 632 and died unexpectedly 3 months later in June. His friend and father in law Abu Bakr (Father of Aisha) succeeded him as leader of the Muslims
After Mohammad
Abu Bakr received the title “Caliph” or successor of Mohammed. Their was a struggle for about who would succeed Mohammad, some felt Ali the husband of Fatima, Mohammed’s daughter deserved the position. Under Abu Bakr Islam's power in Arabian peninsula was completed. In 634 AD Abu Bakr died and was succeeded by Umar (Omar) the 2nd Caliphate.
Umar advanced the Muslim armies against Syria and Palestine. In 637 A D, the armies of Byzantium lost control of Jerusalem to Islam. Uthman the 3rd Caliph succeeded Umar. Uthman ordered a complete revision of the Quran, this would cause a mutiny. He was killed and his death was considered justified because the mutineers claimed he ceased to be a Muslim. Following Uthman’s There was a struggle between rival factions of Islam about who was the rightful successor to lead Islam.
Ali the 4th Caliph, Mohammad’s son-in-law and husband of Fatima, succeeded Uthman everybody did not accept him as rightful Caliphate. War broke out between the rival groups, his succession was short lived, 2 years later he was killed, the Shi’a (Party of Ali) mourned the death of Ali, and his two sons (Grandsons of Mohammed). Ali is revered as a saint by the Shi’a who are dominate in Iran and Iraq. The Shi’a feel Ali was the rightful successor to Mohammed and don’t recognize the three earlier Caliphs. The Sunnis accept Ali and the first three Caliphate as legitimate.
After the defeat the Byzantines and Persian kingdoms in successive battles, the armies of Islam advanced on Europe. Within 100 years of Mohammad’s death the armies of Islam reached the city of Tours, in France. In Tours the Muslim advance was stopped.
In
the Battle of Tours Charles Martel the grandfather of
Charlemagne defeated the advancing Muslim armies. From Tours
Muslim power in Europe
retreated and in the 1489 Fredinand and Isabella of Spain
defeated the last remaining forces in Spain.
Later, the Ottoman Empire would retreat from the rest of Europe.
In the East, Islam was also expanding by the 13th century; Islam had reached the Pacific Ocean. The Islamic faith now spanned from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Ferdinand Magellan, in his attempt to bypass Muslim controlled areas in the Indian Ocean, found the passageway to Asia via the Atlantic Ocean. His desire was to bring Christianity to Asia, before Islam. Magellan was successful in introducing Christianity to the Philippines (Named after King Philip of Spain) Islam and Christianity met in the Philippines as the Northern Islands were converted to Christianity and the Southern parts of the Philippines and Indonesia were converted to Islam. Islam and Christianity became the two major rival religions in the world.
Islam Today
Islam today is in conflict, between western secular culture and traditional Islamic culture. The growth of Islamic Fundamentalism is an attempt to reach back to the glories of Islamic history. Many Fundamentalist (Muslim) ask themselves the question, If Islam is the religion of Allah, why are we being defeated by the West (United States) and Israel. The fundamentalist sees the problem with the failure of Islamic nations to live as the Quran commands. This view of not living the life required by Allah, as specified in the Quran and traditions and therefore being defeated by the West, is the spark of fundamentalism. Today in Islam there is a struggle between moderate and fundamentalist ideology. Understanding the books of the Islamic faith is just as important to understanding its history. The books of Islam shape both the culture and philosophy of the Muslim world
The
Books of Islam
History of the Quran:
The Qur’an:
“Reading” The Quran is the “Word of God” to Islam. About 4/5 the length of the New Testament. Muslims believe the identical book is in Heaven and Allah sent the angel Gabriel to Mohammed to reveal his “Word”. The Quran is divided into 114 chapters or Surahs. The Surahs are revelations given to Mohammed during his 23 years of “Prophethood” from 610 AD to 632 AD.
The Quran, composed during Mohammed’s lifetime corresponds to the time and circumstances of his life. The Surahs or chapters can be divided into three time periods.
The earliest Surahs are the shortest and known as Early Meccan, and date from 610 to 622 AD. Composed in Mecca, prior to Hejira where Mohammed fled to Medina in September 622 AD.
The Median Surahs were composed during the time Muslims controlled the city of Medina. They date from 622 to 630 AD. The doctrine of Jihad was introduced as war was waged against Mecca and its idol worshipers. Animosity toward the Jews and Christians increased as they rejected Mohammed as a prophet from God.
Late Meccan Surahs were between 630 and 632 AD. The last 2 years of Mohammed’s life after Mecca surrendered to his authority.
Surahs were at this time not collected in one book but were memorized and collected on various items. In the battle of Yamamah in 633 AD many of the Hafiz died. The Hafiz were Muslims who had committed much of the Quran to memory. With the urging of Umar, Zayd ibn Thabit, one of Mohammed most trusted secretaries was appointed to the task of collecting the Quran into one book. Still later after different versions of the quran began to appear Zayd was put in charge of collecting all the Qurans throughout the Muslim world and issuing an authorized copy in the place of ones collected.
The Quran makes the appeal to its beauty and consistency with previous scriptures as proof of its inspiration.
23 And if ye are in doubt as to what We have revealed from time to time to Our servant, then produce a Surah like thereunto; and call your witnesses or helpers (if there are any) besides Allah, if your (doubts) are true.
24 But if ye cannot - and of a surety ye cannot - then fear the Fire whose fuel is Men and Stones - which is prepared for those who reject Faith. Surah 2:23-24
The Hadith:
“Tradition” After the death of Mohammed, his followers collected his sayings and actions in books to guide and direct their beliefs. They give additional meaning behind the Surahs and help interpret their meanings. The most respected Hadith are Bukari, and Muslim. Muslims do not feel the Hadith is the “Word of God”. They would compare the Hadith, to the Gospels, which reports what Jesus said. The Quran is the Word of God from Heaven via Gabriel.
Who is a Muslim: A Muslim is someone who has submitted to Allah. One submits to Allah by confession of the Shahada or the 5 pillars of faith. Besides the five major beliefs or doctrines in Islam, there are these are observances in Islam which are foundational practices or duties every Muslim must observe.
The Five Pillars of Faith
1. “The Confession” "La ilaha illa llah" "There is no God but God." The Shahada, (Testimoney)
Kalima There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah.
2. Salat Prayer 5 times a day facing Mecca
3. Zakat Almsgiving
4. Fasting during the month of Ramadan, from sun-up till sundown.
5. Hajj Pilgrimage to Mecca once a lifetime
The Beliefs of Islam
The Five Articles of Faith
1. God: There is only one true God and his name is Allah. Allah is all knowing, all-powerful and sovereign judge. Yet Allah is not a personal God, for he is so far above man in every way that he is not personally knowable. The emphasis of the God of Islam is on judgment and power, not grace and mercy. To the Muslim mind, calling God father means God connotes sexual relationship.
255 Allah! there is no god but He, the living, the self subsisting, eternal. No slumber can seize him nor heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in his presence except as he permitteth? he knoweth what (appeareth to his creatures as) before or after or behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of his knowledge except as he willeth. His throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth, and he feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for he is the most high, the supreme (in glory).Surah 2:255
2. Angels: Angels in Islam serve Allah’s will such as Gabriel delivering the Koran to Mohammed. Angels do not perform any bodily functions (sexual, eating., etc) as they are created of light. Angels serve different purposes; each person has two recording angels who record his/her good or bad deeds.
Jinn : Are spiritual beings created out of fire….who are ranked between angels and men and can be either good or bad. Satan was a Jinn and not a fallen angel according to Islam.
27 And the Jinn race, we had created before, from the fire of a scorching wind.
Surah15:27
Satan: A Jinn who refused to fall prostrate before Adam after he was created. He is the leader of evil ones in the world.
50. And (remember) when We said unto the angels: Fall prostrate before Adam,
and they fell prostrate, all save Iblis. He was of the Jinn, so he
rebelled against his Lord's command. Will ye choose him and his seed for
your protecting friends instead of Me, when they are an enemy unto you?
Calamitous is the exchange for evil doers!
Sura 18:50
3. Scripture: There are four inspired books in Islam: Quran, Torah, Ingil and Zabur. The Torah, Ingil and Zabur: “Books of Moses, The Gospel of Jesus, and Psalms of David” These are books mentioned in the Koran as God’s Word but most Moslems feel the current books are corrupt. For this reason Allah gave Mohammed the “Quran”. Many Muslims try to find Mohammed in the Bible and feel he is referred to in Deuteronomy 18:16, John 14:6.
4. Prophets: In Islam God has spoken through numerous prophets down through the centuries, including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus. The greatest prophet and the last prophet is Muhammmad, he is the seal of the prophets.
163 We have sent thee inspiration, as We sent it to Noah and the Messengers after him: We sent inspiration to Abraham, ismail Ismaÿil, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes, to Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon, and to David We gave the Psalms.
164 Of some messengers We have already told thee the story; of others We have not- and to Moses Allah spoke direct-
Surah 4:163-164
5. Last Days: The last days will be a time of Ressurrection and judgment.:
Resurrection: Everybody will be resurrected to stand before Allah to be judged in the Last Day. Those who follow Allah and Mohammed will go to Paradise others will go to Hell. Everybody will pass through Hell and even some Muslim will spend time in Hell till their sins are burned away and Mohammad intercedes for them.
Hell: Hell is a place of Allah judgment where Muslims will spend sometime before entering paradise, unbelievers will have no escape. Muslim’s believe Mohammed will intercede for them and deliver them from Hell.
AbuSa'id al-Khudri
SAHIH MUSLIM
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: The (permanent) inhabitants of the Fire are those who are doomed to it, and verily they would neither die nor live in it (quran al-QurŸan, xx.47; liiixii.13). But the people whom the Fire would afflict (temporarily) on account of their sins, or so said (the narrator) "on account of their misdeeds," He would cause them to die till they would be turned into charcoal. Then they would be granted intercession and would be brought in groups and would be spread on the rivers of Paradise and then it would be said: O inhabitants of Paradise, pour water over them; then they would sprout forth like the sprouting of seed in the silt carried by flood. A man among the people said: (It appears) as if the Messenger of Allah lived in the steppe.
AL-MUWATTA of Imam Malik (Hadith)
Abdullah ibn Abbas
Then I saw the Fire - and I have never seen anything more hideous than what I saw today - and I saw that most of its people were women.'
They said, 'Why, Messenger of Allah?'
He said, 'Because of their ungratefulness (kufr),'
Someone said, 'Are they ungrateful to Allah?'
He said, 'They are ungrateful to their husbands and they are ungrateful for good behaviour (towards them). Even if you were to behave well towards one of them for a whole lifetime and then she were to see you do something (that she did not like) she would say that she had never seen anything good from you.'"
Paradise: Described in the Quaran as place underneath the Earth that flows with rivers of wine and “wide eyed” virgins of beauty.
And round about them will (serve) youths of perpetual (freshness): If thou seest them, thou wouldst think them scattered Pearls.
20 And when thou lookest, it is there thou wilt see a Bliss and a Realm Magnificent.
21 Upon them will be green Garments of fine silk and heavy brocade, and they will be adorned with bracelets of silver; and their Lord will give to them to drink of a Wine Pure and Holy.
22 Verily this is a Reward for you, and your Endeavour is accepted and recognized.
Surah 76:19-22 See Also Surah 2:25,
Christianity and Islam
Jesus: Jesus is just a prophet and not the Son of God. He is only a prophet to the Jews who was not crucified but was caught up into Heaven. God placed a substitute in his place on the cross. Many Muslims feel the substitute was Judas. Jesus is the Messiah who is coming at the end. He will kill all the Jews, Christians and pigs break all crosses get married and die 40 years later and be buried in Medina next to Mohammed. The Resurrection will follow.
157 That they said (in boast), "We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah"- but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them, and those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) knowledge, but only conjecture to follow, for of a surety they killed him not-
158 Nay, Allah raised him up unto Himself; and Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise- Surah 4:157-158,
So peace is on me The day I was born, the day that I die, and the day that
I shall be raised up to life (again)!
Sura 19:33
Holy Spirit: The angel Gabriel is recognized as the Holy Spirit within Islam, or as some commentators think angels in general.
If ye two turn is repentance to Him, your hearts are indeed so inclined; but if ye back up each other against him, truly Allah is his Protector, and Gabriel, and (every) righteous one among those who believe, and furthermore, the angels will back (him) up.
Sura 66:4
Salvation: The Muslims believe in salvation by obedience to Allah. Mohammed will intercede on the behalf of Muslims before Allah. In a scale, Allah will weight the sins and good deeds to determine the punishment. Time in Hell will be necessary to pay for sins that outweigh good deeds. After which the “Muslims” will be accepted into Paradise. Non-Believers will go to Hell with no hope of escape. Those who die in Jihad or Holy War will go directly to Paradise where 72 virgins will be awaiting him.
Al-Miqdam ibn madikarib Ma'dikarib (Hadith)
MISHKAT AL-MASABIH (Hadith)
Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said, "The martyr receives six good things from Allah: he is forgiven at the first shedding of his blood; he is shown his abode in Paradise; he is preserved from the punishment in the grave; he is kept safe from the greatest terror; he has placed on his head the crown of honour, a ruby of which is better than the world and what it contains; he is married to seventy-two wives of the maidens with large dark eyes; and is made intercessor for seventy of his relatives."
Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it.
MISHKAT AL-MASABIH (Hadith)
Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said, "The lowliest of the inhabitants of Paradise will be he who has eighty thousand servants, seventy-two wives, and for whom a round pavilion of pearls, chrysoprase and rubies as large as the distance between al-Jabiyah and San'a will be set up." By the same isnad he said, "Those who are to go to Paradise, who die whether young or old,
Sin: Man is born sinless and all people are Muslims at birth. But lack of obedience to Allah is sin. Sin is by action only and not by nature.
Sources of the Quran:
Where did the Quran come from? The Quran claims Allah is its source of the Quran is a copy of an identical book is written in Heaven that was given Gabriel to give to Mohammad in intervals.
105 We sent down the (Quran) in truth, and in truth has it descended: and we sent thee but to give glad tidings and to warn (sinners).
106 (It is) a Quran which we have divided (into parts from time to him), in order that thou mightest recite it to men at intervals: we have revealed it by stages.
Surah 117:105-6
History gives us a different answer. The Quran’s content can be traced to sources in existence prior to Mohammed birth. A few of these sources can be found below.
Jewish sources of the Quran
1. Visit by the queen of Sheba to Solomon as recorded in Sura 27:17-30
And before Solomon were marshalled his hosts, of Jinns and men and birds, and they were all kept in order and ranks.
18 At length, when they came to a (lowly) valley of ants, one of the ants said: O ye ants, get into your habitations, lest Solomon and his hosts crush you (under foot) without knowing it.
Sura 27:17-18
This same story is recorded almost verbatim in the Talmud work II Targum of Ester 1,2
2. Abraham saved from Nimrod’s Fire as recorded in the following Suras 2:260, 6:74-84, 21:52-72, 19:42-50, 26:69-79, 24:15-16, 37:81-95,
We bestowed aforetime on Abraham his rectitude of conduct, and well were we Acquainted with him.
52 Behold! he said to his father and his people, what are these images, to which ye are (so assiduously) devoted? 53 They said, we found Our fathers worshipping them.
Sura 21: 52-53
The source for this story is from the Midrash Rabbah on Genesis
3. Cain and Abel Sura 5:30-35
Then Allah sent a raven, who scratched the ground, to show him how to hid the shame of his brother. Woe is me said he; was I not even able to be as this raven, and to hide the shame of my brother? then he became full of regrets
-Sura 5:30
The source of this story can be found in the book
Pirke Rabbi Eleaszer in the Midrash. The only difference being that the crow shows Adam not Cain how to bury Abel.
4. Harut and Marut The two angles of Babylon.
They followed what the evil ones gave out (falsely) against the power of Solomon: the blasphemers were, not Solomon, but the evil ones, teaching men magic, and such things as came down at Babylon
the angels Harut and Marut.
Sura 2:109
This same story is taken from the Midrash Yalkut the only difference being the two angels named are Shamhazi and Azael. But the names of Harut and Marut were two idols worshipped far back in Armenia. They were assistants to the female goddess Aspandaramit. The Zoroastrians regarded her as the spirit of the earth.
Heretical Christian Sources
5. The Seven Sleepers, or Companions of the Cave. Surah 18:9-26
9 Or dost thou reflect that the companions of the cave and of the inscription were wonders among our Signs?
10 Behold, the youths betook themselves to the cave: they said, our Lord bestow on us mercy from thyself, and dispose of our affair for us in the right way
11 Then we draw (a veil) over their ears, for a number of years,
in the cave, (so that they heard not): Sura 18:9-11
The legend is Greek and is found in the Latin work of Gregory of Tours. Seven men of the city of Ephesus take refuge from persecution in a cave during the reign of Decius (249-251 AD) they wake in the reign of Theodorus II 447 AD. Christianity being the faith of the empire. This was a mere story to illustrate the rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire.
Zoroastrian Sources
6. Quranic view of Paradise Sura 55:72, 56:22
Round about them will (serve) youths of perpetual (freshness),
18 With goblets, (shining) beakers, and cups (filled) out of Clear flowing fountains:
19 No after ache will they receive therefrom, nor will they suffer intoxication:
20 And with fruits, any that they may select;
21 And the flesh of fowls, any that they may desire.
22 And (there will be) Companions with beautiful, big, and lustrous eyes
Sura 56:18-22
The picture of Paradise with beautiful virgins waiting for men is not found in any of the Old or New Testament but can be traced to the Zoroastrian concept of Paradise Paries or Fairies –spirits in bright array and beautiful, to captivate the heart of a man. The name houry is derived from an Avesta or Pahlavi source. As well as jinn for genii and bihvisht (Paradise) signifying in Avestic “The better land”.
Islamic Fundamentalism:
Fundamentalism
is a hard-line literal view of the world through the eyes of the
Quran. Islam is at war with Jews and Christians for world
domination in the cause of Allah. As the earlier Muslims were at
war with cities refusing to accept Mohammed as the prophet,
Fundamentalist see themselves involved in a Jihad[1]
or Holy War against the West.
Fundamentalist see the United States as Satan’s power in the battle with Islam. Television, movies, alcohol, carnal lifestyles and their influence on Muslim countries pits the US and the West at war with Islam. Furthermore, the United States support for Israel enrages Muslims, Israel is seen as Enemy No.1 to Muslim nations. For three main reasons;
1. There is great deal of hostility toward Jews within the Koran and Hadith. They view Jews are seen as the killers of prophets and enemies of God. Muslims who are strict students of the Koran see themselves at war with Jews.
Bukari ( Hadith)
Allah's Apostle (peace be upon him) said: The Last Hour would not come unless the Muslims will fight against the Jews and the Muslims would kill them until the Jews would hide themselves behind a stone or a tree and a stone or a tree would say: Muslim, or the servant of Allah, there is a Jew behind me; come and kill him; but the tree Gharqad would not say, for it is the tree of the Jews.
SAHIH MUSLIM (Hadith)
O ye who believe take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors: they are but friends and protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them (for friendship) is of them. Verily Allah guideth not a people unjust. Surah 5:51
2. The nation of Israel occupies land formerly held by Muslims and Fundamentalist see themselves as solders in a battle to regain the land. Palestinian suffering is a rallying cry to Muslim nations for Jihad.
3. Jerusalem and The Dome of the Rock: The location of Solomon's Temple is the 3rd most Holy Place to Muslims. And Jerusalem has been a Holy Muslim city for the last 13 centuries. The Dome of the Rock was built on the Temple site to demonstrate Islam as the final religion in the world. Jewish talk of rebuilding the Temple infuriates the Muslim world.
Allah hath purchased of the Believers their persons and their goods; for their (in return) is the Garden (of Paradise): they fight in His Cause, and slay and are slain: a promise binding on Him in Truth, through the Law, the Gospel, and the quran QurŸan: and who is more faithful to his Covenant than Allah? Then rejoice in the bargain which ye have concluded: that is the achievement supreme.
Surah 9:111.
if they withdraw not from you nor give you (guarantees) of peace besides restraining their hands, seize them and slay them wherever ye get them: in their case we have provided you with a clear argument against them.
Surah 4:91
190 Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors.
191 And slay them wherever ye catch them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out; for tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter; but fight them not at the Sacred Mosque, unless they (first) fight you there; but if they fight you, slay them.
Such is the reward of those who suppress faith
Surah 2:190-191
Pre-IslamicThe Arabian Peninsula the birthplace of Islam is one of the hottest and driest regions in the world, consisting mainly of deserts. Since ancient times tribes of the nomadic race had populated the region. Considered the descendents of Noah’s third son Shem they are called Semites. Over the centuries theses Semitic people have migrated into the Fertile Crescent and were assimilated to into existing civilizations.
In the sixth century AD, north of the Arabian Peninsula two great powers were locked in a seesaw power struggle. The Christian Byzantine kingdom, successors of the Roman Empire was to the Northwest and controlled the Mediterranean Sea, North Africa and the lands of Palestine. In the northeast lay the Zoroastrian Persian kingdom. Both the Byzantine and Persian kingdoms had client Arab tribes allied to their cause of trade and conquest.
The Arabian Peninsula became a land of refuge for those seeking escape from both of these empires. Heretic Christian sects like the Nestorians, and Jewish tribes escaping the oppressive Byzantines found refuge in the protective deserts and cities of the Peninsula.
Arabia
was divided into tribes and cities. Each city had gods and
goddess. Once a year the tribes and cities of Arabia would meet
in the city of Mecca during an event known as the Hajj. In
Mecca, the Kaba (Cube), a large cube shaped building housed 360
idols from all the tribes of Arabia. The Kaba was the center of
Arabian religious life. Here all the warring tribes would put
aside their differences as they circled the Kaba. From the Kaba
they would proceed to the other shrines outside of Mecca
during this five day religious event. The Hajj was a tradition
that Arabs of the peninsula remembered going back hundreds of
years.Mohammed
It was in this world Mohammad Ibn Abdallah was born in the year 570 AD in the city of Mecca. His father died before he was born and his mother Amina died when he was 6 years old. Al-Muttalib his grandfather took charge of the youth and died 2 years later. Abu Talib his uncle adopted young Mohammed into his family and raised him as his own son. At the age of 12, young Mohammed was taken on a caravan-trading venture to Syria and experienced the world outside of Arabia for the first time. Here Islamic tradition informs us that a Christian monk named Buhaira, proclaimed Talib’s young nephew is the last prophet and warns him about the Jews. For the next 13 years little is known of his life except that he was involved in caravan trading in and out of Arabia.
At the age of 25, Mohammed marries a 40 year old wealthy, widow named Khadijah who owns trading caravans. During the next 15 years of his life he interactes with Arabs known as the Hanefites. Hanefites were Arabs who rejected idol worship and were searching for the true religion. They looked to the religion of the Jews and Christians as being close to the goal. The Hanefites abandonded their idols and would retreat to the caves of Mecca in meditation and prayer.
At age 40 Mohammed had his first vision in the year 610 AD. He was in a cave on Mt. Hera and thought he was demon possessed. He went to Khadijah and told her about the event. She consulted with her uncle Waraca, a Hanefite who converted to Christianity, who assured them Mohammed vision was from God. Waraca declared Mohammed was a prophet to the Arab peoples, Waraca died 2 years later never becoming a Muslim.
Mohammed proclaimed Allah as the one true god and rejected the idol worship of Mecca. Khadijah, his wife, was Mohammed first convert to Islam. Few listened to Mohammed’s message and animosity grew against him as he confronted the idol worshippers and preached his religion to Mecca. Abu Talib his uncle and his tribe the Hasims protected him during this early Meccan period. In 619 Khadijah and Abu Talib died. Abu Talib headed the Hasim clan, which Mohammed was a member. The new leader of the Hasim tribe his uncle Abu Lahab refused to protect Mohammed. During the next 3 years Mohammed would fear for his life. He sought refuge and protection in nearby cities from those seeking his life.
Then in 621 during the Hajj, Arab tribes from the city of Yatrob later to be called Medina, came for the annual pilgrimage. They met Mohammed and thought him to be a prophet and invited him to their city to bring peace and settle disputes between the warring tribes. Yathrob was founded by three Jewish tribes and the idea of monotheism was familiar to its Arab tribesmen. The Arabs of Medina had been told by Jewish tribesmen about the coming Messiah who would one day conquer the world including the Arabs. The Arab tribes hoped to find this individual before the Jews. Meeting Mohammed they thought he was the one.
The Hejira (Flight)
The next year the situation became intolerable for the Muslims and in in June 622 they made what has become known as the Hejira or flight. In small groups the 150 Muslims of Mecca left for the city of Medina 280 miles to the north. When word reached those of Mecca about the escape to Medina they tried to kill Mohammed. Mohammed and Abu Bakr were able to sneak out of the city and escape to Medina by another route in September 622.
In Medina the warring Arab tribes submitted to Mohammed leadership and prophet-hood. The Jewish tribes rejected his claims of prophet and ridiculed his revelations. With most of the new arrivals from Mecca without work they needed to earn a living. Ghazu or caravan raiding was a way tribes would prevent one tribe from becoming to powerful. The Muslims in Medina began to rob the caravans heading toward Mecca. This is where the Muslim doctrine of Jihad was created.
With their caravan business being threatened, Mecca responds with one thousand solders at the battle of Bedr in March 624 the Muslims fielded 300 warriors. The battle went to the Muslims. Mohammed proclaimed his victory was a sign from Allah and his status in Medina was magnified. The lack of enthusiasm by one of the Jewish tribes caused them to be expelled by the victorious Muslim army. The direction of prayer was also changed from Jerusalem to Mecca as the Jews rejected Mohammad’s prophet-hood.
Exactly one year latter Mecca amassed 3000 solders at the battle of Uhud and the Muslims fielded 1000 solders. The battle did not go as planned. The Muslims defeated by Mecca retreated to Medina. Disheartened, Muslims blamed the second Jewish tribe as conspirators against their cause. Their homes and possessions were confiscated, and they are expelled from the city in 626 AD.
The Meccans in the hope of ending the caravan raids by the Muslims assembled 10,000 solders to attack the city of Medina in the year 627. After a two weeks siege in the hot sun they are unable to penetrate the fortress like city. They returned to Mecca. After this unsuccessful attack, Mohammed and the Muslims attacked the last remaining Jewish tribe. The tribe surrendered to the mercy of Mohammed. The men were killed and the women and children were sold into slavery.
The Muslims then begin to consolidate their power with the surrounding Arab tribes and cities.
Mecca began to feel the economic impact of its trading losses and Mohammed’s power grew in the north. They reluctantly signed the 10 year Hudaybiah peace agreement with Mohammed and the Muslims in march 628. Muslims are allowed to return to Mecca and worship at the Kaba once a year. The people of Mecca would leave their city so the Muslim could come and worship.
Two years later, in January 630, Mohammed leads 10,000 warriors to Mecca and nullifies the treaty of Hudaybiah because Muslims have been killed. The city submits to Mohammed and his warriors and accepts him as prophet. Mohammed goes to the Kaba and destroys the 360 idols in the structure. From Mecca, the “Muslims” wage Jihad on the surrounding cities forcing them to accept Islam as their religion and Mohammed as their prophet.
Mohammed made his final Hajj in 632 and died unexpectedly 3 months later in June. His friend and father in law Abu Bakr (Father of Aisha) succeeded him as leader of the Muslims
After Mohammad
Abu Bakr received the title “Caliph” or successor of Mohammed. Their was a struggle for about who would succeed Mohammad, some felt Ali the husband of Fatima, Mohammed’s daughter deserved the position. Under Abu Bakr Islam's power in Arabian peninsula was completed. In 634 AD Abu Bakr died and was succeeded by Umar (Omar) the 2nd Caliphate.
Umar advanced the Muslim armies against Syria and Palestine. In 637 A D, the armies of Byzantium lost control of Jerusalem to Islam. Uthman the 3rd Caliph succeeded Umar. Uthman ordered a complete revision of the Quran, this would cause a mutiny. He was killed and his death was considered justified because the mutineers claimed he ceased to be a Muslim. Following Uthman’s There was a struggle between rival factions of Islam about who was the rightful successor to lead Islam.
Ali the 4th Caliph, Mohammad’s son-in-law and husband of Fatima, succeeded Uthman everybody did not accept him as rightful Caliphate. War broke out between the rival groups, his succession was short lived, 2 years later he was killed, the Shi’a (Party of Ali) mourned the death of Ali, and his two sons (Grandsons of Mohammed). Ali is revered as a saint by the Shi’a who are dominate in Iran and Iraq. The Shi’a feel Ali was the rightful successor to Mohammed and don’t recognize the three earlier Caliphs. The Sunnis accept Ali and the first three Caliphate as legitimate.
After the defeat the Byzantines and Persian kingdoms in successive battles, the armies of Islam advanced on Europe. Within 100 years of Mohammad’s death the armies of Islam reached the city of Tours, in France. In Tours the Muslim advance was stopped.
In
the Battle of Tours Charles Martel the grandfather of
Charlemagne defeated the advancing Muslim armies. From Tours
Muslim power in Europe
retreated and in the 1489 Fredinand and Isabella of Spain
defeated the last remaining forces in Spain.
Later, the Ottoman Empire would retreat from the rest of Europe.
In the East, Islam was also expanding by the 13th century; Islam had reached the Pacific Ocean. The Islamic faith now spanned from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Ferdinand Magellan, in his attempt to bypass Muslim controlled areas in the Indian Ocean, found the passageway to Asia via the Atlantic Ocean. His desire was to bring Christianity to Asia, before Islam. Magellan was successful in introducing Christianity to the Philippines (Named after King Philip of Spain) Islam and Christianity met in the Philippines as the Northern Islands were converted to Christianity and the Southern parts of the Philippines and Indonesia were converted to Islam. Islam and Christianity became the two major rival religions in the world.
Islam Today
Islam today is in conflict, between western secular culture and traditional Islamic culture. The growth of Islamic Fundamentalism is an attempt to reach back to the glories of Islamic history. Many Fundamentalist (Muslim) ask themselves the question, If Islam is the religion of Allah, why are we being defeated by the West (United States) and Israel. The fundamentalist sees the problem with the failure of Islamic nations to live as the Quran commands. This view of not living the life required by Allah, as specified in the Quran and traditions and therefore being defeated by the West, is the spark of fundamentalism. Today in Islam there is a struggle between moderate and fundamentalist ideology. Understanding the books of the Islamic faith is just as important to understanding its history. The books of Islam shape both the culture and philosophy of the Muslim world
The
Books of IslamHistory of the Quran:
The Qur’an:
“Reading” The Quran is the “Word of God” to Islam. About 4/5 the length of the New Testament. Muslims believe the identical book is in Heaven and Allah sent the angel Gabriel to Mohammed to reveal his “Word”. The Quran is divided into 114 chapters or Surahs. The Surahs are revelations given to Mohammed during his 23 years of “Prophethood” from 610 AD to 632 AD.
The Quran, composed during Mohammed’s lifetime corresponds to the time and circumstances of his life. The Surahs or chapters can be divided into three time periods.
The earliest Surahs are the shortest and known as Early Meccan, and date from 610 to 622 AD. Composed in Mecca, prior to Hejira where Mohammed fled to Medina in September 622 AD.
The Median Surahs were composed during the time Muslims controlled the city of Medina. They date from 622 to 630 AD. The doctrine of Jihad was introduced as war was waged against Mecca and its idol worshipers. Animosity toward the Jews and Christians increased as they rejected Mohammed as a prophet from God.
Late Meccan Surahs were between 630 and 632 AD. The last 2 years of Mohammed’s life after Mecca surrendered to his authority.
Surahs were at this time not collected in one book but were memorized and collected on various items. In the battle of Yamamah in 633 AD many of the Hafiz died. The Hafiz were Muslims who had committed much of the Quran to memory. With the urging of Umar, Zayd ibn Thabit, one of Mohammed most trusted secretaries was appointed to the task of collecting the Quran into one book. Still later after different versions of the quran began to appear Zayd was put in charge of collecting all the Qurans throughout the Muslim world and issuing an authorized copy in the place of ones collected.
The Quran makes the appeal to its beauty and consistency with previous scriptures as proof of its inspiration.
23 And if ye are in doubt as to what We have revealed from time to time to Our servant, then produce a Surah like thereunto; and call your witnesses or helpers (if there are any) besides Allah, if your (doubts) are true.
24 But if ye cannot - and of a surety ye cannot - then fear the Fire whose fuel is Men and Stones - which is prepared for those who reject Faith. Surah 2:23-24
The Hadith:
“Tradition” After the death of Mohammed, his followers collected his sayings and actions in books to guide and direct their beliefs. They give additional meaning behind the Surahs and help interpret their meanings. The most respected Hadith are Bukari, and Muslim. Muslims do not feel the Hadith is the “Word of God”. They would compare the Hadith, to the Gospels, which reports what Jesus said. The Quran is the Word of God from Heaven via Gabriel.
Who is a Muslim: A Muslim is someone who has submitted to Allah. One submits to Allah by confession of the Shahada or the 5 pillars of faith. Besides the five major beliefs or doctrines in Islam, there are these are observances in Islam which are foundational practices or duties every Muslim must observe.
The Five Pillars of Faith
1. “The Confession” "La ilaha illa llah" "There is no God but God." The Shahada, (Testimoney)
Kalima There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah.
2. Salat Prayer 5 times a day facing Mecca
3. Zakat Almsgiving
4. Fasting during the month of Ramadan, from sun-up till sundown.
5. Hajj Pilgrimage to Mecca once a lifetime
The Beliefs of Islam
The Five Articles of Faith
1. God: There is only one true God and his name is Allah. Allah is all knowing, all-powerful and sovereign judge. Yet Allah is not a personal God, for he is so far above man in every way that he is not personally knowable. The emphasis of the God of Islam is on judgment and power, not grace and mercy. To the Muslim mind, calling God father means God connotes sexual relationship.
255 Allah! there is no god but He, the living, the self subsisting, eternal. No slumber can seize him nor heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in his presence except as he permitteth? he knoweth what (appeareth to his creatures as) before or after or behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of his knowledge except as he willeth. His throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth, and he feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for he is the most high, the supreme (in glory).Surah 2:255
2. Angels: Angels in Islam serve Allah’s will such as Gabriel delivering the Koran to Mohammed. Angels do not perform any bodily functions (sexual, eating., etc) as they are created of light. Angels serve different purposes; each person has two recording angels who record his/her good or bad deeds.
Jinn : Are spiritual beings created out of fire….who are ranked between angels and men and can be either good or bad. Satan was a Jinn and not a fallen angel according to Islam.
27 And the Jinn race, we had created before, from the fire of a scorching wind.
Surah15:27
Satan: A Jinn who refused to fall prostrate before Adam after he was created. He is the leader of evil ones in the world.
50. And (remember) when We said unto the angels: Fall prostrate before Adam,
and they fell prostrate, all save Iblis. He was of the Jinn, so he
rebelled against his Lord's command. Will ye choose him and his seed for
your protecting friends instead of Me, when they are an enemy unto you?
Calamitous is the exchange for evil doers!
Sura 18:50
3. Scripture: There are four inspired books in Islam: Quran, Torah, Ingil and Zabur. The Torah, Ingil and Zabur: “Books of Moses, The Gospel of Jesus, and Psalms of David” These are books mentioned in the Koran as God’s Word but most Moslems feel the current books are corrupt. For this reason Allah gave Mohammed the “Quran”. Many Muslims try to find Mohammed in the Bible and feel he is referred to in Deuteronomy 18:16, John 14:6.
4. Prophets: In Islam God has spoken through numerous prophets down through the centuries, including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus. The greatest prophet and the last prophet is Muhammmad, he is the seal of the prophets.
163 We have sent thee inspiration, as We sent it to Noah and the Messengers after him: We sent inspiration to Abraham, ismail Ismaÿil, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes, to Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon, and to David We gave the Psalms.
164 Of some messengers We have already told thee the story; of others We have not- and to Moses Allah spoke direct-
Surah 4:163-164
5. Last Days: The last days will be a time of Ressurrection and judgment.:
Resurrection: Everybody will be resurrected to stand before Allah to be judged in the Last Day. Those who follow Allah and Mohammed will go to Paradise others will go to Hell. Everybody will pass through Hell and even some Muslim will spend time in Hell till their sins are burned away and Mohammad intercedes for them.
Hell: Hell is a place of Allah judgment where Muslims will spend sometime before entering paradise, unbelievers will have no escape. Muslim’s believe Mohammed will intercede for them and deliver them from Hell.
AbuSa'id al-Khudri
SAHIH MUSLIM
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: The (permanent) inhabitants of the Fire are those who are doomed to it, and verily they would neither die nor live in it (quran al-QurŸan, xx.47; liiixii.13). But the people whom the Fire would afflict (temporarily) on account of their sins, or so said (the narrator) "on account of their misdeeds," He would cause them to die till they would be turned into charcoal. Then they would be granted intercession and would be brought in groups and would be spread on the rivers of Paradise and then it would be said: O inhabitants of Paradise, pour water over them; then they would sprout forth like the sprouting of seed in the silt carried by flood. A man among the people said: (It appears) as if the Messenger of Allah lived in the steppe.
AL-MUWATTA of Imam Malik (Hadith)
Abdullah ibn Abbas
Then I saw the Fire - and I have never seen anything more hideous than what I saw today - and I saw that most of its people were women.'
They said, 'Why, Messenger of Allah?'
He said, 'Because of their ungratefulness (kufr),'
Someone said, 'Are they ungrateful to Allah?'
He said, 'They are ungrateful to their husbands and they are ungrateful for good behaviour (towards them). Even if you were to behave well towards one of them for a whole lifetime and then she were to see you do something (that she did not like) she would say that she had never seen anything good from you.'"
Paradise: Described in the Quaran as place underneath the Earth that flows with rivers of wine and “wide eyed” virgins of beauty.
And round about them will (serve) youths of perpetual (freshness): If thou seest them, thou wouldst think them scattered Pearls.
20 And when thou lookest, it is there thou wilt see a Bliss and a Realm Magnificent.
21 Upon them will be green Garments of fine silk and heavy brocade, and they will be adorned with bracelets of silver; and their Lord will give to them to drink of a Wine Pure and Holy.
22 Verily this is a Reward for you, and your Endeavour is accepted and recognized.
Surah 76:19-22 See Also Surah 2:25,
Christianity and Islam
Jesus: Jesus is just a prophet and not the Son of God. He is only a prophet to the Jews who was not crucified but was caught up into Heaven. God placed a substitute in his place on the cross. Many Muslims feel the substitute was Judas. Jesus is the Messiah who is coming at the end. He will kill all the Jews, Christians and pigs break all crosses get married and die 40 years later and be buried in Medina next to Mohammed. The Resurrection will follow.
157 That they said (in boast), "We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah"- but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them, and those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) knowledge, but only conjecture to follow, for of a surety they killed him not-
158 Nay, Allah raised him up unto Himself; and Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise- Surah 4:157-158,
So peace is on me The day I was born, the day that I die, and the day that
I shall be raised up to life (again)!
Sura 19:33
Holy Spirit: The angel Gabriel is recognized as the Holy Spirit within Islam, or as some commentators think angels in general.
If ye two turn is repentance to Him, your hearts are indeed so inclined; but if ye back up each other against him, truly Allah is his Protector, and Gabriel, and (every) righteous one among those who believe, and furthermore, the angels will back (him) up.
Sura 66:4
Salvation: The Muslims believe in salvation by obedience to Allah. Mohammed will intercede on the behalf of Muslims before Allah. In a scale, Allah will weight the sins and good deeds to determine the punishment. Time in Hell will be necessary to pay for sins that outweigh good deeds. After which the “Muslims” will be accepted into Paradise. Non-Believers will go to Hell with no hope of escape. Those who die in Jihad or Holy War will go directly to Paradise where 72 virgins will be awaiting him.
Al-Miqdam ibn madikarib Ma'dikarib (Hadith)
MISHKAT AL-MASABIH (Hadith)
Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said, "The martyr receives six good things from Allah: he is forgiven at the first shedding of his blood; he is shown his abode in Paradise; he is preserved from the punishment in the grave; he is kept safe from the greatest terror; he has placed on his head the crown of honour, a ruby of which is better than the world and what it contains; he is married to seventy-two wives of the maidens with large dark eyes; and is made intercessor for seventy of his relatives."
Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it.
MISHKAT AL-MASABIH (Hadith)
Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said, "The lowliest of the inhabitants of Paradise will be he who has eighty thousand servants, seventy-two wives, and for whom a round pavilion of pearls, chrysoprase and rubies as large as the distance between al-Jabiyah and San'a will be set up." By the same isnad he said, "Those who are to go to Paradise, who die whether young or old,
Sin: Man is born sinless and all people are Muslims at birth. But lack of obedience to Allah is sin. Sin is by action only and not by nature.
Sources of the Quran:
Where did the Quran come from? The Quran claims Allah is its source of the Quran is a copy of an identical book is written in Heaven that was given Gabriel to give to Mohammad in intervals.
105 We sent down the (Quran) in truth, and in truth has it descended: and we sent thee but to give glad tidings and to warn (sinners).
106 (It is) a Quran which we have divided (into parts from time to him), in order that thou mightest recite it to men at intervals: we have revealed it by stages.
Surah 117:105-6
History gives us a different answer. The Quran’s content can be traced to sources in existence prior to Mohammed birth. A few of these sources can be found below.
Jewish sources of the Quran
1. Visit by the queen of Sheba to Solomon as recorded in Sura 27:17-30
And before Solomon were marshalled his hosts, of Jinns and men and birds, and they were all kept in order and ranks.
18 At length, when they came to a (lowly) valley of ants, one of the ants said: O ye ants, get into your habitations, lest Solomon and his hosts crush you (under foot) without knowing it.
Sura 27:17-18
This same story is recorded almost verbatim in the Talmud work II Targum of Ester 1,2
2. Abraham saved from Nimrod’s Fire as recorded in the following Suras 2:260, 6:74-84, 21:52-72, 19:42-50, 26:69-79, 24:15-16, 37:81-95,
We bestowed aforetime on Abraham his rectitude of conduct, and well were we Acquainted with him.
52 Behold! he said to his father and his people, what are these images, to which ye are (so assiduously) devoted? 53 They said, we found Our fathers worshipping them.
Sura 21: 52-53
The source for this story is from the Midrash Rabbah on Genesis
3. Cain and Abel Sura 5:30-35
Then Allah sent a raven, who scratched the ground, to show him how to hid the shame of his brother. Woe is me said he; was I not even able to be as this raven, and to hide the shame of my brother? then he became full of regrets
-Sura 5:30
The source of this story can be found in the book
Pirke Rabbi Eleaszer in the Midrash. The only difference being that the crow shows Adam not Cain how to bury Abel.
4. Harut and Marut The two angles of Babylon.
They followed what the evil ones gave out (falsely) against the power of Solomon: the blasphemers were, not Solomon, but the evil ones, teaching men magic, and such things as came down at Babylon
the angels Harut and Marut.
Sura 2:109
This same story is taken from the Midrash Yalkut the only difference being the two angels named are Shamhazi and Azael. But the names of Harut and Marut were two idols worshipped far back in Armenia. They were assistants to the female goddess Aspandaramit. The Zoroastrians regarded her as the spirit of the earth.
Heretical Christian Sources
5. The Seven Sleepers, or Companions of the Cave. Surah 18:9-26
9 Or dost thou reflect that the companions of the cave and of the inscription were wonders among our Signs?
10 Behold, the youths betook themselves to the cave: they said, our Lord bestow on us mercy from thyself, and dispose of our affair for us in the right way
11 Then we draw (a veil) over their ears, for a number of years,
in the cave, (so that they heard not): Sura 18:9-11
The legend is Greek and is found in the Latin work of Gregory of Tours. Seven men of the city of Ephesus take refuge from persecution in a cave during the reign of Decius (249-251 AD) they wake in the reign of Theodorus II 447 AD. Christianity being the faith of the empire. This was a mere story to illustrate the rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire.
Zoroastrian Sources
6. Quranic view of Paradise Sura 55:72, 56:22
Round about them will (serve) youths of perpetual (freshness),
18 With goblets, (shining) beakers, and cups (filled) out of Clear flowing fountains:
19 No after ache will they receive therefrom, nor will they suffer intoxication:
20 And with fruits, any that they may select;
21 And the flesh of fowls, any that they may desire.
22 And (there will be) Companions with beautiful, big, and lustrous eyes
Sura 56:18-22
The picture of Paradise with beautiful virgins waiting for men is not found in any of the Old or New Testament but can be traced to the Zoroastrian concept of Paradise Paries or Fairies –spirits in bright array and beautiful, to captivate the heart of a man. The name houry is derived from an Avesta or Pahlavi source. As well as jinn for genii and bihvisht (Paradise) signifying in Avestic “The better land”.
Islamic Fundamentalism:
Fundamentalism
is a hard-line literal view of the world through the eyes of the
Quran. Islam is at war with Jews and Christians for world
domination in the cause of Allah. As the earlier Muslims were at
war with cities refusing to accept Mohammed as the prophet,
Fundamentalist see themselves involved in a Jihad[1]
or Holy War against the West. Fundamentalist see the United States as Satan’s power in the battle with Islam. Television, movies, alcohol, carnal lifestyles and their influence on Muslim countries pits the US and the West at war with Islam. Furthermore, the United States support for Israel enrages Muslims, Israel is seen as Enemy No.1 to Muslim nations. For three main reasons;
1. There is great deal of hostility toward Jews within the Koran and Hadith. They view Jews are seen as the killers of prophets and enemies of God. Muslims who are strict students of the Koran see themselves at war with Jews.
Bukari ( Hadith)
Allah's Apostle (peace be upon him) said: The Last Hour would not come unless the Muslims will fight against the Jews and the Muslims would kill them until the Jews would hide themselves behind a stone or a tree and a stone or a tree would say: Muslim, or the servant of Allah, there is a Jew behind me; come and kill him; but the tree Gharqad would not say, for it is the tree of the Jews.
SAHIH MUSLIM (Hadith)
O ye who believe take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors: they are but friends and protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them (for friendship) is of them. Verily Allah guideth not a people unjust. Surah 5:51
2. The nation of Israel occupies land formerly held by Muslims and Fundamentalist see themselves as solders in a battle to regain the land. Palestinian suffering is a rallying cry to Muslim nations for Jihad.
3. Jerusalem and The Dome of the Rock: The location of Solomon's Temple is the 3rd most Holy Place to Muslims. And Jerusalem has been a Holy Muslim city for the last 13 centuries. The Dome of the Rock was built on the Temple site to demonstrate Islam as the final religion in the world. Jewish talk of rebuilding the Temple infuriates the Muslim world.
The
situation with Israel,
the West and Islam cause Fundamentalist to apply the principle
of Jihad to the West. America is seen as idolatrous Mecca who
stood in the way of the Islam advance. Attacks on the West via
terrorism are seen as justified based on the attacks on the
enemies of Islam in the same way the early armies of Islam waged
war on its enemies.
Jihad:
Jihad is battle in the cause of Allah in which the fighter gains
immediate entry to Paradise. The Muslim has the right to slay
anybody who has attacked Muslim sovereignty. This was considered
one of the Allah hath purchased of the Believers their persons and their goods; for their (in return) is the Garden (of Paradise): they fight in His Cause, and slay and are slain: a promise binding on Him in Truth, through the Law, the Gospel, and the quran QurŸan: and who is more faithful to his Covenant than Allah? Then rejoice in the bargain which ye have concluded: that is the achievement supreme.
Surah 9:111.
if they withdraw not from you nor give you (guarantees) of peace besides restraining their hands, seize them and slay them wherever ye get them: in their case we have provided you with a clear argument against them.
Surah 4:91
190 Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors.
191 And slay them wherever ye catch them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out; for tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter; but fight them not at the Sacred Mosque, unless they (first) fight you there; but if they fight you, slay them.
Such is the reward of those who suppress faith
Surah 2:190-191
Jihad:
Jihad is battle in the cause of Allah in which the
fighter gains immediate entry to Paradise.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)