In the Gospel According to Matthew, 26:39 (King James Version) we are told that Jesus “fell on his face, and prayed” to God. And in the Gospel According to John, 17:3, Jesus declares that the one he prayed to is the only true God.

This very God speaks to us in these last days in His final Scripture which He will safeguard from corruption. God announces in His book good news to all those who believe in Him and do right. He says: Surely those who say, ‘Our Lord is Allah,’ and afterward are upright, the angels descend upon them, saying: Fear not nor grieve, but hear good tidings of the Paradise which you are promised. We are your protecting friends in the life of the world and in the Hereafter.
“There you will have (all) that your souls desire, and there you will have (all) for which you pray. A gift of welcome from the Forgiving, the Merciful.”
[Al-Qur'an 41:30-32]
Those who believe and do good works and believe in that which is revealed unto Muhammad – and it is the truth from your Lord – He rids them of their ill-deeds and improves their condition. That is because those who disbelieve follow falsehood and because those who believe follow the truth from their Lord. [Al-Qur'an 47:2]
Accept this invitation, therefore, and enjoy a life of peace and satisfaction on earth, then everlasting life in God’s Paradise. The true scripture promises all this to those who choose no other god except the one true God who was worshipped by Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad (peace be upon them). The truth has now come to you from your Lord! Won’t you accept it?

This message is based on an article entitled “Highlights of Human Embryology in more…the Koran and the Hadith” by Dr. Keith Moore, Professor of Anatomy and Chairman of the Department, Faculty of Medicine, at the University of Toronto, 1982.

Dr. Moore points out that the study of how the human embryo develops in the mother’s womb could not progress significantly without the use of microscopes. Microscopes were not invented until the 17th century A.D., and were not used in this field of study until the 18th century. Therefore when Dr. Moore studied certain statements in the Qur’an on this subject, he remarked, “I was amazed at the scientific accuracy of these statements which were made in the 7th century A.D.”

The Qur’an in 39:6 states that God made us in the wombs of our mothers in stages.

Dr. Moore comments: “The realization that the embryo develops in stages in the uterus was not discussed or illustrated until the 15th century A.D.”

“The staging of human embryos was not proposed until the 1940′s, and the stages used nowadays were not adopted worldwide until a few years ago.”

Furthermore, he says: “The idea that development results from a genetic plan contained in the chromosomes of the zygote was not discovered until the end of the 19th century. The verse from the Koran [80:18] clearly implies that the nutfa (i.e. the initial drop of fluid) contains the plan or blueprint for the future characteristics and features of the developing human being.”

The Qur’an 23:12-16 indicates that there is a lag or gap between two of the early stages of growth. How does that compare with modern scientific knowledge? Remarkably! Says Dr. Moore: “It is well established that there is a lag or delay in the development of the embryo during the implantation.. The agreement between the lag or gap in development mentioned in the Koran and the slow rate of change occurring during the second and third weeks is amazing. These details of human development were not described until about 40 years ago.”

Finally, Dr. Moore concludes by saying that the agreement he has found in the Quranic statements “may help to close the gap between science and religion which has existed for so many years.”

The above evidence shows that the Qur’an must be from God as it claims. The Qur’an says that you and every human being should consider this book with care. Had it been from anyone other than God, you would have found much discrepancy in it (4:82).

Yet there are some strong-willed people who seem to be able to do what they know is right and avoid what they know is wrong. Such people experience peace of mind knowing that they are doing the right thing. Their willpower is obvioiusly working for them.

But how do they do it? What is the secret? The secret is that you can train your willpower.

Suppose you made a resolution to skip lunch for a month and actually stuck to your decision. You may save your lunch money, lose a few pounds, develop sympathy for the poor, and give your digestive system a much-needed rest. More importantly, you will strengthen your willpower.

The reason this works is that you teach yourself to avoid lunch even when you know you could have it if you decide. Your stomach may growl, but you won’t listen. Thus you train yourself to ignore the calling of your lower physical self and reach for the higher goals of real human achievement. If you stick to your decision day after day for a month you can develp a regular habit of doing the right thing even when your desires are calling for something else.

Every year, for one month, able Muslims go through a similar fasting exercise. They observe the fast as a compulsory practice which God prescribed in His revealed messages, especially in His last revealed book. One of the many benefits they experience from fasting is its training aspect. The willpower they develop in the one month helps them to continue doing the right thing and avoiding the wrong throughout the year. They find the fast such an effective method of spiritual training and of achieving a closeness with their creator that many Muslims also keep some additional, optional, fasts on other days of the year. They eat an early breakfast before dawn and a late dinner after sunset. From dawn to sunset they would have no food or drink; they would also refrain from sexual activity. Whereas the baser selves regularly call for these things, Muslims train themselves with the help of God to fulfill their natural needs in the time and manner which God declared suitable for human dignity and well-being.

During the fast Muslims also train themselves to always avoid lying, cheating, backbiting, and all manner of false speech and immoral actions.

People must realise that God created more…all humans from one couple. The entire human race is therefore one large extended family. God says:
“O mankind! Be careful of your duty to your Lord who created you from a single soul and from its mate; and from the two of them He spread abroad a multitude of men and women” [Al-Qur'an 4:1]

“O mankind! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that you may know each other. The noblest of you, in the sight of Allah(1), is the best in conduct” [Al-Qur'an 49:13]

The noblest is the best in conduct. Such persons may belong to any race or country. What really matters is their conduct and behaviour. This is why the prophet Muhammad(p)(2) in a public address said that the Arabs are not superior to the non-Arabs, and one colour is not superior to another. He also said that people should obey their leader even if he is a black person.

Furthermore, we must understand that no race is superior to another. When we see a garden with many different flowers we appreciate the beauty of the entire arrangement. We have nothing against the colour of any flower because each contributes something to the beauty of the garden.In a similar way we may see the world as a garden decorated with people of different colours. Let us appreciate that each variety of people contributes something to the spice of life in this world.

As a result of following these teachings, many people are able to end racism in their thoughts and actions. You can still see racial harmony today in the mosques of cosmopolitan cities. There you will find people of various colours worshipping together, all with equal status before God. Rich or poor, black or white, king or pauper all line up side by side to worship. No special consideration is given to anyone based on colour or social status. In many mosques the leader is black and the followers white. There is no such concept as a “black mosque” or “white mosque.” Islam removes such destructive concepts.

Footnotes

1 Allah is the name of God used by Arabic-Speaking Christians and Jews, and by Muslims of every language.

2 May peace, and the blessings of Allah, be on His messengers Muhammad, Jesus, Moses and others

The ‘Five Pillars’ of Islam are the foundation of Muslim life:

* Faith or belief in the Oneness of God (Allah) and the finality of the more…Prophethood of Muhammad (pbuh);
* Establishment of the daily prayers;
* Concern for and almsgiving to the needy;
* Self-purification through fasting; and
* The pilgrimage to Makkah for those who are able.

Iman or Faith

“There is none worthy of worship except God (Allah) and Muhammad is the messenger of God.” This declaration of faith is called the Shahadah, a simple formula that all the faithful pronounce. The significance of this declaration is the belief that the only purpose of life is to serve and obey God, and this is achieved through the teachings and practices of the Last Prophet, Muhammad (pbuh).

Salah or Prayer

Salah is the name for the obligatory prayers that are performed five times a day, and are a direct link between the worshipper and God. There is no hierarchical authority in Islam and there are no priests. Prayers are led by a learned person who knows the Qur’an and is generally chosen by the congregation.

Prayers are said at dawn, mid-day, late-afternoon, sunset and nightfall, and thus determine the rhythm of the entire day. These five prescribed prayers contain verses from the Qur’an, and are said in Arabic, the language of the Revelation. Personal supplications, however, can be offered in one’s own language and at any time.

Although it is preferable to worship together in a mosque, a Muslim may pray almost anywhere, such as in fields, offices, factories and universities. Oftentimes visitors to the Muslim world are struck by the centrality of prayers in daily life.

A translation of the Adan or Call to Prayer is:

God is Great.
God is Great.
God is Great.
God is Great.
I testify that there is none worthy of worship except God.
I testify that there is none worthy of worship except God.
I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God.
I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God.
Come to prayer!
Come to prayer!
Come to success!
Come to success!
God is Great!
God is Great!
There is none worthy of worship except God.

Zakah. The financial obligation upon Muslims.

An important principle of Islam is that everything belongs to God, and that wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. The word zakah means both “purification” and “growth.” Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need and for the society in general. Like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth.

Each Muslim calculates his or her own zakah individually. This involves the annual payment of a fortieth of one’s capital, excluding such items as primary residence, car and professional tools.

An individual may also give as much as he or she pleases as sadaqa-h, and does so preferably in secret. Although this word can be translated as “voluntary charity” it has a wider meaning.

The Prophet said, “Even meeting your brother with a cheerful face is an act of charity.” The Prophet also said: “Charity is a necessity for every Muslim.” He was asked: “What if a person has nothing?” The Prophet replied: “He should work with his own hands for his benefit and then give something out of such earnings in charity.” The Companions of the Prophet asked: “What if he is not able to work?” The Prophet said: “He should help the poor and needy.” The Companions further asked: “What if he cannot do even that?” The Prophet said: “He should urge others to do good.” The Companions said: “What if he lacks that also?” The Prophet said: “He should check himself from doing evil. That is also an act of charity.”

Sawm or Fasting

Every year in the month of Ramada-n, all Muslims fast from dawn until sundown–abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations with their spouses.

Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are menstruating, pregnant or nursing, are p

Islam began when man’s career on earth began—more precisely at the time of man’s creation and his descent. Allah created Adam more…and Eve and enjoined them to worship Him and live a life of obedience to the Divine Will.

Allah is the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe and of human beings. Man must turn to Him for sustenance and guidance. The very word Islam means obedience to God. In this respect, Islam is man’s natural religion—the only natural course is for man to look towards Him for guidance.

The day Adam and Eve were sent down to live on earth, Allah told them that they were His servants and He was their Master and Creator. He told them and mankind that the best course was for them to follow His guidance, to obey His orders and to refrain from what He had forbidden. God said to them that He would be pleased if they obeyed Him and in turn He would reward them. If, however, they did not heed His commands, He would be displeased and would punish them. This was the simple beginning of Islam.

Adam and Eve invited their children to follow the Islamic way of life. They and their children and their later generations followed the teachings of Islam as propounded by Prophet Adam (peace be upon him) for quite a long period of time. It was only later on that certain people began disobeying Allah. Some of them began worshipping other gods of their own making, some of them regarded themselves as gods, while a few others even declared their freedom to do as they pleased–defying God’s orders. This is how kufr (disbelief) came into being. Its essence lies in refusal to worship God–pursuing the path of defiance to the Creator.

When kufr (disbelief) began to increase and multiply it affected the life of society in a number of ways. Exploitation, oppression, viciousness and immorality emerged in different forms. Life became intolerable. Allah then appointed some righteous people to preach the Message of Truth among the wrongdoers, invite them to the Right Path and convert them to God-fearing people–worshipping and obeying God Alone. In short, they were asked to perform a mission–to make people righteous and true Muslims. These noble people entrusted with this great mission were called Prophets or Messengers of Allah. Allah sent these Prophets to different nations and countries. All of them were honest, truthful, and people of noble character. All of them preached the same religion–Islam. To mention a few names–Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus. All of them were the Prophets of God and thousands of them were, over the centuries, sent into the world to guide mankind.

In the history of the last few thousand years, one can see the recurrent arrival of Prophets whenever kufr(disbelief) increased and assumed menacing proportions. The prophets tried to stop the tide of disbelief and invited people towards Islam. Some people adopted the Islamic way of life, but others rejected it. The people who followed the Prophets became Muslims and, after learning higher ethical and moral disciplines from them, began to preach and spread nobility and goodness. Having forgotten the teachings of Islam, later generations of Muslims themselves gradually sank into disbelief. Whenever such a situation arose, God sent a Prophet or Messenger to revive Islam. This continual arrival of Messengers of God continued for thousands of years. In the course of those long years, Islam was revived by those Prophets, who restated the Message forgotten by their people. At long last God sent the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who revived Islam in such an outstanding fashion that it still exists today and will continue to exist (God willing), till eternity.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was born in 571 C.E. in the now famous city of Arabia called Makkah. Islam had no following in Arabia at that time nor did it have any following anywhere else in the world. Although the traces of teachings of the earlier Pr

Islam is not a new religion but the final culmination and fulfillment of the same basic truth that God revealed through all His prophets to every people. For a fifth of the world’s population, Islam is not just a personal religion but a complete way of living.

Over a billion people from all races, nationalities and cultures across the globe are Muslim–from the rice farms of Indonesia to the deserts in the heart of Africa; from the skyscrapers of New York to the Bedouin tents in Arabia.

Only 18% of Muslims live in the Arab world; a fifth are found in Sub-Saharan Africa; and the world’s largest Muslim community is in Indonesia. Substantial parts of Asia are Muslim, while significant minorities are to be found in the Central Asian republics, India, China, North and South America, Eastern and Western Europe.

Media speculation since the horrific terrorist attacks on America has pointed the finger at Muslims and more…the Arab world, and that has meant ordinary citizens of the US and other Western countries becoming easy prey for anti-faith hooligans. Shame. Sadly, the latest horror to hit the US looks to have been caused by people of Middle Eastern origin, bearing Muslim names. Again, shame. This fuels more hatred for a religion and a people who have nothing to do with these events. This is why I want to explain some basic facts about this noble way we call Islam, before, God forbid, another disaster occurs – next time probably aimed at Muslims.

I came to Islam in my late 20s, during my searching period as a wandering pop star. I found a religion that blended scientific reason with spiritual reality in a unifying faith far removed from the headlines of violence, destruction and terrorism. One of the first interesting things I learned in the Koran was that the name of the faith comes from the word salam – peace. Far from the kind of Turko-Arab-centric message I expected, the Koran presented a belief in the universal existence of God, one God for all. It does not discriminate against peoples; it says we may be different colors and from different tribes, but we are all human and “the best of people are the most God- conscious”.

Today, as a Muslim, I have been shattered by the horror of recent events; the display of death and indiscriminate killing we’ve all witnessed has dented humanity’s confidence in itself. Terror on this scale affects everybody on this small planet, and no one is free from the fallout. Yet we should remember that such violence is almost an everyday occurrence in some Muslim lands: it should not be exacerbated by revenge attacks on more innocent families and communities.

Along with most Muslims, I feel it a duty to make clear that such orchestrated acts of incomprehensible carnage have nothing to do with the beliefs of most Muslims. The Koran specifically declares: “If anyone murders an (innocent) person, it will be as if he has murdered the whole of humanity. And if anyone saves a person it will be as if he has saved the whole of humanity.”

The Koran that our young people learn is full of stories and lessons from the history of humanity as a whole. The Gospels and the Torah are referred to; Jesus and Abraham are mentioned. In fact there is more mention in the Koran of the prophet Moses than of any other. It acknowledges the coexistence of other faiths, and in doing so acknowledges that other cultures can live together in peace.

“There is no compulsion in religion,” it states, meaning that people should not be compelled to change their faith. Elsewhere it states, “To you, your religion; to me mine.” Respect for religious values and justice is at the Koran’s core. The Koranic history we teach our young provides ample examples of inter-religious and international relationships; of how to live together. But some extremists take elements of the sacred scriptures out of context. They act as individuals, and when they can’t come together as part of a political structure or consultative process, you find these dissident factions creating their own rules, contrary to the spirit of the Koran – which demands that those recognized as being in charge of Muslims must consult together regarding society’s affairs.

There is a whole chapter in the Koran entitled Consultation. Communal well being is central to human life, so there is a concept in Islam called Istihsan, which means “to look for the common good”. Even though the Koran may lay down a diktat, scholars are also supposed to consider the circumstances prevalent at the time. Sometimes that means choosing the lesser of two evils or even suspending legislation if necessary: for instance, a person who steals bread during a famine is not treated as a thief.

Once I wrote in a song, “Where do the children play?”

“Those who disbelieve in the Reminder when it comes unto them (are guilty), for indeed it is more…an unassailable Scripture. Falsehood cannot come at it from before it or behind it. (It is) a revelation from the Wise, the Owner of Praise” (Qur’an 41:41-42).

“Praise be to Allah* Who has revealed the Scripture unto His slave, and has not placed therein any crookedness (but has made it) straight” (Qur’an 18:1-2).

“Allah has (now) revealed the fairest of statements, a Scripture consistent” (Qur’an 39:23).

“A Qur’an in Arabic, containing no crookedness” (Q 39:28).

2. God Preserves it

God has promised to always preserve His book. He says:
“Surely We, even We, revealed the Reminder [the Qur'an], and We verily are it’s Guardian.” (Qur’an 15:9)

The Qur’an contains no additions. It remains today letter for letter as it was revealed over 1400 years ago. Nothing added, nothing taken away.
Two of the original manuscripts of the Qur’an prepared 1400 years ago still exist today. One is in the Topkapi Saray Museum in Istanbul, Turkey, and the other in Tashkent, Russia. Both of these are identical in content with the Qur’an available all over the world today.

3.You Can Examine it!

God says: “Will they not then consider the Qur’an with care? If it had been from other than Allah they would have found therein much discrepancy.” (Qur’an 4:82)

Here God challenges people to find an error in the Qur’an. If it contains errors then it cannot be from God. If, on the other hand, it had been the production of a human being it would definitely contain errors. A human writer 1400 years ago would have written on the basis of the level of knowledge of his or her day. And many of those ideas would turn out to be false later as humankind learns more, especially in the field of science.
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La Ilaha Illalla Muhammad-ur-Rasullullah
There is no God but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah

This is the life and message of Islam.
Muhammad (Sallalahu alaihewasalam), the last prophet, was born in the harsh desert land of Arabia almost 600 years after Jesus (peace be upon him) in the city of Makkah located in a deep valley surrounded by a curtain of brown and black jacket mountains.

Muhammad (Sallalahu alaihewasalam) was an orphan. His father had died before he was born so he was raised and weaned in the desert according to the Arab custom. By the tender age of six, his mother Amina also died and he was left all alone to be brought up by his grandfather Abdul Muttalib and later under the care of his paternal uncle Abu Taalib.

Makkah was an important and famous city primarily because within it stood the Holy Kaaba, the first house ever set up for mankind to glorify the One true God constructed some 3000 years earlier by the Prophet Abraham with the help of his first son Ishmael (peace be upon them). It was here in this deserted and barren valley that Abraham according to Divine Will has settled his wife Hagar along with their child Ishmael. So it was, that with the passage of time, Makkah gradually became a city of pilgrimage and a flourishing center of culture and trade, through which passed the great trade caravans between Syria in the North and Yemen in the South.

Muhammad (Sallalahu alaihewasalam) was a direct descendent of Abraham through Ishmael belonging to the noble and renowned family of Bani Hashim. As a shepherd boy, Muhammad (Sallalahu alaihewasalam), used to tend the sheep and goats around the hills of Makkah under the bright burning sun. A familiar training it seems for those destined to fulfill the role of Prophethood.

As a young man, Muhammad became known to everybody as Al-Amin, the trustworthy, because of his honesty and noble character. His uncle loved him dearly and would take him on trading journeys to Syria. This gave Muhammad (Sallalahu alaihewasalam) the opportunity to learn how to earn his living as a trader. He managed business well. Although he was relatively poor, Muhammad’s truthfulness and generous nature made him trusted and loved by everyone who knew him.

There lived in Makkah, one of the most honorable of ladies, her name was Khadija. Muhammad (Sallalahu alaihewasalam) had worked for her. At the age of 25, he received from her an indirect proposal of marriage although she was a senior and twice widowed, Muhammad (Sallalahu alaihewasalam) accepted her offer. They were married and lived a happy life. She bore him 2 sons and 4 daughters. Sadly, the 2 sons died in infancy. Nevertheless, it was an ideal marriage and they lived together a blissfully perfect family life.

Muhammad’s company and wise counsel were greatly sought after. It is said that once when the sacred Kaaba was being rebuilt after serious floods had damaged its walls, a disagreement arose among the four main tribes of Quraish as to which tribe should have the honor of replacing the sacred black stone. A skirmish was about to begin when one of the elders suggested a solution. “Make the first to enter the gate, your judge” he said. They all looked and to their great joy, Muhammad entered. “It is Al-Amin, the trust worthy” they cried. Muhammad (Sallalahu alaihewasalam) saw what was happening and he asked for a piece of cloth to be brought. He laid the black stone upon the cloth and told the members of each of the four tribes to hold the corners of the cloth and raise the stone as he himself eased