The Quran on the Origin of the Universe

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The science of modern cosmology, observational and theoretical, clearly indicates that, at one point in time, the whole universe was nothing but a cloud of ‘smoke’ (i.e. an opaque highly dense and hot gaseous composition).[1]  This is one of the undisputed principles of standard modern cosmology.  Scientists now can observe new stars forming out of the remnants of that ‘smoke’ (see figures 1 and 2).

Figure 1: A new star forming out of a cloud of gas and dust (nebula), which is one of the remnants of the ‘smoke’ that was the origin of the whole universe. (The Space Atlas, Heather and Henbest, p. 50.)

Figure 2: The Lagoon nebula is a cloud of gas and dust, about 60 light years in diameter.  It is excited by the ultraviolet radiation of the hot stars that have recently formed within its bulk. (Horizons, Exploring the Universe, Seeds, plate 9, from Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc.)

The illuminating stars we see at night were, just as was the whole universe, in that ‘smoke’ material.  God has said in the Quran:

“Then He turned to the heaven when it was smoke...” (Quran 41:11)

Because the earth and the heavens above (the sun, the moon, stars, planets, galaxies, etc.) have been formed from this same ‘smoke,’ we conclude that the earth and the heavens were one connected entity.  Then out of this homogeneous ‘smoke,’ they formed and separated from each other. God has said in the Quran:

“Have not those who disbelieved known that the heavens and the earth were one connected entity, then We separated them?...” (Quran 21:30)

Dr. Alfred Kroner is one of the world’s renowned geologists.  He is Professor of Geology and the Chairman of the Department of Geology at the Institute of Geosciences, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany.  He said: “Thinking where Muhammad came from . . . I think it is almost impossible that he could have known about things like the common origin of the universe, because scientists have only found out within the last few years, with very complicated and advanced technological methods, that this is the case.”[2]  (To view the RealPlayer video of this comment click here).  Also he said: “Somebody who did not know something about nuclear physics fourteen hundred years ago could not, I think, be in a position to find out from his own mind, for instance, that the earth and the heavens had the same origin.”[3] (View the RealPlayer video of this comment).

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Footnotes:

[1] The First Three Minutes, a Modern View of the Origin of the Universe, Weinberg, pp. 94-105.

[2] The reference for this saying is This is the Truth (videotape).  For a copy of this videotape, please visit this page.

[3] This is the Truth (videotape).

How to Convert to Islam and Become a Muslim

Islam and Muslims

The Arabic word ‘Islam’ means ‘submission’, and is derived from a word meaning ‘peace’.  As such, the religion of Islam teaches that in order to achieve true peace of mind and surety of heart, one must submit to God and live according to His Divinely revealed Law.

Islam is not a new religion because ‘submission to the will of God’, i.e. Islam, has always been the only acceptable religion in the sight of God.  For this reason, Islam is the true ‘natural religion’, and it is the same eternal message revealed through the ages to all of God’s prophets and messengers.  The main message of all the prophets has always been that there is only One True God and He alone is to be worshipped.  These prophets start with Adam and include Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon, John the Baptist, and Jesus, peace be upon them all.  God says in the Holy Quran:

“We did not send before you (O Muhammad) any messenger but We revealed to him: ‘none has the right to be worshipped except I, therefore worship Me.’” (Quran 21:25)

However, the true message of these prophets was either lost or got corrupted over time.  Even the most recent books, the Torah and the Gospel were adulterated and hence they lost their credibility to guide the people to the right path.  Therefore 600 years after Jesus, God revived the lost message of previous prophets by sending the Prophet Muhammad with His final revelation, the Holy Quran, to all of mankind.  Since the Prophet Muhammad was the final prophet, God Himself has promised to preserve His last revealed words so that it is a source of guidance for all humanity till the Last Day.  It is now imperative for everyone to believe and follow this final message from God.  God Almighty says in the Quran:

“We have not sent you (O Muhammad) but to all mankind as a giver of good news and as a warner, but most people do not know.” (Quran 34:28)

 “Whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.” (Quran 3:85)

The word “Muslim” means one who submits to the will of God, regardless of his/her race, nationality or ethnic background.  Hence, any person who is ready to submit to the will of God is eligible to become a Muslim.

Benefits of Converting to Islam

There are many benefits of converting to Islam.  Some of them are:

•      One forms a personal and direct relationship with God by worshipping Him alone, without the need of intermediaries.  One feels this personal relationship and is aware that God knows everything and is there to assist him/her.

•      A person realizes the true purpose of his or her life, which is to recognize God and follow His commandments.

•      A person is provided with a light, which guides him/her through life.  The religion of Islam has answers to all situations, and one will always know the right steps to take in all aspects of life.

•      One finds true happiness, tranquility, and inner peace.

•      Upon converting to Islam, all of one’s previous sins are forgiven, and one starts a new life of piety and righteousness.  And as a Muslim, when one makes a mistake thereafter, he/she can always repent to God who forgives the sins of those who repent to Him sincerely.  There are no intermediaries or created beings to make confessions to.

•      One achieves salvation from Hellfire, which all prophets have warned against.

•      The greatest benefit is that a Muslim is promised by God the reward of eternal Paradise (Heaven).  Those who are blessed with Paradise, will live eternally in bliss without any sort of sickness, pain or sadness.  God will be pleased with them and they will be pleased with Him.  Even the lowest in rank among the dwellers of Paradise will have ten times the like of this world, and they will have whatever they desire.  In fact, in Paradise there are pleasures that no eye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard, and no mind has ever thought of.  It will be a very real life, not spiritual only, but physical as well.

To know more about some of the benefits in converting to Islam, you may read this article “The Benefits of Converting to Islam (3 parts)”.

How to Convert to Islam - The Testimony of Faith (Shahada)

Becoming a Muslim is a simple and easy process.  All that a person has to do is to say a sentence called the Testimony of Faith (Shahada), which is pronounced as:

I testify “La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammad rasoolu Allah.”

These Arabic words mean, “There is no true god (deity) but God (Allah), and Muhammad is the Messenger (Prophet) of God.”  Once a person says the Testimony of Faith (Shahada) with conviction and understanding its meaning, then he/she has become a Muslim. 

The first part, “There is no true deity but God,” means that none has the right to be worshipped but God alone, and that God has neither partner nor son.  The second part means that Muhammad was a true Prophet sent by God to humankind.

To be a Muslim, one should also:

- Believe that the Holy Quran is the literal word of God, revealed by Him.

- Believe that the Judgment Day (Resurrection Day) is true and will come.

- Believe in the prophets that God sent and the books He revealed, and in His angels.

- Accept Islam as his/her religion.

- Not worship anything nor anyone except God.

It is that easy!  To hear the Testimony (Shahada), click here or click on “Live Help” for immediate assistance by chat.

The conversion can be done alone, but it is much better to do it with the help of one of our advisors through the “Live Help”, so we may help you in pronouncing it right and to provide you with important pieces of information and advice that is especially prepared for new converts, to help them get started with their newfound faith.

Alternatively, we can call you over the phone to help you with the conversion process.  In this case, please leave us your phone number and the suitable time to call through our Contact Us form.

You are Not Alone

If you have followed the guidance above and converted to Islam by yourself, then rest assured that you are not alone, rather the same faith is shared by 1.7 billion people.  We highly recommend that you inform us now through the Contact Us form or through the “Live Help”, so that we can provide you with useful resources and advice, suitable for you as a new Muslim.

We congratulate you on your decision, welcome you to Islam, and will try our best to help you in any way we can! :)

Some Common Misconceptions

Some people may postpone their conversion to Islam, though they believe it to be the true religion of God, due to some misconceptions.  They may think that things like changing their name, knowing some Arabic, informing others of their conversion, knowing some Muslims, or not having committed many sins, are conditions for conversion – however the reality is that none of these are valid excuses for delaying the conversion. 

If you would like to learn more about these and other similar misconceptions, please read the article, “I want to be a Muslim but... Myths about Converting to Islam (3 parts)”.

For Those Not Yet Convinced

Islam claims to be the true way to God.  What makes one religion valid over other ideologies is the proofs it offers for its truthfulness.  Hence, one needs to look at these proofs, weight them and take an informed decision.  One needs to be sincere in one’s endeavour and above all seek the help of the Almighty to guide him/her to the right path.

If a person is still not convinced of the truthfulness of Islam, then he/she can further look at the proofs Islam offers.  Islam offers overwhelming proofs of its truthfulness and is the only religion that completely appeals to common sense.

Some of the proofs Islam offers are: the scientific proofs in the Quran, the miracles performed by the Prophet Muhammad and the prophesies of his coming in previous scriptures, the foretold events mentioned in the Quran that later came to pass, the unmet challenge of the Quran to bring even a chapter like it, and the divine wisdom in the laws and teachings of Islam that cover all aspects of life. 

Our everlasting life in the Hereafter depends on what faith we choose to follow in this transient life, hence let us give this struggle the priority it deserves.

RIGHTS OF ALLAH

Allah's Rights upon His creation are the rights that must be kept the most. Allah (Glory be to Him) is the sole Creator and Sustainer of the universe. He is the Almighty who created everything with absolute wisdom. Allah (Glory be to Him) is the One who initiated every being from nothing. He is the One who protects humans in their mothers' wombs, as infants, as children and as adults. He, alone, sustains all humans and provides them with food and every aspect of life.

Qur'aan

Allah (Glory be to Him) said, what translated means, "And Allah has brought you out from the wombs of your mothers while you know nothing. And He gave you hearing, sight and hearts that you might give thanks (to Allah)." Qur’an.Surah Nahl 16:78

If Allah (Glory be to Him) refuses sustenance to anyone he will be instantly destroyed. Allah's mercy is what keeps humans and everything else alive.

Hadith

Allah’s Apostle mentioned the greatest sins or he was asked about the greatest sins. He said, “To join partners in worship with Allah”. Sahih Al Bukhari Vol 8:8. Therefore Allah’s right on humans is that you should not associate anyone with Him.

Provision from Allah

Allah's control over his slaves is perfect. His bounties are countless. If this is His role in the life of humans, then His rights are what one must keep the most. Allah (Glory be to Him) does not need sustenance from His slaves. He said, "We ask not of you a provision. We provide it for you. And the good end is for the Muttaqeen (the ones who fear Allah)." Qur’an.Surah Taha 20:132

Reason for creation

Allah (Glory be to Him) only wants one thing from His slaves. "And I (Allah) created not the Jinn and mankind except they should worship Me (alone). I seek not any provision from them nor do I ask that they should feed Me. Verily, Allah (Glory be to Him) is the All-Provider, Owner of Power, the Most Strong." Qur’an.Surah Zariyath 51:56-58

Allah (Glory be to Him) only wants mankind to worship Him alone and ascribe no partners with Him in worship, and truly be His slaves. He wants them to surrender to His will, as they surrender to His control for the means of their lives. It is only fair to worship only the One who holds the existence of everything and everyone is in His Hands.

All blessings are from Allah

One should thank Allah (Glory be to Him) who, alone, provides for him by worshipping Him alone. Allah (Glory be to Him) said, what translated means: "And whatever of blessings and good things you have, it is from Allah (Glory be to Him). Then, when harm touches you, unto Him you cry aloud for help." Qur’an.Surah Nahl 16:53

Strive with sincerity

What Allah (Glory be to Him) requires His slaves to do is easy. He does not want hardship to come to those striving to worship Him. He said, "And strive hard in Allah's cause as you ought to strive (with sincerity). He has chosen you (to convey Islam), and has not laid upon you in religion any hardship, it is the religion of your father Prophet Ibraheem (Peace be upon Him). It is He (Allah) who has named you Muslims both before and in this (the Quran), that the Messenger (Muhammad) may be a witness over you and you be witnesses over mankind. So offer prayer perfectly, give Zakath (compulsory charity), and hold fast to Allah (Glory be to Him), He is your Lord, what an excellent Lord and what an excellent helper!" Qur’an.Surah Hajj 22:78

Sincerity and ease in worship

What Allah (Glory be to Him) wants from us is to worship Him with sincerity, and to perform religious deeds. Five prayers a day bring forgiveness from Him and purity in the heart. Muslims must try to perform prayer in the best form: "Sofear Allah as much as you are able." Qur’an.Surah Taghabun 64:16

The Prophet Muhammad (May Allah honour Him and grant Him peace) said, "Stand while praying, if you cannot then while sitting, and if you cannot then while laying on your side." Sahih Al-Bukhari Vol. 2: 218

Allah (Glory be to Him) also wants His slaves to pay a small amount of their money to the poor, the needy, strangers who have no money, the indebted and to others who are eligible to take money from Zakath. Zakath is so minimal that it does not harm the rich, yet it provides tremendous benefits for the poor. Allah (Glory be to Him) also requires fasting in the lunar month of Ramadhan. He said, what translated means: "So whoever of you sights the (crescent on the first night of the) month (of Ramadhan), he must fast that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number (of days he misses) from other days." Qur’an.Surah Baqrah 2:185

Performing Hajj

Also, Hajj (pilgrimage) to Makkah once in lifetime is obligatory upon all Muslims, if they are able to do so. In general, we have the obligation to abide by all of Allah's orders, and stay away from all He had made forbidden upon us.

Above mentioned are the duties of Allah's slaves towards Him. They are not difficult to perform. The reward outweighs the requirements by far. The reward is "And whoever is removed away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, he indeed is successful. The life of this world is only the enjoyment of deception." Qur’an.Surah Al’e Imran 3:185

References

Allah’s Right, Book by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih al-`Uthaymeen,
http://en.islamway.com/article/8761?ref=w-new

SHAHADAH (TESTIMONY OR WITNESS OR CREED)

 

 

 

SHAHADAH (TESTIMONY OR WITNESS OR CREED)

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The Shahadah is an Arabic word which means ‘to give witness’ or ‘to testify’ in the oneness of Allah and His last Messenger who was sent for the entire mankind. It is the basic creed of Islam that must be recited under oath with the specific statement. This testament is a foundation for all other beliefs and practices in Islam. The testimony or the creed (Shahadah or Shahadatan) consists of two parts i.e., Kalima-E-Tawheed (Allah’s Oneness) and Kalima-E-Risalat (Prophet Muhammad’s Messengerhood).

Wordings of Shahadah

Kalima-E-Shahadah is the first pillar of Islam as mentioned in Sahih Al Bukhari Vol 1:7. There are actually two parts to the shahadah which when taken together is often called the Shahadatayn, meaning “two testimonies.”The Arabic transliteration of Shahadah are"Ashadu an la ilaha illallah, wa ashadu anna Muhammadun Aabduhu wa rasuluh", its translation in English is  "I bear witness that there is no Ilah(Any God) worthy of worship but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is Allah’s slave and His Messenger." Non-Muslims wishing to revert to Islam are required to recite the creed.

The Importance of The Shahada In Islam

Definitely there could be no greater and more important a statement than 'Laa ilaaha illa Allah' (there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah).

It is the statement of declaration of belief in the Tawheed of Allah which is the dividing line between Imaan and kufr - It was the call of all of the previous Messengers and Prophets.
Allah (Glorified He be) Himself attested to the importance of this statement in the Quraan:
He (Glorified He be) said in the Quran: "...and know that Laa ilaaha ill Allah (that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah)..." [Quran 47:19, 20:8, 3:18, 59:22-3]

As long as this statement is an obligation for an unbeliever to declare in order for him to become a Muslim, and also, since a person who pronounces it faithfully his property and life are safeguarded in this world, it becomes an obligation upon any Muslim who wants to understand the Deen of Islam to realize its meaning, merits, principles, conditions and its place in life.

Remembering Allah (Dhikr of Allah) is one of the most important commandments of Allah. This He Himself commanded in many verses of the Quraan, especially after the performance of important religious obligations: "...Then when you leave Arafat, remember Allah (by glorfying and praising Him) at the Mash`ar il-Haraam. And remember Allah (by invokingAllah for all good) as He has guided you..." [Quran 2:198]

"Then when you have accomplished your 'Manasik' (all the rights of Hajj); remember Allah as you remember your father with a strong remembrance..." [Quran 2:200]

He (Glorified He be) also said: "...and establish prayers for My remembrance." [Quran 20:14]

The best way to remember Allah is described to us in the Hadeeth of the Messenger (Peace be upon him), he said: "...and the best (supplication) I and the other prophets who were sent who were sent before me proclaimed was: There is no deity worthy of worship but Allah, He is Alone and has no partner. To Him belongs the Ownership (of everything), and to Him belongs all Praise, and He has total power over all things." [Laa ilaaha ill Allah, wah.dahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu wa huwa `alaa kulli shay'in Qadeer. [At-Tirmidhi]

The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) also said: "The best remembrance of Allah is to say 'laa ilaaha ill Allah' (there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah)."

All of the above points highlight the importance of this 'kalima' which we will try to explain in some more detail so that a clearer understanding of it can be achieved. ^[a]

It is the same message (laa ilaha illallah) conveyed by Adam, Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses), ‘Eesa (Jesus) etc and finally to mankind until the Day of Resurrection by Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon them all), Qur’an.Surah Anbiya 21:25. This testimony is the key to Paradise. But there is no key except that it has ridges. If you come with the key that has the right ridges, the door will be open for you. Otherwise, it will not open for you. In order to achieve Paradise through this testimony, one must fulfill certain conditions that constitute the “right ridges” for this key statement.

THE FIRST PART OF SHAHADAH

Pillars of LAA ILAHA ILLALLAH

It is the declaration that represents the belief in the oneness of Allah (Tawheed). It is composed of negation and confirmation phrases. The first part of testimony (laa ilaha illallah) comprises of two pillars: Pillar of Denial and Pillar of Affirmation.

Denial: Laa Ilaha – ‘There is no (true) god’, denies believe and worship for anything (except Allah).

Affirmation: Illallah – ‘Except Allah’, affirms believe and worship for Allah alone.^[1]

The Eight conditions of the Kalima-E-Tawheed

Seven critical conditions of the Kalima-E-Tawheed (Laa ilaha illallah) which is compulsory to know as a Muslim, without which it is considered to be meaningless, are as follows:

·         Al-`Ilm(العلم): Knowledge of the meaning of the Shahadah, its negation and affirmation and its opposite is ignorance.

·         Al-Yaqeen(اليقين): Certainty – perfect knowledge of it that counteracts suspicion and doubt.

·         Al-Ikhlaas(الإخلاص): Sincerity which negates shirk (Associating partners with Allah).

·         Al-Sidq(الصدق): Truthfulness that permits neither falsehood nor hypocrisy.

·         Al-Mahabbah(المحبة): Love of the Shahadah and its meaning, and being happy with it.

·         Al-Inqiad(الانقياد): Submission to its rightful requirements, which are the duties that must be performed with sincerity to Allah (alone) seeking His pleasure.

·         Al-Qubool(القبول): Acceptance that contradicts rejection.

·         To disbelieve in everything that is worshipped besides Allah

1. Knowledge (Al-'Ilm)
Knowledge of Allah and knowledge about the nature, concepts and methodology of worship are essential to the practice as well as the understanding of Islam. The beneficial knowledge is the one that leads to complete disassociation from false deities and to the devotion of intentions to Allah alone. Allah, the Most High, says:  “And know that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and ask forgiveness for your sins, and also for the sin of believing men and believing women. And Allah knows well your moving about, and your place of rest in your home”Qur’an. Surah Muhammad, 47:19.

The Prophet Muhammad (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) said: “He who died knowing (fully well) that there is no true God worthy of being worshipped except Allah entered al-Jannah (Paradise).” Sahih Al MuslimVol 1:39.

2. Certainty (Al-Yaqeen)
The testimony has to be made without any suspicion regarding its meaning. Allah, the Exalted, says: “Only those are the believers who have believed in Allah and His Messenger and never since doubted”. Qur’an, Surah al-Hujuraat, 49:15.

The Prophet (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace): “I bear witness that there is no true God worthy of being worshipped except Allah, and I am His Messenger. The slave of Allah who would meet Him without harboring any doubt about his (testimony) would enter al-Jannah (Paradise).” Sahih Al MuslimVol 1:40,41.

3. Purity and Sincerity (Al-Ikhlaas)
The intention of accepting Islam and performing all acts of worship must be purely devoted to Allah:“Say, (O Muhammad (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace)): Verily, I am commanded to worship Allah (alone) by obeying Him and doing religious deeds sincerely for Allah’s sake only and not to show off, and not to set up rivals with Allah in worship.” (Qur’an, Surah az-Zumar, 39:11). So, when one declares this testimony, he should be doing so solely for the sake of Allah, not for anyone else. Purity and sincerity is the opposite of Shirk (associating others in that which is due to Allah alone). The one who proclaims this Shahaadah (testimony) for any worldly gain has failed to meet this condition of Sincerity of woprship and has failed to meet Allah’s command, when He says: “Worship Allah, making the Religion pure and sincere for Him.”Qur’an, Surah az-Zumar, 39:14.

The Prophet (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) said: “Allah has forbidden the Fire upon one who says laa ilaaha illal-laah seeking by this the Face of Allah.”Sahih Al Bukhari Vol 8:431.

4. Truthfulness (As-Sidq)
Truthfulness paves the way for a meaningful understanding of this declaration. It strengthens the drive of man towards achieving knowledge about his Creator, Allah. The hypocrites utter the declaration, but they conceal rejection in their hearts:“They said with their tongues what is not in their Hearts.”Qur’an, Surah al-Fath, 48:11.

The heart is like the king and the limbs are the soldiers. The Prophet (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace)said: “Truly there is a piece of flesh in the body if it become good (reformed) the whole body becomes good but if it gets spoilt the whole body becomes spoilt.”Sahih Al Muslim 1599, 3882 and Sahih Al Bukhari 1:49.

When the love of Allah fills the heart, truthfulness and honesty fill it too, but when desire gets to the heart, the way for corruption and hypocrisy becomes opened and man will utter what is not really in his heart. The whole and sound heart is the one free from:

a) Association of anyone /anything in the worship of Allah,

b) False pride and arrogance

c) Envy

d) Misery

e) Love for this life

f) Love for leadership and domination

g) Lust

h) Bid’ah

This is the kind of heart that fulfills the declaration of Shahaadah. This is known in the Qur’an as "Al-Qalb As-Saleem; the clean, sound, safe and whole heart,” and it is the thing that really counts on the Day of Reckoning :“The Day whereon neither wealth nor sons will avail except him who brings to Allah a clean heart[clean from Shirk (polytheism) and Nifâq (hypocrisy)].”(Qur’an, Surah ash-Shu’araa’, 26: 88-89).

5. Love (Al-Mahabah)
Love is:
a) To love Allah and His Messenger, Muhammad (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace), more than all else,

b) To love what Allah and His Messenger (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) love

c) To hate or dislike what Allah and His Messenger (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) hate or dislike in all matters that are related to Islam. This is the true meaning of love in Islaam and these three elements form the foundations behind the concept of al-walaa wal-baraa.

The Prophet (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) said:  “Whoever possesses (the following) three qualities will relish the sweetness (delight) of Eemaan (Faith): The one to whom Allah and His Messenger becomes dearer than anything else; that he loves a person for Allah alone (i.e. to purely seek Allah and His Pleasure); that he hates to revert to Kufr (disbelief) after Allah has rescued him from it as he hates to be thrown into Hell.” Sahih Al Bhukari Vol 1:15 and Sahih Al Muslim 67.

The love of Allah and His Messenger Muhammad (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) must be translated into following their orders. This negates the following innovators and/or their innovations. Those who introduce concepts and/or ways that are not according to Islamic teachings: like the mystics of Sufism and their so-called "Tareeqas(ways)" which have nothing to do with Islam. Their ideas originated from other religious concepts. They elevate their Sufi Sheikhs and leaders (Aqtab) to divine levels:"And of mankind are some who take (for worship) others besides Allah as rivals (to Allah). They love them as they love Allah. But those who believe love Allah more (than anything else)." Qur'an, Surah al-Baqarah, 2:165.

In the following narration, Abdullah bin Mas'ud (R) said: "The Prophet (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) said one statement and I said another. The Prophet (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) said: "Whoever dies while still invoking anything other than Allah as a rival to Allah, will enter Hell (Fire)." And I said, "Whoever dies without invoking anything as a rival to Allah, will enter Al-Jannah (Paradise)." Sahih Al Bukhar Vol 6:24.

The Love of Allah and His Message of Islam is related to the Knowledge of Him and of His Names and Attributes. The more the person knows of Allah, the love of Him becomes stronger. This makes the believer eager to meet Allah, see Him, and listen to His Words in the Hereafter. This becomes the goal and all the worldly attachment gets weaker and weaker. The spirit is lifted up. It aims high towards its Creator. It would not trap itself on any road that would lead to other than the submission to Allah alone. The person becomes motivated to comply with Allah's command to the best of his abilities. This produces the true happiness in this life and in the Hereafter.

6. Obedience (Al-Inqiyaad)
The testimony is fulfilled by obedience to Allah and His Messenger Muhammad (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) and by safeguarding against what Allah forbids:“Whoever submits his face to Allah (i.e. follow Islam), while he is doing good (i.e. obey Allah and His Messenger Muhammad (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) in all respects) has grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold” Qur’an, Surah Luqman 31:22.

The compliance to the declaration of the Shahaadah must be free of hesitation. Rather it is a matter of full submission. This is well illustrated in the saying of Allah: “It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and his Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allah and his Messenger, he has indeed strayed in a plain error.” Qur’an, Surah al-Ahzaab 33:36. The decrees of Allah and His Messenger are not subject to human evaluation. The Message is a Revelation. What it contains is for the benefit of man. Therefore, man’s submission in Islam is for his own good.

7. Acceptance (al-Qubool)
It is not enough to recognize the greatness of Islam and that it is the Truth, but this recognition must be ascertained by humble acceptance and humility. The adherence to the meaning of this declaration safeguards the believer from false pride, arrogance and disdainfulness: “Truly when it was said to them: laa ilaha illallaah (None has the right to be worshipped but Allah), they puffed themselves up with pride (i.e. denied it)”.Qur’an, Surah as-Saafaat, 37:35. The Muslim must realize that this declaration stands against bigoted and blind imitation and calls for an acceptance of the teachings of Islam according to the understanding of those who followed the correct path. They are the companions and those who follow their footsteps until the day of resurrection. This path is knows as the Path of as-Salafus-Saalih(righteous predecessors).

The Prophet (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) gave amazing parables for those who accept and those who reject the guidance and teachings of Islam. He said: “The example of guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth, some of which was fertile soil that absorbed rain water and brought forth vegetation and grass in abundance. (And) another portion of it was hard and held the rain water and Allah benefited the people with it and they utilized it for drinking, making their animals drink from it and for irrigation of the land for cultivation. (And) a portion of it was barren which could neither hold the water nor bring forth vegetation (then that land gave no benefit). The first is the example of the person who comprehends Allah’s religion and gets benefit (from knowledge) which ِAllah has revealed through me (the Prophet) and learns and then teaches others. The last example is that of a person who does not care for it and does not take Allah’s guidance revealed through me (he is like that barren land). Sahih Al Bukhari Vol 1:79.

8. To disbelieve in everything that is worshipped besides Allah
Allah says: “Whoever disbelieves in everything worshiped other than Allah, and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allah is the All Hearer All Knower” Qur’an.Surah Al Baqarah 2: 256

‘Abdul ‘Azeez bin ‘Abdullah Bin Baaz (rahimahullah)also mentions this condition of La ilaha illAllah as being eighth in his book “Ad Duroosul Muhimmah Li ‘Aamatil Ummah.”

Virtues of Laa Ilaha Illallah

Abu Sa`eed al-Khudri(R) said, that the Messenger of Allah (S) said: "Moses (AS) said: O Lord! Teach me something that I can remember You with and I can supplicate You with. He (T) said: Say 'Laa ilaaha ill Allah', O Musaa. He (Musaa) said: All of your servants say this. He (T) said: If the seven Heavens and those who dwell in them other than Me and the seven Earths are put into one pan (of the scale) and 'Laa ilaaha ill Allaah' is put into the other; 'Laa ilaaha ill Allah' would be heavier." [Ibn Hibbaan and Haakim]

The Messenger of Allah (S) said: "The best Dhikr (remembrance) is 'Laa ilaaha ill Allah' (There is no deity worthy of worship but Allah)..."

The Messenger of Allah (S) said: "A person from my Ummah will be summoned in the presence of all creatures on the Day of Judgement. Ninety-nine records (of his deeds) would be unfolded, each extending as far as the range of the vision can stretch, then he would be asked: 'Do you deny any of these deeds?' He will reply: 'No, My Lord.' He will be asked: 'Do you have any excuse or any good deed?' The man who will be scared will say: 'No' It will be said to him: 'Yes you have some good deeds. No iniquity will befall you.'

A card wll then be shown to him, on it will be written: 'Laa ilaaha ill Allah, Muhammad Rasool Allah.' He will say: 'O Allah! What cards and records are these.' It will be said to him: 'No injustice shall befall you.' The (ninety-nine) records will then be placed in one pan of the scale and the card on the other. The card will then outweigh the records." [At-Tirmidhi and Al-Haakim]

All of These Merits of the 'Kalimah' Are Summarized by Ibn Rajab As Follows:
- Al-Jannah is its reward.
- Uttering it before death will cause one to be admitted to the Jannah.
- It is a refuge from the Fire of Hell.
- It is a cause for a Muslim to be forgiven.
- It is the best of good deeds.
- It wipes out sins.
- It traverses all bariers in order to be accepted by Allah, the Almighty
- It is a statement whose pronouncer will be accepted by Allah.
- It is the best proclamation ever uttered by the Prophets.
- It is the best celebration of His praises.
- It is the best of deeds and it multiplies into many good deeds.
- It is a protection against Satan.
- It is a safety from the darkness and the punishment of the graves and from the Day of Resurrection.
- The eight doors of Paradise will be accessible to its pronouncer.
- People who pronounce it will certain come out of the Fire of Hell, even after they have been cast into it for falling short of observing its obligations. ^[b]

The Second Part of the Shahaadah

Muhammadun Aabduhu wa rasuluh means Muhammad (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) is Allah’s salve and His Messenger. This is the second part of the declaration of the Shahaadah. It is the belief that Muhammad (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) is the final and last Messenger of Allah. The only way to worship Allah is through the guidance and example set by Muhammad (May Allah honour him and grant Him Peace). This means that:

1. To obey Muhammad (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) what He commands.
2. To avoid whatever He forbade and prohibited.
3. To worship Allah as taught by Muhammad(May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace)
4. To believe and testify to the truth of everything He has informed us of.
5. To believe that He is a slave and worshipper of Allah and not one to be worshipped And Whatever Allah told us about Him must be followed.

1. To obey Muhammad (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) what He commands.

Say (O Muhammad (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace)): "Obey Allah and the Messenger (Muhammad)." But if they turn away, then Allah does not like the disbelievers.” Qur’an. Surah Ale Imran 3:32.

The Sunnah is an Inspiration from Allah and is not the Prophet's idea, thought or desire:
"Nor does he [Muhammad (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace)] speak of (his own) desire. It is only an Inspiration that is inspired." Qur'an, Surah an-Najm, 53:3-4. So, in obeying the Prophet's Sunnah we are obeying Allah. There should be no resistance to the way of the Prophet (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace). He (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) must be taken as a judge in all disputes as Allah clearly commands: "But no, by your Rabb (Allah), they can have no Faith, until they make you (O Muhammad) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) fully with submission." Qur'an, Surah an-Nisaa’, 4:65.

Warning from Allah for those who disobey Muhammad (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace), "And let those who oppose the Messenger's commandment (i.e. his Sunnah, legal ways, orders, acts of worship, statements, etc.) (Among the sects) beware, lest some Fitnah (disbelief, trials, afflictions, earthquakes, killing, overpowered by a tyrant, etc.) befall them, or a painful torment be inflicted on them." Qur'an, Surah an-Noor 24:63.

The Prophet (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) said:"He who does an act which our matter (i.e. our religion) is not in agreement with, will have it rejected." Sahih Al Bukhari 2697 (Vol 3:861) and Sahih Al Muslim 1718. The Sunnah of the Prophet (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) is surely safeguarded as Allah promised to save the Message of Islam from any human corruption. The following of the Sunnah of the Prophet (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) is the manifestation of the Declaration: "MUHAMMAD IS THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH": Say (O Muhammad to all mankind): "If you (really) love Allah then follow me (i.e. what I was trusted with, the Qur'an and Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." Qur'an, Surah Ale-Imraan, 3:31.

2. To avoid whatever He forbade and prohibited.

"And whatsoever the Messenger, Muhammad (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it) and Fear Allah. Verily Allah is severe in punishment." Qur’an.Surah Hashr 59 :7.

It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allâh and His Messenger (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace), have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allâh and His Messenger [sal-Allâhu 'alayhi wa sallam], he has indeed strayed into a plain error.Qur’an.Surah Ahzab 33 : 36.

3. To worship Allah as taught by Muhammad(May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace)

"He who obeys the Messenger (Muhammad-(May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace)), has indeed obeyed Allah, but he who turns away, then We have not sent you (O Muhammad) as a watcher over them."Qur'an, Surah an-Nisaa’, 4:80.

The Prophet (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) said: "Whoever obeys me, he obeys Allah, and whoever disobeys me, he disobeys Allah, and whoever obeys the ruler I appoint, he obeys me, and whoever disobeys him, he disobeys me." Sahih Al Bukahri Vol. 9 : 251,  Sunan Nasia Vol. 5 : 4198.

He (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) also said:"All of my followers will enter Paradise except those who refuse." They said: 'O Allah's Messenger! Who will refuse?' He said,"Whoever obeys me will enter Paradise and whoever disobeys me is the one who refuses (to enter it)."Sahih Al Bukahri Vol. 9: 384. The matters discussing worship of Allah, discipline, orders, advice, approvals, and recommendations as detailed by Muhammad (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) are collectively known as Sunnah. The Sunnah is also meant to emphasize the correct way of understanding the Deen of Islam, in contrast with the ways of deviations and (or) innovations.

The obedience to Muhammad (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) is an Order from Allah:"And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad-(May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace)) gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it) and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is severe in punish-ment." Qur'an, Surah al-Hashr, 59:7.

The meaning of the above ayah (statement) is very well illustrated in the following narration:

Narrated 'Alqama(R): Abdullaah (bin Mas'ud) ® said, "Allah curses those ladies who practice tattooing and those who get themselves tattooed, and those ladies who remove the hair from their faces and those who make artificial spaces between their teeth to look more beautiful whereby they change Allah's creation. Sahih Al Bukahri Vol. 7: 826. "His saying reached a lady from Bani Asd called Um Ya'qub who came (to Abdullaah) and said: "I have come to know that you have cursed such-and-such (ladies)?" He replied: "Why should not I curse these whom Allah's Messenger cursed and who are cursed in Allah's Book!" Um Ya'qub said, "I have read the whole Qur'an and I have not found in it what you say." He said, "Verily if you have read it (i.e. the Qur'an), you have found it. Didn't you read: "And whatsoever the Messenger gives you, take it and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it)." She replied, "Yes, I did." He said, "Verily, Allah's Messenger forbade these things." She said, "But I see your wife doing these things?" He said, "Go and watch her." She went and watched her but could not see anything in support of her statement. On that he said, "If my wife were as you thought, I would not keep her in my company (i.e. I would divorce her)." Sahih Al Bukahri Vol. 7: 822.

Two lessons must be taken from this: i) The Sunnah is also the Shari'ah ii) The hatred and disassociation shown to those who oppose the Sunnah. The Prophet (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) said: “He who does an act which our matter (i.e. our religion)is not in agreement with, will have I it rejected.” Sahih Al Bukahri Vol.  9: 449.

4. To believe and testify to the truth of everything He has informed us of.

In obeying the Prophet’s (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) Sunnah, we are obeying Allah.There should be no resistance to any of the teachings of the Prophet (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace). He (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) must be taken as a judge and final authority in all disputes, for Allah clearly commands: “But no, by your Rubb (Lord) they can have no faith, until they make you (O Muhammad)judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) fully with submission.” Quran.Surah An-Nisa 4:65.

This Ayah proves that a person can have no faith (iman) until he/she submits unconditionally to the commands which includes rulings, orders, disciplines, advice, recommendations, approvals, and actions of Prophet Muhammad (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace). Allah sets an example for us in the form of Muhammad (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace): “Verily in the Messenger of Allah you have the best example for him who looks unto Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much.” Qur’an.Surah Al-Ahzab 33:21.

So Allah commands us to follow the Sunnah and this would be impossible unless the Sunnah had been preserved.

The Sunnah of Prophet (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) is surely safeguarded as Allah has promised to save the Message of Islam from any distortion. Allah says: “Verily, it is We who have sent down the Zikr(i.e. the Quran and the Sunnah)and surely, We are its Preservers.” Qur’an.Surah Al-Hijr 15:9.

'Zikr' in its general form stands for both the Quran and the Sunnah as the Quran uses this term to also mean Sunnah as proven by the following Ayah: “With clear signs and Books (We sent the Messengers). And We have also sent down unto you (O Muhammad)the Zikr [reminder and the advice(i.e. the Qur’an)],so that you may explain clearly to men that what has been sent down for them and so that they may give thought.” Qur’an.Surah An-Nahl 16:44.

This Ayah confirms that the Sunnah is preserved. Thus both the Quran and the Sunnah have been preserved.

5. To believe that He is a slave and worshipper of Allah and not one to be worshipped. And Whatever Allah told us about Muhammad (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) must be followed.

“Is it a wonder for mankind that We have sent Our inspiration to a man from among themselves (Prophet Muhammad) (saying):”Warn mankind (of the coming torment in Hell) and give good news to those who believe (in the Oneness of Allaah & in His Prophet-r), that they shall have with their Rabb (Allaah) the rewards of their good deeds.”?  Qur’an, Surah Younus, 10: 2.

"Verily, there has come unto you a Messenger (Muhammad (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace)) from amongst yourselves (i.e. whom you know well). It grieves him that you should receive any injury or difficulty. He (Muhammad- (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace)) is anxious over you (to be rightly guided, to repent to Allah, and beg Him to pardon and forgive your sins, in order that you may enter Paradise and be saved from the punishment of the Hell-Fire), for the believers (He-is) full of pity, kind, and Merciful."Qur'an, Surah at-Tawbah, 9: 128).

"O Prophet (Muhammad (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace))! Verily, We have sent you as a witness, and a bearer of glad tidings and a warner, And as one who invites to Allah {i.e. to worship none but Allah} by His leave, and as a lamp spreading light (through your instructions from the Qur'an and Sunnah)."Qur'an, Surah al-Ahzaab, 33: 45-46.

Prophet Muhammad (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) was a man as mentioned in the Qur’an: "Say (O Muhammad- (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace)): "I am a man like you. It has been inspired to me that your Ilaah (God) is One Ilaah (i.e., Allah). So, whoever hopes for the meeting with his Rabb (Allah), let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Rabb (Allah)." Qur'an, Surah al-Kahf 18:110.

Prophet Muhammad (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) did not knew about the unseen as mentioned in the Qur’an: “Say (O Muhammad (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace)) I possess no power of benefit or hurt to myself except as Allaah will. If I had the knowledge of the Ghaib(unseen), I should have secured for myself an abundance of wealth, and no evil should have touched me: I am but a warner, and a bringer of glad tidings unto people who be­lieve.” Qur’an, Surah al-A’raaf 7:188.

Prophet Muhammad (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) was selected by Allah for special purpose of conveying His message: “O Messenger (Muhammad (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace))! Proclaim (the Message) which has been sent down to you from your Lord. And if you do not, then you have not conveyed His Message. Allah will protect you from mankind. Verily, Allah guides not the people who disbelieve.”Qur’an, Surah al-Maidah 5:67.

Narrated 'Umar(R): I heard the Prophet Muhammad (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) saying, "Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians praised the son of Mary, for I am only a Slave. So, call me the Slave of Allah and His Apostle."  Sahih Al Bukhari 4:654. ^[2]

SUMMARY

The declaration that Muhammad (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) is the Messenger of Allah is an integral part of faith. Muhammad (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) must be trusted in all that he informed us about Islam. He (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) must be obeyed in all that he had ordered and we must stay away from all that he forbade. The obedience to Muhammad (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) is an obedience to Allah. He left us with all that leads to Paradise and warned us from all that leads to Hell.

IS IT ENOUGH TO "SAY" Shahaadah?

The Belief in the Oneness and Uniqueness of Allah (Tawheed in Arabic) does not only mean to accept that there is no Creator but Allah, and that Allah is the Sovereign Rabb(Lord). But believing Allah by Muhammad’s (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) way is also very important for every Muslim who wants to enter Heaven. Therefore, if a person was to say only one part of this declaration or not acknowledge or have belief in either part- then their belief is incomplete and is not incompliance with Islamic creed (Aqeedah). Therefore as a Muslim we should always Pray to Allah (Glory be to Him) "O believers, observe your duty to Allah with right observance, and die not except as Muslims [complete state of surrender, submission, obedience to Allah]" Qur’an.Surah Ale-Imran 3: 102 ^[3]

References

[a] [b] Dr. Saleh Al-Fouzan, http://www.protectedpearls.com/shahadah.htm
[1] Eeman made easy, Book of Muhammad al-Jibaly, Al-Kitab & as – Sunnah publishing.
[2] http://www.almuflihoon.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64:the-conditions-of-laa-ilaaha-illallaah-muhammadun-rasoolullaah-&catid=34:aqeedah&Itemid=140
[3] http://ilmularabiyyah.wordpress.com/2012/03/16/sahadahsayit/

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The islamic marriage

Marriage in Islam is based on a contract between a man and woman intending to be unified in marriage.  Thus, as in any contract in Islam, there are elements which are considered essential to its existence, called 'pillars', as well as the possibility of stipulations of different kinds, legal effects of the contract, etc. Each of these must be understood correctly in order to ensure that the marriage has been performed according to the legal conditions and that the rightful effects of the marriage are guaranteed to each of the contracting parties.

The Pillars of a Marriage Contract According to the Majority of Scholars

1. Offer and acceptance are among the pillars. For most scholars, the offer must be from the woman's side and the acceptance from the man.
2. The two parties to the contract: the prospective husband and the guardian of the woman.

Some also count the following among the pillars, although the majority of these scholars

• The presence of witnesses.
• Dowry.

The Wording of the Contract

There are a variety of opinions as to exactly which phrases are valid in the transaction of the marriage contract. However, the best format is that actually used by the Prophet and his companions . Also, it is recommended that the contract be executed verbally.  However, due to need or necessity, it may be done through writing or signing.

Among the different possible phraseology, the very clear terms such as: "I marry you" is accepted by all scholars. Anything which indicates a temporary nature of the contract is forbidden.  There is some difference of opinion concerning the validity of other phrases such as: "I present to you", "I give to you", "I sell to you", etc.

Does it have to be in Arabic?

According to the majority of scholars, it is not necessary for the marriage contract to be executed in Arabic, even for those who have the ability to speak Arabic.  The scholars of the Hanbali school, who required the use of forms of the words Nikaah or Zawaaj (marriage), required that the contract be transacted in Arabic for this reason.

The Different Types of Conditions or Prerequisites

At this point, we need to learn the definition of some general terms in Islamic Fiqh (Jurisprudence), related to this issue, which come up in many subject areas, including the one at hand.

Saheeh (Sound): A contract which fulfils all of the pillars and the prerequisites, and has full effect in the law.

Baatil (Void): A contract that has failed to fulfil specific pillars or vital prerequisites. A contract which is Baatil is the opposite of one which is Saheeh and has no legal effect at all.  If a marriage contract is found to be void, even if it is only discovered after consummation, the legal condition will be as if it never happened at all. The lineage of the father (of a child produced in such a 'marriage') will not be established and there is no waiting period ('Iddah) upon the woman. An example of this would be if a man married a woman who was married to someone else at the time.

Faasid (Defective):  This is a contract which fails to fulfil some of the prerequisites, but not the pillars. 

With respect to marriage, there are four different kinds of conditions which must be met:

1. Conditions Required for Initiating the Contract

These are the conditions that must be present with respect to the pillars or fundamentals of the marriage contract.

2. Conditions Required for the Soundness of the Contract

These are conditions which must be fulfilled in order for the marriage to have its proper legal effect. If these conditions are not met, the contract is 'Defective' (Faasid), according to Hanafi Fiqh, and 'Void' (Baatil) according to the others.

3. Conditions Required for the Execution of the Contract  

These are conditions which must be met for the marriage to have actual practical effect. If these conditions are not met, then the marriage is 'Suspended' (Mawqoof) according to Hanafi and Maaliki Fiqh; for example, a minor girl until she reaches puberty.

4. Conditions Required for Making the Marriage Binding  

If these conditions are not met, then the marriage is non-binding, meaning that either of the two parties or others may have the right to annul the marriage. If they accept the marriage with such shortcomings, it becomes binding.

Prerequisites Required for Initiating the Contract

In this category, there are conditions concerning the two who are getting married, as well as the form in which the contract takes place.

Concerning the Two Getting Married:

The two people must meet the qualification of legal competence, i.e., they must be adult and sane.  If they are not, the marriage will be invalid.

Secondly, the woman cannot be from those categories of women that are forbidden for a man to marry. For example, suppose a man married a woman and later discovered that they had been breastfed by the same woman.  In this case, it is as if the marriage never took place because these two were not allowed to marry each other and the marriage becomes null and void.

Concerning the Contract:

There is near unanimous agreement on the following conditions relating to the transaction of the marriage contract:

1. The offer and acceptance must be done in one sitting.  In general, this means that the response must be immediate.  Exactly what is considered a 'sitting' depends on custom and other related factors.

2. The acceptance must correspond to what is being offered. If the guardian says:  "I marry you to Khadeejah", a response of: "I accept Faatimah as my wife" would not constitute a valid contract. An exception to this is if the Wali (guardian) mentions a specific dowry amount and the groom responds with a higher amount. It is regarded that there is no reason for dispute here since it is assumed that a higher dowry will be acceptable.

3. The Wali cannot rescind the offer. Unlike transactions of selling, neither party can say: "I have changed my mind" once they have uttered the offer/acceptance. It is immediately binding. In a sale, they both continue to have the option to change their mind until the 'sitting' is over and they part.

4. The marriage must be effective immediately.  If the Wali says 'I will marry her to you after one month', there is no marriage and the two remain unmarried.

Note that the custom of saying: 'I accept' three times, which is common in some Muslim cultures, has no legal significance.  Once the first 'I accept' has been uttered, everything after that is meaningless - whether positive or negative.

Adding Stipulations to the Marriage Contract

This is where one party states a stipulation binding on the other party for specific reasons or goals.  The offer/acceptance is tied to this stipulation by mention.   There is a difference of opinion among the scholars concerning the validity of conditions of this nature.

Conditions of contracts are two types: 

1) Those imposed directly by the Sharee'ah (Islamic Legislation) and

2) Those drawn up by one or more of the parties. 

When any contract is entered into, the first type of conditions are covered automatically, even if they are not stated in the contract.

PROPHET MUHAMMAD ﷺ- THE WORLD'S BEST TEACHER

Some of the most influential people in our lives are teachers. Most of us can remember our very first teacher in school, the one who taught us our ABC's and the proper rules of the playground. As we have progressed from toddler to adult, there have been countless teachers along the way who helped us on our journey to adulthood and even beyond. The high school math teacher who helped you to perfect your Algebra or the college professor that taught you the spirit of debate, the very fabric of our being is heavily influenced by teachers who guided us in our educational journeys.

In Islam, there is only one teacher who has laid out the groundwork for the spiritual education of mankind, by the Grace of Allah, the Almighty. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), an illiterate man, was chosen by Allah, the Almighty to be the Final Messenger and perfect teacher to Muslims and as well as Non-Muslims.

No Student Left Behind

In classrooms all over the world, it is a common practice for teachers to separate the strong students from the weak. The latter of which are delegated to less challenging classes that do nothing to nurture the mind while the "smarter" students are given every opportunity to excel.

Prophet Muhammad made no distinction between students based on intelligence level, social standing or any other classification that separates us in society. He also never sought to exclude or expel anyone from the religion of Islam, but rather delivered a message that was all-inclusive to the whole of mankind. The Prophet Muhammad said: "By Allah! If He may guide through you a single man to Islam, it would be better for you than red camels." (Al-Bukhari, 192)

By setting this example of inclusion, Muslims have a tangible example of how to attract others to the Islamic faith.

The Perfect Speaker

Most of us, at some point or another, have come across at least one teacher that was inaudible or spoke so fast that it was next to impossible to understand what was being said let alone taught. Even today, the rapid pace in which most educators speak is overlooked so as to cram as much information into each lesson as possible.

Prophet Muhammad was methodical in his teaching methods and never rushed his lessons. According to his beloved wife Aisha, he: "...spoke in such a way that if one were to count his words, they could be counted." (Al-Bukhari,768)

The Prophet also, according to his companions, would repeat his words thrice. The words that he spoke and the lessons he delivered were unambiguous, which helped students of Islam excel at perfecting their faith and committing the Quran to their hearts. The perfection of Prophet Muhammad's speech was intentional as a means to really drive the message home to each one of his students through repetition, which is an excellent learning tool.

Living by Example

Perhaps one of the greatest qualities that made Prophet Muhammad such a phenomenal teacher is that he led by example. He often lectured to his companions about the Oneness of God Almighty, living a life in accordance with Islam and being mindful of the Hereafter.

In every aspect of his life, Prophet Muhammad was an exemplar and practiced what he preached. This made it easy for his companions to see, up close and personal, how to live their lives in accordance with the Quran and Sunnah. As Allah, the Almighty says in the Quran: There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often. Qur’an Surah Ahzab 33:21

If Prophet Muhammad had not lived every aspect of the Quran in minute detail, it would have had a derogatory effect on the level of trust that he had developed with his companions.

Patience Through Adversity

For many teachers, there is a very fine line between reaching out to students in the spirit of understanding and not being able to get through to the students who fight every step of the way.

The Prophet Muhammad was met with an enormous amount of disdain and outright hatred as he began teaching the message of Islam at the onset of his Prophethood. In Makkah, he spent thirteen years  in an attempt to teach people about the message of the Quran and was met with violent resistance every step of the way with only a minority of his people embracing Islam.

Prophet Muhammad met similar, albeit less, conflict after settling in Madinah and not once did he even consider quitting. Some of the finest personal attributes that helped to strengthen his resolve and reinforce his dedication to his mission included wisdom, patience and a willingness to make sacrifices for the sake of Allah Almighty.

Conclusion

In every aspect of his life, Prophet Muhammad was an exemplar and practiced what he preached. The method in which Prophet Muhammad taught the message of Islam to his companions had a ripple effect that has transcended centuries to make Islam the world's fastest growing religion today. Whether you are a new Muslim or a born-Muslim, the example of Prophet Muhammad as a gifted teacher is a unifying force in the Islamic world and continues to be a means for greater understanding through education.

References

www.Onislam.net