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ty Fatwa No. : 84484 Hajj & Umrah

Fatwa Title : Name of Allah used before Qur'an Ramadhaan Oasis
Fatwa Date : 03 Jumaadaa Al-Uolaa 1423 / 13-07-2002
Muslim Personality
Question
How is it that the Arabs knew the name Allah (such as the Soul Purification
Prophet's (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) father's name before
Islamic Etiquette
Islam came to introduce the name Allah through the Qur'an. I
ems understand other religions such as Christianity had the name
Allah but in this form since they were written in languages other
than Arabic!
Fatwa
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the World; and may His
blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad
tion
and upon all his Family and Companions. Fatwa No.

gs For sure, Arabs were believers in the existence of Question No.

eed Allah before the advent of Islam, and they even used
unciation the same word "Allah". They believed that Allah is
c Alphabet The Creator, The provider, The Only Owner of
everything, The Administrator of life affairs and
believed in other meanings of Divinity. But, they
worshipped idols, according to their claim, to bring
them nearer to Allah.
In this vein, Allah Says (interpretation of meaning):
{And if you (O Muhammad SAW) ask them: "Who has
created the heavens and the earth," they will
certainly say: "Allâh." …} [31: 25]. He also Says: {Say
(O Muhammad SAW): "Who provides for you from the
sky and from the earth? Or who owns hearing and In:
sight? And who brings out the living from the dead
and brings out the dead from the living? And who
disposes the affairs?" They will say: "Allâh." Say: "Will Same Word
you not then be afraid of Allâh's Punishment (for
setting up rivals in worship with Allâh)?"} [10: 31]. He In Order
also Says: {… And those who take Auliyâ' (protectors No Order
and helpers) besides Him (say): "We worship them
Any Word
only that they may bring us near to Allâh." …} [39:
3]. He also Says: {And they worship besides Allâh
things that hurt them not, nor profit them, and they
say: "These are our intercessors with Allâh." …} [10:
18].
Allah knows best.
Fatwa
answered The Fatwa Center at Islamweb
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Reading Islam » Understanding

Islam » Worldview

Worldview . Belief . Ethics & Values . Quran . Prophet Muhammad . Worship . Islam in the World . Q & A

Islam and the Nature of the Universe

By Nehal El-Hadi
[It is God who raised the skies without support, as you can see, then assumed His throne, an
the sun and the moon (so that) each runs to a predetermined course. He disposes all affairs,
explaining every sign that you may be certain of the meeting with your Lord] (Ar-Ra`d 1
The last of the Abrahamic religions, following Judaism and Christianity, Islam
considers the creation of the universe as ultimate proof of the existence of one Creator
who “is that dimension which makes other dimensions possible; He gives meaning and
life to everything” (Rahman) According to the teachings of Islam, Allah (God) is the
one and only god, the absolute Creator of the universe, its components and its laws.
Allah is the beginning and the end of all things, and this is the foundation for Islam’s
teachings.
The Qur’an is the word of Allah as passed down to Muslims through the Prophet
Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the existence of only one version of the Qur’an
(there are no dissimilarities between any two copies) attests to the reverence in which Related Links
Muslims hold it. For Muslims, the Qur’an, containing the word of Allah, provides • Does God Exis
irrefutable proof of His existence. Along with the Qur’an, nature provides another
source for the proof of Allah’s existence. This intimate relationship between the • Pondering on t
Qur’an and nature is shown in the phrase ayat, which refers to signs of Allah’s God
existence in nature and also refers to the verses in the Qur’an.
The Creation
In Islam, the world as man knows it, begins and ends with Allah. Unlike Christianity and Judaism, the creation
described in detail, but referred to as a starting point for Allah’s power. The creation story in Islam is described
as the creation of the universe by Allah’s will with a single command: “Be!” Several verses in the Qur’an highli
power of creation:[Creator of the heavens and the earth from nothingness, He has only to say when He wil
“Be,” and it is] (Al-Baqarah 2:117) and,[That is how God creates what He wills, when He decrees a thing, H
and it is] (Aal `Imran 3:47).
In this manner, Allah created the heavens and the earth, the sun and the moon, and the rest of the universe. He c
plants and the animals, and placed them on Earth, and He decreed upon them the laws by
which the natural order of all creation functions. The universe is an independent entity, it Man’s relations
exists according to those laws and does not require (divine) intervention, yet it cannot “warrant materialises in I
for its own existence and it cannot explain itself” (Rahman). In Islam, this in itself is in several ways,
considered conclusive proof of Allah’s existence. The laws placed by Allah take into account significant and o
all natural phenomena and provide further proof for Allah’s greatness, which the Qur’an death
describes in detail.[He ushers in the dawn, and made the night for rest, the sun and moon
a computation. Such is the measure appointed by Him, the Omnipotent and All-Wise] (Al-An`am 6:96). N
decreed by Allah, “reflects and issues from the order that exists in the Divine Realm” (Nasr) where Allah exists
Mankind & Nature Islam invites ma
Man was created from clay, and is thus part of nature, not separate from it. This relationship the laws of natu
with nature materialises in Islamic living in several ways, the most significant and obvious ways in which t
being death. Muslim burials require the corpse to be washed, have all items removed, and exists.
placed in the ground within three days—for an easier return to the earth whence it came.
Within Allah’s universe, man was given a special place. In Islamic teachings, in contrast to those of Christianity
made in God’s image. Rather, Allah distinguished man from His other creations by breathing His own spirit into
preferential treatment of God’s creation gave man two privileges not made available to the rest of creation: (1) f
choice and (2) specialised knowledge or “creative knowledge” (Rahman).
Freedom of choice allows man the ability to make the decision whether or not to worship Allah and follow His
universe, as described before, is governed by the l
aws decreed for it by Allah, and has, therefore, been in submission to Allah since its creation. Man, however, w
ability to think, rationalize, and argue the presence of a creator, and then decide whether to submit to Him or no
An Open Invitation to Knowledge and Learning
Creative knowledge was first displayed—according to the teachings of Islam—when, after the angels questione
why he had created man in the form of Adam, Allah challenged the angels and Adam to name objects. The ange
to bestow names upon things, whereas Adam could, giving him superiority over those that he had named and de
his Creator’s power.
As part of man’s privilege, Islam, through the Qur’an, invites man to discover the laws of nature and the ways i
universe exists. There is no threat to Allah’s supremacy in this way, because if Allah wills something to remain
(such as Himself) then man has no possible way of discovering whatever Allah chooses to Islam is a natura
remain hidden. On the contrary, when man sees for himself the extent to which the universe
has been meticulously planned and provided for, Allah’s infinite wisdom becomes apparent. Man is invited to q
discover, explore, and manipulate the world around him and use it for his benefit.
There are three types of learning encouraged in Islam, all of which will (or should) inevitably lead to acknowled
recognition of Allah’s power. These are: (1) the discovery of nature, its laws, and how it can be used for the ben
mankind; (2) the exploration of the history and the geography of the physical world and its peoples; and (3) kno
oneself (Rahman).
This encouragement to learn and discover has led to a proliferation of Arab scholars in the fields of the natural s
mathematics. In Islamic philosophy, one must always seek knowledge, both within and without, as knowledge i
path on which one must travel. Ignorance is an unfavourable state of being, as the process pf acknowledging the
power of Allah is one of enlightenment through knowing.
“Nature exists for man to exploit for his own ends, while the end of man himself is nothing For more on Isl
else but to serve God, to be grateful to him, and to worship him alone” (Rahman). Islam read:
suggests that nature was created by Allah specifically for mankind’s use and so must be
recognised and respected as a gift for which man must be grateful. There are three reasons for  Enviro
creation: (1) “to serve as a collection of signs, or ayat, of the power and goodness of Allah”; and Values:
(2) “to serve Allah and to be submissive to God’s will”; and (3) “for the use of humans” Islamic Per
(Timm).  A Pion
Natural law in Islam is based on the laws Allah created for nature, which as mentioned earlier, the Environ
reflected the laws of Allah’s divine realm. Man is expected to discover Allah’s will and to  Water
follow it, because “Islam suggests that discovering the truth, learning the truth, and believing Islam
in the truth are all possible” (Ezzati).
Allah created the universe, bestowed human beings with a privileged position within it, and  The Lo
left the world to function under the laws He had decreed for it. Allah observes how people Animals
treat the bounty He has given them, and the universe is allowed to exist, with little
intervention, for a certain length of time. At the end of this time, following portents of the end of the world as w
mankind is brought in front of Allah for Judgment Day. Islam’s eschatology places Allah’s role as mankind’s ju
progression from His role as mankind’s Creator, and man will be punished or rewarded for his deeds in Allah’s
Islam is a natural religion, in that its teachings advocate the utilisation of nature for man’s benefit, along with th
of the universe that Allah has placed in mankind’s safekeeping.

Sources:

 Ali, A. Al-Quran: A Contemporary Translation . New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 2001.
 Ezzati, A. Islam and Natural Law . London: ICAS Press, 2002.
 Nasr, S.H. Religion and the Order of Nature . Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1996.
 Rahman, F. Major Themes of the Qur'an . Chicago: Bibliotheca Islamica, 1980.

 Timm, R.E. “The Ecological Fallout of Islamic Creation Philosophy.” Worldviews and Ecology: Religion, Philosop
Environment . Eds. M.E. Tucker and J.A. Grim, New York: Orbis Books, 1994. 83-95
Nehal El-Hadi is a Masters student at the Faculty of Environmental Studies, York University (Toronto, Canada
environmental journalism in the Canadian media. Her interests lie in the use of journalism as an agent for social
understanding the place of nature in society.
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Learn How To The word “Islam” is an Arabic word that means submitting and surrendering your will to
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Movie The
Message

Abdul Basit Qur'an Belief:

There are six articles to belief;

Islamic Articles 1. Belief in God.
2. Belief in the angels.
Latest News 3. Belief in God’s revealed books.
4. Belief in the Prophets.
Islam Chat (New) 5. Belief in the Day of Judgment.
6. Belief in Al-Qadar (divine predestination).

________________
 Islam Guide • Belief in God is to believe that He is One, The Creator, Sustainer, Provider, and the One
who disposes of all affairs.
Islam Religion
• Belief in the angels is to believe that they exist and that they are honored creatures.
Islam.com Angels are created from light, who worship God alone, obey Him, and act only on His
command. Among the angels is Gabriel, who brought down the Quran to Prophet
Islam Yesterday Mohammad (pbuh).

Islam Tomorrow • Belief in Allah's revealed books and Prophets means that Allah sent messengers
like Noah, Abraham Moses, Jesus, Mohammad (pbuh). And the books that came with them
Islam Always like the Torah, Zaboor (Psalms), Injeel, Quran to call people to worship Allah alone,
associating nothing with him. He sent the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as the last
YouTube Islam messenger, and abrogated all the previous books with the Quran.

Prophet Of Islam • Belief in the Day of Judgment is to belief that the Day of Resurrection, when all
people will be resurrected for Allah’s judgment according to their beliefs and deeds.
Science Islam
• Belief in Al-Qadr is believing in divine predestination. So everything good or bad that
Islam Code happens or takes place according to what Allah has foreordained. Divine predestination
includes belief in four things;
Watch Islam
1. Allah knows everything. He knows what has happened and what will happen.
Share Islam 2. Allah has recorded all that has happened and all that will happen.
3. Whatever Allah wills to happen, happens. And whatever He wills not to happen, doesn’t
Challenge Your happen.
Soul 4. Allah is the creator of everything .

1Islam
Productions
In belief is also your testimony of Faith. In your testimony of faith there are
Ramadan seven conditions;
Awareness
1. Knowledge which negates ignorance.
Education 2. Certainty which negates doubt.
Resources 3. Sincerity and purity of intent which negates shirk (The sin of idolatry or associating
partners, beings or things with Allah)
Bilal Philips 4. Truthfulness which negates hypocrisy.
5. Love and devotion which negates disdain of Allah’s Deen (religion).
Islamic Finder 6. Submission which negates disobedience.
7. Acceptance which negates rejection of denial.
Jannah.org

Amr Khaled
Pillars of Islam

There are five pillars in Islam;

1. Shahadah – Declaration of Faith.
2. Salat – The offering of prayers five times a day.
3. Zakat – The welfare due to giving money to provide for the poor.
4. Saum – Fasting during the month of Ramadan.
5. Hajj – Making a Pilgrimage to Mecca (At least Once in your life-time).

These five pillars are of great importance in Islam. They are not the whole of Islam but
Islam would be incomplete without them.

The Beginning;

Islam came to reform human society. It came to encourage the good form from the other
revealed books and to discourage and modify the bad that people were doing.

Why we need Islam;

• To secure consistency and rationality in logical thought.

• Through worshiping Allah, life becomes meaningful and most important of all,
purposeful.

• To equalize all humans and races.

• To further our knowledge and scientific progress. Islam encourages and even urges its
followers to learn, read, write and do research.

• To emphasize all aspects of good manners such as honesty, telling the truth, charity, co-
operation and modesty.

• To emphasize contentment, i.e. being satisfied with yourself. The Prophet Mohammad
(pbuh) said, ‘The real richness is the richness of the soul’. Hard work, the Prophet
Mohammad (pbuh) urges the believer to work and not depend on others. The Prophet
Mohammad (pbuh) said, ‘If you go up the mountain to collect some wood, this is better
than begging’

• Security is a basic need of human beings and Islam provides this. When you know that
Allah is merciful and guides and protects those who believe in him, you feel secure.

• Islam gives us a real piece of mind because it guides us in every day life. In Islam the
right is clear, the wrong is clear and there is no compromises. Islam does not include
contradictions. Each order in Islam serves others orders in superb harmony.

• Family protection; Islam gives priority to the safety of the family because Islam takes the
family to be the best social unit that secures the physical and psychological needs of
parents and children.

• Prayer and Psychological health; Prayer in Islam serves as a symbol of submission to

Allah and food for our souls. Prayer kills anxiety, excessive worrying, hypocrisy, reinforces
belief, strengthens and waters faith.

The Purpose of Islam;

Islam is a complete way of life that governs all facets of life, moral, spiritual, political,
economical, intellectual etc.

It establishes peace and order and creates a very strong ethical and spiritual society on
earth.

The “religion” and “way of life” is to bring the human being back to the natural state that
is was originally created in; that of humility, piety, peace and submission.

Islam’s purpose is to save mankind from the anguish of this world and the here-after.

Islam calls people away from the worship of “creation” and calls them towards the worship
of the “Creator” and the concept of monotheism uniting us all under one God.

The Benefits

Islam provides many benefits for the individual and the society these four benefits are the
main one gained through Islam;

1. The door to eternal paradise-The Quran has said ‘And give good news (O Muhammad) to
those who believe and do good deeds that they will have gardens (paradise) in which
rivers flow…’ (Quran 2:25).
The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has said that the lowest in rank among the dwellers of
paradise will have ten times the like of this world, and he or she will have whatever he or
she desires and ten times like it.
If you enter paradise, you will live a very happy life without any sickness, pain, sadness or
death.
Allah will be pleased with you and you will live there forever.

2. Salvation from Hellfire.

This life is the only chance to win paradise and to escape from Hellfire, because if
someone dies in disbelief he will not have a chance to come back to this world to believe.

3. Real happiness and inner peace.

Real happiness and peace can be found in submitting to the command and will of Allah,
the Creator and Sustainer of this world.
On the other hand, the one who turns away from the Quran will have a life of hardship in
this world.
This is an explanation of why many people commit suicide as they turn to materials and
money for comfort.
Money is something that can’t buy happiness or inner peace. It is only gained through
Islam.
Look at Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam) He used to earn $150,000 in one night performing, after
turning to Islam, he found true happiness and peace, which he had not found in material
success.

4. Forgiveness for all previous sins.

When reverting to Islam, Allah forgives all of your previous sins and evil deeds.
After converting to Islam, the person will be rewarded for his or her good and bad deeds.
It is said by the Prophet Muhammad(pbuh); Allah who is blessed and exalted, is most
Merciful. If someone intends to do a good deed but does not do it, a good deed is recorded
for him, and if he does do it (a reward of ) ten to seven hundred or many more times (the
reward of the good deed), will be recorded for him, and if someone intends to do a bad
deed but does not do it, a good deed will be recorded for him and if he does do it, a bad
deed will be recorded against him or Allah may will wipe it out.

The Results;

The results are pretty obvious.

You get self-satisfaction and your life changes for the better.

You gain inner peace and happiness that no other thing on earth can give you.

A ticket to Paradise is there for you and not to mention keeping you away from Hellfire.

Through wudu (Ablution) and prayer you are continuously clean and your health and
physical being are pretty much always well.
You are constantly in touch with Allah and your soul is fed.

You are at peace with yourself.

"This day I have perfected your religion for you,

completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you
Islam as your religion (Way of Life)." (Surah 5:3 - Al
Maidah)
A Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam for non-Muslims
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