Islam in 4 minutes

Islam is a way of life that fulfils mankind’s most essential needs so that they may reside with God’s creation in this universe in a state of peace and security. Such is the fruit of true submission to the Creator of this universe – Allah – the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds.

This way of life shows us how to realise these essential needs that Allah, the Creator and Lord of the universe has intended for mankind to follow across the twin spectrums of time and space. It is to this end that Allah sent all of His Messengers, from the first, Adam (May peace be upon him), including Moses and Jesus, the son of Mary until the last Messenger, Muhammed, May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon them all.

Yet divine wisdom decreed the presence of a struggle between truth and falsehood; good and evil. This has led to the distancing of many people, since the middle Ages until this day, from this belief system and its aims and objectives. This has resulted in chaos and confusion, until Allah sent His Prophet Muhammed to guide people to the truth and repel evil, prior to Allah beginning the resurrection and the ending of life upon earth. The message of Prophet Muhammed was a continuation of original divine messages. At the same time it abrogated them as they had all been subject to distortion and did not remain the messages that Allah, the Mighty and Exalted, revealed.

It is not possible for one who desires to worship his Creator to follow these messages while they are in this distorted format and at the same time leave the message which will lead him to the realisation of the essential needs of man without distortion – such is the message of Islam which was bought by Muhammed, Peace Be Upon Him.

Pure submission to the Sustainer and cherisher of mankind may only come about through the embracing of the religion of Islam, that is by man testifying that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammed is His servant and Messenger. This means that Allah, alone is the one deserving of worship, He is the only being endowed with wholly divine qualities, other divinities fall short of this description and do not deserve recognition as God. This brings one to the second half of this testification that Muhammed, the Arabian Prophet, who was a human being, servant of God and the last of the Prophets and Messengers. It is obligatory for all of mankind to adhere to His divinely inspired way of life – Shariah


Man’s Essential Needs
The first of these essential needs is Faith; this is what man believes regarding himself, his creator, the universe and the purpose of life. The answers to these key questions which all of mankind must address are answered through religion. If one’s religion is sound the answers would likewise be sound, this would be indicated through tranquillity and peace that settles in the soul. This is an aim common to all human souls. Therefore the faith of Islam is invaluable, the life of individuals and societies are based upon it. It deserves our utmost respect and attention. It is the most important essential need.

In order to preserve faith, the Creator, being fully cognizant with what is appropriate for His creation, ordained fundamental practises without which true surrender to Allah is not realised. He named these as pillars of Islam. It is not feasible that man could be a worshiper of his creator, realising the purpose of his life, without upholding these practises.

The second of these, after ones testifying that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammed is His Messenger, is ones establishing five prayers throughout the day and night. These prayers, being a tradition practised by the Prophets and believers, have specified times and characteristics.

Thirdly, that a wealthy person gives a portion of their wealth to the needy from amongst the poor and destitute and others, such is called Zakat. This is in fact the first economic dynamic for building a community; rather it is the first societal dynamic as it creates ties between disparate members of the society. It removes the envy, which may be harboured by the poor man for the rich as it may be seen he gives from his wealth enough to sustain his basic needs of life. The spectre of poverty is removed from people and the wealthy are purified from their greed. It places a limit on one’s love of wealth.

The Fourth of these pillars is SAUM (fasting). One abstains from food, drink and sexual intercourse from sunrise until sunset during the lunar month known as Ramadan; by means of it one draws near to one’s Lord and endeavours to live a month of complete spirituality where one reduces human worldly desires so that ones spiritual vigour may flourish. There is an increase in the brotherly bond with those who do not find their daily food and drink and an increase in gratitude and indebtedness to ones Creator. So one becomes keener to eradicate the want and need of those who feel the pain and anguish of hunger. One thus draws closer to his or her Lord, increases in love for Him and distances oneself from that which he dislikes. It is in this manner that one implements the Islamic way of life (Shariah) on earth, with its emphasis on justice, security, peace and equanimity.

The last of these pillars is Hajj (pilgrimage). One in a position to carry out the pilgrimage travels to the noble sanctuary of Mecca, during the Hajj period, and endeavours to carry out the spiritually significant ceremonies, which trace back to the patriarch and father of the prophets, Abraham, peace be upon him.

Thus there occurs a gathering on a truly monumental level, as millions come together from all over the world. Man feels that he has brothers all over the earth. Their differences are removed as they change their regular clothes for the modest and similar dress of Ihram (as characterized by two white sheets worn by men as wraps).

Through the fulfilment of these pillars in an excellent manner, they come together to form the fulfilment of a single aim – the realisation of the purpose of mans life – implementing the Shariah of Allah on this earth, thus the whole of the creation can live as their Creator wants.

Those who commit to the above deserve to be among the successful after their death, since Allah, the Almighty, has promised them an immense reward: eternal life in Gardens of pleasure where they shall receive that which their hearts desire, and they will have no wish to go out of it. Thus man would live in that state for eternity, neither would he be subject to toil nor sickness, or sadness. He would be surrounded by joy upon joy.

In contrast, those who rebelled against the Shariah of Allah and devoted themselves to other than Allah, basing his way of life upon legislation that Allah did not authorise. Such would deserve a burning fire after their death and an unbearable punishment. This is because his actions bring chaos and calamities upon the creation. Indeed life becomes chaotic when other than Allah’s Shariah is implemented. It is thus obligatory upon us to prevent men from such corruption. Thus we must make every effort against the wrongdoers until only the Shariah of Allah is established with concurrent peace and security. Thus the forces of evil and the devil, who desire mankind to be bound to a life of misery and constraint in this world and the next, are overcome.

The second of the essential needs is Protection of Life. According to Islam, in principle mans blood is inviolable; it is through the implementation of Islam that lives are secured and none may disregard the rights of others. Islam prohibits killing and all means that lead to it. It placed tough punishments for those who disrespect the human race, some of which extends to taking the life of the perpetrator.

The THIRD of the essential needs is the Protection of intellect. The Creator has made the intellect the most significant human attribute. Allah has encouraged us to use our faculty of reason in all matters that benefit mankind. Indeed, it is through the intellect that Allah has distinguished man from others of the creation; with the reduction of this faculty his pre-eminence is reduced to the extent that man can be reduced to the level of cattle or even below that. Thus a chaotic vacuum takes hold and man’s life loses its balance. The means to the human existence that Allah, the Creator, requires of us are destroyed. In order to protect the intellect Allah has prohibited – not only in Islam, but in all divinely based religions – anything that destroys or reduces the faculty of reason or otherwise interferes with it. To this end alcohol and intoxicating drugs are prohibited.

The FOURTH matter is the PROTECTION OF DIGNITY. Islam protects the dignity of man. Man’s reputation is a priceless commodity. Assaults upon the dignity of a person lead only to a cycle of abuse and distorting others character. Fragmented and insincere relations thus stain the fabric of civilization. To this end Islam has prohibited insulting, swearing, the use of foul language and despising others. On the contrary Islam has ordained the highest morals and legislated against some of the aforementioned transgressions.

The FINAL essential need is the protection of wealth. The need and desire to own capital is one of mans greatest distinguishing traits. The Shareah of Islam, as revealed by the Lord of Mankind and all creation, is in accordance with human nature and confirmed this right. The Socialist system is contrary to this. Rather, Islam regulated and refined this matter - contrary to the Capitalist system. Mans sole concern in this life should not be merely satiating his material or bodily desires. To this end Islam has prohibited theft and instituted a severe exemplary punishment for those who criminally take the wealth of others. Usury (interest) is also prohibited in Islam as it based upon the exploitation of the needy. Thus the rich increase their wealth ands the poor fall deeper into poverty. Likewise Islam has prohibited all forms of deception and trading in prohibited items. Zakat has been instituted so that a portion of the wealth of the nation may be unconditionally shared by all members of the society. Charity in general and extending material and moral benefit has been greatly encouraged.

This is the way of life known as Islam. Mankind’s life will never be sound without it. Therefore it is imperative that the whole of mankind follow it order to succeed with the reward of Paradise and be saved from the punishment of the Fire of Hell.

After this, would a person with reason and after some thought; one seeking happiness, peace and tranquillity for themselves and their society, reject the call of Islam for themselves and their society. This is a call to people of reason.

From Haytham Al-Hadad