What is Islam ?

Islam is not a new religion, but the same truth that God revealed through all His prophets to every people. For a fifth of the world's population, Islam is both a religion and a complete way of life. Muslims follow a religion of peace, mercy, and forgiveness, and the majority have nothing to do with the extremely grave events which have come to be associated with their faith.
                                                 A Moroccan in prayer 

Muslims praying in Jerusalem outside The Dome of the Rock


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Muslims

A Muslim, also spelled Moslem is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the Qur'an—which Muslims consider the uncreated and verbatim word of God (Arabic: الله Allâh) as revealed to prophet Muhammad—and, with lesser authority than the Qur'an, the teachings and practices of Muhammad as recorded in traditional accounts, called hadith. "Muslim" is an Arabic word meaning "one who submits to God".
Muslims believe that God is eternal, transcendent, absolutely one (the doctrine of tawhid, or strict or simple monotheism), and incomparable; that he is self-sustaining, who begets not nor was begotten. Muslim beliefs regarding God are summed up in chapter 112 of the Qur'an, al-Ikhlas, "the chapter of purity". Muslims also believe that Islam is the complete and universal version of a primordial faith that was revealed at many times and places before, including through the prophets Abraham, Moses and Jesus. Muslims maintain that previous messages and revelations have been partially changed or corrupted over time, but consider the Qur'an to be both unaltered and the final revelation from God—Final Testament.
Most Muslims accept as a Muslim anyone who has publicly pronounced the Shahadah (declaration of faith) which states, "I testify that there is no god except for the God [Allah], and I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of the God." Their basic religious practices are enumerated in the Five Pillars of Islam, which consist of daily prayers (salat), fasting during Ramadan (sawm), almsgiving (zakat), and the pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj) at least once in a lifetime.
Currently, the most up-to-date reports from an American think tank and PBS have estimated 1.2 to 1.57 billion Muslims populate the world, or about 20% of an estimated 2009 world population of 6.8 billion.
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History of Islam

Pre-Islamic
The Arabian Peninsula the birthplace of Islam is one of the hottest and driest regions in the world, consisting mainly of deserts. Since ancient times tribes of the nomadic race had populated the region. Considered the descendents of Noah’s third son Shem they are called Semites. Over the centuries theses Semitic people have migrated into the Fertile Crescent and were assimilated to into existing civilizations.
In the sixth century AD, north of the Arabian Peninsula two great powers were locked in a seesaw power struggle. The Christian Byzantine kingdom, successors of the Roman Empire was to the Northwest and controlled the Mediterranean Sea, North Africa and the lands of Palestine. In the northeast lay the Zoroastrian Persian kingdom. Both the Byzantine and Persian kingdoms had client Arab tribes allied to their cause of trade and conquest.
The Arabian Peninsula became a land of refuge for those seeking escape from both of these empires. Heretic Christian sects like the Nestorians, and Jewish tribes escaping the oppressive Byzantines found refuge in the protective deserts and cities of the Peninsula. 
                                       Arabia was divided into tribes and cities. Each city had gods and goddess. Once a year the tribes and cities of Arabia would meet in the city of Mecca during an event known as the Hajj. In Mecca, the Kaba (Cube), a large cube shaped building housed 360 idols from all the tribes of Arabia. The Kaba was the center of Arabian religious life. Here all the warring tribes would put aside their differences as they circled the Kaba. From the Kaba they would proceed to the other shrines outside of Mecca during this five day religious event. The Hajj was a tradition that Arabs of the peninsula remembered going back hundreds of years.
Mohammed  
It was in this world Mohammad Ibn Abdallah was born in the year 570 AD in the city of Mecca. His father died before he was born and his mother Amina died when he was 6 years old. Al-Muttalib his grandfather took charge of the youth and died 2 years later. Abu Talib his uncle adopted young Mohammed into his family and raised him as his own son. At the age of 12, young Mohammed was taken on a caravan-trading venture to Syria and experienced the world outside of Arabia for the first time. Here Islamic tradition informs us that a Christian monk named Buhaira, proclaimed Talib’s  young nephew is the last prophet and warns him about the Jews. For the next 13 years little is known of his life except that he was involved in caravan trading in and out of Arabia.
At the age of 25, Mohammed marries a 40 year old wealthy, widow named Khadijah who owns trading caravans. During the next 15 years of his life he interactes with Arabs known as the Hanefites. Hanefites were Arabs who rejected idol worship and were searching for the true religion. They looked to the religion of the Jews and Christians as being close to the goal. The Hanefites abandonded their idols and would retreat to the caves of Mecca in meditation and prayer.
At age 40 Mohammed had his first vision in the year 610 AD. He was in a cave on Mt. Hera and thought he was demon possessed. He went to Khadijah and told her about the event. She consulted with her uncle Waraca, a Hanefite who converted to Christianity, who assured them Mohammed vision was from God. Waraca declared Mohammed was a prophet to the Arab peoples, Waraca died 2 years later never becoming a Muslim.
Mohammed proclaimed Allah as the one true god and rejected the idol worship of Mecca. Khadijah, his wife, was Mohammed first convert to Islam. Few listened to Mohammed’s message and animosity grew against him as he confronted the idol worshippers and preached his religion to Mecca. Abu Talib his uncle and his tribe the Hasims protected him during this early Meccan period. In 619 Khadijah and Abu Talib died. Abu Talib headed the Hasim clan, which Mohammed was a member. The new leader of the Hasim tribe his uncle Abu Lahab refused to protect Mohammed. During the next 3 years Mohammed would fear for his life. He sought refuge and protection in nearby cities from those seeking his life.
Then in 621 during the Hajj, Arab tribes from the city of Yatrob later to be called Medina, came for the annual pilgrimage. They met Mohammed and thought him to be a prophet and invited him to their city to bring peace and settle disputes between the warring tribes. Yathrob was founded by three Jewish tribes and the idea of monotheism was familiar to its Arab tribesmen. The Arabs of Medina had been told by Jewish tribesmen about the coming Messiah who would one day conquer the world including the Arabs. The Arab tribes hoped to find this individual before the Jews. Meeting Mohammed they thought he was the one.
The Hejira (Flight)
The next year the situation became intolerable for the Muslims and in in June 622 they made what has become known as the Hejira or flight. In small groups the 150 Muslims of Mecca left for the city of Medina 280 miles to the north. When word reached those of Mecca about the escape to Medina they tried to kill Mohammed. Mohammed and Abu Bakr were able to sneak out of the city and escape to Medina by another route in September 622.
In Medina the warring Arab tribes submitted to Mohammed leadership and prophet-hood. The Jewish tribes rejected his claims of prophet and ridiculed his revelations. With most of the new arrivals from Mecca without work they needed to earn a living. Ghazu or caravan raiding was a way tribes would prevent one tribe from becoming to powerful. The Muslims in Medina began to rob the caravans heading toward Mecca. This is where the Muslim doctrine of Jihad was created.
With their caravan business being threatened, Mecca responds with one thousand solders at the battle of Bedr in March 624 the Muslims fielded 300 warriors. The battle went to the Muslims. Mohammed proclaimed his victory was a sign from Allah and his status in Medina was magnified. The lack of enthusiasm by one of the Jewish tribes caused them to be expelled by the victorious Muslim army. The direction of prayer was also changed from Jerusalem to Mecca as the Jews rejected Mohammad’s prophet-hood.
Exactly one year latter Mecca amassed 3000 solders at the battle of Uhud and the Muslims fielded 1000 solders. The battle did not go as planned. The Muslims defeated by Mecca retreated to Medina. Disheartened, Muslims blamed the second Jewish tribe as conspirators against their cause. Their homes and possessions were confiscated, and they are expelled from the city in 626 AD.
The Meccans in the hope of ending the caravan raids by the Muslims assembled 10,000 solders to attack the city of Medina in the year 627. After a two weeks siege in the hot sun they are unable to penetrate the fortress like city. They returned to Mecca. After this unsuccessful attack,  Mohammed and the Muslims attacked the last remaining Jewish tribe. The tribe surrendered to the mercy of Mohammed. The men were killed and the women and children were sold into slavery.
The Muslims then begin to consolidate their power with the surrounding Arab tribes and cities.
Mecca began to feel the economic impact of its trading losses and  Mohammed’s power grew in the north. They reluctantly signed the 10 year Hudaybiah peace agreement with Mohammed and the Muslims in march 628. Muslims are allowed to return to Mecca and worship at the Kaba once a year. The people of Mecca would leave their city so the Muslim could come and worship.
Two years later, in January 630, Mohammed leads 10,000 warriors to Mecca and nullifies the treaty of Hudaybiah because Muslims have been killed. The city submits to Mohammed and his warriors and accepts him as prophet. Mohammed goes to the Kaba and destroys the 360 idols in the structure. From Mecca, the “Muslims” wage Jihad on the surrounding cities forcing them to accept Islam as their religion and Mohammed as their prophet.
Mohammed made his final Hajj in 632 and died unexpectedly 3 months later in June. His friend and father in law Abu Bakr (Father of Aisha)  succeeded him as leader of the Muslims
After Mohammad
Abu Bakr  received the title “Caliph” or successor of Mohammed. Their was a struggle for about who would succeed Mohammad, some felt Ali the husband of Fatima, Mohammed’s daughter deserved the position. Under Abu Bakr  Islam's power in Arabian peninsula was completed. In 634 AD Abu Bakr died and was succeeded by Umar (Omar) the 2nd Caliphate. 
Umar advanced the Muslim armies against Syria and Palestine. In 637 A D, the armies of Byzantium lost control of Jerusalem to Islam.  Uthman the 3rd Caliph succeeded Umar. Uthman ordered a complete revision of the Quran, this would cause a mutiny. He was killed and his death was considered justified because the mutineers claimed he ceased to be a Muslim.  Following Uthman’s There was a struggle between rival factions of Islam about who was the rightful successor to lead Islam.                  
Ali the 4th Caliph, Mohammad’s son-in-law and husband of Fatima, succeeded Uthman everybody did not accept him as rightful Caliphate.  War broke out between the rival groups, his succession was short lived, 2 years later he was killed, the Shi’a (Party of Ali) mourned the death of Ali, and his two sons (Grandsons of Mohammed). Ali is revered as a saint by the Shi’a who are dominate in Iran and Iraq.  The Shi’a feel Ali was the rightful successor to Mohammed and don’t recognize the three earlier Caliphs.  The Sunnis accept Ali and the first three Caliphate as legitimate.                                                                        
 After the defeat the Byzantines and Persian kingdoms in successive battles, the armies of Islam advanced on Europe. Within 100 years of Mohammad’s death the armies of Islam reached the city of Tours, in France. In Tours the Muslim advance was stopped.                        
In the Battle of Tours Charles Martel the grandfather of Charlemagne defeated the advancing Muslim armies. From Tours Muslim power in Europe retreated and in the 1489 Fredinand and Isabella of Spain defeated the last remaining forces in Spain. Later, the Ottoman Empire would retreat from the rest of Europe.                                         
In the East, Islam was also expanding by the 13th century; Islam had reached the Pacific Ocean. The Islamic faith now spanned from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Ferdinand Magellan, in his attempt to bypass Muslim controlled areas in the Indian Ocean, found the passageway to Asia via the Atlantic Ocean. His desire was to bring Christianity to Asia, before Islam. Magellan was successful in introducing Christianity to the Philippines (Named after King Philip of Spain)  Islam and Christianity met in the Philippines as the Northern Islands were converted to Christianity and the Southern parts of the Philippines and Indonesia  were  converted to Islam.  Islam and Christianity became the two major rival religions in the world.
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islamic marriage

By getting married you are not just getting a wife, you are getting your whole world. From now until the rest of your days your wife will be your partner, your companion, and your best friend.
She will share your moments, your days, and your years. She will share your joys and sorrows, your successes and failures, your dreams and your fears. When you are ill, she will take the best care of you; when you need help, she will do all she can for you;
When you have a secret, she will keep it; when you need advice, she will give you the best advice. She will always be with you: when you wake up in the morning the first thing your eyes will see will be hers; during the day, she will be with you, if for a moment she is not with you by her physical body, she will be thinking of you, praying for you with all her heart, mind, and soul; when you go to sleep at night, the last thing your eyes will see will be her; and when you are asleep you will still see her in your dreams. In short, she will be your whole world and you will be her whole world.
The best description that I personally have ever read describing the closeness of the spouses to each other is the Qur'anic verse which says: "they are your garments and you are their garments" (Surah Al Baqarah 2:187).
Indeed, spouses are like garments to each other because they provide one another with the protection, the comfort, the cover, the support, and the adornment that garments provide to humans. Just imagine a journey in the winter of Alaska without garments! Our spouses provide us with the same level of comfort, protection, cover, and support in the journey of our lives on this earth as garments would do in the Alaskan journey.
The relationship between the spouses is the most amazing of all human relations: the amount of love and affection, intimacy and closeness, mercy and compassion, peace and tranquillity that fills the hearts of the spouses is simply inexplicable. The only rational explanation for these most amazing of all human feelings is that: it is an act of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala, "And Allah has made for you Mates (and Companions) of your own nature ..." (Surah Al Nahl 16:72) Only our Almighty Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala in His Infinite Power, Boundless Mercy, and Great Wisdom can create and ingrain these amazing and blessed feelings in the hearts of the spouses. In fact Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala is reminding those who search for His signs in the universe that these feelings in the hearts of the spouses are among the signs that should guide humans to His existence as He says in the Qur'an, "And among His signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves that you may dwell in tranquillity with them and He has put love and mercy between your hearts: verily in that are signs for those who reflect." (Surah Al Rum 30:21)
But Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala knows that the human heart is not a static entity, it is sometimes weak and at times dynamic. Feelings can and do change with time. Love may wither and fade away. The marital bond might weaken if not properly cared for. Happiness in marriage cannot be taken for granted; continuous happiness requires constant giving from both sides. For the tree of marital love to remain alive and keep growing, the soil has to be sustained, maintained, watered and nurtured.
Remember that our Prophet Muhammad Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam had found the time to go out to the desert and race with his wife Aisha. She out ran him but later after she had gained some weight, he out ran her.
Remember that the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam took his wife to watch the young Ethiopians playing and dancing their folk dances. The show of emotions is necessary to keep the marital bond away from rusting and disintegrating.
Remember that you will be rewarded by Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala for any emotions you show to your wife as the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam said "one would be rewarded for anything that he does seeking the pleasure of Allah even the food that he puts in the mouth of his wife."
Never underestimate the importance of seemingly little things as putting food in your wife's mouth, opening the car's door for her, etc. Remember that the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam used to extend his knee to his wife to assist her up to ride the camel.
Try to always find some time for both of you to pray together. Strengthening the bond between you and Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala is the best guarantee that your own marital bond would always remain strong. Having peace with Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala will always result in having more peace at home.
Remember that the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam gave glad tidings for those couples who wake up at night to pray together. The Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam even urged the spouse who rises up first to wake the other spouse up even by throwing cold water on his/her face.
Always try your best to be good to your wife by words and by deeds. Talk to her, smile to her, seek her advice, ask for her opinion, spend quality time with her and always remember that the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam said "the best of you are those who are best to their wives."
Finally, it is common that spouses vow to love and honor their spouses until death do them part. I do believe that this vow is good or even great, but not enough! It is not enough that you love your wife. You have to love what she loves as well. Her family, her loved ones must also become your loved ones. Don't be like my colleague who was unhappy about his wife's parents coming to visit for few weeks. He candidly said to her "I don't like your parents." Naturally, she angrily looked at him straight in the eye and said " I don't like yours either"... Also, it is not enough that you love her until death do you part. Love should never end and we do believe there is life after death where those who did righteousness in this world will be joined by their spouses (Surah Al Zukhruf 43:70) and offsprings.
The best example in this regard is the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam whose love for Khadija, his wife of 25 years extended to include all those she loved and continued even after her death. It was many years after her death and he never forgot her and whenever a goat was slaughtered in his house he would send portions of it to Khadija's family and friends and whenever he felt that the visitor at the door might be Khadija's sister Hala, he would pray saying "O Allah let it be Hala."
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women in islam


The study of women in Islam investigates the role of women within the religion of Islam. The complex relationship between women and Islam is defined by Islamic texts, the history and culture of the Muslim world. The Qur'an states that both men and women are equal, but also, as in, that "Men are the protectors and maintainers of women because God has given the one more (strength) than the other and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient and guard in (the husband's) absence what God would have them guard."
Sharia (Islamic law) provides for complementarianism, differences between women's and men's roles, rights, and obligations. However neither the Quran nor Hadith mention women have to be housewives. Majority Muslim countries give women varying degrees of rights with regards to marriage, divorce, civil rights, legal status, dress code, and education based on different interpretations. Scholars and other commentators vary as to whether they are just and whether they are a correct interpretation of religious imperatives.
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Islamic art

Islamic art encompasses the visual arts produced from the 7th century onwards by people (not necessarily Muslim) who lived within the territory that was inhabited by or ruled by culturally Islamic populations. It is thus a very difficult art to define because it covers many lands and various peoples over some 1400 years; it is not art specifically of a religion, or of a time, or of a place, or of a single medium like painting. The huge field of Islamic architecture is the subject of a separate article, leaving fields as varied as calligraphy, painting, glass, ceramics, and textiles, among others.
Islamic art is not at all restricted to religious art, but includes all the art of the rich and varied cultures of Islamic societies as well. It frequently includes secular elements and elements that are frowned upon, if not forbidden, by some Islamic theologians. Apart from the ever-present calligraphic inscriptions, specifically religious art is actually less prominent in Islamic art than in Western medieval art, with the exception of Islamic architecture where mosques and their complexes of surrounding buildings are the most common remains. Figurative painting may cover religious scenes, but normally in essentially secular contexts such as the walls of palaces or illuminated books of poetry. The calligraphy and decoration of manuscript Qu'rans is an important aspect, but other religious art such as glass mosque lamps and other mosque fittings such as tiles (e.g. Girih tiles), woodwork and carpets usually have the same style and motifs as contemporary secular art, although with religious inscriptions even more prominent.
"Islamic art developed from many sources: Roman, Early Christian art, and Byzantine styles were taken over in early Islamic art and architecture; the influence of the Sassanian art of pre-Islamic Persia was of paramount significance; Central Asian styles were brought in with various nomadic incursions; and Chinese influences had a formative effect on Islamic painting, pottery, and textiles. Though the whole concept of "Islamic art" has been criticised by some modern art historians calling it a "figment of imagination" or a "mirage" the similarities between art produced at widely different times and places in the Islamic world have been sufficient to keep the term in wide use by scholars.
There are repeating elements in Islamic art, such as the use of geometrical floral or vegetal designs in a repetition known as the arabesque. The arabesque in Islamic art is often used to symbolize the transcendent, indivisible and infinite nature of God. Mistakes in repetitions may be intentionally introduced as a show of humility by artists who believes only God can produce perfection, although this theory is disputed.
Typically, though not entirely, Islamic art has focused on the depiction of patterns and Arabic calligraphy, rather than on figures, because it is feared by many Muslims that the depiction of the human form is idolatry and thereby a sin against God, forbidden in the Qur'an. Human portrayals can be found in all eras of Islamic art, above all in the more private form of miniatures, where their absence is rare. Human representation for the purpose of worship is considered idolatry and is duly forbidden in Islamic law, known as Sharia law. There are also many depictions of Muhammad, Islam's chief prophet, in historical Islamic art Small decorative figures of animals and humans, especially if they are hunting the animals, are found on secular pieces in many media from many periods, but portraits were slow to develop.
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Islam in India

Islam is the second-most practiced religion in the Republic of India after Hinduism, with more than 13.4% of the country's population (over 138 million as per 2001 census).
Islam came to India with the Arab merchants and traders on the Malabar Coast in the 7th century. Islam arrived in north India in the 12th century and has since become a part of India's religious and cultural heritage. Over the years, there has been significant integration of Hindu and Muslim cultures across India and the Muslims have played a prominent role in India's economic rise and cultural influence.
Matters of jurisdiction involving Muslims in India related to marriage, inheritance and wakf properties are governed by the Muslim Personal Law, and the courts have ruled that Sharia or Muslim law, holds precedence for Muslims over Indian civil law in such matters.
The Muslims are about 12% of India's population. But their influence on the Indian society was much stronger. The main reason was that there were many Muslims rulers in different parts of India. Most of the Muslim rulers of India were invaders from the west (see India in the past ).
Islam was established in Saudi Arabia. But most of Islam's spreaders in India arrived from non-Arab countries (It must be noted that Arab traders and travellers had arrived into India even before Islam was established in Arabia. These Arabs probably had their own places of worship, later on transformed into mosques.). The first spreaders of Islam in India were individuals who saw in spreading Islam a holy precept. They began coming to India from the 11th century . They arrived in India from Bukhara, Turkey, Iran, Yemen and Afghanistan. The most famous preacher of Islam in India was Khwaja Chishti, who arrived from Iran and his sect is called Sufism. But the accepted assumption in India is that most of India's Muslims were converted to Islam through the sword. Meaning the Indians were given an option between death or adopting Islam. The third option was getting examined in Islam religion along with heavy taxes- Jeziya (poll tax) and Kharaj (property tax).
The process of converting Indians to Islam began in the 8th century, when the Arabs began invading north India and present day Pakistan. After the Arabs other Muslims invaded India. These invasions by Muslims in India were not continuous and not all Muslim invaders were Islamic fanatics. One of the Moghul emperors, Akbar, was very liberal and he even established a new religion, Din E Elahi, which included in it, beliefs from different religions. In some of the monuments built by Akbar symbols of different religions are visible. In contrast with Akbar his great grand son, Aurangazeb, was a fanatic Muslim and during his term the non-Muslims suffered a lot. Many worshipping sites of different religions were destroyed and transformed into mosques.
Most of the Indian Muslims converted to Islam were belonged to the lower classes of the Indian society. Besides these Muslims there are also Muslims who belonged to the ruling families of the different Indian kingdoms. Some of these rulers were Hindus who actually belonged to the warrior castes of the Hindu society and adopted Islam. Others are descendants of Muslim rulers who invaded India. The different Muslim rulers of India also brought to their kingdoms Muslim mercenaries, businessmen and slaves from different parts of the world like Russia; Afghanistan; Turkey; Arab countries and Africa. These people remained in India, married local Indians and converted them to Islam. Because of the different origins as stated and because of other reasons the Muslims of India refer to themselves not only as Muslims but also with other titles.
In general the Muslims of India like the Muslim world is divided into two main sects, Sunni and Shia. And just like in the whole Muslim world there is tension between these two sects. Each sect has many different schools. There are also Muslims who claim to be the descendants from the daughter of Prophet Muhammad and the men in this community add the title Syed before their names. Other claim to be the descendants from the first Muslims and add the title Sheik. Along with these Muslim world divisions, the Indian Muslims also have other divisions.
Different communities who adopted Islam in different ways have different community names. In west India the Bohra and Khoja are Muslim communities who adopted Islam influenced by different Muslim preachers. The Khojas also split into different communities. The leader of the Khoja (Nizari) community is Aga Khan. The Nawait are descendants of Arab and Persian immigrants. In south India in the state of Kerala, the Mophilla community is descendants from Arab merchants. A well known Indian Muslim community is Pathan. The Pathan are Muslims who arrived from Afghanistan. They normally have their surname as Khan. The Pathan have an image of being brave, honest and righteous. Many Indians who adopted Islam adopted the surname Khan and they claim that they are Pathans, which is not always true. The original Pathans claim that they originate from the Tribes of Israel.
In the beginning of the 20th century, some reformist Muslims organizations evolved in India who wanted to adjust Islamic philosophy to the modern world. These organizations wanted to cancel polygamy and were in favor of women education.

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Islamic names

Name Meaning
1 Aaban Name of the Angel
2 Aabid Worshiper
3 Aadil Just, Upright
4 Aahil Prince
5 Aalam World
6 Aalee Sublime, high
7 Aalim Religious Scholar
8 Aamil Doer, Work man
9 Aamir Civilised
10 Aaqib Follower
11 Aaqil Intelligent
12 Aarif Knowing, aware
13 Aariz Respectable man
14 Aaryan Of Utmost strength
15 Aashif Bold, courageous
16 Aashir Living
17 Aasif An able minister
18 Aasim Person who keeps away from sins
19 Aatif Kind Affectionate
20 Aaus Name of a tree
21 Aayan God's gift
22 Aazim Determined
23 Abaan Old Arabic name
24 Abbas Gloomy look
25 Abd Al-Ala Slave of the High
26 Abdul Aalee Servant of the Most High
27 Abdul Adl Slave of the just
28 Abdul Afuw Slave of the one who pardons
29 Abdul Ahad Slave of he who is one (Allah)
30 Abdul Aleem Servant of the Omniscient
31 Abdul Alim Slave of the All knowing
32 Abdul Awwal Slave of the First One
33 Abdul Azeez The servant of the most powerful
34 Abdul Azim Slave of the great
35 Abdul Aziz Servant of the powerful one
36 Abdul Baari Servant of the Creator
37 Abdul Baasit Servant of the Extender and Creator
38 Abdul Badee Slave of the originator
39 Abdul Baith Slave of the one who raises death
40 Abdul Baqi Slave of the Eternal
41 Abdul Bari Slave of the creator
42 Abdul Baseer Slave of the All-seeing
43 Abdul Batin Slave of the unseen
44 Abdul Fattah Slave of the opener, slave of the giver of victory
45 Abdul Ghafaar Servant of the Forgiver
46 Abdul Ghafoor Servant of the Forgiver
47 Abdul Hafeez Slave of the Protector
48 Abdul Hafiz Slave of the Guardian
49 Abdul Hakam Servant of the Arbitrator
50 Abdul Hakeem Servant of the Wise
51 Abdul Haleem Servant of the Mild and Patient
52 Abdul Halim Slave of the Wise
53 Abdul Hameed Servant of the Praiseworthy and the Ever-Praised
54 Abdul Hamid Slave of the Praiseworthy
55 Abdul Hannan Slave of the Merciful
56 Abdul Haq Servant of the Truth
57 Abdul Haseeb Servant of the Respected and Esteemed
58 Abdul Hasib Slave of the Reckoner
59 Abdul Hayy Slave of the Living
60 Abdul Jabaar Servant of the Mighty
61 Abdul Jaleel Servant of the Great and Revered
62 Abdul Jawwad Slave of the Bountiful
63 Abdul Kabir Slave of the Great
64 Abdul Kareem Servant of the Noble and Generous
65 Abdul Karim Slave of the Gracious
66 Abdul Khabir Slave of the one who is aware
67 Abdul Lateef Servant of the Kind
68 Abdul Maajid Slave of the Excellence
69 Abdul Maalik Slave of the Master, the Lord
70 Abdul Majeed Servant of the Glorious
71 Abdul Mani Slave of one who prevents
72 Abdul Mannan Slave of the Benefactor
73 Abdul Mateen Slave of the Firm
74 Abdul Mubdee Slave of the Originator
75 Abdul Mueed Slave of the Restorer, the Reproducer
76 Abdul Muhaimin Servant of the Supervising, the Guardian and the Protector
77 Abdul Muhaymin Slave of the Protector
78 Abdul Muhsin Slave of the Benefactor
79 Abdul Muhyee Slave of the one who gives life and sustains it
80 Abdul Muiz Servant of the Giver of Might and Glory
81 Abdul Mujeeb Servant of the Responder
82 Abdul Munim Slave of the Generous
83 Abdul Muntaqim Slave of him who punishes wrongdoings and seizes retribution
84 Abdul Muqeet Slave of the Sustainer
85 Abdul Muqsit Slave of the Just
86 Abdul Musawwir Slave of the Fashioner
87 Abdul Mutaal Servant of the Most High
88 Abdul Muti Slave of the Giver
89 Abdul Muzanni He was a narrator of Hadith
90 Abdul Nafi Slave of the Propitious
91 Abdul Naseer Slave of the Helper
92 Abdul Noor Slave of the one who is Light
93 Abdul Qaadir Servant of the Capable
94 Abdul Qadeer Slave of the Powerful
95 Abdul Qadir Slave of the Powerful
96 Abdul Qahaar Servant of the Subduer and the Almighty
97 Abdul Qayyum Slave of the Self-Subsistent
98 Abdul Qudoos Servant of the Most Holy
99 Abdul Raafi Servant of the One Who Raises (intellect, esteem), One who Elevates
100 Abdul Rabb Slave of the Lord
101 Abdul Rafi Slave of the Exalter
102 Abdul Raheem Servant of the Most Compassionate
103 Abdul Rahim Slave of the Compassionate
104 Abdul Rahman Servant of the merciful one
105 Abdul Raqib Slave of the Vigilant
106 Abdul Rauf Servent of the merciful
107 Abdul Tawwab Slave of the Acceptor of repentance, the relenting
108 Abdul Waali Slave of the Governor
109 Abdul Wahid Slave of the Unique
110 Abdul Wajid Slave of the Finder, the Perceiver
111 Abdul Wakil Slave of the Trustee
112 Abdul Waliy Slave of the Protecting Friend
113 Abdul Wasi Slave of the All Embracing
114 Abdul-Aalee Servant of the Most High
115 Abdul-Adheem Servant of the Most Great
116 Abdul-Aleem Servant of the All-Knowing
117 Abdul-Baaqi Servant of the Everlasting
118 Abdul-Baari Servant of the Evolver
119 Abdul-Baasit Servant of the Expander
120 Abdul-Barr Servant of the source of Goodness
121 Abdul-Dhahir Servant of the Manifest
122 Abdul-Ghaffar Servant of the forgiver
123 Abdul-Ghafur Servant of the All-Forgiving
124 Abdul-Ghani Servant of the Self-Sufficient
125 Abdul-Hadi Servant of the Guide
126 Abdul-Hafeedh Servant of the Preserver
127 Abdul-Hakeem Servant of the Wise
128 Abdul-Haleem Servant of the Forbearing One
129 Abdul-Hameed Servant of the Praiseworthy
130 Abdul-Haqq Servant of the Truth
131 Abdul-Haseeb Servant of the Reckoner
132 Abdul-Jabbar Servant of the Compeller
133 Abdul-Jaleel Servant of the Sublime One
134 Abdul-Kareem Servant of the Most Generous
135 Abdul-Khaliq Servant of the Creator
136 Abdul-Lateef Servant of the Subtle One
137 Abdul-Majeed Servant of the Most Glorious
138 Abdul-Majid Servant of the Noble
139 Abdul-Malik Servant of the Sovereign Lord
140 Abdul-Mu'eid Servant of the Restorer
141 Abdul-Mu'izz Servant of the Honourer
142 Abdul-Mughni Servant of the Enricher
143 Abdul-Mujeeb Servant of the Responsive
144 Abdul-Mumin Servant of the Guardian of Faith
145 Abdul-Muqtadir Servant of the Powerful
146 Abdul-Muta'alee Servant of the Most Exalted
147 Abdul-Nur Servant of the Light
148 Abdul-Qaadir Servant of the Able
149 Abdul-Qahhar Servant of the Subduer
150 Abdul-Qaiyoum Servant of the Self-Sustaining
151 Abdul-Quddus Servant of the Holy
152 Abdul-Rasheed Servant of the rightly guided
153 Abdul-Rashid Servant of the rightly guided
154 Abdul-Waajid Servant of the Finder
155 Abdul-Wadood Servant of the Loving
156 Abdul-Wahhab Servant of the Best-ower
157 Abdul-Warith Servant of the Supreme Inheritor
158 Abdullah Servant of Allah
159 Abdur Rahman Slave of Allah
160 Abdur Rashid Slave of the Guide
161 Abdur Razzaq Slave of the provider;
162 Abdur-Raheem Servant of the Most Merciful
163 Abdur-Rahman Servant of the Most Gracious
164 Abdur-Raqeeb Servant of the Watchful
165 Abdur-Rasheed Servant of the Guide to Right Path
166 Abdur-Rauf Servant of the Compassionate
167 Abdur-Razzaq Servant of the Provider
168 Abdus Name of the narrator of one of the hadith
169 Abdus Sabur Slave of the Forbearing
170 Abdus Salaam Slave of the Giver of Peace
171 Abdus Samad Slave of the Eternal, The Independent
172 Abdus Sami Slave of the All Hearing
173 Abdus Sattar Slave of the one who conceals faults
174 Abdus Shafi Slave of the Healer
175 Abdus Subbooh Slave of the Extremely pure
176 Abdus-Sabour Servant of the Patient
177 Abdus-Salaam Servant of the Source of Peace
178 Abdus-Samad Servant of the Eternal
179 Abdus-Sameei Servant of the All-Hearing
180 Abdus-Shaheed Servant of the Witness
181 Abdus-Shakur Servant of the Appreciative
182 Abdush Shahid Slave of the Witness
183 Abid Worshipper
184 Abisali Warrior in Islam
185 Abrad Hail, Mail
186 Abrar Peity
187 Abrash Spotted, Speckled
188 Absi Probably from ABASA to frown; this was the name of Abdullah ibn-Musa, a scholar and reciter of the Quran, died 828/829
189 Abt'hi One who lives in Abtah, a place near Makkah
190 Abul-Hassan The Son Of Ali
191 Abyad A narrator of hadith was so named
192 Abyan Elequent
193 Abzari Seeds, spice, seedsman, one who sows; the Persian scribe and memoriser of tradition, Abu-Ishaq Ibrahim had this name
194 Adam A Prophet's Name
195 Adawi Grandson of Sayyindina Umer
196 Adbul-Qawi Servant of the Most Powerful
197 Adeeb A literary Person
198 Adeel Just
199 Adeem Rare
200 Adel Honorable Judge, One who Jugdes Fairly
201 Adham Black
202 Adheem The most great
203 Adib Cultured
204 Adil Just, Honest
205 Adiy A companion of the Prophet; also the name of the son of Hatim Tiay known for his generosity; also the son of Thabit had this name
206 Adl Justice
207 Adnan A tribal ancestor of the Quraysh, the Prophet (S.A.W) was from this tribe; there were other noted men too later in history who had this name; for instance, word bin Hakim, a scholar of Basrah
208 Aduz Zahir Slave of the Manifest
209 Adyan A nabee was named by this name
210 Afaaq The place where Earth & Sky meet
211 Afeef Pure, Chaste, Pious
212 Affan Forgiving person
213 Afham Loving
214 Afif Chaste, Modest
215 Afiq Honest
216 Aflah Gaining success-but the Prophet (S.A.W) has discouraged us from giving such names to our children; according to Sayyidina Jab (R.A), The Prophet (S.A.W) intended to forbid such names as Yala, Barakah,
217 Afraz Standing tall like a mountain,ability to withstand all that is thrushed upon it
218 Afruz Standing tall like a mountain, ability to withstand all that is thrushed upon it
219 Aftaab Bright, prosperous, the sun
220 Aftab Sun
221 Afzal Best, top most
222 Agharr Hansome, beautiful, distinguished illustrious, noble, Magnanimous. Name of a companion of the Prophet, bin al-Muzan
223 Ahab Strong
224 Ahad The one
225 Ahmad Most highly adored
226 Ahmar Red Coloured
227 Ahnaf Name of one of the narrators of hadith
228 Ahsan The best of all
229 Ahwas Having narrow, contracted or squinting eyes
230 Ahyan Gift of God
231 Ahzab Name of one of the narrators of Hadith
232 Aidan Help, intelligent
233 Aidh Name of a reciter of the Holy Quran
234 Aijaz Blessing
235 Aiman Fearless
236 Aizat Sweetness
237 Ajer Reward
238 Ajlah A narrator of hadith had this name
239 Ajmal Beautiful
240 Akbar Great
241 Akdas Most holy book
242 Akeem Wise
243 Akhas A narrator of hadith
244 Akhdan Best Friend
245 Akhfash There have been several men of this name; there were grammarians of this name in the 8th / 9th century
246 Akhlaq Behavion
247 Akhtar A Star, good man
248 Akif Attached, Intent
249 Akmal Lion
250 Akram More Generous
251 Ali Noble, sublime, fourth Caliph of Islam
252 Alman Kind, willing and wiseman
253 Almir Prince
254 Altamash Name of a famous king
255 Amaan The most lovelable
256 Amaar One who prays 5 times and fasts
257 Amam Safety, Protection
258 Amayr Crown
259 Ameer Commander, Prince, Khalifah
260 Amer Rich
261 Amin Faithful, trustworthy, custodian
262 Amir Prosperous
263 Amjad More glorious, more illustrious
264 Ammaar One with strong Imaan. Also a Sahabi , one of the early muslims, son of Yasir and Sumaya Rad
265 Ammar Long of age
266 Amr "By my life"
267 Anas Love, affection
268 Anasah The freed slave of the Prophet had this name
269 Aneeq Valueable
270 Anees Intimate, friendly
271 Aniq Elegant
272 Anis Close friend, companion
273 Anjam Stars
274 Ansar The first people who converted to the religion of Islam were the people of Ansar
275 Antarah This was the name of the freed slave of Sulaym
276 Anwaar Light, glow, gleam
277 Anwar More radiant
278 Anzar Angel of paradise
279 Aqdas Holy, pure
280 Aqeel Wise, Intelligent
281 Aqeil Knowledgable
282 Arbaaz Eagle
283 Arbab Who looks after someone or takes care
284 Areeb Skillful, Adroit
285 Areez Friend
286 Arfan Gratefulness
287 Arham Merciful
288 Arif Acquainted, knowledgeable
289 Arish A brave soldier
290 Armaan Desire, hope
291 Arman Army man
292 Arqam Pen, Speckled snake;
293 Arsal The one who was sent
294 Arsalaan Lion
295 Arsh Dominion , Crown
296 Arshad Better guided, honest
297 Arshaq Handsome, well proportioned
298 Arslan Lion
299 Artah A narrator of the hadith
300 Aryan Of utmost strength
301 As'ad Happier
302 Asad Lion
303 Asar Fourth Prayer of the day
304 Asbagh Coloured animal, huge flood, dyer
305 Asbat A narrator of hadith
306 Aseed A narrator of Hadeeth
307 Asfar The morning's light
308 Asgar Devoted
309 Asghar Shorter, Smaller, Junior
310 Asha'ath Scattered, Spread about, humble
311 Ashar One who has wisdom
312 Ashaz One in a million, name of a sahabi during the time of prophet
313 Asher Wise, knowledgable
314 Ashfaq Compassionate friend
315 Ashik Lover, Love
316 Ashim Generous
317 Ashmaan Heaven
318 Ashmath Correct path, Straight path
319 Ashraf Honorable
320 Asim Protector
321 Aslam Peace
322 Asrar Secret/Sacred relating to Islam
323 Ata Gift, Present
324 Ataubaq Handsome, beautiful, helpful, generous and got a lot of love to share
325 Ateeb Very pious
326 Athar Neat, Clean
327 Athazaz Unknown, Mystery, Maze
328 Athier Lion hearted
329 Atif United, Joined, Together
330 Atik The black cloth of the kaaba
331 Atiq Ancient, Noble
332 Attiq Old
333 Awad Reward, Compensation
334 Awf Guest, fragrance, lion;
335 Awn To help, assist
336 Aws To give
337 Ayaan God's gift
338 Ayaaz Slave
339 Ayaz A sincere slave of mehmood the king once upon a time
340 Aybak Ibn-Aybak was a leading historian
341 Aydin Brilliant, Enlightened, Intelligent, Light of the moon
342 Aymaan Lucky
343 Ayman Right Hand
344 Ayub A prophet of Allah (swt)
345 Ayyash Bread seller
346 Ayyub Ayyub was a Prophet of Allah known for his patience in the face of severity and hardship. There have been other noted men by this name, for instance Ibn Tamim was a reciter of the Quran, Al-Sakhtiyani
347 Azaan Call for the prayer
348 Azad Freedom
349 Azeem Great, greater
350 Azfer Leader
351 Azhar Famous
352 Azim Greatest
353 Azlan Lion
354 Azmat Respect, honor
355 Azraq Blue, name of a companion of the Prophet
356 Azraqi He was an authority on the history and geography of Makkah
357 Azzam Determined, resolved
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