It
is a must that we strive to know Islam. Allâh’s
Messenger (sallallâhu ‘alayhi
wasallam, meaning: May the peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him)
to the whole mankind encourages us to acquire knowledge of Islam in order
to comprehend it. He
says in the following authentic Ahâdith:
Abu
Hurairah (radhiallâhu anhu, meaning:
May Allah be pleased with him) narrated
that... the Prophet (sallallâhu
‘alayhi wasallam) said, “Those who were the best in the pre-lslamic
period of ignorance will be the best in Islam provided they comprehend the
religious knowledge.” (Bukhâri
4/572 and Muslim)
‘Abdur
Rahmân ibn Abi Bakrah (radhiallâhu
anhu) narrated on the authority of his father that the Prophet
(sallallâhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) said, “If Allâh wants to do good to a person, he makes him
comprehend the religion; and of course knowledge is attained by learning.” (Bukhâri
1/67)
Mu‘awiyah
ibn Abi Sufyân narrated that Allâh’s Messenger said,
“Goodness is a (natural) habit while the evil is a stubbornness. To whomsoever
Allâh wills to show goodness, He favors him with the understanding in the
Religion.” (Ibn Mâjah, 1/221)
When we study
Islam or at least read the Qur’an and the authentic Ahâdith we learn that Islam
is easy, complete and the perfect religion as well as way of life for the whole
mankind. We read in the Qur’an
and the Ahâdith the following unique features of Islam:
1.
Islam is easy:
“But
whoever believes and works righteousness he shall have a goodly reward and easy
will be his task as We order it by Our command.”
(Qur'an 18:88)
Abu
Hurairah (radhiallâhu anhu)
narrated that the Prophet (sallallâhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) said, “Religion (Islam) is very easy and whoever overburdens himself
in his religion will not be able to continue in that way. So you should not be
extremists, but try to be near to perfection and receive the good tidings that
you will be rewarded; and gain strength by offering the prayers in the mornings,
afternoons and during the last hours of the nights.” (Bukhâri
1/38)
Anas
bin Malik (radhiallâhu anhu) narrated that the Prophet
(sallallâhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) said, "Make things easy for the people, and do not make it
difficult for them, and make them calm (with glad tidings) and do not repulse
(them).” (Bukhâri,8/146)
2.
Islam is complete:
“…He
it is Who has sent unto you the Book, explained in detail. They know full well,
to whom We have given the Book, that it has been sent down from your Rabb in
truth. Never be then of those who doubt.” (6:114)
“For
We had certainly sent unto them a Book based on knowledge, which We explained in
detail -- a guide and a mercy to
all who believe.” (7:52)
“…(This
is ) a Book with verses basic or fundamental (of established meaning) --
further explained in detail --
from One Who is Wise and Well-Acquainted (with all things).” (11:1)
3.
Islam is perfect:
“...This
day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and
have chosen for you Islam as your
religion.” (5:3)
As
the perfect religion, Islam teaches
mankind how to attain success in the most perfect way.
The following are some of the Ahâdith that serve as enlightenment
and guidance to those who desire for perfection:
Abu
Hurairah (radhiallâhu anhu)
narrated that the Prophet (sallallâhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) said,
"Goodness and comfort are for him who worships his Rabb in a perfect manner
and serves his master sincerely.” (Bukhari
3/725)
Ibn
Umar (radhiallâhu anhu) narrated
that Allâh’s Messenger (sallallâhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) said,
"If a slave is honest and faithful to his master and worships his Rabb (Allâh)
in a perfect manner, he will get a double reward.”
(Bukhari 3/722)
Abu
Hurairah (radhiallâhu anhu) narrated that the Prophet
(sallallâhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) said, "Whoever believes in Allâh and His Messenger, offers
prayers perfectly and fasts (the month of) Ramadan then it is incumbent upon Allâh
to admit him into Paradise, whether he emigrates for Allâh’s cause or stays
in the land where he was born.” They (the companions of the Prophet
(sallallâhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) said, "O Allâh’s Messenger (sallallâhu
‘alayhi wasallam)! Should we not inform the people of that?" He
said, "There are one-hundred degrees in Paradise which Allâh has prepared
for those who carry on Jihad in His Cause. The distance between every two
degrees is like the distance between the sky and the Earth.
So if you ask Allâh for anything, ask Him for the Firdaus, for it is the
last part of Paradise and the highest part of Paradise, and at its top there is
the Throne of Beneficent, and from it gush forth the rivers of Paradise.”
(Bukhari 9/519)
Abdullah
ibn Hisham (radhiallâhu anhu) narrated: “We were with the Prophet
(sallallâhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) and he was holding the hand of 'Umar bin Al-Khattab. 'Umar said to
Him, "O Allâh’s Messenger! You are dearer to me than everything except
my own self.” The Prophet (sallallâhu
‘alayhi wasallam) said, "No, by Him in Whose Hand my soul is, (you
will not have complete or perfect faith) till I am dearer to you than your own
self.” Then 'Umar said to him, "However, now, by Allâh, you are dearer
to me than my own self.” The Prophet (sallallâhu
‘alayhi wasallam) said, "Now, O 'Umar, you are a believer.”
(Bukhari 8/628)
Abu
Hurairah (radhiallâhu anhu)
narrated that the Prophet (sallallâhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) said:
“The most perfect believer in respect of faith is he who is best of them in
manners.” (Abu
Dawud 4665)
Abu
Humamah (radhiallâhu anhu)
narrated that the Prophet (sallallâhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) said: “If anyone loves for Allâh’s sake, hates for Allâh’s
sake, gives for Allâh’s sake and withholds for Allâh’s sake, he will have
perfect faith.” (Abu Dawud
4664)
Abu
Hurairah (radhiallâhu anhu)
narrated that the Prophet (sallallâhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) said: “Among the
Muslims the most perfect, as regards his faith, is the one whose character is
excellent, and the best among you are those who treat their wives well.”
(Tirmidhi
278, 628, 3264 and Abu Dawud)
Aishah
(Radhiallâhu anha) narrated that Allâh’s Messenger (sallallâhu
‘alayhi wasallam) said, "Among the believers who show most perfect
faith are those who have the best disposition, and are kindest to their
families.” (Tirmidhi
3263)
All
the above Prophetic teachings in addition to the Qur’anic Ayât
(Verses) earlier quoted clearly tell us that indeed, Islam is the perfect
religion and hence the best way of life for all.
Islam as a universal religion is Allah’s Blessing and Mercy
for all of us. It is
for us to enjoy it and be successful in the eternal world to come.
The best way to attain success through Islam is to learn it according to
its authentic Sources. That is, to
acquire knowledge of Islam through
the Qur’an and the Sunnah and the right deductions from these revealed Sources
of Knowledge and Guidance.
Since
Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) is the One
Who gives guidance, earnestly ask Him for authentic Islamic knowledge.
We must seek His help and guidance to be able to apply such knowledge and
share them to others – all for His Pleasure.
May our Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer)
increase our knowledge of Islam and enjoy the best life of being true Muslims
forever. Ameen.
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