مَنْ خَلَقَ الكَونَ؟ وَمَنْ خَلَقَنِي؟ وَلِمَاذَا؟
Who Created the Universe? And Who Created Me?
And Why?
اللَّجْنَةُ العِلْمِيَّةُ
بِرِئَاسَةِ الشُّؤُونِ الدِّينِيَّةِ بِالمَسْجِدِ الحَرَامِ وَالمَسْجِدِ النَّبَوِيِّ
The Scientific Committee under the Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Sacred Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ
In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful
● Am I following the right path?
● Who created the heavens and the earth and the unfathomable great created beings that are in them?
● Who designed this complex, fine-tuned system that exists in the heavens and the earth?
● Who created humans, endowed them with senses like hearing, sight, and intellect, and enabled them to learn and recognize facts?
● Who crafted such an intricate design in the organs of your body and perfected your form?
● Reflect on the creation of living beings in all their diversity and variations. Who created them with limitless aspects of beauty?
● How is this vast universe structured and maintained by its perfectly calibrated laws that have existed since the beginning of time?
● Who established the mechanisms that control this universe (life and death, the procreation of creatures, day and night, the varying seasons, etc)?
● Did this universe create itself? Did it come into being from nothing? Did it exist by chance? Allah Almighty says:
﴿أَمۡ خُلِقُواْ مِنۡ غَيۡرِ شَيۡءٍ أَمۡ هُمُ ٱلۡخَٰلِقُونَ٣٥ أَمۡ خَلَقُواْ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَۚ بَل لَّا يُوقِنُونَ36﴾
{Were they created by none, or were they the creators [of themselves]?
Or did they create the heavens and earth? Rather, they are not certain in faith.} [Surat at-Tūr: 35-36]
If we did not create ourselves, and it is impossible that we came from nothingness or by chance, then the indubitable truth is: this universe must have a great, capable Creator, as it is impossible for this universe to have created itself! Or to have come from nothingness! Or to have come by chance!
Why would a person believe in the existence of things he cannot see, such as perception, intellect, soul, emotions, and love? Is it not because he sees their effects? So how can a person deny the existence of a Creator of this magnificent universe while witnessing the effects of His created beings, His work, and His mercy?!
No rational person would accept being told that a house came into existence without anyone building it or that the house came into being out of nothing. So how can some people believe those who claim that this great universe came into existence without a Creator? How can a rational person accept being told that the precise order of the universe is a result of chance?
All this leads us to one conclusion: that this universe has a great, capable Lord Who manages it and that He alone is worthy of worship. Any worship directed to other than Him is invalid, and any entity worshiped besides Him is not worthy of worship.
The Lord, the Great Creator
There is one Creating Lord; He is the Owner, the Manager, the Provider, the One Who gives life and causes death. He is the One Who created the earth, made it suitable for His creatures, and created the heavens with their magnificent creatures. He established the precise order of the sun, moon, night, and day, which signifies His greatness.
He is the One Who has subjected the air for us, without which we cannot live. He sends down rain for us, has subjected the seas and rivers for us, and nourishes and protects us when we are embryos in the wombs of our mothers, without our power. He is the one Who circulates blood in our veins from birth until death.
This Lord, the Creator, the Provider, is Allah, Glorified and Exalted.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿إِنَّ رَبَّكُمُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ فِي سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٖ ثُمَّ ٱسۡتَوَىٰ عَلَى ٱلۡعَرۡشِۖ يُغۡشِي ٱلَّيۡلَ ٱلنَّهَارَ يَطۡلُبُهُۥ حَثِيثٗا وَٱلشَّمۡسَ وَٱلۡقَمَرَ وَٱلنُّجُومَ مُسَخَّرَٰتِۭ بِأَمۡرِهِۦٓۗ أَلَا لَهُ ٱلۡخَلۡقُ وَٱلۡأَمۡرُۗ تَبَارَكَ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ54﴾
{Your Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and earth in six days and then rose over [i.e., istawa] the Throne. He makes the night and day overlap in rapid succession. He made the sun, the moon, and the stars —all subservient to His command. Behold, His is the creation and the command. Blessed is Allah, the Lord of the worlds.}
[Surat al-A‘rāf: 54]
Allah Almighty is the Lord and Creator of everything in the universe, both that we see and that we do not see. Everything apart from Him is a creature of His creatures. He alone is deserving of worship, with no partners or associates. He has no partner in His dominion, creation, management, or worship.
If we assume, for the sake of argument, that there are other gods alongside the Lord, Exalted is His Majesty, then the universe would go corrupt. It is not conceivable that two gods would simultaneously manage the affairs of the universe. Allah Almighty says:
﴿لَوۡ كَانَ فِيهِمَآ ءَالِهَةٌ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ لَفَسَدَتَا...﴾
{If there had been gods besides Allah in the heavens and earth, both realms would have fallen in disorder...} [Surat al-Anbiyā’: 22]
The Attributes of the Lord, the Creator
The Lord Almighty has countless beautiful names and numerous great qualities that indicate His perfection. Among His names are the Creator, and "Allah," which means the One worthy of worship, alone without any partners. He is the Ever-Living, the All-Sustaining, the Most Merciful, the Provider, and the Most Generous. Allah Almighty says in the noble Qur’an:
﴿ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلۡحَيُّ ٱلۡقَيُّومُۚ لَا تَأۡخُذُهُۥ سِنَةٞ وَلَا نَوۡمٞۚ لَّهُۥ مَا فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِۗ مَن ذَا ٱلَّذِي يَشۡفَعُ عِندَهُۥٓ إِلَّا بِإِذۡنِهِۦۚ يَعۡلَمُ مَا بَيۡنَ أَيۡدِيهِمۡ وَمَا خَلۡفَهُمۡۖ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيۡءٖ مِّنۡ عِلۡمِهِۦٓ إِلَّا بِمَا شَآءَۚ وَسِعَ كُرۡسِيُّهُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَۖ وَلَا يَـُٔودُهُۥ حِفۡظُهُمَاۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَلِيُّ ٱلۡعَظِيمُ255﴾
{Allah: none has the right to be worshiped except Him, the Ever-Living, All-Sustaining. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth. Who is there that can intercede with Him except with His permission? He knows what was before them and what will be after them, while they encompass nothing of His knowledge, except what He wills. His Kursī [i.e., footstool] extends over the heavens and earth, and safeguarding of both does not weary Him, for He is the Most High, the Most Great.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 255]
Allah Almighty also says:
﴿قُلۡ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ أَحَدٌ١ ٱللَّهُ ٱلصَّمَدُ ٢ لَمۡ يَلِدۡ وَلَمۡ يُولَدۡ ٣ وَلَمۡ يَكُن لَّهُۥ كُفُوًا أَحَدُۢ4﴾
{Say: “He is Allah, the One;
Allah, the Eternal Refuge.
He neither begets nor is He begotten,
and there is none comparable to Him.”} [Surat al-Ikhlās: 1-4]
The Worshiped Lord is Characterized with the Attributes of Perfection
Among His attributes is that He is worthy of deification and worship, and everything other than Him is a created being that is subject to accountability and command and subjugated to his Lord.
Among His attributes is that He is the Ever-Living, the All-Sustaining. Every living being exists only because Allah has given it life and brought it into existence from nothingness. He sustains and provides for all beings, and He is the One Who maintains their existence, provisions, and protection. The Lord is Ever-Living, never dies, and perishing is impossible for Him. He is the All-Sustaining Who never sleeps. Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him.
Among His attributes is that He is the All-Knowing, and nothing is hidden from Him in the earth or the heavens.
Among His attributes is that He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing. He hears everything and sees every creature. He knows the whispers of the souls and what the hearts conceal. Nothing in the earth or the heavens is hidden from Him.
Among His attributes is that He is the All-Powerful. Nothing can cause failure to Him, and no one can repel His will. He does whatever He wills and prevents whatever He wills. He puts forward, and delays, and His wisdom is far-reaching.
Among His attributes are that He is the Creator, the Provider, and the Controller. He created all creation and managed its affairs. All creation is in His grasp and under His overpowering control.
Among His attributes are that He responds to the desperate, grants relief to the devastated, and alleviates distress. Whenever a created being suffers distress or difficulty, he turns to Him out of extreme need.
Worship is due to Allah Almighty alone. He is the Perfect One deserving of worship alone, without any partners or equals. Anything worshiped besides Him is falsely worshiped, and is deficient and exposed to death and perishing.
Allah Almighty has endowed us with minds that can only comprehend a part of His greatness. He has implanted in us an innate disposition that loves good and detests evil. We find tranquility when we turn to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. This innate disposition indicates His perfection and that He cannot be characterized by any deficiency; glory be to Him.
It is not befitting for a rational person to worship anyone other than a perfect entity. So, how could one worship a deficient creature like him or even one inferior to him!
A deity worthy of worship cannot be a human, an idol, a tree, or an animal!
The Lord is above His heavens, established on His Throne, distinct from His creation. There is nothing of His creation in His essence, and nothing of His essence is in His creation. He does not dwell or incarnate in any part of His creation.
There is nothing like the Almighty Lord. He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing, and there is none equal to Him. He is completely Self-Sufficient, free of any need for His creation. He neither sleeps nor eats, for He is far above all imperfection. Exalted is He — too Great to have a wife or a child. The Creator is characterized by absolute greatness and perfection, and it is impossible for Him to be described with need or deficiency.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ضُرِبَ مَثَلٞ فَٱسۡتَمِعُواْ لَهُۥٓۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ تَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ لَن يَخۡلُقُواْ ذُبَابٗا وَلَوِ ٱجۡتَمَعُواْ لَهُۥۖ وَإِن يَسۡلُبۡهُمُ ٱلذُّبَابُ شَيۡـٔٗا لَّا يَسۡتَنقِذُوهُ مِنۡهُۚ ضَعُفَ ٱلطَّالِبُ وَٱلۡمَطۡلُوبُ ٧٣ مَا قَدَرُواْ ٱللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدۡرِهِۦٓۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَقَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ74﴾
{O people, a similitude is set forth, so listen to it: those whom you invoke besides Allah can never create even a fly, even if they all come together for that. And if a fly snatches something away from them, they cannot retrieve it. How feeble is the invoker as well as the invoked!
They have not revered Allah the reverence He deserves. Indeed, Allah is All-Powerful, All-Mighty.} [Surat al-Hajj: 73-74]
Why Did This Great Creator Create Us? And What Does He Want from Us?
Is it logical that Allah Almighty brought forth all these creatures without a purpose? Would He create them frivolously, despite being the All-Knowing and the All-Wise?
Is it reasonable to think that the One Who created us with such precision and perfection and has subjected everything in the heavens and the earth for our benefit would create us without purpose or leave us without answering the most important questions that preoccupy us, such as: Why are we here? What comes after death? What is the purpose of our creation?
Is it reasonable that there be no punishment for the wrongdoer and no reward for the doer of good?
Allah Almighty says:
﴿أَفَحَسِبۡتُمۡ أَنَّمَا خَلَقۡنَٰكُمۡ عَبَثٗا وَأَنَّكُمۡ إِلَيۡنَا لَا تُرۡجَعُونَ115﴾
{Did you think that We created you with no purpose and that you would not be brought back to Us?”} [Surat al-Mu’minūn: 115]
Rather, Allah Almighty has sent messengers to inform us of the purpose of our existence, to guide us in how to worship Him and draw near to Him, to let us know what He wants from us and how we can attain His pleasure, and to inform us about our destiny after death.
Allah Almighty sent the messengers to make us aware that He alone deserves to be worshiped, and to teach us how to worship Him, convey His commands and prohibitions to us, and teach us the noble values that, if embraced, will make our lives pleasant, filled with blessings and goodness.
Allah Almighty has sent many messengers, such as Nūh (Noah), Ibrāhīm (Abraham), Mūsa (Moses), and ‘Īsa (Jesus), supporting them with signs and miracles that testify to their truthfulness and that they were sent by Him. The last of them was Muhammad (ﷺ).
The messengers unequivocally conveyed the message that this life is a test, and the true life will unfold after death.
And that Paradise is awaiting those who worship Allah alone without associating partners with Him and believe in all the messengers and prophets, while Hellfire is awaiting those who worship other gods besides Him or disbelieve in any of Allah’s messengers.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿يَٰبَنِيٓ ءَادَمَ إِمَّا يَأۡتِيَنَّكُمۡ رُسُلٞ مِّنكُمۡ يَقُصُّونَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ ءَايَٰتِي فَمَنِ ٱتَّقَىٰ وَأَصۡلَحَ فَلَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَلَا هُمۡ يَحۡزَنُونَ ٣٥ وَٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا وَٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ عَنۡهَآ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ أَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلنَّارِۖ هُمۡ فِيهَا خَٰلِدُونَ36﴾
{O children of Adam, when there come to you messengers from among you, reciting My verses to you—then whoever fears Allah and mends his ways, they will have no fear, nor will they grieve.
But those who reject Our verses and show arrogance towards them, they are the people of the Fire, they will abide therein forever.} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 35-36]
Allah Almighty says:
﴿يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱعۡبُدُواْ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَكُمۡ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِكُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَّقُونَ ٢١ ٱلَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ فِرَٰشٗا وَٱلسَّمَآءَ بِنَآءٗ وَأَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءٗ فَأَخۡرَجَ بِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ رِزۡقٗا لَّكُمۡۖ فَلَا تَجۡعَلُواْ لِلَّهِ أَندَادٗا وَأَنتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ ٢٢ وَإِن كُنتُمۡ فِي رَيۡبٖ مِّمَّا نَزَّلۡنَا عَلَىٰ عَبۡدِنَا فَأۡتُواْ بِسُورَةٖ مِّن مِّثۡلِهِۦ وَٱدۡعُواْ شُهَدَآءَكُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ إِن كُنتُمۡ صَٰدِقِينَ ٢٣ فَإِن لَّمۡ تَفۡعَلُواْ وَلَن تَفۡعَلُواْ فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱلنَّارَ ٱلَّتِي وَقُودُهَا ٱلنَّاسُ وَٱلۡحِجَارَةُۖ أُعِدَّتۡ لِلۡكَٰفِرِينَ ٢٤ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ أَنَّ لَهُمۡ جَنَّٰتٖ تَجۡرِي مِن تَحۡتِهَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَٰرُۖ كُلَّمَا رُزِقُواْ مِنۡهَا مِن ثَمَرَةٖ رِّزۡقٗا قَالُواْ هَٰذَا ٱلَّذِي رُزِقۡنَا مِن قَبۡلُۖ وَأُتُواْ بِهِۦ مُتَشَٰبِهٗاۖ وَلَهُمۡ فِيهَآ أَزۡوَٰجٞ مُّطَهَّرَةٞۖ وَهُمۡ فِيهَا خَٰلِدُونَ25﴾
{O people, worship your Lord, Who created you and those before you, so that you may become righteous;
He Who made the earth a resting place for you, and the sky a canopy; and sends down rain from the sky, and brings forth fruits thereby as a provision for you. So do not set up rivals to Allah while you know.
If you are in doubt concerning that which We have sent down upon Our slave, then produce a chapter like it and call upon your helpers other than Allah, if you are truthful.
But if you did not do it, and you can never do it; then beware of the Fire whose fuel will be people and stones, which is prepared for the disbelievers.
And give glad tidings to those who believe and do righteous deeds that they will have gardens under which rivers flow. Every time they are provided with a provision of fruit therefrom, they will say, “This is what we were provided with before,” for they will be given fruit that resemble one another. They will have purified spouses, and they will abide therein forever.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 21-25]
Why Were There Numerous Messengers?
Allah has sent His messengers to nations, and there is no nation that has not received a messenger from Allah Almighty, inviting them to worship their Lord and conveying His commands and prohibitions to them. The ultimate goal of their call was the worship of Allah, Exalted and Majestic, alone. Whenever a nation neglected or distorted what their messenger brought regarding the command to worship Allah alone, Allah would send another messenger to rectify their course and bring people back to the sound disposition of Tawhīd (monotheism) and obedience to Allah.
This continued to be the case until Allah Almighty sealed the line of messengers with Muhammad (ﷺ), who came with the complete religion and the everlasting universal Sharia for all humanity until the Day of Judgment. It completed and abrogated previous laws, and the Glorious and Exalted Lord has guaranteed the preservation and perpetuity of this religion until the Day of Judgment.
No One Can Be a True Believer Until He Believes in All the Messengers
Allah is the One Who sent the messengers, and He commanded all His creation to obey them. Whoever disbelieves in one of them has disbelieved in all of them. There is no graver sin than rejecting Allah Almighty's revelation, for entering Paradise requires believing in all the messengers.
Therefore, it is incumbent upon everyone in this era to believe in Allah Almighty and all the messengers of Allah and believe in the Hereafter. This can only be achieved by believing in and following the last and final Messenger, Muhammad (ﷺ), who is supported by the eternal miracle, which is the Noble Qur’an. Allah has guaranteed its preservation until He inherits the earth and all that is on it.
Allah Almighty mentions in the Noble Qur’an that whoever rejects faith in any of His messengers is a disbeliever in Allah, denying His revelation. Allah Almighty says:
﴿إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَكۡفُرُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِۦ وَيُرِيدُونَ أَن يُفَرِّقُواْ بَيۡنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِۦ وَيَقُولُونَ نُؤۡمِنُ بِبَعۡضٖ وَنَكۡفُرُ بِبَعۡضٖ وَيُرِيدُونَ أَن يَتَّخِذُواْ بَيۡنَ ذَٰلِكَ سَبِيلًا ١٥٠ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡكَٰفِرُونَ حَقّٗاۚ وَأَعۡتَدۡنَا لِلۡكَٰفِرِينَ عَذَابٗا مُّهِينٗا151﴾
{Those who disbelieve in Allah and His messengers, and wish to make a distinction between Allah and His messengers, and they say, “We believe in some and disbelieve in others,” wishing to adopt a way in between.
It is they who are the true disbelievers, and We have prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating punishment.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 150-151]
Therefore, we Muslims believe in Allah Almighty and the Last Day, as commanded by Allah Almighty, and we believe in all the messengers and previous scriptures. Allah Almighty says:
﴿ءَامَنَ ٱلرَّسُولُ بِمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيۡهِ مِن رَّبِّهِۦ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَۚ كُلٌّ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَمَلَٰٓئِكَتِهِۦ وَكُتُبِهِۦ وَرُسُلِهِۦ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيۡنَ أَحَدٖ مِّن رُّسُلِهِۦۚ وَقَالُواْ سَمِعۡنَا وَأَطَعۡنَاۖ غُفۡرَانَكَ رَبَّنَا وَإِلَيۡكَ ٱلۡمَصِيرُ285﴾
{The Messenger believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, as do the believers. All of them believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, and His messengers, [saying], “We make no distinction between any of His messengers.” And they say, “We hear and obey. Grant us Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the [final] destination.”} [Surat al-Baqarah: 285]
What is the Noble Qur’an?
The Noble Qur’an is the word of Allah Almighty and His revelation that He sent down to Muhammad, the last of the messengers. It is the greatest miracle that attests to the truth of his prophethood (ﷺ). The Noble Qur’an embodies truth in its rulings and authenticity in its narrations.
Allah Almighty challenged the deniers to bring forth even a single chapter like it. Still, they were unable to do so due to the greatness and inclusiveness of its content, encompassing everything related to human life in this world and the Hereafter. It contains all the faith-related facts that man must believe in.
It also includes the commandments and prohibitions that guide human beings in their relationship with their Lord, themselves, and the rest of creation. All of this is presented in a lofty style of eloquence and clarity.
Furthermore, it contains numerous rational evidence and scientific facts indicating that this Book cannot be made up by humans, but is indeed the speech of the Lord of humankind, Glorified and Exalted.
What Is Islam?
Islam is submission to Allah Almighty through monotheism, obedience to Him, compliance with His legislation with willingness and acceptance, and rejection of anything worshiped other than Allah Almighty.
Allah Almighty has sent all messengers with one message: To call people to worship Allah alone, without associating partners with Him, and to reject the worship of anything besides Him.
Islam is the religion of all the prophets, with a unified message but differing legislations. Muslims today are the only ones adhering to the correct religion that was preached by all the prophets. The message of Islam in this era is the true and final message from the Creator to humanity.
The Lord Who sent Ibrāhīm (Abraham), Mūsa (Moses), and ‘Īsa (Jesus) (peace be upon them) is the same Lord who sent the seal of the messengers, Muhammad (ﷺ). The Islamic Sharia has come to abrogate all previous legislations.
All the religions that people follow today, except Islam, are either man-made religions or religions that were originally divine but were distorted by human hands, becoming a mixture of superstitions, inherited myths, and human suppositions.
As for the religion of Muslims, it is one, clear and unchangeable religion. Likewise, their acts of worship dedicated to Allah Almighty alone are uniform. They all perform the five daily prayers, give Zakah, and observe fasting in the month of Ramadan. When you ponder their constitution, which is the Noble Qur’an, you find it the same Book across all countries. Allah Almighty says:
﴿...ٱلۡيَوۡمَ أَكۡمَلۡتُ لَكُمۡ دِينَكُمۡ وَأَتۡمَمۡتُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ نِعۡمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ ٱلۡإِسۡلَٰمَ دِينٗاۚ فَمَنِ ٱضۡطُرَّ فِي مَخۡمَصَةٍ غَيۡرَ مُتَجَانِفٖ لِّإِثۡمٖ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٞ﴾
{This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and chosen Islam as your religion. But whoever is compelled by extreme hunger, with no intention to sin, then indeed, Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.} [Surat al-Mā’idah: 3].
Allah said in the Quran:
﴿قُلۡ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَيۡنَا وَمَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَىٰٓ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَ وَإِسۡمَٰعِيلَ وَإِسۡحَٰقَ وَيَعۡقُوبَ وَٱلۡأَسۡبَاطِ وَمَآ أُوتِيَ مُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ وَٱلنَّبِيُّونَ مِن رَّبِّهِمۡ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيۡنَ أَحَدٖ مِّنۡهُمۡ وَنَحۡنُ لَهُۥ مُسۡلِمُونَ ٨٤ وَمَن يَبۡتَغِ غَيۡرَ ٱلۡإِسۡلَٰمِ دِينٗا فَلَن يُقۡبَلَ مِنۡهُ وَهُوَ فِي ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ مِنَ ٱلۡخَٰسِرِينَ85﴾
{Say, “We believe in Allah and what has been sent down to us and what was sent down to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and his descendants, and what was given to Moses, Jesus, and other prophets from their Lord; we make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we submit.”
{And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted from him, and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers.} [Surat Ᾱl-‘Imrān: 84-85]
The religion of Islam is a comprehensive way of life that conforms to nature and reason and is accepted by sound souls. It was legislated by the Great Creator for His creation, and it is the religion of goodness and happiness for all people in this world and the Hereafter. It does not discriminate between people based on their race or color, but they are all equal. Within Islam, the only measure of superiority is linked to the merit of righteous deeds.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿مَنۡ عَمِلَ صَٰلِحٗا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوۡ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤۡمِنٞ فَلَنُحۡيِيَنَّهُۥ حَيَوٰةٗ طَيِّبَةٗۖ وَلَنَجۡزِيَنَّهُمۡ أَجۡرَهُم بِأَحۡسَنِ مَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ97﴾
{Whoever does righteous deeds, male or female, while being a believer, We will surely grant him a good life, and We will surely reward them according to the best of their deeds.} [Surat an-Nahl: 97]
Islam is the Way to Happiness
Islam is the religion of all prophets; it is Allah Almighty's religion for all people, not exclusive to Arabs.
Islam is the way to true happiness in this world and eternal bliss in the Hereafter.
Islam is the only religion that fulfills the needs of the soul and body and solves all human problems. Allah Almighty says:
﴿قَالَ ٱهۡبِطَا مِنۡهَا جَمِيعَۢاۖ بَعۡضُكُمۡ لِبَعۡضٍ عَدُوّٞۖ فَإِمَّا يَأۡتِيَنَّكُم مِّنِّي هُدٗى فَمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَ هُدَايَ فَلَا يَضِلُّ وَلَا يَشۡقَىٰ 123 وَمَنۡ أَعۡرَضَ عَن ذِكۡرِي فَإِنَّ لَهُۥ مَعِيشَةٗ ضَنكٗا وَنَحۡشُرُهُۥ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ أَعۡمَىٰ124﴾
{Allah said, “Get down, both of you, from here altogether [with Satan] as enemies to one another. Then when there comes to you guidance from Me, whoever follows My guidance will neither go astray nor fall into misery.
But whoever turns away from My Reminder will have a miserable life, and on the Day of Resurrection We will raise him blind.} [Surat Ta-ha: 123-124]
What Advantages Does a Muslim Gain in This World and the Hereafter?
Islam yields immensely valuable benefits, including:
- Attaining success and honor in worldly life by becoming a slave of Allah Almighty; otherwise, one becomes a slave to Satan and desires.
- Success in the Hereafter means that Allah forgives the slave, bestows His pleasure upon him, and admits him into Paradise, whereby he wins pleasure and everlasting bliss. It also means that a person is saved from the punishment of Hellfire.
The believer will be in the company of the prophets, the affirmers of truth, the martyrs, and the righteous on the Day of Judgment. How beautiful is such a company! As for those who do not believe, they will be with the tyrants, the wicked, the criminals, and the mischievous.
- Those whom Allah admits into Paradise will live in eternal bliss without death, illness, pain, aging, or sadness. Their desires will be fulfilled, and they will have everything they wish for. As for those who enter Hellfire, they will endure perpetual and uninterrupted torment.
In Paradise are pleasures that no eye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard, and no human heart has ever conceived. One of the proofs of this is the saying of Allah Almighty:
﴿مَنۡ عَمِلَ صَٰلِحٗا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوۡ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤۡمِنٞ فَلَنُحۡيِيَنَّهُۥ حَيَوٰةٗ طَيِّبَةٗۖ وَلَنَجۡزِيَنَّهُمۡ أَجۡرَهُم بِأَحۡسَنِ مَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ97﴾
{Whoever does righteous deeds, male or female, while being a believer, We will surely grant him a good life, and We will surely reward them according to the best of their deeds.} [Surat an-Nahl: 97]
And Allah Almighty said:
﴿فَلَا تَعۡلَمُ نَفۡسٞ مَّآ أُخۡفِيَ لَهُم مِّن قُرَّةِ أَعۡيُنٖ جَزَآءَۢ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ17﴾
{No soul knows what delights are kept hidden for them as a reward for what they used to do.} [Surat as-Sajdah: 17]
What Potential Loss Might a Non-Muslim Incur?
- Those who refuse to embrace Islam would lose the opportunity to acquire the greatest knowledge, which is the knowledge and understanding of Allah. Additionally, they would lose faith in Allah, Who grants security and peace of mind in this life, as well as the promise of eternal bliss in the Hereafter.
- They would lose faith in and adherence to the greatest Book that Allah has revealed to humanity.
- They will lose the opportunity to have faith in the great prophets, as well as the opportunity to accompany them in Paradise on the Day of Judgment. Instead, they will be accompanied by devils, criminals, and tyrants in the fire of Hell. How wretched is their abode and companionship!
Allah Almighty says:
﴿قُلۡ إِنَّ ٱلۡخَٰسِرِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ خَسِرُوٓاْ أَنفُسَهُمۡ وَأَهۡلِيهِمۡ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِۗ أَلَا ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلۡخُسۡرَانُ ٱلۡمُبِينُ 15 لَهُم مِّن فَوۡقِهِمۡ ظُلَلٞ مِّنَ ٱلنَّارِ وَمِن تَحۡتِهِمۡ ظُلَلٞۚ ذَٰلِكَ يُخَوِّفُ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦ عِبَادَهُۥۚ يَٰعِبَادِ فَٱتَّقُونِ16﴾
{Say, “Indeed, the losers are those who will lose themselves and their families on the Day of Resurrection. That is indeed the clear loss.”
They will have layers of fire above them and below them. That is how Allah threatens His slaves. Then fear Me, O My slaves!} [Surat az-Zumar: 15-16]
Whoever Desires Salvation in the Hereafter Must be a Muslim, Obedient to Allah, Following His Messenger (ﷺ)
One of the facts unanimously agreed upon by the prophets and messengers (peace be upon them) is that only Muslims who believe in Allah Almighty and do not associate partners with Him in worship, and who believe in all the prophets and messengers, will be saved in the Hereafter. All followers of the messengers who believe in them and confirm their message will enter Paradise and will be saved from the Hellfire.
Those who lived during the time of Prophet Moses and believed in him and followed his teachings were righteous Muslims and believers. However, after Allah had sent Prophet Jesus, the followers of Moses were required to believe in Jesus and follow him.
So, those who believed in Jesus are righteous Muslims, and those who refused to believe in him and remained followers of the religion of Moses are not believers because they refused to believe in a prophet sent by Allah Almighty.
Then, after Allah sent the last of the messengers, Muhammad (ﷺ), it became obligatory for everyone to believe in him. The Lord is the One Who sent Moses and Jesus, and He is the One Who sent the seal of the messengers, Muhammad (ﷺ). Whoever denies the message of Muhammad (ﷺ) and says, 'I will continue to follow Moses or Jesus,' is not a believer.
It is not enough for a person to merely claim respect for Muslims, and it is not enough for his salvation in the Hereafter to give charity and assist the poor. Rather, he must believe in Allah Almighty, His books, His messengers, and the Last Day, so that Allah accepts that from him! There is no graver sin than associating partners with Allah Almighty, disbelieving in Him, rejecting the revelation He sent down, or denying the prophethood of the last of His prophets, Muhammad (ﷺ).
So, the Jews, the Christians, and others who heard of the mission of Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and refused to believe in him and refused to enter the religion of Islam, will be in the Hellfire, wherein they will abide eternally. This is the judgment of Allah Almighty, not the judgment of any human being. Allah Almighty says:
﴿إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِنۡ أَهۡلِ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ وَٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ فِي نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآۚ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمۡ شَرُّ ٱلۡبَرِيَّةِ6﴾
{Those who disbelieve from the People of the Book and the polytheists will be in the fire of Hell, abiding therein forever. It is they who are the worst of creatures.} [Surat al-Bayyinah: 6]
Since the final Message from Allah Almighty to humanity has been revealed, it has become incumbent upon every person who hears about Islam and the message of the last Prophet, Muhammad (ﷺ), to believe in him, follow his Shariah, and obey his commands and prohibitions. Therefore, whoever hears of this final Message and rejects it, Allah Almighty will not accept anything from him, and he will face punishment in the Hereafter.
Among the proofs of this is the saying of Allah Almighty:
﴿وَمَن يَبۡتَغِ غَيۡرَ ٱلۡإِسۡلَٰمِ دِينٗا فَلَن يُقۡبَلَ مِنۡهُ وَهُوَ فِي ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ مِنَ ٱلۡخَٰسِرِينَ85﴾
{Anyone who seeks a religion other than Islam, never will it be accepted from him; and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers.} [Surat Āl-‘Imrān: 85]
Allah Almighty also says:
﴿قُلۡ يَٰٓأَهۡلَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ تَعَالَوۡاْ إِلَىٰ كَلِمَةٖ سَوَآءِۭ بَيۡنَنَا وَبَيۡنَكُمۡ أَلَّا نَعۡبُدَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ وَلَا نُشۡرِكَ بِهِۦ شَيۡـٔٗا وَلَا يَتَّخِذَ بَعۡضُنَا بَعۡضًا أَرۡبَابٗا مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِۚ فَإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَقُولُواْ ٱشۡهَدُواْ بِأَنَّا مُسۡلِمُونَ64﴾
{Say, “O people of the Book, come to a common term between us and you, that we worship none but Allah and associate no partners with Him, and that we do not take one another as lords besides Allah.” But if they turn away, say, “Bear witness that we are Muslims [submitting to Allah].”} [Surat Āl-‘Imrān: 64]
What Does a Muslims Need to Know?
A Muslim is required to believe in the six pillars of Imān (faith):
Belief in Allah Almighty, as the Creator, the Provider, the Planner, and the Owner. There is nothing like Him, and He has no wife or children. He alone deserves to be worshiped, and no one should be worshiped alongside Him. It is essential to believe that worshiping anything other than Him is invalid.
Belief in the angels as slaves of Allah Almighty, whom He created from light, and among the tasks He assigned to them is to deliver revelation to His prophets.
Belief in all the books revealed by Allah Almighty to His prophets (such as the Torah and the Gospel before their distortion) and the final book, the Noble Qur’an.
Belief in all the prophets, such as Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and the last of them, Muhammad (ﷺ). They were human beings supported by divine revelation and were given signs and miracles that attest to their truthfulness.
Belief in the Day of Judgment, a time when Allah Almighty will resurrect all people, including earlier and later generations and judge between them. He will admit the believers into Paradise, while the disbelievers will enter Hellfire.
Belief in Predestination (Al-Qadar) and that Allah knows everything that has happened in the past and everything that will happen in the future. Allah Almighty has known, decreed, willed, and created all things.
And you should worship Allah according to what He has ordained, such as performing prayers, giving Zakah, observing fast, and performing Hajj, if you have the ability. Then you must learn your religion, which will be the source of your happiness in this world and your salvation in the Hereafter.
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Index
The Lord, the Great Creator 4
This Lord, the Creator, the Provider, is Allah, Glorified and Exalted. 4
The Attributes of the Lord, the Creator 6
The Worshiped Lord is Characterised with the Attributes of Perfection 7
Why Did This Great Creator Create Us? And What Does He Want from Us? 10
Why Were There Numerous Messengers? 13
No One Can Be a True Believer Until He Believes in All the Messengers 14
What Is the Noble Qur’an? 16
What Is Islam? 17
Islam is the Way to Happiness 20
What Advantages Does a Muslim Gain in This World and the Hereafter? 21
What Potential Loss Might a Non-Muslim Incur? 22
Whoever Desires Salvation in the Hereafter Must be a Muslim, Obedient to Allah, Following His Messenger (ﷺ). 23
What Does a Muslims Need to Know? 26
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