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1) top.location.href = this.options[this.options.selectedIndex].value;"> SITE INDEX THE AUTHOR ALL BOOKS (Alphabetical) ------------------------- - A Call for an Islamic Union - A Call for Unity - A Chain of Miracles - A Definitive Reply to Evolutionist Propaganda - Allah is Known Through Reason - Allah's Artistry in Colour - An Index to the Qur'an - Answers from the Qur'an - Articles - I - Articles - II - Basic Tenets of Islam - Beauties for Life in the Qur'an - Before You Regret - Character-types of the Unbelievers - Communism in Ambush - Communist China's Policy of Oppression in East... - Crude Understanding Of Disbelief - Darwinism Refuted - Death, Resurrection, Hell - Deep Thinking - Devoted To Allah - Devotion among Animals - Disasters Darwinism Brought to Humanity - Eternity Has Already Begun - Ever Thought About The Truth? - Faith: The Way to Happiness - Fascism: The Bloody Ideology of Darwinism - Fear of Allah - For Men of Understanding - General Knowledge From The Qur'an - Global Freemasonry - Global Impact of the Works of Harun Yahya - God's Gentle Artistry - Hopefulness in the Qur'an - How Do the Unwise Interpret the Qur'an? - Idealism, The Matrix & The True Nature of Matter - Islam and Buddhism - Islam and Karma - Islam Denounces Terrorism - Islam: The Religion of Ease - Jesus Will Return - Justice and Tolerance in the Qur'an - Knowing the Truth - Learning from the Qur'an - Loyalty Described in the Qur'an - Magnificence Everywhere - Maryam: An Exemplary Muslim Woman - MATTER: The Other Name for Illusion - Miracle in the Eye - Miracles of the Qur'an - Names of Allah - Not By Chance - Never Forget - Never Plead Ignorance - New Research Demolishes Evolution - Only Love Can Defeat Terrorism - Palestine - Paradise: The Believers' Real Home - Passivity in Religion - Perfected Faith - Perished Nations - Prayer in the Qur'an - Prophet Abraham (pbuh) and Prophet Lot (pbuh) - Prophet Solomon (pbuh) - Quick Grasp Of Faith -I - Quick Grasp Of Faith -II - Quick Grasp Of Faith -III - Romanticism: A Weapon of Satan - Satan: The Sworn Enemy of Mankind - Seeing Good in All - Signs of God - Signs of the End Times in Surat al-Kahf - Signs of the Last Day - Sincerity Described in the Qur'an - Solution: The Values of the Qur'an - Some Secrets of the Qur'an - Taking The Qur'an As A Guide - Tell Me About The Creation - Terrorism:The Ritual of the Devil - The Alliance of The Good - The Arrogance of Satan - The Basic Concepts In The Qur' an - The Collapse of the Theory of Evolution - The Collapse of the Theory of Evolution in 20 Qu... - The Complete Works of Harun Yahya - The Courage of the Faithful - The Creation of the Universe - The Dark Clan - The Dark Spell of Darwinism - The Day of Judgment - The Design in Nature - The End Times and the Mahdi - The Errors of NAS - The Evolution Deceit - The Existence of God - The False Religion of People-worship - The Glad Tidings of the Messiah - The Golden Age - The Hypocrite according to the Qur'an - The Importance Of Conscience In The Qur'an - The Importance of Patience in the Qur'an - The Importance Of Following the Good Word - The Knights Templars - The Little Man in the Tower - The Mercy of Believers - The Miracle in the Ant - The Miracle in the Atom - The Miracle in the Spider - The Miracle of Creation in Plants - The Miracle of Creation in DNA - The Miracle of Hormones - The Miracle of Human Creation - The Miracle of Talking Birds - The Miracle of the Immune System - The Miracle of the Immune System (Pocket Book) - The Moral Values Of The Qur'an - The Muslim Way of Speaking - The Nightmare of Disbelief - The Pains of the False World - The Prophet Muhammad (SAAS) - The Prophet Musa (AS) - The Prophet Yusuf (AS) - The Qur'an Leads the Way to Science - The Religion of Darwinism - The Rise of Islam - The School of Yusuf (as) - The Secret behind our Trials - The Secrets of DNA - The Signs Leading to Faith - The Signs of Jesus' (pbuh) Second Coming - The Struggle Against "The Religion of Irreligion" - True Wisdom in the Qur'an - The Truth of the Life of this World - The Winter Of Islam And The Spring To Come - Those Who Do Not Heed The Qur'an - Timelessness And the Reality of Fate - What the Quran Says About Liars and Their Methods - Why Darwinism is Incompatible With the Qur'an - Zeal and Enthusiasm Described in the Qur'an BOOKS FOR KIDS ------------------------- -Stories for Thinking Children - I -Stories for Thinking Children - II -24 Hours in the Life of a Muslim -The Miracles in Our Bodies -Wonderful Creatures -3 -The World Of Our Little Friends: The Ants -The World Of Animals -Wonders Of Allah's Creation -Skillful Dam Builders: Beavers -Honeybees That Build Perfect Combs -The Glory In The Heavens -Let's Learn Our Islam FEATURED ARTICLES ------------------------- - Why Is France So Afraid Of Religion? 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Harun Yahya's articles are currently being published in many periodicals in Turkey and many other countries around the world. In this section you can find some of the articles of the author under the categories, Faith&Wisdom, Science&Faith and Social Issues.

Ramadan Articles
Read the articles of Harun Yahya for the month of Ramadan which are also published in international newspapers and magazines. You can read them in our Ramadan pages day by day or you can download them in pdf format, which will allow you to preserve the page layout, formatting and graphics. When you download all the 30 days' articles you will have an archive of Ramadan articles of the author. >>

Articles by Harun Yahya from International Newspapers and MagazinesYou can read some of the articles of the author published in international newspapers and magazines. You can download and read them in pdf format, which will allow you to preserve the page layout, formatting and graphics. >>

Creation & The Existence of God

The Physical Basis of the Beauty in Peacock Feathers Revealed - NEW -
FEATURED ARTICLES
- The Big Bang Echoes through the Map of the Galaxy- The Scientific World is Turning to God- Muslims and the People of the Book in History- Everyone Must Join Forces Against Terror- Uniting in Faith- How prayer accelerates the treatement of the sick

The Fine Tuning in the Universe - NEW -

The Miracle of Iron - NEW -

Miraculous Mixture: Mother’s Milk - NEW -

The Miracle in the Defence System - NEW -

The Army-Ant in Technology - NEW -

Biomimetics: Drawing Inspiration From the Design in Living Things - NEW -

The Strength and Power of the Atom Is a Sign of God - NEW -

Enzymes that perform 36 million processes a minute - NEW -

Specialist in many Ways: The Koala - NEW -

Communication and Signaling in the Language of Birds - NEW -

The Superior Flight System in Insects

The Miraculous Measure in Tides

Miraculous Creatures that Leave Jet Planes in Their Wake

Life-Saving Liquids

Diamonds: The Hardest of Minerals

The Human Body: A Carefully Protected Fortress

Our Lord's Name is Allah

The Fine Tuning in the Universe

The Miracle of Iron

Miraculous Mixture: Mother’s Milk

The Miracle in the Defence System

The Magnetic Positioning System in Pigeons

The Measure of Beauty Created in Nature: The Golden Ratio

The Big Bang Echoes through the Map of the Galaxy

The Scientific World is Turning to God

The Information Beyond Matter & Lawh-i Mahfuz

The Fall of Atheism

God Created the Universe from Nothing

Pondering on the Signs of God

Migration and Orientation in Animals

The Obvious Existence of God

Rain by Design

Scientists Confirm the Signs of God

Self-Sacrifice in Animals

An Unconventional Hunter: The Venus Plant

Spiders' Fishing Techniques

The Ability to See the Signs of God…

The Design in Nature

The Design in Water

The Miracle of Design in the Cell

The Perfect Social System of Ants

The Signs in the Heavens and on the Earth

The Design of the Woodpecker

From a Caterpillar to a Butterfly

The Honey Bee

From Non-Being to Being

Co-Ordination in Human Body

Common Material, Design and Designer

The Earth: A Living Planet

A System Planned in Its Every Detail

The Defense System


Refutation of Darwinism

The Latest Developments Regarding Flores Man

The "Tiktaalik roseae: Another missing link myth - NEW -

The "Intelligent Design" Distraction

The Importance of the Intellectual Struggle Against Darwinism

The widening genetic gap

The Theory of Evolution: A Unique Deception in the History of the World

National Geographic's Darwin Error

Homo floresiensis and the Facts Emerging about the Evolution Myth

Important Developments Regarding Flores Man

A Reply To Andya Primanda

Scientific American's 15 Errors

A Whale Fantasy from National Geographic

The Myth of Bird Evolution

New Fossil Discovery Sinks Evolutionary Theories

Yet Another Blow to the Myth of Vestigial Organs

Misconceptions About the Human Genome Project

Darwinists Misrepresentations About the Human Genome Project

The Scientific Collapse of Materialism

Darwinism's Contradiction with Religion

The Fossil Record Refutes Evolution

The Evolution Deceit


Politics, Ideologies & Society

How Islamic Union will Affect the Economic Development - NEW -

The Impact of Disbelief on Economy - NEW -

A Cruel Ideology in the Economy: Capitalism and Fight for Survival - NEW -

How Purposelessness Affects the Society - NEW -

Protection of Orphans and the Poor in the Qur'an - NEW -

Turkey must Assume Responsibility for the Upkeep and Protection of the Kaaba - NEW -

The "Clash of Civilizations" is the Product of a Darwinist Mindset - NEW -

Islamic Union

The Real Danger: Unorganized Irreligiousness

Britain's "September 11"

People of the Book are One Another's Trusted Friends

The Land of Canaan should be a Place of Peace and Reconciliation for all True Religions

Muslims and the People of the Book in History

Everyone Must Join Forces Against Terror

Uniting in Faith

What the Tsunami Disaster leads us to consider?

Uniting against Radicalism

Islam: The Most Rapidly Expanding Religion in Europe

The Day After Tomorrow: The Recent Alarming Blockbuster Provides Much Food for Thought

The Tiny Miracle Behind Spiderman

Blockbuster About Jesus Raises Passions

What Should a Moslem's View of the People of the Book and Zionism Be?

Only Qur'anic Morality Can Put Right the Chaos Caused by Postmodernism

Why Is France So Afraid Of Religion?

A Real Solution in Cyprus

How To Avoid A War?

Islam Is Not the Source of Terrorism, But Its Solution

Islamic Peace Throughout History

The Pacifism of Islam

A Muslim Call to the Israelis

Why an Authoritarian Rule is Against Islam?

"People of the Book" & The Muslims

Terrorism, Darwinism & Materialism

The Depressions of a Faithless Society

Idolatry in Our Age

Moral Degeneration

In Every Age There Existed an Ignorant Society

Superiority Comes from Character, Not Blood

The Disasters of an Irreligious Social System

Antisemitism is Racism Totally Contrary to Islam


Insights from Wisdom

Scientific Investigations into the Essence of Matter - NEW -

True Reflections Lift the Curtain of Familarity - NEW -

What do you know about Cholesterol? - NEW -

Nutrition Suggestions for a Healthy Life

In the Wake of the Pakistan Earthquake

The Messiah Dajjal Has Secretly Started Work

Could the Katrina Disaster Be a Portent of the Last Day Foretold by Our Prophet (saas)?

Deep Thinking

The Veil of Heedlessness

The Lessons from Death

The Weaknesses of Man

The Life of This World

Things That Need To Be Thought About

Basic Questions of Our Lives


Wisdom of the Holy Qur'an

Fish: A Valuable Source of Nutrition - NEW -

Forgiveness According to the Morals of Islam and its Benefits on Health - NEW -

Health Benefits of Movement, Washing and Drinking Water - NEW -

Gog and Magog: When and Where ? - NEW -

The Holy Line of Prophet Muhammad (saas): SAYYIDS - NEW -

The Age of Prophet Sulayman (as) - NEW -

Our Prophet (saas) was a person of extraordinary beauty

Perished Nations 1

Are the texts given to Prophet Ibrahim(as) hidden on Mount Nimrod?

Where Is the Ark of the Covenant Hidden?

Prophets' Names Appear in the Ebla Tablets, 1500 Years Older Than the Torah

The Islamic Origins of Modern Science

Never Plead Ignorance that Qur'an is the Just Book

The Word "Haman"

Evaluating Everything According to the Qur'an

Pondering on the Qur'an

The People of Saba and the Arim Flood

The World and the Hereafter




Islamic Faith & Morality

Believers' Love for One Another - NEW -

Solution: The Morals of the Qur'an - NEW -

The Real Owner of All Possessions - NEW -

The Lord's Mercy Toward Women - NEW -

The Era of the Four Caliphs and the Golden Age - NEW -

Religion according to Allah, not to People - NEW -

The Call of Prophet Hud (as) - NEW -

Those who Follow What Pleases Him Come Out of Darkness into Light - NEW -

The Exemplary Justice of the Prophet (saas)

The High Morality of the Prophet (saas)

The Blessed Uthman (ra): The Caliph of Islam Possessed of Superior Moral Values

The Importance of the Honored Sunnah to the Faithful

The Importance of Salat (Prayer) in the Life of A Muslim

Hearts Find Peace in the Remembrance of Allah

Giving in the Way of Allah (Infaq) is a Defining Characteristic of Muslims

Stress and Depression: The results of not abiding by the religion

How prayer accelerates the treatement of the sick

Islam's Acceptance of Judaism and Christianity

The Call For An "Islamic Union"

The Eminence Islam Attaches to Women

God Increases His Blessings On Those Who Are Grateful

No Dispute Among the Believers

Goodness in All

Importance of Following the Sunnah

Humbling One's Self in Prayer

Being Considerate

Before You Regret

Determination

Conscience: God's Inspiration to Every Man

Hell-Made Ready for the Unbelievers

Loyalty and Obedience to God

One of the Teachings of Satan: Demagogy

Praying for Forgiveness and Repentance

Righteous Deeds

Death & the Eternal Regret for Disbelievers

Why Some People Resist Their Conscience ?

Everything You Possess is a Favor from Allah

Our On-going Test

The True Islamic Morals

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The Era of the Four Caliphs and the Golden Age


The Era of the Four Caliphs and the Golden Age
HARUN YAHYA
During the era of the Four Caliphs, which followed the death of Prophet Muhammad (saas), Islam spread far beyond the boundaries of the Arabian Peninsula. It was a time when Muslims won great victories and lived in comfortable ease—in all, a good foretaste of the Golden Age predicted by the Prophet (saas).
In this period, an Islamic state stretched from Tripoli in the west to Horosan in the east and the Caucasus in the north. After Islam emerged from the Arabian Peninsula, it was adopted by various peoples and nations in Asia and Africa. During this period, the new Islamic states were to found their political and legal foundations. The caliphs Abu Bakr (ra), Umar (ra), Uthman (ra) and Ali (ra) followed in the footsteps of our Prophet (saas), continuing to spread the just moral teachings of the Qur’an over an ever-increasing territory. For this reason, the era of the Four Caliphs is known as Khulafa’ ar-Rashidin, or the era of the “Rightly Guided Caliphs.” Since these four were elected to their position of caliphs, this same period is called the Republican Era.
WHAT WILL THE GOLDEN AGE BE LIKE?
In order to understand how the era of the Four Caliphs resembled the Golden Age, it will be useful to look briefly at the predictions of our Prophet (saas) about it.
According to Islamic texts, the Golden Age will come shortly before the end of the world; it will be a time when the moral teachings of the Qur’an will dominate and people will practice the Islamic religion. Conditions will enable people to live in peace and contentment. Former hardships will vanish, and be replaced by the blessings of justice and plenty. During this period, all manner of immorality, injustice, falsehood and degeneracy that run contrary to religion will be eradicated. This happy time will be the blessed time of peace, contentment, justice, plenty and the dominance of Islamic morality that all believers have been expecting for centuries. (see Harun Yahya’s book, The Golden Age). In the Qur’an, Almighty Allah reveals to His faithful servants that Islamic morality will dominate throughout the world:
Allah has promised those of you who believe and do right actions that He will make them successors in the land as He made those before them successors, and will firmly establish for them their religion with which He is pleased and give them, in place of their fear, security. They worship Me, not associating anything with Me. Any who disbelieve after that, such people are deviators. (Qur’an, 24:55)
The Golden Age will last for more than half a century and, in many ways, will resemble the Blessed Period of our Prophet (saas). We call this period the Golden Age because our Prophet (saas) described it as similar to Paradise. It will be marked by the abundance of every type of goods and harvest of crops, the establishment of security, justice, peace, and happiness; and the use of advanced technology for humanity's comfort, ease, joy, and peace. No one will feel in need, for all goods and services will be available to satisfy everyone’s material needs.
Many hadiths say that “weapons will be silenced,” and thus herald a world filled with peace. In the Golden Age, enemy nations will become as one harmonious family and re-establish peace, friendship, and love among their leaders and peoples.
Here are some hadiths in which the Prophet speaks about the Golden Age:
"The younger ones wish they were grown-ups, while the adults wish they were younger. . . The good become even more good, and the wicked ones are treated well."(Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi `Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 17.)
Earth will be filled with equity and justice, just as it was previously filled with oppression and tyranny. (Sunan Abu Dawud)
The earth fills with justice. (Imam Rabbani, Mektubat Imam Rabbani (Letters of Imam Rabbani, Vol. 1, no. 251.)
. . . Justice will prevail to such an extent that every possession taken by force will be returned to his owner; furthermore, some other person’s thing, even if it rests within one’s teeth, will be given back to its owner. . . . Security will pervade all the Earth, and even a few ladies will be able to fulfill their hajj without the company of men. (Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntazar, p. 23.)
The Golden Age will be a blessed time when Allah’s commands will be honored completely, when justice, self-sacrifice and generosity will flourish. No one will be oppressed by want, but every need will be supplied. Everyone will consider the comfort, well-being and prosperity of others. Through this sharing, everyone will be on the same level of prosperity. Hunger, misery and many other problems will resolve themselves.
In addition to the Golden Age’s abundance, technological developments and artistic achievements, public life will be very pleasant. Those who have faith in Allah and practice their religion will be granted a life even more wonderful than they could have imagined. In the Qur’an, Allah promises good things to His servants who do good and obey the moral teachings of the Qur’an:
Allah calls to the Abode of Peace and guides whom He wills to a straight path. Those who do good will have the best and more! Neither dust nor debasement will darken their faces. They are the Companions of Paradise, remaining in it timelessly, forever. (Surah Yunus: 25-26)
Another aspect of the Golden Age revealed by the Hadith literature is that the original religion will no longer be misunderstood. In the Golden Age, all heretical misunderstandings that entered Islam after the time of our Prophet (saas) will be eliminated, and the original religion will be restored:
“Just as in the case of the Prophet, the requirements of the religion will be fulfilled.” (Ismail Mutlu, Kiyamet Alametleri (The Signs of the Last Day), Mutlu Publications, Istanbul, 1999, p. 163.)
At that time will be removed all the distortions that hinder an individual’s approaching Allah and living His religion; Islam will be cleansed of all later mythical accretions—false beliefs and methods of worship—and all that is not germane to religious morality.
We must take note of the zealous efforts on the part of sincere Muslims in returning of religious morality to its origins. During this period, the disagreements and divisions that have arisen in the Islamic world will be repaired. Muhyidin Ibn al-Arabi, one of the greatest scholars in the history of Islam, wrote the following words in his book entitled Futuhat al-Makkiya (The Revelations of Mecca):
. . . Religion will be practiced as it was in the time of the Prophet. There will be no religious sects in the world. The only denomination left will be the religion of pure truth. (Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntazar, p. 24)
Even this short summary is enough to let us imagine what the Golden Age will be like. Now, let us see how the Caliphs’ personalities, activities and administrative genius created an environment that prefigures that of the Golden Age.
The Period of Abu Bakr (ra) (632-634)
Abu Bakr (ra) was a friend of our dear Prophet (saas) before he received his prophetic call. He was one of the first people to receive the message and to become a Muslim. Abu Bakr (ra) accepted Islam at a time before it was openly proclaimed and the Prophet was alone by himself. A close friend of our Prophet (saas) and a fine representative of Islamic morality, he was responsible for leading several individuals to the practice of Islam notably Uthman (ra), Talha ibn Ubaydullah (ra), Sa’d ibn Abi Vakkas (ra), Zubayr ibn Awwam (ra), Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf (ra) and Abu Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah (ra).
When Muhammad (saas) fell ill, he appointed Abu Bakr (ra) as imam, or leader. And when the Prophet (saas) died, Abu Bakr (ra) was chosen as caliph on the recommendation of Umar (ra) and his friends. Historical sources record a very significant speech given by Abu Bakr (ra) to the people after his becoming caliph:
I have been given authority over you, but I am not the best of you. If I do well, help me; and if I do wrong, set me right. Sincere regard for truth is loyalty, and disregard for truth is treachery. The weak amongst you shall be strong with me until I have secured his rights, if Allah will; and the strong amongst you shall be weak with me until I have wrested from him the rights of others, if Allah will. (“Abu Bakr, First Caliph,”www.cyberistan.org/islamic/abubakr.html)
With these words, Abu Bakr (ra) perfectly sums up the duties of the ideal leader. Even though his caliphate lasted only two years, it was very influential.
After the death of our Prophet Muhammad (saas), disagreements emerged among some factions of Islam, Abu Bakr (ra) called these Muslims together and re-established his political authority. He labored intensely to collect and preserve the texts of the Qur’an. He was instrumental in spreading the religion of Islam from the borders of the Arabian Peninsula into Syria, Palestine and Iraq. He opposed false prophets and movements not founded upon religious morality, thus ensuring that the Islamic religion and the moral teachings of the Qur’an remained the same as they were in the time of our Prophet (saas).
His good character, mercy, humility and meticulous practice of the Qur’an’s moral teachings in his life brought him great respect among the companions of the Prophet (saas). These qualities earned him great love and adulation from the people. He disliked arrogance and took pleasure from helping the poor and those who had fallen upon hardship; he loved receiving guests and entertaining them. He secured the freedom of many Muslim slaves by paying their owners significant sums of money. As a wealthy merchant, he spent all his abundance to spread the moral teachings of Islam. For this reason, the Prophet (saas) said of him, “In the giving up of his wealth, Abu Bakr is most notable. What a good friend he is! We are joined by the love and brotherhood of Islam.” (Sahih Bukhari, Tirmidhi Hadiths)
With the strength of his faith, his genius and excellent statesmanship, Abu Bakr (ra) preserved the unity of Islam and left a strong state for those who came after him.The Period of Umar (ra) (634-644)
A prominent member of the Qureysh tribe by the name of Umar (ra) was affected by Muslims’ unbending devotion to their faith despite all pressures exerted on them and accepted Islam. He is said to have been the first to declare openly that he accepted Islam. As Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (ra) said, “It was a victory when Umar (ra) became a Muslim.” (Usdul-Gaba, IV, p. 151)
After his conversion, he took his place in the company of our Prophet (saas) and because of his strong character and determination, became a leading proponent of Islamic morality. He used his wealth for the spread of the faith. After Abu Bakr (rar) died, Umar was chosen as caliph and proved to be a model of the administration of justice for those who came after him.
Umar (ra) is known for his efforts to the establishment of justice and his devotion to the moral teachings of the Qur’an. When dispensing justice, he treated all people equally, with no regard for anyone’s name, wealth, connections or rank. He used every resource at his disposal to ensure the uncompromised dispensation of justice in the areas under his administration.
During his time in power, social justice reigned everywhere. He always felt a deep sense of responsibility for his people. He reportedly said, “If a camel was dying of exhaustion on the banks of the Euphrates, I would feel responsible for it.”The Importance of Consultation for Umar (ra)
If some dispute arose, Umar (ra) would consult with other Muslims according to the principles of the Qur’an, and seek their opinions making a decision. In this way the best course of action would emerge, which they could then acted upon. So, in any important matter, a tradition and a habit of widespread consultation was established—the reason why the people worked in consultation with one another.
Many innovations occurred in the time of Umar (ra). After a while, the country was divided into administrative units. Governors and kadis (judges of the laws) responsible to the caliph were appointed.. With the appointment of kadis, justice and administration were separated for the first time. These years saw the adoption of the Muslim calendar, or Hijri; and a popular assembly and a public treasury were established.
During the caliphate of Umar (ra), many victories were won outside Arabia and Iraq. Iran, Horosan, Syria, Palestine and Egypt all became Muslim territories. As its land expanded, the Islamic state had to organize its administration together with its political, economic and military components. To answer these requirements, Umar (ra) laid the foundations for an institutionalized Islamic state.
According to historical texts, a letter reportedly sent by Umar (ra) to the kadis became a guide for subsequent generations of administrators:
During trials, do not permit excess movement, shouting or undignified behavior. In order for justice to be done, there must be peace and quiet. When the laws are seen to be respected, the Divine of Justice is honored. If a Muslim has good intentions, Allah orders his relationships with others, but He brings disaster on those who are two-faced. The duty then of a judge is to ensure that Allah’s treasury of mercy and the people’s daily needs are distributed to His servants with justice.
His practice of the moral values of the Qur’an allowed Umar (ra) to administer in a way that won the hearts of the whole of Islamic society. In this way—according to Allah’s will—he contributed greatly to the spread of Islam’s moral teachings. The Period of Uthman (ra) (644-656)
Uthman (ra) with his superior moral values, was the one of the first to accept Islam.
Before becoming caliph, he was one of those closest to our Prophet (saas). In addition to possessing a very pleasant and effective way of speaking, he possessed an excellent memory and learned the Holy Qur’an by heart. Furthermore, he had a great knowledge of the hadiths, the words of the Prophet (saas), and as amanuensis of the revelation, performed great services for Islam.
He was chosen to be caliph after Umar (ra). Nobody objected to his election to the rank of caliph because he was regarded as worthy of it throughout Islamic society, and everyone swore allegiance to him.
During his caliphate, certainly one of Uthman (ra)’s greatest services in the propagation of Islamic moral values was how he had copies of the Holy Qur’an copied and sent to various Islamic centers. Due to differences of accent in his day, the verses of the Qur’an were being read out in different ways, so the Blessed Uthman (ra) set up an institution for the copying of the entire Qur’an. One duplicate was left in Medina, and others sent to Mecca, Damascus, Kufa, Basra, Egypt and other locations.
In the course of his work as caliph, Uthman (ra) made sure that suitable candidates were selected for various appointments. He was determined to develop agriculture and public works so as to raise the level of prosperity in the Islamic community, and he worked to develop gardens and vineyards. One noticeable development that occurred in this period was the increase in the wealth of Muslims and their greater prosperity compared with their lives in the past. And partly as a result, many of those unbelievers living in Islamic territories became Muslims.
The lifetime of Uthman (ra) saw a continuation of Islamic victories in Iran, the Caucasus and Africa. A maritime force was established and took the strategically important Mediterranean island of Cyprus. Many important victories were won against the Byzantines, and order and justice were established in the territories won.
The Period of Ali (ra) (656-661)
Ali was the son of Abu Talib, the uncle of the Prophet (saas). Historical accounts tell us that he grew up near our Prophet (saas) who later became his guardian.
Ali had the salient characteristics of courage, wisdom and eloquence. Everyone agreed that Ali (ra) was one of the greatest scholars in the Islamic community. As our dear Prophet (saas) said of him, “He is the door of Wisdom City.” At the Prophet’s side since his childhood, he learned the Qur’an from him and served him as amanuensis and help meet until the Prophet (saas)’s death. For this reason, Ali (ra) came to know a great deal about religious matters and as a result, was called to be among the advisors to Abu Bakr (ra), Umar (ra) and Uthman (ra).
After becoming caliph, he established schools for the education of Muslims, on which he placed great importance. When he was martyred, the Period of the Four Caliphs, one of the most glorious periods in Islam, came to an end.
Glad Tidings of the Golden Age
In many of the Prophet’s hadiths that have come down to us, we are told that Islamic morality will once again have dominance in the world, during a period to be known as the Golden Age. We call this period “the Golden Age” thanks to the glorious descriptions of it in the words of our Prophet’s (saas). And, by the will of Allah, it will be similar to the Blessed Period we have just described.
During this Age, just as throughout the Blessed Period and the era of the Four Caliphs, the morals of the Qur’an will prevail, and all around the world, there will be love, peace, comfort, justice, abundance and wealth. The Prophet Muhammad (saas) foretold the Golden Age and the emergence of the Mahdi who will be the leader during the End Times:
In the last of times, there will be a khalifa [successor] who will distribute wealth without even counting it. (Sahih Muslim)The Golden Age will grant a beautiful life to Muslims in this world. As our Prophet (saas) said, this period will be a foretaste of Paradise, a blessing from Allah, and a great reward. With its abundance, as well as its peaceful and comfortable environment, this is a time that every servant of faith who devotes his life to Allah would like to live to see. For all Muslims, it is doubtless a great honor to be accorded the good news of this period.


Source: www.harunyahya.com


Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Islam: The Most Rapidly Expanding Religion in Europe


Islam: The Most Rapidly Expanding Religion in Europe
HARUN YAHYA
During the last 20 years, the number of Muslims in the world has been increasing steadily. Statistics for the year 1973 indicate that the world population of Muslims was 500 million; now, it has reached 1.5 billion. Today, every fourth person is a Muslim. It is probable that the Muslim population will continue to increase and that Islam will become the world's largest religion. The reason for this steady rise is not only the increasing population in Muslim countries, but also the growing numbers of people who are turning to Islam, a phenomenon that has gained momentum, especially after the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 (hereinafter referred to as 9/11). This attack, deplored by everyone, especially Muslims, has suddenly turned people's attention (especially Americans) to Islam. People in the West are talking a lot about what kind of a religion Islam is, what the Qur'an says, what obligations come with being a Muslim, and how Muslims are required to conduct their affairs. This interest has naturally brought about a rise in the number of people worldwide turning to Islam. So, the commonly heard prediction after 9/11 that "this attack will change the course of world history" has, in a sense, started to come true. The process of returning to religious and spiritual values, which the world has been experiencing for a long time, has become a turning to Islam.
The extraordinary nature of what is taking place can be seen when one sets out these developments regarding this trend, which we have started to read about in newspapers or hear of in television reports. These developments, generally reported as just one element of the day's agenda, are actually very important indications that Islamic moral values have begun to spread very rapidly across the whole world. As in the rest of the world, Islam is in the midst of a rapid growth in Europe. This development has been attracting more attention in recent years, as evidenced by the many theses, reports, and articles published on "the place of Muslims in Europe" and "dialogue between European society and Muslims." Along with these academic reports, the media has carried frequent reports about Islam and Muslims. The root of this interest lies in the continual growth of Muslim population figures in Europe, and that this increase cannot be ascribed solely to immigration. While immigration certainly has had a significant effect on the Muslim population's growth, so many researchers have addressed this matter for quite another reason: high conversion rates. A June 20 2004 story on NTV News, headed "Islam is the most rapidly expanding religion in Europe," dealt with a report drawn up by the French domestic intelligence agency. The report stated that the number of those converting to Islam in Western countries had risen still further, particularly in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. For example, the number of converts to Islam in France increased by between 30 and 40,000 last year alone.
The Catholic Church and the Rise of Islam
The Roman Catholic Church, headquartered in Vatican City, is one of the institutions that follows conversion trends. One of the main topics during the October 1999 meeting of the European synod, which was attended by almost all of the Catholic clergy, was the Church's position in the new millennium. The conference's main theme was the rapid growth of Islam in Europe. The National Catholic Reporter reported that some radical individuals stated that the only way to prevent Muslims' gaining power in Europe was to stop tolerating Muslims and Islam; other more objective and rational individuals underscored the fact that since the two religions believe in one God, there should be no room for any conflict or struggle between them. In one session, Archbishop Karl Lehmann of Germany stressed that there is more internal pluralism within Islam than many Christians perceive, and that the radicals' claims about Islam had no basis in truth. (1)
Considering the position of Muslims when elucidating the Church's position in the new millennium was quite proper, for a 1999 United Nations' survey showed that between 1989 and 1998, Europe's Muslim population grew by more than 100 percent. It is reported that there are some 13 million Muslims living in Europe today: 3.2 million in Germany, 2 million in Great Britain, 4-5 million in France, and the rest dispersed over Europe as a whole, especially in the Balkans. This figure represents more than 2% of the total population of Europe. (2)
Muslims' Religious Awareness Is Rising in Europe
Relevant research also has revealed that while the number of Muslims in Europe continues to grow, there is a deepening of religious awareness among Muslims. According to a survey conducted by the French newspaper Le Monde in October 2001, compared to data collected in 1994, many Muslims continue to perform their prayers, go to the mosque, and fast. This awareness is seen much more among university students.(3)
In a report based upon the foreign press in 1999, the Turkish Aktüel magazine stated that Western researchers estimate that in another 50 years Europe will become one of Islam's main centers of expansion.
Islam Is an Inseparable Part of Europe
Along with this sociological and demographic research, we also must not forget that Europe has not become acquainted with Islam only recently, but that Islam is actually an inseparable part of Europe.
Europe and the realm of Islam have had close relations with each other for centuries. First, the state of Andalusia (756-1492) on the Iberian Peninsula, and later the Crusades (1095-1291) and the Ottoman capture of the Balkans (1389), brought about a constant interrelation between the two societies. Many historians and sociologists assert today that Islam was the leading cause of Europe's movement from the darkness of its Middle Ages to the brilliance of its Renaissance. At a time when Europe was backward in medicine, astronomy, mathematics, and many other fields, Muslims possessed a vast treasure of knowledge and great possibilities of development.
Uniting on a Common Ground: "Monotheism"
The growth of Islam is also reflected in the recent growth of interfaith dialogue. These dialogues start by stating that the three monotheistic religions have a common beginning and can come together at a common point. Such dialogues have been quite successful and have engendered an important rapprochement, especially between Christians and Muslims. In the Qur'an, God informs us that Muslims invite the People of the Book (Christians and Jews) to unite on a common ground:
Say: "O People of the Book, come to a proposition that is the same for us and you-that we should worship none but God, and not associate any partners with Him, and not take one another as lords besides God." If they turn away, say: "Bear witness that we are Muslims." (Qur'an, 3: 64)
The three monotheistic religions have common beliefs and the same moral values. Belief in God's Existence and Unity, angels, Prophets, the Last Day, Heaven and Hell are their basic tenets of faith. Furthermore, self-sacrifice, humility, love, tolerance, respect, mercy, honesty, avoiding wrongdoing and injustice, and acting according to conscience are all commonly accepted moral qualities. Therefore, since these three religions are on the same level, they must work together to eradicate the strife, conflict, and pain caused by irreligious ideologies. When considered from this point of view, interfaith dialogue assumes far more importance. The seminars and conferences that bring representatives of these religions together, and the messages of peace and brotherhood that come out of them, have continued regularly since the mid-1990s.
The Glad Tidings of a Holy Age
When all the facts are brought together, they reveal that there is a strong movement toward Islam in many countries, and that Islam is increasingly becoming the most important topic of world interest. These developments indicate that the world is moving toward a totally new era, one in which, God willing, Islam will gain in importance and the Qur'an's moral teachings will spread like a rising tide. It is important to realize that this highly significant development was announced in the Qur'an 14 centuries ago:
They desire to extinguish God's Light with their mouths. But God refuses to do other than perfect His Light, even though the unbelievers detest it. It is He Who sent His Messenger with guidance and the True Religion to exalt it over every other religion, even though the idolaters detest it. (Qur'an, 9:32-33)
The spread of Islamic morality is one of God's promises to believers. In addition to these verses, many sayings of our Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, assert that the Qur'an's moral teachings will prevail. In the last days before the end of the world, humanity will experience a period in which wrongdoing, injustice, deceit, fraud, wars, strife, conflict, and moral degeneration is wide-spread. Then will come the Golden Age, in which these moral teachings will begin to spread among people like a rising tide and finally prevail throughout the world. Some of these sayings, as well learned commentaries upon them, are given below:
During this [period], my ummah [people] would lead such a comfortable and carefree life which they never led like that. [The land] would bring forth its yield and would not hold back anything and the property at that time would be a stack. (Sunan Ibn-i Majah)
… The dwellers of the heavens and the earth will be pleased. The earth will bring forth all that grows, and the heavens will pour down rains in abundance. From all the good that God will bestow on the inhabitants of the earth, the living will wish that the dead would come to life again. (Muhkhtasar Tazkirah Qurtubi, p. 437)
The earth would turn like the silver tray growing vegetation... (Sunan Ibn-i Majah)
The earth will be filled with equity and justice as it was pre viously filled with oppression and tyranny. (Abu Dawud)
Justice will prevail to such an extent that every possession taken by force will be returned to his owner; furthermore, some other person's thing, even if it rests within one's teeth, will be given back to its owner... Security will permeate all over Earth and even a few ladies will be able to fulfil their hajj without the company of men. (Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar, p. 23)
Based upon these statements, the Golden Age will be an era in which justice, plenty, abundance, well-being, security, peace, and brotherhood will prevail among humanity, and one in which people will experience love, self-sacrifice, tolerance, compassion, mercy, and loyalty. In his sayings, our Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, says that this blessed period will be experienced through the mediation of the Mahdi, who will come in the end times to save the world form chaos, injustice, and moral collapse. He will eradicate godless ideologies and bring an end to the prevailing injustice. Moreover, he will make religion like it was in the days of our Prophet (peace be upon him), cause the Qur'an's moral teachings to prevail among humanity, and establish peace and well-being throughout the world.
The rise of Islam being experienced in the world today, as well as Turkey's role in the new era are important signs that the period announced in the Qur'an and in our Prophet's sayings is very close. It is our heartfelt desire that God will let us witness this blessed time.
References: 1. "Europe's Muslims Worry Bishops," National Catholic Reporter, October 22, 19992. "Muslims in Europe," The Economist, October 18, 2001.3. Time, December 24, 2001.

Source: harunyahya.com

The United Colors of Islam


The United Colors of Islam (part 1 of 3)
Description: The racial equality espoused by Islam and practical examples from history. Part 1: Racism in the Judeo-Christian tradition.By Ben Adam, www.Quran.nu, (edited by IslamReligion.com) -

“God said: ‘What prevented you (O Satan) that you did not prostrate when I commanded you?’ Iblees (the Satan) replied: ‘I am better than him (Adam). You created me from fire, and him You created from clay.” (Quran 7:12)
So begins the history of racism. Satan thought himself superior to Adam on account of his origins. Since that day, Satan has misled many of Adam’s descendants into also believing themselves superior to others, causing them to persecute and exploit their fellow man. Quite often, religion has been used to justify the racism. Judaism, for example, despite its Middle­-Eastern origins, is readily passed off as a Western religion; but the entry of Jews into all levels of Western society actually betrays Judaism’s elitist reality. A pious reading of the bible verse:
“There is no God in all the world but in Israel.” (2 Kings 5:15)
…would be to suggest that in those days God, or God, was not worshipped except by Israelites. However, Judaism today remains centered around its boast of ‘chosen’ racial superiority.
“Say: ‘O Jews! If you pretend that you are the beloved servants of God to the exclusion of the rest of humanity, then long for death if you are really truthful.’” (Quran 62:6)
Conversely, while most Christians are overwhelmingly non­-Jew, Jesus, as the last of the Israelite Prophets, was sent to none but the Jews.[1]
“And (remember) when Jesus, son of Mary, said: ‘O Children of Israel! I am the Messenger of God sent unto you, confirming the Torah before me and bearing glad tidings of a Messenger after me whose name shall be Ahmad[2].’” (Quran 61:6)
And likewise every Prophet was sent exclusively to his own people,[3] every Prophet, that is, except Muhammad.
“Say (O Muhammad): ‘O People! I am the Messenger of God sent to you all.’” (Quran 7:158)
As Muhammad was God’s final Prophet and Messenger, his mission was a universal one, intended for not only his own nation, the Arabs, but all the peoples of the world. The Prophet said:
“Every other Prophet was sent to his nation exclusively, while I have been sent to all of humanity.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)
“And We have not sent you (O Muhammad) except as a bearer of glad tidings and a Warner to all mankind, but most of people know not.” (Quran 34:28)
Bilal the Abyssinian
One of the first to accept Islam was an Abyssinian slave named Bilal. Traditionally, black Africans were a lowly people in the sight of Arabs who thought them to be of little use beyond entertainment and slavery. When Bilal embraced Islam, his pagan master had him brutally tortured in the scorching desert heat until Abu Bakr, the Prophet’s closest friend, rescued him by buying his freedom.
The Prophet appointed Bilal to call the believers to prayer. The athan heard from minarets in every corner of the world since, echoes the exact same words recited by Bilal. Thus, a onetime lowly slave won a unique honor as Islam’s first muezzin.
“And indeed We have honored the Children of Adam.” (Quran 17:70)
Western romantics hail ancient Greece as being the birthplace of democracy.[4] The reality was that, as slaves and women, the vast majority of Athenians were denied the right to elect their rulers. Yet, Islam ordained that a slave could himself be ruler! The Prophet ordered:
“Obey your ruler even if he be an Abyssinian slave.” (Ahmad)
Footnotes:
[1] The bible agrees. Jesus is reported to have said: ‘I have not been sent except to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.’ (Matthew 15:24). Hence, every one of his famous twelve disciples was an Israelite Jew. The one biblical passage where Jesus tells them to: ‘Go and preach unto all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.’ (Matthew 28:19), commonly quoted to prove the Gentile mission as well as the Trinity, is not found in any pre-16th century manuscript and thus considered ‘a pious fraud.’
[2] One of the names of Muhammad, may God praise him.
[3] And We sent to every nation a Messenger (saying): ‘Worship God (alone) and shun false deities.’ (Quran 16:36)
[4] Democracy is a Middle-Eastern invention, first seen in the civilization of Ebla in 3rd millennium BC, and then in Phoenicia and Mesopotamia during 11th century BC. It did not appear in Athens unti15th century BC.
The United Colors of Islam (part 2 of 3)
Description: The racial equality espoused by Islam and practical examples from history. Part 2: Examples from the era of the Prophet.By Ben Adam, www.Quran.nu, (edited by IslamReligion.com) -

Salman the Persian
Like most of his countrymen, Salman was raised a devout Zoroastrian. However, after an encounter with some Christians at worship, he accepted Christianity as ‘something better’. Salman then traveled extensively in search of knowledge, from the service of one learned monk to another, the last of whom said: ‘O son! I do not know of anyone who is on the same (creed) as we are. However, the time of the emergence of a Prophet will shade you. This Prophet is upon the religion of Abraham.’ The monk then proceeded to describe this Prophet, his character and where he would appear. Salman migrated to Arabia, the land of the prophecy, and when he heard about and met Muhammad, he immediately recognized him from his teacher’s descriptions and embraced Islam. Salman became renowned for his knowledge and was the first person to translate the Quran into another language, Persian. Once, whilst the Prophet was amongst his Companions, the following was revealed to him:
“It is He (God) Who had sent among the unlettered (the Arabs) a Messenger (Muhammad) from among themselves... and (also to) others (i.e. non­-Arabs) among them who have not yet joined them (as Muslims).” (Quran 62:2-3)
God’s Messenger then placed his hand on Salman and said:
“Even if the Faith were near (the stars of) Pleiades, a man from amongst these (Persians) would surely attain it.” (Saheeh Muslim)
Suhayb the Roman
Suhayb was born into privilege in the luxurious house of his father, who was a client governor for the Persian emperor. While he was still a child, Suhayb was captured by Byzantine raiders and sold into slavery in Constantinople.
Suhayb eventually escaped from bondage and fled to Mecca, a popular place of asylum, where he soon became a prosperous merchant nick-named ‘ar-Rumi’, the Roman, due to his Byzantine tongue and upbringing. When Suhayb heard Muhammad preach, he was at once convinced of the truth of his message and embraced Islam. Like all the early Muslims, Suhayb was persecuted by the pagan Meccans. So, he traded all his wealth in exchange for safe passage to join the Prophet at Medina, whereupon the Prophet, delighted to see Suhayb, greeted him thrice: ‘Your trade has been fruitful, O [Suhayb]! Your trade has been fruitful!’ God had informed the Prophet of Suhayb’s exploits before their reunion with this revelation:
“And there is a type of man who ransoms himself to earn the pleasure of God. And God is full of kindness to His servants.” (Quran 2:207)
The Prophet loved Suhayb a great deal and described him as having preceded the Romans to Islam. Suhayb’s piety and standing among the early Muslims was so high that when Caliph Umar was on his deathbed, he selected Suhayb to lead them until they could agree upon a successor.
Abdullah the Hebrew
The Jews were another nation that the pre-Islamic Arabs held in contempt. Many Jews and Christians had been expecting a new Prophet to appear in Arabia during the time of the Prophet Muhammad. Jews from the Levite tribe in particular had settled in large numbers in and around the city of Medina. However, when the much­ anticipated Prophet came, not as a Hebrew son of Israel, but as the Arab descendant of Ishmael, the Jews rejected him. Except, that is, for a few like Hussein bin Salam. Hussein was the most learned rabbi and leader of the Medinan Jews but was denounced and vilified by them when he embraced Islam. The Prophet re-named Husayn, ‘Abdullah’, meaning ‘Servant of God’, and gave him the glad tidings that he was destined for Paradise. Abdullah addressed his tribesmen saying:
‘O assembly of Jews! Be conscious of God and accept what Muhammad has brought. By God! You certainly know that he is God’s Messenger and you can find prophecies about him and mention of his name and characteristics in your Torah. I for my part declare that he is the Messenger of God. I have faith in him and believe that he is true. I (for one) recognize him.’ God revealed the following about Abdullah:
“And a witness from the Children of Israel testified to this (Quran being from God) like (the Torah). So he believed while (most of) you (Jews) are too proud (to believe).” (Quran 46:10)
Thus, in the ranks of the Prophet Muhammad’s Companions could be found Africans, Persians, Romans and Israelites; representatives of every known continent. As the Prophet said:
“Indeed, my friends and allies are not the tribe of so and so. Rather, my friends and allies are the pious, wherever they may be.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim)
The United Colors of Islam (part 3 of 3)
Description: The racial equality espoused by Islam and practical examples from history. Part 3: The Hajj and the diversity found amongst the Muslims of today.By Ben Adam, www.Quran.nu, (edited by IslamReligion.com)

This universal brotherhood preached by Islam was championed by the Prophet’s Companions after him. When the Companion, Ubada bin as-Samit, led a delegation to Muqawqis, the Christian patriarch of Alexandria, the latter exclaimed: ‘Get this black man away from me and bring in his stead another to talk to me! ... How can you be content that a black man should be the foremost among you? Is it not more fitting that he be below you?’ ‘Indeed no!’, Ubada’s comrades replied, ‘Though he is black as you see, he is still the foremost among us in position, intelligence and wisdom; for black is not despised among us.’
“Truly, the Believers are but brothers.” (Quran 49:10)
It is the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca, which remains the ultimate symbol of the oneness and brotherhood of man. Here, rich and poor from all nations stand and bow in unison before God in what is the largest gathering of humanity; testifying to the Prophet’s words when he said:
“There is truly no excellence for an Arab over a non-Arab; or for a non-Arab over an Arab; or for a white man over a black man; or for a black man over a white man; except through piety.” (Ahmad)
And this confirms the Quran, which says:
“O humanity! We have created you from a single male and female and have made you into nations and tribes that you may know one another (not that you have pride over one another). Verily, the most honorable of you in the God’s Sight is the one most pious.” (Quran 49:13)
As for nationalism, with its factionalizing of Muslims along ethnic and tribal lines, it is considered an evil innovation.
“If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your tribe, the wealth you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline, and the dwellings in which you delight are dearer to you than God and His Messenger and striving hard in His Cause, then wait until God brings about His Decision. And God guides not a rebellious people.” (Quran 9:24)
The Prophet said:
“... whoever fights under the banner of the blind, becoming angry for nationalism, calling to nationalism, or assisting nationalism, and dies: then he dies a death of jahiliyya (i.e. pre-Islamic ignorance and disbelief).” (Saheeh Muslim)
Rather, the Quran says:
“While those who disbelieved placed in their hearts pride and haughtiness - the pride and haughtiness of jahiliyya, God sent down His tranquility upon His Messenger and upon the Believers.” (Quran 48:26)
In fact, the Muslims in and of themselves constitute a single body and supra-nation, as the Prophet explained:
“The parable of the Believers in their mutual love and mercy is like that of a living body: if one part feels pain, the whole body suffers in sleeplessness and fever.” (Saheeh Muslim)
The Quran confirms this unity:
“Thus, We have made you (Believers into) a (single) justly-balanced community.” (Quran 2:143)
Perhaps one of the greatest barriers to the acceptance of Islam by many Westerners is the fallacy that it is primarily a religion for Orientals or dark-skinned people. No doubt, the racial injustices against many blacks, be they Abyssinian slaves of pre-Islamic Arabia, or 20th century Afro-Americans, has prompted many to embrace Islam. But this is beside the point. The Prophet Muhammad was himself of pale complexion, described by his Companions as being ‘white and ruddy’ - a description many tens of millions of believing Arabs, Berbers and Persians share. Even blue-eyed blondes are not so rare amongst Near Easterners. Furthermore, Europe has more indigenous white Muslims than it has ‘colored’ immigrants. The Bosnians, for example, whose numbers were decimated at the end of the 20th century but who, due to their heroism and tradition of tolerance, have contributed most to Balkan peace and stability. Albanians too, descended from Europe’s ancient Illyrians, are also largely Muslim. In fact, one of the 20th century’s leading Muslim scholars, Imam Muhammad Nasir-ud-Deen al-Albani, was, as his title suggests, Albanian.
“Truly, We created humans in the best stature.” (Quran 5:4)
Whites have been called ‘caucasian’ ever since anthropologists declared the Caucasus Mountains, home to Europe’s highest peaks, to be the ‘Cradle of the White Race.’ Today, the natives of these mountains are Muslims. Amongst many a lesser-known tribe of fierce mountaineers and fair maidens are the Circassians famed for their bravery and beauty and who, as Mamluke rulers of Syria and Egypt, helped defend the civilized world and safeguard its holy lands from the ravages of the Mongol hordes. Then there is the brutalized Chechen, arguably the most unwieldy of all God’s creatures, whose tenacity and resistance has helped them avoid the fate of the Circassians. Meanwhile, over 1,000,000 American and North European Caucasian whites - Anglo-Saxons, Franks, Germans, Scandinavians and Celts included - now profess Islam. In fact, Islam peacefully entered parts of Europe before Christianity, when: ‘In times long ago, when the Russian Slav had not yet started to build Christian churches on the Oka nor conquered these places in the name of European civilization, the Bulgar was already listening to the Quran on the banks of the Volga and the Kama.’ (Solov’ev, 1965) [On 16 May 922, Islam became the official state religion of the Volga Bulgars, with whom today’s Bulgarians share a common ancestry.]
Every faith besides Islam calls for the worship of creation in some way, shape or form. Moreover, race and color play a central and divisive role in almost all non-Islamic belief systems. A Christian’s deification of Jesus and the saints or a Buddhist’s deification of Buddha and the Dalai Lamas has people of a particular race and color being worshipped in derogation of God In Judaism, salvation is withheld from the non-Jew Gentile. Hinduism’s caste system likewise checks the spiritual, socio-political and economic aspirations of the ‘unclean’ lower castes. Islam, however, seeks to unite and make one all the creatures of the world upon the Unity and Oneness of their Creator. Thus, Islam alone liberates all peoples, races and colors in the worship of God alone.
“And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the (wonderful) differences of your languages and colors. Verily, in that are indeed signs for people of sound knowledge.” (Quran 30:22)
Parts of This Article
The United Colors of Islam (part 1 of 3)
The United Colors of Islam (part 2 of 3)
The United Colors of Islam (part 3 of 3)

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