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There
is no better way to learn about Islam than to read the Holy Qur'an
and to observe the practices of a devout Muslim. Unfortunately,
the many stereotypes, misconceptions, and misrepresentations
prevalent today serve as a great barrier that prevent non-Muslims
from understanding the truth about Islam. Lack of access to an
English translation of the Qur'an and, moreover, to a knowledgeable
Muslim who represents Islam well may also be factors. Therefore,
it is a hope that this pamphlet will assist those who desire
to know exactly what the Qur'an teaches and how a practicing
Muslim is supposed to act.
The
Holy Qur'an, the revelation given to Prophet Muhammad over 1400
years ago, is an instruction book for people of all times and
all places as to how one can live their life correctly. It contains
therein, among other things, the qualities that one should adopt
in order to please the Creator and to obtain true peace on Earth.
The ultimate result from a sincere striving towards such qualities
would be the fulfillment of the human being's purpose in this
life (submission to the One God) and the attainment of the reward
in the next life (eternal Paradise!)
This
brief work is meant to convey the moral standard by which the
conscious Muslim lives his or her life according to. These moral
teachings have been extrapolated from the Holy Qur'an, a book
which Muslims believe is the final revelation of the Creator
to His creation. Muslims use this book as a standard for correct
faith and action because they have a firm belief that the Creator
knows what is best for His creation. In the Holy Qur'an, God
says, "Verily this Qur'an doth guide to that which is most
right" (17:9). Muslims believe that only when humanity believes
in the One God and sincerely follows the teachings of this divine
book, will all the problems of the world then be solved.
RIGHTEOUSNESS
"Do no evil nor mischief on the (face of the) earth."
(2:60)
"Let
there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that
is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong."
(3:104)
"Do
good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbors
who are of kin, neighbors who are strangers, the companion by
your side, the wayfarer (ye meet), and what your right hands
possess." (4:36)
"[God]
forbids all indecent deeds, and evil and rebellion: He instructs
you, that ye may receive admonition." (16:90)
"Verily
the most honored of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the
most righteous of you." (49:13)
GENEROSITY
"Give of the good things which ye have (honorably) earned,
and of the fruits of the earth which We have produced for you."
(2:267)
"If
ye disclose (acts of) charity, even so it is well, but if ye
conceal them, and make them reach those (really) in need, that
is best for you ." (2:271)
"By
no means shall ye attain righteousness unless ye give (freely)
of that which ye love." (3:92)
"Those
saved from the covetousness of their own souls, they are the
ones that achieve prosperity." (59:9)
"[Do
not] expect, in giving, any increase (for thyself)!" (74:6)
GRATITUDE
"Eat of the good things that We have provided for you, and
be grateful to God, if it is Him ye worship." (2:172)
"Show
gratitude to Me and to thy parents: to Me is (thy final) Goal."
(31:14)
"[God]
liketh not ingratitude from His servants: if ye are grateful,
He is pleased with you." (39:7)
CONTENTMENT
"In no wise covet those things in which God hath bestowed
His gifts more freely on some of you than on others: to men is
allotted what they earn, and to women what they earn: but ask
God of His bounty." (4:32)
HUMILITY
"Call on your Lord with humility and in private: for God
loveth not those who trespass beyond bounds." (7:55)
"Celebrate
the praises of thy Lord, and be of those who prostrate themselves
in adoration." (15:98)
"The
servants of (God) Most Gracious are those who walk on the earth
in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say, 'Peace!'"
(25:63)
"Exult
not, for God loveth not those who exult (in riches)." (28:76)
"Swell
not thy cheek (for pride) at men, nor walk in insolence through
the earth; for God loveth not any arrogant boaster." (31:18)
KINDNESS
"God loveth those who are kind." (5:13)
"Be
kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in
thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them,
but address them in terms of honor. And, out of kindness, lower
to them the wing of humility, and say: 'My Lord! bestow on them
Thy Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood.'" (17:23-24)
"We
have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents: in travail
upon travail did his mother bear him, and in years twain was
his weaning." (31:14)
"Treat
not the orphan with harshness, nor repulse him who asks."
(93:9-10)
COURTESY
"When a (courteous) greeting is offered you, meet it with
a greeting still more courteous, or (at least) of equal courtesy.
God takes careful account of all things." (4:86)
"Let
not some men among you laugh at others: it may be that the (latter)
are better than the (former): nor let some women laugh at others:
it may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): nor
defame nor be sarcastic to each other, nor call each other by
(offensive) nicknames." (49:11)
PURITY
"Eat of what is on earth, lawful and good; and do not follow
the footsteps of the Satan, for he is to you an avowed enemy."
(2:168)
"[God]
loves those who keep themselves pure and clean." (2:222)
"When
ye prepare for prayer, wash your faces, and your hands (and arms)
to the elbows; Rub your heads (with water); and (wash) your feet
to the ankles. If ye are in a state of ceremonial impurity, bathe
your whole body... God doth not wish to place you in a difficulty,
but to make you clean." (5:6)
GOOD
SPEECH
"Say to My servants that they should (only) say those things
that are best: for Satan doth sow dissensions among them."
(17:53)
"[The
believers] have been guided... to the purest of speeches."
(22:24)
"Woe
to every (kind of) scandal-monger and backbiter." (104:1)
RESPECT
"Say to the People of the Book and to those who are unlearned:
'Do ye (also) submit yourselves?' If they do, they are in right
guidance, but if they turn back, thy duty is to convey the Message."
(3:20)
"Enter
not houses other than your own, until ye have asked permission
and saluted those in them: that is best for you, in order that
ye may heed (what is seemly). If ye find no one in the house,
enter not until permission is given to you: if ye are asked to
go back, go back: that makes for greater purity for yourselves."
(24:27-28)
"Avoid
suspicion as much (as possible): for suspicion in some cases
is a sin: and spy not on each other, nor speak ill of each other
behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of
his dead brother?" (49:12)
WISDOM
"Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful
preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most
gracious." (16:125)
TOLERANCE
"Say: 'O People of the Book! come to common terms as between
us and you: That we worship none but God; that we associate no
partners with Him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, lords
and patrons other than God.' If then they turn back, say ye:
'Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to God's
Will).'" (3:64)
"If
it had been thy Lord's Will, they would all have believed, all
who are on earth! Wilt thou then compel mankind, against their
will, to believe!" (10:99)
JUSTICE
"Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, even
as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether
it be (against) rich or poor: for God can best protect both.
Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest ye swerve."
(4:135)
"God
loveth those who judge in equity." (5:42)
"Take
not life, which God hath made sacred, except by way of justice
and law." (6:151)
MERCY
"If the debtor is in a difficulty, grant him time till it
is easy for him to repay. But if ye remit it by way of charity,
that is best for you if ye only knew." (2:280)
"We
ordained therein for them: 'Life for life, eye for eye, nose
or nose, ear for ear, tooth for tooth, and wounds equal for equal.'
But if any one remits the retaliation by way of charity, it is
an act of atonement for himself." (5:45)
"Overlook
(any human faults) with gracious forgiveness." (15:85)
"Repel
(Evil) with what is better: then will he between whom and thee
was hatred become as it were thy friend and intimate!" (41:34)
"(It
is) for those who believe and put their trust in their Lord...
when they are angry even then forgive." (42:36-37)
"The
recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto (in degree):
but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward
is due from God: for (God) loveth not those who do wrong."
(42:40)
DIGNITY
"To those against whom war is made, permission is given
(to fight), because they are wronged." (22:39)
"If
any do help and defend themselves after a wrong (done) to them,
against such there is no cause of blame." (42:41)
COURAGE
"(It is) for those who believe... when an oppressive wrong
is inflicted on them, (are not cowed but) help and defend themselves."
(42:36-39)
FIRMNESS
"How many of the Prophets fought (in God's way), and with
them (fought) large bands of godly men? But they never lost heart
if they met with disaster in God's way, nor did they weaken (in
will) nor give in. And God loves those who are firm and steadfast."
(3:146)
"Bear
with patient constancy whatever betide thee; for this is firmness
(of purpose) in (the conduct of) affairs." (31:17)
FRANKNESS
"Fear God, and make your utterance straight forward: That
He may make your conduct whole and sound." (33:70-71)
HOPE
"Here is a plain statement to men, a guidance and instruction
to those who fear God. So lose not heart, nor fall into despair:
For ye must gain mastery if ye are true in Faith." (3:138-139)
"What
is with you must vanish: what is with God will endure. And We
will certainly bestow, on those who patiently persevere, their
reward according to the best of their actions." (16:96)
PATIENCE
"Seek (God's) help with patient perseverance and prayer:
It is indeed hard, except to those who are humble, who bear in
mind the certainty that they are to meet their Lord, and that
they are to return to Him." (2:45-46)
"Be
sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some
loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give
glad tidings to those who patiently persevere, who say, when
afflicted with calamity: 'To God We belong, and to Him is our
return'. They are those on whom
(descend) blessings from their Lord, and Mercy." (2:155-157)
"Pray
for help from God, and (wait) in patience and constancy: for
the earth is God's, to give as a heritage to such of His servants
as He pleaseth; and the end is (best) for the righteous."
(7:128)
PERSEVERANCE
"On no soul doth God place a burden greater than it can
bear. It gets every good that it earns, and it suffers every
ill that it earns." (2:286)
"Ye
shall certainly be tried and tested in your possessions and in
your personal selves; and ye shall certainly hear much that will
grieve you, from those who received the Book before you and from
those who worship partners besides God. But if ye persevere patiently,
and guard against evil, then that will be of great resolution."
(3:186)
DISCIPLINE
"Bow down, prostrate yourselves, and adore your Lord; and
do good; that ye may prosper. And strive in His cause as ye ought
to strive, (with sincerity and under discipline)." (22:77-78)
SELF-RESTRAINT
"Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those
before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint." (2:183)
"[Do
not follow] the lust (of thy heart), for it will mislead thee
from the Path of God." (38:26)
"For
such as had entertained the fear of standing before their Lord's
(tribunal) and had restrained (their) soul from lower desires,
their abode will be the Garden." (79:40-41)
BALANCE
/ MODERATION
"Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not
transgress limits; for God loveth not transgressors." (2:190)
"Commit
no excess: for God loveth not those given to excess." (5:87)
"And
the servants of (God) Most Gracious are those who... when they
spend, are not extravagant and not niggardly, but hold a just
(balance) between those (extremes)." (25:63-67)
"Seek,
with the (wealth) which God has bestowed on thee, the Home of
the Hereafter, nor forget thy portion in this world: but do thou
good, as God has been good to thee." (28:77)
PRUDENCE
"When ye deal with each other, in transactions involving
future obligations in a fixed period of time, reduce them to
writing... whether it be small or big; it is juster in the sight
of God, more suitable as evidence, and more convenient to prevent
doubts among yourselves." (2:282)
"If
a wicked person comes to you with any news, ascertain the truth,
lest ye harm people unwittingly, and afterwards become full of
repentance for what ye have done." (49:6)
UNITY
"Hold fast, all together, by the Rope which God (stretches
out for you), and be not divided among yourselves; and remember
with gratitude God's favor on you; for ye were enemies and He
joined your hearts in love, so that by His Grace, ye became brethren."
(3:103)
FRUGALITY
"Eat not up your property among yourselves in vanities."
(4:29)
"Waste
not by excess: for God loveth not the wasters." (6:141)
SINCERITY
"God will never change the grace which He hath bestowed
on a people until they change what is in their (own) souls."
(8:53)
"Woe
to the worshippers... who (want but) to be seen." (107:4-6)
RESPONSIBILITY
"Whoever recommends and helps a good cause becomes a partner
therein: And whoever recommends and helps an evil cause, shares
in its burden." (4:85)
LOYALTY
"Fulfill (every) engagement, for (every) engagement will
be inquired into (on the Day of Reckoning)." (17:34)
TRUSTWORTHINESS
"If one of you deposits a thing on trust with another, let
the trustee (faithfully) discharge his trust, and let him fear
God." (2:283)
"God
doth command you to render back your trusts to those to whom
they are due." (4:58)
HONESTY
/ FAIR-DEALING
"Cover not Truth with falsehood, nor conceal the Truth when
ye know (what it is)." (2:42)
"Take
not your oaths, to practice deception between yourselves."
(16:94)
"Truly
many are the partners (in business) who wrong each other: Not
so do those who believe and work deeds of righteousness, and
how few are they?" (38:24)
"Woe
to those that deal in fraud, - Those who, when they have to receive
by measure from men, exact full measure, but when they have to
give by measure or weight to men, give less than due." (83:1-3)
REPENTANCE
"Seek ye the forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him in
repentance; that He may grant you enjoyment, good (and true),
for a term appointed ." (11:3)
"Your
Lord knoweth best what is in your hearts: If ye do deeds of righteousness,
verily He is Most Forgiving to those who turn to Him again and
again (in true penitence)." (17:25)
SPIRITUALITY
"Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and
the alternation of night and day, - there are indeed Signs for
men of understanding, - Men who celebrate the praises of God,
standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and contemplate
the (wonders of) creation in the heavens and the earth, (with
the thought): 'Our Lord! not for naught hast Thou created (all)
this! Glory to Thee!'" (3:190-191)
"Establish
regular prayer: for prayer restrains from shameful and evil deeds;
and remembrance of God is the greatest (thing in life) without
doubt." (29:45)
"True,
there is for thee by day prolonged occupation with ordinary duties:
But keep in remembrance the name of thy Lord and devote thyself
to Him whole-heartedly. (He is) Lord of the East and the West:
there is no god but He: take Him therefore for (thy) Disposer
of Affairs." (73:7-9)
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