FAITH AND NOBLE DEEDS

FAITH AND NOBLE DEEDS

Q.   What is Iman (faith)?

  Iman (faith) means to believe in

·   Al-lah,

·   All His Attributes,

·   Angels,

·   Divine Books,

·   Prophets,

·   Veracity of things by the Holy Prophet (peace be on him) from Al-lah and

·   Affirmation in words or assertion is the essence of Iman.

But the condition for affirmation is waived in special circumstances and situations. For example, the Faith of a dumb person is valid even though he is unable to give its expression in words.

Q.   What do we mean by noble deeds?

  All the modes of worship and good practices taught to us by Al-lah and His Messengers are to be taken as noble deeds.

Q.   Are the modes of worship and noble deeds also part of Faith?

  Yes, Faith in its entirety includes noble deeds. These noble acts give light and perfection to one’s Faith which remains incomplete without them.

Q.   What do we mean by worship?

  To worship means to offer one’s servitude. One who offers servitude is a worshipper and the one served is the object of worship. There is only one Being worthy of worship for all of us. He is Al-lah who created us and the universe. We are all his servants. He has ordained us to worship Him. It is thus our duty to offer our worships to him.

Q.   What sections of Al-lah’s creation have been ordained to worship?

  Human beings and jins have been commanded to offer their worships. These two are known as mukal-laf (answerable). Angels and the rest of animate creatures are not answerable in respect of worship to Al-lah.

Q.   Who are jins?

  Jins are also among the major creations of Al-lah. They are made of fire. Their bodies are so fine as to be invisible. But they become are so fine to be invisible. But they become visible should they choose to take the form of man or animal. God has invested them with power to assume the form of an animal or a human being. They are both male and female. They procreate too.

Q.   What is the proper way of worship?

  Worship can take several forms, such as

·   Saying salat;

·   Fasting;

·   Giving alms;

·   Performing Hajj;

·   Offering sacrifice;

·   Retiring to masjid in I’tikaf;

·   Exhorting people to do evil;

·   Giving respect and regard to one’s parents;

·   Setting up schools;

·   Studying religion;

·   Imparting religious knowledge and education to others;

·   Helping those who would study religion;

·   Fighting Al-lah’s enemies for sake of Al-lah;

·   Attending to the needs of the poor;

·   Feeding the hungry;

·   Extinguishing the thirst of the thirsty;

Doing such other acts as Al-lah commands and approves of also fall within the precincts of worship. These very acts and practices are known as “noble deeds”.

Kalimah - Faith

Q.   What is KALIMAH TAY-YIBAH and what is its meaning?

  KALIMAH TAY-YIBAH is

LA-ILAHA-IL-LAL-LAH MUHAM-MADUR-RASULUL-LAH

            It means: None but Al-lah is worthy of worship and Muham-mad is the messenger of Al-lah.

Q.   What is KALIMAH SHAHADAH and what does it mean?

  KALIMAH SHAHADAH is

ASH-HADU-A(N)L-LA ILAHA IL-LAL-LAH WA ASH-HADU AN-NA MUHAMM\-MADAN ‘ABDUHU WA-RASULUH

            It means: I stand witness that none but Al-lah is worthy of worship and I stand witness that Muham-mad is the servant and Messenger of Al-lah.

Q.   Does a man become a Muslim simply by saying the Kalimah with his tongue, without knowing its meaning and implications?

  No, it is essential to understand its meaning and believe in it and affirm it with the tongue.

Q.   What do we call such a belief and affirmation?

  We call it Iman (faith).

Q.   A dumb person is not capable of speech. How, then to know about his affirmation of faith?

  Because of his natural handicap only his demonstration with the finger shall be sufficient. This means that he should only signal that Al-lah is One and Muham-mad (peace be on him) is His messenger.

Q.   How many things are essential for a Muslim to believe in?

  There are seven essentials for him which are mentioned in IMAN MUFAS-SAL.

AMANTU BIL-LAHI-WA MALA’IKATIHI WA KUTUBIHI WA RUSULIHI WAL-YAUMIL-AKHIRI WAL-QADRI KHSIRIHI WA SHAR-RIHI MINAL-LAHI TA ‘ALA WAL-BATHI BA’DAL-MAUT.

“I believe in Al-lah , in His Angels, His Scriptures, His Messengers, the Day if Judgement and that everything good and bad (in the world) is pre-destined by Al-lah the Exalted, and (I believe) in resurrection after death.”