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THE GREATEST SIN Compiled By Abdul Khaliq NABA PUBLISHERS NEW DELHI 1 The Greatest Sin Compiled by - Abdul Khaliq © Copyright by Naba Publishers. ISBN 978-93-5087-019-8 NABA PUBLISHERS 12/550, Street No. 6, Vijay Mohalla, Maujpur, Delhi New Delhi - 110053 Mobile No. 8130365642, Email: contact@nabapublishers.com www.nabapublishers.com 2 Preface The aim of this book is to familiarize you with the greatest sin. The discussion of the sin is based on religious doctrines. Sometimes we see the instances of forceful conversion/offering reward for conversion, etc. We want to make it clear that the religion depends upon faith and wills. Therefore it will be meaningless to induce it by force or by Suaday-baazi. Our aim is simple. We want to promote a faith which is better than the best. Even after our best efforts, the choice rests upon reader to follow it or not. The book contains a lecture of the highest description. It does not contain anything fictitious. Whatever is mentioned in this book is also mentioned in many famous books around the world. Facts mentioned in the book are prevailing in our society. I hope the reader will understand and realize the truth. Your well wisher. Abdul Khaliq Date: 25.05.2015 New Delhi 3 A note about this fourth print of the book. © Free from Copyright act To make the lecture more influential, we have revised this fourth print of the book in totality. Henceforth, please do not refer our previous prints of the book. Also, this fourth print is made free from copyright acts. Any individual or organization can reprint the book provided the format (fonts etc.) remains the same. An intimation about the reprinting will be appreciated. Always visit our website to get the latest updated copy of the book. 4 Contents Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 - WHERE IS GOD ? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 - A SIGN FROM GOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Our Knowledge of God . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Grave Misconception about God . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 The Greatest Sin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Cost of Committing the Greatest Sin . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 - EARTH FULL OF GOLD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Various Aspects of the Greatest Sin . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Greatest Sin among Muslims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 The Day of Resurrection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 - TIME IS ALARMING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 - CHECK WITH YOUR EMBRYOLOGIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Paradise and Hell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 - HOSPITALITY IN PARADISE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 - TORMENT IN HELL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 - THE DAY OF IMMORTALITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 The Great News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 From the Biography of Prophet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 - THE FAITHFUL WITNESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 - GREATEST TESTIMONY OF GOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 - FAITH AND ARGUMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 - PROPHET’S FAREWELL SERMON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 - NON MUSLIM’S VERDICT ON PROPHET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 - THE WONDERS OF PROPHET IN HINDU SCRIPTURE. . . . . . . . . 77 5 6 THE GREATEST SIN Introduction Dear reader, what comes to your mind when you hear the word “sin?” You may be aware of its vast meaning but for a common man, a sin contrary to crime is such an act which is oppressive and hateful just on moral ground and does not draw any legal action. Since there is no fear of any legal action, it is not difficult for a person to commit a sinful act if he forgets his morality. One of the best examples of sin is of uttering a lie which is hateful but does not draw any legal action. Jhut Bolna Paap Hai1 and it is so easy. “Why have you not completed your homework” asks teacher. The child replies, Bukhar Aa Gaya Tha2 though the reason was different. Another example of sin is pride. A man would be regarded as a bad person if he poses even a bit of pride. And in the worst case, a person who has too much pride can carry on living in his pride throughout his life without any fear of prosecution. One more example of sin is of backbiting whereby a person causes fight between two persons intentionally or unintentionally. Lo! The later ones fighting each other might go to jail while the former stupid who just committed a sin remains unhurt. The case of a sinner is really such that he can never be framed in a criminal case. We can’t say “never” because may be the people of the next century amend laws to prosecute a sinner but till now it is only the moral of a person which can prevent him from committing the sins. Therefore in order to eliminate sins such as lying, pride, backbiting, etc. the only tool is moral teaching. When teacher says 7 to the child, “Bete Jhut Bolna Paap Hai ” the child would naturally tend to avoid lying. When morality strikes the heart of a sinner, it makes him good in a moment and that too without any compulsion. A criminal may stop doing crimes at his own. Morality is such a wonderful thing! By guarding our morality, we sustain our righteousness. We live like a human being. It’s so great. There is one question. There are two persons. One is honest, has good conduct, people love him, he does not harm others, – while the other is an evil, troublesome, is indulged in sins, people hate him, he is a burden on his family. Can these two persons be equal in our view? “No” is the answer. Now both of them died and left this world for their heavenly abode. Will God give them equal rating? Nobody can think so. This is the ultimate goal of our chapter. We want to introduce God’s fear in man’s life. By virtue of God’s fear, a man will think twice before committing any crime or sin. In the following pages, we will keep on discussing few things such as God, our meeting with Him, sins and man’s moral responsibility. First discuss the first point. 3 WHERE IS THE GOD ? Once I was travelling in an auto-rickshaw. The driver took the wrong side to avoid long U turn. Seeing this, I told him to drive carefully. The driver replied, Aap Befikar Reejiye. Ye Hamara Roz ka Kam Hai. Agar Upar Wale Ne Hi Kuch Chaha, Tou Baat Dosri Hai. I was looking at the pictures of different idols pasted in his vehicle. I immediately asked him, “Upar Wale ko Kis ne Dekha Hai. ” The driver replied, Agar Upar Wale ko Kisi Ne Dekha Hota To Phir Kya Tha. I asked him, Phir Ye Murtiyan (idols) Kese 4 5 6 8 Ban Gaeen. The poor man bowed down his head and said, Ye Baat tou Sahi Hai. This is a crazy thing. People believe in God. But what they worship is not God. Since man has not seen God face to face, it is difficult for anybody to convince him about God. What can I do in this whole chapter? I am myself the one of those in congregation. But I look at the work of few great religious personalities. We cannot ignore them. For example, look at Moses and his famous story. When Moses warned Pharaoh about God, he used to laugh at Moses. Pharaoh was put to sufferings several times but he was too proud. Nothing could convince him about God. When every effort of Moses failed, God seized the tyranny in the middle of the sea. When the sea waves covered him, he said, “Now I believe.” It was too late for him to recover. The nature of a man is really so. He does not surrender to God until he sees His Sign. Since the story of Pharaoh is very old, you may not take it seriously. Therefore I will mention for my reader a great story from the recent time. A sign from God which my readers will easily understand. 7 8 A SIGN FROM GOD Our great Gandhiji, father of modern India, has written in his autobiography that he was once traveling in a steamer… “ON BOARD THE SAME STEAMER WITH US WERE SOME RELATIVES AND ACQUAINTANCES. THESE AND OTHER DECK PASSENGERS I FREQUENTLY MET, BECAUSE, THE BOAT BELONGING TO MY CLIENT’S FRIENDS, I WAS FREE TO MOVE ABOUT ANYWHERE AND EVERYWHERE I LIKED. 9 SINCE THE STEAMER WAS MAKING STRAIGHT FOR NATAL, WITHOUT CALLING AT INTERMEDIATE PORTS, OUR VOYAGE WAS OF EIGHTEEN DAYS. BUT AS THOUGH TO WARN US OF THE COMING REAL STORM ON LAND, A TERRIBLE GALE OVERTOOK US, WHILST WE WERE ONLY FOUR DAYS FROM NATAL…THE GALE IN WHICH WE WERE CAUGHT WAS SO VIOLENT AND PROLONGED THAT THE PASSENGERS BECAME ALARMED. IT WAS A SOLEMN SCENE. ALL BECAME ONE IN FACE OF THE COMMON DANGER. THEY FORGOT THEIR DIFFERENCES AND BEGAN TO THINK OF THE ONE AND ONLY GOD – MUSALMANS, HINDUS, CHRISTIANS AND ALL. SOME TOOK VARIOUS VOWS. THE CAPTAIN ALSO JOINED THE PASSENGERS IN THEIR PRAYERS…THE SHIP ROCKED AND ROLLED TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT IT SEEMED AS THOUGH SHE WOULD CAPSIZE AT ANY MOMENT. IT WAS OUT OF THE QUESTION FOR ANYONE TO REMAIN ON DECK. ‘HIS WILL BE DONE’ WAS THE ONLY CRY ON EVERY LIP. SO FAR AS I CAN RECOLLECT, WE MUST HAVE BEEN IN THIS PLIGHT FOR ABOUT TWENTY FOUR HOURS. AT LAST THE SKY CLEARED, THE SUN MADE ITS APPEARANCE, AND THE CAPTAIN SAID THE STORM HAD BLOWN OVER. PEOPLE’S FACES BEAMED WITH GLADNESS, AND WITH THE DISAPPEARANCE OF DANGER DISAPPEARED ALSO THE NAME OF GOD FROM THEIR LIPS. EATING AND DRINKING, SINGING AND MERRYMAKING AGAIN BECAME THE ORDER OF THE DAY. THE FEAR OF DEATH WAS GONE, AND THE MOMENTARY MOOD OF EARNEST PRAYER GAVE PLACE TO DELUSION.” (Emphases are mine) What is the message of God in the incident of gale? “Forget 10 your differences in My name, O men! Forget all those whom you call upon besides Me. I am the only God who can help you.” Believe me! I have more of such practical examples in hand where I noticed that the people forgot their false deities and cried before the One and only God. All such solemn moments took place only during the time of great sufferings. Alas! Should God keep on torturing man to sustain His worship? Not so. His plan is different. And we are going to discuss it in detail. A debate may arise here. Every one of us will understand that the One and only God (in the episode of Gandhiji) was his Lord. For example, a Hindu reader would say, “It was Ishwar or Pramatma whom people invoked. A Christian would think of “Father” who is in the heaven and so on. And the difference among us will resume in no time. This is the time everybody should sit down and listen. I will bring the real God to be very close to you. You believe or you don’t, it is up to you. Believe it or not, it was none other than Allah. I testify it. Why? Not because Gandhiji put the name of Muslims at first “MUSALMANS, HINDUS, CHRISTIANS AND ALL” but because I have been reading the Holy Quran for a long time. When I read the incident of Gandhiji in his book “My experiments with truth” I cried in myself. I recalled the verses of Quran and tears were flowing out of my eyes. Allah the Irresistible God says in the Holy Quran: And when harm touches you upon the sea, those that you call upon besides Him vanish from you except Him (Allah Alone). But when He brings you safely to land, you turn away (from Him). And man is ever ungrateful. (Chapter no. 17, Verse no. 67) 11 Gandhiji was a political leader. His religion was Hinduism. We can understand. However, I praise him for perfectly narrating the incident of gale. Now re-read the episode of Gandhiji and compare it with the following two verses of Quran, you can’t help agreeing that the incident of gale was the depiction of Quranic verses. He it is Who enables you to travel through land and sea, till when you are in the ships and they sail with them with a favourable wind, and they are glad therein, then comes a stormy wind and the waves come to them from all sides, and they think that they are encircled therein, they invoke Allah, making their Faith pure for Him Alone, saying: “If You (Allah) deliver us from this, we shall truly be of the grateful.” But when He delivered them, behold! They rebel (disobey Allah) in the earth wrongfully. O mankind! Your rebellion (disobedience to Allah) is only against your ownselves, a brief enjoyment of this worldly life, then (in the end) unto Us is your return, and We shall inform you that which you used to do. (Chapter no. 10, Verses no. 22-23) The incident of gale is not the only truth Muslims read daily in the Arabic Quran. Many discoveries of present day scientists have been since long recited loudly from the Mosque’s loudspeakers. What is the point of our discussion? It is Allah the One and only God. Can the people of this world unite under the Arabic expression “La ilaha illal lah” – which means “There is no god but Allah? Nay! This Arabic expression seems to be dividing the people. This is the world of cosmopolitans. They see the unity of people lies in the last option which says “All of 12 these.” All are same. With whatever name you call Him, it is the same. Alas! The crystal clear verses of the Holy Quran have been neglected. That’s why – for example, if I ask you, “Who created the earth and heaven?” Still a Hindu will comfortably reply, Ishwar. A Christian will say, “God the Father” and so on. If I ask you, “Who will punish the sinner in Hell?” – similar will be the answers. Which option is now left with us to eradicate this sickness? Seemingly there is no option. The only option left now is to go for operation. Don’t worry. Just give me ten minutes for that. By the grace of Allah, these ten minutes are sufficient to inject this last dose. Come on! Proceed with me O you cosmopolitans. I will drag you all into the next world. Then you will not be able to look left and right. Don’t mind! We know you were born a few years back. Then you achieved maturity leaving behind all of your toys. Now you are a gentleman living in luxuries and then one day you are going to die. Oh! The stupor of death overtook you and you submitted to God’s will leaving behind everything. You are no more! Leave us apart please. Which religion you used to belong – we don’t care. What will happen to you now? Your beautiful figure will be reduced to dust day by day (or let it be finished in a day, we know what earth takes of you). Your name has now been deleted from the voter list etc. New generation has divided all of your wealth. In the next few decades and then in the next century, there is no Namo Nishan of you, nor of your property. Any number of centuries may elapse further. Who were you once upon a time, no one knows on the earth. But we have not yet forgotten you! What?? Yes! Are you not thankful to us? This “We and Us” belongs to Allah the only God. Beware! 9 13 In a short while, Allah is going to recycle your great figure for you. Do you like recycling or not! Go to nearby graveyard or cremation ground today and have a look at the place where you will be brought in a coffin. Allah will resurrect you from that very place. A deserted graveyard is going to burst all its contents. When? Let the Doomsday come. You may see it far but we see it near. The great Doomsday is going to crush everything. Lo! It has come with furious winds and terrible earthquakes destroying Entire Township. The globe you used to live in has been completely levelled. There is no moving creature now left on the surface of earth. Where are you? Nay! Where are all of us? Wait! Allah is assembling the dust particles (recycling the human body). It is not difficult for Him to re-shape man. He had once given man his shape from worthless water. Is there anything difficult for God? Lo! Recycling completed. And here is your soul! We had preserved it since the day you died. Now listen one thing! We are going to grant you another life. Don’t make any noise in it. Now wake up at once! And Allah pushed the alarm button. Trumpet is blowing - Zoooooom! And Allah alone knows its sound. But the blowing will wake up all of us. Nude and bare footed, man will raise his head from the surface of earth like a swimmer raises his head from the pool water. Yes! Come up O man and meet your Lord. Prophet said: That day Allah will hold the planet of earth in His Hand and will say – “I am the King, where are the kings of the earth?” That is the day, Prophet said Allah would be very angry on. However, Allah will judge between mankind with pure truth. Every victim will get justice. A female infant who had been buried alive will be questioned, “For what sin she was killed” as Quran put it. What answer 14 will you give O my fellow Indians? You still kill female infants. Here are standing your daughters you had eliminated! See their silence! They are waiting for justice. Will you say: “O our Lord! We did not like females.” Stupid! You were the craziest. Six men over one woman! It used to happen in your land. “O Mr. Abdul Khaliq, who are you! Where have you come from? “I!” – Who am I? I am a simple man born a few years back. But I use to read the Arabic Quran. Do you not know about it? Have you not seen the wonders of its verses? Can you not believe in resurrection too? Behold! Quran says – And they say: “When will this promise (i.e. Resurrection) be fulfilled, if you are truthful?” They await only but a single Saihah (shout, etc.), which will seize them while they are disputing! Then they will not be able to make bequest, nor they will return to their family. And the Trumpet will be blown and behold! From the graves they will come out quickly to their Lord. They will say: “Woe to us! Who has raised us up from our place of sleep.” (It will be said to them): “This is what the Most Beneficent (Allah) had promised, and the Messengers spoke truth!” It will be but a single Saihah (shout, etc.), so behold! They will all be brought up before Us! This Day (Day of Resurrection), none will be wronged in anything, nor will you be requited anything except that which you used to do. 15 Verily, the dwellers of Paradise, that Day, will be busy in joyful things. They and their wives will be in pleasant shade, reclining on thrones. They will have therein fruits (of all kinds) and all that they ask for. (It will be said to them): Salamun (peace be upon you), a word from the Lord (Allah), Most Merciful. (Chapter no. 36, Verses no. 48 to 58) My question is: Can’t we associate the above resurrection with Ishwar, God the Father, etc. as these great names are associated with the One and only God? No! No! We cannot even think of Ishwar, Father, Jehovah, Theos, etc. etc. etc. There is nothing about resurrection of man in any religious scripture. Holy Quran revealed to the Prophet Mohammad is the only book in the world which warns us about resurrection. Should not whole world proclaim the Arabic expression “La ilaha illal lah” – there is no god but Allah. Nay! Nay! “This is a great plotting. It will make you terrorist!” Idiot! Listen – And (remember) when your Lord said to the angles, “I am going to place (mankind) generations after generations on earth.” They said: “Will You place therein those who will make mischief therein and shed blood, while we glorify You with praises and thanks, and sanctify You.” He (Allah) said: “I know that which you do not know.” (Chapter no. 2, Verse no. 30) “I know that which you do not know.” – “I know there will 16 be among them people who will glorify Me without even having seen Me. You have no idea but I know! Man will do inventions after inventions on earth. It will be interesting to see all of their Tamasha . You don’t worry about blood shedding. I have already prepared Hell. I will burn man in it.”* 10 Dear reader, cool up your mind. Here is a glass of water for you to drink… Refresh your mood with a cup of tea. Now switch on your Tele-vision. Look what is happening in this world in the name of God. Our Knowledge of God Now-a-days you must have seen directly or through TV channels that most of the spiritual Gurus speak vigorously about God. Their long and pleasing speech has no reference. What can they tell you about Allah the One and only God? Besides these reality shows, there are fictitious films and TV serials depicting God. For example, there was a Hindi TV serial ‘Shaktimaan’ which was telecasted during 1990s. I watched two/three episodes of the serial wherein actor Shaktimaan played the role of the God, protecting and helping people without appearing to them. Little children were so influenced by this stupid serial that many of them lost their precious life by jumping from the buildings thinking that this flyingman Shaktimaan would really come to save them!! Seeing such dreadful incidents, people started protests to stop this serial. * There are authentic narrations of the Prophet in Sahih Alsaid Bukhari and Muslim books of Hadees wherein Prophet that on the Day of Resurrection, first of all Allah will give His Judgement in blood shedding/murder cases. 17 Has not any movie inspired you? “Have you seen Hindi movie O My God?” This question was posed to me by a rich man whom I met for my professional work. The poor fellow was exceedingly praising this movie before me and in his ignorance mocked at Islamic religious scholars! What is this going on in the name of God? Films and TV serials are indeed inspiring a lot of people. People are foolish that they start worshipping the actors, while the film makers are smart that they put a “Disclaimer” before showing any depiction of God. They are afraid of people. They don’t want to make people angry. Ok fine. But what about God? Should they not put a disclaimer for Him as well? You forgot God or you don’t care for Him. Beware! O you film-makers, all of your work is being recorded and you will have to face the anger of God on the day of resurrection. It is so sad to say that nothing is as corrupted as the name of God. Is this our moral responsibility for God? Is this trend ever stopping? The latest to hit God is just an energy particle which our scientists have discovered recently, terming it as god particle. A title which they (the scientists) themselves admit that it is misleading. And Lo! The Print Media converted it as “God particle” - ruining all our belief to dust! Have you noticed the conversion of g to G? It’s ridiculous. I feel so sad, so sad to see it repeatedly in the news headlines. Sometime I get laughed at it. Don’t worry O you media man, God will judge you too. Allah will assemble your dust particles. That day you will say: “Woe to me! Would that I were dust?” (Holy Quran 78:40). This media can blaze (abroad) anything about God. But in fact, God is the last priority of media man. How can we realize this fact? Of course by reading newspapers etc. Suppose an 18 interview of a successful man is going on. – Sir! Tell us about your personnel life. – “Its my pleasure. I do this, I do that.” Ok sir. What time do you go to sleep? Which is your favourite dish? This and that. This and that. Which film do you like most? That one. Ok. Sir! Last question. Do you believe in God? If the guest says: “Yes” – both parties cool down. This is how we are dealing with our Creator. We hardly believe in God but we find Him everywhere. We are so kind to God in our wisdom that we respect all religions, hunting for His blessings from place to place. We enjoy our work, our religion, celebrate our birth-day. Our life goes in gup-shups and hu-ha-ha till death approaches any one of us and we say: “Oh! This was God’s will” silently bending down our heads like never before. Alas! We do not submit to other wills of God in our long life. It is really difficult to open this chapter. But the need is yours. It is upto you how to make up your mind. Grave Misconception about God Dear reader, a lot of people treat God as if He does not hate any one at all. I mean they do not think of God but as One who is merciful to man in all circumstances. Famous phrases such as “Our loving God”, “God is love” give further weight to this misconception. This type of belief is only a conjecture. This is a grave misconception which often yields dangerous result - i.e. the denial in the existence of God. For example, take the case of lady mother Teresa, famous for her helping services called ‘godly services’. But when she died, it was reported that the God (i.e. God’s name) was always on her lips but never in her mind because she used to see poverty and sufferings. Her worry was 19 “Why, if there is a God, does he not intervene?” reported the British man Gezim Alpion who published a book titled “Mother Teresa – Saint or Celebrity?” Teresa’s case is not really strange to see, people often fall into such complications till they totally forget their Lord. Concept of loving God is prevalent among Christians but their loving concept has not yielded any good result. Today, Christians are increasingly turning away from God, as it has recently been reported by famous Christian Pope Benedict. Although Bible contains so many phrases like “Wrath of God”, “Curse of God” etc., but our Christian fellows never speak about it. Interestingly like Christians preaching “only the loving nature of God”, teachers/Gurus belonging to many other faiths too, have adopted the same ‘medium of love’ by which they easily get their audience praise. Despite all this loving propaganda, a man often wonders: “Why does God not save these innocent people?” when he sees pains/sufferings/hunger/ calamities etc. All such complications happen due to nothing but lack of knowledge and improper guidance. Holy Qur’an repeatedly mentions that Allah puts mankind into trials by way of both sufferings and pleasures. By virtue of trails, a man either comes nearer to God or goes down deeper into his disbelief. Real believers are distinguished from the hypocrites. How would an employer check the honesty of his employee? He would certainly play a trick for that. So Allah says in Qur’an in verse no. 29:2 – Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: “We believe”, and will not be tested. Another verse on the subject of trial reads – 20 And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to the patient ones – Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: “Truly! To Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.” (Chapter no. 2, Verses no. 155-156) The Greatest Sin “To err is human” – Insaan hi ghalti karta hai. Take care. Just as a small mistake in driving can finish your life, a small mistake in religion can finish your future life. A small act of worshipping the false object can make God jealous. Allah says in Quran: “I created not jinns and humans except that they should worship Me.” Beware! Worshipping anything besides the One and only God is an insult upon the unity of God. This is the greatest of all sins. The act of worshipping anything besides God is also called setting up partners with God. Allah the One and only God says in the Holy Quran – Verily, Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with Him in worship, but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He pleases, and whoever sets up partners with Allah in worship, he has indeed invented a tremendous sin. (Chapter no. 4, Verse no. 48) Have you noted the word “except that (anything else)” in the above verse? Don’t take it for granted. On every sinful act, Allah has put a restriction. The issue of other sins requires too much explanation. However, the above verse broadly means that on the Day of Resurrection, Allah can forgive all other sins, be it a gruesome murder, be it brutal rape, eating up of orphan’s 21 property, negligence to remember Allah and all other Tamasha and fashion, Allah had seen man doing on earth – but not the act of blasphemies. Blasphemy is the one sin above all! It will not be forgiven. This is the truth written in scriptures revealed even before Holy Quran. Refer Matthew 12:31, etc. in Bible where it is written that the blasphemy will not be forgiven. In the language of Holy Quran i.e. in Arabic, the blasphemous word is Shirk. Shirk means “joining partners.” Shirk is the greatest sin. Is there anything equal to God? Is there anything which can be equal God? Certainly answer is “No.” Then why to equalize anything with God? Then why to worship anything besides God? Allah the only God says in the Holy Quran – O mankind! A similitude has been coined, so listen to it (carefully): Verily! Those on whom you call besides Allah, cannot create (even) a fly, even though they combine together for the purpose. And if the fly snatched away a thing from them, they would have no power to release it from the fly. So weak are (both) the seeker and the sought. (Chapter no. 22, Verse no. 73) I don’t think there is a need to mention one thousand fair looking objects that people take for worship instead of God. The objects other than God – it may be the brilliant Sun or moon or it may be a cheap empty tin box painted and flowered by the beggar (such tin boxes can be seen on Indian roads). From giant Sun to all other fair looking objects, the law of God does not leave anything. If a religious man gives you a piece of thread, and you put your trust in that piece of thread, it becomes your greatest fault because the thread can neither protect you nor grant you your luck. However we know that faith/worship/ 22 religion/God, these are the matters of free wills. Hence the use of any force in religion is meaningless in any case. Allah too has given full freedom in these matters. It’s a great freedom. Quran ensures this freedom as mentioned in verse no. 2:256, “There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path.” So forceful conversion in religion or preventing anyone from accepting a religion or doing forceful ghar wapsi is a real Pagalpanti . I can do whatever I want, you can do whatever you want. We should only concentrate on the truth. Share the truth with each other. Discuss about God. The one who is not interested in the discussion of God, leave him apart and let him spend his life as he wants. God too will neglect him on the Day of Resurrection. I use to come across such people whom when I present this book “The Greatest Sin” they look at the front cover of the book and simply refuse to take it. It does not harm me in the least. If they don’t have the morality to know about the greatest sin, what can I do for them? Now come to the next point which is not related to devotion (i.e. worship). 11 12 It is a “Fear” which troubles man so much that he never comes out of the darkness. How can you find out that fear? Suppose you are passing through a mosque. A healthy Khan sahab is sitting at the nearby shop counter. He is looking too religious with his beard and white topi. You entered in the shop. “How are you Khan sahab?” A smiling reply came, “Allah ka karam hai .” You purchased your stuff and left. You don’t know about Allah ka karam (Allah’s favour) in his life. Behold! There is a Taweez in his neck. This is the focal point in Khan sahab life. There is a Taweez hanged in his shop as well. This is the secret of his prosperity. If a person like me asks him: “Khan sahab! 13 14 23 What is this you are wearing in your neck?” He will reply: “Once I had fallen sick. A Moulvi saab had given me this to wear.” Jaisey moulvi sahab, wesey hi khan sahab . Khan sahab is so afraid of ghost attack that he cannot easily remove the Taweez from his neck. Seeing such Muslims, a Hindu or a Christian would often feel proud of himself – “Yaar we too fall sick. However we take proper treatment.” Life is passing fast. One day, a soft spoken Moulvi caught Khan sahab wearing the Taweez. He immediately alerted. Khan sahab! This is Shirk. There is a Hadees (authentic narration of Allah’s messenger): “Whoever hanged Taweez, he did Shirk.” Khan saab listened a “Hadees!” and recognized the Molana too – “Ye Molana tou Ahley Hadees Lagtey Hain.” “Ham aap ko jaantey hain, Aap Ahley Hadees hain. Aap log tou topi bhi nahin pahan te” (This Molana seems to be Ahley Hadees! We know you are Ahley Hadees, you people don’t even care to wear topi). Wah Khan sahab! Aap bohut ach-chay nikle. Sabse barha gunah karke bhi aap ke sar pe Taj hai. Kam se kam aap tou apni topi ko utaar dou . Who can now guide Khan sahab except Allah? Life is passing fast. Khan sahab has earned enough money. This year Khan sahab is going for Haj. This was the last dream of life. Yes Khan sahab! This is the last chance for you. (I don’t have any hostility with any Khan. In fact I am myself the one whom people seldom call with the title of Khan sahab because of my beard. My intention is to expose the truth). Khan saab flight is ready to take off for Madina. He is looking very happy in the flight like all other pilgrims. Lo! Flight got the green signal. Moving on the runway. Khan sahab heart beat is also rising and suddenly! Jet pushed the flight up in the sky. Khan sahab shrank on the seat “Allah help!” Khan sahab! Have you 15 16 24 seen? Your Taweez did not control your pulse rate. For which sickness you use to wear it? Alas! Who will convince you that you are indulged in the greatest sin? Now Khan sahab reached Madina. Here again, a well wisher sheikh was shocked to see Khan sahab wearing a Taweez. Pointing towards Taweez he cried, “Haza Shirk, Haza Shirk .” A strange man is crying for you O Khan uncle! Khan sahab reacted, “Oh! These are Wahabi people. Where I have come?” Khan sahab! Hosh mein aao . These are the sheikhs living in the land from where your religion was originated. No other person of the world will disturb you here. Khalaas! Leave. Sheikh left and Khan sahab living happily in Madina. After few days, Khan sahab left for Makkah. Stayed in Makkah and performed Haj. After approx. 40 days, Khan sahab returned home thinking that he is pure from sins. We wish so for you O Khan sahab! But your sins have not been washed away yet because you are still indulged in shirk. This is the truth written in Quran. Allah says in Quran: “If you commit shirk, all your deeds will be in vain and you shall certainly be among the losers.” (Ref: verse no. 39:65). The day Khan sahab removed his Taweez from his neck, from his shop, from his vehicle, from his home, from his child’s hand, that day his fear will go off and you he will enter into the fold of La ila illal lah – “There is no god but Allah.” Such is the fear of Khan sahab people. 17 18 Now we have to see Lalaji’s fear. Lalaji too believes in God. He often says, “Ishwar hamare saat hai , etc.” Magar Lalaji bhi apni life mein koi risk lena nahin chahtay . He is going to construct a building. The initial drawing is ready in the Architect office and Lalaji has come for discussion. Lalaji is watching the drawing - “Fine! This room is ok, kitchen is ok, hall is fine, but 19 20 25 this room is small. Create more space for this room.” Architect – “This is difficult.” Lalaji – “How difficult! Remove this toilet from here.” Architect – “Where is the space for toilet?” Now Lalaji is gazing the drawing with his index figure and lo! Free space is available. – “Make the toilet here under this staircase landing.” The Draftsman, who was sitting on the left side, got the chance to open his mouth, “No sir! That is not suitable as per vaastu compliance.” Lalaji – “Ok, leave it! Leave it as it is.” Who is this whose fear swallowed all of Lalaji’s bravery in just one bite? Is this the Draftsman? Is this God? Certainly not. Then who? Now the drawing is finalized, sent for approval. In next few months, the building is ready. Now painting is in progress. Here arrived a vaastu specialist roaming among the painters. He changed all colour scheme designed by the Architect. Lalaji does not want to take the least Panga . He simply obeyed the danger predictor. What is this fear troubling you O Lalaji? Ishwar tau aap ke saat hai ! Building is now completed in all respect. Lalaji has not yet shifted to the new building. Meanwhile a great thinker approached and suggested Lalaji not to shift to this new building. If, - if, this weapon of devil also succeeded, Lalaji cannot dare to move to this precious building. Lalaji! Whom are you afraid of ? Shun Lalaji shun your fear. If Ishwar gives some harm to you, there is none who can stop His will. Therefore fear Ishwar only and none else. 21 22 Allah the One and only God says in the Holy Quran – “And If Allah touches you with hurt, there is none who can remove it but He; and if He intends any good for you, there is none who can remove His Favour which He causes it to reach whomsoever of 26 His slaves He will. And He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Chapter no. 10, Verse no. 107) Now Christians! Don’t laugh. I really do not know if they have any such fear in their life. I have never visited the western world nor have I ever worked with Christians. Ye log tau ekdam goray chit-tay hotey hain, aur inke paas paisa bhi buhat hai . They are most advance people in this world. I don’t think anybody can make them fool. Magar Haan! Inke Religion ne inke dimagh ko bhi fail kar diya . They cannot understand one simple sentence. Jesus said in the Bible – I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God… Jesus statement is clear. For him, God is not in any way different from all of his followers. Yet they (Christians) make him (Jesus) God’s only son. Holy Quran too contains a similar statement of Jesus – “Verily, Allah! He is my Lord (God) and your Lord (God). So worship Him. (Holy Quran 43:64). Holy Quran clears all misconceptions about Jesus. Far above is God from having a wife or a son. When man alleges such a thing against God, even heaven is shacked by the fear of God. 23 24 Cost of committing the Greatest Sin Erring i.e. doing mistakes, doing crimes and sins, is not only a shameful but also a needful feature for the human beings. Needful! How? Believe it or not, if we were not to commit mistakes, there would have left for us fewer means of earnings. A mistake in driving crushes the car. How many people will get the employment? Certainly the motor mechanic, then police, doctor, lawyer, media man – all are in the line. Mistakes, crimes and sins have been generating so much employment for the sales 27 man that if he ever realized this fact he would wish to see the culprit again and again. Be smart. The culprit – Jo paap karta hai woh marta hai, baqi sabki roti rozi chal rahi hai . In religion too, Har aadmi ko apne khane peenay se matlab hai . Take the example of Chinese people. Though they are mainly Buddhists/ aesthetics yet they make idols of Hindu gods and export them to India. What is this? Generally we do not go into the depth of these facts. It is so easy for a child to make a call from the mobile phone. But he does not know how much engineering back up is involved behind this call. The fact we commit sins is based on Allah’s hi-fi engineering. Though Allah does not like to see crimes and sins but He likes to see man coming to Him for repentance. Hey man! You forgot your morality and committed a sin. Now your responsibility is to realize your mistake and turn to Me for repentance and forgiveness. But who cares for God’s forgiveness except the patient believers! I look at a bhikaari sitting on the road whining “Allah Allah.” Magar Allah ka farmaan mannay ki fikar is bhikaari ko bhi nahin hai . Alas! Who will move this man? Narrated Anus bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet said: “Allah will say to that person of the (Hell) Fire who will receive the least punishment, ‘If you had everything on the earth, would you give it as a ransom to free yourself (i.e. save yourself from this Fire)?” He will say, ‘Yes’. Then Allah will say, “While you were in the backbone of Adam, I asked you much less than this, (i.e. not to worship others besides Me), but you insisted on worshiping others besides Me.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 4, Hadith no. 3334) 25 26 27 28 28 EARTH FULL OF GOLD Everything of the earth! Can you calculate the cost? No never! Forget the theories of incarnation and idol worship, this is an advance century wherein people do what they like. They take dancing to connect to God! They wander blindly and find God in children, and in interacting with people. They find God in everything! Qur’an says “Earth full of gold will not be accepted from the disbelievers even if they offer it as a ransom” and Almighty wants to open our eyes before the day He would call us to Himself as He says – And warn (O Mohammad) mankind of the Day when the torment will come unto them; then the wrong-doers will say: “Our Lord! Respite us for a little while, we will answer Your Call and follow the Messengers!” (It will be said): “Had you not sworn aforetime that you would not leave (the world for the Hereafter). (Ch. no. 14, Verse no. 44) Polytheists surrender to Allah the One and only God – but only when they see the torment. Qur’an says – So when they saw Our Punishment, they said: “We believe in Allah Alone and reject (all) that we used to associate with Him as (His) partners”. Then their Faith (in Islamic Monotheism) could not avail them when they saw Our Punishment. (Like) this has been the way of Allah in dealing with His slaves. And there the disbelievers lost utterly (when Our Punishment covered them). (Chapter no. 40, Verses no. 84-85) 29 Points to be noted by a believing person (1) MAKE YOUR RELIGION FOR ALLAH ONLY Surely, the religion (i.e. the worship and the obedience) is for Allah only. And those who take Aulia(protectors and helpers) besides Him (say): “We worship them only that they may bring us near to Allah.” Verily, Allah will judge between them concerning that wherein they differ. Truly, Allah guides not him who is a liar, and a disbeliever. (Chapter no. 39, Verse no. 3) (2) WHAT IF YOUR PARENTS DISBELIEVE Almighty says in Qur’an – And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years give thanks to Me and to your parents, unto Me is the final destination. But if they (both) strive with you to make you join in worship with Me others that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not, but behave with them in the world kindly, and follow the path of him who turns to Me in repentance and in obedience. Then to Me will be your return, and I shall tell you what you used to do. (Chapter no. 31, Verses no. 14-15) Parent’s respect and care is compulsory even if they disbelieve in Allah and the Last Day. If the path taken by one’s parents is in contradiction to the will of God, then one must not follow his parent’s tradition. The Qur’an narrates so many stories of the ancient people. When their Messengers called 30 them to guidance, they replied: “Nay, we will do what we found our fathers doing.” Read the following verses – Has not the news reached you, of those before you, the people of Nuh (Noah), and Ad, and Thamud? And those after them? None knows them but Allah. To them came their Messengers with clear proofs, but they put their hands in their mouths (biting them from anger) and said; “Verily, we disbelieve in that with which you have been sent, and we are really in grave doubt as to that to which you invite us (i.e. Islamic Monotheism).” Their Messengers said: “What! Can there be a doubt about Allah, the Creator of the heavens and the earth? He calls you (to Monotheism and to be obedient to Allah) that He may forgive you of your sins and give you respite for a term appointed.” They said: “You are no more than a human beings like us! You wish to turn us away from what our fathers used to worship. Then bring us a clear authority.” (Chapter 14, Verses no. 9 -10) (3) WHEN A DISBELIEVING MAN ARGUES WITH HIS BELIEVING PARENTS But he who says to his parents: “Fie upon you both! Do you hold out the promise to me that I shall be raised up (again) when generations before me have passed away (without rising)?” While they (father and mother) invoke Allah for help (and rebuke their son): “Woe to you! Believe! Verily, the Promise of Allah is true.” But he says: “This is nothing but the tales of the ancient.” (Chapter no. 46, Verses no. 17) 31 Various aspects of the Greatest Sin Shirk i.e. setting up partners with Allah the One and only God. It is polytheism. It also implies attributing Divine Qualities or Attributes to any other besides Allah, or to believe that the source of power, harm or blessings is from others besides Him – the One and Only God. Type of Shirk: There are three types of Shirk, namely: 1. Ash-Shirk-al Akbar - i.e. Major Shirk 2. Ash-Shirk-al Asghar - i.e. Minor Shirk 3. Ash-Shirk-al Khafi - i.e. Inconspicuous Shirk Manifestations: (1) Ash-Shirk-al-Akbar (The major Shirk): The major and serious polytheistic form, it has four aspects: INVOCATION (a) Shirk-ad Dua, i.e. invocation. This aspect implies invoking, supplicating or praying to other deities besides Allah. Almighty says in Qur’an – “AND WHEN THEY EMBARK ON A SHIP THEY INVOKE ALLAH, MAKING THEIR FAITH PURE FOR HIM ONLY, BUT WHEN HE BRINGS THEM SAFELY TO LAND, BEHOLD, THEY GIVE A SHARE OF THEIR WORSHIP TO OTHERS.” (Chapter no. 29, Verse no. 65) WORSHIPPING FALSE DEITIES (b) Shirk-al-Niyyah wal-Iradah wal-Qasd. This aspect implies intentions, purpose and determination in acts of worship or religious deeds not for the sake of Allah but directed towards other deities. Almighty says in Qur’an – 32 “WHOEVER DESIRES THE LIFE OF THE WORLD AND ITS GLITTER, TO THEM WE SHALL PAY IN FULL (the wages of) THEIR DEEDS THEREIN, AND THEY WILL HAVE NO DIMINUTION THEREIN. THEY ARE THOSE FOR WHOM THERE IS NOTHING IN THE HEREAFTER BUT FIRE; AND VAIN ARE THE DEEDS THEY DID THEREIN. AND OF NO EFFECT IS THAT WHICH THEY USED TO DO.” (Chapter no. 11, Verse no. 15-16) RENDERING OBEDIENCE (c) Shirk at-Ta,a. This aspect implies rendering obedience to any other authority against the Order of Allah. Almighty says in Qur’an – “THEY (Jews and Christians) TOOK THEIR RABBIS AND THEIR MONKS TO BE THEIR LORDS BESIDES ALLAH (by obeying them in things which they made lawful or unlawful according to their own desires without being ordered by Allah), AND (they also took as their lord) MESSIAH, SON OF MARYAM (Mary), WHILE THEY (Jews and Christians) WERE COMMANDED (in the Torah and the Gospel) TO WORSHIP NONE BUT ONE ILAH (God i.e. Allah), LA ILAHA ILLA HUWA (none has the right to be worshiped but He). PRAISE AND GLORY BE TO HIM, (far above is He) FROM HAVING THE PARTNERS THEY ASSOCIATE (with Him).” (Chapter no. 9, Verse no. 31) Once, while Allah’s Messenger was reciting the above verse, ‘Adi bin Hatim said, “O Prophet! They do not worship them (rabbis and monks).” Allah’s Messenger said, “They certainly do. They (rabbis and monks) made legal things illegal and illegal things legal, and they (Jews and Christians) followed them; and by doing so they really worshipped them.” (Narrated by Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi and Ibn-Jarir). (Tafsir At-Tabari. Vol. 10, page no. 114) 33 SHOWING THE LOVE (d) Shirk al-Mahabbah. This implies showing the love, which is due to Allah Alone, to others than Him. Allah Almighty says: “AND OF MANKIND ARE SOME WHO TAKE (for worship) OTHERS BESIDES ALLAH AS RIVALS (to Allah). THEY LOVE THEM AS THEY LOVE ALLAH. BUT THOSE WHO BELIEVE LOVE ALLAH MORE (than anything else). IF ONLY THOSE WHO DO WRONG COULD SEE, WHEN THEY WILL SEE THE TORMENT, THAT ALL POWER BELONGS TO ALLAH AND THAT ALLAH IS SEVERE IN PUNISHMENT.” (Chapter no. 2, Verse no. 165) (2) Ash-Shirk-al Asghar i.e. Ar-Riya (The Minor Shirk i.e. acts performed to show off.) ACTS PERFORMED TO SHOW OTHERS Any act of worship or any religious deed done in order to gain praise, fame or for worldly purposes, falls under this minor form. Almighty Allah says – SAY (O Mohammad): “I AM ONLY A MAN LIKE YOU, IT HAS BEEN INSPIRED TO ME THAT YOUR ILAH (God) IS ONE ILAH (God i.e. Allah). SO WHOEVER HOPES FOR THE MEETING WITH HIS LORD, LET HIM WORK RIGHTEOUSNESS AND ASSOCIATE NONE AS A PARTNER IN THE WORSHIP OF HIS LORD.” (Chapter no. 18, Verse no. 110) THE MATTER OF LUCK (3) Ash-Shirk-al Khafi (The inconspicuous Shirk): This type implies being inwardly dissatisfied with the inevitable condition that has been ordained for one by Allah; conscientiously lamenting that had you done or not done such and such or had 34 you approached such and such you would had a better status, said: etc. The Prophet Mohammad “Ash-Shirk-al Khafi in the Muslim nation is more inconspicuous than the creeping of black aunt on black rock in the pitch-darkness of the night.” And this inconspicuous Shirk is expiated by saying thrice the following sentences within a day and a night: “O Allah! I take Your refuge from that I should ascribe anything as partner in Your worship, being conscious of that, and I beg Your pardon for that sin which I am not aware of.” Greatest Sin among Muslims Dear Muslim reader, Allah says in Qur’an in verse no. 5:72, “Verily, whosoever sets up partner in worship with Allah, then Allah has forbidden Paradise for him, and the Fire will be his abode.” Therefore be sure to avoid Shirk (i.e. setting up partners with Allah in worship). In Allah’s Law of Shirk, all mankind are equal. Allah says in the Holy Qur’an – AND INDEED IT HAS BEEN REVEALED TO YOU (O Mohammad), AS IT WAS TO THOSE (Allah’s Messengers) BEFORE YOU: “IF YOU JOIN OTHERS IN WORSHIP WITH ALLAH, (then) SURELY (all) YOUR DEEDS WILL BE IN VAIN, AND YOU WILL CERTAINLY BE AMONG THE LOSERS. NAY! BUT WORSHIP ALLAH (Alone and none else), AND BE AMONG THE GRATEFUL. (Chapter no. 39, Verses no. 65-66) Also read verses no. 6:84 to 88 from the Holy Qur’an wherein Allah mentions His Messengers by name. 35 All deeds will be lost – Yes! Shirk is such a heinous act in the sight of Allah. Regretful to say that many Muslims are indulged in Shirk. They utter La-ilaha-illal-lah, they love Islam, they love Prophet, they spend time in prayers, but they do not avoid Shirk and worst is the case of those who are promoting the Shirk. We see a Muslim can protest if someone insults Prophet, but he himself does not follow what Prophet said. When a Hadees is shown to him, he falls into difference. There is so much to convince a Muslim that Allah does not approve any act if it is in contradiction with the teachings of Prophet . But who will obey Allah except the patient believers. I appeal to my Muslim readers who love Allah and His Messenger that they should not fall into differences at least when Shirk is concerned. If you vow to avoid Shirk, then will you actually act upon “Lailaha-illal-lah” (There is no god but Allah) – a sentence which saves man from Hell-Fire. Please consider the following points. (1) HANGING TAWEEZ IS SHIRK Narrated Uqbah bin Aamir: A group of ten people came to Allah’s Messenger , of them he took pledge with nine and withdrew (hand) from one. They said: “O Allah’s Messenger! You took pledge with nine and (why) left one. He said: “(It is) because there is an amulet on his body.” That man drove his hand (in his body) and cut the amulet. Thereafter Allah’s Messenger took pledge with him and said: “Whoever hanged amulet, he did Shirk.” (Musnad Ahmed Vol. 4 Hadith no. 156 – This Hadith has been translated from the Urdu volume of Hadith) 36 Did you read? Amulet hanging is Shirk. And Allah’s did not take pledge with a person wearing an Messenger Amulet (or a Taweez as it is commonly called in the Indian continent). Dear reader, don’t think of your Moulvi saab who makes all type of Taweez for your needs? Look at the Hadees of Allah’s Messenger . And be afraid of Allah and not Shaitan. If we do a visual survey, we can find at least 75% Muslims hang Taweez. We can see it on their body, in their homes, shops, offices, and vehicles etc. May Allah save us from it; it has become a sign to recognize a Muslim. Allah’s Messenger has ordered us that we should grow beard and trim moustache so that anybody can recognize us as a Muslim. We hardly follow what he ordered. Instead we hang Taweez in our shop/office not only to seek blessings from it but also as a sign of our recognition. I hope my Muslim reader would remove all types of Taweez from his life and render his trust in Allah alone. (2) INVOKING AT GRAVES Another serious concern among Muslims is their habit of ignoring daily obligatory prayers. This keeps them away from Allah till they feel shy of calling Allah for their needs. Instead, they put their demands on the graves of religious people who had passed away centuries ago. Is there any way to justify this? I cannot do anything better than to mention few Ayaat of Holy Qur’an and few Hadees, it is up to you to act upon it. Almighty says in Qur’an in verse no. 35:22 – “VERILY, ALLAH MAKES WHOM HE WILL HEAR, BUT YOU CANNOT MAKE HEAR THOSE WHO ARE IN GRAVES.” 37 In NO way, we can make hear those who are buried in graves. If they cannot hear then they cannot answer as well. Then, what can we expect by invoking at graves except incurring Allah’s anger? And Allah says in Qur’an: “AND WHO IS MORE ASTRAY THAN ONE WHO CALLS (invokes) BESIDES ALLAH, SUCH AS WILL NOT ANSWER HIM TILL THE DAY OF RESURRECTION, AND WHO ARE (even) UNAWARE OF THEIR CALLS (invocations) TO THEM?” (Chapter no. 46, Verse no. 5) Imagine hundreds of people invoking at a grave at one time! Did the person inside the grave get the Divine Quality of Allah of All-Hearing? Is this not Shirk with Allah? Certainly no Muslim can believe so but in practice many such things take place in our life which we must stop and repent for. In India, so many grave related legends have been included in religious books which were never part of Islamic faith and now poor Muslims fall into superstitions by reading such stories. Regarding the graves, there is a Hadees in which Allah’s Messenger had asked Allah to curse the people of previous generations for they built the places of worship at the graves of their Prophets. This statement he uttered while he was in the last hours of his life. By cursing previous generations, Prophet intention was to warn Muslims from what the previous generations had done at the graves of their Prophets. By the grace of Allah, Prophet’s grave is safe from falsehood, but Shaitan targeted the graves of Sufi saints so much that most of these graves have become the centers of Shirk. Not to worry, Allah’s Messenger . has given us enough guidance by which we can keep ourselves away from all falsehood. 38 RESTRICT YOUR JOURNEY Narrated Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet said: “Do not set out on a journey except for three mosques, (namely) Masjid-ul-Haram (at Makkah), Masjid-ur-Rasul (i.e. Prophet’s Mosque in Madina), and Masjid-ul-Aqsa (at Jerusalem). (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 2, Hadith no. 1189) Alas for him who claims to be a Muslim and he does not follow the orders of Allah’s Messenger . Consider the above Hadees very seriously. It means we have only three places for doing our pilgrimage, or to seek Allah’s additional blessings, etc. You will go against the order of Allah’s Messenger if you intend to travel towards other destinations, such as towards a Dargah etc. However it does not mean that we are forbidden to travel in the land to spread Allah’s Deen or we can’t travel for the purpose of tourism/ business. And Allah knows well what we plan. In fact Allah Almighty says – SAY (O Mohammad): “TRAVEL IN THE LAND AND SEE WHAT WAS THE END OF THOSE WHO REJECTED TRUTH.” (Chapter no. 6, Verse no. 11) There are famous Ahadees wherein Allah’s Messenger has instructed not to build structures over the graves and not to make the grave strong by plastering etc., and not to build Mosque in graveyard. But few Muslim groups have gone against his instructions. One may come arguing as to why the structure is made over the grave of Prophet and why is his grave a place of pilgrimage? As far as I know I have not come across any Hadees in which Allah’s Messenger ever instructed Muslims to visit his grave; but he instructed us to visit his Mosque. When 39 we visit Prophet’s Mosque, we also get the honor of seeing his grave, and there we should greet him in a way his Sahaba used to do. Let me clarify that the grave of Prophet lies in his home and not in the Mosque. And now-a-days, his grave under the famous green dome appears to be a part of Mosque just because the mosque has been expanded on a large scale and so is the reason of erecting structure over his grave. His grave also requires safety and security – not from an enemy but from our own people. Therefore we may take it as an absolutely exceptional case. (3) PRAISING THE PROPHET EXCEEDINGLY Allah says in Qur’an – “I (Allah) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone).” (Verse no. 51:56). Qur’an also mentions – Say (O Mohammad): “Verily, my Salat (prayer), my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the Al-Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists)” (Verse no. 6:162). Thus, the religion stands just for Allah alone. Contrary to this, we see few Muslims exceedingly praise Prophet in their gatherings. They shout slogans in the praise of Prophet and they advertise it. This creates a grave misconception among many non Muslims who then suspect that Muslims worship Prophet Mohammad such as Christians worship Jesus and Buddhists worship Buddha, etc. On this point too, Allah’s Messenger has given us strong guidance. Narrated Umar (may Allah be pleased with him): I heard the Prophet saying: “Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians praised the ‘son of Maryam’ (i.e. Iesa Alai-hissalam), for I am only a slave. So call me 40 the slave of Allah and His Messenger.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 4 Hadith no. 3445) I say – even a bhikaari roaming on the road chanting poems or Qawwali in the praise of Prophet, is sufficient to create misconception among non Muslims. One of my Hindu friends was interacting with me on the teachings of Islam. After listening briefly about Islam, he surprisingly told me that he used to think that Muslims worship Prophet Mohammad! “JUST AS A FOOLISH SERVANT MAY GO WRONG BY EXCESS OF ZEAL FOR HIS MASTER, SO IN RELIGION PEOPLE EXCESSES MAY LEAD THEM TO BLASPHEMY OR A SPIRIT THE VERY OPPOSITE OF RELIGION” says world famed Abdullah Yusuf Ali, and the Holy Prophet said – “Beware of excess for excess destroyed the people before you.” Hope my Muslim reader would avoid all types of Shirk and extremism, and follow sincerely the true teachings of Prophet as Allah advises us in Qur’an – 27 “AND OBEY ALLAH AND THE MESSENGER (Mohammad), AND BEWARE AND FEAR ALLAH. THEN IF YOU TURN AWAY, YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT IT IS OUR MESSENGER’S DUTY TO CONVEY (the message) IN THE CLEAREST WAY.” (Chapter no. 5, Verse no. 92) And Allah’s Messenger said – “All my followers will enter Paradise except those who refuse”. They (the people) asked, “O Allah’s Messenger! Who will refuse?” He said: “Whoever obeys me will enter Paradise, and whoever disobeys me is the one who refuses (to enter it)”. (Al-Bukhari, Vol. 9, Hadith no. 7280) 41 The Day of Resurrection (or The Hour) I hope the concept of this great Day is already clear to you. Here we will mention more detail about it in the light of Holy Quran as well as Hadees (Prophet’s narrations). The knowledge of the Day of Resurrection is with Allah alone and none else. No one knows when it will actually come. But Allah’s Messenger has given us many signs which we can observe and guess for the coming of the Hour. Now laugh for while! The Doomsday has already come twice or trice. Once on 21st December 2012 and once approximately 10 years before it. I will never forget the news about its panic. As 21st December was approaching, there was a panic in the western world that the world will be destroyed. One in seven persons was afraid of it. Few were just waiting to see if anything really happens. Few did not care. And this Media! It was highlighting everything. Media brought the assurance from Nasa scientists. They gave their input that the world was safe. But we! We the Muslims were really laughing at all this Tamasha. We knew that the sign of the Hour has not come yet. What is that? It is mentioned in the following Hadees. Narrated Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him): Allah’s Messenger said, “The Hour will not be established until the sun rises from the west; and when the people see it, then whoever will be living on the surface of the earth, will have Faith, and that is (the time) when no good will it do to a person to believe then, if he believed not before”. (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 6, Hadith no. 4635) 42 Rising of sun from the west is beyond the scope of science and no one can predict such a thing except the one who is inspired by the Creator of solar system. Besides this mighty sign, Allah’s Messenger has also told us few more signs of the Hour as mentioned in the following Hadees. Narrated Anas (may Allah be pleased with him): I will narrate to you a Hadees I heard from Allah’s Messenger and none other than I will tell of it. I heard Allah’s Messenger saying, “From among the portents of the Hour are the following: Religious knowledge will be taken away; General ignorance (in religious matters) will increase; Illegal sexual intercourse will prevail; Drinking of alcoholic drinks will be very common; Men will decrease in numbers, and women will increase in numbers, so much so that fifty women will be looked after by one man”. (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 7, Hadith no. 5577) TIME IS ALARMING The above mentioned signs can be wisely observed to form an idea about the Doomsday. Time is alarming because all the above signs are clearly rising except the number of women in few countries where the people are at war with nature by avoiding the pregnancies or by terminating it in case of female fetuses. More signs of the Hour are written in Hadees such as people will compete in the construction of high rise buildings, Al Harj (the killing) will be increased. Time is really alarming. Media! Where are you? Do you want to know one more sign? It is the rising of Ad-Dajjal. Our Prophet has warned us about AdDajjal. When he comes he will claim himself to be God. He will show his magic to the people. He will kill a man and cause him 43 to rise again. Prophet said that he is one-eyed, his right eye is as if a protruding out grape (Narrated by Sahih Al-Bukhari). We, the people of this world can verify every sign one by one till the terrible Doomsday actually comes. So the Qur’an says in verse no. 22:7 - “And surely, the Hour is coming, there is no doubt about it, and certainly, Allah will resurrect those who are in the graves.” And the Prophet said, “I will be the first to raise my head after the second blowing of the Trumpet and will see Musa (Moses) holding or clinging the Throne, and I will not know whether he had been in that state all the time or after the blowing of the Trumpet. Few more verses of the glorious Quran regarding the Day of Resurrection are mentioned below. RESURRECTION IS AS EASY AS CREATION For Allah – “Resurrection is as easy as Creation.” Does not man see that We have created him from Nutfah (mixed male and female discharge – semen drops). Yet behold! He (stands forth) as an open opponent. And he puts forth for Us a parable, and forgets his own creation. He says: “Who will give life to these bones when they have rotted away and became dust?” Say: (O Mohammad) “He will give life to them Who created them for the first time! And He is the All-Knower of every creation!” He, Who produces for you fire out of the green tree, when behold! You kindled therewith. 44 Is not He, Who created the heavens and the earth Able to create the like of them? Yes, indeed! He is the AllKnowing Supreme Creator. Verily, His Command, when He intends a thing, is only that He says to it, “Be!” and it is! (Chapter no. 36, Verses no. 77 to 82) DISBELIEVERS ARE IN FAR ERROR Those who disbelieve say: “Shall we direct you to a man (Mohammad) who will tell you (that) when you have become fully disintegrated into dust with full dispersion, then, you will be created (again) anew? Has he (Mohammad) invented a lie against Allah, or is there a madness in him? Nay, but those who disbelieve in the Hereafter are (themselves) in a torment, and in far error. (Chapter no. 34, Verse no. 7 - 8) GRAVE WARNING OF ALLAH O mankind! Fear your Lord and be dutiful to Him! Verily, the earthquake of the Hour (of Judgement) is a terrible thing. The Day you shall see it, every nursing mother will forget her nursling and every pregnant one will drop her load, and you shall see mankind as in a drunken state, yet they will not be drunken, but severe will be the Torment of Allah. (Chapter no. 22, Verses no. 1 - 2) ONLY ALLAH KNOWS No one knows the time of the Hour except Allah. They ask you about the Hour (Day of Resurrection): “When will be its appointed time?” Say: “The knowledge thereof 45 is with my Lord (Alone). None can reveal its time but He. Heavy is its burden through the heavens and the earth. It shall not come upon you except all of a sudden.” They ask you as if you have a good knowledge of it. Say: “The knowledge thereof is with Allah (Alone) but most of mankind know not.” (Ch. no. 7, Verse no. 187) Noble Qur’an mentions much more detail about the Day of Resurrection, even describing the mutual talks of people. The people resurrected will recognize each other and in their astonishment they will ask each other as to how much they stayed in the world. So the Qur’an says – In whispers will they speak to each other (saying): “You stayed not longer than ten (days).” We know very well what they will say, when the best among them in knowledge and wisdom will say: “You stayed no longer than a day!” (Chapter no. 20, Verses no. 103-104) CHECK WITH YOUR EMBRYOLOGIST Consider what the Noble Qur’an says in this long verse. O mankind! If you are in doubt about the Resurrection, then verily! We have created you (i.e. Adam) from dust, then from a Nutfah (mixed drops of male and female sexual discharge i.e. offspring of Adam),then from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood) then from a little lump of flesh, some formed and some unformed (miscarriage), that We may make (it) clear to you (i.e. to show you Our Power and Ability to do what We will).And We cause whom We will to remain in the wombs for an appointed term, then We bring you out as infants, then (give you growth) that you 46 may reach your age of full strength. And among you there is he who dies (young), and among you there is he who is brought back to the miserable old age, so that he knows nothing after having known. And you see the earth barren, but when We send down water (rain) on it, it is stirred (to life), it swells and puts forth every lovely kind (of growth). That is because Allah, He is the Truth, and it is He Who gives life to the dead, and it is He Who is Able to do all things. (Chapter no. 22, Verse no. 5-6) We wish our medical doctors should utilize their knowledge of embryology to compare the above statement, like Dr. Maurice Bucaille, who was the member of French Academy of Medicine. He was totally convinced by such Qur’anic verses. Not only he embraced Islam but he also delivered a lecture on the topic “Qur’an and Modern Science”. In his long speech, Dr. Bucaille clarified that it was impossible for a man living in the early seventh century to have expressed such ideas that have only been discovered in modern times, thus testifying that the Qur’an is a Book from the real God. Paradise and Hell I wish my readers should have a quick look on the verses of Quran depicting the Paradise and Hell. Holy Qur’an has mentioned much detail about these two places and I have mentioned many verses of the Holy Qur’an for my reader’s consideration. To get your confidence in this last point, I would first show you how strongly Allah Almighty swears about the message of the Grand Qur’an. 47 BY THE STRONGEST OATH Hold your breath O man! It is for you. Allah says in Quran: SO I SWEAR BY WHATSOEVER YOU SEE, AND BY WHATSOEVER YOU SEE NOT, THAT THIS IS VERILY THE WORD OF AN HONOURED [i.e. Jibrael (Gabriel) or Mohammad he has brought from Allah]. MESSENGER which IT IS NOT THE WORD OF A POET, LITTLE IS THAT YOU BELIEVE! NOR IS IT THE WORD OF A SOOTHSAYER LITTLE IS THAT YOU REMEMBER! (or a foreteller), THIS IS THE REVELATION SENT DOWN FROM THE LORD OF THE Al-Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists). AND IF HE (Mohammad ) HAD FORGED A FALSE SAYING CONCERNING US (Allah Almighty), WE SURELY SHOULD HAVE SEIZED HIM BY HIS RIGHT HAND (or with power and might), AND THEN CERTAINLY SHOULD HAVE CUT OFF HIS LIFE ARTERY (Aorta), AND NONE OF YOU COULD WITHHOLD US FROM (punishing) HIM. AND VERILY, THIS QUR’AN IS A REMINDER FOR THE Muttaqun* (pious) AND VERILY, WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE SOME AMONG YOU THAT BELIE (this Qur’an), * Muttaqun means pious and righteous persons who fear Allah much (abstain from all kind of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden) and love Allah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained) 48 AND INDEED IT (this Qur’an) WILL BE AN ANGUISH FOR THE DISBELIEVERS (on the Day of Resurrection). AND VERILY, IT (this Qur’an) IS AN ABSOLUTE TRUTH WITH CERTAINTY. SO GLORIFY THE NAME OF YOUR LORD, THE MOST GREAT. (Chapter no. 69, Verses no. 38 to 52) There are many other verses in the Holy Qur’an wherein Allah swears for what He says. There is no need to explain what He has mentioned in the above verses. This is how He guides us. Now you have to read how Allah deals with those who disbelieve in His Words – “Verily, those who belie Our Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and treat them with arrogance, for them the gates of heaven will not be opened, and they will not enter Paradise until the camel goes through the eye of the needle (which is impossible). Thus do We recompense the Mujrimun (criminals, polytheists, sinners, etc.).” (Chapter no. 7, Verse no. 40) MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS Being a civil engineer by profession, I was excited to see in Holy Qur’an the concept multi-storey buildings. In Noble Qur’an, Allah says – But those who fear Allah and keep their duty to their Lord (Allah), for them are built lofty rooms; one above another under which rivers flow (i.e. Paradise). (This is) the Promise of Allah; and Allah does not fail in (His) Promise. (Chapter no. 39, Verse no. 20) 49 Rooms one above another with rivers flowing, give us the concept of multi-storey buildings such as we build on the bank of river and sea. And I wondered that the concept of elevators is mentioned in a verse wherein Allah says – And were it not that all mankind would have become of one community (all disbelievers, desiring worldly life only), We would have provided for those who disbelieve in the Most Beneficent (Allah), silver roofs for their houses, and elevators (and stair-ways, etc. of silver) whereby they ascend, And for their houses, doors (of silver) and thrones (of silver) on which they could recline, And adornments of gold. Yet all this (i.e. roofs, doors, stairs, elevators, thrones etc. of their houses) would have been nothing but an enjoyment of this world. And the Hereafter with your Lord is for the Muttaqun.* (Chapter no. 43, Verses no. 33 to 35) What can we say about the beauty and pleasure of Paradise except that the Prophet said “A place in Paradise equal to the size of a lash is better than the whole world and whatever is in it” – and Allah offers to provide all type of hospitalities in Paradise at the cost of “Belief and deeds of righteousness.” Following Hadees clearly mentions – Narrated Abu Ayyub (may Allah be pleased with him): A man said to the Prophet, “Inform me of such a deed as will make me enter Paradise.” The people said, “What is * Muttaqun means pious persons. See its meaning as mentioned on page no. 48 50 the matter with him? What is the matter with him?” The Prophet said, “He has something to ask. (What he needs greatly)”. The Prophet said, “(In order to enter Paradise) you should worship Allah (Alone, and none else) and do not ascribe any partners to Him, perform Iqamatas-Salat (obligatory prayers, five times daily), pay the Zakat and keep good relations with your kith and kin.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 2, Hadith no. 1396) PARADISE JUST FOR FAITH Narrated Ubada (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet said, “If anyone testifies that La ilaha illal lah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah) Who has no partners, and that Mohammad is His slave and His Messenger, and that Iesa (Jesus) is Allah’s slave and His Messenger and His Word (“Be!”- and he was) which He bestowed on Maryam (Mary) and a spirit (Ruh) created by Him, and that Paradise is the truth, and Hell is the truth, Allah will admit him into Paradise with the deeds he had done even if those deeds were few.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 4, Hadith no. 3435) The above Hadees is surely a proof of huge mercy of Allah. HOSPITALITY IN PARADISE In Paradise, there are beautiful mansions in the Gardens of delight with rivers flowing underneath. It has One Hundred Grades with Eight Entrances. Faithful believers of Islamic Monotheism from all nations and times shall enter to inherit in Paradise as per the grade of their righteousness. The people of Paradise shall have no differences. They and their wives will be 51 in pleasant shades reclining on thrones. For their comfort, there will be - Cushions and Rich Carpets (as in verse 88:15 and 16), boy servants to serve them as if they were preserved pearls (as in verse 52:24). And as the Noble Qur’an mentions – Among Gardens and Springs; Dressed in fine silk and (also) in thick silk, facing each other, So (it will be), and We shall marry them to Houris* (female fair ones) with wide, lovely eyes. They will call therein for every kind of fruit in peace and security; They will never taste death therein except the first death (of this world), and He will save them from the torment of the blazing Fire, As a Bounty from your Lord! That will be the supreme success! (Chapter no. 44, Verses no. 52 to 57) *Houris (Jannat ki Hoor) are very fair females created by Allah as such, not from the offspring of Adam, with intense black irises of their eyes and intense white scleras – young full breasted, of equal age (as in verse 78:33), will restrain their glances only upon their husband (as in verse 38:52), whom no man or jinn would have opened their hymen before them (as in verse 55:74), delicate and pure as if they were (hidden) eggs (well) preserved (as in verse 37:49) – will be given in wedlock in Paradise in addition to the wife of the world. And the statement of Allah Almighty – 52 (It will be said to the true believers of Islamic Monotheism): My worshippers! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve, (You) who believed in Our Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and were Muslims (i.e. who submit totally to Allah’s Will, and believed in the Oneness of Allah Islamic Monotheism). Enter Paradise, you and your wives in happiness. Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them, (there will be) therein all that the one’s inner-self could desire, all that the eyes could delight in, and you will abide therein forever. This is the Paradise which you have been made to inherit because of your deeds which you used to do (in the life of the world). Therein for you will be fruits in plenty, of which you will eat (as you desire). And the verses continue – TORMENT IN HELL Verily, the Mujrimun (criminals, sinners, disbelievers, etc.) will be in the torment of Hell to abide therein forever. (The torment) will not be lightened for them, and they will be plunged into destruction with deep regrets, sorrows and in despair therein. We wronged them not, but they were the Zalimun (polytheists, wrong-doers, etc.) And they will cry: “O Malik (Keeper of Hell)! Let your Lord make an end of us.” He will say: “Verily you shall abide forever.” 53 Indeed We have brought the truth (Mohammad with the to you, but most of you have a hatred for the Qur’an), truth. (Chapter no. 43, Verses no. 68 to 78) CHAINS AND IRON COLLARS Polytheists shall be dragged to Hell – When iron collars will be rounded over their necks, and the chains, they shall be dragged along. In the boiling water, then they will be burned in the Fire. Then it will be said to them: “Where are (all) those whom you used to join in worship as partners “Besides Allah” They will say: “They have vanished from us: Nay, we did not invoke (worship) anything before.” Thus Allah leads astray the disbelievers. That was because you had been exulting in the earth without any right (by worshipping others instead of Allah and by committing crimes), and that you used to rejoice extremely (in your error). Enter the gates of Hell to abide therein, and (indeed) what an evil abode of the arrogant! (Chapter no. 40, Verses no. 71 to 76) NO RESPITE Torment of Hell will not be lighten for a day – And those in the Fire will say to the Keepers (angels) of Hell: “Call upon your Lord to lighten for us the torment for a day!” 54 They will say: “Did there not come to you, your Messengers with (clear) evidences and signs? They will say: “Yes.” They will reply: “Then call (as you like)! And the invocation of the disbelievers is nothing but in error!” (Chapter no. 40, Verses no. 49-50) EVEN PATIENCE WILL NOT HELP Patience or Impatience, nothing will help – The Day they will be pushed down by force to the Fire of Hell, with a horrible, forceful pushing. This is the Fire which you used to belie. Is this magic, or do you not see? Taste you therein its heat, and whether you are patient of it or impatient of it, it is all the same. You are only being requited for what you used to do. (Chapter no. 52, Verses no. 13 to 16) COUNTDOWN HAS ALREADY BEGAN And indeed We have created man, and We know what his ownself whispers to him. And We are nearer to him than his jugular vein (by Our Knowledge). (Remember!) that the two receivers (recording angels) receive (each human being after he or she has attained the age of puberty), one sitting on the right and one on the left (to note his or her actions). Not a word does he (or she) utter, but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it). And the stupor of death will come in truth: “This is what you have been avoiding!” 55 And the Trumpet will be blown, that will be the Day whereof war ning (had been given) (i.e. the Day of Resurrection). And every person will come forth along with an (angel) to drive (him), and an (angel) to bear witness. (It will be said to the sinners): “Indeed you were heedless of this, now We have removed your covering, and sharp is your sight this Day!” And his companion (angel) will say: “Here is (this Record) ready with me!” (And It will be said): “Both of you throw (Order from Allah to the two angels) into Hell, every stubborn disbeliever (in the Oneness of Allah and His Messengers, etc.) “Hinderer of good, transgressor, doubter, “Who set up another ilah (god) with Allah, then (both of you) cast him in the severe torment.” His companion (Satan – devil) will say: “Our Lord! I did not push him to transgress, (in disbelief, oppression, and evil deeds) but he was himself in error far astray.” Allah will say: “Dispute not in front of Me, I had already, in advance, sent you the threat. The Sentence that comes from Me cannot be changed, and I am not unjust (to the least) to the slaves.” On the Day when We will say to Hell: “Are you filled?” It will say: “Are there any more (to come)?” And Paradise will be brought near to the Muttaqun (the pious ones) not far off. 56 (It will be said): “This is what you were promised, (it is) for those oft-returning (to Allah) in sincere repentance, and those who preserve their covenant with Allah (by obeying Him in all what He has ordered, and worship none but Allah Alone, i.e. follow Allah’s Religion – Islamic Monotheism). “Who feared the Most Beneficent (Allah) in the Ghaib (unseen): (i.e. in this worldly life before seeing and meeting Him), and brought a heart turned in repentance (to Him and absolutely free from each and every kind of polytheism), “Enter you therein in peace and security; this is a Day of eternal life!” There they will have all that they desire, and We have more (for them, i.e. a glance at the All-Mighty, All-Majestic).” (Chapter no. 50, Verses no. 16 to 35) THE DAY OF IMMORTALITY In this world we see that the people are eager to acheive immortality in their next life! But the truth is totally different. Immortality is sure for every human being and Holy Qur’an warns about it. The One and only God says – “And warn them (O Mohammad) of the Day of grief and regrets, when the case has been decided, while (now) they are in a state of carelessness, and they believe not” (Verse no. 19:39) Narrated by Sahih Al-Bukhari, that the Prophet said: On the Day of Resurrection, death will be brought in the shape of a black and white ram. Then a caller will call, “O people of Paradise” whereupon they will stretch their necks and look carefully. The caller will then say, “Do you know this”. They will say, “Yes, this is ‘Death’. When all of them would have 57 seen it, the caller will again call, “O people of Hell”. Whereupon they will stretch their necks and look carefully. The caller will say, “Do you know this”. They will say, “Yes, this is ‘Death’. When all of them would have seen it, then that ram will be slaughtered and the caller will say, “O people of Paradise, Eternity for you and no death and “O people of Hell, Eternity for you and no death.” Then Prophet recited the above verse, i.e. “And warn them (O Mohammad) of the Day of grief and regrets, when the case has been decided, while (now) they (the people of the world) are in a state of carelessness, and they believe not.” THIS STRIKES ME MOST Verily, Allah has created blood relations and the bond of kinship. “ALLAH MIGHT HAVE MADE YOU HAVING NO COMPASSION ON ONE ANOTHER – HOW HAD IT BEEN THEN!” wonders Thomas Carlyle – in his marvelous book. Today we can sacrifice our life to save our family. But on Day the Resurrection there will be neither kinship nor compassion. Qur’an says that on the Day of Resurrection, man will offer his wife and children as a ransom to free himself. This strikes me most whenever I see the bond of love in any family. On the Day of Resurrection every sinner destined to go to Hell, will be worried for himself. The horror of torment will make him too selfish and what else can he think for, when there will be no money no gold in his hand. So the Qur’an says – And no friend will ask of a friend, Though they shall be made to see one another [(i.e. on the Day of Resurrection), there will be none but see his father, children and relatives, but he will neither speak to them nor 58 will ask them for any help)], the Mujrim, (criminal, sinner, disbeliever, etc.) would desire to ransom himself from the punishment of that Day by his children. And his wife and his brother, And his kindred who sheltered him, And all that are in the earth, so that it might save him. By no means! Verily, it will be the Fire of Hell! Taking away (burning completely) the head skin! (Chapter no. 70, Verses no. 10 to16) NO MERCY IN HELL In Hell, there will be different kinds of punishment. The Noble Qur’an says that the severest punishment will be given to Pharaoh and his people who disbelieved and rejected Prophet Musa (Moses). There will be no mercy in Hell as the Almighty says – “Surely! Those who disbelieved in Our Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) We shall burn them in Fire. As often as their skins are roasted through, We shall change them for other skins that they may taste the punishment. Truly, Allah is Ever Most Powerful, AllWise.” (Verse no. 4:56) And Qur’an says – And the dwellers of the Fire will call to the dwellers of Paradise: “Pour on us some water or anything that Allah has provided you with.” They will say: “Both (water and provision) Allah has forbidden to the disbelievers.” “Who took their religion as an amusement and play, 59 and the life of the world deceived them.” So this Day We shall forget them as they forgot their meeting of this Day, and as they used to reject Our Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) (Chapter no. 7, Verses no. 50 to 51) BALANCES OF JUSTICE And not one person will be treated with injustice as the Qur’an says “And We shall set up balances of Justice…”(as in verse no. 21:47). Every good or evil deed has its own weight, so the deeds will be placed on balances. The Holy Qur’an, besides giving the detail of even those people whose scale of good and bad deeds will be equal, it mentions – Then, when the Trumpet is blown, there will be no kinship among them that Day, nor will they ask of one another. Then, those whose scales (of good deeds) are heavy, these, they are the successful. And those whose scales (of good deeds) are light, they are those who lose their ownselves, in Hell will they abide. The Fire will burn their faces, and therein they will grin, with displaced lips (disfigured). “Were not My Verses (this Qur’an) recited to you, and then you used to deny them?” They will say: “Our Lord! Our wretchedness overcame us, and we were (an) erring people. “Our Lord! Bring us out of this; if ever we return (to evil), 60 then indeed we shall be Zalimun (polytheists, oppressors, unjust, and wrong-doers, etc.) He (Allah) will say: “Remain you in it with ignominy! And speak you not to Me!” (Ch. 23, Verses no. 101 to 108) NO RETURN TO THE WORLD On the Day of Resurrection, the polytheists will find no way to escape from Hell, they will surrender to Allah and accept all of their sins. They will say: “Our Lord! You have made us to die twice (i.e. we were dead in the loins of our fathers and dead after our deaths in this world), and You have given us life twice (i.e. life when we were born and life when we are resurrected)! Now we confess our sins, then is there any way to get out (of the Fire)”? (It will be said): “This is because, when Allah Alone was invoked (in worship, etc.) you disbelieved, but when partners were joined to Him, you believed! So the judgment is only with Allah, the Most High, the Most Great!” (Chapter no. 40, Verses no. 11-12) THE GREATEST LOSERS Say (O Mohammad): “Shall We tell you the greatest losers in respect of (their) deeds? “Those whose efforts have been wasted in this life while they thought that they were acquiring good by their deeds! “They are those who deny the Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of their Lord and 61 Meeting with Him (in the Hereafter). So their works are in vain, and on the Day of Resurrection, We shall not give them any weight. “That shall be their recompense, Hell; because they disbelieved and took My Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and My Messengers by way of jest and mockery.” (Chapter no. 18, Verses no. 103 to 106) The Great News Till now, dear reader you have just gone through few selected verses from various chapters of Noble Qur’an. Now I wish that you should at least read one complete chapter from the Holy Book as I feel that no dialogue, no lecture can inspire you better than Qur’an. I have selected chapter no. 78 out of 114 chapters of the Holy Qur’an. I have placed the number of each verse at the end of the verse. This is the pattern of the Arabic Qur’an. It allows reader to read the verse first before its number. Read and scrutinize every verse. Surat An-Naba (The News). In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful WHAT ARE THEY ASKING (one another)? (1) ABOUT THE GREAT NEWS, (i.e. Islamic Monotheism, the Qur’an, which Prophet Mohammad brought and the Day of Resurrection, etc.), (2) ABOUT WHICH THEY ARE IN DISAGREEMENT. (3) NAY, THEY WILL COME TO KNOW! (4) NAY, AGAIN, THEY WILL COME TO KNOW! (5) 62 HAVE WE NOT MADE THE EARTH AS A BED, (6) AND THE MOUNTAINS AS PEGS? (7) AND WE HAVE CREATED YOU IN PAIRS (male and female, tall and short, good and bad, etc.). (8) AND HAVE MADE YOUR SLEEP AS A THING FOR REST. (9) AND HAVE MADE THE NIGHT AS A COVERING (through its darkness), (10) AND HAVE MADE THE DAY FOR LIVELIHOOD. (11) AND WE HAVE BUILT ABOVE YOU SEVEN STRONG (heavens), (12) AND HAVE MADE (therein) A SHINNING LAMP (sun). (13) AND HAVE SENT DOWN FROM THE RAINY CLOUDS ABUNDANT WATER. (14) THAT WE MAY PRODUCE THEREWITH CORN AND VEGETATIONS, (15) AND GARDENS OF THICK GROWTH. (16) VERILY, THE DAY OF DECISION IS A FIXED TIME, (17) THE DAY WHEN THE TRUMPET WILL BE BLOWN, AND YOU SHALL COME FORTH IN CROWDS (groups); (18) AND THE HEAVEN SHALL BE OPENED, AND IT WILL BECOME AS GATES, (19) AND THE MOUNTAINS SHALL BE MOVED AWAY FROM THEIR PLACES AND THEY WILL BE AS IF THEY WERE A MIRAGE. (20) TRULY, HELL IS A PLACE OF AMBUSH, (21) A DWELLING PLACE FOR THE Taghun (those who transgress the boundary limits set by Allah like polytheists, disbelievers in Oneness of Allah, hypocrites, sinners, criminals, etc.), (22) THEY WILL ABIDE THEREIN FOR AGES, (23) NOTHING COOL SHALL THEY TASTE THEREIN, NOR ANY DRINK. (24) EXCEPT BOILING WATER, AND DIRTY WOUND DISCHARGES. (25) 63 AN EXACT RECOMPENSE (according to their evil crimes). (26) FOR VERILY, THEY USED NOT TO LOOK FOR A RECKONING. (27) BUT THEY BELIED OUR Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, and that which Our Prophet brought) COMPLETELY. (28) AND ALL THINGS WE HAVE RECORDED IN A BOOK. (29) SO TASTE YOU (the results of your evil actions); NO INCREASE SHALL WE GIVE YOU, EXCEPT IN TORMENT. (30) VERILY, FOR THE (Paradise); (31) Muttaqun*, THERE WILL BE A SUCCESS GARDENS AND GRAPEYARDS; (32) AND YOUNG FULL-BREASTED (mature) MAIDENS OF EQUAL AGE; (33) AND A FULL CUP (of wine), (34) NO Laghw (dirty, false, evil talk) SHALL THEY HEAR THEREIN, NOR LYING; (35) A REWARD FROM YOUR LORD, AN AMPLE CALCULATED GIFT (according to the best of their good deeds). (36) (From) THE LORD OF THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH, AND WHATSOEVER IS IN BETWEEN THEM, THE MOST BENEFICENT, NONE CAN DARE TO SPEAK WITH HIM (on the Day of Resurrection except after His Leave). (37) THE DAY THAT Ar-ruh [Jibrael (Gabriel) or another angel)] AND THE ANGELS WILL STAND FORTH IN ROWS, NONE SHALL SPEAK EXCEPT HIM WHOM THE MOST BENEFICENT (Allah) ALLOWS, AND HE WILL SPEAK WHAT IS RIGHT. (38) THAT IS WITHOUT DOUBT THE TRUE DAY, SO, WHOEVER WILLS, LET HIM SEEK A PLACE WITH (or a way to) HIS LORD (by obeying Him in this worldly life)! (39) *Muttaqun (the pious, see detailed meaning of it on page 48) 64 VERILY, WE HAVE WARNED YOU OF A NEAR TORMENT, THE DAY WHEN MAN WILL SEE THAT (the deeds) WHICH HIS HANDS HAVE SENT FORTH, AND THE DISBELIEVER WILL SAY: “WOE TO ME! WOULD THAT I WERE DUST!” (40) From the biography of Prophet Dear reader, as you know that all the references in relation to Allah and the Last Day (the Day of Resurrection) mentioned in this book are taken from Quran and Hadees (Prophet’s statements), I feel it is necessary for a serious thinker to know few basic things about the life of Prophet. Majority of the people (from non Muslims) in this world know a little about Prophet Mohammad . Apart from it, some people on this globe even believe that the teachings of Prophet about God were based on his noble ideas, and that he was a genius man, a great thinker. Therefore I wish to tell my reader few things about Prophet Mohammad who is the source of all this guidence. Prophet’s biography written by various scholars explains his entire life. He was born in Makkah, a place of pilgrimage from the ancient time. Prophet was a doubly orphaned child just at the age of six. For weak financial reason or by pure chance, he got no education at all. He used to graze his uncle’s goats for his livelihood. His economic conditions improved, when at the age of 25 he was employed by a respectful wealthy lady who soon sent marriage proposal to him and Prophet simply agreed to marry her. Lady Khadija was a doubly widow woman and at that time her age was 40! We do not know a single family where a 25 year old young man married and spent a peaceful life with a doubly widow woman of 40. May Allah exalt His Messenger for his simplicities. Don’t think about the other wives of Prophet 65 at this moment. All other women came in his life only after the arrival of Islamic religion. was of extremely kind nature, always ready to Prophet help others. He used to bear the burden of the weaks. A man who was assigned for God’s work, was so holy in character that he never committed an evil act even in the least. Seeing his unmatched qualities, people of Makkah used to admire him exceedingly. They used to keep their belongings with him for security. Prophet’s truthfulness and honesty made him very famous to the extent that he got the title of “Amin” which means - the honest, the truthful, the upright. Life was passing in peace till he was forty years old. Then Allah opened the chapter of prophet-hood in Prophet’s life. Prophet started viewing brilliant beautiful dreams. Frequent viewing of such dreams made him to love seclusion. Influenced by the repeated beautiful dreams, he kept aside his worldly life to live lonely in a small cave in the mountains of Makkah. Within two months of this silence period, there arrived the biggest moment. While the man of truth was sitting in the cave, there appeared to him a noble Angel saying “Iqra” which means Read! or Recite! Prophet was terrified and replied, ‘I am not learned.’ On that, Angel caught hold of him and pressed him hard and repeated the word ‘Iqra’ to which Prophet replied again, “Ma-ana Biqari-in” (I am not learned). Angel caught him again and pressed hard. For the third time, Prophet said, “He pressed me hard and then released me and said – “IQRA BISMAY RABBI-KAL-LAZI KHALAQ” meaning “Read in the Name of your Lord Who has created”. Angel taught him five great verses. English interpretation of those 66 great verses is: Read! In the Name of your Lord, Who has created (all that exists); (1) Has created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood). (2) Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous, (3) Who has taught (the writing) by the pen [the first person to write was Prophet Idrees (Enoch)]; (4) Has taught man that which he knew not. (5) (First five verses from Chapter no. 96) THE FAITHFUL WITNESS Prophet was terrified. Any human being would have terrified. His natural reactions are nicely described by our senior Mr. Ahmad Deedat. Mr. Deedat writes - Immediately the Angel had departed, Prophet rushed to his home. Terrified and sweating all over, he asked his beloved wife Khadija to ‘cover him up!’ He lay down, and she watched by him. When he regained his composure, he explained to her what he had seen and heard. “I am afraid of my life” were the words on his lips. Are these the confessions of an imposter? Would imposters confess that when an Angel of the Lord confronts them with a Message from on High, they get fear-stricken, terrified, and sweating all over, run home to their wives? Any critic can see that his reactions and confessions were that of an honest, sincere man, – the man of truth – “Al-Amin” - the honest, the truthful, the upright. Lady Khadija at that time did the right and needful counseling and assured him of her faith in him. Acting wisely, she accompanied 67 him to her cousin Waraqa who was a senior Gospel scholar in that area, and the incident of cave was narrated to him. The Bible master was very old and had even lost his eye sight. However he immediately realized that the prophesies foretold in his Bible had been fulfilled. He said promptly - “This was the same Angel (the one) which God sent on Musa (Moses).” With the confidence, he told that Mohammad was going to be a to stand firm, he Prophet. Besides encouraging the Prophet also cautioned him about forthcoming oppositions. Here I wish to mention a verse from the Bible which Waraqa too must have had recalled. “And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, read this, I pray you; and he said, I am not learned” Bible chapter Isaiah 29:12 (Emphasis added) This incidence of cave disturbed the mind of the Prophet. Various thoughts were coming in his mind. He was confused. He was afraid of being called a poet. These thoughts troubled him so much that he planned to roll down himself from the top of the mountain to end his life. One day he had really climbed up the mountain and the moment he was to take this extreme step, Angel appeared to him calling. Thus his mind was diverted. Angel made it clear to him that he was the Messenger of Allah. This fact was convinced to him through dreams as well. Two and a half year passed without any further development except that the Prophet gained confidence day by day till his fear was completely over. Then Allah sent some more verses of Qur’an, and Prophet was instructed to convey the message openly in public. 68 This is how the Prophet’s life was changed making him a religious dictator. After that, Prophet never looked back. His mission was to deliver Allah’s message to the people. One who was thing here we must keep in mind that the Prophet warning everyone about Allah, he was himself the first to fear said to his beloved daughter Allah above all. One day Prophet Fatima: “O Fatima bint Mohammad! Ask me anything from my wealth but I cannot save you from Allah’s punishment.” Indeed we must understand how strict is Allah in His Laws. Do you find any worldly purpose for which Prophet had distinguished himself ? Allah says in Quran – Say (O Mohammad): “I am only a man like you, it has been inspired to me that your ilah (God) is One Ilah (God i.e. Allah). So whoever hopes for the meeting with his lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his lord.” (Chapter no. 18, Verse no. 110) I wanted to mention more about Prophet’s life. But our context has its limitations. The point of our discussion was Allah the One and only God. Therefore I will come back to the point of highest description. Let me mention one of the greatest experiences of Prophet . GREATEST TESTIMONY OF GOD It was a blessed night. While the Prophet was in a state midway between sleep and wakefulness, the angel Jibrael came down and took the Prophet along with him up above the heavens! Object of this wonderful journey was to show him what Qur’an says as Our Signs. Detail of this journey is narrated 69 in the Books of Sahih Hadith(s). Prophet crossed all seven heavens one by one. In each heaven he was introduced to a great religious personality who had lived in the world at one time like Adam, Jesus, Moses, etc. (peace be upon them all). Everyone of them greeted and welcomed the Prophet. Paradise and Hell were shown to him for his surety. In the seventh heaven, Prophet said: “I was shown Al Bait Al Maamur (i.e Allah’s House).” Jibrael said: “This is Al Bait Al Maamur where 70000 angels perform prayers daily, and when they leave they never return to it (but always a fresh batch comes to it daily).” This was the mighty place where Prophet was addressed by Allah the One and only God. His Lord addressed him (from a behind a veil). This was the time and place where Allah enjoined five times prayers to the Prophet and his followers. Prophet flown back to the earth in the same night crossing all the seven heavens one by one till he safely reached on his bed he had left, and in the morning he told his faithful companions about this mighty journey. When other people did not believe in it, Allah displaced Jerusalem in the sight of Prophet and he began describing it to them. (In that blessed night, Prophet was first flown to Jerusalem and from there to heavens). Prophet Mohammad is therefore the biggest testimony of the One and only God on this Planet. May Allah’s blessings be upon him. Thus Allah says in the Holy Qur’an – Say (O Mohammad): “This is my way; I invite unto Allah (i.e. to the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism) with sure knowledge, I and whoever follows me (also must invite 70 others to Allah i.e. to the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism) with sure knowledge.” (Chapter no. 12, Verse no. 108) FAITH AND ARGUMENTS Under the guidance of Allah and equipped with the Quranic verses, Prophet executed his mighty mission in the last 23 years of his life. Not a word, not a word did he utter in this period but it was followed like a law. Noble verses of Quran inspired the people, inducing in them the great desire to obey Allah and His Messenger. The Arabian tribes who were, in the words of Thomas Carlyle – “A POOR SHEPHERD PEOPLE, ROAMING UNNOTICED IN ITS DESERT SINCE THE CREATION OF THE WORLD: SEE THE UNNOTICED BECOMES WORLD NOTABLE, THE SMALL HAS GROWN WORLD-GREAT. WITHIN A CENTURY AFTERWARDS, ARABIA WAS AT GRANADA ON ONE HAND AND AT DELHI ON THE OTHER.” (Reference: Heroes and Hero Worship by Thomas Carlyle) Not everyone believed. Prophet went through a tough time to convince Arab pagans about Allah and His wills. To believe in their most trusted person, they (Arab pagans) set mighty conditions. Afterall they were acting as leaders of the world in opposing Islamic religion. Quran has recorded their arguments. Here are just few examples: (1) And they (Arab pagans) wonder that a warner (Prophet Mohammad) has come to them from among themselves! 71 And the disbelievers say: “This (Prophet Mohammad) is a sorcerer, a liar. “Has he made the ilaha (gods) (all) into One Ilah (God i.e. Allah). Verily, this is a curious thing!” And the leaders among them went about (saying): “Go on, and remain constant to your ilaha (gods)! Verily, This is a thing designed (against you)! “We have not heard (the like) of this among the people of these later days. This is nothing but an invention!” (Chapter no. 38, Verses no. 4 to 7) (2) And they say: “We shall not believe in you (O Mohammad), until you cause a spring to gush forth from the earth for us; “Or you have a garden of date-palms and grapes, and cause rivers to gush forth in their midst abundantly; “Or you cause the heaven to fall upon us in pieces, as you have pretended, or you bring Allah and the angels before (us) face to face; “Or you have a house of adornable materials (like silver and pure gold, etc.), or you ascend up into the sky, and even then we will put no faith in your ascension until you bring down for us a Book that we would read.” Say (O Mohammad): “Glorified (and Exalted) be my Lord (Allah) above all that evil they (polytheists) associate with Him! Am I anything but a man, sent as a Messenger?” 72 And nothing prevented men from believing when the guidance came to them, except that they said: “Has Allah sent a man as (His) Messenger?” Say: “If there were on the earth, angels walking about in peace and security, We should certainly have sent down for them from the heaven an angel as a Messenger.” (Chapter no. 17, Verses no. 90 to 95) The above mentioned lines from the biography of Prophet is the least of what I wanted to share with my reader. What is the point of conclusion? It is to accept Prophet Mohammad as the Messenger of Allah and this will require to uttrer the great Arabic expression Mohammadur-Rasoolul-lah which means “Mohammad is Messenger of Allah.” Allah says in the Holy Quran in chapter 3 verse no. 31 – Say (O Mohammad to mankind): “If you (really) love Allah, then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Quran and the Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you of your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” A SUMMARY OF THE PROPHET FAREWELL SERMON (This sermon was delivered on the annual day of Haj in the Haj Ground near Makkah) Prophet said: O People, listen to my words for I do not know whether I will be amongst you for another year. Just as you regard this day, this month 73 and this city sacred, so regard the lives and property of all amongst you as sacred and inviolable. O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your wives but they also have certain rights. Treat them with kindness and love for you have taken them in trust. Keep always faithful to the trust placed in you and do not sin. O People, listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, say your five daily prayers (Salah or Namaaz), fast during the month of Ramazaan and give Zakaat generously. Go if possible on a pilgrimage (Haj). You know that you are each others brothers and are all equal. No one is superior except in devotion to Allah and good works. Guard against committing injustices. O People, No Prophet or Apostle will come after me and no new faith will be born. Understand my words. I leave behind me two things the QURAN and SUNNAH. Follow these and you will never go astray. Beware of Satan and safeguard your religion. Pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may they understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness O Allah, that I have conveyed Your Message. 74 THE WELL KNOWN NON-MUSLIM VERDICT ON PROPHET MOHAMMAD “I have studied him the wonderful man and I my opinion far from being an anti-Christ he must be called the saviour of humanity.” George Bernard Shaw in “The Genuine Islam” “If a man like Muhamed were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world, he would succeed in solving its problems that would bring it the much needed peace and happiness.” George Bernard Shaw “It is impossible for anyone who studies the life and character of the great prophet of Arabia, who knows how he taught and how he lived, to feel anything but reverence for that mighty Prophet, one of the great messengers of the Supreme. And although in what I put to you I shall say many things which may be familiar to you, yet I myself feel whenever I re-read them, a new way of admiration, a new of reverence for that mighty Arabian teacher.” Annie Besant, “The Life and Teachings of Mohammad” Madras 1932, p 4. “Philosopher, Orator, Apostle, Legislator, Warrior, Conqueror of ideas, Restorer of rational beliefs, of a cult without images; the founder of twenty terrestrial empires and one spiritual empire, that is Muhammed. As regards all standards by which human greatness may be measured, we may well ask, is there any man greater than he?” Lamartine, History de la Turquie, Paris 1854, Vol. 11 p 276-2727. 75 “Head of the State as well as the Church, he was Caesar and Pope in one: but, he was Pope without the Pope’s pretensions, and Caesar without the legions of Caesar, without a standing army, without a bodyguard, without a police force, without a fixed revenue. if ever a man had the right to say that he ruled by a right divine, it was Muhummed, for he had all the powers without their supports. He cared not for the dressings of power. The simplicity of his private life was in keeping with his public life.” Rev. R. Bosworth-Smith “Four years after the death of Justnian, A.D. 569, was born at Mecca, in Arabia the man who, of all men exercised the greatest influence upon the human race....Mohammed....” John William Draper, M.D., L.L.D., A History of the Intellectual Development of Europe, London 1875, Vol. 1, p 329-330. And Michael H. Hart, a Christian American, astronomer, mathematician, lawyer, chessmaster and scientist, after extensive research, published an insisive biography of the 100 most influential people of all time. From his research, which included the illustrious personalities such as Jesus Christ, Moses, Caesar, the Wright brothers, Napleon, Shakespeare, Columbus and Michaelangelo; Michael Hart rated Prophet as number one. He concluded the biography with the words “It is this unparalleled combination of secular and religious influence which I feel entitles Muhummed to be considered the most influential single figure in human history.” 76 THE WONDERS OF PROPHET IN HINDU SCRIPTURE Now read and rejoice! Prophet and his Muslim nation is mentioned in Hindu Scripture, – a Scripture about which nobody knows exactly as to how old it is. Behold! The Bhavishya Purana in the Pratisarag Parv III, Khand 3, Adhyay 3 Shalokhas 10 to 27 says: “The Malechhas have spoiled the well-known land of the Arabs. Arya Dharma is not to be found in that country. Before also there appreared a misguided fiend whom I had killed; he has now again appeared being sent by a powerful enemy. To show these enemies the right path and to give them guidence the well known Mahamad, who has been given by me the epithet of Brahma, is busy in bringing the ‘Pishachas’ to the right path. O Raja, you need not to go to the land of foolish Pishachas, you will be purified through my kindness even where you are. At night, he of the angelic disposition, the shrewd man, in the guise of a Pishacha said to Raja Bhoj, “O Raja! Your Arya Dharma has been made to prevail over all religions, but according to the commandaments of Ishwar Parmatma, I shall enforce the strong the strong creed of meat-eaters. My followers will be a man circumcised, without a tail (on his head) keeping bread, creating a revolution, announcing Adzan (call for prayer) and will be eating all lawful things. He will eat all sorts of animals except swine. They will not seek purification from the holy shrubs, but will be purified warfare. On account of fighting the irreligious nations, they will be known as Musalmans. I shall be the originator of this religion of meat-eating nation.” 77 Allah is the Greatest! There are a number of authors in this world who have proved that the Prophet was also prophesied in Buddhist and Parsi scriptures. Once I read a Hadees of Sahih Al-Bukhari in which Allah’s Messenger invited a group of people towards Islam and said, “If you don’t believe then know that the earth belongs to Allah and His messenger.” You are not required to understand the above Shalokas. The emphasis should be on words like Mahamad (Mohammad), meat eaters, circumcised man, keeping beard, pronouncing Azaan (call for Namaaz), eating all lawful things, Musalmans. What is this all? It is too much. And what else do you need? Now bow down to the truth and say: La-ilaha-illal-lah, MohammadurRasoolul-lah “There is no god but Allah, Mohammad is the Messenger of Allah.” It may be noted that the above mentioned Shalokas are not verified by me in Hindu Scripture books. I have done short cut by taking these Shalokas from other books. I request the reader to verify the same at his end. I don’t want to cheat anybody in the least. I work with honesty and also treat honesty to be the best policy. As for me, I fully trust the authors of various books wherein in found these Shalokas. One of such trusted person is Mumbai based Dr. Zakir Naik. A SOFT QURANIC CONCLUSION Say (O Mohammad): “O you mankind! If you are in doubt as to my religion (Islam), then (know that) I will never worship those whom you worship, besides Allah. But I worship Allah Who causes you to die, I am commanded to be one of the believers.” (Qur’an) 78 Notes 1 - Uttering lie is a sin 2 - I was sick 3 - Son, uttering lie is a sin 4 - You don’t worry. This is our daily work. If God wishes to cause some harm, then the case will be different 5 - Who has seen God? 6 - Had anybody seen God, then what would have been left 7 - Then how these objects of worship came into existence 8 - This is fair to say so 9 - Not the least impression 10 - Dramatic inventions, wonderful discoveries, plays, etc. 11 - Reconversion drive by Hindu outfit group 12 - Foolishness 13 - Fine due to Allah’s favour 14 - An amulet hanged in neck etc. to seek divine protection 15 - Both Molvi and khan sahab have the same root 16 - You are good (sarcastic remark). Even after committing the greatest sin, you have a crown on your head. Should not you remove your cap. 17 - This is Shirk, This is Shirk 18 - Be mindful 19 - God is with us 20 - But Lalaji too does not want to take any risk in his life 21 - Crises, problem etc. 22 - God is surely with you 23 - These are white people, and they have huge amount of money 24 - On the contrary! Their religion has taken away all of their brain power 25 - Whoever commits sin, it is he who falls in pit, rest of the people eat bread out of it. 26 - Everybody has the intention of making money 27 - Beggar sitting or roaming in the streets 28 - He too is not careful to obey Allah’s orders 79 80