3) That God will put His words into the mouth of this prophet

and that he will declare what God commands him. Let us examine these three characteristics in more depth. (1) See Al-Borhan fee Oloom Al-Qur'an, Al-Zarkashy, vol. 2, p. 224. (2) See Al-Borhan fee Oloom Al-Qur'an, Al-Zarkashy, vol. 2, p. 226. (3) The verses of the Bible in this book have been taken from The NIV Study Bible, New International Version.

A Brief Illustrated Guide To Understanding Islam Contents 1) A prophet like Moses: There were hardly any two prophets who were so much alike as Moses and Muhammad r. Both were given a comprehensive law and code of life. Both encountered their enemies and were victorious in miraculous ways. Both were accepted as prophets and statesmen. Both migrated following conspiracies to assassinate them.

Analogies between Moses and Jesus overlook not only the above similarities but other crucial ones as well. These include the natural birth, the family life, and the death of Moses and Chapter 1 Muhammad r but not that of Jesus. Moreover, Jesus was regarded by his followers as the Son of God and not exclusively as a prophet of God, as Moses and Muhammad r were and as Muslims believe Jesus was. So, this prophecy refers to Muhammad r and not to Jesus, because Muhammad r is more like Moses than Jesus. Some Evidence for the Truth of Islam Also, one notices from the Gospel of John that the Jews were waiting for the fulfillment of three distinct prophecies: 1) The coming of Christ, 2) The coming of Elijah, 3) The coming of the Prophet.

This is obvious from the three questions that were posed to John the Baptist: "Now this was John's testimony, when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, 'I am not the Christ.' They asked him, 'Then who are you? Are you Elijah?' He said, 'I am not.' 'Are you the Prophet?' He answered, 'No.'" (John 1:19-21). If we look in a Bible with crossreferences, we will find in the marginal notes where the words "the Prophet" occur in John 1:21, that these words refer to the prophecy of Deuteronomy 18:15 and 18:18.1 We conclude from this that Jesus Christ is not the prophet mentioned in Deuteronomy 18:18. 2) From the brothers of the Israelites: Abraham had two sons, Ishmael and Isaac (Genesis 21). Ishmael became the grandfather of the Arab nation, and Isaac became the grandfather of the Jewish nation.

The prophet spoken of was not to come from among the Jews themselves, but from among their brothers, i.e. the Ishmaelites. Muhammad r, a descendant of Ishmael, is indeed this prophet. (1) See the marginal notes in The NIV Study Bible, New International Version on verse 1:21, p. 1594. A Brief Illustrated Guide To Understanding Islam Contents Also, Isaiah 42:1-13 speaks of the servant of God, His "chosen one" and "messenger" who will bring down a law. "He will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth.

In his law the islands will put their hope." (Isaiah 42:4). Verse 11, connects that awaited messenger with the descendants of Kedar. Who is Kedar? According to Genesis 25:13, Kedar was the second son of Ishmael, the ancestor of the Prophet Muhammad r. 3) God will put His words in the mouth of this prophet: The words of God (the Holy Qur'an) were truly put into Chapter 1 Muhammad's r mouth. God sent the Angel Gabriel to teach Muhammad r the exact words of God (the Holy Qur'an) and asked him to dictate them to the people as he heard them.

The words are therefore not his own. They did not come from his own thoughts, but were put into his mouth by the Angel Gabriel. During the life time of Muhammad r, and under his supervision, these words Some Evidence for the Truth of Islam were then memorized and written by his companions. Note that God has said in the prophecy of Deuteronomy: "If anyone does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name, I myself will call him to account." (Deuteronomy, 18:19). This means that whoever believes in the Bible must believe in what this prophet says, and this prophet is Muhammad r.

(Please visit www.islam-guide.com/mib for more information on Muhammad r in the Bible.) (4) The Verses in the Qur'an That Mention Future Events Which Later Came to Pass An example of the events foretold in the Qur'an is the victory of the Romans over the Persians within three to nine years after the Romans were defeated by the Persians. God has said in the Qur'an: ( The Romans have been defeated in the nearest land (to the Arabian Peninsula), and they, after their defeat, will be victorious within bedd' (three to nine) years.... ) (Qur'an, 30:2-4) Let us see what history tells us about these wars. A book entitled History of the Byzantine State says that the Roman army A Brief Illustrated Guide To Understanding Islam Contents was badly defeated at Antioch in 613, and as a result, the Persians swiftly pushed forward on all fronts.1 At that time, it was hard to imagine that the Romans would defeat the Persians, but the Qur'an foretold that the Romans would be victorious within three to nine years. In 622, nine years after the Romans' defeat, the two forces (Romans and Persians) met on Armenian soil, and the result was the decisive victory of the Romans over the Persians, for the first time after the Romans' defeat in 613.2 The prophecy was fulfilled just as God has said in the Qur'an. Chapter 1 There are also many other verses in the Qur'an and sayings of Muhammad r that mention future events which later came to pass.

(5) Miracles Performed by the Prophet Muhammad r Some Evidence for the Truth of Islam Many miracles were performed by the Prophet Muhammad r by God's permission. These miracles were witnessed by many people. For example: § When the unbelievers in Makkah asked the Prophet Muhammad r to show them a miracle, he showed them the splitting of the moon.3 § Another miracle was the flowing of water through Muhammad's r fingers when his companions got thirsty and had no water except a little in a vessel. They came to him and told him that they had no water to make ablution nor to drink except for what was in the vessel. So, Muhammad r put his hand in the vessel, and the water started gushing out between his fingers.

So, they drank and made ablution. They were one thousand five hundred companions.4 There were also many other miracles that were performed by him or which happened to him. (1) History of the Byzantine State, Ostrogorsky, p. 95. (2) History of the Byzantine State, Ostrogorsky, pp. 100-101, and History of Persia, Sykes, vol. 1, pp. 483-484. Also see The New Encyclopaedia Britannica, Micropaedia vol. 4, p. 1036.

(3) Narrated in Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #3637, and Saheeh Muslim, #2802. (4) Narrated in Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #3576, and Saheeh Muslim, #1856. A Brief Illustrated Guide To Understanding Islam Contents (6) The Simple Life of Muhammad r If we compare the life of Muhammad r before his mission as a prophet and his life after he began his mission as a prophet, we will conclude that it is beyond reason to think that Muhammad r was a false prophet, who claimed prophethood to attain material gains, greatness, glory, or power. Before his mission as a prophet, Muhammad r had no financial worries. As a successful and reputed merchant, Muhammad r Chapter 1 drew a satisfactory and comfortable income.

After his mission as a prophet and because of it, he became worse off materially. To clarify this more, let us browse the following sayings on his life: § Aa'isha, Muhammad's r wife, said: "O my nephew, we would sight three new moons in two months without lighting a fire (to cook a meal) in the Prophet's r houses." Her Some Evidence for the Truth of Islam nephew asked: "O Aunt, what sustained you?" She said: "The two black things, dates and water, but the Prophet r had some Ansar neighbors who had milk-giving she-camels and they used to send the Prophet r some of its milk."1 § Sahl Ibn Sa'ad, one of Muhammad's r companions, said: "The Prophet of God r did not see bread made from fine flour from the time God sent him (as a prophet) until he died."2 § Aa'isha, Muhammad's r wife, said: "The mattress of the Prophet r, on which he slept, was made of leather stuffed with the fiber of the date-palm tree."3 § Amr Ibn Al-Hareth, one of Muhammad's r companions, said that when the Prophet r died, he left neither money nor anything else except his white riding mule, his arms, and a piece of land which he left to charity.4 Muhammad r lived this hard life till he died although the Muslim treasury was at his disposal, the greater part of the Arabian (1) Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #2972, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #2567. (2) Narrated in Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #5413, and Al-Tirmizi, #2364. (3) Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #2082, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #6456. (4) Narrated in Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #2739, and Mosnad Ahmad, #17990.

A Brief Illustrated Guide To Understanding Islam Contents Peninsula was Muslim before he died, and the Muslims were victorious after eighteen years of his mission. Is it possible that Muhammad r might have claimed prophethood in order to attain status, greatness, and power? The desire to enjoy status and power is usually associated with good food, fancy clothing, monumental palaces, colorful guards, and indisputable authority. Do any of these indicators apply to Muhammad r? A few glimpses of his life that may help answer this question follow.

Chapter 1 Despite his responsibilities as a prophet, a teacher, a statesman, and a judge, Muhammad r used to milk his goat,1 mend his clothes, repair his shoes,2 help with the household work,3 and visit poor people when they got sick.4 He also helped his companions in digging a trench by moving sand with them.5 His life was an Some Evidence for the Truth of Islam amazing model of simplicity and humbleness. Muhammad's r followers loved him, respected him, and trusted him to an amazing extent. Yet he continued to emphasize that deification should be directed to God and not to him personally. Anas, one of Muhammad's r companions, said that there was no person whom they loved more than Muhammad r, yet when he came to them, they did not stand up for him because he hated their standing up for him,6 as other people do with their great people. Long before there was any prospect of success for Islam and at the outset of a long and painful era of torture, suffering, and persecution of Muhammad r and his followers, he received an interesting offer.

An envoy of the pagan leaders, Otba, came to him saying: "...If you want money, we will collect enough money for you so that you will be the richest one of us. If you want leadership, we will take you as our leader and never decide on any matter without your approval. If you want a kingdom, we will (1) Narrated in Mosnad Ahmad, #25662. (2) Narrated in Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #676, and Mosnad Ahmad, #25517. (3) Narrated in Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #676, and Mosnad Ahmad, #23706.

(4) Narrated in Mowatta' Malek, #531. (5) Narrated in Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #3034, and Saheeh Muslim, #1803, and Mosnad Ahmad, #18017. (6) Narrated in Mosnad Ahmad, #12117, and Al-Tirmizi, #2754. A Brief Illustrated Guide To Understanding Islam Contents crown you king over us..." Only one concession was required from Muhammad r in return for that, to give up calling people to Islam and worshipping God alone without any partner. Wouldn't this offer be tempting to one pursuing worldly benefit?

Was Muhammad r hesitant when the offer was made? Did he turn it down as a bargaining strategy leaving the door open for a better offer? The following was his answer: { In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful } And he recited to Otba the verses of the Qur'an 41:1-38.1 The Following are some of these verses: Chapter 1 ( A revelation from (God), the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful; a Book whereof the verses are explained in detail; a Qur'an in Arabic, for people who know, giving good news and warning, yet most of them turn away, so they do not listen. ) (Qur'an, 41:2-4) Some Evidence for the Truth of Islam On another occasion and in response to his uncle's plea to stop calling people to Islam, Muhammad's r answer was as decisive and sincere: { I swear by the name of God, O Uncle!, that if they place the sun in my right-hand and the moon in my left-hand in return for giving up this matter (calling people to Islam), I will never desist until either God makes it triumph or I perish defending it. }2 Muhammad r and his few followers did not only suffer from persecution for thirteen years but the unbelievers even tried to kill Muhammad r several times. On one occasion they attempted to kill him by dropping a large boulder, which could barely be lifted, on his head.3 Another time they tried to kill him by poisoning his food.4 What could justify such a life of suffering and sacrifice even after he was fully triumphant over his adversaries? What could explain the humbleness and nobility which he demonstrated in his most glorious moments when he insisted that success is due only to God's help and not to his own genius?

Are these the characteristics of a power-hungry or a self-centered man? (1) Al-Serah Al-Nabaweyyah, Ibn Hesham, vol. 1, pp. 293-294. (2) Al-Serah Al-Nabaweyyah, Ibn Hesham, vol. 1, pp. 265-266. (3) Al-Serah Al-Nabaweyyah, Ibn Hesham, vol. 1, pp. 298-299. (4) Narrated in Al-Daremey, #68, and Abu-Dawood, #4510.

A Brief Illustrated Guide To Understanding Islam Contents (7) The Phenomenal Growth of Islam At the end of this chapter, it may be appropriate to point out an important indication of the truth of Islam. It is well known that in the USA and the whole world, Islam is the fastest-growing religion. The following are some observations on this phenomenon: § "Islam is the fastest-growing religion in America, a guide and pillar of stability for many of our people..." (Hillary Rodham Clinton, Los Angeles Times).1 § "Moslems are the world's fastest-growing group..." (The Chapter 1 Population Reference Bureau, USA Today).2 § "....Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the country." (Geraldine Baum; Newsday Religion Writer, Newsday).3 § "Islam, the fastest-growing religion in the United States..." (Ari L. Goldman, New York Times).4 Some Evidence for the Truth of Islam This phenomenon indicates that Islam is truly a religion from God. It is unreasonable to think that so many Americans and people from different countries have converted to Islam without careful consideration and deep contemplation before concluding that Islam is true.

These converts have come from different countries, classes, races, and walks of life. They include scientists, professors, philosophers, journalists, politicians, actors, and athletes. The points mentioned in this chapter constitute only some of the evidence supporting the belief that the Qur'an is the literal word of God, that Muhammad r is truly a prophet sent by God, and that Islam is truly a religion from God. ### (1) Larry B. Stammer, Times Religion Writer, "First Lady Breaks Ground With Muslims," Los Angeles Times, Home Edition, Metro Section, Part B, May 31, 1996, p. 3. (2) Timothy Kenny, "Elsewhere in the World," USA Today, Final Edition, News Section, February 17, 1989, p. 4A.

(3) Geraldine Baum, "For Love of Allah," Newsday, Nassau and Suffolk Edition, Part II, March 7, 1989, p. 4. (4) Ari L. Goldman, "Mainstream Islam Rapidly Embraced By Black Americans," New York Times, Late City Final Edition, February 21, 1989, p. 1. A Brief Illustrated Guide To Understanding Islam Contents Chapter 2 some benefits of islam Islam provides many benefits for the individual and the society. This chapter mentions some of the benefits gained through Islam for the individual.

(1) The Door to Eternal Paradise God has said in the Qur'an: ( And give good news (O Muhammad) to those who believe and do good deeds, that they will have gardens (Paradise) in which rivers flow.... ) (Qur'an, 2:25) God has also said: ( Race one with another for forgiveness from your Lord and for Paradise, whose width is as the width of the heavens and the earth, which has been prepared for those who beChapter 2 lieve in God and His messengers.... ) (Qur'an, 57:21) The Prophet Muhammad r told us that the lowest in rank Some Benefits of Islam among the dwellers of Paradise will have ten times the like of this world,1 and he or she will have whatever he or she desires and ten times like it.2 Also, the Prophet Muhammad r said: { A space in Paradise equivalent to the size of a foot would be better than the world and what is in it. }3 He also said: { In Paradise there are things which no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human mind has thought of. }4 He also said: { The most miserable man in the world of those meant for Paradise will (1) Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #186, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #6571. (2) Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #188, and Mosnad Ahmad, #10832. (3) Narrated in Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #6568, and Mosnad Ahmad, #13368. (4) Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #2825, and Mosnad Ahmad, #8609. A Brief Illustrated Guide To Understanding Islam Contents be dipped once in Paradise.

Then he will be asked: "Son of Adam, did you ever face any misery? Did you ever experience any hardship?" So he will say: "No, by God, O Lord! I never faced any misery, and I never experienced any hardship." }1 If you enter Paradise, you will live a very happy life without sickness, pain, sadness, or death; God will be pleased with you; and you will live there forever. God has said in the Qur'an: ( But those who believe and do good deeds, We will admit them to gardens (Paradise) in which rivers flow, lasting in them forever.... ) (Qur'an, 4:57) (Please visit www.islam-guide.com/hereafter for more information on Paradise or the life after death.) (2) Salvation from Hellfire God has said in the Qur'an: ( Those who have disbelieved and died in disbelief, the earth full of gold would not be accepted from any of them if one offered it as a ransom. They will have a painful punishChapter 2 ment, and they will have no helpers. ) (Qur'an, 3:91) So, this life is our only chance to win Paradise and to escape Some Benefits of Islam from Hellfire, because if someone dies in disbelief, he will not have another chance to come back to this world to believe.

As God has said in the Qur'an about what is going to happen for the unbelievers on the Day of Judgment: ( If you could but see when they are set before the Fire (Hell) and say: "Would that we might return (to the world)! Then we would not reject the verses of our Lord, but we would be of the believers!" ) (Qur'an, 6:27) But no one will have this second opportunity. (1) Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #2807, and Mosnad Ahmad, #12699. A Brief Illustrated Guide To Understanding Islam Contents The Prophet Muhammad r said: { The happiest man in the world of those doomed to the Fire (Hell) on the Day of Judgment will be dipped in the Fire once. Then he will be asked: "Son of Adam, did you ever see any good?

Did you ever experience any blessing?" So he will say: "No, by God, O Lord!" }1 (3) Real Happiness and Inner Peace Real happiness and peace can be found in submitting to the commands of the Creator and the Sustainer of this world. God has said in the Qur'an: ( Truly, in remembering God do hearts find rest. ) (Qur'an, 13:28) On the other hand, the one who turns away from the Qur'an will have a life of hardship in this world. God has said: Chapter 2 ( But whoever turns away from the Qur'an,2 he will have a hard life, and We will raise him up blind on the Day of Judgment. ) (Qur'an, 20:124) This may explain why some people commit suicide while they Some Benefits of Islam enjoy the material comfort money can buy. For example, look at Cat Stevens (now Yusuf Islam), formerly a famous pop singer who used to earn sometimes more than $150,000 a night. After he converted to Islam, he found true happiness and peace, which he had not found in material success.3 (1) Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #2807, and Mosnad Ahmad, #12699.

(2) i.e. neither believes in the Qur'an nor acts on its orders. (3) The present mailing address of Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam), in case you would like to ask him about his feelings after he converted to Islam, is: 2 Digswell Street, London N7 8JX, United Kingdom. A Brief Illustrated Guide To Understanding Islam Contents To read the stories of people who have converted to Islam, please visit www.islam-guide.com/stories or refer to the book entitled Why Islam is Our Only Choice.1 At this web page and in this book, you can read the thoughts and feelings of these people, who are from different countries and have different backgrounds and levels of education. (4) Forgiveness for All Previous Sins When someone converts to Islam, God forgives all of his previous sins and evil deeds. A man called Amr came to the Prophet Muhammad r and said: "Give me your right hand so that I may give you my pledge of loyalty." The Prophet r stretched out his right hand.

Amr withdrew his hand. The Prophet r said: { What has happened to you, O Amr? } He replied: "I intend to lay down a condition." The Prophet r asked: { What condition do you intend to put forward? } Amr said: "That God forgive my sins." The Prophet r said: { Didn't you know that converting to Islam erases all previous sins? }2 After converting to Islam, the person will be rewarded for his Chapter 2 or her good and bad deeds according to the following saying of the Prophet Muhammad r: { Your Lord, Who is blessed and exalted, is most merciful. If someone intends to do a good deed Some Benefits of Islam but does not do it, a good deed will be recorded for him. And if he does do it, (a reward of) ten to seven hundred or many more times (the reward of the good deed), will be recorded for him. And if someone intends to do a bad deed but does not do it, a good deed will be recorded for him.

And if he does do it, a bad deed will be recorded against him or God will wipe it out. }3 ### (1) This book is by Muhammad H. Shahid. For a copy of this book, please visit www.islam-guide.com/stories or contact one of the organizations listed on pages 69-70. (2) Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #121, and Mosnad Ahmad, #17357. (3) Narrated in Mosnad Ahmad, #2515, and Saheeh Muslim, #131.

A Brief Illustrated Guide To Understanding Islam Contents Chapter 3 general information on islam What Is Islam? The religion of Islam is the acceptance of and obedience to the teachings of God which He revealed to His last prophet, Muhammad r. Some Basic Islamic Beliefs 1) Belief in God: Muslims believe in one, unique, incomparable God, Who has no son nor partner, and that none has the right to be worshipped but Him alone. He is the true God, and every other deity is false. He has the most magnificent names and sublime perfect attributes.

No one shares His divinity, nor His attributes. In the Qur'an, God describes Himself: ( Say: "He is God, the One. God, to Whom the creatures turn for their needs. He begets not, nor was He begotten, and there is none like Him." ) (Qur'an, 112:1-4) Chapter 3 No one has the right to be invoked, supplicated, prayed to, or shown any act of worship, but God alone. General Information on Islam