Islam In Focus

405 Pages·2010·10.47 MB·English

Islam in Focus
H a m m u d a h ' A b d a l j - ' A t i
IN
FOCUS
6y
Hammudah 'Abd al-'Ati
AL-FALAH FOUNDATION
For Translation, Publication & Distribution
CONTENTS
FOREWORD 1
CHAPTER 1
♦ THE IDEOLOGICAL FOUNDATION
OF ISLAM......................-......................................... 7
- Allah (God) 7
- The Meaning of Islam 20
- The Fundamental Articles of Faith in Islam 27
- Remarks .................................................................... 45
CHAPTER II
♦ THE BASIC CONCEPTS OF ISLAM 47
- Faith (Imam) .......................................................... 47
- Righteousness (Birr) 52
- Piety ( Taqwa)........................................... 54
- Prophethood.............................................................. 55
- Life ......... 57
- Religion 59
-Sin ............................................................................... 63
- Freedom 67
- Equality 70
- Brotherhood 72
- Peace....---................................................................ 73
- Community 74
- Morality..................................................................... 79
- The Universe 97
CHAPTER III
♦ THE APPLICATION OF FAITH 107
♦ The Prayers (Salah).................................................... 111
-The Purpose of Prayer 111
- Conditions of Prayer 114
- Kinds of Prayer ............................................... 115
- Times of Prayer 116
- The Partial Ablution ( Wudu') 119
- Nullification of Ablution 121
- Complete Substitute for Ablution
(Taycimmum)\Dry Ablution 122
- Special Facilities in Ablution ................................ 123
- Complete Ablution (67w.v//Bath)............................. 123
- The Call to Prayer ( Adhan ) 124
- The Call to commence the Prayer ( ) 126
- Performance of Prayer 127
1. The Early Morning Prayer 127
2. The Noon Prayer ( Salatu-z-Zu ) . 132
3. The Mid-Afternoon Prayer ( 133
4. The Sunset Prayer (Salatu-l-Maghrib) 133
5. The Evening Prayer ( Salatu) ' 134
- The Congregation {Jama'ah) Prayers 137
6. The Friday Prayer (Salatu-l-Jumu'ah)................ 139
- The Highlights of the Prayer 140
- The Significance of 'Id Prayers 142
- The Performance of 'Id Prayers ( 147
- Shortening of the Prayer 152
- Times When Prayer is Forbidden 153
- Making Up for Delayed Prayers 154
- The Taraweeh Prayers .................... ...................... 154
- Invalidation of Prayers.................... ...................... 155
- The Funeral Prayers {Salatu-l-Ja 155
- General Remarks on Prayer 160
♦ Fasting (Al-Sawm).................................................... 171
- Comparison of Fasting in Various Religons 176
- Period of Fasting ................ 179
- Who Must Fast? ..................................................... 180
- Exemption From Fasting 181
- General Recommendations.............. 184
♦ Alms (Zakah)............................................................ 185
- The Rate of Zakah 188
- The Due Recipients of Zakah .......... 190
♦ Pilgrimage (Hajj) .................................................... 193
- Concluding Remarks ........................................ 200
CHAPTER IV
♦ APPLICATION OF ISLAM IN DAILY LIFE 205
♦ THE INNER NATURE 206
- The Spiritual Life 206
- The Intellectual Life ................ 207
♦ THE OUTER N ATURE 211
- The Personal Life 211
1. Purity and Cleanliness......................................... 212
2. Diet ............................ 212
3. Clothing and Adornment 214
4. Sports and Amusement 217
- Family Life 220
1. Meaning of Marriage 221
2. Permanence of Marriage ..... 224
3. Husband-Wife Relationship............................... 225
4. Parent-Child Relationship 230
5. Other Aspects of the Family Life 235
- Social Life ................ 238
- 1 Economic Life 244
- Political Life 253
- International Life .......... 270
CHAPTER V
♦ DISTORTIONS ABOUT ISLAM 275
1. The Holy War (Jihad) 276
2. Jesus, Son of Mary ............................ 298
3. Polygamy (Plurality of Wives) .......................... 321
4. Marriage and Divorce 350
5. The Status of Woman in Islam 358
APPENDIX 1
♦ THE QUR'AN AND ITS WISDOM 375
- Dynamism ................................................................ 380
-Practicability ........... 381
- Moderation 382
APPENDIX II
♦ MUHAMMAD THE LAST PROPHET 385
APPENDIX III
♦ THE ISLAMIC CALENDAR 393
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'FKLJftCE
Introducing Islam to non-Muslims or Muslims in non-
Arab countries is not as simple as it seems. Rather, it is an
ample task that requires tremendous effort and a certain de­
gree of wisdom on the part of the caller (to Islam). This task
is extremely vital as the image of Islam has been intentional­
ly distorted and misrepresented everywhere.
ISLAM IN FOCUS was revised and edited by AL-
FALAH, for every - and anyone - who is seeking the truth
and the right path. We pray that it will lead them to a digni­
fied life in this world and next.
The first chapter of this book sheds light on many princi­
ples and concepts which occupy the minds of Muslims and
non-Muslims alike such as Faith, Freedom, Equality,... etc.
Then, it goes on to highlight the fundamental Articles of
Faith and how to put them in practice. The correct manner
of performing Prayer, Fasting, Pilgrimage, etc., are very im­
portant matter that every Muslim should know.
Islam, is a comprehensive way of life, does not confine
itself to the spiritual aspect of man's life only, rather its pri-
mary concern is with the application of its rules to the daily
life of man, i.e. to all aspects of life.
The last chapter of this book deals with certain issues of­
ten misunderstood and distorted in the west such as "Holy
War", "Divorce"," The Status of Woman in Islam" and "Po­
lygamy". This book, puts all these in their proper context
within Islam and by so doing, leaves no room for prejudice
against Islam on the part of non-Muslims.
The author wrote it in an easy and simple method to
achieve the very purpose of the book, namely introducing Is­
lam to Muslims and non-Mulsim, through the best and sim­
plest way.
This work is devoted for the Sake of Allah, so we ask
Him to accept it from us.
QenerafSupervisor
Muhammad Abdu