Vol.

2 Issue 16
The Truth
A Weekly Bulletin Thu. Apr. 19th 2007

S ay: Travel in the earth and see how He makes the first creation,
then Allah creates the latter creation; surely Allah has power over all
things.
Holy Qur’an (29:20)
Word of Wisdom “The best of friends is he who is best in
behavior and character.”
Prophet Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him and His Purified Progeny)

“If you cannot get things as much as you desire than be contented
with what you have.”
Imam Ali (AS)
Article Status of Human Beings in Islam
Prime Creation: Human beings are the prime
creation of God. He says, “We have indeed honored the children of
Adam; spread them in the land and the sea, provided them with good
things; and preferred them in esteem over many things that We have
created.” (Qur’an: Chapter 17, verse 70) Cont’d on Page 4
Article Why Do We Fear Death?
The fear of death, for most people, is not a mat-
ter which requires any evidence because it is totally obvious and we also
see that a lot of people manifest extra-ordinary sensitivity with respect
to the term ‘death’ and its reality. Thus the actual matter is self-evident.
That which requires proof and an answer is the reason for this fear and
alarm, as to why we fear death?
Reasons for the Fear of Death
To answer this question, it is possible to mention some reasons, which
have also appeared in our traditions, and which are as follows:
1. Not having a correct insight
In the previous discussions, we had mentioned that a lot of people
considered death to be an eternal destruction of themselves. Conse-
quently, it is but natural that they fear death and visualize it in dark
and gloomy ways, because the love for permanence and eternity is one
of the natural instincts of people, and each one in his own way, tries
to protect himself from calamities and diseases and ensure his own
permanence, and death, in his view, is greater and more pain-inflicting
than any disease or calamity, because it is the start of his everlasting
extinction.
Nevertheless, if the alarm and fear of death is as a result of non-
recognition of the reality of death, then for the removal of this fear, it
Cont’d on Page 2
 The Truth, Thursday, March 22th, 2007. Vol. 2 Issue 12
Cont’d from 1st Page
that its reality, which is found in the Islamic insight, be understood
and with regard to it, a strong conviction be developed. If a person bas-
es his views regarding death on correct foundations, many of his fears
regarding death will cease to exist because, once he comprehends that
with death, he shall enter into a world, more extensive and eternal and
also that he shall be liberated from the material, natural and corporeal
shackles, how then would he consider it to be abominable and hateful.
2. A new and an unfamiliar path
One of the causes due to which man tends to fear death is that man,
after death, steps onto an entirely new path and embarks upon an en-
tirely new journey. Man, usually tends to travel on frightful paths, over
which he has traveled a number of times and has not encountered any
trouble, better than paths which are comparatively safer, but which are
totally new. Since, the path is new and unfamiliar, it becomes reason
for hesitation and anxiety, especially since no one, who has traveled this
path, has brought any news about it, for others.
Anyway, if the fear of death is due to the place and path being unfa-
miliar, then it is necessary that the reality of death be completely com-
prehended and one’s conviction strengthened. In addition to this, it is
necessary to obtain the necessary information by means of the Revela-
tion and the traditions of the Infallible Imams (AS) and the righteous
people, regarding the stages, places of danger and the other particulari-
ties of death and after it, then believe in them and prepare oneself to
encounter them. Just like a person, who during the course of a jour-
ney, finds himself lonely and unaware of his whereabouts, manages to
lessen his perplexity with the help of necessary information, maps and
equipment’s, we too must obtain the map of the way and the necessary
information from authentic and reliable sources.
In a tradition from Imam ‘Ali ibn Muhammed (AS), it is narrated that
he (AS) approached one of his companions who was sick and in a state of
crying and grieving and complaining due to the fear of death. The Imam
(AS) then addressed him saying: “O servant of Allah, you fear death
because you do not comprehend it”. Then the Imam (AS) presented an
example and said “If you had become dirty, and due to the excess of dirt
and dirtiness you were in suffering and inconvenience, and you knew
that the cure for all this lay in your taking a shower, would you wish to
go to a bath and clean yourself or would you wish to remain in the same
state of dirtiness and as a result continue to undergo the suffering.” The
sick man said, “Yes, I would wish to take the shower “. Then the Imam
(AS) replied “death (for you) is the very same shower...”
The point to be considered in the above tradition is that, the sick
person was one of the companions of the Imam (AS) and was aware of
 Ma’anil Akhbar, Pg. 290 Cont’d on Next Page
 The Truth, Thursday, March 22th, 2007. Vol. 2 Issue 12
Cont’d from Last Page
Islamic insight regarding death, but in spite of this, was intensely fear-
ful of death. And so, the Imam (AS) by presenting an example explained
to him the states and circumstances after death and thus calmed him.
3. Lack of preparation
Some of the people have comprehended the reality of death and are
also aware of the Islamic insight regarding death. On the other hand,
they have also obtained some information regarding the stations and
the journey after death, however, in spite of all this, they still fear death.
This fear is not due to the two reasons previously mentioned but because
they have not made available for themselves the tools and things neces-
sary for this journey of theirs, while, on the contrary they have been pay-
ing more-than-necessary importance to their present lives; like a person
who knows that he would have to spend the rest of his life in another
country, but has not collected any money for his journey. Instead, all
that he has gathered is in the form of house, shop, land or other things
which, presently, are neither capable of being changed, nor transferred.
In other words, he has strived and worked and collected a capital, but
the capital is such that it cannot be transferred and there is also nobody
who will buy it. In short, it is not useful in any way for the objective,
which he had in mind. It was because of this that Imam Hussein (AS)
said: “You have ruined and destroyed your hereafter and instead have
made habitable the present life. So you do not like the transfer from a
inhabited and comfortable place to a ruined and destroyed one.”
This kind of fear of death, which results from the lack of preparedness
and the absence of the provisions of the journey usually occurs with the
believers, which in reality is not fear of death but instead, fear of not pos-
sessing the sufficient provisions necessary for this journey.
Another point is that such a fear is usually mixed with eagerness, be-
cause on one hand, a believer is eager for the Divine meeting and also
for the companionship of the Righteous people. On the other hand, due
to lack of sufficient piety and the necessary provisions, finds himself in a
state of anxiety and fear, whereas the unbelievers do not possess such a
fear and eagerness. They fear the actual death, because they consider
it to be a complete annihilation. Of course, it could be said that the fear
of the unbelievers could have a universal meaning, and the causes of it
could be those mentioned and also those not mentioned.
Nevertheless, death or transfer into another world is a universal law,
acceptance of which or fear of which shall create no change in the law
itself, and finally sooner or later, everyone shall taste the nectar or the
poison of death. That, which is more important than death, is the prepa-
ration for it, and Insha-Allah, Allah shall bestow such a success upon
us.
 Ma’anil Akhbar, Pg. 289
 The Truth, Thursday, March 22th, 2007. Vol. 2 Issue 12
Cont’d from 1st Page
Born Sinless: Islam teaches that every human being is born sinless;
no child carries the burden of his or her ancestors’ sins. God says, “No
carrier shall carry the burden of others.” (Qur’an; Chapter 35, verse 18).
Each human being is born with a pure conscience which can absorb and
accept the true message of God. It is only the social and familial influ-
ences which take a person away from God’s message.
Accountability: Islam also emphasizes on the issue of responsibility
and accountability of human beings--each person is responsible for his
or her own actions. Although Islam teaches that God has predetermined
the span of our life and the time of our death, it does not mean that even
our actions are predetermined by Him. We surely are free in our actions
and are, therefore, accountable for them. God only provides guidance
for us to know what is good and what is bad. He says, “We created man
of a water-drop...Surely We guided him to the right way--now whether
he (follows it and) be grateful or (goes astray and) be ungrateful is up to
him.” (Qur’an: Chapter 76, verse 3).
Race: Islam very categorically rejects racial discrimination. It pro-
motes the feeling of brotherhood and equality among its followers. God
clearly says, “O Mankind! We have created you from one male and one
female, and then We made you into different races and tribes so that
you may know (and easily recognize) each other.” Therefore, no one can
claim any superiority over others based on racial or tribal differences.
A person is to be judged by his character, not by his color or race. God
continues, “Surely the most honorable of you in God’s sight is the per-
son who is most upright in character among you.” (Qur’an; Chapter 49,
verse 13).
Gender: Even gender does not count as a criterion of superiority. In
Islam, women are as human as men. They are not evaluated on basis of
their gender, but on basis of their faith and character. Fourteen hundred
years ago, the Qur’an recorded God’s clear statements on this issue.
Out of the four verses, I will just quote one: “Whoever, be it a male or a
female, does good deeds and he or she is a believer, then they will enter
the Paradise.” (Qur’an: Chapter 4, verse 124). So there is no difference
in the degree or level of a woman’s humanity or honor in Islam.

The only difference there exists is concerning the role which Islam has
envisioned for man and woman. This has nothing to do with superiority
or inferiority. In Islam, man and woman are equal in rights; but equality
is not synonymous to similarity. Islam believes that man and woman are
equal but dissimilar. Islam looks at their different roles in society not as
superior or inferior but as complementary to each other.

By: Sayyid Muhammed Rizvi

 The Truth, Thursday, March 22th, 2007. Vol. 2 Issue 12
Anecdote BAHLOOL PROVES THE THREE FACTS:
-
Abu Hanifa was once teaching Islamic beliefs to his students. He was
arguing and challenging the validity of some of the statements which
had been proclaimed by Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (AS) Bahlool happened to
be present as well. Abu Hanifa proclaimed that he could not agree with
the three understated statements as made by the Imam (AS).
The first one was that “Allah can never be seen.” According to Abu
Hanifa it was impossible for a thing to exist and yet be invisible! The
second thing that the Imam had stated was that “Satan (devil) will be
thrown in the inferno of Hell which will scorch him bitterly.” Abu Hanifa
argued: “How was it possible for fire to hurt ‘fire’, the fact that Satan was
created from fire itself!”
The third statement of the Imam was that “Man alone is responsible
for his actions and Allah - the most powerful - has nothing to do with
his actions.” “How is it possible, when Allah alone guides the destiny of
man, without Whose will, nothing can happen?” This was Abu Hanifa’s
third challenge.
As soon as the speaker, Abu Hanifa, had made these three criticisms,
Bahlool got up, took a piece of brick and aiming at Hanifa, let it go and
cracked Abu Hanifa head.
Bahlool was caught and taken before the Caliph for punishment. In
his defense, he pleaded that he had done nothing else except reply to
the three criticisms which Abu Hanifa had made against the Imam(AS).
The Caliph asked him to explain as to how and why he chose to reply
by hitting and injuring Abu Hanifa. Bahlool said, “This man claims that if
God is there nad if he exists, then he must be seen. He is now complain-
ing of pain in his head due to the brick having hurt him. If the pain is
definitely there, can he show me where it is? Well! Just as pain can be
there without being seen Allah also exists without being seen.”
“Secondly, he says that fire cannot burn fire. It is a fact that man is
made out of clay and this brick with which I hit his head is also made
out of clay, if clay can inflict pain and hurt clay, why can’t fire do the
same to fire?”
“The third thing he says, is that man is not responsible for his own
actions, but Allah does all things. If this is so, then why does he want
justice from you and why does he want me to be punished for hurting
him? He might as well transfer the punishment to Allah, who, according
to him - is responsible for all the actions of man!”

Everyone in the court was stunned at this and Abu Hanifa was dumb
founded - having nothing to say. So Bahlool was released without any
punishment.
 The Truth, Thursday, March 22th, 2007. Vol. 2 Issue 12
Issues Concept of Adultery in Islam
“Do not go near adultery. Surely it is a shameful
deed and evil, opening roads (to other evils)”. “Say, ‘Verily, my Lord has
prohibited the shameful deeds, be it open or secret, sins and trespasses
against the truth and reason”’ (Quran 17:32-33).
“Impure Women are for impure men, and impure men are for impure
women and women of purity are for men of purity, and men of purity are
for women of purity” (Quran Chapter 24: Verse 26).
Prophet Muhammed (P) has said in many places that adultery is one
of the three major sins. However, the most interesting story is that of
a young man who went to the Prophet. This man asked for permission
to fornicate because he could not control himself. The Prophet dealt
with him with reasoning and asked him if he would approve of someone
else having illegal sex with his mother, sister, daughter, or wife. Each
time the man said ‘no’. Then the Prophet replied that the woman with
whom you plan to have sex is also somebody’s mother, sister, daughter,
or wife. The man understood and repented. The Prophet (P) prayed for
his forgiveness.
Adultery is a crime not against one person but against the whole
of society. It is a violation of a marital contract. 50% of all first time
marriages in the USA result in divorce within two years and the main
reason for divorce are the adultery of one of the partners. Adultery,
which includes both pre-marital and extra marital sex, is an epidemic in
this society. Nobody seems to listen to the Bible, which says frequently,
“Thou shall not commit adultery.” The Quranic approach is, “Do not ap-
proach adultery.”
Does it mean that not only is illegal sex prohibited, but also anything
that leads to illegal sex is also illegal? These things include: dating, free
mixing of the sexes, provocative dress, nudity, obscenity, and pornogra-
phy. The dress code both for men and women is to protect them from
temptation and desires by on lookers who may lose self-control and fall
into sin. “Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and
guard their modesty; that will make for greater purity, and God is well
acquainted with all they do. And say to the believing woman that they
should lower their gaze, and guard their modesty” (Quran 24:30-3 1).
Article Some Muslim Practices
Salat (Prayers): Islam demands from its ad-
herents that beliefs be supplemented with actions. Just as God commu-
nicates with us, we need to respond to Him by undertaking certain spiri-
tual and social duties which will draw us closer to Him. Human beings
can communicate directly with God through prayers. Although they can
pray anywhere, Muslims are encouraged to pray in congregation. Mus-
lims are required to pray five times every day. Prayers are offered in
Cont’d on Next Page
 The Truth, Thursday, March 22th, 2007. Vol. 2 Issue 12
Cont’d from Last Page
Arabic. Personal supplication may be recited in any language in the
pursuit of closeness to the Lord. Prayers engender inner strength and
inspire one to a closer relationship with the Creator. Muslims pray to-
wards the Ka’ba, which is situated in Mecca. It was built by Abraham and
Ishmael over four thousand years ago.
Saum (Fasting): Discipline in a believer is further inculcated by fast-
ing. Every year in the month of Ramadhan, Muslims must fast by refrain-
ing from food and drink during the day time. Fasting is regarded as an
essential component in the growth of spirituality within a person. It also
makes a person more aware of the plight of the poor and helps him de-
velop willpower so as to discipline his desires.
Since Islam believes in values like chastity and morality, it prohibits all
acts which lead to moral corruption. Drugs, alcohol and substance abuse
are strictly prohibited in Islam.
Zakat (Alms): Muslims see wealth to be a trust from God, to be
dispensed in His way. Therefore, they are asked to purify their wealth by
spending a portion of their income for those in need (called zakat). Giv-
ing the zakat is seen as one of the most meritorious deeds especially as
it helps fulfill the Islamic vision of creating a just and equitable society.
Undertaking social responsibility by helping the needy is highly encour-
aged in Islam.
Hajj (Pilgrimage): Once in their lifetime, Muslims are commanded
to go for pilgrimage to Mecca provided there are no financial or physical
constraints. Every year, about two million Muslims from different parts of
the world converge on Mecca to perform the pilgrimage. This provides
a unique opportunity for Muslims of different nations and diverse back-
grounds to meet one another. During the rituals, pilgrims wear white
clothing and stand close together in the worship of the one Lord. Islam
recognizes no racial or ethnic boundaries. The hajj is the perfect example
of the oneness of people of all races and nations, worshipping and serv-
ing the Lord.

The hajj is marked by the Eid al-Adha, a festival which is marked with
prayers and other rituals performed by the pilgrims in the vicinity of
Mecca. These rituals are meant to purify the faithful inwardly. The day is
also marked in Muslim communities in different parts of the world with
celebrations and exchange of gifts. This day, together with the Eid al-Fitr,
a feast day commemorating the end of Ramadhan, are the two main
festivals of the Muslim calendar. The Muslim weekly holiday is on Fridays
when congregational prayers are held at noon.

By: Dr. Liyakatali Takim

 The Truth, Thursday, March 22th, 2007. Vol. 2 Issue 12

Poetry My entrance to Heaven
Clothed in my prayer robe;
ready to announce,
that You indeed are my utmost love.
Gently I walk past the morning window,
peering outside,
into my green yard.
I see the flowers;
drooping down in humiliation.
The birds chirping aloud,
as though whispering to their beloved.
The sky putting on its best color,
to depict its fascination.
The wind slowing its pace;
taking out moments from its routine.
The rain drops, pouring gently,
with a pleasant rhythm.
Ah ... what a blessed encountance !
As I headed to commence my prayer;
Drowning in love,
I lowered my brow;
and leveled it to the ground.
To Him I bowed;
by which I exalted my soul.
“ My Master I have wronged myself,
by deviating from your light “
echoed in my heart.
In return, I cried with tears,
that melted the candle,
chanting slogans of “ Here I am Master ! “
“ Would you now permit me entrance ? “
The pages of Quran lying on my side,
flipped vigorously as the wind blew,
halting onto the most appealing reply,
“ I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me”
By: Sahar Hussain
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