MERITS OF ISLAM

MERITS OF ISLAM

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

All praise due to the Almighty Allah, Who says in His Book:5: 3 This ‎day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon ‎you, and have chosen for you Islâm as your religion." ‎
Islam is the gist of the laws of all the prophets and the essence of wisdom ‎of all the wise men. There is not a single good and virtue, which has not ‎been enjoined, and there is not a single evil and vicious act, which has not ‎been prohibited;‎
‎16: 89.And We have sent down to you the Book (the Quran) as an ‎exposition of everything, a guidance, a mercy, and glad tidings for those ‎who have submitted themselves (to Allah as Muslims).‎
This is a summarized subject about some of the merits of Islam:-‎

Merits of Islam in the Area of Creed

‎1- Islam has given thorough details of the concept of Allah "God", unlike ‎other beliefs, which make God a tribal god or a one of three gods, it also ‎gives thorough, and clear details of the obligations towards Him, towards ‎self and towards fellow beings.‎
‎112: 1. Say (O Muhammad): He is Allâh, (the) One.2. Allâh-us-Samad ‎‎(The Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, He neither eats nor ‎drinks). 3.He begets not, nor was He begotten; 4.And there is none co-‎equal or comparable unto Him."‎
‎29: 22. He is Allâh, than Whom there is Lâ ilâha illa Huwa (none has the ‎right to be worshipped but He) the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen ‎‎(open). He is the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. 23. He is Allâh ‎than Whom there is Lâ ilâha illa Huwa (none has the right to be ‎worshipped but He) the King, the Holy, the One Free from all defects, the ‎Giver of security, the Watcher over His creatures, the All-Mighty, the ‎Compeller, the Supreme. Glory be to Allâh! (High is He) above all that ‎they associate as partners with Him. 24. He is Allâh, the Creator, the ‎Inventor of all things, the Bestower of forms. To Him belong the Best ‎Names . All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him. And He is ‎the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. ‎

‎2- Islam clearly defines the goals of our existence and duties.‎
‎51:56. And I (Allâh) created not the jinns and humans except they should ‎worship Me (Alone). ‎
‎2: 21. O mankind! Worship your Lord (Allâh),Who created you and those ‎who were before you so that you may become Al-Muttaqûn (the pious). ‎

‎3- Islam clearly defines the results of failure in doing our duties so that ‎we are aware of the consequences of our actions.‎
‎4: 14. And whosoever disobeys Allâh and His Messenger (Muhammad), ‎and transgresses His limits, He will cast him into the Fire, to abide ‎therein; and he shall have a disgraceful torment.‎

‎4- Islam is the only religion on earth through which the Creator is ‎worshipped according to His direct instructions found in His Final Book; ‎the Holy Qoran, unlike others who worship Him based on various human ‎interpretations found in so-called holy books.‎
‎15: 9. Verily We: It is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the ‎Qur'ân) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption) . ‎

‎5- Islam is the only religion of Allah, which He ordained on humans since ‎the creation of Adam until the Day of Judgment. Naturally, having One ‎God requires one religion only. It makes no sense to believe in One God, ‎and at the same time believe in a multiplicity of religions. ‎
‎3: 19. Truly, the religion with Allâh is Islâm. Those who were given the ‎******ure (Jews and Christians) did not differ except, out of mutual ‎jealousy, after knowledge had come to them. And whoever disbelieves in ‎the Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allâh, then ‎surely, Allâh is Swift in calling to account. ‎
‎16:36. And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, ‎nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship Allâh (Alone), and avoid ‎‎(or keep away from) Tâghût (all false deities, etc. i.e. do not worship ‎Tâghût besides Allâh). Then of them were some whom Allâh guided and ‎of them were some upon whom the straying was justified. So travel ‎through the land and see what was the end of those who denied (the ‎truth). ‎
‎3‎‏:‏‎85.And whoever seeks a religion other than Islâm, it will never be ‎accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers. ‎

‎6- Islam's simplicity and clarity enables all various intellect levels of ‎people to understand it, and subsequently embrace it without any ‎hesitation or uncertainty.‎
‎2:‎‏ ‏‎285. The Messenger (Muhammad) believes in what has been sent down to him ‎from his Lord, and (so do) the believers. Each one believes in Allâh, His Angels, His ‎Books, and His Messengers. They say,We make no distinction between one another ‎of His Messengers" - and they say, "We hear, and we obey. (We seek) Your ‎Forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the return (of all)." ‎
‎6:151. Say (O Muhammad): Come, I will recite what your Lord has ‎prohibited you from: Join not anything in worship with Him; be good and ‎dutiful to your parents; kill not your children because of poverty - We ‎provide sustenance for you and for them; come not near to Al-Fawâhish ‎‎(shameful sins, illegal sexual intercourse, etc.) whether committed openly ‎or secretly, and kill not anyone whom Allâh has forbidden, except for a ‎just cause (according to Islâmic law). This He has commanded you that ‎you may understand. 152. And come not near to the orphan's property, ‎except to improve it, until he (or she) attains the age of full strength; and ‎give full measure and full weight with justice. We burden not any person, ‎but that which he can bear.And whenever you give your word (i.e. judge ‎between men or give evidence, etc.), say the truth even if a near relative ‎is concerned, and fulfill the Covenant of Allâh, This He commands you, ‎that you may remember. ‎
‎17: 32. And come not near to the unlawful sexual intercourse. Verily, it is ‎a Fâhishah [i.e. anything that transgresses its limits (a great sin)], and an ‎evil way (that leads one to Hell unless Allâh forgives him). ‎
The evidence from the Prophet's tradition is: Narrated 'Ubada bin As-‎Samit: I, along with a group of people, gave the pledge of allegiance to ‎Allah's Apostle. He said, "I take your Pledge on the condition that you (1) ‎will not join partners in worship with Allah, (2) will not steal, (3) will not ‎commit illegal sexual intercourse, (4) will not kill your offspring, (5) will ‎not slander, (6) and will not disobey me when I order you to do good. ‎Whoever among you will abide by his pledge, his reward will be with ‎Allah, and whoever commits any of those sins and receives the ‎punishment in this world, that punishment will be an expiation for his ‎sins and purification; but if Allah screens him, then it will be up to Allah ‎to punish him if He will or excuse Him, if He will." ‎

‎7- Islam requires belief in all the prophets of God and the former original ‎revealed Books.‎
‎4:‎‏ ‏‎136. O you who believe! Believe in Allâh, and His Messenger ‎‎(Muhammad), and the Book (the Qur'ân) which He has sent down to His ‎Messenger, and the ******ure which He sent down to those before (him), ‎and whosoever disbelieves in Allâh, His Angels, His Books, His ‎Messengers, and the Last Day, then indeed he has strayed far away. ‎

‎8- The Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), is ‎the only prophet whose followers took great authenticity care of even the ‎smallest details of his biography, and recorded them in well-known ‎sources which are considered to be the second source of Islamic ‎legislation.‎

‎9- While the missions of the previous prophets of God were addressed to ‎specific nations at specific times, Islam is directed to all human beings ‎until the Last Hour. ‎
‎34:‎‏ ‏‎28. And We have not sent you (O Muhammad) except as a giver of ‎glad tidings and a warner to all mankind, but most of men know not. ‎

‎10- Islam acquits the prophets of the horrible misdeeds, which the Bible ‎accuses them of committing.‎
‎38:‎‏ ‏‎47. And they are with Us, verily, of the chosen and the best! ‎

‎11-‎‏ ‏Islam ordains five prayers throughout the day and night, so the ‎Muslim is in touch with his Creator at all times.‎
‎11:114. And perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât), at the two ends of the ‎day and in some hours of the night [i.e. the five compulsory Salât ‎‎(prayers)]. Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds (i.e. small sins). ‎That is a reminder (an advice) for the mindful (those who accept advice). ‎

‎12- Ways of gaining rewards are innumerable in Islam. A Muslim is ‎rewarded for whatever he does to draw himself closer to Allah. ‎
‎99:7. So whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ‎ant), shall see it. ‎
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "Charity is ‎obligatory everyday on every joint of a human being. If one helps a ‎person in matters concerning his riding animal by helping him to ride it or ‎by lifting his luggage on to it, all this will be regarded charity. A good ‎word, and every step one takes to offer the compulsory Congregational ‎prayer, is regarded as charity; and guiding somebody on the road is ‎regarded as charity." ‎

‎13- Islam encourages people to repent by leaving the door open to them ‎to return to the Creator at any time, who assuredly will forgive all their ‎previous sins.‎
‎39: 53.Say: "O 'Ibâdî (My slaves) who have transgressed against ‎themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy ‎of Allâh, verily Allâh forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most ‎Merciful.‎
‎25: 70. Except those who repent and believe (in Islâmic Monotheism), ‎and do righteous deeds, for those, Allâh will change their sins into good ‎deeds, and Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. ‎

‎14- Islam imposes Jihad on Muslims when oppressed, so that there will ‎be no worshipping of any associates with Allah.‎
‎8:39. And fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief and ‎polytheism: i.e. worshipping others besides Allâh) and the religion ‎‎(worship) will all be for Allâh Alone [in the whole of the world ]. But if ‎they cease (worshipping others besides Allâh), then certainly, Allâh is ‎All-Seer of what they do.‎
‎22: 40. Those who have been expelled from their homes unjustly only ‎because they said: "Our Lord is Allâh." For had it not been that Allâh ‎checks one set of people by means of another, monasteries, churches, ‎synagogues, and mosques, wherein the Name of Allâh is mentioned much ‎would surely have been pulled down. Verily, Allâh will help those who ‎help His (Cause). Truly, Allâh is All-Strong, All-Mighty. ‎
This demonstrates the wisdom of jihad; it is meant to establish the ‎religion of Allah; monotheism/Islam, or preventing the infidels from ‎harming the believers, and paving the way to worship Allah and apply ‎His laws.‎

‎15- Islam prohibits adding or omitting anything to or from the Islamic ‎teachings to preserve and maintain it as exactly as when is was revealed ‎to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).‎
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever ‎innovates something in this matter of ours [i.e., Islam] that is not a part of ‎it will have it rejected.”‎

Merits of Islam in the Impact on People‎


‎1- The law in Islam, enunciates the rights of mankind without distinction ‎of race and colour. No branch of Islamic law is based on the expediencies ‎and objects of any particular territory and particular race. The proof of ‎this is that whenever any problem presents itself in the world, whether it ‎be about the agreement and treaty with any nation, or about war and ‎whether it be about the internal administration or foreign policy' of the ‎country, a commandment relating to it will certainly be found in Islamic ‎law.‎

‎2- Good deeds, which a person does wipe away the sins of his bad deeds, ‎which encourage people to do good.‎
‎29: 7. Those who believe [in the Oneness of Allâh (Monotheism) and in ‎Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and ‎do not apostate because of the harm they receive from the polytheists], ‎and do righteous good deeds, surely, We shall remit from them their evil ‎deeds and shall reward them according to the best of that which they used ‎to do.‎
‎11:‎‏ ‏‎114. Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds (i.e. small sins). ‎That is a reminder (an advice) for the mindful (those who accept advice).‎

‎3- Islamic rituals benefit the individual who does them:‎
Praying keeps the Muslim in a spirit of humiliation and concentration, he ‎will feel tranquil and secure. For this reason, the Prophet of Islam, ‎Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to say: "Let ‎us find relaxation and joy in prayer." If something distressed him, he ‎would hasten to pray. ‎
Zakat; alms purifies the soul from stinginess and miserliness, and ‎accustoms people to being generous and helping the poor and needy. It ‎will bring a great reward on the Day of Resurrection, just like other forms ‎of worship. Alms and charity contributes in lowering the poverty level.‎
Fasting involves refraining from food and sex. It is a form of worship, ‎and a way in which one can feel the hunger of those who are deprived. It ‎is also a reminder of the blessings of the Creator, and it brings rewards ‎beyond measure.‎
‎ Hajj; the pilgrimage to the sacred House of Allah, which was built by ‎Ibraheem (Abraham, upon whom be peace). By performing Hajj one is ‎obeying the command of Allah and the call to come and meet Muslims ‎from all over the world.‎
Ablution which is washing many body organs before praying keeps the ‎body clean.‎
‎73: 20. Verily, your Lord knows that you do stand (to pray at night) a ‎little less than two-thirds of the night, or half the night, or a third of the ‎night, and so do a party of those with you, And Allâh measures the night ‎and the day. He knows that you are unable to pray the whole night, so He ‎has turned to you (in mercy). So, recite you of the Qur'ân as much as may ‎be easy for you. He knows that there will be some among you sick, others ‎travelling through the land, seeking of Allâh's Bounty; yet others fighting ‎in Allâh's Cause. So recite as much of the Qur'ân as may be easy (for ‎you), and perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât) and give Zakât, and lend to ‎Allâh a goodly loan, and whatever good you send before you for ‎yourselves, (i.e. Nawâfil non-obligatory acts of worship: prayers, charity, ‎fasting, Hajj and 'Umrah, etc.), you will certainly find it with Allâh, better ‎and greater in reward. And seek Forgiveness of Allâh. Verily, Allâh is ‎Oft-Forgiving, Most-Merciful.‎

‎4- Islam transfers people from the darkness of polytheism and worship of ‎the created, to worshipping the Only True Creator.‎
‎57:‎‏ ‏‎9. It is He Who sends down manifest Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, ‎lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) to His slave (Muhammad) that He may ‎bring you out from darkness into light. And verily, Allâh is to you full of ‎kindness, Most Merciful. ‎

‎5- Islam changes the lives of its subordinates by preventing them from ‎committing sins, pre-Islamic Arabs were at the top of ignorance, ‎backwardness and tribal conflicts, all was changed after they embraced ‎Islam.‎
‎3:‎‏ ‏‎103. And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allâh (i.e. this ‎Qur'ân), and be not divided among yourselves, and remember Allâh's ‎Favour on you, for you were enemies one to another but He joined your ‎hearts together, so that, by His Grace, you became brethren (in Islâmic ‎Faith), and you were on the brink of a pit of Fire, and He saved you from ‎it. Thus Allâh makes His Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, ‎revelations, etc.,) clear to you, that you may be guided. ‎

‎6- Islam produces psychological tranquility which results in a Muslim not ‎become too dis*******ed if something harmful happens to him, or ‎become arrogant if it was good.‎
‎7:‎‏ ‏‎19. Verily, man (disbeliever) was created very impatient; 20. Irritable ‎‎(dis*******ed) when evil touches him; 21. And niggardly when good ‎touches him;- 22. Except those devoted to Salât (prayers) 23. Those who ‎remain constant in their Salât (prayers); 24. And those in whose wealth ‎there is a known right, 25. For the beggar who asks, and for the unlucky ‎who has lost his property and wealth, (and his means of living has been ‎straitened); 26. And those who believe in the Day of Recompense, ‎

‎7- Islam defines the nature of the relationship between people.‎
‎49: 13. O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and ‎made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, ‎the most honourable of you with Allâh is that (believer) who has At-‎Taqwa [i.e. one of the Muttaqûn (pious)]. Verily, Allâh is All-Knowing, ‎All-Aware. ‎

‎8- Islam does not differentiate between people regardless of their colors, ‎race or ethnicity. ‎
‎30: 22. And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, ‎and the difference of your languages and colours. Verily, in that are ‎indeed signs for men of sound knowledge. ‎
The Prophet of Guidance (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) told ‎us about the signs of a person’s success: “Allah does not look at the ‎outward appearance or wealth of any one of you, but He looks at your ‎hearts and deeds.” ‎

Merits of Islam in women's affairs

‎1-Islam rescued women from the oppression and injustice which was ‎inflicted on them, such as burying female babies alive,‎
‎16:‎‏ ‏‎58. And when the news of (the birth of) a female (child) is brought to ‎any of them, his face becomes dark, and he is filled with inward grief! 59. ‎He hides himself from the people because of the evil of that whereof he ‎has been informed. Shall he keep her with dishonour or bury her in the ‎earth ? Certainly, evil is their decision. ‎

‎2- No other religion contains the injunctions about the prevention and ‎restraint of the carnal desires, evil instincts and worldly pleasures and ‎about the protection of the chastity and character of women as are found ‎in Islam. That's why‏ ‏Islam ordained the veil on women to protect them ‎from foreigners which might lead to harming them and why it forbids ‎them of making a wanton display of themselves (tabarruj).‎
‎ 33: 59. O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of ‎the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e.screen ‎themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That ‎will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so ‎as not to be annoyed. And Allâh is Ever Oft¬Forgiving, Most Merciful. ‎
Islam ‎

‎3- Islam allows polygamy to solve the problem of increased number of ‎women over men, to prevent adultery, and to keep the previous marriage ‎for the sake of the other wife and for maintaining the interest of the ‎children. It requires equal treatment of the wives.‎
‎4:3. And if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the ‎orphan¬girls, then marry (other) women of your choice, two or three, or ‎four but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), ‎then only one or (the captives and the slaves) that your right hands ‎possess. That is nearer to prevent you from doing injustice. ‎

‎4- Islam puts rules and limitations on how women and men should talk to ‎each other. The goal is to protect women from foreign men who might ‎abuse them.‎
‎33: 32. O wives of the Prophet! You are not like any other women. If you ‎keep your duty (to Allâh), then be not soft in speech, lest he in whose ‎heart is a disease (of hypocrisy, or evil desire for adultery, etc.) should be ‎moved with desire, but speak in an honourable manner." ‎
Although the verse is directed to the Prophet's wives, all Muslim women ‎are included because the Prophet's wives are the mothers of the believers, ‎and the role models for Muslim women.‎

‎5- Islam imposed a dowry for the wife to be paid by her husband as a ‎symbol of his responsibility towards her.‎
‎4: 24. All others are lawful, provided you seek (them in marriage) with ‎Mahr (bridal money given by the husband to his wife at the time of ‎marriage) from your property, desiring chastity, not committing illegal ‎sexual intercourse, so with those of whom you have enjoyed sexual ‎relations, give them their Mahr as prescribed; but if after a Mahr is ‎prescribed, you agree mutually (to give more), there is no sin on ‎you. Surely, Allâh is Ever All¬Knowing, All¬Wise. ‎

‎6- Islam imposes custodianship of men over women to relieve the ‎burdens on women, so they have enough time and energy to take care of ‎their family's domestic needs. This is natural, since every establishment ‎has a main person responsible for it.‎
‎2: 228. but men have a degree (of responsibility) over them. And Allâh is ‎All-Mighty, All-Wise. ‎

‎7 ‎‏-‏Islam assigned shares from inheritance for women, after they ‎themselves were considered a part of their husband's inheritance. This is ‎to guarantee an independent income, so women have their own money or ‎property.‎
‎4:‎‏ ‏‎11. Allâh commands you as regards your children's (inheritance); to ‎the male, a portion equal to that of two females; if (there are) only ‎daughters, two or more, their share is two thirds of the inheritance; if only ‎one, her share is half. For parents, a sixth share of inheritance to each if ‎the deceased left children; if no children, and the parents are the (only) ‎heirs, the mother has a third; if the deceased left brothers or (sisters), the ‎mother has a sixth. (The distribution in all cases is) after the payment of ‎legacies he may have bequeathed or debts. You know not which of them, ‎whether your parents or your children, are nearest to you in benefit, (these ‎fixed shares) are ordained by Allâh. And Allâh is Ever All¬Knower, All¬‎Wise. ‎
‎4:‎‏ ‏‎19. O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against ‎their will, and you should not treat them with harshness, that you may ‎take away part of the Mahr you have given them, unless they commit ‎open illegal sexual intercourse. And live with them honourably. If you ‎dislike them, it may be that you dislike a thing and Allâh brings through it ‎a great deal of good. ‎

‎8- Islam considers women the other half of the human soul and requires ‎equal treatment between spouses.‎
‎2:‎‏ ‏‎228. And they (women) have rights (over their husbands as regards ‎living expenses, etc.) similar (to those of their husbands) over them (as ‎regards obedience and respect, etc.) to what is reasonable, but men have a ‎degree (of responsibility) over them. And Allâh is All-Mighty, All-Wise.‎
‎4:19. O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against ‎their will, and you should not treat them with harshness, that you may ‎take away part of the Mahr you have given them, unless they commit ‎open illegal sexual intercourse. And live with them honourably. If you ‎dislike them, it may be that you dislike a thing and Allâh brings through it ‎a great deal of good. ‎
‎46:15. And We have enjoined on man to be dutiful and kind to his ‎parents. His mother bears him with hardship and she brings him forth ‎with hardship, and the bearing of him, and the weaning of him is thirty ‎‎(30) months, till when he attains full strength and reaches forty years, he ‎says: "My Lord! Grant me the power and ability that I may be grateful for ‎Your Favour which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, ‎and that I may do righteous good deeds, such as please You, and make ‎my off-spring good. Truly, I have turned to You in repentance, and truly, ‎I am one of the Muslims (submitting to Your Will)." ‎
A man came to Allah's Apostle Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be ‎upon him), and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Who is more entitled to be ‎treated with the best companionship by me?" The Prophet (peace and ‎blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "Your mother." The man said. ‎‎"Who is next?" The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) ‎said, "Your mother." The man further said, "Who is next?" The Prophet ‎‎(peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "Your mother." The ‎man asked for the fourth time, "Who is next?" The Prophet (peace and ‎blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "Your father."‎
Aswad said, I asked 'Ā'ishah, What did the Prophet (peace and blessings ‎of Allah be upon him), do when in his house? She said, he served his ‎wife, meaning that he did work for his wife.‎

‎9‎‏-‏‎ Islam equalizes duties and rewards between genders.‎
‎33:‎‏ ‏‎35 Verily, the Muslims (those who submit to Allâh in Islâm) men and ‎women, the believers men and women (who believe in Islâmic ‎Monotheism), the men and the women who are obedient (to Allâh), the ‎men and women who are truthful (in their speech and deeds), the men and ‎the women who are patient (in performing all the duties which Allâh has ‎ordered and in abstaining from all that Allâh has forbidden), the men and ‎the women who are humble (before their Lord Allâh), the men and the ‎women who give Sadaqât (i.e. Zakât, and alms, etc.), the men and the ‎women who observe Saum (fast) (the obligatory fasting during the month ‎of Ramadân, and the optional Nawâfil fasting), the men and the women ‎who guard their chastity (from illegal sexual acts) and the men and the ‎women who remember Allâh much with their hearts and tongues (while ‎sitting, standing, lying, etc. for more than 300 times extra over the ‎remembrance of Allâh during the five compulsory congregational ‎prayers) or praying extra additional Nawâfil prayers of night in the last ‎part of night, etc.) Allâh has prepared for them forgiveness and a great ‎reward (i.e. Paradise). ‎
‎3:195. So their Lord accepted of them (their supplication and answered ‎them), "Never will I allow to be lost the work of any of you, be he male ‎or female. You are (members) one of another, so those who emigrated ‎and were driven out from their homes, and suffered harm in My Cause, ‎and who fought, and were killed (in My Cause), verily, I will remit from ‎them their evil deeds and admit them into Gardens under which rivers ‎flow (in Paradise); a reward from Allâh, and with Allâh is the best of ‎rewards. ‎

Merits of Islam in Public Rights

‎1- Islam prohibits encroachment on the creatures of God, whether they ‎are humans, animals or plants.‎
‎2:190. And fight in the Way of Allâh those who fight you, but transgress ‎not the limits. Truly, Allâh likes not the transgressors.‎
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “A woman ‎was punished because of a cat which she detained until it died of ‎starvation, because she neither fed it, nor let it free to eat from the vermin ‎of the earth.” ‎‏ ‏
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‎‎‘Whilst a dog was walking around a well, almost dying of thirst, one of ‎the prostitutes of Bani Israa’eel saw him, took off her shoe, filled it with ‎water and gave him the water. She was forgiven because of that.” ‎
Muslim armies were ordered not to kill anyone who was not fighting ‎them, like women, children, the elderly and the priests. They were ‎ordered not to cut trees and not to fill up water wells with dirt.‎

‎2- A Muslim must be like a candle illuminating the way for the people for ‎the straight path to be saved them from God's fire. ‎
‎3: 110. You [true believers in Islâmic Monotheism, and real followers of ‎Prophet Muhammad and his Sunnah (legal ways, etc.)] are the best of ‎peoples ever raised up for mankind; you enjoin Al-Ma'rûf (i.e. Islâmic ‎Monotheism and all that Islâm has ordained) and forbid Al-Munkar ‎‎(polytheism, disbelief and all that Islâm has forbidden), and you believe ‎in Allâh. And had the people of the ******ure (Jews and Christians) ‎believed, it would have been better for them; among them are some who ‎have faith, but most of them are Al-Fâsiqûn (disobedient to Allâh - and ‎rebellious against Allâh's Command). ‎

‎3- Islam calls for social cooperation and giving the rights to those who ‎deserve them by paying alms and charity.‎
‎51:‎‏ ‏‎19. And in their properties there was the right of the beggar, and the ‎Mahrûm (the poor who does not ask the others) , ‎
‎9:60. As-Sadaqât (here it means Zakât/alms) are only for the Fuqarâ' ‎‎(poor), and Al-Masâkin (the poor) and those employed to collect (the ‎funds); and for to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined ‎‎(towards Islâm); and to free the captives; and for those in debt; and for ‎Allâh's Cause (i.e. for Mujâhidûn - those fighting in the holy wars), and ‎for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything); a duty ‎imposed by Allâh. And Allâh is All-Knower, All-Wise. ‎
‎17:28. And if you (O Muhammad) turn away from them (kindred, poor, ‎wayfarer, etc. whom We have ordered you to give their rights, but if you ‎have no money at the time they ask you for it) and you are awaiting a ‎mercy from your Lord for which you hope, then, speak unto them a soft ‎kind word (i.e. Allâh will give me and I shall give you). ‎

‎4- Islam orders compassion and charity to the poor, the needy, the ‎relatives, the neighbors and the wayfarers.‎
‎4:‎‏ ‏‎36. Worship Allâh and join none with Him in worship, and do good to ‎parents, kinsfolk, orphans, Al-Masâkin (the poor), the neighbour who is ‎near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger, the companion by your side, ‎the wayfarer (you meet), and those (slaves) whom your right hands ‎possess. Verily, Allâh does not like such as are proud and boastful; ‎

‎5- Islam imposes fasting the whole month of Ramadan to make Muslims ‎experience the poor people's deprivation, therefore sympathize with them ‎by giving them charity.‎
‎2:183. O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fasting) is prescribed ‎for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become ‎Al-Muttaqûn (the pious).‎

‎6- Islam warns against taking money from the orphans, or spending it ‎needlessly.‎
‎4:‎‏ ‏‎2.And give unto orphans their property and do not exchange (your) bad ‎things for (their) good ones; and devour not their substance (by adding it) ‎to your substance. Surely, this is a great sin. ‎
‎6:152. "And come not near to the orphan's property, except to improve it, ‎until he (or she) attains the age of full strength; and give full measure and ‎full weight with justice. We burden not any person, but that which he can ‎bear. And whenever you give your word (i.e. judge between men or give ‎evidence, etc.), say the truth even if a near relative is concerned, and ‎fulfill the Covenant of Allâh, This He commands you, that you may ‎remember. ‎

‎7- Wealth is a gift from Allah, none has the right to feel superior to others ‎because they are wealthier than them, so Islam calls for treating the rich ‎and the poor in the same manner.‎
‎80: 1.The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) frowned ‎and turned away,2. Because there came to him the blind man (i.e. ‎‎'Abdullâh bin Umm-Maktûm, who came to the Prophet (peace and ‎blessings of Allah be upon him) while he was preaching to one or some ‎of the Quraish chiefs).3. But what could tell you that per chance he might ‎become pure (from sins)? ‎

Merits of Islam in the Area of Gatherings

‎1-Islam gives the same rights to both the rich and the poor in places of ‎gatherings, including in the mosques. ‎
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‎‎“Whoever gets up from his place then comes back to it, has more right to ‎it.” ‎

‎2- Islam forbids sitting between two persons without asking their ‎permission.‎

‎ 3- If three persons are sitting together, two may not converse secretly to ‎the exclusion of a third, because this is offensive.‎

‎4- Islam demands making room for newcomers in the place gatherings as ‎a sign of respect and cooperation.‎
‎58:‎‏ ‏‎11. O you who believe! When you are told to make room in the ‎assemblies, (spread out and) make room. Allâh will give you (ample) ‎room (from His Mercy). And when you are told to rise up [for prayers, ‎Jihâd (holy fighting in Allâh's Cause), or for any other good deed], rise ‎up. Allâh will exalt in degree those of you who believe, and those who ‎have been granted knowledge. And Allâh is Well-Acquainted with what ‎you do.‎

‎5- It is not permissible to remove a person from his place for someone ‎else to sit in it.‎

‎6- Islam urges respect for others and sets rules for greetings. ‎
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "The ‎younger one should offer salutation to the older one, and the one who is ‎going along to the one who is sitting, and the smaller group to the larger ‎group."‎

‎7- Islam requires Muslims to avoid places where a person feels he will be ‎exposed to the temptation of looking, if he can manage to avoid them, ‎such as going to marketplaces or malls, and sitting in the street. The ‎Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:" Beware of ‎sitting in the street.” They said, “We have no alternative; that is where we ‎sit and talk.” He said, “If you insist on sitting there, then give the street ‎its rights.” They said, “What are the rights of the street?” He said, ‎‎“Lowering the gaze and refraining from causing offence…”‎

Merits of Islam Regarding the Welfare of a Child Before and After ‎his Birth

‎1- Choosing a good spouse is one of the child's rights before he is born. A ‎woman must choose a husband known for being religious and enjoying ‎good manners.‎
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “If there ‎comes to you one whose religious commitment and attitude pleases you, ‎then marry [your female relative who is under your care] to him, for if ‎you do not do that, there will be tribulation on earth and much ‎corruption.” ‎
Also a man must choose a wife known for being religious and well ‎mannered.‎
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “This ‎world is temporary pleasures and the best of the temporary pleasures of ‎this world is a righteous wife.”‎

‎2- Parents are obliged to take all means and precautions which protect the ‎child from Satan's mischief.‎
When a man has intercourse with his wife, he should say: (In the name of ‎Allah, O Allah Keep us away from the Shaytaan(Satan), and keep the ‎Shaytaan away from what You bestow on us (our children)).” The ‎Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: If ‎Allah decrees that they should have a child, the Shaytaan; will never ‎harm him.”‎

‎3- A mother must take good care of her health during pregnancy to ‎guarantee her child good health, by eating nutritious food, and taking ‎vitamin supplements, she must also be under medical supervision and not ‎expose herself to anything which might endanger the baby's safety.‎

‎4- Islam permits the pregnant woman not to fast during the holy month of ‎Ramadhan to ensure her baby's health, she must make up for those days ‎later. ‎
‎2:184. [Observing Saum (fasts)] for a fixed number of days, but if any of ‎you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from ‎other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (e.g. an old ‎man, etc.), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskîn (poor ‎person) (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is ‎better for him. And that you fast, it is better for you if only you know. ‎

‎5- Islam postpones carrying out the penalty of adultery until after the ‎baby is born and weaned.‎

‎6- Islam gives the fetus its legal share of the inheritance. The family waits ‎until he is born to know if he is male or female, if he is one baby or more.‎

‎7- One of the rights is reciting through the newborn baby's ear the words ‎of calling for the prayer, they includes the Word of Divine Unity, which ‎is the testimony a person who embraces Islam has to say, and the last ‎words a dying Muslim says, this makes a person start and end his life as a ‎Muslim.‎

‎8- Tahnik; rubbing the newborn's gums with a finger covered with ‎chewed or mashed dates or any sweet is a tradition of the Prophet (peace ‎and blessings of Allah be upon him). ‎
Narrated Abu Musa: A son was born to me and I took him to the Prophet ‎‎(peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) who named him Ibrahim, did ‎Tahnik for him with a date, invoked Allah to bless him and returned him ‎to me. (The narrator added: That was Abu Musa's eldest son.) ‎

‎9- Islam demands that one of the baby's rights is nursing from his mother ‎for two years, because natural feeding is of great physical and moral ‎benefits to the baby. Islam lays on the father the responsibility of ‎providing for the mother during that time even if they were divorced.‎
‎2:‎‏ ‏‎233. The mothers shall give suck to their children for two whole years, ‎‎(that is) for those (parents) who desire to complete the term of suckling, ‎but the father of the child shall bear the cost of the mother's food and ‎clothing on a reasonable basis. No person shall have a burden laid on him ‎greater than he can bear. No mother shall be treated unfairly on account ‎of her child, nor father on account of his child. And on the (father's) heir ‎is incumbent the like of that (which was incumbent on the father). If they ‎both decide on weaning, by mutual consent, and after due consultation, ‎there is no sin on them. And if you decide on a foster suckling-mother for ‎your children, there is no sin on you, provided you pay (the mother) what ‎you agreed (to give her) on reasonable basis. And fear Allâh and know ‎that Allâh is All-Seer of what you do. ‎

‎10- Islam forbids a wife from concealing her pregnancy from her husband ‎in case of divorce, this is to ensure the lineage and inheritance rights of ‎the baby.‎
‎2:‎‏ ‏‎228. And divorced women shall wait (as regards their marriage) for ‎three menstrual periods, and it is not lawful for them to conceal what ‎Allâh has created in their wombs, if they believe in Allâh and the Last ‎Day. And their husbands have the better right to take them back in that ‎period, if they wish for reconciliation. And they (women) have rights ‎‎(over their husbands as regards living expenses, etc.) similar (to those of ‎their husbands) over them (as regards obedience and respect, etc.) to what ‎is reasonable, but men have a degree (of responsibility) over them. And ‎Allâh is All-Mighty, All-Wise. ‎

‎11- Islam forbids adopting children in the sense of omitting the name of ‎the biological father and replacing it with the adopted father's name, this ‎is to guard the lineage and the rights of inheritance, and to avoid marriage ‎problems in the future.‎
‎33: 5. Call them (adopted sons) by (the names of) their fathers, that is ‎more just with Allâh. But if you know not their father's (names, call ‎them) your brothers in faith and Mawâlîkum (your freed slaves). And ‎there is no sin on you if you make a mistake therein, except in regard to ‎what your hearts deliberately intend. And Allâh is Ever Oft¬Forgiving, ‎Most Merciful. ‎
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Whoever ‎calls himself by other than his father’s name‏ (‏or attributes himself to ‎someone other than his father), will be cursed by‏ ‏Allah, the angels and all ‎the people)‎

‎12- Giving the baby a nice name is among his rights, since it has ‎psychological and social affects on him in the future, also everyone will ‎be called by his name along with his father's name on the Day of ‎Judgment, so it better be good name.‎
It was narrated from Naafi’ that Ibn ‘Umar said: The Messenger of Allah ‎‎(peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The most beloved of ‎your names to Allah are ‘Abd-Allah and ‘Abd al-Rahmaan.” ‎

‎13- Slaughtering two sheep for a newborn baby boy and one sheep for a ‎girl is a tradition.‎
It was mentioned in a hadeeth of the Prophet (peace and blessings of ‎Allah be upon him): “Every child is in pledge for his ‘aqeeqah.” ‎

‎14- It is favorable to shave off the newborn's hair on the seventh day and ‎give the weight of the hair in silver as charity which is a way of helping ‎the poor and social cooperation. ‎
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) ‎slaughtered a sheep as the ‘aqeeqah for al-Hasan, and he said, “O ‎Faatimah, shave his head and give the weight of his hair in silver in ‎charity.” So she weighed it and its weight was a dirham or part of a ‎dirham. ‎

‎15- A male newborn must be circumcised for health reasons.‎
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: The Messenger of Allah (peace ‎and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The fitrah is five things, or ‎five things are part of the fitrah: circumcision, shaving the pubic hairs, ‎plucking the armpit hairs, clipping the nails and trimming the ‎moustache.”‎

‎16- The child’s rights with regard to education and upbringing:‎
Parents must take care of teaching their children the duties of Islam, and ‎worldly matters. They should instill in them the attributes of a good man, ‎such as love of sacrifice, putting others first, helping others, chivalry and ‎generosity. They should keep them away from evil characteristics such as ‎cowardice, stinginess, lack of chivalry, lack of ambition, etc. ‎
‎31:17. "O my son! Aqim¬is¬Salât (perform As¬Salât), enjoin (people) for ‎Al¬Ma'rûf (Islâmic Monotheism and all that is good), and forbid (people) ‎from Al¬Munkar (i.e. disbelief in the Oneness of Allâh, polytheism of all ‎kinds and all that is evil and bad), and bear with patience whatever befall ‎you. Verily! These are some of the important commandments ordered by ‎Allâh with no exemption.18. "And turn not your face away from men ‎with pride, nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily, Allâh likes ‎not each arrogant boaster.19. "And be moderate (or show no insolence) in ‎your walking, and lower your voice. Verily, the harshest of all voices is ‎the voice (braying) of the ass." ‎
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‎‎“Teach the child to pray when he is seven years old, and smack him if he ‎does not pray when he is ten.”‎
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‎‎“Each of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock. The ruler who ‎is in charge of people is a shepherd and is responsible for them. The man ‎is the shepherd of his household and is responsible for them. The woman ‎is the shepherd of her husband’s house and child and is responsible for ‎them. The slave is the shepherd of his master’s wealth and is responsible ‎for it. Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his ‎flock.” ‎

‎17- Parents must treat all their children in the same manner, they should ‎not prefer one child to the others, because it will lead to the evil ‎consequence of the children hating one another, and stoking the flames of ‎hatred and enmity between them.‎
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said to the father ‎of al-Nu’maan,“Would you like them to honour you equally?” He said, ‎‎“Yes.” In other words, if you want them all to honour you equally, then ‎be fair in giving gifts to them. ‎

‎18- If it so happens that the parents separate, then the mother has a ‎greater right to custody than the father, unless there is reason not to give ‎priority to the mother, or an option of giving the child the choice in the ‎matter. The reason why the mother is given priority is that she is the ‎primary caregiver and is the one who breastfeeds the child; she is also ‎better able to care for the child and take care of him. She has more ‎patience than a man in this regard, and has more time than he does, so the ‎mother is given priority in the best interests of the child.‎
It was reported from ‘Abd-Allah ibn ‘Umar that a woman said, “O ‎Messenger of Allah, my womb was a container for this son of mine and ‎my lap was a haven for him, and he drank from my breast, but his father ‎is claiming that he should take him from me.” The Prophet (peace and ‎blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “You have more right to him (to ‎custody of him) so long as you do not remarry.” ‎

‎19- Abortion and killing children is a great sin, which expose the doer to ‎punishment in Hell-Fire. However, the case is studied if the mother's life ‎is in jeopardy.‎
‎17:31. And kill not your children for fear of poverty. We provide for ‎them and for you. Surely, the killing of them is a great sin. ‎
‎60: 12. O Prophet! When believing women come to you to give you the ‎Bai'â (pledge), that they will not associate anything in worship with ‎Allâh, that they will not steal, that they will not commit illegal sexual ‎intercourse, that they will not kill their children, that they will not utter ‎slander, intentionally forging falsehood (i.e. by making illegal children ‎belonging to their husbands), and that they will not disobey you in any ‎Ma'rûf (Islâmic Monotheism and all that which Islâm ordains) then ‎accept their Bai'â (pledge), and ask Allâh to forgive them, Verily, Allâh is ‎Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. ‎

Merits of Islam in the Relationship Between Men &Women

‎1- Islam encourages marriage to prevent committing adultery, and ‎considers marriage to be one of the ways of the Messengers;‎
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‎‎“O young people, whoever among you can afford to get married, let him ‎do so, for it helps one to lower the gaze and protect the private parts (i.e., ‎remain chaste). Whoever cannot afford it, let him fast, for it is a ‎protection for him.”‎

‎2- If a man wants to get married but is unable to spend on a wife, then he ‎should adhere to the words of Allah.‎
‎24:33 “And let those who find not the financial means for marriage keep ‎themselves chaste, until Allâh enriches them of His Bounty”‎

‎3- Islam urges people to get married, and prohibits celibacy and ‎castration. It is forbidden to forego getting married even if the intention is to ‎devote oneself to worship. “There is no monasticism in Islam.” because ‎they are against his nature, and against having children.‎

‎4- Islam forbids adultery for the sake of reserving lineages, and to prevent ‎unlawful pregnancies and social problems.‎
‎17:‎‏ ‏‎32. And come not near to the unlawful sexual intercourse. Verily, it is ‎a Fâhishah [i.e. anything that transgresses its limits (a great sin)], and an ‎evil way (that leads one to Hell unless Allâh forgives him). ‎

‎5- Islam forbids accusing others of adultery and considers it a great sin. ‎‎24:‎‏ ‏‎15. When you were propagating it with your tongues, and uttering ‎with your mouths that whereof you had no knowledge, you counted it a ‎little thing, while with Allâh it was very great. ‎

‎6- Islam prohibits a man to be alone with a woman who is not a relative ‎he can't marry, because that causes temptation to do immoral and evil ‎actions. ‎
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “No man is ‎alone with a (non-mahram) woman but the Satan is the third one present.”‎

‎7- Islam forbids unlawful sexual relationships and marrying a woman not ‎chaste.‎
‎5:‎‏ ‏‎5. Made lawful to you this day are At¬Tayyibât [all kinds of Halâl ‎‎(lawful) foods, which Allâh has made lawful (meat of slaughtered eatable ‎animals, etc., milk products, fats, vegetables and fruits, etc.). The food ‎‎(slaughtered cattle, eatable animals, etc.) of the people of the ******ure ‎‎(Jews and Christians) is lawful to you and yours is lawful to ‎them. (Lawful to you in marriage) are chaste women from the believers ‎and chaste women from those who were given the ******ure (Jews and ‎Christians) before your time.‎‏ ‏

Merits of Islam in Personal Matters

‎1- Islam requires spiritual and bodily cleanliness.‎
‎2:‎‏ ‏‎222. They ask you concerning menstruation. Say: that is an Adha (a ‎harmful thing for a husband to have a sexual intercourse with his wife ‎while she is having her menses), therefore keep away from women during ‎menses and go not unto them till they have purified (from menses and ‎have taken a bath). And when they have purified themselves, then go in ‎unto them as Allah has ordained for you (go in unto them in any manner ‎as long as it is in their vagina). Truly, Allâh loves those who turn unto ‎Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves (by taking a ‎bath and cleaning and washing thoroughly their private parts, bodies, for ‎their prayers, etc.). ‎
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) out of one of the ‎gardens of Madeenah, and he heard the sounds of two people who were ‎being tormented in their graves. He said, ‘They are being punished, not ‎for something that was difficult to avoid, but it is nevertheless a major ‎sin. One of them did not protect himself from urine (i.e., take measures to ‎avoid contaminating himself or his clothes) and the other used to walk ‎about spreading tattling.”‎

‎2- Islam has prohibited alcoholic drinks and all intoxicating things which ‎
cause the destruction and annihilation of proper judgment and reason, ‎which is the most valuable gift in the world. ‎
‎5:‎‏ ‏‎90. O you who believe! Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks), ‎gambling, Al¬Ansâb , and Al¬Azlâm (arrows for seeking luck or decision) ‎are an abomination of Shaitân's (Satan) handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) ‎that (abomination) in order that you may be successful. ‎

‎3- Everything that happens in this universe, good or bad, happens by the ‎decree of Allah, under His control and by His will, therefore Islam forbids a ‎mentally healthy person of suicide and considers it a major sin and a bad ‎end. The one who kills himself in order to escape calamities or poverty or ‎the results of distress or anger has, by doing that, exposed himself to the ‎punishment of Allah, because he hastened to bring about his demise as if ‎he was objecting to Allah's will and decree. The society should provide ‎psychological treatment for those who need it.‎
‎4 : 29. O you who believe! Eat not up your property among yourselves ‎unjustly except it be a trade amongst you, by mutual consent. And do not ‎kill yourselves (nor kill one another). Surely, Allâh is Most Merciful to ‎you.‎
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever ‎kills himself with a piece of iron, that iron will be in his hand and he will ‎be stabbing himself in the stomach with it in Hell for ever and ever. ‎Whoever kills himself with poison, that poison will be in his hand and he ‎will be drinking it in Hell…” ‎

‎4- Islam vigorously raises the human ambitions and urges people not to ‎neglect their worldly interests, but warns against having no other concern ‎in life other than gaining materialistic things.‎
‎47: 36. The life of this world is but play and pastime, but if you believe ‎‎(in the Oneness of Allâh Islâmic Monotheism), and fear Allâh, and avoid ‎evil, He will grant you your wages, and will not ask you your wealth. ‎

‎5- Islam grants rights to everyone including the dead; it forbids speaking ‎ill of the dead; exposing their corpses, and not burying them, furthermore ‎it lays on their children the responsibility of paying charity on their ‎parents' behalf, paying back their debts, praying for them and being nice ‎to their friends.‎
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said “When the ‎son of Adam dies, his deeds come to an end apart from three: sadaqah ‎jaariyah (ongoing charity); beneficial knowledge; or a righteous son who ‎will make du’aa’ for him.”‎

‎6- Wishing for death due to suffering that one is passing through; praying ‎against one’s self, one’s children, one’s servants or one’s wealth is not ‎permissible because it brings harm.‎

Merits of Islam in Financial Matters

‎1- Islam preserves the property of others, prevents theft and sets severe ‎punishment for it.‎
‎5: 38. Cut off (from the wrist joint) the (right) hand of the thief, male or ‎female, as a recompense for that which they committed, a punishment by ‎way of example from Allâh. And Allâh is All¬Powerful, All¬Wise. ‎

‎2- Islam preserves money and forbids the foolish from wasting it, the ‎foolish is a person who is either too young, or without mental stability.‎
‎4:‎‏ ‏‎5. And give not unto the foolish your property which Allâh has made a ‎means of support for you , but feed and clothe them therewith, and speak ‎to them words of kindness and justice.‎
‎ ‎
‎3- Money is an endowment from Allah, therefore it must be spent in ways ‎He approves of.‎
‏ ‏‎9:34. O you who believe! Verily, there are many of the (Jewish) rabbis ‎and the (Christian) monks who devour the wealth of mankind in ‎falsehood, and hinder (them) from the Way of Allâh (i.e. Allâh's Religion ‎of Islâmic Monotheism). And those who hoard up gold and silver [Al-‎Kanz: the money, the Zakât of which has not been paid], and spend it not ‎in the Way of Allâh, -announce unto them a painful torment. ‎

‎4- Islam has a rule for property found without knowing its owner; it is not ‎permissible for anyone to pick up any kind of lost property unless he can ‎be sure that he will deal with it properly and that he is able to make the ‎necessary announcements
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was ‎asked about lost gold and silver. He said, ‘Know the details of the purse ‎and the string, then announce it for a year. If no one claims it, then ‎dispose of it, and it is like a trust in your hands. Then if the owner comes ‎along some day, give it to him.” He was asked about the sheep, and he ‎said, “Take it, because either it is for you, or your brother, or the wolf.” ‎He was asked about lost camels, and he said, “What has it got to do with ‎you? It has its water, it can walk to find water and it can eat trees until its ‎owner finds it.”‎

‎5- Islam forbids not giving full measure and full weight during selling, ‎buying or any other dealings.‎
‎6: 152. and give full measure and full weight with justice. We burden not ‎any person, but that which he can bear.‎
‎83: 1. Woe to Al-Mutaffifin [those who give less in measure and weight ‎‎(decrease the rights of others)], 2. Those who, when they have to receive ‎by measure from men, demand full measure, 3. And when they have to ‎give by measure or weight to men, give less than due. ‎
‎17:‎‏ ‏‎35. And give full measure when you measure, and weigh with a ‎balance that is straight. That is good (advantageous) and better in the end. ‎

‎6- Islam regulates the process of borrowing by legal ********s‎
‎2: 282. O you who believe! When you contract a debt for a fixed period, ‎write it down. Let a scribe write it down in justice between you. Let not ‎the scribe refuse to write as Allâh has taught him, so let him write. Let ‎him (the debtor) who incurs the liability dictate, and he must fear Allâh, ‎his Lord, and diminish not anything of what he owes. But if the debtor is ‎of poor understanding, or weak, or is unable himself to dictate, then let ‎his guardian dictate in justice. And get two witnesses out of your own ‎men. And if there are not two men (available), then a man and two ‎women, such as you agree for witnesses, so that if one of them (two ‎women) errs, the other can remind her. And the witnesses should not ‎refuse when they are called on (for evidence). You should not become ‎weary to write it (your contract), whether it be small or big, for its fixed ‎term, that is more just with Allâh; more solid as evidence, and more ‎convenient to prevent doubts among yourselves, save when it is a present ‎trade which you carry out on the spot among yourselves, then there is no ‎sin on you if you do not write it down. But take witnesses whenever you ‎make a commercial contract. Let neither scribe nor witness suffer any ‎harm, but if you do (such harm), it would be wickedness in you. So be ‎afraid of Allâh; and Allâh teaches you. And Allâh is the All-Knower of ‎each and everything. ‎

‎7- Paying off the debts is an obligation on those who are capable of doing ‎so.‎
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “For a rich ‎man to delay payment is wrongdoing.”‎
Islam also forbids asking for a loan with no intention of repaying it; to ‎take anything of the wealth of a fellow-Muslim, unless it is given freely. ‎
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said " “Whoever ‎takes people’s money but he intends to pay it back, Allah will pay it back ‎on their behalf, but whoever takes it and intends to destroy it, Allah will ‎destroy him.” ‎

‎8- Islam forbids usury because it inflicts injustice to one of the parties.‎
‎2: 275. Those who eat Ribâ (usury) will not stand (on the Day of ‎Resurrection) except like the standing of a person beaten by Shaitân ‎‎(Satan) leading him to insanity. That is because they say: "Trading is only ‎like Ribâ (usury)," whereas Allâh has permitted trading and forbidden ‎Ribâ (usury). So whosoever receives an admonition from his Lord and ‎stops eating Ribâ (usury) shall not be punished for the past; his case is for ‎Allâh (to judge); but whoever returns [to Ribâ (usury)], such are the ‎dwellers of the Fire - they will abide therein. ‎
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) ‎cursed ten people: the one who consumes ribaa, the one who pays ribaa, ‎the one who writes it down, the two who witness it, the one who makes it ‎lawful, the one for whom it is made lawful, the one who withholds ‎sadaqah (charity), the one who does tattoos and the one for whom ‎tattooing is done.”‎

‎9- Islam makes it mandatory to replace the item which a person borrows ‎from someone else and wastes it, this is to ensure the rights of the owner, ‎and to teach the borrower a lesson in how to guard and take good care of ‎what he was entrusted with.‎
‎2: 194 Then whoever transgresses the prohibition against you, you ‎transgress likewise against him

‎10- Islam urges defending personal properties, and gives the victim the ‎right to kill the aggressor if he had to.‎
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever ‎is killed defending his property is a shaheed (martyr), whoever is killed ‎defending himself is a shaheed, whoever is killed defending his religion is ‎a shaheed, and whoever is killed defending his family is a shaheed.”‎

‎11- Islam forbids wasting money needlessly, because the Almighty Allah ‎hates extravagance for it is harmful to the people, and might lead them to ‎become poor and unable to provide for their families.‎
‎57: 7. Believe in Allâh and His Messenger (Muhammad), and spend of ‎that whereof He has made you trustees. And such of you as believe and ‎spend (in Allâh's Way), theirs will be a great reward. ‎
‎2: 195. And spend in the Cause of Allâh (i.e. Jihâd of all kinds, etc.) and ‎do not throw yourselves into destruction (by not spending your wealth in ‎the Cause of Allâh), and do good. Truly, Allâh loves Al-Muhsinûn (the ‎good-doers). ‎
‎ 17: 26. And give to the kindred his due and to the Miskîn (poor) and to ‎the wayfarer. But spend not wastefully (your wealth) in the manner of a ‎spendthrift . 27. Verily, spendthrifts are brothers of the Shayatîn (devils), ‎and the Shaitân (Devil ¬ Satan) is ever ungrateful to his Lord. ‎
‎ 5:31. O Children of Adam! Take your adornment (by wearing your clean ‎clothes), while praying and going round (the Tawâf of ) the Ka'bah, and ‎eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allâh) likes ‎not Al-Musrifûn (those who waste by extravagance). ‎
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Allah has ‎forbidden you to disobey your mothers, to bury infant girls alive, to ‎withhold the rights of others, to demand what is not rightfully yours, to ‎pass on everything that you hear, to ask too many questions and to waste ‎money.”‎

‎12- Islam forbids the capable from begging and orders people to earn ‎their living by working in all kinds of legal areas such as agriculture, and ‎trading. ‎
‎67: 15. He it is, Who has made the earth subservient to you (i.e. easy for ‎you to walk, to live and to do agriculture on it, etc.), so walk in the path ‎thereof and eat of His provision, and to Him will be the Resurrection. ‎
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “No man ‎eats better food than the one who earns it with his own hands. The ‎Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) of Allah Dawood ‎‎(peace be upon him) used to eat from what he earned with his own hands.‎
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‎‎“For one of you to chop wood and carry it on his back is better for him ‎than asking (begging) from anyone who will either give him something or ‎refuse to give him anything.” ‎
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said “Asking (for ‎help) is not permissible except in three cases: a man who has been stricken ‎by poverty, (so obvious) that three wise men of his people would say that So ‎and so is stricken by poverty. Then asking is permissible for him, so that he ‎can get enough for his basic needs.” ‎

‎13- Islam forbids people from earning their living from illegal means.‎
‎23: 15. He it is, Who has made the earth subservient to you (i.e. easy for ‎you to walk, to live and to do agriculture on it, etc.), so walk in the path ‎thereof and eat of His provision, and to Him will be the Resurrection. ‎
‎2: 172. O you who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic ‎Monotheism)! Eat of the lawful things that We have provided you with, ‎and be grateful to Allâh, if it is indeed He Whom you worship. ‎
‎23: 51. O (you) Messengers! Eat of the Taiyibât [all kinds of Halâl (legal) ‎foods which Allâh has made legal (meat of slaughtered eatable animals, ‎milk products, fats, vegetables, fruits, etc.], and do righteous ‎deeds. Verily! I am Well-Acquainted with what you do. ‎
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‎‎“O people, Allah is Good and only accepts that which is good. Allah ‎commanded the pious to follow the same commandments as He gave to ‎the Messengers. He says (interpretation of the meaning):‘O (you) ‎Messengers! Eat of the Tayyibaat [all kinds of Halaal (lawful) foods ‎which Allah has made lawful (meat of slaughtered eatable animals, milk ‎products, fats, vegetables, fruits)] and do righteous deeds. Verily, I am ‎Well-Acquainted with what you do’ [al-Mu’minoon 23:51]‎
‎‘O you who believe (in the Oneness of Allah — Islamic Monotheism)! ‎Eat of the lawful things that We have provided you with’ [2:172]‎
Then he mentioned a man who has traveled on a long journey and is ‎dishevelled and covered with dust; he stretches forth his hands to the ‎heaven, (saying) “O Lord, O Lord”, but his food is haraam (from ‎unlawful means), his drink is haraam, all his nourishment is haraam, so ‎how can his du’aa (prayer) be accepted?” ‎
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‎‎“Whoever gives charity equal to a date from good (halal) earnings – for ‎Allah does not accept anything but that which is good – Allah will take it ‎in His right hand and tend it for the one who gave it as any one of you ‎tends his foal, until it becomes like a mountain.”‎

‎14- Islam forbids being a miser, because it reflects distrust in Allah, and ‎deprives the poor from getting help which is a must.‎
‎17: 29. And let not your hand be tied (like a miser) to your neck, nor ‎stretch it forth to its utmost reach (like a spendthrift), so that you become ‎blameworthy and in severe poverty. ‎
‎2: 195. And spend in the Cause of Allâh (i.e. Jihâd of all kinds, etc.) and ‎do not throw yourselves into destruction (by not spending your wealth in ‎the Cause of Allâh), and do good. Truly, Allâh loves Al-Muhsinûn (the ‎good-doers). ‎

‎15- Islam forbids all kinds of selling which involve ignorance (of the ‎product), misleading and cheating; selling blood, wine, pork, idols and ‎everything that Allah has forbidden - their price, whether bought or sold - ‎is unlawful, forbids najash, which is offering a price for something one ‎has no intention of buying, as happens in many auctions; concealing a ‎product’s faults at the time of selling; selling something which one does ‎not own or before it comes into one’s possession; undercutting, ‎outbidding or out bargaining another; selling produce before it is clear ‎that it is in good condition and free of blemish.‎

‎16- It is forbidden to bet or gamble; to take anything by force; and to ‎accept or offer bribes.‎

Merits of Islam in the area of Ethics
‎
‏ ‏
‎1- Islam calls for self-discipline and forbids a person from reacting to self ‎urges. ‎
‎29: 69. As for those who strive hard in Us (Our Cause), We will surely ‎guide them to Our Paths (i.e. Allâh's Religion - Islâmic Monotheism). ‎And verily, Allâh is with the Muhsinûn (good doers)." ‎
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), used to say: ‎‎"The best of you are those who have the most excellent morals."‎

‎ 2- Islam demands good treatment of parents to the degree that it is ‎connected with monotheism.‎
‎17: 23. And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And ‎that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain ‎old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at ‎them but address them in terms of honour. 24. And lower unto them the ‎wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: "My Lord! ‎Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was small." ‎
‎ ‎
‎3- Islam prohibits arrogance and looking down on others. Arrogance is ‎one of the characteristics of Satan.‎
‎28: 76. Verily, Qârûn (Korah) was of Mûsa's (Moses) people, but he ‎behaved arrogantly towards them. And We gave him of the treasures, that ‎of which the keys would have been a burden to a body of strong men. ‎When his people said to him: "Do not be glad (with ungratefulness to ‎Allâh's Favours). Verily! Allâh likes not those who are glad (with ‎ungratefulness to Allâh's Favours). ‎
‎23: 37. And walk not on the earth with conceit and arrogance. Verily, you ‎can neither rend nor penetrate the earth, nor can you attain a stature like ‎the mountains in height.‎
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “No one ‎who has an atom’s-weight of arrogance in his heart will enter Paradise.” ‎A man said, “O Messenger of Allah, what if a man likes his clothes and ‎his shoes to look good?” He said, “Allah is Beautiful and loves beauty. ‎Arrogance means rejecting the truth and looking down on people.” ‎

‎4- Tattling (nameemah) is a major sin. It means telling some people what ‎others have said about them in order to cause trouble among them.‎
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “No person ‎who spreads nameemah will enter Paradise.” According to another report, ‎‎“No eavesdropper (qattaat)…A qattaat is someone who spreads ‎nameemah.‎

‎5- Islam prohibits lying. One of the worst kinds of lying is to lie about ‎dreams, like fabricating dreams and visions in order to prove one’s virtue, ‎or make some material gains, or to frighten an enemy.‎
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‎‎‘You must be truthful, for truthfulness leads to righteousness and ‎righteousness leads to Paradise. A man will keep speaking the truth and ‎striving to speak the truth until he will be recorded with Allah as a ‎siddeeq (speaker of the truth). Beware of telling lies, for lying leads to ‎immorality and immorality leads to Hellfire. A man will keep telling lies ‎and striving to tell lies until he is recorded with Allah as a liar.”‎‏ ‏

‎6- Islam forbids baseless suspicions, because it results in distrust and bad ‎relationships. ‎
‎49: 12. O you who believe! Avoid much suspicions, indeed some ‎suspicions are sins. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one ‎of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate ‎backbiting) . And fear Allâh. Verily, Allâh is the One Who accepts ‎repentance, Most Merciful. ‎
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‘Beware of ‎suspicion, for suspicion is the falsest of speech. Do not eavesdrop; do not ‎spy on one another; do not envy one another; do not forsake one another; ‎do not hate one another. Be, O slaves of Allah, brothers.”‎

‎7- Islam encourages forgiveness and urges conciliation.‎
‎24: 22 Let them pardon and forgive. Do you not love that Allâh should ‎forgive you? And Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.‎
‎4: 114. There is no good in most of their secret talks save (in) him who ‎orders Sadaqah (charity in Allâh's Cause), or Ma'rûf (Islâmic ‎Monotheism and all the good and righteous deeds which Allâh has ‎ordained), or conciliation between mankind, and he who does this, ‎seeking the good Pleasure of Allâh, We shall give him a great reward.‎
‎3: 134. Those who spend [in Allâh's Cause - deeds of charity, alms, etc.] ‎in prosperity and in adversity, who repress anger, and who pardon men; ‎verily, Allâh loves Al-Muhsinûn (the good¬doers). ‎

‎8- Islam forbids bad language, insults, slander and backbiting.‎
‎4: 148. Allâh does not like that the evil should be uttered in public except ‎by him who has been wronged. And Allâh is Ever All¬Hearer, All¬Knower. ‎
It is not permitted to curse one's children or anyone else among the ‎Muslims, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) ‎said: “Trading insults with a Muslim is evildoing and fighting him is kufr ‎‎(disbelief).” And he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‎‎“Cursing a believer is like killing him.”‎
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‎‎“The believer does not slander, curse, or speak in an obscene or foul ‎manner.”‎
‎104: 1. Woe to every slanderer and backbiter. ‎

‎9- Islam encourages socializing with others, individual worshiping ‎because it is sign of not showing off and hypocrisy.‎
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “You will ‎not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you ‎love one another. Shall I not tell you of that which will strengthen love ‎between you? Spread (the greeting of) salam amongst yourselves.”‎

‎10- Islam warns against harming other Muslims.‎
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The ‎Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hand the Muslims are safe.”‎
‏ ‏
‎11- Islam sets a group of acts that are for the benefit of others.‎
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The rights ‎of one Muslim over another are five: returning the greeting of salam, ‎saying ‘yarhamuk Allah (may Allah have mercy on you)’ when he ‎sneezes, accepting invitations, visiting the sick and attending funerals.”‎
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:“The best of ‎companions with Allah is the one who is best to his companion, and the ‎best of neighbors with Him is the one who is best to his neighbour.”)‎

‎12- Islam forbids mischief and destruction of properties.‎
‎2: 205. And when he turns away (from you "O Muhammad ), his effort in ‎the land is to make mischief therein and to destroy the crops and the ‎cattle, and Allâh likes not mischief. ‎

‎13- Islam forbids inflicting wrong upon others.‎
‎3: 57. And as for those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh) and do ‎righteous good deeds, Allâh will pay them their reward in full. And Allâh ‎does not like the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers). ‎
‎33: 58. And those who annoy believing men and women undeservedly, ‎bear on themselves the crime of slander and plain sin. ‎
Taking another person’s property unjustly is forbidden, because the ‎Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Your blood, ‎your property and your honour are sacred to you.” And he (peace and ‎blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The property of a Muslim is not ‎permissible unless he gives his consent.” ‎
The property that is seized by force may be real estate or it may be ‎moveable goods, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be ‎upon him) said: “Whoever seizes a handspan of land unlawfully, will ‎surround him to the depth of seven earth.‎
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Beware of ‎wrongdoing, for wrongdoing will be darkness on the Day of ‎Resurrection.” ‎
And he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said that Allah, may ‎He be glorified and exalted, said: “O My slaves, I have forbidden ‎wrongdoing to Myself and I have made it haraam among you, so do not ‎wrong one another.”‎

‎14- Islam forbids deceit. 4: 107. And argue not on behalf of those who ‎deceive themselves. Verily, Allâh does not like anyone who is a betrayer ‎of his trust, and indulges in crime. ‎

‎15- Islam demands fulfilling treaties even with the enemy.‎
‎9: 4. Except those of the Mushrikûn with whom you have a treaty, and ‎who have not subsequently failed you in aught, nor have supported ‎anyone against you. So fulfill their treaty to them to the end of their term. ‎Surely Allâh loves Al- Muttaqûn (the pious). ‎
‎3: 76. Yes, whoever fulfils his pledge and fears Allâh much; verily, then ‎Allâh loves those who are Al-Muttaqûn (the pious - see V.2:2). ‎

‎16- Islam encourages patience.‎
‎3: 146. And many a Prophet (i.e. many from amongst the Prophets) ‎fought (in Allâh's Cause) and along with him (fought) large bands of ‎religious learned men. But they never lost heart for that which did befall ‎them in Allâh's Way, nor did they weaken nor degrade themselves. And ‎Allâh loves As-Sâbirin (the patient ones, etc.). ‎
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said;" Whoever ‎controls his anger at the time when he has the means to act upon it, Allah ‎will fill his heart with *******ment on the Day of Resurrection."‎
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:" The strong ‎man is not the one who can overpower others (in wrestling); rather, the ‎strong man is the one who controls himself when he gets angry.‎

‎17- Islam calls for consultation and trusting Allah before acting.‎
‎3:‎‏ ‏‎159. and consult them in the affairs. Then when you have taken a ‎decision, put your trust in Allâh, certainly, Allâh loves those who put ‎their trust (in Him).‎

‎18- Islam demands justice.‎
‎5: 42. (They like to) listen to falsehood, to devour anything forbidden. So ‎if they come to you (O Muhammad), either judge between them, or turn ‎away from them. If you turn away from them, they cannot hurt you in the ‎least. And if you judge, judge with justice between them. Verily, Allâh ‎loves those who act justly. ‎

‎19 - Islam calls for removing harmful items from the roads and ‎sidewalks.‎
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said “Faith has ‎seventy-odd branches, the highest of which is saying Laa Ilaha ill-Allah ‎‎(there is go god except Allah) and the least of which is removing a ‎harmful thing from the road.” ‎

Merits of Islam in its Flexibility and Adaptation to Changes

Islam has the flexibility to maintain originality and relevance to all times ‎and places:‎‏ ‏‎-‎
‎1- A Muslim can shorten and join two prayers in some cases, such as ‎when he is sick or traveling, which makes praying easy for him.‎
‎4: 101. And when you (Muslims) travel in the land, there is no sin on you ‎if you shorten your Salât (prayer) if you fear that the disbelievers may ‎attack you, verily, the disbelievers are ever unto you open enemies. ‎

‎2- During wars or times of fear, Muslims can pray in a very easy way.‎
‎4: 102. When you (O Messenger Muhammad) are among them, and lead ‎them in As-Salât (the prayer), let one party of them stand up [in Salât ‎‎(prayer)] with you taking their arms with them; when they finish their ‎prostrations, let them take their positions in the rear and let the other party ‎come up which has not yet prayed, and let them pray with you taking all ‎the precautions and bearing arms. Those who disbelieve wish, if you were ‎negligent of your arms and your baggage, to attack you in a single rush, ‎but there is no sin on you if you put away your arms because of the ‎inconvenience of rain or because you are ill, but take every precaution for ‎yourselves. Verily, Allâh has prepared a humiliating torment for the ‎disbelievers. ‎

‎3- The poor and disabled are exempt from performing the duty of ‎pilgrimage.‎
‎3: 97. And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka'bah) is a duty ‎that mankind owes to Allâh, those who can afford the expenses (for one's ‎conveyance, provision and residence); ‎

‎4- The sick, travelers, nursing and pregnant women are exempt from ‎fasting until their situation changes and they become able to fast.‎
‎2: 184. [Observing Saum (fasts)] for a fixed number of days, but if any of ‎you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from ‎other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (e.g. an old ‎man, etc.), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskîn (poor ‎person) (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is ‎better for him. And that you fast, it is better for you if only you know. ‎

‎5- The disabled are exempt from participating in holy fighting.‎
‎9: 91. There is no blame on those who are weak or ill or who find no ‎resources to spend [in holy fighting (Jihâd)], if they are sincere and true ‎‎(in duty) to Allâh and His Messenger. No ground (of complaint) can there ‎be against the Muhsinûn (good-doers - see the footnote of V.9:120). And ‎Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. ‎

‎6- Wiping some parts of the body with clean soil or sand is a replacement ‎for ablution at times when water is not available.‎
‎4: 43. O you who believe! Approach not As¬Salât (the prayer) when you ‎are in a drunken state until you know (the meaning) of what you utter, nor ‎when you are in a state of Janâba, (i.e. in a state of sexual impurity and ‎have not yet taken a bath) except when travelling on the road (without ‎enough water, or just passing through a mosque), till you wash your ‎whole body. And if you are ill, or on a journey, or one of you comes after ‎answering the call of nature, or you have been in contact with women (by ‎sexual relations) and you find no water, perform Tayammum with clean ‎earth and rub therewith your faces and hands (Tayammum) . Truly, Allâh ‎is Ever Oft¬Pardoning, Oft¬Forgiving. ‎

‎7- Poor people who do not have the designated amount of savings for a ‎whole year are exempt from paying alms, even a person who owns the ‎minimum threshold, but he is poor may give and be given alms. ‎

‎8- All unlawful foods with the exception of human flesh, food or drink ‎which might lead to death become lawful at times when a Muslim is ‎starving and in danger of dying, the amount must not be filling his ‎stomach, but just enough to prevent that danger.‎
‎16: 115. He has forbidden you only Al-Maytatah (meat of a dead animal), ‎blood, the flesh of swine, and any animal which is slaughtered as a ‎sacrifice for others than Allâh (or has been slaughtered for idols etc. or on ‎which Allâh's Name has not been mentioned while slaughtering). But if ‎one is forced by necessity, without wilful disobedience, and not ‎transgressing, then, Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. ‎
‎6: 119. And why should you not eat of that (meat) on which Allâh's Name ‎has been pronounced (at the time of slaughtering the animal), while He ‎has explained to you in detail what is forbidden to you, except under ‎compulsion of necessity? And surely many do lead (mankind) astray by ‎their own desires through lack of knowledge. Certainly your Lord knows ‎best the transgressors. ‎

‎9- Shares in inheritance are adapted to the amount which is inherited, so ‎that the quotas for each heir is the same as the original. ‎

‎10- Islam forbids changing the shapes of the body organs because the ‎purpose is to change the creation of Allah, but allows cosmetic operations ‎in case there is a deformation, which causes harm for the person. ‎
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) gave permission to ‎a man whose nose had been cut off in battle to wear a nose made of gold. ‎
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) cursed ‎those women who pluck their eyebrows and file their teeth for the purpose ‎of beautification and change the creation of Allah. ‎

‎11- Islam balances between acts of worship and life's daily demands.‎
‎'Abd Allah ibn 'Amr reported, The Messenger of Allah, peace and ‎blessings of Allah be on him, said to me, "O 'Abd Allah! Am I not told ‎that thou fastest in the day time and standest up in devotion during the ‎night?" I said, Yes, O Messenger of Allah. He said: "Do not do so; keep ‎fast and break it and stand up in devotion (in the night)‎

Merits of Islam in Social Relations

‎1- Islam does not discriminate between Muslims and others when giving ‎charity, and gives relatives and neighbors great rights, even if they are not ‎Muslims.‎
‎4:‎‏ ‏‎36. Worship Allâh and join none with Him in worship, and do good to ‎parents, kinsfolk, orphans, Al-Masâkin (the poor), the neighbour who is ‎near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger, the companion by your side, ‎the wayfarer (you meet), and those (slaves) whom your right hands ‎possess. Verily, Allâh does not like such as are proud and boastful; ‎
‎29:‎‏ ‏‎8. And We have enjoined on man to be good and dutiful to his ‎parents, but if they strive to make you join with Me (in worship) anything ‎‎(as a partner) of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not. Unto ‎Me is your return, and I shall tell you what you used to do. ‎

‎2 - Islam encourages strong relations between relatives and friends ‎including allowing them to eat from their homes given advanced ‎knowledge of their permission.‎
‎24:‎‏ ‏‎61. There is no restriction on the blind, nor any restriction on the ‎lame, nor any restriction on the sick, nor on yourselves, if you eat from ‎your houses, or the houses of your fathers, or the houses of your mothers, ‎or the houses of your brothers, or the houses of your sisters, or the houses ‎of your father's brothers, or the houses of your father's sisters, or the ‎houses of your mother's brothers, or the houses of your mother's sisters, ‎or (from that) whereof you hold keys, or (from the house) of a friend. No ‎sin on you whether you eat together or apart. But when you enter the ‎houses, greet one another with a greeting from Allâh (i.e. say: As-Salâmu ‎‎'Alaikum - peace be on you) blessed and good. Thus Allâh makes clear ‎the Ayât (these Verses or your religious symbols and signs, etc.) to you ‎that you may understand. ‎

‎3- Islam requires authorization to enter a house when the owners are in it, ‎this is because they may not be in a position to receive guests.‎
‎24:‎‏ ‏‎27. O you who believe! Enter not houses other than your own, until ‎you have asked permission and greeted those in them, that is better for ‎you, in order that you may remember. 28. And if you find no one therein, ‎still, enter not until permission has been given. And if you are asked to go ‎back, go back, for it is purer for you, and Allâh is All-Knower of what ‎you do. ‎

‎4- Islam calls for respecting the elderly and being compassionate towards ‎the young.‎
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‎‎“He is not one of us who does not show mercy to our young ones and ‎show respect to our old ones.”‎

‎5- Islam encourages fostering orphans.‎
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‎‎“The one who sponsors an orphan, whether he belongs to him or to ‎someone else, and I will be like these two in Paradise”‎

‎6- Islam prohibits harming neighbors.‎
The Messenger of Allāh, peace and blessings of Allāh be on him, ‎said:"Whoever believes in Allāh and the latter day should not harm his ‎neighbour, and whoever believes in Allāh and the latter day should ‎honour his guest."‎

‎7- Islam imposes rights and duties upon Muslims toward other Muslims.‎
The Messenger of Allāh, peace and blessings of Allāh be on him, said:"A ‎Muslim owes to a Muslim six (duties) to be bestowed liberally--he should ‎offer him salutation when he meets him,12 and he should accept when he ‎invites him, and he should pray for him when he sneezes, and he should ‎visit him when he is sick, and he should follow his bier when he dies, and ‎he should love for him what he loves for himself."‎

Merits of Islam in Applying the Rulings for Felonies

‎1- Carrying out the rules specified for some kinds of felonies prevents ‎people from committing those felonies, therefore limits the numbers of ‎felonies which is a way of protecting society and people's lives and their ‎properties. It also expiates being punished for them on the Day of ‎Judgment.‎
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, ‎with a group of his companions standing around him: “Come and give me ‎your oath of allegiance, promising that you will not associate anything in ‎worship with Allah, or steal, or commit zinaa (illegal sexual activity), or ‎kill your children, or utter slander intentionally forging falsehood (by ‎wrongfully attributing illegitimate children to husbands), or disobey me ‎with regard to anything good (ma’roof). Whoever among you fulfils this ‎oath, his reward will be due from Allah, and whoever commits any of ‎these sins and is punished for it in this world, this will be an expiation for ‎him. Whoever commits any of these sins and Allah conceals it for him, ‎then his case rests with Allah – if He wills, He will punish him and if He ‎wills, He will forgive him.” So they gave their oath of allegiance to him ‎on that basis.‎
A Ghamidi woman came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be ‎upon him) asking him to carry out the punishment on her for adultry after ‎she had repented, he said concerning her: “She has repented in a manner ‎that if the people of Madeenah were to repent in this way, it would be ‎sufficient for them.”‎

‎2- Apostasy is a kind of treason to the state which the person lives in, it ‎threatens its stability and strength, therefore Islam calls for killing the ‎apostate to protect Islamic societies, as all states execute traitors to death.‎
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever ‎changes his religion, execute him.”‎
Also the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “It is ‎not permissible to shed the blood of a Muslim who bears witness that ‎there is no god except Allah and that I am His Messenger, except in one ‎of three cases: a soul for a soul (i.e., in the case of murder); a married ‎man who commits adultery; and one who leaves his religion and splits ‎form the jamaa’ah (main group of Muslims).”‎

‎3- Islam prohibits homicide, and considers killing an innocent person, a ‎great sin, which requires a severe punishment, but the Holy Quran keeps ‎the door open for the victim's family to choose between implementing the ‎law, taking a ransom, or pardoning the criminal.‎
‎2: 178. O you who believe ! Al-Qisâs (the Law of Equality in ‎punishment) is prescribed for you in case of murder: the free for the free, ‎the slave for the slave, and the female for the female. But if the killer is ‎forgiven by the brother (or the relatives, etc.) of the killed against blood ‎money, then adhering to it with fairness and payment of the blood money, ‎to the heir should be made in fairness. This is an alleviation and a mercy ‎from your Lord. So after this whoever transgresses the limits (i.e. kills the ‎killer after taking the blood money), he shall have a painful torment. ‎
The purpose behind the law is to protect people's lives, because when ‎someone knows he will be executed if he killed someone, he will ‎definitely refrain from doing the killing. 179. And there is (a saving of) ‎life for you in Al-Qisâs (the Law of Equality in punishment), O men of ‎understanding, that you may become Al-Muttaqûn (the pious ). ‎
It is not permissible to kill a no-Muslim who is not hostile or who has a ‎legitimate peace treaty with the Muslims; rather treating a non-hostile ‎non-Muslim with kindness is part of the Islamic religion, especially if that ‎is done to call him to Islam and soften his heart (towards Islam). ‎
‎2: 190. And fight in the Way of Allâh those who fight you, but transgress ‎not the limits. Truly, Allâh likes not the transgressors. [This Verse is the ‎first one that was revealed in connection with Jihâd, but it was ‎supplemented by another.‎
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “There ‎should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm.” ‎
At times of war against the non-Muslims, it is not permissible for a ‎Muslim to deliberately kill a non-Muslim child or woman who is not ‎bearing arms against the Muslims or helping in the fight. ‎
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said to the ‎Muslim army: “Go out in the name of Allah and by the help of Allah, ‎following the way of the Messenger of Allah. Do not kill any old man, ‎infant, child or woman… spread goodness and do good, for Allah loves ‎those who do good.” ‎
This is suported by the advice which Abu Bakr al-Siddeeq (may Allah be ‎pleased with him) gave to the commander of his army: “I advise you of ‎ten things: do not kill a woman, or a child, or any old person, or cut down ‎any fruit trees…” ‎
Islam calls for treating non-Muslim captives in a kind way befitting for a ‎human soul. It is also not permissible to mutilate corpses of the enemy. ‎This is contrary to what we see on the media of the horrible atrocities ‎committed by the evil Crusaders, Zionists and Seculars towards Muslims ‎in every part of the world.‎

‎4- Drinking alcohol, and taking harmful drugs is forbidden. This is ‎because intoxicants and drugs destroy the health, nerves, mind, reasoning, ‎the digestive system, and other negative effects, which affect the entire ‎body, and damages dignity and honor, as the personality becomes fragile. ‎It also leads to the mistreatment of the wife and children, arguments, ‎insults, repeated utterance of divorce, breaking of things, and not ‎spending properly on the home. This naturally affects the society by the ‎destruction of wealth with no positive return, which affects the man’s ‎interests and leads to the failure to fulfill duties and loss of public trusts, ‎whether that has to do with the interests of the state, institutions or ‎individuals. This is in addition to the damage caused by criminal acts ‎against people, property and honor. ‎
‎5: 90. O you who believe! Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks), ‎gambling, Al¬Ansâb , and Al¬Azlâm (arrows for seeking luck or decision) ‎are an abomination of Shaitân's (Satan) handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) ‎that (abomination) in order that you may be successful.91. Shaitân ‎‎(Satan) wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with ‎intoxicants (alcoholic drinks) and gambling, and hinder you from the ‎remembrance of Allâh and from As-Salât (the prayer). So, will you not ‎then abstain? ‎
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‎‎“Alcohol is the mother of all evils, the greatest of major sins. Whoever ‎drinks it may end up committing incest with his mother, his maternal aunt ‎and his paternal aunt.”‎

‎5- The thief is a corrupt element in society, who transgresses against ‎property, which is not his, and causes great harm to the victim. If he is ‎left unpunished, his corruption will spread and infect the body of the ‎society, therefore Islam puts a strict ruling against thieves.‎
‎5: 38. Cut off (from the wrist joint) the (right) hand of the thief, male or ‎female, as a recompense for that which they committed, a punishment by ‎way of example from Allâh. And Allâh is All¬Powerful, All¬Wise. ‎
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “May Allah ‎curse the thief who steals an egg and has his hand cut off, or steals a rope ‎and has his hand cut off.”‎‏ ‏
If this ruling was applied in the societies which are ******* with man-‎made laws, and which have cast aside the law of Allah and replaced it ‎with human laws, this would be the most beneficial treatment for this ‎phenomenon, but the matter is as Allah says: 5:50 Do they then seek the ‎judgment of (the days of) Ignorance? And who is better in judgment than ‎Allah for a people who have firm Faith” ‎

‎6- Acts which inflict harm on others, such as terrorizing people, ‎circulating rumors which might cause trouble, selling drugs, purposely-‎spreading contagious diseases like AIDS, highwayman bandits are ‎forbidden in Islam.‎
‎5: 33. The recompense of those who wage war against Allâh and His ‎Messenger and do mischief in the land is only that they shall be killed or ‎crucified or their hands and their feet be cut off on the opposite sides, or ‎be exiled from the land. That is their disgrace in this world, and a great ‎torment is theirs in the Hereafter. ‎

‎7- Many kinds of corruptions occur as results of adultery, like the mixing ‎of lineages, destruction of families, the spread of fatal diseases, injustice ‎in distributing the inheritance and so on, that's why Islam forbids ‎unlawful relationships and sets severe punishment for adulterers.‎
‎24: 2. The woman and the man guilty of illegal sexual intercourse, flog ‎each of them with a hundred stripes. Let not pity withhold you in their ‎case, in a punishment prescribed by Allâh, if you believe in Allâh and the ‎Last Day. And let a party of the believers witness their punishment. (This ‎punishment is for unmarried persons guilty of the above crime but if ‎married persons commit it, the punishment is to stone them to death, ‎according to Allâh's Law). ‎
The Prophet (Peace‏ & ‏Blessings of Allah be‏ ‏upon Him) said: ‘Receive ‎‎(teaching) from me, receive (teaching) from‏ ‏me. Allah has made another ‎way for those (women). When an unmarried man commits‏ ‏adultery with ‎an unmarried woman, (they should receive) one hundred lashes, and‏ ‏banishment for one year. In the case of a married male committing ‎adultery with‏ ‏a married female, they should receive one hundred lashes ‎and be stoned to‏ ‏death‏.’‏

‎8- The crime of homosexuality is one of the greatest of sins, the worst of ‎acts, and the most abhorrent of deeds, and Allah punished those who did ‎it in a way that He did not punish other nations. It is indicative of ‎violation of the disposition, total misguidance, weak intellect and lack of ‎religious commitment, and it is a sign of doom and deprivation of the ‎mercy of Allah. ‎
‎5: 81. ‘Verily, you practice your lusts on men instead of women. Nay, but ‎you are a people transgressing beyond bounds (by committing great ‎sins).’ 82. And the answer of his people was only that they said: ‘Drive ‎them out of your town, these are indeed men who want to be pure (from ‎sins)!’83. Then We saved him and his family, except his wife; she was of ‎those who remained behind (in the torment).84. And We rained down on ‎them a rain (of stones). Then see what was the end of the Mujrimoon ‎‎(criminals, polytheists and sinners)”‎
‎15: 72 Verily, by your life (O Muhammad), in their wild intoxication, ‎they were wandering blindly. 73. So As Saihah (torment — awful cry) ‎overtook them at the time of sunrise.74. And We turned (the towns of ‎Sodom in Palestine) upside down and rained down on them stones of ‎baked clay.75. Surely, in this are signs for those who see (or understand ‎or learn the lessons from the Signs of Allah).76. And verily, they (the ‎cities) were right on the highroad (from Makkah to Syria, i.e. the place ‎where the Dead Sea is now)”.‎
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‎‎“Whoever you find doing the action of the people of Loot, execute the ‎one who does it and the one to whom it is done.”.‎
Also the Prophet of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) ‎said: “May Allah curse the one who does the action of the people of Loot, ‎may Allah curse the one who does the action of the people of Loot,” three ‎times. ‎

Finally, I thank the Almighty Allah for making us Muslims.‎
Peace and blessings of Allah be on our Prophet

masha2 allah wal kwet ila bellah
well said sis mash2 allah
may allah bless u sis
jzakom allah kol 5yer ya rab

Same to you dear sister
and salam

may allah accept this humble effort make it effective in spreading the message of islam
god bless you sister:p012:

God bless you too sister

Assalamu alaykum

the articles along with their Arabic translations are available in an e-book:

http://www.eltwhed.com/download/lagna/MERITS_OF_ISLAM.rar

http://up.9q9q.net/up/index.php?f=mpKfFeTTs

لا اله الا الله والله اكبر
والله انا عثرت على ضالتى عندك يا اختى muslimah الله اكبر عليكى ومشا الله انا كنت ببحث عن موضوعك والله مش عارف اقول ايه لكن ممكن حضرتك تشاعدينى اكتر لو احتجت ليك لانى انا فى مازق حقيقى
انا تعرفت على واحد من انجلترا ولما سالته عن دينه قال انه لسه بيدور رغم انه اتولد مسيحى
وانه مايل للاسلام وتعاليمه لكنه محتاج يقرا اكتر رغم انى سالته ايه الفرق بين الاسلام والمسيحية قال انه بيحترم الاسلام فى التقوى والخوف من الله والقناعة وانها عاوز يكون مسلم كويس لكن محتاج يقرا اكتر فلو ممكن اختى الكريمة تساعدينى بكتب مبسطة عن تعاليم الاسلام ويعنى ايه تسامح ويعنى الله ويعنى ايه حقوق ويعنى ايه اخوة لانى ضعيف فى اللغة الانجليزية وادعى معايا ربنا يجعلنا سبب فى دخولها الاسلام ويكتبها فى ميزان حساناتك .
ولو ممكن حضرتك تزودينى بمصطلحات دينية يعنى مثلا الدين مش هوية وبس الدين فعل وليس اسم . ارجوكى اختى تساعدنى الله يجزيكى خير ولو فى مواقع باللغة الانجليزية عن الاسلام اكون شاكر افضالك .
"ربى زدينى علما"

Thank you
:king-56:

night life god......praise be to allaah the subject of a distinguished
peace be upon you
:p015::p015::p015:

jazaky alah kher sis
:p012: