A famous Hadith of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) is “A Muslim is the one from whose speech and hands others are safe”. If you ask any human being whether he would like to live in ‘peace’ or ‘war’ one would naturally say ‘peace’ ….. And ‘peace’ in Arabic means Islam. A true Muslim is a balanced personality in every walk of life irrespective of his surroundings. As also reflected from the ethical considerations of the Holy Quran in the following: “Worship Allah and join none with Him in worship and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, Al-Masaakin (the poor), the neighbor who is near of kin, the neighbor who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet) and those (slaves) whom your right hands possess. Verily, Allah does not like such as are proud and boastful.” – Surah An-Nisa’ 4: Ayat 36 History has evidenced the prime example set by the Holy Prophet (PBUH) 14 centuries ago when he suggested signing a ten-year peace treaty with the Quraish known as the famous “Sulah Hudaibya” and accepted the conditions that were oppressive to Muslims. This was done in expediency to avoid bloodshed and to reinstate the future possibility of the spread of Islam. Dealings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) in day-to-day life are footsteps for us to follow. Allah acknowledged the character of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) in the following: “Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad SAW) you have a good example (Uswa-e-Hassana) to follow, for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much.” – Surah Al-Ahzaab 33: Ayat 21 For another practical example, we must recall the pattern set by Prophet (PBUH) on the event of Fatha-e-Makkah (Victory of Makkah) 1400 years back. Despite the fact that hardships were enforced upon the Muslims of Makkah and they were forced to migrate to Madina; on the occasion of Fatha-e-Makkah (Victory of Makkah) the Holy Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) announced publically, for open forgiveness to all. These included enemies who had martyred relatives of our beloved Prophet (PBUH) and caused hardships for Muslims. It was this peace-loving attitude of the Holy Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) that inspired the non-Muslims to embrace Islam. The distinct attributes of Islam and the logic behind it can only be appreciated when one gains the experience of living in a Non-Muslim Society. This is the only way one can embrace Islam by choice and not merely by being born in to a Muslim family. “O Mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes that you may recognize one another. Verily, the most honorable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa (one who is conscious of Allah’s instructions). Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.” – Surah Al-Hujurat 49: Ayat 13 Islam speaks about righteousness (Taqwa) i.e. consciousness of the Creator’s commandments. Islam does not believe in male / female, caste, color, creed, genders, school of thought or wealth. Islam treats all human beings as equal but the nearest or closest to Allah is the one who is conscious and righteous (Taqwa). Consciousness of Allah instructions makes you a balanced person. A Muslim is a balanced personality as Allah says in the Holy Quran: “Thus, We have made you (Muslims) a balanced nation (Ummat e Wast)” – Surah Al-Baqarah 2: Ayat 143 • Being a balanced personality, a Muslim submits to the command of Almighty Allah and follows the path that pleases his Lord. Thus he gives the people around him (his parents, his family, his colleagues, friends etc) their due rights and respects the law of the land where he resides, as he is a peace-loving citizen, besides being a true believer. Whoever follows the golden principles laid out by Allah Almighty can never be labelled as a fanatic, fundamentalist, or an extremist. A true believer is one who follows the system of Allah and obeys the instructions of Allah as addressed in the 98 ayaats of “O you who Believe!” • He practices what he preaches. – Surah As-Saff 61: Ayat 2-3) • He is straightforward in his statements and speaks within the confines laid down under Allah’s Law. – Surah Al-Ahzab 33: Ayat 70 • Refrains from drinking wine, gambling, image worshiping or talking in air; and does not follows the footsteps of Shaitaan. – Surah Al Maidah 5: Ayat 90) • He is always in control of his emotions and intelligence and is ready to forgive and forget. – Surah Aal-e-Imran 3: Ayat 133 • He is always patient and strives in Allah’s cause with his heart and soul. – Surah Aal-e-Imran 3: Ayat 200 • He is always focused on his for self-accountability and is always ready to be accounted for according to Allah’s will; even if it against himself or his dear ones. – Surah An-Nisa 4: Ayat 135 • He always respects his parents and elders and gives them their due rights. – Surah Al-Israa 17: Ayat 23 • He is always down to earth, humble and possess all the traits that a true gentleman is worthy of. Thus this makes him a priceless asset for any society. – Surah Al-Furqan 25: Ayat 63 Therefore without being prejudiced of religious background a Muslim carries the noble character as described in the aforesaid Ayats of the Holy Quran and conveys the message of peace and universal brotherhood (Islam) through his actions and speech.

Ali Afzal Khan used to visit our Centre but since 2006, he is no longer associated with Arrahman Arraheem Network in any manner whatsoever. Any of his dealings and beliefs are his individual matter with no obligation to Arrahman Arraheem Network.

As narrated by Abu Huriarah that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) (PBUH) said: “The signs of a hypocrite are three: whenever he speaks he lies; whenever he makes a promise, he breaks it; and whenever he is entrusted with someone’s valuables, be betrays this trust; even if he fasts and prays and even if he claims he is a Muslim.” According to the Holy Quran, a sign of Munafiq (hypocrite) is that when he hears any information or gossip he spreads it around without confirming or verifying it. “O you who believe! If a Fasiq (corrupt) person comes to you with any news, verify it, lest you harm people in ignorance, and afterwards you become regretful to what you have done.” – Surah Al-Hujraat 49: Ayat 6 O you who believe! Avoid much suspicion, indeed some suspicions are sins. And be not curious about each another, nor backbite about one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would feel disgusted! And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is the One who accepts repentance, and is Most Merciful.” – Surah Al-Hujraat 49: Ayat 12

Besides creating awareness amongst the educated class about the importance of Qur’an and Seerat of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in our day to day lives, one of the objectives of Arrahman-Arraheem.com is to remove the misconceptions about Islam prevailing internationally by conveying the true spirit of Islam. The very word Islam means ‘Peace’ and peace and war do not go together. Islam teaches Universal Brotherhood and treats all humans as equal. Tolerance, patience, ability to forgive and forget, to be helpful and to sacrifice selflessly for others are the some of the traits of our beloved Prophet (PBUH) which a true Muslim has to follow. Allah’s qurb (closeness to Allah) does not depend on cast, color, creed, gender or wealth but on Taqwa (consciousness about the commands of Allah Almighty).

In the commands of Allah given in the Holy Qur’an is the Raza (pleasure) of Allah. If we adopt the basic principles of Islam as given in the Holy Quran then only can we be true Muslims. As Allah says in: Surah 49: Al Hujrat (Ayat 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 honorable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa [i.e. one of the Muttaqun (pious). Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.” According to ALLAH Almighty all human beings are equal and Allah for their identity made them into nations and tribes but the most pious amongst humans in the sight of ALLAH is the one who is with Taqwa (consciousness).

Surah 5: Al Ma’aida (Ayat 32) ;Because of that We ordained for the Children of Israel that if anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or to spread mischief in the land – it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind. And indeed, there came to them Our Messengers with clear proofs, evidences, and signs, even then after that many of them continued to exceed the limits (e.g. by doing oppression unjustly and exceeding beyond the limits set by Allah by committing the major sins) in the land!” The above command of Allah categorically condemns Terrorism /Murder/ Killings. Likewise the same consideration has been emphasized in the following Hadith of Prophet (PBUH) “Those who are not kind and merciful on the mankind, then Allah is not kind and merciful to them as well.”

Surah 4: An Nisa (Ayat 135) “O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah; even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor, Allah is a Better Protector for both (than you). So follow not the desires (of your hearts), lest you may avoid justice; and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well Acquainted with what you do.” There is No Extremism in Islam. One can observe in the light of this ayat that ALLAH orders us to do justice without any Discrimination.

Surah 4: An Nisa (Ayat 36) “Worship Allah and join none with Him in worship; and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, Al-Masaakin (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, Allah does not like such as are proud and boastful.” One can see in the light of this ayat the practice and behavior of a Muslim towards Humanity.

Surah 41: Fussilat (Ayat 33 –to- 35) And who is better in speech than he who (says: My Lord is Allah (believes in His Oneness), and then stands firm (acts upon His Order) and invites (men) to Allah and does righteous deeds and says: I am one from the Muslims. The good deed and the evil deed cannot be equal. Repel (the evil deed) with one which is better (i.e. Allah ordered the faithful believers to be patient at the time of anger and to excuse those who treat them badly): then verily he, between whom and you there was enmity, (will become) as though he was a close friend. But none is granted it (the above quality) except those who are patient and none is granted it except the owner of the great portion (of happiness in the Hereafter i.e. Paradise and of a high moral character) in this world. A well known Hadith of Prophet (PBUH) is “A Muslim is the one from whose speech and hands other Muslims are safe” Muslim is the one who lives in Peace and shares peace with the whole mankind so if we follow these commandments of Allah and his Prophet (PBUH) we can not only remove these misconceptions about Islam but can also show them the way towards peace and universal brotherhood. Conclusion: If we show all the above qualities in our character (ground reality), the misconceptions would automatically be removed.