Single religion for all humanity

Dear readers,

Materialist philosophy denies the existence of a creator. It considers all the existence to be consisting of matter which it believes is eternal. As a result, it attempts to explain every event based on matter and intellect. One of the theories posed by materialists when creating the skeleton of their own belief systems is the Theory of Natural Law.

According to them, no law, no state and no external pressures exist in the nature. The nature manages its course of action based on its own unique laws. Natural laws are the laws of intellect and understanding and they are above all the other human laws. In the beginning times when everything was originated from the nature, natural laws, that is, the law of intellect and understanding ruled everything. Humans obeyed the natural commandments of goodness and fairness.

So, according to them, in a nutshell, "intellect" was the source of justice and law.

# The nature of intellect is to protect individual interests

Dear readers, this materialist approach appears to be very true in the first sight. When we observe the societies which are deprived of religious beliefs and practices, however, we see that intellect has failed to create any justice and law system but that, on the contrary, everyone became lost in the race of protecting their own interests and getting the biggest share.

Dear readers, this is a very natural result because intellect is a mental mechanism which is programmed in suitable way to protect an individual. It is not a mechanism which can create a "law system".  By means of this thinking mechanism, humans get to know their environments; they make analyses, syntheses and interpretations which enable predicting future events. And based on these, they render judgments and decisions. In those individuals who don't have the divine education, however, such interpretations and decisions are always under the control of "ego" and in the direction of its desires and wishes.

# The source of social ethics is the divine education

Social ethics is a characteristic which an individual gains subsequently by divine education. In all societies, some established value judgments expressing "goodness" such as justice, honesty and politeness which everyone considered to be right were transmitted to those societies through the messengers of Allah.

In the case of those human beings who have not attained divine education, the interpretations and decisions of intellect are always in the direction of the ego’s desires. Therefore, such an individual will consider anything which suits to their ego as “good” and anything otherwise as "bad". And this is the biggest enemy of the sense of justice because that person is caught in between two senses of acting justly and protecting their own interests. An individual who has not got divine education will always prefer their own interests in the face of this dilemma.

The concepts which take an individual to objective goodness such as justice, honesty and patience can only be obtained by being subject to the divine will. And the start point for this is "faith". If a person believes in Allah (swt) and submits himself to His will, the virtues of almighty Allah will begin to manifest in that person. As the number of believing individuals increase in a society, the objective value judgments such as justice, patience and mercy, which are not based on personal interests of these faithful people, will become the common values of that society in time.

# The religion of submitting to the will of Allah

Dear readers, in our day, many individuals believe that prophets brought different religions such as Judaism, Christianity and, Muhammadanism. However, no prophet actually introduced a different religion. Since the time of Prophet Adam, all the prophets introduced a single religion. And that religion is "the religion of believing in one Creator, who has no equal, similar or partner, and submitting to His will". This religion was finally communicated to Muhammad (a.s.) in the Arabian Peninsula, where unbelievable evils reigned. It was named as "Islam" which means "submission" in Arabic. Those who submitted to the Creator's will were called "Muslims".

Dear readers, the religion which all the prophets from Adam (a.s.) to Muhammad (a.s.) communicated to all humanity is Islam. That is, "the religion of submission to Allah's will". And all the prophets were also Muslims. In other words, they were all individuals who submitted to Allah's will and complied with His orders, advices and recommendations.

"Abraham was not a Jew nor yet a Christian; but he was true in Faith, and bowed his will to Allah's (which is Islám), and he joined not gods with Allah."  [Al-i Imran, 67]

"The same religion has He established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: Namely, that ye should remain steadfast in religion, and make no divisions therein."  [Shura, 13]

# Islam is the religion of all times and all humanity

All the books that God's messengers brought to teach us Allah's messages, orders and prohibitions (the Torah, the Psalms, the Gospels and the Quran) are also the books of Islam. Each book was sent to confirm the previous one. The religion declared in each one of them is Islam. Each of these books corrected the misinterpretations made about the previous one, indicated the right path for humanity again, and made some warnings to humanity about the afterlife:

"Say: We believe in Allah, and in what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and in (the Books) given to Moses, Jesus, and the Prophets, from their Lord: We make no distinction between one and another among them, and to Allah do we bow our will (in Islam)." [Al-i Imran, 84]

With the Holy Quran, the protection of which has been personally assumed by Allah, misinterpretations regarding the beliefs and practices of the previous years were corrected, universal rules which all humanity is required to comply with until Judgment Day were shown, and good and bad behaviors were exemplified with lifestyles of prophets and ancient civilizations.

As can be understood from the above explanations, Islam, that is, the religion of believing in Allah (swt) and submitting to His will, is the only religion of all times and all humanity. As a matter of fact, there is no religion other than Islam in the sight of Allah:

" The Religion before Allah is Islam (submission to His Will)." [Al-i Imran, 19]

"And verily this Ummah of yours is a single Ummah, and I am your Lord and Cherisher: therefore fear Me (and no other)." [Muminun, 52]

"If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah), never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter He will be in the ranks of those who have lost."  [Al-i Imran, 85]

# One god without a match, similar or partner

Dear readers, as you can remember from my previous articles, the Holy Quran was written down as soon as it was communicated, and it was compiled with a great sensitivity by the scholars of the time by being marked with suitable punctuation marks so as to prevent any misunderstanding and thus, it was protected without a change of a single letter until today. For this reason it is the most reliable divine source.

Our glorious Creator declared His name as Allah (swt) in the Quran. He notified us His characteristics in detail and wanted from us to qualify Him with those characteristics. So:

Allah (swt) is one. He has no equal, similar or partner. He created everything. He does not look like anything He created. He is eternal. "He begetteth not, nor is He begotten." He needs nothing to sustain His existence. But each living being needs Him for survival. It is He who sustains everything. He is the owner of the earth and heavens, of all the visible and invisible realms. It is He who gives their energy, power and strength to everything. He has power to do everything. He knows, sees, hears and speaks everything. He has will. It is not difficult for Him to simultaneously manage trillions of events occurring in the universe. He is the one who creates both good and also bad deeds of humans. But he likes their good deeds and dislikes their bad deeds. He is fair and impartial. He does not persecute anyone, but humans persecute themselves by disregarding His rules. He has a great mercy towards His creatures. He is the greatest friend and helper of believers.

Dear readers, Allah (swt) bestowed humans with innumerable blessings. Having completed these blessings with a divine educational system like Islam, He wants to carry them to the summit of maturity:

" Allah doth not wish to place you in a difficulty, but to make you clean, and to complete his favor to you, that ye may be grateful."  [Maida, 6]

# The door to all kinds of goodness: Faith

The blessing doors of Allah (swt) are open to everyone at any moment. However, only the possessors of "faith" believing in Him may benefit from this divine mercy. The faithless cannot benefit from that.

Faith means believing in the existence and unity of Allah, giving up one's own will (desires of one's ego) and submitting to the holy will of Allah (swt) (His prohibitions, orders and recommendations).

A human being who fulfills the requirements of religion, if they are sincere with their belief and deeds, will soon attain all the beauties that make a person a real human being. Ethically, they will reach the summit of maturity. They will become a respectable person possessing high manners.

# A mature and well-mannered human being

Such a human being who is mature and well-mannered will be far from any extremity. They are clean. They will not commit acts which are forbidden by their Creator such as adultery, alcohol, gambling, sorcery, false testimony, gossip, commercial transactions involving interest, theft, bribing, usurpation, homosexuality, etc. They will not use drugs. They will not cheat with measurement or weighing. They will not envy. They will not feel grudge against anyone. When fulfilling the desires of their selfhood, they will never exceed the limits drawn by his Creator. They will not become arrogant or look down on or make fun of anyone. They will not break anyone's heart. They will strive to the extent possible to fulfill such orders of their Creator as prayer, fasting, alms, pilgrimage, etc. They will be obedient towards their mothers and fathers and always try to please them. They will never encroach anyone's right. They will always behave justly even if this is to their detriment. They will not lie. They are honest. They always tell the truth. When they make a promise, they will keep it. When anything is entrusted to them, they will protect it as their own goods. When they are oppressed by someone, they will forgive them. If someone apologizes from them, they will accept it. They will not hurt anyone or damage their belongings.

They will frequently visit their kin and relatives. They will try to help them if they have any problems. They observe the rights of their neighbors and do nothing that will disturb them. If they are disturbed by their neighbors, they display patience against them. They deal with the problems of their neighbors. If there is anything that they can do for them, they will do it. They will greet anyone regardless of if they know them. They are interested with poor, ill, disabled, elder, powerless people and widows and orphans around them. They are generous. They will not show off over the favors they make. They show respect towards their elders and love, compassion and mercy towards their juniors. They are also compassionate towards animals. They will never damage their environment or the ecosystem in which they live.

They try to earn their life through lawful ways. They are abstinent. They feel gratitude for the blessings provided by Allah. They are patient against the problems and troubles they encounter. In each opportunity, they attempt to recommend good and beautiful things to people and discourage them from evil things. They will love whatever Allah (swt) loves and avoid whatever Allah (swt) does not love. They respect the laws and orders of the state in which they live. They keep away from terror, anarchy and all kinds of illegal activities. In summary, a believer is a complete gentleman, a perfect individual who is respected and approached lovingly by everyone from whom they will only expect good, and take a great pleasure from being together with them.

# Let's not be indifferent to divine mercy

Dear readers, all these beautiful characteristics that I listed above which make a human being a mature and perfect individual can only be possessed by believing in Allah (swt) and sincerely submitting to His will. Our Creator sent numerous prophets beginning with Adam. We should be grateful to each of them. All these favors and beauties have reached us through prophets. These are universal favors and beauties which are the common value of all times and all humanity as explained in all the books of Islam.

So let's not stay indifferent to these. Let's believe in Allah (swt) and get under His umbrella of mercy as soon as possible so that all these beauties may manifest in our lives as well. Also, let's not forget that these are the key of an eternal happiness covering the world and the Hereafter.

Be entrusted to Allah.

Science and religion

Dear readers,

Many persons consider religion and science as opposites. Undoubtedly, this perception is extremely wrong. Religion and science do not oppose but complement each other. By the data it provides, science helps people get to know better the universe in which they live and make inventions which will make their lives easier while religion guides humans to the summit of their behavioral maturity helping them live harmoniously with the universe. Actually, humans are face to face with not two, but three realities. These are the material realities belonging universe, the intellectual realities produced by reasoning and the conveyed realities belonging the metaphysical world, which transferred by prophets.

# The material realities

These are the realities of the material realm. Information regarding these are obtained by observation and experimentation. Everyone can make observations. However, in the practices of scientists, observations are performed much more meticulously and, when necessary, using various tools. Having a certain opinion as a result of observations, scientists render that opinion into a hypothesis. Then they try to verify their hypothesis by trying it after creating the necessary conditions. Knowledge verified by experimentation is called a scientific knowledge. Scientific knowledge reveals the unknown secrets of the realities of the material realm.

In recent centuries, experimentation techniques have been improved and analysis methods which distinguish natural deviations on events from the effects created by the observed factor have been developed and thus it has become possible to accurately calculate the effects of factors. And this has rendered scientific studies faster and more efficient.

Dear readers, although scientific knowledge helps us learn about the secrets of the material realm, it is obtained within limited time and space conditions. It is not possible to precisely predict how they might manifest in wider time and space ranges or on very different objects and subjects. To reach more positive results, therefore, this knowledge is interpreted based on similar scientific studies previously carried out.

# The intellectual realities

Intellectual realities include theories and mathematical realities.

As scientific experiments can be performed within limited time and space conditions, the data obtained are subject to those limited conditions. In order to fully understand the material realm in which we live, we also need to know about the events which have been occurring since thousands of years in the infinity of the universe. For example, we want to learn the answer to many questions such as how mountains were created, how earthquakes take place, how and from where the sun extracts its energy etc. Within the limited capabilities of the experimentation method, however, it is not possible to learn about these by experimentations.

In this situation, we just need to develop opinions which will explain events in the best way possible based on very small amount of information discovered by science. Such comprehensive explanations based on scientific findings are called "theories". Theories are accepted as truths until new scientific findings emerge which refute previous findings. As a matter of fact, theories are not realities but opinions which can change in time.

# The evolutionary theory and what it cannot explain

One of the typical examples is the evolutionary theory. This theory was an opinion which argued that all the species emerge by evolving from each other. Tens of thousands of books were written on this matter. Detailed studies carried out on fossils, however, have revealed that the reality of the matter is very different.

If the evolutionary theory was right, "many transitional forms would be present. But even a single transitional fossil that shows transition from species to species, as argued Darwinists, is not available. Despite this lack of a single transitional form, there are more than 350 millions of fossils which show that species have remained for millions of years without any change (without any evolution)"^[1]

Another impasse of the evolutionary theory is the question of how the first protein molecule needed for each species occurred. Some of my readers might not know. But all the biologists working on physiology and biochemistry of species know very well that life events actually consist of two main systems including energy generating mechanisms and biosynthesis mechanisms which utilize that energy. In order for any biosynthesis event to occur, antecedents, energy and biocatalysts are needed. Even if antecedents are available, synthesis is not possible without energy and biocatalysts. Energy is supplied by a co-enzyme named ATP (adenosine triphosphate). ATP functions in connection with a protein molecule. Biocatalysts on the other hand are enzymes with a protein structure. As anyone can easily understand from this, two separate protein molecules are needed for the synthesis of a need protein molecule. Then, how can a protein molecule be synthesized when there are no antecedent protein molecules, one which provide energy and other which assume the role of a catalyst?

# Mathematical realities are final

Mathematical realities consist the second group of intellectual realities.

While theories are opinions which can change with the emergence of new findings, mathematical realities contain absolute data. For example, in order to learn how many tin cans you can place onto a shelf, you don't need to place them one by one to see the result. By calculation, especially if you have a calculator, you can learn the result in just seconds. This knowledge which you obtain by calculation is absolute and accurate information. You can rely on that.

Due to this certainty of mathematical realities, fundamental sciences such as physics, chemistry and biology and also applied sciences such as agronomy, pathology and sociology have always tried to utilize mathematics in order to reach more certain and accurate conclusions. As a matter of fact, mathematical realities are each a virtual reality. Despite this fact, these realities revivified each field of science they were involved in and ensured the progression of those sciences rapidly. Currently, there is almost no branch of science which doesn't utilize the opportunities provided by math.

# The conveyed realities

Dear readers, learning about scientific realities and intellectual realities ensures that we can understand in more detail the order in which we live. But they don't enable us to know about how emerged the order in which we live first-time and by whom it is arranged and managed. This can only be learned through the knowledge which is provided by the owner of the order. As such information is transmitted to us through the messengers of the Creator, who is the owner of the order; the realities learned by this way are called "the conveyed realities". Conveyed realities refer to the invisible spiritual realm beyond the visible material realm. This spiritual realm is just like software operating behind hardware. Knowledge regarding that realm is the ready knowledge offered to us through religious books. It is possible to consider religious books as manuals which show the right way of living in harmony with the order provided to us by the creator, founder, owner and manager of the order. Just like we can use a device in the most accurate way when we refer to its manual, humans can live in the most suitable way without damaging the ecosystem and society in which they live when they live according to the manual explaining the right way of living offered to them. And this provides a human being the biggest perfection they can ever possess.

Consequently, as can be understood from the information provided above, all of the material realities, intellectual realities and conveyed realities are a whole. They complement each other. Humans can completely and correctly understand the environment in which they live by only possessing the knowledge regarding these three different realities.

# Religion and science

Dear readers,

Some scientists believe that religion is a "dogma" and that, therefore, it is the biggest barrier in front of science. Undoubtedly, this is a great misconception. Certainly, the judgments of religion are not scientific judgments but value judgments. Like all value judgments, they are also dogmas.

"Scientific judgments" are judgments which are verified by experimentation, that is, their realities are proved by experiments.

"Value judgments", on the other hand, are judgments which mostly can't be experimented upon, which many people positively consider to be real and right, and to which religion, state or any community assign value.

But religious value judgments have a very important difference from the values which humans assign to objects and events (like the value on money): There are no conflicts between basic values of religion with scientific judgments as the both values are assigned by Allah (swt), who also assigns the values of material realm. On the contrary, there is a great consistency between them. Both of them reveal the universal truths of all times in their specific fields (science in the field of material events and religion in the field of human behaviors). Therefore, contrary to what some scientists believe, religious judgments never conflict with scientific judgments. On the contrary, each new finding of science experimentally reveals how much rightful, accurate and realistic religious judgments are. It must be known here, of course, that we refer to Islam which is the only religion in the sight of Allah, which formed the core of all heavenly religions and which has been communicated to humanity through the messengers of Allah (swt) since the time of the first human being.

Dear readers, Allah (swt) created the material and spiritual realms. He is the owner of the both realms. He is who created the both realms, established their rules and manages them. Therefore, it is obvious that no conflict can exist between the knowledge of these two realms.

Consequently, it won't be a wrong approach to say that science and religion complement each other and that humans need both of them greatly.

Be entrusted to Allah.

------------------------------------------------

[1]  YAHYA, Harun, 2015. Komunist Kurdistan Tehlikesi, 9.Baski. Arastirma Yayincilik, Kayisdagi Mah. Degirmen sok. No:3, Atasehir, Istanbul.

Being sincere in one's faith and deeds

Dear readers,

The most important thing needed for a human is "Ikhlas after a right and complete "faith". It means being sincere in one's faith and deeds. A person who is not sincere with their faith and deeds will not sufficiently be able to benefit from various kinds of worldly favors and they will also be disappointed in their afterlife.

Himself of Almighty Allah, undoubtedly, is the biggest reality in the absolute sense. Allah (swt) has created all the material and spiritual realms based on reality, truth and justice; and He has wanted all the human beings to be complied these ephemeral truths that He has created; to be stayed away from superstitions, lies, artificiality, falsity and injustice; not distort the order that He has created; and to avoid from doing mischief on the face of the world.

"Do no mischief on the earth, after it hath been set in order," [Araf, 56]

"And weigh with scales true and upright. And withhold not things justly due to men, nor do evil in the land, working mischief."  [Shuara, 182-183]

# Living truthfully

Dear readers, "Islam" means believing in Allah, submitting to His will, recommendations and commandments, and living in harmony with the order which He has created and continues to manage. Islam is about living truthfully. It is about walking on the path of justice and righteousness all the times. One enters the path called "Sirat al-Mustaqim" (the straight path, the right path) by submitting to the will of Allah, complying with His orders and recommendations, all of which are real, right and fair. From that moment on, the door of all kinds of worldly and otherworldly beauties will be opened to that person. The more an individual is sincere in their faith and submission, the higher the amount of these favors and beauties will be.

Therefore, dear readers, sincerity is the most important characteristic which an individual needs to have following "faith". In the religious terminology, this sincerity is called "ikhlas".

# Islam means being honest and fair

Actually, the most important rule that a believer should observe is the principle of righteousness and fairness of Islam. Even if an individual who has not completely grasped this truth might claim that they are Muslim, they barely have an actual connection with Islam. Faithfulness, honesty and righteousness in one's faith, deeds and words are extremely important in the context of religion which is an eternal universal system of goodness of Allah (swt); because this principle is the core of Islam.

Sufyan ibn Abdullah al-Sakafi said, “O Messenger of Allah, give me such knowledge of Islam that it will suffice me and I will never need to ask anyone else about Islam.” He answered, “Say, ‘I believe in Allah,’ and then be completely honest in everything.” [Muslim]

Safwan ibn Sulaym (r.a.) said:

The Messenger of Allah, was asked, "Can the mumin (believer) be a coward?"

He said, "Yes."

He was asked, "Can the mumin be a miser?"

He said, "Yes."

He was asked, "Can the mumin be a liar?" He said this time, "No." [Muwatta]

As can be easily understood from these hadiths, the gist of Islam is believing in Allah (swt) and then keeping away from lie and hypocrisy, that is, being completely right.

# Sincerity in faith is the means which takes one to the paradise

Our Master the Prophet (s.a.w.) declared that one who states "Kalima Shahadat" will certainly enter the paradise after suffering for their sins.

"One who sincerely says "Ashadu an la ilaha illallah, wa ashadu anna Muḥammadan abduhu wa rasuluhu" (I bear witness that there is no god except Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His Servant and Messenger) will enter the paradise" [Tabarani]

"One who sincerely professes kalima shahada  (the testimony) from their heart will enter the paradise." [Tabarani]

"One who says 'la ilaha illallah' believingly and lovingly will reach the paradise." [Ibn Hibban]

"One who sincerely says 'My creator is Allah, my religion is Islam and my prophet is Muhammad' will certainly get in the paradise." [Hakim]

Dear readers, a complete "faith" is the beginning of all the goodness. And sincerity with one's faith is a great blessing altogether for any person. One who is sincere with their faith will be also sincere with their deeds and words.

# Criterion of sincerity in faith

Faith is a matter of heart. Just like each situation in heart has an external reflection, faith also has some external indications. With the following hadiths, our Master the Prophet (s.a.w.) revealed the relationship of the heart with human deeds and words:

"The heart is the ruler of organs. When the ruler is good, those who are under its command are also good. When the heart is corrupted, those under its command are also corrupted." [Bayhaqi, Ibn Adiy]

"When the heart is corrupted, the deeds of the body are also corrupted." [Bayhaqi]

"There is such a piece of flesh in human body that when it is good, then all the other organs will be good and when it is bad, all the organs will be bad. That piece of flesh is the heart." [Bayhaqi]

"Unless the heart of a servant is honest, their faith will not be right. When their tongue is not right, their heart will not be right." [Ibn Hanbal]

"A person whose heart does not suit their tongue or whose words do not suit their deeds cannot be a believer." [Isfahani]

And the following hadith of our Master the Prophet (s.a.w.) reveals the fact that the most effective criterion showing if a person is sincere with their faith is avoidance from forbidden deeds:

"One who sincerely says 'La ilaha illallah' will go to the paradise. Sincerity keeps one away from forbidden deeds." [Tabarani]

# Allah will only accept those deeds which are made with sincerity

Please see the following hadiths:

"Allah (swt) will only accept those deeds which are carried out by sincerity." [Nisai]

"Act sincerely! Allah (swt) will only accept those deeds which are sincerely carried out." [Daraqutni]

"In anyone's prayer, only those sections which are made with sincerity will be noted. A prayer in which the heart is not present will not be taken into consideration by Allah." [Wasilat-un Najad]

"Perform your prayers with sincerity; even if a few deeds performed sincerely will help you on the Day of Judgment." [Abu Nuaym]

"Sincere deeds will suffice however little they are." [Daraqutni]

“Good news to those who perform their prayers with sincerity! They are the stars of the right path. They terminate the darkness of mischief.” [Abu Nuaym]

"In the world, only those deeds which are sincerely performed for Allah (swt) are valuable." [Bariqa]

"Those who are patient and sincere will go to the paradise without being called to account." [Tabarani]

"Allah (swt) helps this community only by reason of the prayers, ritual worships and sincerity of the weak ones." [Nisai, Tirmidhi].

# One must stay away from "Riya" (hypocrisy)

The opposite of sincerity is "Riya" (hypocrisy). Riya means two-facedness, dishonesty, insincerity with one's faith, deeds and words, trying to cheat people and carrying out one's deeds and prayers only ostensibly.

In Islam, which is a religion of righteousness, hypocrisy and fakers are severely reprimanded; and it has never been tolerant of them. Our Master the Prophet (s.a.w.) qualified hypocrisy as the smaller polytheism:

"When he said, 'The smaller polytheism is what I am afraid of the most regarding you’, Ashab al-Kiram asked, 'Oh, the Messenger of Allah, what is smaller polytheism?' In answer, he said, 'It is hypocrisy. In other words, it is performing one's prayer just as a display against others. When Allah (swt) will requite for everyone's deeds on the Day of Judgment, He will say to those who performed their prayers in ostentation: 'Now go to those for whom you ostensibly performed your prayers. Let's see if you can find anything that they could possibly give you?'" [Ahmad b. Hanbal, Musnad]

"It will be said to those who profaned their prayers with hypocrisy, 'Go now and ask the requital of your prayers from that person for whom you performed those prayers!'" [Ibn Maja]

Our Master the Prophet (s.a.w.) also prayed with the following words:

"Oh my Allah! Save my heart and my deeds from hypocrisy, my tongue from lies, and my eyes from betrayal!"  [Khatib]

Also see the following hadiths:

"The faith of the following three people has reached completion: 1-One who walks on the path of Allah (swt) without fear of being criticized by anyone, 2-One who does not adulterate their deeds with hypocrisy, 3- One who prefers a deed for the afterlife to a deed for the world." [Daylami]

"In the end times, hypocrites will emerge who abuse religion for worldly interests. They will sound sweeter than honey. They are wolves in sheep's clothing." [Tirmidhi]

"Do not attend the conversations of every scholar! Only attend the conversations of the scholar who warns against the five things and invite you to the other five! 1-From hesitant belief to sure faith, 2-From hubris to humility, 3-From hostility to benevolence, 4-From hypocrisy to sincerity, 5-From worldliness to asceticism." [I. Asakir]

                                                                                                                                
# Nifaq (Factiousness) and its symptoms

Dear readers, two-facedness in faith, that is, deceiving people based on a disbelief in Allah (swt) under the disguise of belief is called Nifaq (Hypocrisy, Factiousness). Two-faced person is called Munafiq (hypocrite). Our Master the Prophet (s.a.w.) told that some situations are symptoms of Nifaq:

"There are three signs of hypocrites (munafiqs): They will lie when they speak, they won't keep their words, and they will misappropriate any trust." [Bukhari]

"Not keeping one's word is a sign of hypocrisy (nifaq)." [Ibn al-Najjar]

"Another sign of hypocrisy is lying." [Bukhari]

"A believer will talk after reflection but a hypocrite will talk without reflection." [Haraiti]

"A believer will eat with a single stomach while a hypocrite will eat with seven stomachs!" [Bukhari, Muslim]

A believer is one of compatibility. They will provide their friends with comfort. A hypocrite, however, is incompatible and they will cause discomfort against their friends. [Daraqutni]

"A believer will perceive their sin like a mountain which is about to collapse on them. A hypocrite will consider it a fly on their nose which is about to go away." [Bukhari]

"A believer will shoot ahead to greet while a hypocrite will wait to be greeted." [Daraqutni]

"The sign which distinguishes us from hypocrites is to perform the isha and the morning prayers with community. Hypocrites will not continue attending these prayers." [Bayhaqi]

# Nifaq (Hypocrisy, Factiousness) is a door opening to disasters

Dear readers, nifaq is worse than denial, it is the eternal disaster of a hypocrite (munafiq). See the following Quranic verse:

“The hypocrites (munafiqs) will be in the lowest depths of the Fire: no helper wilt thou find for them;” [Nisa, 145].

Therefore, if we carry any sign of hypocrisy, we must leave it as soon as possible and try to get rid of that. Our Master the Prophet (s.a.w.) said:

"One who remembers Allah (swt) will get rid of hypocrisy." [Ibn Shahin]

"One who catches up on the first takbir of the Morning Prayer will be given two warrants: The warrant of salvation from hell and the warrant of being free from hypocrisy." [Abu Sheikh]

"One who says salawat for 100 times everyday will get away from hypocrisy and the fire of hell and be together with martyrs on the Day of Judgment." [Tabarani]

On the other hand, one should try to stay away from anything which increases hypocrisy in one's heart.

"Avoid listening to instruments and songs as these two will feed hypocrisy in the heart just like water feeds a vegetable." [Ramuz Al-Ahadis]

"Music will increase hypocrisy in the heart." [Bayhaqi]

"Songs, games and entertainment will feed hypocrisy in the heart just like water feeds grasses. I swear in the name of Allah (swt) that the Qur'an and dhikr will grow faith in the heart just like water feeds grasses." [Ramuz El-Ehadis]

May Allah (swt) accept us among those distinguished servants who are sincere with their faith, deeds and words, keeping away from lying, hypocrisy and ostentation, and owning a complete faith.

Be entrusted to Allah.

Faith, words and deeds

Dear readers,

In my previous writing, I have completed the discussions on faith and explained in detail the requirements for having a proper and complete faith which will open the doors to an eternal bliss for us. But there are still such important points to be known about “faith” that I will address now.

Believing or not believing is something decided in one’s heart (conscience). That is to say, faith is a matter of heart. This is evidenced by the following verses:

“Say, "Ye have no faith; but ye (only) say, 'We have submitted our wills to Allah,' For not yet has Faith entered your hearts.”  [Hujurat, 14]

“For such He has written Faith in their hearts, and strengthened them with a spirit from Himself.”  [Mujadala, 22]

Therefore, the basis of faith is to accept and confirm with heart the requirements of faith as stipulated in our creed.

# Faith is to accept with heart and confirm by tongue

However, Islamic scholars have required us, as beings who live a social life, to declare our faith to other humans with our tongue as well so that we can be treated as a Muslim in the events of our daily life, shopping, marrying, divorcing, borrowing and lending, in our neighborhood relationships and even in our deaths, and they explained that “Faith is to accept with heart and confirm by tongue”. This is certainly true. As faith is a matter of heart, how can others know that we are a believer if we do not express the faith in our heart with words? If we happen to die at that moment, will not people hesitate even as to whether or not to perform a funeral prayer for us?

According to the Ahl as-Sunnah creed, deeds are not a part of faith.

Imam e Azam Abu Hanifa said:

“Deeds are not a part of faith. One who commits a big sin may not be called an unbeliever. While faith is necessary for everyone, not each deed is necessary for each person. For example, a poor person who does not possess enough wealth may not give zakat. But that poor person still needs faith.”

Faith and good deeds are separated from each other in Qur’anic verses as well:

“Except to those who believe and work righteous deeds: for them is a Reward that will never fail.”  [Inshiqaq, 25]

“Except such as believe and do righteous deeds: for they shall have a reward unfailing.”  [Tin, 6]

# One is not excluded from religion by committing a big sin

The following hadith clearly shows that one does not abandon the religion by committing a big sin:

“The archangel Gabriel said, 'Any Muslim who dies without committing polytheism against Allah (swt) will enter the Paradise', I asked 'if one who commits adultery and theft will also enter the Paradise?' He said, 'Yes'. I repeated the same question for three times. On the third, he said, 'Yes, a believer who commits adultery or theft will also enter the Paradise.'”  [Bukhari, Muslim, Bazzar]

Dear readers, one does not lose one’s faith or be excluded from religion just because one commits a sin or does not perform their worships. But every deed, either for good or bad, will affect one’s faith. The light of faith is the Love of Allah. As one worships and obeys the rules, this love will increase. One feels oneself closer to one’s Rab. When one commits a sin, on the other hand, this love is reduced. Then one gets away from one’s Rab without being aware of this. In fact, if one continues to commit sins, time will come when the light of faith in that person’s heart will die off. So, then the person is dragged into the swamp of disbelief. Therefore, Our Master the Prophet considered good deeds together with faith:

“Faith is to accept with heart, confirm by tongue, and practice with organs of body.”  [Ihya]

# Faith is protected with good deeds

This is also referred to by some other hadiths. As a matter of fact, Our Master the Prophet said after he instructed a group of visitors to only believe in Allah:

“Do you know what it is to only believe in Allah? It is to testify that there are no gods but Allah and that Mohammed is His Messenger, perform salat, give zakat, perform ramadan fasting, and give one fifth of war booties.”  [Bukhari]

“One who does not respect what is trusted to oneself does not possess faith.”  [Tabarani]

“One who does not have compassion does not have faith either.”  [Tabarani]

“One who drinks alcoholic beverages will lose the light of faith.”  [Tabarani]

Especially salat is completely identified with faith:

“There is an essence of everything and the essence of faith is salat.”  [Bayhaqi]

“What distinguishes impiety from faith is to abandon salat.”  [Tirmidhi]

“One who abandons salat on purpose becomes an unbeliever.”  [Tabarani]

“Salat means faith. A believer is one who performs salat in accordance with its time and other requirements.”  [Ibn al-Najjar]

# Compliance with prohibitions and orders is not related to faith but to sincerity

Dear readers, the following two hadiths reveal that compliance with prohibitions and orders is not directly related to faith but to sincerity (ikhlas) in faith.

“Do not call someone who says ‘La ilaha illallah’ an unbeliever! Otherwise you yourself become an unbeliever.”  [Bukhari]

“One who sincerely states ‘La ilaha illallah’ will go to the Paradise. Saying it with sincerely means that the sayer is faraway from what is prohibited.”  [Tabarani]

As a result, it is necessary to declare the faith in our heart to other people. Deeds are not a part of faith. But good or bad deeds significantly influence our faith by increasing and decreasing the love of Allah, which is the light of faith. Staying away from what Allah (swt) has forbidden and doing what He has commanded are an indication of the sincerity and loyalty in our faith. Therefore, we should try to live our religion with all the principles it involves.

# A few clues for a complete faith

Dear readers,

In this part of my writing, I will try to offer you a few clues for a complete faith based on some statements of our Rab and our Master the Prophet.

I must mention first of all that a perfect, whole, and complete submission to Allah (swt) and His Messenger is certainly a requirement for a correct and complete faith. And the criterion for this submission is to completely comply with the divine provisions (ahkam, sharia). One’s faith is directly proportional to the extent one submits to Allah (swt) and His Messenger and complies with these provisions.

“And obey Allah and the Messenger; that ye may obtain mercy.”  [Al Imran, 132]

“So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the Unlettered Prophet, who believeth in Allah and His Words: follow him that (so) ye may be guided.”  [A’raf, 158]

“O ye who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the messenger, and make not vain your deeds!”  [Muhammed, 33]

“He who obeys the Messenger, obeys Allah.”  [Nisa, 80]

“So take what the Messenger gives you, and refrain from what he prohibits you."  [Hashr, 7]

# Living in accordance with the commands of Allah

Dear readers, there is only one religion in the sight of Allah, and it is Islam. And Islam means to put aside one’s own will (the desires of one’s ego) and to submit to the will (orders) of Allah (swt), who is one’s creator and educator. “Faith” lies in the foundation of this submission. Completeness of faith is directly proportional to the completeness of this submission. This submission is the key to all kinds of salvations.

“But We delivered those who believed and practiced righteousness”  [Fussilat, 18]

“And we submit to Allah (in Islam).”  [Baqarah, 136]

Living in compliance with Allah’s commands is essential for the blessings of the world and the afterworld because the commands of our Rab, who has eternal mercy, will always take one to a lifestyle that eventually leads to goodness. If one believes in one’s Rab and loyally submit to one’s Rab by believing that the Rab is always one’s true friend (protector), then Allah (swt) will open the doors of all blisses for them.

“And those who strive in Our (cause),- We will certainly guide them to Our Paths.”  [Ankabut, 69]

# One’s value depends on one’s devoutness (taqwa)

So this submission is a requirement for a complete faith.

Certainly, prohibitions are more important among divine rules because most of them include interpersonal rights and all of them are provisions that impose limitations on the desires of our egos. Piety (taqwa) means to comply with these provisions and to stay away from what Allah (swt) has prohibited. The value of humans and communities in the sight of Allah (swt) is based on piety (righteousness, taqwa, the fear of Allah).

“Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you.”  [Hujurat, 13]

One always should try to be a servant who fears one’s Rab. If one focuses on sincerity, piety and dhikr (to remember Allah), the elements of maturity, which Our Master the Prophet described, will manifest automatically:

“The most superior deed is faith. The most superior faith is to acknowledge that Allah (swt) is always with them.”  [Tabarani]

“Not forgetting Allah, wherever one is, is an indication of a complete faith.”  [Bayhaqi]

“One who becomes happy upon performing goodness and who becomes worried upon committing a sin is a true believer.”  [Tirmidhi, Hakim]

# The most beautiful of believers in terms of faith

“The most superior believer is the one who frequently remembers Allah.”  [Tirmidhi]

“The faith of one who has these three elements is complete: beautiful morality as in getting along with everyone, piety which prevents from committing sins, and gentleness which covers one’s ignorance.”  [Nasai]

“The most beautiful one among you in terms of faith is the one who is the most beautiful in terms of morality.”  [Hakim]

“Most complete one among believers in terms of faith is the one who has a beautiful morality and who behaves their family gently.”  [Nasai, Tirmidhi]

“The most superior faith is to love for Allah, fight for Allah, mention Allah (swt) also with one’s tongue, consider what is acceptable for oneself for others as well, not desire for others that which one does not desire for oneself, speak on goodness or keep quiet.”  [Tabarani]

“One who is benevolent has a complete faith.”  [I. Ahmad]

# Loving one’s religious sibling is a key of a complete faith

“I swear that you may not enter the Paradise unless you have faith. And you may not have faith unless you love each other.”  [Tirmidhi, I. Ahmad]

“One may not be a true believer unless one loves for his religious sibling that which he loves for himself.”  [Bukhari]

“One who loves Allah’s friends and who considers Allah’s enemies as his own enemies possesses a complete faith.”  [Abu Dawud]

“These three things are indicators of faith: Patience for trouble, gratitude for blessings, and acceptance for predestined occurrences.”  [Ihya]

“Be assured that one who continuously comes to the mosque has faith!”  [Ibn Maja]

# God’s Messenger has identified faith with salat

“Salat means faith. A believer is one who performs salat in accordance with its time and other requirements.”  [Ibn Najjar]

Dear readers, as you can see, it is among the requirements of a complete faith to consider Allah (swt) always together with himself, never forget Him, only love and fight for Allah, stay away from what is prohibited and what is doubtful (taqwa and wara), have benevolence, kindness and beautiful morality, that is, visit who does not visit, give who does not give, forgive who oppresses, meet trouble with patience and blessings with gratitude, not desire something for one’s religious sibling that which one does not desire for oneself, speak useful or keep quiet, and perform salats in a mosque and properly. It is ordered in verse:

“And to thy Lord turn (all) thy attention.”  [Inshirah, 8]

May Allah (swt) make us one of those servants who only focus on their Rab, live and die with a complete faith and who, thusly, are blessed with their Rab’s assistance, support and courtesy both in the temporary world life and also in the eternal afterworld.

Be entrusted to Allah.

All the articles in this series can be found also at the address below.

http://www.esinti.biz/makale_en/000.htm