WHO IS ALLAH?

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) described the greatness of Allah in the most beautiful way:

"He is controlling the affairs of all the kingdoms. He commands and prohibits, creates and gives provision, and gives death and gives life. He raises and lowers people’s status, alternates night and day, gives days (good and not so good) to men by turns, and causes nations to rise and fall, so that one nation vanishes and another emerges. His command and decree are carried out throughout the heavens and on earth, above it and below it, in the oceans and in the air. He has knowledge of all things and knows the number of all things. He hears all voices, and does not mistake one for another; He hears them all, in all the different languages and with all their varied requests and pleas. No voice distracts Him from hearing another, He does not confuse their requests, and He never tires of hearing the pleas of those in need. He sees all that is visible, even the walk of a black ant across a solid rock in the darkest night.

The unseen is visible to Him, and secrets are known to Him Whosoever is in the heavens and on earth begs of Him (its needs from Him). Every day He has a matter to bring forth (such as giving honour to some, disgrace to some, life to some, death to some, etc.)! [The Quran 55:29 interpretation of the meaning]. He forgives sins, eases worries, relieves distress, helps the defeated person back on his feet, makes the poor rich, guides the one who is astray and confused, fulfils the needs of the desperate, feeds the hungry, clothes the naked, conceals faults, and calms fears. He raises the status of some and lowers the status of others. Even if all the inhabitants of heaven and earth, the first and the last of them, mankind and jinn alike, were to be as pious as the most pious among them, this would not increase His sovereignty in the slightest; if they all, the first and the last of them, mankind and jinn alike, were to be as rebellious as the most rebellious among them, this would not decrease His sovereignty in the slightest. If everything in heaven and on earth, the first and the last of them, mankind and jinn, living and dead, animate and inanimate, were to stand in one place and ask of Him, and He were to give them everything that they asked for, this would not decrease what He has by even an atom’s weight.

He is the First, before Whom there is nothing, and the Last, after Whom there is nothing. He is the Most deserving of being remembered, the Most deserving of being worshipped, the Most deserving of being thanked. He is the Most Compassionate of kings, the Most Generous of those who are asked. He is the King Who has no partner or associate, the One who has no rival, the Self-Sufficient Master, Who has no son, the Most High, and there is none like unto Him. Everything will perish save His face [Quran 28:88 interpretation of the meaning], and everything will vanish except His sovereignty. He will not be obeyed except by His permission, and He will not be disobeyed except with His knowledge. He is obeyed, so He shows His appreciation, and He is disobeyed, so he forgives. Every punishment on His part is justice, and every blessing from Him is a favour. He is the closest of witnesses and the nearest of protectors. He seizes people by their forelocks, records their deeds and decrees the appointed time for all things. Hearts conceal nothing from Him, for secrets are known to Him. His gift is a word and His punishment is a word: Verily, His Command, when He intends a thing, is only that He says to it, Be! and it is. [Quran, 36:82 interpretation of the meaning].

(Adapted from al-Waabil al-Sayib, p. 125)

This is Allah, who revealed the Glorious Quran for the guidance of mankind.

STATUS OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD

"Have We not opened your breast for you (O Muhammad)? And removed from you your burden. Which weighed down your back? And have We not raised high your fame?" (The Quran, 94:1-4)

These verses were revealed during the early part of the Prophet’s life in Makkah, when he was in such a weak and difficult position that he could not even move about in the city, preach or pray freely. The Holy Quran in this background states that his name has been exalted with great esteem. Let us see how Allah has raised the status of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Muhammad is the most popular name in the world. A very common practice amongst Muslims is to have Muhammad as the first, middle, or last part of their names. This is a unique honour that Allah gave only to Muhammad (peace be upon him). Millions of Muslims have always carried this name, making it the most widely known and repeated name throughout the world.

In addition, Allah has made Prophet Muhammad’s name an integral part of the basic Kalimah (article of faith) of Islam. Every practising Muslim recites this kalimah as a daily routine of his life. Countless persons thus recite Prophet Muhammad’s name countless times, every day in their lives.

Moreover, Allah has made Prophet Muhammad’s name an integral part of Adhan which is regularly called from each mosque throughout the world five times a day before prayers. Due to the oval shape of the earth, there is always a city where a certain prayer times begin. As a result, no hour passes by where Prophet Muhammad’s name is not called out in this world!

PRESERVATION OF PHARAOH’S BODY

Dr. Maurice Bucaille is an eminent French surgeon, scientist, scholar and author of "The Bible, The Quran and Science" which contains the result of his research into the Judeo-Christian Revelation and the Quran. It is a unique contribution in the field of religion and science.

Being an outstanding Scientist, he was selected to treat the mummy of Merneptah (Pharaoh), which he did. During his visit to Saudi Arabia he was shown the verses of the Holy Quran in which Allah says that the dead body of the Pharaoh will be preserved as a "Sign" for posterity.

"So this day We shall deliver your (dead) body (out from the sea) that you may be a sign to those who come after you! And verily, many among mankind are heedless of Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs , revelations, etc.)." (The Quran, 10:92)

An impartial scientist like Dr. Bucaille, who (being also a Christian) was conversant with the Biblical version of Pharaoh's story as being drowned in pursuit of Prophet Moses. He was pleasantly surprised to learn that unknown to the world till only of late 20th century, the Holy Quran made definite prediction about the preservation of the body of that same Pharaoh of Moses' time. This led Dr. Bucaille to study the Holy Quran thoroughly after learning the Arabic language and accepted Islam as the truth.

The body of Pharaoh is now lying in a Cairo museum as an open miracle of the Holy Quran, for those who pay heed to the signs of Allah.

Source: Partially taken from "The Origin of Man", by Dr. Maurice Bucaille.

The Creation of Hell Fire

"Fear the fire, which is prepared for the disbelievers."
[Ali'-Imran, 3: 131]

"Truly Hell is lying in wait- a destination for the transgressors." (One's rejection of faith is transgression against Allah and himself).
[an-Naba, 78: 21-22]

Abdullah bin Umar (radiAllahu anhu) narrated: "Allah Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, 'When someone dies, he is shown his destination morning and evening and if he belongs to the people of Paradise, (he will be shown his place) among the people of Paradise, and if he is from the people of Hell, (he will be shown his place) among the people of Hell.'"
[Sahih al-Bukhari]

Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) reported that Allah's Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: "There was a dispute between Hell and Paradise during which Hell said, 'The haughty and the proud will find abode in me.' And Paradise said, 'The meek and the humble will find their abode in me.' Thereupon, Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, (addressing Hell) said, 'You are the means of My punishment by which I punish those of My servants whom I wish.' (and addressing Paradise), He said, 'You are My mercy by means of which I will show mercy to those whom I wish. And each one of you will be full.'"
[Muslim]

Story of Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great is known as the most powerful military leader and
conqueror of the ancient world. Before he turned 30 years old he
conquered an empire stretching over 3,000 miles from Greece to India.
He was born in 356 BC in Macedonia, known today as northern Greece.

On his sickbed and during his last hour alive, Alexander the Great
told his generals "After my death, when you put my body in the casket,
let my arms hang over the edges with my palms wide open, so the public
can see my empty hands while I am leaving the world." After he died,
many dignitaries came to view the royal funeral and were very
surprised to see his arms hanging over the edge of the casket with his
palms wide open. They asked questions about this unique scene. A wise
man told them "O People, Alexander the Great is telling us that when
he ruled the world, great treasures of gold, silver and wealth came to
be under his possession. Yet, indeed he is leaving the world empty
handed."

Source: Partially extracted from the writtings of JC Pinkerton.

Anas bin Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: Allah's
Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Three things follow the bier
of a dead man, two of them come back and one is left with him: the
members of his family, wealth and his good deeds. The members of his
family and wealth come back while his deeds alone are left with him.
(Sahih Muslim)