RENAISSANCE MAY 2019

35 Monthly Renaissance May 2019 Ḥ ad ī th Indications of Islam, Faith, Virtue and the Day of Judgement Javed Ahmad Ghamidi Research and Deduction: Mu ḥ ammad Hassan Ilyas It is narrated from ‘Umar ibn Kha ṭṭā b (rta) that “One day we were all in the presence of the Prophet (sws) when a man appeared: a beautiful face; beautiful and completely black hair; white clothes; there were no signs of travel on his face. People looked at each other in surprise, but none of us could recognize him. It was clear that he was not from around these parts. Anyway, he came, greeted the Prophet (sws) and asked if he could come close to him. The Prophet said: ‘Certainly.’ Then he came closer, joined his knees with those of the Prophet (sws) and placing his hands upon his knees, sat down in front of him in exactly the same manner as we do during prayer. 1 Then he said: ‘O’ Mu ḥ ammad, tell me, what is Islam?’ 2 The Prophet (sws) answered: ‘Islam is when you bear witness that there is no God but God, and bear witness that Mu ḥ ammad is the Messenger of God, 3 adhere to the prayer, pay zak ā h , fast in the month of 1. Very respectfully, just as is done with elderly people. 2. The word “Islam” here has been used for the manifestation of the religion which the Prophet Mu ḥ ammad (sws) has invited the world to. I.e., those things which a person demonstrates by acting upon them after professing belief in the Prophet (sws) and distinguishes himself from others by being known as one who follows Islam or is called a Muslim. 3. This is the demonstration of the fact that one has accepted the oneness of God and the messengerhood of the Prophet (sws). Hence, he will now neither associate anyone with God nor take the liberty of refusing to obey and follow the Prophet (sws) because he has accepted him as God’s Messenger.