RENAISSANCE MAY 2019

Ḥ ad ī th 36 Monthly Renaissance May 2019 Ramadan and, if you have the wherewithal to undertake a journey, go for ḥ ajj of the House of God.’ 4 The man said: ‘You have stated correctly.’ We were surprised at his asking a question and then affirming the answer himself. After this, he asked about faith. The Prophet (sws) said that faith was that you believe in God, in His angels, in His books and in His messengers and in the Day of Judgement, 5 and also in the good or evil of destiny. 6 He testified to this also and asked again: ‘Say, what is virtue?’ The Prophet (sws) answered: ‘Virtue is such that you worship God as if you see Him, because even if you cannot see Him, He is watching you.’ 7 The man said: ‘Now tell me 4. Islam is demonstrated in the life of a person through these five things. Therefore, many narratives state these as the basis of Islam. The Qur’ ā n also reinforces this status for them at various places. There is no possibility of any debate or dispute regarding this. This is so because they have been communicated through consensus and an unbroken line of narration and are proven beyond any doubt. Therefore, no Muslim should dare to refute them. 5. The tenets of faith for Islam are these and have been explained as such in the Qur’ ā n. There can be no addition or reduction, no change or alteration in these. Some people who have included other things in this list of beliefs have dared to confront God and His Messenger with their personal opinion and built the basis of conflict in religion, from which all Muslims should pray to be saved. 6. It is the belief that anything good or bad that reaches a person is through the will of God. This is a corollary of faith in God. This has been highlighted because of the fact that the external demonstrations of our relationship with God, for example, remembrance, gratitude, sincerity, trust, giving in to him and acceptance all arise from it. The real effect on the character of a person from his faith in God is a result of faith in this reality. If this faith does not exist, all other things that have been mentioned cannot exist, even though these are the beauty and excellence of faith. 7. The literal meaning of ihs ā n is to do something better. This is an explanation of the attitude that should be adopted in their deeds by those acting upon their faith. The Qur’ ā n has emphasized this in verse number 112 of S ū rah Baqarah: “Those who gave up their selves to God, and they are the ones who are the best doers,” and other verses of a similar content. It must be clarified here that this is not a degree of implementing religion; rather it is the required attitude for actions. Such an attitude is born within a person when he implements God’s instructions after