Quran: A teacher to modern scientists

Ours is an era of space probes, computer chips, laser surgeries and cloning. If we were to label any book as a revelation from God, we couldn`t help but to scrutinize this Scripture using modern scientific knowledge.

It could not be that a revelation, proclaiming itself from God, could constitute aspects contradicting established scientific facts. How could we assume otherwise, when God is the one who created the universe and the laws operating within it.

The Quran was revealed 1400 years ago to the last Prophet of God, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as a guidance for all humanity. The entire Quran has been committed to memory by millions of Muslims around the world and has been preserved by God from any interpolations, for continuing guidance. Although the Quran is a religious book with a total of about 6600 plus verses dealing with many aspects of a person`s life, about 1000 of those verses are of scientific nature, none contradicting established scientific facts.

Dr.T.V.N. Persaud, professor of Anatomy says "You have an illiterate person (Prophet Muhammad) making profound statements that are amazingly accurate, of a scientific nature...I personally can`t see how this could be mere chance, there are too many accuracies and like Dr. Moore, I have no difficulty in my mind reconciling that this is a divine inspiration or revelation which lead him to these statements."Besides providing guidelines in personal, social, moral and spiritual spheres of humanity, the Quran touches upon diverse scientific topics like astronomy, geology, embryology, genetics, biology, archeology etc. Some of these are mentioned below to prove the Quran`s Divine origin:

The Big Bang!
Currently, the Big Bang model of the origin of the universe is the cosmological paradigm most widely accepted by astronomers. It holds that about 15 billion years ago the universe began with the explosive expansion of a single, extremely dense matter, the primordial mass. Only after the development of radio telescopes in 1937 that, the necessary observational precision was achieved in order for astronomers to arrive at the above conclusion. What does the Quran say about our universe`s origin?

"Do not the unbelievers see that the Heavens and the earth were joined together, then We split them apart."(21:30).

Expanding Universe
In 1925, Edwin Hubble (after whom the Hubble Space telescope is named) provided the observational evidence for the expansion of the universe. Stephen Hawking (author of `A Brief History of Time`) states: "The universe is not static, as had previously been thought, it is expanding," So what did God reveal in the Quran, 1400 years ago?"And the firmament, We constructed with power and skill and verily We are expanding it"(51:47) ("We" is the Arabic plural of respect, not the Christian plural of "trinity")

The Existence of Sun`s Orbit
Ancient people believed that the sun revolves around the earth. Later, Nicholas Copernicus in 1512, laid his Heliocentric Theory of Planetary motion, which placed the sun motionless in the center of the solar system with all the planets revolving around it. Modern science tells us now that the sun too is not still, but is in motion.The sun traveling at roughly 150 miles per second takes about 200 million years to complete one revolution around the center of our Milky Way Galaxy and 25 days to make one complete rotation around its own axis. See how beautifully and accurately God revealed this phenomenon in the Quran:

"It is He who created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon, all (the celestial bodies) swim along, each in its orbit with its own motion."(21:33)

Conquest of Space by Human
Human exploration and the conquest of space began with the launch of the Russian Satellite, Sputnik I on Oct. 4, 1957. Then followed the launch of humans into space, which eventually led to a manned space flight to the Moon on July 20th, 1967. Thus the dream of humanity since the dawn of civilization to go beyond the earth to the heavens was realized.

The Quran, 1400 years ago, clearly predicted human`s advancement and the possibility of space flight.

"O assembly of Jinns and humans, if you can penetrate the regions of the heavens and the earth, then penetrate them!You will not penetrate them save with a power (of God)."(55:33)

The Protective Atmosphere
Earth is constantly bombarded by meteoroids that disintegrate upon the atmosphere and by lethal rays emitted by the sun. This UV radiation is absorbed by the Ozone layer forming the outer fringe of our atmosphere. Thus our atmosphere along with its Ozone layer is a protective covering for us. Life possibly could not have existed without it. How meticulously,does our Lord sustain and protect us against this atmospheric destruction.

"And We have made the atmosphere a protective roof, yet do they turn away from the Signs which these things point to."(21:32)

Embryology

The Dutch naturalist Anthony van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723) produced lenses powerful enough to prove that many tiny creatures are not spontaneously generated but are produced from eggs. The science of Embryology as we know it today did not discover many of the detailed aspects of human embryonic development until the 1970s, using powerful microscopes, ultra sound and fiber optics technology. See how the Quran described the stages of embryonic development.

"God fashioned man from a small quantity (of sperm)" (16:4)

Fertilization takes place with only one sperm among several tens of million produced by man.

"Then We placed him as a drop in a place of rest" (23:13)

Implantation of the blastocyst in the uterus.

"Then We made the drop into a leech like structure" (23:14)

This resemblance of the human embryo to a leech is an appropriate description of the human embryo from days 7-24, when it clings to the endometrium of the uterus.

"And He (God) gave you hearing and sight and feeling and understanding."(32:9)

The internal ears appear before the eyes, and the brain (the sight of understanding) differentiates last.Dr. E. Marshall Johnson, professor of Anatomy, concluded after studying verses from Quran: "The Quran describes notonlythe_development of external form but emphasizes also the internal stages - the stages inside the embryo of its creation and development, emphasizing major events recognized by contemporary science... so I see nothing in conflict with the concept that divine intervention was involved."

Gender Determination
The concept of "Gender Determination"as being described by geneticist is one of the outstanding information revealed to us in the Quran. This information is now a known fact, that sperms are the deciding factors in determining the type of gender (male or female) in the new embryo. This determination through the male sperm is due to the fact that sperms have an X and Y chromosomes, while the female ovum has only X Chromosomes (X, X).Through the Quran, The Almighty informs us that it is the male sperms that determine the type of gender for the new offspring:

"Does man think that he will be left uncontrolled (without purpose)? Was he not a drop of sperm emitted (in humble form)? Then did (God) make and fashion (him) in due proportion. And of him He made two sexes, male and female.(75:36-40)

Existence of Pairs in All Creation
Before the dawn of the modern era, humans conceived that only animal life was divided into two genders, male and female. Then the discovery was made that this phenomenon was present in plants and vegetation too. We have found this reality existing in every creation, animate as well as inanimate, though in different forms. In electricity, these two genders can be classified as positive and negative. North and south pole describe it in magnetism, electron and proton in atoms, matter and antimatter etc. Even bacteria could be positive or negative, while the truth is, this creation is made of pairs. At the time the Holy Quran was being revealed in the 7th century C.E., we knew of pairing in animals and plants only, but the Quran describes the phenomenon in the most lucid manner:

"Hallowed is He, Who created pairs in all things, those that grow from the earth and of themselves, and what they know not." (36:36).

The Quranic statement: "And what they know not"is as true today, as it was when Holy Quran was revealed. Though we have discovered that every created thing exists in pair, we have yet to discover many things that exist.

We have expounded scientific marvels from the Holy Quran to convince sincere seekers of truth that it is the infallible Word of God. No mortal being can ever speak with such authority,finality, knowledge, perfection, and precision coupled with exotic beauties of expression, as does God in the Quran.

By realizing these Truths about the Quran and the religion of Islam revealed by our Creator and Sustainer, many modern scientists are turning towards it. Dr. Keith Moore, professor of Embryology, after analyzing the verses of the Quran for three years comments: "It has been a pleasure for me to help clarify statements in the Quran about Human Development. It is clear to me that these statements must have come to Muhammad from God or Allah because almost all of this knowledge was not discovered until many centuries later."

Dr. Maurice Bucaille, French physician, after studying Quran and comparing it with modern science, addressed the French Academy of Medicine in 1976 proclaimed: "Our knowledge of these disciplines is such, that it is impossible to explain how a text produced at the time of the Quran could have contained ideas that have only been discovered in modern times."

Dr. Joe Leigh Simpson, professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, proclaims: "...These Hadiths (sayings of Muhammad) could not have been obtained on the basis of the scientific knowledge that was available at the time of the writer (7th century). It follows that not only is there no conflict between genetics and religion (Islam) but in fact religion (Islam) may guide science by adding revelation to some of the traditional scientific approaches.There exist statements in the Quran shown centuries later to be valid which support knowledge in the Quran having been derived from God."

Dr.Tejatet Tejasen, professor of Anatomy, attending the Eighth Saudi Medical Conference, stood up and likewise announced: "From my studies and what I have learnt at this conference, I believe that everything that has been recorded in the Quran 1400 years ago must be true. That can be proved the scientific way.". These men of knowledge, in their unbiased studies of the Quran, all proclaimed its truthfulness as a Revelation of Almighty God.

"Soon we will show them Our Signs in the (furthest) regions (of the earth) and in their own soul, until it becomes manifest to them that this is the Truth."(41:53).

Guidance to humanity proclaimed in the Quran is complete and applicable to all societies and all times. Whether we are living in the Stone Age or the Space Age, riding in horse pulled carriages or flying in Space Shuttles, we haven`t changed a bit. We still possess physical and emotional desires, we live in societies, interact with one another, establish social, political and economic systems; thus the relevant need for guidance by our Creator in all these spheres of our life. Islam is the only religion which is totally compatible with scientific facts and provides complete, explicit and clear guidance in all spheres of life.The Quran was revealed in Arabic, but translation of its meaning are available in English and other languages for non-Arabs. Likewise Islam is not restricted to people of the east or Arabs, it is a universal religion revealed for all of mankind.

We invite all sincere humans to study Islam with an open mind. Don`t blindly follow the whims and paganistic influences of the environment around us. God bestowed upon us this superb mind to seek and live the truth; for we all will be accountable on the Day of Judgment for our beliefs and deeds. Don`t delay your salvation. Welcome to Islam!

The importance of time in islam

In general, sensible people know the importance of time.

There are among those who believe in the popular saying as ... Time is gold. Time in Islam is more than gold or any precious material thing in this world. Of all religions, only Islam guides mankind not only to the importance of time but also how to value it. Allah the Almighty and His Messenger, Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), very clearly tell us the value of time, why we must not waste it and how we can make use of our time wisely to increase our iman (faith) and thus attain success, especially eternal success in the life Hereafter.

Both the Quran and the Sunnah enjoin Muslims to be conscious of time. We are reminded that life in this world is nothing but temporary. We never know when death has been appointed for us. We must value time for the satisfaction of Allah the Almighty. For our guidance and success, we must never waste time nor abuse it.

Ibni Abbas r.a. narrated that Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:

There are two blessings which many people lose: (They are) health and free time for doing good. (Bukhari 8/421)

Indeed, we displease Allah the Most High when we abuse time. We must remember that time must be spent to fulfill our very purpose in life ? that is to worship Allah all throughout our lives. Allah makes this very clear in the Quran when He says:

I have created not the jinn and men except that they should worship Me (Alone). I seek not any provision from them nor do I ask that they should feed Me. Verily, Allah is the All-Provider, Owner of Power, Most Strong. Quran 51:56-58).

So glorify the praises of your Rabb (Only God and Sustainer) and be of those who prostrate themselves (to Him). And worship your Rabb until there comes unto you the Hour that is certain (i.e., death). (Quran 15:98-99)

Everything we do in accordance with the Quran and the Sunnah is an act of worship. Such worship must be done sincerely for the pleasure of Allah alone. We should make use of our time (which includes our free time) in doing beneficial things especially those that will make us closer to Allah and earn His Mercy.

We have to make use of our time wisely by knowing more of the Quran and the Sunnah. We must have correct knowledge of what Allah and His Messenger have commanded us to do and at the same time to refrain from what they have forbidden us. This is imperative so that we earn Allahs pleasure and reward. Allah the Exalted makes it very clear, when he says:

O you who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger (Mohammad) and render not vain your deeds. (Quran 47:33)

Corollary to the above divine commandment, we must ask ourselves: Have we been obeying Allah and His Messenger? To what extent have we used our time learning the Quran and the Sunnah in order to have correct iman (Faith), to do righteous deeds, to enjoin the Truth or do Da'wah, and be patient and constant? As time passes by, are we sure we are devoting our time for the sincere worship and pleasure of Allah the Most High? Are we taking guidance from the following very enlightening Ayat (Quranic verses).

By the time, verily man is in loss, except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and join (together) in the mutual enjoining of Truth, and of patience and constancy. (Quran 103:1-3)

In line with the above Quranic injunction, we have to discipline ourselves by giving value to the importance of time. We must be prompt in doing good deeds, which will increase our faith and subsequently enable us to gain Allahs pleasure and mercy. We have to remember that on the day of judgement we shall be asked how we spent our lives, wealth and knowledge. In other words, we will be questioned on how we spent everything that Allah has given us as implied in the following Hadith:

Narrated Abdullah Bin Mas`ud Allah?s Messenger (PBUH) said:

A man shall be asked concerning five things on the day of resurrection: concerning his life, how he spent it; concerning his youth, how he grew old; concerning his wealth, whence he acquired it, and in what way he spent it; and what was it that he did with the knowledge that he had.

Abu Barzah Nadlah ibn Ubayd al-Aslami narrated that the Prophet(PBUH) said:

A servant of Allah will remain standing on the Day of Judgment till he is questioned: about his age and how he spent it; and about his knowledge and how he utilized it; about his wealth from where he acquired it and in what (activities) he spent it; and about his body as to how he used it.

If we are to evaluate ourselves objectively, have we been spending our time wisely for the pleasure of Allah the Almighty? Have we been spending our lives based on the Quran and the Sunnah? Have we been practicing Muslims? How many of us are Muminoon (faithful Muslims) and/or Mutaqqoon (God-fearing Muslims)? How much knowledge of the Quran and the Sunnah do we know? Do we practice what we learn and impart the same to others or at least share them to our families and kin? Have we ever enjoined to others what is right and forbid what is wrong?

To be successful, we have to manage our time wisely by making plans for virtuous deeds that please Allah the Almighty. We must spend time learning Islam (based on the Quran and the Sunnah and the right deductions from these two revealed scriptures).

Lawful food in Islam

When mentioning lawful food and drink in Islam, there are two words that you'll find recurring: Halal and Haram. Halal is an Arabic word meaning lawful or permitted.The opposite of halal is haram, which means unlawful or prohibited. Halal and haram are in fact universal terms that apply to all facets of life.As far as food is concerned, the Qur'an makes it clear as to what is halal and haram.

Basically, all food is halal except for the following:

•Meat from swine - pork, ham.

•Pork-based products and by-products - sausages, gelatine etc

•Animals improperly slaughtered, or already dead before slaughtering is due to take place

•Animals killed in the name of anyone other than Allah (for example, by anyone other than a Jew or Muslim, or as part of a pagan sacrifice)

•Intoxicants

•Blood and blood by-products

•Foods contaminated with any of the above products. You'll find that many things are clearly halal or clearly haram, but there are some things which are not clear.

These items are considered questionable or suspect and more information is needed to categories them as halal or haram. Such items are often referred to as Mashbooh, which means doubtful or questionable. Food falling into this category should be considered as haram until proven otherwise.

Also it is noteworthy that the Qur'an specifies intoxicants, as being haram. An intoxicant is, by definition, a substance eaten, drunk or smoked with the sole intention of becoming intoxicated, or a substance created with that purpose in mind.

This basically means alcoholic drinks and narcotic drugs. Any food which was made with an alcoholic drink is haram because, although the food itself probably couldn't get you drunk, its alcoholic ingredient was made for that purpose. So make sure you check the ingredients label carefully! In contrast, alcohol can be found in some halal foods, such as bread, soy sauce and vinegar (even cider vinegar or wine vinegar).

These sometimes contain minute amounts of alcohol as a result of a natural reaction between certain chemicals during the manufacturing process (as opposed to alcoholic drinks being deliberately added to food to add flavour), and so couldn't be classified as Haram. Some medicines and mouthwashes contain alcohol. Generally these are halal for the same reason, but it is preferable if you can find an alternative and start using it instead. A note for Muslims in Britain - some fish and chip shops cook their food in pork fat.

You shouldn't eat them, they're haram. Some medicines and supplements (especially cod liver oil) also use gelatine as part of their capsules. It can be permissible to use these, but ONLY if there are no suitable alternatives. Moreover, the Qur'an states that everything creature from the sea is halal, including sharks. And here are evidences from the Holy Qur'an and the Hadith asserting the importance of eating only halal food, and stating what is halal to eat and what is haram to avoid:

"O you who believe! Eat of the good things where with We have provided you, and render thanks to Allah if indeed He is The One you worship" Qur'an (2:172)."

But certainly what God has forbidden to you are dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has had other than name of God invoked upon it, but whoever is constrained by necessity, not out of insolence, nor with the intention of repeating it, then no sin is on him. Surely God is All-Forgiving, All- Merciful."Qur'an (2:173).

"O you who believe! Fulfill the pledges. All kinds of cattle-like animals have been made lawful to you, except those which are now recited to you; you should make hunting lawful when you are in pilgrim sanctity. Indeed God ordains whatever He pleases". Qur'an (5:1)"

Prohibited to you are dead meat, blood and flesh of swine, that which has had other than the name of Allah invoked upon it, that which has been killed by strangling or by violent blow, or falling, or by being butted to death by horns, or that which has been devoured by beasts of prey, except that which you have duly slaughtered while it was still alive. Also unlawful to you is that which is sacrificed to idols and divided by raffling with arrows, this is impiety.

Today the unbelievers have despaired of your religion, so do not fear them, but fear Me. Today I have perfected for you your Religion and completed My Grace on your Religion. But whoever is compelled by hunger, and not inclining purposely to sin, then God is All-Forgiving, All-Merciful.

They ask you what is permitted for them, say, "Permitted to you is all that is good and pure, and what the hunting animals catch and hold for you, which you have trained to hunt according to the knowledge God has given to you, so eat from what it catches and holds for you, and you should invoke the name of Allah over it." And fear Allah, surely God is swift at reckoning".Qur'an (5:3,4)

"And eat not of that whereon Allah's name has not been mentioned, for it is abomination, the devils do inspire their minions to dispute with you. But if you obey them, indeed you would be polytheists".Qur'an (6:121).

From the Hadith: On the authority of Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:

“Allah the Almighty is good and accepts only that which is good. Allah has commanded the Faithful to do that which He commanded the Messengers. Allah the Almighty said:

“O you Messengers! Eat of the good things, and do right...” (Qur'an 23:51).

Allah also said:

“O you who believe! Eat of the good things wherewith We have provided you...” (Qur'an 2:172). Then he mentioned [the case of] a man who, having journeyed far, is disheveled and dusty and who spreads out his hands to the sky [saying]:

“O Lord! O Lord!-while his food is unlawful, his drink is unlawful, his clothing unlawful, and he is nourished unlawfully, so how can he be answered!” (Muslim).

On the authority of Abu Ya'la Shahddad ibn Aus, Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:

"Verily Allah has prescribed proficiency in all things. Thus, if you kill, kill well; and if you slaughter, slaughter well. Let each one of you sharpen his blade and let him spare suffering to the animal he slaughters". (Muslim).

In an incident narrated by Rafi' bin Khadij, Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) told Muslims who wanted to slaughter some animals using reeds, “Use whatever causes blood to flow, and eat the animals if the Name of Allah has been mentioned on slaughtering them...” (Bukhari).

Narrated Ibn Umar: Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) cursed the one who did Muthla to an animal (i.e. cut its limbs or some other part of its body while it is still alive (Bukhari).

Why has Islam prohibited dating?

"Dating" as it is currently practiced in much of the world shall not exist among Muslims -- where a man and a woman (or boy/girl) are in a one-on-one intimate relationship, spending time together alone, getting to know each other in a very deep way.

A man and a woman are not allowed to be alone together, and any physical contact before marriage is forbidden. Hence, Dating is not permitted in Islam. Allah has prohibited girl/boyfriend relationships in the Qur'an:

"(Lawful to you in marriage) are chaste women from the believers and chaste women from those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) before your time, when you have given their due Mahr (bridal-money given by the husband to his wife at the time of marriage), desiring chastity (i.e. taking them in legal wedlock) not committing illegal sexual intercourse, nor taking them as girlfriends. ... ? - Al-Ma'idah 5:5.

If a Muslim man has the desire and willingness to assume marital responsibilities, and he doesn't have anyone in mind, he might ask his friends, family, and relatives if there is a lady that might be suitable for him among their acquaintances and relatives, and then the couple can meet with their family members.

As a result, many marriages in the Muslim world were traditionally arranged marriages, though this is not a religious requirement. However, both couples can not be forced to accept an arranged marriage and if a man likes someone (with the intention of marriage) that he knows from work, neighborhood or acquaintances, etc? he shall propose to her.

Islam also encourages Muslims to marry persons for whom they have special feelings and are comfortable with. Thus, Islam recommends that potential marriage partners see one another before proposing marriage. Explaining the reason for such a recommendation, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:

That would enhance/foster the bonding?

However the prospective couple shall not meet in private, this might lead to extremely unwanted situations, as Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said :

Whenever a man is alone with a woman, Satan is the third among them? (Reported by At-Tirmidhi).

At all times, Muslims should follow the commands of the Qur'an:

"Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.). That is purer for them. "

In conclusion, Islam lays its social structure on the basis of a permanent relationship between a man and a woman in the form of a family.

Consequently, to preserve this marital relationship, it forbids all forms of temporary relationships between a man and a woman. Pre-marital relationships in Islam are not considered respectful for neither the man nor the woman, nor is it constructive for the concept or the building the family or the Islamic society.

Islam and the concept of friendship

Humans are social creatures by nature; they're always in need of friends and companions. Most of our lives depend on interaction with others. Strong individuals are the core of a strong community, something that Muslims should always strive for.

We all know that Allah the Most High has brought us to life in order to test us. Thus we are here for a relatively short period of time and that we shall meet Allah one Day, so we need to use our present life for what is best for us in the hereafter. Once we know our purpose and our goal in life, we should seek ways to achieve them so as to benefit our own selves.

In an authentic Hadith, Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:

"A person is likely to follow the faith of his friend, so look whom you befriend."

Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) who has the most noble character and dealings with fellow humans gave us a very clear and simple message and advice in regard to friendship.

How should we choose our friends?

We should choose the friend that believes and abide by our religion (Islam) and gives great respect to what Allah and Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) has ordered us. And we should stay away from that who is not well mannered and gives no attention to what Islam is about or what pleases or displeases Allah, for he'll surely affect us negatively. There is no good in the companion drowns us in sins and displeasing Allah.

The bases for the actions of those who follow the evil ways are corrupt; their actions are built upon misguidance and deviation. Their deeds are worthless to them as Allah said:

"And We will proceed to what they have done of deeds, so We shall render them to scattered floating dust." Qur?an (25:23).

Their actions, even if we see them as righteous and noble are of no value to them, so how can they be useful to us?

Good friends are those who share their companions both happiness and sadness. If we share our feelings with the wrong-doers whose actions are worthless and based on corruption, then we are following the same ways and standards as they are, and we'll end up being as corrupted as they are, and then we're in a big trouble, how can we face Allah's dissatisfaction and displeasure?!

Instead of making friends with the misguided ones we should befriend the righteous, yet treat the rest in a gracious and just manner. Staying at sufficient distance is necessary; yet treating everybody in a noble and kind manner is required.

In another Hadith, Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:

"The example of a good companion and a bad companion is like that of the seller of musk, and the one who blows the blacksmith?s bellows. So as for the seller of musk then either he will grant you some, or you buy some from him, or at least you enjoy a pleasant smell from him. As for the one who blows the blacksmiths bellows then either he will burn your clothes or you will get an offensive smell from him."

When choosing our friends we should ask ourselves first: Are they going to help us achieve the purpose for which we were brought to life? or will they take us away from it? Will they desire for us Allah's pleasure or is that completely irrelevant to them and not their concern at all? Are they leading us to Paradise or to the Hell?

Allah says in the Qur'an:

"O you who believe! Take care of your own selves. If you follow the right guidance and enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong no hurt can come to you from those who are in error. The return of you all is to Allah, then He will inform you about (all) that which you used to do." Qur'an (5:105)

On Trust and Obligation

One of the marks of true believers is, according to the Qur’an, that they "faithfully observe their trusts and their covenants" (23:8).Maulana Shabbir Ahmad Usmani has briefly explained it in these words: "They do not commit breach of trust and do not break promises, neither in the matter of God nor in the matter of men" (p. 443).

Everything man has is given to him in trust by God or by man. In this way everyone is bound by certain promises and obligations. Some obligations are entered into by written or spoken agreement, while others are a matter of tacit understanding.

Whatever the form of agreement, man has to fulfill all these trusts and obligations. If he fails to do so, he does not come up to the highest standards of humanity. He is proving himself guilty in the eyes of God.Man’s body, heart and mind, are all like trusts from God. It is, therefore, incumbent upon man to make the best use of these endowments within the limits decreed by God.

That is, his hands and feet should move only for the cause of justice, and not for tyranny. His mind should be full only of well-wishing and not of ill-will. Similarly all the trusts by which he is bound should be discharged to the trustees, whether these trusts are in written or in verbal form. He should never regard another’s possessions as his own.

Everyone is bound by obligations, in relation on the one hand to man and on the other to God. According to the Qur’an, trust of two kinds stems from God; one is the inherent sense of responsibility man is born with; this form of trust is binding upon all human beings born on this earth. Another form of trust is that which arises from faith in God. Only those are bound by this sense of commitment who have embraced God’s religion as brought to them by God’s messenger; in this sense, these believers are consciously bound in trust.

Let’s now take the matter of trust as regards man. Some obligations are incurred from time to time as they arise in particular and are set down in contracts, while others automatically devolve upon individuals either as family members, or as citizens of the state, living in society. Discharging all these trusts and obligations is man’s duty, in obedience both to his own nature and to the Shariah.

Financial prohibitions in Islam

Stocks, money, bonds, T-bills, market accounts, certificates of deposits, variable-interest checking and saving accounts, and many other financial dealings that have become a fact in our life. But what we're concerned with here is how can we stick to the Islamic teachings regarding various financial issues?! And what are the financial prohibitions in Islam?

1- Gambling:

Allah says in the Qur'an: "Intoxicants and gambling, sacrificing to stones and divination by arrows, are an abomination, of Satan's handiwork, so avoid such abomination, in order that you may be successful."Qur'an (5:90)

Today gambling has taken many forms, such as the lottery which itself is of different types, the most known is to buy numbers, and different prizes are given to the winning numbers. This is definitely forbidden even if some say it is for charitable causes. Any type of gambling game is included in this category. Nowadays there exist clubs just for gambling, where 'green tables' are reserved for this abominable sin, there is also betting for football games, and other sports games, these are also considered unlawful gambling.

2- Stealing:

Allah says in the Qur'an: "Cut off the hand of the thief, male or female, as a recompense for that which they committed, a punishment by way of example from Allah. And Allah is Ail-Powerful, All-Wise."Qur'an (5:38).

Among the biggest crimes of stealing is stealing from the persons who come to the House of Allah for Hajj or Umrah. These types of thieves do not give any respect to Allah's punishment, while they are in the most sacred place on earth, around His House. Another horrible crime is stealing from the funds of the Muslim community. Some people who do it say, 'We do what many other people are doing.’

They do not realize that they are stealing from all the Muslims, because the public funds are the property of all the Muslims, and the fact that other people do it is not an excuse to follow them. Some people steal from people they consider non Muslims, arguing that they are disbelievers. Of course this is not permissible.

Another type of stealing is to steal from other people's pockets. Some people steal from their hosts' houses, others steal from their guests' purses, others shoplift. Some people think it is permissible to steal things as long as they are of small or insignificant value. Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said: "Allah cursed the thief, he steals the egg and then his hand is cut off, and he steals the rope and then his hand is cut off." (Bukhari).

Any person who steals anything should return it back to its owner and return to Allah and ask for His Forgiveness, whether he returns it openly or in secret, by himself or through an intermediary. If he is unable to return the property to its owner or to his inheritors after him, then he may give it to any charity organisation and intend the reward for its owner.

3- Accepting and Giving Bribes:

This another source of unlawful money, which Allah has forbidden. Giving a bribe to a judge or a ruler in order to incur injustice is a crime, for it leads to unfairness in ruling by taking away people's rights, and it leads to the spread of corruption.

Allah says:"And eat up not one another's property unjustly, nor give bribery to the rulers that you may knowingly eat up a part of the property of others sinfully."Qur'an (2:18)Abu Hurairah narrated that Prophet Mohammad (SAW) said:"Allah curses the bribe giver and the bribe taker in ruling cases." However, bribes given by a person to take back what rightfully belongs to him, or to ward off an injustice, and which could not be accomplished otherwise, are not included in this type of cursed bribes. On the contrary it is considered means of regaining one's rights.

Bribes nowadays are looked at as a more profitable source of income than some employees' salaries, to the extent that it has become a clause in many companies' budgets under different cover names. It has also corrupted many employees at the expense of their employers, so that the good service (or merchandise) is presented only to the one who gives bribe. As for the others, they are neglected or their service is postponed. Prophet Mohammad (SAW) has cursed those who participate in this crime, saying: "Allah's curse be upon the bribe giver and the bribe taker." (Narrated by Ibn Majah). Once the fear of Allah is absent, then power and cunning is abused in wrongdoings, such as to lay claim to people's properties, and to confiscate their land.

The punishment for this deed is severe, for Prophet Mohammad (SAW) said: "Whoever wrongfully takes away a land, will sink into the seventh earth on the Day of Judgment."(Bukhari). Also Prophet Mohammad (SAW) said: "Whoever wrongfully takes even a span of the hand from a land, Allah will order him to dig it down to the seventh earth, then He will fence it on the Day of Judgment until He judges between people."

4- Denying the Employees Their Money:

Prophet Mohammad (SAW) has stressed the importance of paying the worker as soon as he finishes his task, saying: "Give the worker his pay before his sweat dries up."

It is prohibited to delay paying the workers and the employees. And this takes various forms:Denying the employee his entire salary when the employee has no proof of his work: Even if the employee's right is lost in this life, it will not be lost on the Day of Judgment.

Another form is giving the employee only part of his salary, without having any lawful reason.Allah says: "Woe to al-Mutaffifeen (those who decrease the rights of others)." Qur'an (83:1). Another example is assigning the employee additional tasks or making him work overtime, without giving him any compensation.