I begin with the name of Allah the most merciful and the most kind, peace and blessing be upon beloved Prophet (S.A.W)

All praise is for Allah. We praise him and seek his help and his forgiveness and we believe in Him and rely on Him. We seek refuge with Allah from the evil of ourselves and the vices of our deeds. There is no one to misguide whom Allah guides and there is no one to guide whom Allah lets go astray ( refuses to follow the divine guidance ). I bear witness that there is not God but Allah alone. He ( the most high ) has no partner. I bear witness that our authority, our prophet and our master ( beloved ) Muhammed is His servant and His messenger. May Allah have mercy on Him ( SAW ), His household and His companions and bless them in great abundance.

INTRODUCTION OF A TRUE MUSLIM IN THE LIGHT OF QURAN AND HADITH

A True Muslim believes in one God who is Allah, Infinite and mighty, the merciful and compassionate, La Shareka Lahu - there is no partner with him.

He believes in all Prophets and Messengers of Allah without any discrimination among whom Sayyidina Muhammaad Sallal Allahu alaihi wassalam is the last messenger and the crowning glory of the foundatio of Prophethood. He believes in all articles of faith i.e.the angles, the scriptures, Akhira, destroyer of life after death as mentioned in the Holy Quran and explained by beloved Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him). Allah said in Sura Hujarat: "The Bedouins say "we believe" say (Ya RasullAllah) you believe not but only say "we have surrendered (in Islam) but if you obey Allah and His messenger (SAW) He (Allah) will not decrease anything in reward for your deeds. Verliy Allah is oft-forgiving,most merciful" ( Verse no 14 )

TRUE MUSLIMS ARE PRACTICAL

Allah said "only those are the believers who have believed in Allah and His messenger and afterward doubt not and strive with their wealth and their lives for the cause of Allah ( Peace and Justice ) . Those are the truthful". (Verse no 15 Ch 49)

SALAH AS SHEILD FOR INDECENCY AND SOURCE OF PEACE

A true Muslim believes in five daily prayers as one of the five basic principles of Islam and practices it regularly following the Holy Prophet (SAW) and His Sahaba (Companions). Five times Salah (prayer) is mentioned hundreds of times in the Holy Quran. Allah said: "Successful indeed are those believers who are humble in their prayers (salah) who avoid vain talk, who give Zakah and who guard their modesty" ( Sura MuminV 1-5 )

The Prophet of Allah (SAW) has said : Islam is that you worship Allah and not associate anyone with Him, keep up Salah,pay Zakah,and observe Sawm (fasting)in (the month of )Ramadhan. Ihsan is that you worship Allah as if you see Him and if you do not see Him surely he sees you (Salih Al Bukhari).

PROMOTION OF PEACE AND JIHAD AGAINST EVIL

Allah has mentioned the advise of Luqman (wise and intelligent-probably Arabic speaking black African) for all Muslims: "O my dear son establish Salah and command for right and forbid the evil and preserve in what ever difficulty you are in . Surely this is one of those qualities which have been strongly recommend" (Sura Luqman V-17)

We must condemn all those who killed over 6000 people in the USA and those who are bombing the innocent poor civilians of Afghanistan day and night and boasting for their bravery by attacking the poorest country in the world.

TEST YOUR ISLAM OR FAITH

The true Muslim is one who submits the commandments of Allah and His Messenger, peace be upon him. The true faith is of one who makes Allah and His messenger dearer to him than his parents ,children and all mankind. As Allah said: "Say if your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your possessions, your kindred, the wealth that your have gained , the commerce in which you fear a decline, and the dwellings in which delights are dearer to you than Allah and His messenger , and striving hard in His cause ( in all ways and aspects) then wait until Allah brings about His decision (torment) and Allah guides not the people who are Fasiqoon ( the rebellious and disobedient to Allah and His messenger SAW)" Sura 9 V 24 The prophet of Allah has reported to have said : " none of you has faith unless I am dearer to him than his father, his son (parents and children ) and all mankind" (Salih Bukhari)

A TRUE MUSLIM TOWARDS HIS PARENTS

He follows the commandments mentioned in the Holy Quran as Allah said: "Be kind to your parents and the relatives and the orphans, and those in need and speak nicely to people" (Sura 2: 83 ) "And we have made it a duty for man (human) to be good to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years, give thanks to me(Allah) and to your parents. Unto me is the final destination" (Sura 31 V V-14)

MOTHER AND FATHER OF A MUSLIM

A true Muslim seeks paradise or the pleasure of Allah by serving his parents as the beloved Prophet of Allah has said :"Paradise lies under the feet of your mother" A Father's pleasure is Allah's pleasure , a fathers displeasure is Allah's displeasure (Tirmidhi)

A true Muslim remembers when a Sahabi (companion) asked the Prophet "O messenger of Allah (SAW) who deserves the best care for me? The prophet (SAW) said "your mother", the man (RA) asked who then? , the Prophet said "your mother", the man asked again "who then"? The beloved messenger of Allah (SAW) said "your mother"

(may Allah enable us to examine our present state and make us able to seek forgiveness)

Continued on 26th October 2001.......