Q & A 4

(Q) You spoke about Universal brotherhood, but if a non-muslim boy, will marry a muslim girl… no one will tolerate - Where does universal brotherhood go ?

(Ans) It’s a very  good question asked by the brother -that no one will agree, that a non-muslim person marries a muslim person -where does Universal brotherhood, go? It is like you asking me -that we will make a car, in which one  tyre… is a cycle tyre, and the other is a truck tyre -how will the  car run?… how will the car run? See...the way of life should  be same -Wife is a life partner. In Islam, Qur’an says that…The marriage is a ‘Misaak’… sacred covenant… is a sacred covenant. It’s not like… that she becomes your slave. It’s a sacred covenant - Both have equal rights, on to one another. If the way of life is different, one person will say that… I  will  go to the church this day -and one person will say…I  will go to the Mosque -and they start worshipping different  things. Then it will not be a good vehicle -the vehicle can’t run. So for the family to run good, both should have the same philosophy -its very important. If they have different philosophies, it will surely won’t run. Therefore I said, that Islam believes in Universal  brotherhood… all the humans, are my brothers. But the muslims are my brothers in faith. See… you have different Christians . A Christian also… if that Christian doesn’t agree with your view, you will even not marry that Christian. A Christian that doesn’t agree with you Christian  philosopy…you will not marry that Christian  also. Because the philosophy of both the life partners should be same - then it will be a very smooth sailing. If the philosophy will differ, it will be like a cycle tyre and a truck tyre -the vehicle will not go. That is the reason why,  the philosophy and  way of life, of both the partners, should be same.

(Q) Why is it, non-muslims are looked  down upon, and  known as Kafirs… is used  in a different manner, which critics other Religion?

(Ans) The question passed is… why do you call the Non-muslims  as kafirs, and why do you look down upon them. Brother, the Arabic word ‘Kaafir’, comes from the root word ‘kufr’… which means to deny, to cancel. In context of the Qur’an, it means… Who denies the one truth of Islam so any one – Who is a non-muslim. So Arabic word kafir,  is another word for… Non-muslim. So if you  are a  non-muslim,  I will  have to call you a non-muslim . The Arabic word for non-muslim is Kaafir. If you feel that Kaafir… calling Kaafir,  is  abusive…its wrong, then you should become a muslim. See… if someone tells me…I am a Non-Hindu, why should I feel bad. I mean, if someone calls me Non-Hindu…its not a abuse to me. If someone calls you a Non-Muslim…and you are a non-Muslim, he is speaking the truth. You don’t accept  Islam… that you are the … that your are rejecting. It’s a word  for non-Muslims. If you feel, someone robs…and if he says… Why you are calling  me a robber, then he should stop robbing.  Then if he says that… He is Kaafir, your are feeling bad, then accept Islam - No one is going to call you Kaafir. So it is a Arabic word, used for people  who are non-Muslims.           Hope that answers

(Q) Islam teaches…peace - Why are there so many violent incidents, associated with muslims. Example, fundamentalist… terrorist. Islam teaches equality of gender - why is that women of Islam, are not allowed to have equal rights of employment, in Afghanistan?

(Ans.) Brother has posed a question, that Islam believes in peace…a Universal Religion - Why…there you find, they are called terrorists, fundamentalists…women aren’t given the equal rights, etc. Brother you can refer to my Video cassette - Womens rights in Islam -Modernising  are Outdated?  This is a lecture for 2 hours…this is a         Question-Answer session for 2 hours - Womens rights in Islam -Modernising or Outdated? And I have proved there…in Islam, men and women are overall equal. First, because a particular group of people don’t give their rights to the women…that does not mean, Islam is wrong. Therefore  I say  that, womens rights in Islam, should not  judged on what individual muslims  do,  or what the muslims society does - the womens rights, should be  judged through the authentic sources. That is...Islam gives maximum rights - more than, even the western world. It gives 1,400 years ago, what rights - the rights for them to own property, about spiritual rights, about legal rights, about social rights, about educational rights. In detail…you can refer to my Video cassette. Why a particular individual community does?…You go and ask them -Islam does not preach that. Regarding fundamentalists…that Muslim, is a peace loving people…why are they fundamentalists? I tell that…I am proud to be a fundamentalist -Dr Zakir Naik is proud to be a fundamentalist. A person who follows the fundamentals, is called a fundamentalist. So if you want to be a good Mathematician, you should know, you should follow, the fundamentals of, and practice of, Mathematics. If you don’t, the fundamentals of mathematics unless  your are a fundamentalist mathematician, you can not be a good doctor. Similarly, I am proud to be a fundamentalist  Muslim .I know, I follow, and I practice, the fundamentals of Islam. But I  do know, in the modern context, fundamentalist means terrorist…terrorist. It does not mean…what it actually means. For a Hindu, to be a good Hindu, he should know, follow, and practice, the fundamentals of Hinduism. You should be a fundamentalist Hindu, to be good Hindu. For a Christian, to be a good Christian, you should  know,  follow, and  practice, the fundamentals of Christianity. Unless he is a fundamentalist Christian, he cannot be a good Christian. But now I know, that each and every fundamental of Islam, they are good, they are not against humanity. If the fundamentals of a particular Religion is against humanity, then you can say…It is fundamentalist…But that fundamentalist is a bad human being. There is not a single fundamental of Islam, which goes against humanity. The reason, you may think, that it is against humanity, is lack of knowledge. Either you may not be knowing the Islamic law correctly, or you may not be knowing the statistics of the world correctly. Regarding terrorist…A person, like the freedom fighters of India -you know what we call them…freedom fighters…'Desh Bhakt'.

The British government called them…terrorists -Same man…same work he is doing. The Indians feel, that the Britishers had no right to rule India, therefore these people are called as, freedom fighters. The British government think, that they had the right over India -they think that they are terrorists. Same man same activity two different labels. So, depending on upon which view you agree -if you agree with the British view, you will call them terrorists. If you agree with the Indian view, you will call them 'Desh Bhakt'. So, a person can be given different labels, by different criteria of judgement. If you judge a person correctly, no true Muslim can ever be a terrorist. True, there are black sheep in every community, there are black sheep in every community. That does not mean -Hitler…he inncinurated six million Jews, so can you say…Christianity is bad? He was a Christian! Just because Hitler killed six million Jews, Mussolini killed thousands of people, you cannot say…Christianity is bad. Similarly, there are black sheep in every community, but the label depends, upon which view you agree with. Hope that answers your question.

(Q). Why are woman in Islam, are not allowed to have equal rights in Afghanistan?

(Ans) Why are'nt woman in Afghanistan, have equal right for employment. The thing is that, in Islam a woman is allowed to do any work, as long as it does not go away, out of the shariah, or views. For example, a woman cannot work in alcoholic bar…even a man cannot work. A woman cannot work in a gambling den…where, even a man cannot work. A woman cannot do jobs which exploit her body, like modeling, film acting -it exploits her body. We want our woman folk to be respected. Thousands of men looking at the woman, and whistling and all. We believe in a modest way of life, therefore such jobs which exhibit the body. The Western culture…talking about Womens' liberalisation -It is actually a disguised form, of the exploitation of the body of the woman, of deprivation of her honour, and degradation of her soul. The Western society, claiming to uplift the woman, have actually degraded her, to the status of a concubine, to mistresses, and society butterflies…which are hidden behind the colourful screen of art and culture... art and culture. Islam does'nt agree with such jobs. Otherwise the other jobs… if it’s a modest job, if she has the hijab, and segregation of  sexes, she can very well do it. Afghanistan…Afghanistan… See, what reports do we in papers, we don’t know whether it is right or wrong. The Qur'an says in Sura Hujurat, V. 6, 'Whenever you get any news, verify it '. I read in the Indian papers, that these Afghanistan…these Mujahideens, they killed the women -They say…You should not go to work. And they have stopped the doctors from going to work…all the lady doctors, and they have stopped their pay, and etc. I read  in the Time Magazine. The Time Magazine says that… The Mujahideens have stopped the women from doing immodest jobs…even after they have stopped. But have not stopped the lady doctors…they have not stopped  lady teachers. And those people whom they have stopped…they are providing them with salaries, at their doorsteps…at their doorsteps. If any one says that - 'Ahlan Was ahlan'…I would love it. Don't work…Salary at door step -Why?… to prevent them from doing immodest things. See if you are doing a immodest job, we will tell you it is wrong -It  is attracting violence. Don't do modeling, don't do dancing, don't do film acting…but whatever salary you are getting, we will provide you at your door step. So the views that we get in the paper is variant… different. I cannot say sitting from here…which is right. Whether Times of India is  right, or Time Magazine is right, I don’t know. So the Qur'an says… Ask the person who knows.

So there are experts in these fields…you know -but what reports I get, I have given it to you. That this is just the media… in the hands of the Westerners. They control the Media and they maligning unnecessarily, Islam. Hope that answers your question.

(Q) Qur'an says…Allah is most Merciful - its also prescribed later on that the find of very severe punishment -So is He revengeful God…is he a revengeful God, or is He a Merciful God ?

(Ans) Brother as iled a good question…I have understood the question.I am in the field I have understood the question. The brother has asked a question, that the Qur'an says -Allah (SWT) is Rahman-o-Rahim…most Merciful, most Gracious -then why does He give punishment…you know, revengeful or horrifying God, etc. And you have punishments, as I said… Capital punishment for rape, in this world. Some punishment would be… put in the hell fire, etc. The thing that you should realise brother, that Allah (SWT), is a Merciful God at the same time, He is a Just God…both, Just and Merciful -the Qur'an gives 99 different attributes. For e.g. if someone commits rape, Qur'an …you cannot say that God is so merciful, God let the rapists go free. That is not a Merciful God…that is an unjust God. What about the person…the lady which was raped… you let him so free. Science tells us    today, that a person who commits rape…one again when he goes in the society, 95% times he will commit a rape again. People say that…First give him 5 years imprisonment, and second time…death penalty. Statistics today tell of America that… 95% when a person commits rape, when he goes in the society, he again commits rape. So Allah (SWT) is Merciful and Just, at the same time. Allah is Just, to the lady who was raped. Allah is even Merciful to that man -he will commit a rape again -It is bad for him…committing rape. Similarly if you rob, the Qur'an says…Chopping of the hands -You call it a very ruthless law… Oh…Islam is very ruthless -Chopping of hands. First Islam says…The system of Zakah. As I said, every rich person should give 2.5 % of excess wealth, to poor people. After that, if some one robs, then…chopping off the hands. Surah Maidah, Ch.5, V. 38, says that…As per the thief, be it a man or a woman, chop off his  or her hands, as a punishment from Allah (SWT).People will think that, every second person you will come across in Saudi Arabia, will have his or her hands dropped  off. I have been to Saudi Arabia…I did not come across a single person, with this hands chopped off. There will be few people -but I have not  come across them -It is not as common as it seems. If you implement the Shariah in America today, that every person…rich person should give Zakat and charity, and after that, if any one robs chop of the hand -Will the rate of crime in America…will it increase?…will it remain the same?…or will it decrease? - It will decrease. So Allah (SWT), is Merciful at the same time… Just - And He is very careful, in taking of accounts. All three…all three can only come together, if a person  seeks for the justice of the whole of humanity. Overall… to the humanity, He is merciful or not…to stop rape? It is merciful, or not?…It is merciful. So if you say…No let the people enjoy -today you'll 1,000 rapes…tommorow 10,000 daily, and it will keep on increasing. So, this law of Allah (SWT), is Merciful to the whole of humankind - not only for a particular group of people -or only permission for Saudi Arabia or for Americans -It is Merciful, for the whole of humanity. That is why, these punishments have been kept -so that even they improve, and benefit to the whole of human kind. Hope that answers your question.

The brother has posed a question, that the women have a lot of responsibility, to keep up to themselves. I do agree…details are mentioned in my video cassette -it calls for a talk. But yet, the rights are equal -Qur'an does not put them at a lower level. Qur'an… Qur'an clearly says in Surah Al Baqarah, in Ch.2, Verse 238, that… The woman has rights equal to them, as those against them, on terms equitable.' They have equal rights. What are the rights?…You can refer to my Video cassette, brother. There are rights, but they are equal -It is not that more burden is put on woman, so men can relax. In some places, woman have got more burden , men has got less burden . In some places, men have got more burden, woman has got less burden. Like, looking after the family, the burden is put on the shoulder of a man. It is the duty of the man to earn the living, lodging, boarding, clothing, and all financial aspects of a woman. Before she is married, it is the duty of her father and her brother. After she is married, it is the duty of the husband and the son, to look after her boarding, clothing, and lodging, and everything. Some aspect…if you see in my video  cassette, I have analysed there -that in some cases, the women have a higher responsibility -In some cases, men have a higher responsibility. Overall both are equal. Hope that satisfies you.

Q & A 3

(Q). You earlier in your speech, quoted a Verse from the Qur'an, that actually its not only the moon which moves, but it is also the sun… and  science has proved, that sun moves alright. But this seems to be, regarding the earlier belief, that the earth is round alright - but all the heavenly bodies, are going round the earth… including the sun. The geo-centric theory… you know that all the stars, sun, and the moon, go round the earth… and the earth is the centre of everything - This seems to be implying that… is n it not?

(Ans) A very good question, the brother has asked. That’s why for more details, I said… You refer to my video cassette - “Qur'an and Modern Science – Conflict or conciliation” Part I & II. It’s a four hour cassette, which took place in Bombay. The chair person is saying that… Be brief. It  is difficult to be brief and convince, and the brother has rightly said…There was a theory… which was propounded by Tolommy - I am giving the name of the person by Tolommy… 2^nd century B.C., which believed in the theory of Goecentrism. Geocentrism means, the earth was the centre of the universe, and all the planets including the sun, revolved round the earth - which the Qur'an completely contradicts. In fact, what I quoted from the Verse of the Holy Qur'an was brother, from Surah Al-Anbiya, Ch. No. 21, V. No. 33… (Arabic)…. That it is Allah, who has created the nights and the day…. (Arabic)…. each one travelling in a orbit, with its own motion. It says that… The sun and the moon is travelling in a orbit… orbit means revolving - with its own motion means… rotating. Yasbahun is an Arabic word, describing the motion of a moving body for a celestial body. It is rotating… it revolving and rotating. No where does the Qur'an say that… The sun and moon revolves, around the earth. Today the science has advanced - that is on old theory, which has been proved wrong. Today science tells us that… The sun solar system… of the solar system - sun is the centre. The planets Mercury, Earth, Venus - all one revolving. But the solar system on its own - the solar system is also revolving round, in the galaxy. If you know brother, that is the latest theory... That even the solar system is revolving around a  point in the galaxy, and even the galaxy is revolving point in the universe. So the Qur'an does not say, that the sun and moon is revolving round the sun - which Tasnema Nasreen has misinterpreted. She says that… The Qur'an says that the sun, revolves round the earth. There  is not a single statement - that is a misinterpretation. The Qur'an says that… The sun and moon, revolve and rotate. It doesn’t say… Around the earth - That is she is adding the own. Previously, when I was in school, I was thought that the sun revolves…  it does not rotate - it was stationery. Today, with the help of an equipment, you can have the image of the sun, on the table top. Since we can look at the sun directly, you can have the image of the sun, on the table top - And we have come to know, that the sun has got black spots. And it takes approximately 25 days for these black spots, to complete one rotation - indicating, the sun takes 25 days to complete one rotation. So what science tells… proves today, in school I didn’t knew this. What science has proved today… that the sun rotates and revolves. Qur'an has mentioned this, 1400 years ago. There is not a single statement in the Holy Qur'an, which goes against established science. There may be theories which go against the Qur'an -Theories like Darwins Theory, which has been proved wrong. But theories… Not a single scientific fact, which has been established, which goes against a single Verse of the Holy Qur'an. Hope that satisfies for brother.

(Q). Why Islam prescribes Non-vegetarian diet? Another one -whether politicians can fit into Religion… whether Religion can independently survive without politians?

(Ans). Brother has asked two questions -The second one is politics and Islam…. Can Religion survive without politicians. Brother, as I said… Islam is a complete way of life. There is politics in Islam -But its not similar to the modern politics we have…you know every one filling their pockets, etc. - So Islam is against such modern politics. But there is a political system in Islam. As I said, that Islam is a complete code of conduct  -It’s a complete way of life. You cannot be a good Muslim, without being a good worldly human being -You have to be. So even Islam speaks about politics…that is a different thing. But surely, what you are referring to… Modern politics… Islam is far away. Islam don’t where they                   people back this politics, and they try and fill their pockets - Their pocket is more important, than other peoples betterment -Islam is against that. Regarding your first question, which is very important…since we are having dinner…you know, after the Question and Answer session. The brother has posed a question that… why does Islam say that you should have Non-Veg.?… Why does Islam allows Non-Veg. That’s a good question. If you analyse, the set of teeth of the herbivorous animals… the cows, goat and sheep, they have got a vegetables. If you analyse, that set of teeth of the carnivorous animals, the lion, tiger, or leopard, they all have a pointed set of teeth… they have only Non-Veg. If you analyse, the set of teeth of human beings, are pointed teeth -We have carnivorous, as well as herbivorous -We have an omnivorous set of teeth. If God Almighty…our Creator, wanted us to have only Veg…. He should have given us only flat teeth. Why did He give us pointed teeth? There is a purpose. Even if you push down the throat of goat, sheep, cow, the herbivorous animals…Non-Veg….for it to digest it will not -the digestive system will not digest. Similarly the digestive system of carnivorous animal cannot digest vegetables. The digestive system of human beings, can digest both Non-Veg. and Veg. If God Almighty wanted us to have only Veg…. why did He gave us a digestive system which can digest both. If you analyse… if you analyse the Hindu Scriptures, if you read… The sages and the saints had Non-Veg. -Its mentioned there. Even if you read the Ramayana -See again I am quoting… Always give the reference. People should not think that I am pulling a fast one -I am not pulling a fast one, because I am giving references. People…when I give information to the Muslim. They got shocked… its mentioned in the Qur'an and the Hadiths. When I mentioned the Ram and the Vedas to be Non-Muslims, they get shocked. It is mentioned in Ayodhya Khandam, Ch. No. 90, Ch. No. 26, when Ram was sent for Banvaas, he told his mother that… I will have to sacrifice my tasty meat dishes. That means, Rama ate Non-Veg. -He ate meat. The reason why Hindu philosophy, later on changed to Veg…. due to a reason -It has to have a reason. Because people got influenced by Ahimsa… other ways of life like Buddhism, Jainism, etc., which believe in Ahimsa. So to prevent people getting converted to other Religions they accepted Vegetarianism. If you ask these Jains, and all that… Why do you  have only vegetable? They tell you that…  Plants are without life, animals are with life…and killing any living creature is wrong. If you kill any living creature without a cause, it is haram even in Islam. If you kill any living creature… let be an ant also, without cause, its not allowed. But they have a misconception…that plants do not have life. But science has advanced, and we have come to know, that even plants have got life -so their reason has failed. So they have come out with a new answer, saying that… See plants do have life, but they do not feel pain. Animals can feel pain. Therefore killing an animal is a greater crime that killing a plant. Today, science has advanced, and we have come to know, that even the plants can feel pain. They can even cry… they even feel happy. You know, they have a nervous system, but it is ill developed. There  is a research done in America, that a farmer had a equipment. The cry of the plants, cannot be heard by human beings, because the frequency of the human ear, is from 20 cycles to 20,0000 cycles per second. You know the silent dog whistle… the dog can listen to 40,000 cycles per second. So when you blow the dog whistle, the human being can’t listen…but the dog comes to the master. So human being can hear only from 20 cycles to 20,000 cycles per second. May be the cry of the plant given, is out of range. So a farmer took out an equipment, in which, the moment the plant didn’t get water, it cried…and he could hear it. So the plants can feel pain, they even feel happy, and they can even cry. So there was a person who had the maximum argument with me, and he said that… See brother Zakir, I agree with you that plants are living creatures, they can feel pain. But if you see, you analyse logically, the animal have got 5 senses - the plants have got 2 or 3 senses. So killing a living creature having 5 senses, is a greater crime, than killing a living creature having 3 senses… logical. I said… For the sake of argument, I agree with you. Suppose you brother, if he is born deaf and born dumb, and when he grows up, if a criminal comes and murders him. Will you go and tell the judge, O my lord give the murderer a less punishment, because my brother had 2 senses less?… Will you say that? You will say that… Give the murderer a bigger punishment… the poor person could not support himself. So in Islam, you can. In Islam, Allah (SWT) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, Ch. No. 2, V. No. 168, Eat of the good things, We have provided. But a Muslim, can be a very good Muslim, even by being a pure Veg. - he can be…not that he cannot be. The Qur'an does not say, that you should have Non-Veg. You can be a good Muslim, even by having pure vegetarian. But if you analyse, there is no first class protein in vegetarian. Do you know that the best protein of vegetable, is Soya bean…which is second class? Non-Veg. has got first class protein, which is not there in vegetable. There are articles, coming written by scientists, who say that… See these are the benefits of Veg. over the Non-Veg. They are promoting Veg., because its their way of life. But there are articles written by Non-Veg. scientists also, which disapprove that. So when you have a person who has got knowledge of both Non-Veg and Veg., you will come to know, that eating Non-Veg. is beneficial for the human body. So when Allah has given us good food, which we can have, why should we abstain from it? Hope that answers your question.

(Q). Some people think that Muslims are taking Non-Vegetarian food multicleeled animal flesh… as a result of this, they are not able to control their emotions and feelings - Is this correct?… Please throw some light.

(Ans). Brother has asked a very good question, and the basis… it’s the diet that you have… has an effect on your behaviour. And I do agree with it - the diet that you eat, that food that you eat, has an effect on your behaviour. That is the reason…Islam only allows us to have…only herbivorous animals, like the cow, goat, and the sheep. You know mild people…we are going to be mild. We are not allowed to have lion, tigers, leopards, carnivorous animals. If you eat those - lion, tiger and leopards, you will become like a lion, tiger and leopard… Right? The food that you eat, is going to have an effect on your behaviour… Science has said that. That’s the reason, you will have only herbivorous animal like cow…a domicile…you know a cow - so humble. We too have that, because we want to be humble. Non-Veg. of animals like lion, tiger and leopard - Our Prophet said… Anything which is carnivorous, any thing which has got chaws and canine teeth… you are not allowed to have that meat…the Prophet said. There was a research done in America, that people were only fed on vegetables for months together, and another group of people, were fed on Non-Veg. When you say…Non-Veg., you cannot feed only on Non-Veg. - When you say… Non-Veg., it means Veg. is included. When you say Non-Veg., it includes Veg. also. So those who were fed on Non-Veg., their social behaviour was much better, than those who were fed on Veg. This is a research done - the documents are there. People have a misconception that, if you have only vegetable - The difference is very minute - the difference, is not a major difference. It’s a minute difference, that the social behaviour of a pure Veg. is less cordial, as compared to Non-Veg…. Research says that. But the people…Some Vegetarians are soft, some are ferocious - Some Non-Veg. are soft, some are ferocious. That is because of the atmosphere, not diet - Because of their upbringing. May be the teacher they got, was ferocious - And they told them to behave like that. Otherwise, Islam is the Religion - Peace comes from the root word Salaam. We always promote peace…we always promote peace - And it’s a peace loving, merciful Religion. Hope that answers the question.

(Q). Why is Polygamy allowed for man, but not for woman? Why is there no birth control in Islam?

(Ans) Regarding the first question that - why is Polygamy allowed for the male, and not for the woman?…Why is a man allowed to do Polygamy? Polygamy means, a man having more than one spouse… more than one wife. Polyandry, is the woman having more than one husband. In fact if you analyse, Qur'an is the only religious Scriputre on the face of the earth, that says…‘Marry only one’ it’s shocking. Qur'an is the only religious Scripture on the face of the earth, that says…Marry only one. If you read the Ramayana, if you read the Vedas, if you read the Bible, other Scriptures....No Scripture says… Marry only one, except the Holy Qur'an. In fact, if you read the Scripture of the Christians, their saint Soloman, had hundreds of wives - Abraham had more than one wife…the Bible says, three wives. Even the Hindu Scriptures, they had several wives… the father of Rama… King Dashrata - he had more than one wife.

The Holy Qur'an is the religious Scripture  which says that…Marry only one. It says in Surah Nisa Ch. No. 4, V. No. 3, Marry woman of your choice, in twos, threes or fours. But if you cannot do justice, marry only one - Islam puts an upper limit. In other ways of life, you can marry as many as you want - no upper limit. Islam puts on upper limit, of maximum four. But you can marry, only if you can do justice. If you can’t do justice, marry only one. And the Qur'an says in Surah Nisa, Ch. No. 4, V. No. 129, that… It is difficulty to do justice between your wives. So don’t altogether turn away from them. It is nowhere mentioned, that if you marry more than one wife, you get more blessings. No where its mentioned - Its optional. So, why has Islam given permission to marry more than one wife. The reason is that, Islam has given permission because…if you analyse the birth rate of male and female… they are approximately equal. But if you ask any pediatrician…  a doctor of the children,  he will tell you that…The female  child can fight the germs and the disease, much better than a male child. They are the stronger sex medically - so there are more death rate in the males, than the female children. When you grow up, there are accidents taking place, wars taking place, more men die than women. If you analyze the statistics of the world, India is one of the few countries, in which the female population, is less than the male population. You know why?… Because there is the answer given in BBC…a television programme “Let her die”, by the title… assignment  Emilly Beckhenen, a Britisher. She came and said…according to the statistics…Every day, more than 3000 feticides are been aborted, after they are identified as female. According to a government hospital report, of Tamil Naidu…Out of ten born alive, four are put to death…female children. Islam prohibits female  infeticide , in Surah Al Takurr, Ch. 87, Verse 8 and 9. In fact, Qur’an says in Surah Isra, Ch.  17, Verse 31, as well as in Surah Anam,  Ch.  6 Verse 151 , Kill not your children for want of sustenance , for it is Allah who will give…who will give sustenance,  to you and your children. It is prohibited in Islam…even if its male or female. So because of this…that the male population is more in India. If you stop this evil practice of female infeticide  and female infeticide…even in India,  within a few decades, the female will be more. If you know the statistics of America… in America alone, there are 7 to 8 million more females than the males - in New York alone, there are one million more females than males. Out of the population of New York,  1/3rd are Gays. Gays, means Sodomites,     Kaume – Looth… who can’t find female partners. There are more than 25 million Gays, in America. If you analyse the statistics, there are more than 30 million females in America, who can’t  find husbands.  In U.K. alone, there are more than  4 million females, as compared to males  - Germany alone, there are more than  5 million females, more than male - Russia alone, there are more than 7 million more females, than the male. And almighty God alone knows, that how many millions females, are more in the world, than the males. If I agree with the customs, the religious Scriptures, put no upper limit - You marry as many as you want. If you believe into the customs of the other ways of life, that… You should marry only one - and if my sister happens to live in America, and suppose the market is saturated - every man has got a wife for himself.  Yet, there will be 30 million females, who won’t be able to find husbands. If my sister happens to be one of those unfortunate ladies, who has got not married, living in America - the only option remaining for her is… she either marries a man who already has a wife, or become public property - There no third option. And I have asked this question, to modest people… That what would you prefer for your sister?…Would you prefer your sister, marry a man who already has a wife, or become a public  property. All the modest people said that…We will  choose the first one,  when required. If you can get a man who has got no wife, then grab him…No problem. Regarding the second part of the question, that why can’t the Muslim women, be allowed to marry more than one husband? The reason is that of you analyze if a man

has more than one wife , you can identify father as well as the mother. But if a woman has more than one husband…you can identify the mother, but not the father.  There are today…researches today done, that you can have genetic coding  and blood testing, which can identify. May be possible…which is accepted  by the court of law …I have got no objections . That  is one of the reason, may be for the past. These one other reasons, that a man is more sexual than a woman, biologically. And if a man has more  than one partner…more than one wife, there are no problems of sexual disease. But if a woman is having more than one husband, then there are chances of Veneral disease, more chance of AIDS, more chance of general diseases. That’s the reason, why Islam does not allow polyendry. Hope that answers. Birth control is a very low. Birth control means… Birth control, is a word used by every one… should follow  this, by hook or by crook. Like, India takes out a law…Hum Do, Hamare Do… Ek Ke Baad, Abhi Nahi - Do Ke Baad, Kabhi Nahi. See irrespective of rich and poor, if my parents would have done family planning, I wouldn’t have been here. I am the fifth child of my parent  - I wouldn’t have been in front of you. So birth control is not allowed in Islam. Birth control is for every one - whether you  are rich or poor… you follow. Regarding  family planning, there are do's and dont's - For that, you can refer to my Video casette - Qur’an and Modern Science - its given there… it’s a long answer. Hope that answers your question

Q & A 2

(Q) If God is One, He has sent lot of messengers to this world. If Islam believes in the messenger called Moses (pbuh), Christianity also believes that Moses one of His Prophets, too. Know… Moses the Prophet, wrote the book of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. In these books of laws, he has revealed more this humanity. Both Islam and Christianity claim that Moses is their Prophet. In his revelation, he has got 10 Commandments, in the books of Exodus Ch. No. 20, V. No. 3 to 17. It is very well written that... ‘The Lord is the Almighty Creator’. My question is within this frame. Which is verse no. 8, Exodus, Ch. No. 20, V. No. 8 which says… Remember the sabbath day, to keep it Holy… which the Lord has created the entire world in six days, and on seventh day, He tested. If Islam claims… Moses to be the Prophet, and Christianity claims those, Moses as the Prophet … why so indifference in the Revelation? Could you please answer?

(Ans) Brother has asked… Pasteur has asked a very good question - I would love to answer each and every point. He has spoken a few sentences, in which  I believe there are ten questions for me. But then, Nawab Sahab is saying… Be brief - The co-ordinator is saying… Be brief. Its difficult I am a student of comparative Religion. I have studied the Bible, I have studied the Vedas, and the Bhagvadgita, the Qur'an, and I love… I love taking discussions, to come to know the truth. Jesus Christ (pubh) said… Seeketh the truth, and the truth shall….. Brother… he quoted…. he said that… The ten Commandments, are mentioned in Exodus, Ch. No. 20, V. No. 38. He didn’t quote the first few verses - I’ll quote the first few verses. If you read the Exodus, Ch. No. 20, V. No. 2, says… Thou shalt have no other God besides Him. Thou shalt not make any graven things of thee, of the likeness in the heavens above, in the earth beneath, and the water beneath the earth. Thou shalt not serve them, nor bow down to them, for thy God, is the jealous God. Who says that?… the same Exodus which gave the quotation - but you jumped to verse No. 8, directly. The first few verses say that… Thou shalt make no graven image of thee, of the likeness of thee, in the heavens above, on the earth - for their God, is a jealous God. You cannot bow down to anyone, nor worship them - same as Islam…same as Hinduism - no images, no idol worship, worship only, one true God . Jesus Christ (pbuh) said the same thing, that Moses (pbuh) said, in the book of Deuteronomy, Ch. No. 6, V. No. 47 in Hebrew)…Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord. Coming to the main question… there were many questions in it - Time doesn’t permit me to answer all. The main question is - Why is the difference of Sabbath? See… I do agree, that the Jews, they believe that Saturday was the Sabbath, and Jesus Christ (pbuh) mentioned in the Gospel of Mathews - you are a Pastor… you must be knowing Gospel of Mathews, Ch. No. 5, V. No. 17 to 20… I think - Not that I have come to destroy the law and Prophet but to  fulfill. Jesus Christ (pbuh) is speaking in the Bible in the New Testament, in Gospel of Mathews, Ch. No. 5, that… Think not that I have come to destroy, the laws and Prophet. I have come not destroy but to fulfill. So unless the heavens and the earth pass away, not one got or title shall pass away from the law, until all be fulfilled. So whosoever shall break one of the least Commandments, and teach men do so, he will be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven. And whosoever shall teach the Commandment… teach others to do so, will be called great in the Kingdom of heaven. Pastor… its from King James Version… it’s a verbatim quotation. That unless your righteousness, exceeds the righteousness of the Scribes and the Pharases, in no way you shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven. So Jesus Christ (pbuh) said that… If a Christian, has to be a good Christian, he should follow each and every law of the Torah - Whatever Moses said… they have to follow, verbatim. Even if one jot or a title, if they break… they will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Who said that? - Jesus Christ (pbuh) said that. So that’s the question for the Christian - Why don’t they observe Saturday, as the Holy day?…You have to ask the Christians. That’s the law Jesus Christ (pbuh) thaught… that I have not come to destroy the laws and the Prophet, but I have come to fulfill. Now when Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) came he didn’t say that. The Qur'an says in Surah Baqarah, Ch. No. 2, V. No. 106, We have sent Revelations, We have given Ayaats, but We substitute things which are better or similar. The Qur'an believes that Moosa Ale-salam was a Prophet of God Almighty, the Qur'an believes that Isa, Jesus Christ ( pbuh) was a Prophet of Almighty God. Islam is the only Non-Christian faith, which makes it an article to believe in Jesus Christ (pbuh).We believe, that he was one of the mightiest messengers of Allah (SWT). We believe, that he was born miraculously, without any male intervention… which many modern day Christians today, do not believe. We believe, that Jesus Christ (pbuh), he gave life to the dead, with Gods permission. We believe, that he healed those born blind and lepers, with God’s permission - We are together. But what we believe, as I said earlier…All the previous messengers, they only came for a particular group of people. For example, the Qur'an says in Surah Al-Imran, Ch. No. 3, V. No. 49, that… Isa Ale-Salam, was sent as a messenger to the Bani Israel… to the children of Israel. Jesus Christ (pbuh) says in the Gospel of Mathews, Ch. No. 10, V. No. 5 to 6, he tells his twelve disciples… Go ye, not in the way of gentiles. Who were the Gentiles? - the Non-Jews, the Hindus, the Muslims, the Christians. Jesus Christ (pbuh) said… Go ye not in to the way of gentiles… enter ye not in to the city of the Samaritans, but rather go to the lost sheep of Israel. Jesus Christ (pbuh) says, in the Gospel of Mathews Ch. No. 15, V. No. 24, I have not been sent, but to the lost sheep of Israel. That means… Jesus Christ (pbuh), came only for the Jews - not for the other humanity. Who says that? - Jesus Christ (pbuh) says that - its mentioned in the Bible. But Prophet Mohammad (pbuh)… (Arabic)... That We have sent thee not, but as a mercy to the whole of humanity. So whatever revelations Mohammad Sallalah-u-Alayhiwassalam received, it need not be the same, as of the previous Revelation - the basic message is the same. The basic message brother… is the same - that believe in one God…You don’t do idol worship. But the basic is same… laws may change - The laws… the superficial laws may change. The Jew does it on Saturday… Christian does it on Sunday. I don’t know why? Jesus Christ (pbuh) said… You can’t break a single law. Mohammed Sallalu-Alayhiwassalam… to show that they are different… we one differtent, from the so called Jews and Christians of that are today. Because what we say, that…Isa Alaysalam, he did not teach Christianity… he teach nothing but Islam. The word Christian is a nick name, given by the enemies of Christ - Its mentioned in the Bible, in the Book of Acts. The Pastor may be knowing - It’s the Book of New testament…It’s the Book of Acts. The enemies of Christians, nick named the follower of Christ, as Christian. Its an abuse given to them… which is held on today. But the Holy Qur'an says in Surah Al-Imran, Ch. No. 3, V. No. 52, that… Jesus Christ was a Muslim. Qur'an says in Surah Al-Imran, Ch. No. 3, V. No. 67, he was not a Jew or a Christian but he was a Muslim. So what law Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) brought… the basic message, is the same… Believing one God, don’t do idol worship, same the superficiality. So that human race, when it reached a certain level, Allah (SWT)… God Almighty, thought it fit, that they can receive the final message. After this no other Messenger will come, no other law will come… and todays law, is the most practical law. For example, Moses (pbuh) said… An eye for an eye, an a tooth for a tooth - that’s a very good law… that time. People didn’t have court… like they have today - like the Judge sitting. Anyone take somebodys eye… you take his eye. And, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth - that was the law. Jesus Christ (pbuh), another spiritual person, another messenger of Allah (SWT). Its mentioned in the Gospel of Matthews, Ch. No. 5, V. No. 32 to 40, It is said of the old times, that an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say unto you… whosoever slaps your one cheek, offer him the other. Whosoever asks you for a shirt, give him your cloak. If he asks you to walk for one mile, walk two miles . It’s a remedy… it’s a remedy - that people took it literally. That… if a person playing with a Kati, if he hurts somebodys eye… but natural its by mistake. You can’t take that eye of that person,  who by mistake hurt your eye. So Jesus Christ brought a remedy, which was right at that time. Today… depends upon the situation. If he hurts you actually, without a cause or reason - you can take back, you can teach him a lesson. But if its by mistake, you should have a court of law - what is a right…what is wrong. So the law kept on changing, depending upon the situation. This Holy Qur'an, is the last and final Revelation, which will live till eternity, and you can it prove practically, today. Hope that answers your questions.

(Q). As a doctor of medicine, would you think it is right to discriminate against Hindus, on the basis of Religion, for jobs in the Holy land of Saudi Arabia - The advertisements say… Only Muslims and Christians can apply.

Ans. The doctor has asked a very good question, that can you discriminate among human beings, on the basis of Religion, for a job - like the Ads. in the paper say… Only Muslims…only Christians apply, in Saudi Arabia. I have been to Saudi Arabia - Sister this is theoretical - several times in fact, I complain the opposite. Most of the top posts held by ex-patriots in Saudi Arabia, are Non-Muslims, Hindus and Christians. I complain to them…See you should give equal justice, give us also a opportunity. Muslims are there…sweepers, etc. - But if you analyze, the top posts…I have been to Saudi Arabia, the top most - and we had a similar gathering, in the Tridant Hotel, in Jeddah. It’s a five star hotel, where we called all the white collared Non-Muslims - And the chief guest that time was, the General Manager of Air India. And there we saw the top most - there are few Muslims majority ex-patriots. Ex-patriots means, those who are not citizens of Saudi Arabia. Majority are Non-Muslims... I don’t know why? - I have to ask them. So it’s a misconception. Then, for certain job… for certain job, suppose if you have to offer Salaah in the Mosque, it has to be a Muslim. Non-Muslim cannot read the prayers - So depending upon the job. But the criteria for taking any person should be, the criteria of the job. If you require an accountant… but natural, the accountant should be good. The discrimination is not there in Saudi Arabia - It’s a misconception. Even the top agents, who sent people to Saudi Arabia - they are Hindus. In Bombay, top people, the major… major travel agents - they are Non-Muslims. So it is a misconception, sister… It’s a misconception. If your job is good… if you are a good doctor, whether Muslim or Non-Muslim - If my mother is sick, and if I know there is a Hindu doctor, who is a heart specialist… Who will I go to? I’ll go to the Non-Muslim. Because the Qur'an says… If you don’t know, ask the person who knows. Qur'an says in Surah Nahl, Ch. No. 16, V. No. 43, and Surah Furkan, Ch. 25, V. No. 59, If you are in doubt, ask the person who knows - Go to an expert. Qur'an does not say… Go to a Muslim. Qur'an says… Go to an expert. If the expert is a Muslim, InshaAllah we’ll go to a Muslim - If he is a Non-Muslim, I’ll go to a Non-Muslim. He should be an expert in the field, in which I require help. Hope that answers your question.

(Q). Do you have sainthood in Islam? Is Allah perceptable to our senses, by ways of meditation, prayers and penance? What is Islams response to free economic market?

(Ans) Brother has asked a question that - what about free market economy? I have given a talk brother… Interest free economy promulgated in the Holy Qur'an. The cassette is available there - You can take the cassette. It shows you how to deal with Economics… Islamic Economics. Malaysia is following it… they are improving, in short. The second… meditation, etc. - Our best form of Ibaadah… the meditation, that we call. You can call meditation…with various words, with various meanings. That’s why, we prefer to keep it out.What we do is…we worship Allah (SWT). One of the forms of worship is, … and I described in my talk… Salaah - That is how, do we thank Allah (SWT). And I showed you a brief thing… if you heard the talk, I showed you that one of the medical benefits. But we Muslims, we pray… to thank Allah (SWT), to gain guidance. Besides gaining medical benefits, we get guidance, in the Salaah - What is good, what is wrong… for the human being. Regarding your first question - Is there sainthood in Islam?… there is something like priesthood . But by priesthood… if you mean, by birth - there is nothing like… He is born like a priest… in Islam. Every human being… our beloved Prophet said… Every child is born in Deen-ul-Fitr. Deen-ul-Fitr means… born as a Muslim. Irrespective, whether he is born in a Hindu family, Christian family, or a Muslim family, or Buddhist family… he is born sinless. Every child born is born as sinless. Even a child in the Hindu family, if he dies at the age of five, he is going to go to Paradise, directly. Later on, they may get convinced, with wrong views, etc. - but every child born, is sinless. Regarding priesthood… there is nothing like priesthood birth… or by family. A person who is qualified - Example… we have Imams in our Mosques. A person who can recite well… anyone who is a Muslim, who can recite well, he can be an Imam. A scholar… a person who has more knowledge about a particular field, than you… ask  him for advice. The Qur'an says… Ask the person who knows. So suppose you want to know, what medicine… you will go to a doctor. If you want to know about science… you’ll go to a scientist. If you want to know the Revelation… when it was revealed, etc….the Holy Qur'an…you will go to a Maulana, who is well versed in that field - but there is nothing like…by birth priesthood. We have the Imans, who read the prayers for congregation - We have a leader…but not by birth. Hope that satisfies you, brother. All the human beings are equal. The only thing by which you are superior, is by righteousness. If you are more righteous…you are a superior human being, than another human being. Hope that answers your question.

Q & A

 (Q) I am Vyas, retired central government employee -I have questions to ask. I thank organisers for this very nice meet, and here is already our -And if there are many more meetings like this… to highly enlightening, and we have learnt many new things which we did not know about Islam. Really I should say, a very good meeting, and I congratulate the organisers. My question is, freedom of expression is universally accepted principle -then why is a death sentence imposed on Salman Rushdie? scontinuation, what are the fundamental, ideological differences between shias and sunnis, which lead to their interminant clashes…what are its remedies? Thank you.

(Ans) Brother has asked a very good question -that does Islam permit freedom of expression?… if so than why have the death sentence, given to Salman Rushdie? Brother, the complete answer is given in this cassette, in the Press debate organised by the Bombay Union of Journalists.

Focus in Islam ending……………………

The Times of India , Indian Express Journalist, Bombay Unit of journalists and the topic was …‘Is Religion a fundamentalism a stumbling block against the freedom of expression?’ It was held after the death sentence was passed on Taslima Nasreen, who wrote the book ‘Lajja’. This gives the detail, and in this debate there was a Hindu priest, there was a Christian priest, there was a person who translated Lajja into Marathi… Ashok Sahane, and myself from the Islamic side. This is a very good debate… this gives the detail about the Religious freedom. Some people say… ‘That in other Religions, there is total Religious freedom… anything you can say’. Some people say that… ‘Religious freedom is a stumbling block, in the freedom of expression’ - While the other speaker camp and said that… ‘There is no stumbling block in Islam. It depends upon the situation - I cannot give a blanket… yes or no. In short, I would say… If the freedom of expression is given - for example… for anyone to praise anyone, to glorify anyone, if he wants to praise anyone or glorify anyone, etc., Islam gives full permission… as long as he does not harm anyone and it is with proof.

Point No.1: He can say anything, as long as it does not harm anyone - If it does not harm anyone, it is fine. 

Point No.2: If it harms anyone, these are two things with proof, and without proof. If it harms anyone, for example… abusing anyone.

As the Qur’an says… ‘Do not call each other, by nick names’. Abusing anyone with proof or without proof… just for slandering, it is not allowed. If you speak against someone with proof …with proof, it is allowed, for example I am working in a company… if the company is corrupted… I am speaking against the corruption of the company, Islam gives full freedom of expression… full. I should go and say that… ‘This company is corrupted… that it is cheating the human beings, etc’... with proof. But I cannot say…‘The boss is cheating’… without proof. Without proof if I say - I have got no right. If I say… I allege anything against any human being, I should have proof. Again Islam… if I say anything to any woman… even if I put a small allegation against her chastity… against her modesty, Qur’an says… ‘Produce four witnesses - If I cannot, you get eighty lashes.’ That means, you cannot… like in countries like America, England… you can abuse the girl, and get away with it. In Islam, if you abuse the girl and spoil her any name - and if you cannot produce four witnesses, you get eighty lashes. That is, we prove it… the modesty, with proof. You are allowed… with proof. If you get for eg… If you are working in a company, and get the proof that… this particular boss is corrupting the people, that he is corrupted - I can do with proof… Islam gives permission of… full freedom of expression. There are certain things… with proof also you cannot say, for eg… if I am working in the Indian army… I have got proof about its secret - I cannot go and sell it to the enemy. So here, freedom of expression is not allowed… with proof. If it causes loss to the people who are working… if it is against the country, I am taking the secret and selling it to the enemy of Government. Why… to profit with it money… just to get and lakhs rupees - Islam does not give permission. So for freedom of expression… depending which type of freedom do you believe in. If you believe that I can slander anyone, I can abuse anyone, and then say… ‘Freedom of expression’ - Islam does not give permission. Same thing if you analyse… book was released in U.K. - the book on Salmaan Rushdie… it was released in U.K. - I have given my view on that. You can refer to the Video cassette… ‘That there was a person who came from America, and he used a four letter word for Margaret Thatcher’s policy - he was banned. England believes in freedom of expression, but since he spoke against Margaret Thatcher, he was banned. So the same Salman Rushdie… I know besides, he has done wrong things… he has abused our Prophet, he has abused our Mother, he has abused… he has done wrong. Besides that, he has abused the whole human kind - People are not reading the book properly. I do not want to say the things, he has said. The first page, he abused the wonders - I cannot use that word… it  is an offensive word… I cannot use it. He says… ‘Magi the…’ - He calls her… ‘The female dog’. Islam does not give you the permission. Do you have the proof to call her a female dog. I do not want to use that… uses a letter word. And he says to Magi, offensive things - Magi is short form for, Margaret Thatcher. So Islam does not give permission… he even abuses Ram and Sita, in that book - people do not know that. I do not want to say, what he wrote for Ram and Sita, I do not want to say that. The best things I would like to do, is to congratulate Rajiv Gandhi, the first person… the first prime minister of any country in the world… he banned the book… I congratulate him. He may not be knowing, that he abuses Ram and Sita in the book. Salman Rushdie abuses Ram and Sita… Rajiv Gnadhi may not be knowing. I have read the book thought it is banned in India. I have read the book sure that speak on the  book I have read the book. So if anyone abuses anyone… If anyone abuses even your sister or mother, without proof… it is not allowed. Even in the Bible… if you read, the Bible says in the book of Leviticus, it says… ‘Anyone that blasphemeth the Lord… stone him to death - Anyone that blasphemeth the Lord… stone him to death’. So if anyone, depending upon the severity of the crime, you can give punishment. So if anyone abuses anyone without proof… without anything, Islam does not permit. That is the reason certain people who call death sentences extra. There are four options given in the Holy Qur’an… in Surah Maidah, Ch. No. 5, V. No. 33 to 35, it say… ‘If anyone wages a war against God Almighty, and his Prophet, and creates mischief in the land… either exile him, execute him, chop off his opposite hands and limbs - left hand… right leg or right hand… and left leg - or crucify him'. Four options… either execute, either crucify, chop off his opposite limbs, or exile him. See… this is a strict punishment. Why?… to see to it, that no one takes undue advantage in Islam. If anyone commits rape… Capital punishment - People may think it is a barbaric law. People and tell me…‘Islam in this age of science and technology. Capital punishment.’ See all the Religions speak good things - Hinduism says… ‘You should not tease a girl, you should not rape a girl’- Christianity says that, Islam says the same. The difference in Islam is… Islam shows you a way, how to achieve a state, in which no one will rape any girl. Every man… when he looks at a woman, and any unbrazen thought comes to his mind, he should lower his gaze. Whenever he looks at a woman, Qur’an says… ‘He should lower his gaze.’ That is his hijab, for the woman - She should be covered completely covered. The only part that can be seen… the face and the hands, up to the wrist. If two twin sisters are walking down the street… one is wearing the Islamic Hijab… that is, complete body is covered… the only part that is seen, is the face and hands up to the wrist - and the other… she is wearing a skirt and a mini. If around the corner, a hooligan is waiting for a catch - which girl will he tease… which girl will he tease? The two twin sisters, equally beautiful, walking down the street… one is wearing a skirt or mini… one is properly covered. Who will he tease?…The girl wearing the skirt or the mini! The Qur’an says that…‘Hijab has been prescribed to you…’ in Surah Ahzab, Ch.33 V No.59 ‘…So that it may prevent molestation.’ In America… everyday more than 1,900 cases of rapes, take place… in America. And if any one rapes, Islamic Shariah says… ‘Capital punishment’. - People say it is a barbaric law. I ask Non-Muslims… ‘If some one rapes your wife or sister, and if you are made the Judge… what punishment will you give him? All of them said that… ‘I will kill the rapist’. If someone rapes your wife, sister and you are made the judge… what punishment will you give him? – ‘Death penalty’. Some went to the extreme that…‘I will torture him to death.’ I am asking the question…If you implement the Shariah in America, where more than 900 rapes cases take place everyday - that every man who looks at a woman, should lower his gaze - the woman should be properly dressed up, and after that if someone rapes… capital punishment! Will the rate of rape increase, decrease or remain the same? It will decrease. That  is the reason, why the lease rate of rape, any country of the world… is in Saudi Arabia. Religions speak good… but Islam shows you a way, how to achieve that good state. Therefore Islam does not believe in slandering any one. No one can abuse  my mother, and get away in a Muslim country - in other countries… Yes! Freedom of expression… Islam believes in freedom of expression, where it is beneficient to humanity. Qur’an  says in Surah Isra, Ch. No. 17, V. No. 81 to 82….(Arabic)....‘When truth is hurled against falsehood, falsehood perishes… for falsehood, is by its nature, bound to perish'. If it  is beneficient for the humanity, Islam promotes freedom of expression - if it is not, then Islam does not allow it. Regarding your second part of your question… What is the difference between the Shias and the Sunnis? Brother, the difference… it’s a political difference. Actually in Islam, there is nothing like Shia and Sunni - There is no ‘Shia’…. ‘Sunni’ mentioned in the Holy Qur’an.The Qura’n says in Surah Al-Imran, Ch. No. 3, V. No. 103… (Arabic)…‘Hold together to the rope of Allah, and be not divided’ - there is nothing like ‘Shia’…. ‘Sunni’ in Islam. These came in later centuries…afterwards, due to political differences in Islam. Muslims are only one category. Muslims that there one no sub categories like… Shia, Sunni or anything, in Muslim. Because Qur’an say clearly in Surah Anaam, Ch. No. 6, V. No. 159 that… ‘Who ever makes sects… divisions in Religion of Islam, he has nothing to do with Allah (SWT).’ Means, making sects is prohibited in Islam. The difference between Shia and Sunni is a political difference, and not a religious difference. Hope this answers the question.

(Q) Good evening ladies and gentlemen - My name is Balachandran - I work for an advertising agency in the city. This question of mine pertains to the Indian Muslim ‘In today’s world as thinks… the Indian Muslim has two indentities. One is the Religion indentity… which you get by the virtue of the fact that your one a Muslim - and secondly it is the allowed indentity, which compresses basically of an ‘Hindu element’ and there is seen to be a conflict in the minds of the Muslims… at least some of them. To cut a long story short… I have some friends, in this august audience, who observe certain things which are essentially ‘Hindu’ in nature. There are people, who consult astrologers, with their horoscope… Muslim friends - People who observe Rahu Kalam. If this is a conflict… is there a conflict? Should there be a conflict… should this conflict exist?… What Qur'an says about it. Those people… would you disuade them, saying that they are lesser Muslim than you, or anybody else here. I hope that Dr. Zakir Naik will throw some light on it.

(Dr. Zakir) Brother has asked a very good question, regarding the Indian Muslim. As a matter of fact, it can be posed to any Muslim in any part of the world, that if you are a Muslim, can you follow the aspect of any other race, any other community, any other Religion, any other particular nation… whether it be India, or America, whether it be Europe. Basically, a Muslim by definition, as I said in my talk… ‘Is a person who submits  his will to Allah (SWT)… is a person who submits his desire, to God Almighty’. We can follow Indian culture, American culture, Western culture, as long as brother… Islam you can follow. If it does not go against the principle of Islam, you can very well follow. For e.g., people tell me…‘Can a woman wear a sari... It  is an Indian culture.’ Yes she can wear, if she follow the six criteria. The six criteria for Hijab in Islam, for a woman is that, her complete body should be covered - the only part that can be seen, is the face and the hands, up to the wrist. The clothes that she wears, should be loose, should not be tight… where it reveals the figure, Third is, it should not be transparent, that you can see through. Fourth is, wear                                                     . Fifth, it should not be that glamorous, that is attracts the opposite sex. Sixth, is it should not resemble that of an opposite sex. And if you want to wear a sari, the Islamic way… the pallu that you take, should cover your head… not a single strand of hair should be seen - Even the belly should not be seen…no other part of the body, should be seen. If you follow this,, you are following the Indian culture, without breaking the law. But if you say…‘I want to wear a sari, which is without a blouse, and showing the belly - so Islam does not give permission. Similarly, if you say in America, that…‘I want to wear a skirt, or mini’… it is not allowed. So you can very well follow the culture, as long as the culture does not go against the principle and teachings of Allah (SWT) - because for us, the teachings of our Creator, is more important because… He has created us.

We have to support our nation…but the Person who gave life to us in their world, is God Almighty. So we owe more respect to Him, than anyone in this world, to any other government in this world - Otherwise we have to respect other people. If it does not go against the teaching of Allah (SWT), you can follow it. Regarding Astrology, you said that… ‘Can we talk about fortune telling, etc.?’ There is a verse from the Holy Qur'an says, from Surah Maidah, Ch. 5, V. 90… (Arabic)….‘Having intoxicants, worshiping anyone besides Allah (SWT), and fortune telling… these are Satan’s handiwork - Abstain from such handiwork, that ye may prosper’. I am not saying, that anyone can predict the future or not - Most of the people who say… ‘They can predict the future’… are pulling a fast one. Qur'an does not say that… one can predict, or people can predict. There may be few people who may having… have learnt this science. But every person to whom you go to, you say that… ‘See the person to whom I go to, is  a very good Jyotish’. Most of them, they take you for a ride. There are computers in which, you put the age, and you get the answer. There was a survey done in America, that one professor of Psychology, he thought a student of… classroom of 100 students, and at the end of the… end of the week, after the time of one week, he said… ‘I will write each one’s nature on the chit, each one’s nature on the chit… what did he do… what did he do’, on the piece of slip. And after I tell everyone… ‘Open the chit simultaneously, and then give your opinion… whether I was right or wrong. So the professor wrote… Student A, what his nature, about future, etc., so everyone, he gave a chit. Then afterwards, everyone received the chit - the professor said… ‘Now open the chit, and read, so everyone opened the chit and read it and they gave the opinion that… more 90% of the students said that… ‘The professor was 100% correct… professor was 100% correct’. The remaining 8 to 9% said… ‘He was 95% correct’. After that, the professor said that… ‘I wrote the same thing for all 100 students. So if I say… ‘Anything bad is going to happen to you in one month… something bad is going to happen’ - Even if thousand good things happen, something bad is found to happen. If I say… ‘Something good happened to you last year, even if a thousand bad things happened… something good things is happened. So these are vague statements, which are always true. So when you read in the paper, Libra is this… and so and so is this… and Leo is this - All this, is just pulling a fast… pulling a fast. So Qur'an says that… ‘Do not indulge’. There may be few people, who may be expert - I am not saying… ‘No’, but the Qur'an says that… ‘If you know things that you should not… how it will cause you more harm. Qur'an tells… ‘Abstain from fortune telling’ - Why?… because the things which you should not, now will cause you more harm… if you  will come to know. For e.g., if you go to astrologer, and he says that… ‘You are going to fail’. That person has come out first in the classroom always - The astrologer says… ‘He is going to fail’ - and he does not study… and he fails. And he blames who?… he blames God Almighty. See the person pulled you a fast one. The Astrologer came out to be true - Why?… because the person had blind believe in him. If he would have studied, he would have passed. Therefore Islam says, the Holy Qur'an says… ‘Do not indulge in fortune telling’. If any Muslim does that, goes against the… against the commandment of the Holy Qur'an - Surely he is not a good Muslim, he is not following this principle of Islam…  other principles he may follow - Hope that answers your question.

(Q) What is the difference between the idelology of Islam, and the ideology of Hinduism?

The Holy Qur'an says that… ‘Allah is the beginning, and He is the end.’ -  ‘Wal Awwal Wal Aqhir’. The Hindu Upanishads also say… ‘God is one… He is present in all’, means what is your comment please?Brother’s questions are very good - What are the similarities between Hinduism and Islam?… What is the difference in the ideologies?  And the Hindu Upanshads which even I have read, says that… ‘God is one… God is present everywhere’. And the Holy Qur'an also states that ‘Allah is the beginning, and the end’. The major difference, if you analyze… between Islam and Hinduism, that if you ask a common Hindu, that… ‘How many gods does he worship?’ Some may say… ‘Three’, some may say… ‘Ten’, some may say…‘Hundred’, while other may say… ‘Thirty three crores’… that is, ‘Three hundred and thirty million’. But if you ask a learned man, like the advocate who had mentioned very well, from the Scripture, that… ‘How many gods do the Hindus worship’. They well tell you… ‘One’ - But they  believe in the philosophy know as…as, Anthrophormorphism. Many people believe in the philosophy known as Anthrophormorphism -  that means, ‘God Almighty, he takes form... God Almighty’. The philosophy is good - that if you analyze... if you just hear it - In the face of it, it says that… ‘God Almighty’… and it  is many Religions… it  is not only Hinduism, but many other Religions say… like Christian, it says that ‘God Almighty… He is so Pure, and He so Holy, that He does not know that… how human being feel when he is hurt, how does a human being feel, when someone troubles him . So God Almighty came down in the form of human being, to lay down the rules for the human being… ‘What is good and bad, for the human being’. On the face of it, it is good logic, that… ‘God Almighty, He is so pure… He set the rules for the human being - He came down to face of the earth, to the set the rules for the human being - because He is so Holy, He is so pure… He does not know what is good, and what is bad, for the human being’. I give the example… ‘Suppose I create a VCR… a Video cassette recorder - I am an engineer, and if I create or manufacture, a Video cassette recorder, to know what is good or bad, for the Video cassette recorder’. No… I just write on instruction manual, that… ‘When you want to play the cassette… insert the Video cassette, press the play button… it will play. Press the stop button, the Video cassette will stop. Do not drop it from a height… it will get damaged. Do not immerse it in water… it will get spoilt’ - I write an instruction manual. If you say… ‘Human being is a machine’ - I would say… ‘It  is the most complicated machine’. Does it not  require an instruction manual? For the human being…it is the Holy Qur'an… it is the Holy Qur'an - The do’s and dont’s, for the human being. The last and final instruction manual is given in the Holy Qur'an - What is good and what is bad, for the human being. The common Hindu... he believes in the Philosophy of Pantheism... Pantheism - that means, ‘Everything is god’. What the common Hindu says is... ‘The tree is god, the sun is god, the moon is god, the human being is god, the monkey is god, the snake is god’. The major difference between the Hindu and the Muslim is - what we Muslim say is that... ‘Everything is God’s - God with apostrophe ‘s’. If we can solve difference of apostrophe  ‘s’... we  Hindu and Muslims, will be united. How will you do it... The Qur'an says in Surah Al-Imran, Ch. No. 3, V. No. 64. It says ...(Arabic)….That there is no God but Allah…(Arabic)…‘That we associate no partners with Him, that we create not from ourselves, Lords and Patrons, other than Allah. Now if then, they turn back...then say: At least we are Muslims, bowing to Allah’s will’. How do you come to common terms... by analyzing the Scriptures of the Hindus and the Muslims. If you read the Bhagvagita... the Bhagvagita says in Ch. 7, V. 19 to 23... ‘All those who worship demi gods, all those do idol worship, they are materialistic people’. Who says that? - The Bhagvadgita says that - I am giving the reference... Ch. No. 7, V. No. 19 to 23, Among the Holy Scriputres... are the Vedas, the Rigveda, the Yajurveda, the Samveda, and the Arthervaveda. The Rigveda deals with Songs of praises... the Rigveda deals with Songs of praises, the Yajurveda deals with Sacrificial formulas, the Samveda deals with melody, and the Arthurveda deals with Magical formulas. If you read the Yajurveda - the Yajurveda says on Ch. No. 32, V. No. 3... ‘Natasya Pratima Asti’... ‘Of that God, no image can be made’. The same Yajurveda, Ch. No. 40, V. No. 8 says... ‘God is image less, and body less - He has got no form, He has got no body’. The Same Yajurveda, Ch. No. 40, V. No. 9 says... ‘All those who worship the Asumbhuti, the natural things like air, water, fire... All those who worshipping the Asumbhuti, are in darkness’. And the verse continues...     ‘They are entering into more darkness. who are worshipping the Sambhuti - Sambhuti means... the created things. Who says that I am not quoting the Qur'an – I am quoting the Yajurveda Ch. No. 40, V. No. 9... ‘If you worship the Sambhuti, the created things... the table, chair, etc., you are entering more into darkness. The Hindu Scriptures says... ‘Ekkam Braham’.

‘There is only one God, not a second, not at all, not at all, not in the least bit’. The same Rigveda... which is the most sacred of all Vedas. The Rigveda says in Vol. No. 8, Ch. No. 1, V. No. 1 .                                           ‘All praises are due to Him alone’ - Alhamdullilah Hi Rabbul Alamin. Same as the Holy Qur'an, Surah Fathiha, Ch. No. 1, V. No. 1 to 2... Alhamdullilah hi Rabbul Alamin. The same Regveda, Vol. 6, Ch. No. 45, V. No. 16 says...‘There is only one God... Worship Him alone’.  Kul Huwallahu Ahad’...Say: Allah, He is one and only’. So if we read the Scripture of the Hindus and the Muslims, and if we analyse, we know that all the religious Scriptures, of all the various Religions, speak about Tawheed... speak about the concept of One God. So if you read the Scriptures, and if we know the difference of apostrophe ‘s’...

The Hindus and the Muslims well be united. Hope that answers  the question.

Focus On Islam 3

The Arabic word dahaha, also means expand -and it comes from the root word dohea, which means egg. It does not refer to a normal egg -It refers to the egg of an Ostrich and if analyse the shape of the earth… it is not round like a ball -it is flattened from the top, and bulging from the centre. Similar to the egg of an Ostrich, which is too flattened from the top, and bulging from the centre. It is geo spherical in shape. So if you ask the Atheist, that…' Who could have mentioned, that the earth is geo spherical… 1400 years ago -which we discovered just 300 or 400 years ago? The person will say that…' May be your Prophet… he was an intelligent man -he wrote it. Do not argue - Continue. Previously we thought that the light of the moon, was its own light. It is recently discovered that the light of the moon, is reflected light. Qur’an says in Surah Furqan, Ch. 25, Verse 61, that... ‘Blessedth is He, who has made the constellation in the sky, and therein placed a lamp, a sun having a light of its own, and a moon having borrowed light. So the Qur’an says that... ‘The light of the sun, is its own light - but the moonlight, the light of the moon, is not its own light’. The light of the moon is described as muneer, or noor, which means, borrowed light or reflection of light. The sunlight is described as siraj, or wahaj, or duja, which means the light of its own, meaning a torch, or a glowing lamp. Always moonlight is described as muneer, or noor. Imagine, we discovered it just yesterday in science, 50 years back…100 years back, and the Qur’an mentions this 1400 years ago. When I was in school I had learnt, that the sun was stationary… it did not rotate about its own axis -whereas the moon and the earth, they rotate about their own axis. But there is a verse in Holy Qur’an, in Surah Al-Ambiya, Ch. 21, Verse 33… (Arabic)…‘It is Allah who has created the night and the day, the sun and the moon, each one travelling in the orbit, with its own motion’. So Qur’an says... ‘The sun and the moon, besides revolving, they also rotate about their own axis’. While later on, we come to know recently after I passed school, that science has discovered that the sun rotates about its own axis -which was mentioned in the Holy Qur’an, 1,400 years ago. Who could have mentioned it? Now he will hesitate to say… 'It is a fluke, or it is just by chance.' The Qur’an speaks about the water cycle. The person to describe the coherent water cycle, was Sir Bernard Plassey, in 1580. Qur’an describes the details of water cycle in Surah Al-Zumur, Ch. 39, Verse 21; in Surah Rum, Ch. 30, Verse 24; in Surah Mominun, Ch. 23, Verse 18… Holy Qur’an, in Surah Hijr, Ch. 15, Verse 22. In several places, the Qur’an describes the water cycle in great detail. How does the water evaporate? How does it form in to the clouds? How does the clouds move into the interior, and how does it fall down as rains? And goes back into the ocean? The water cycle has been described in great detail, in the Holy Qur’an -which was just discovered yesterday. Previously we did know that there were two types of water… salty and sweet water. The Holy Qur’an tells us in Surah Furqan, Ch. 25, Verse 53, that... ‘It is Allah, who has created two bodies of flowing water, one sweet and palpable… the other sweet and bitter. Between them is the barrier, which is forbidden to be trespassed.' The same message is repeated in Surah Rehman, Ch. 55, Verse 19 and 20, that …(Arabic)... ‘It is Allah who has led flow two bodies of flowing water, and between them is a barrier, which is forbidden to be trespassed’.  Today science tells us that... ‘The sweet and salt water, though they meet, they do not mix’. There is a slanting barrier between them, which the Qur’an describes 1,400 years ago. Then you ask the Atheist…' Who could have mentioned this? He will hesitate to say, that it is a fluke. The Qur’an speaks about Biology. It says in Surah Al-Ambiya, Ch. 21, Verse 30, that ...(Arabic).... ‘We have created every living thing from water’. Will you not imagine… in the deserts of Arabia, where there is scarcity of water, the Qur’an says... ‘Every living thing is made from water’. Who would have believed in this fairy tale? Where there was scarcity of water, the Qur’an says... ‘every living thing is made from water’. Today we have come to know, that the basic unit of cell… the cytoplasm, it consists of 80% water. Every living creature contain 50 to 90% water. Qur’an says that... ‘The plants were created in males and females, in sexes’…which we discovered today. Qur’an speaks about Zoology…about the lifestyles of the birds, lifestyle of the ants, of the spider, of the bees…which we discovered today. Qur’an speaks about medicine in the honey -there is a healing, which we discovered today. Qur’an speaks about Embryology, the various stages of embryological development of the human being, which we discovered today. Qur’an speaks about genetics. If you ask the Atheist, that…' Who could have mentioned all this?… he cannot say…' It is by chance'… because there is a theory, known as theory of Probability. The chances of it being a guess work, it becomes less… the moment you give more correct answers - Theory of Probability. So surely, the only answer that is remaining, is the first answer. He gave… Who can tell the mechanism of the universe?… is ‘The Creator’, is the Manufacturer, is the Producer, is the Maker. You can call him by any name, but there is a Creator, which we call as Allah (SWT), or Almighty God. How to prove that Qur’an is the revelation of Allah (SWT)? How to prove scientifically the existence of Allah (SWT). You can refer to my Video cassette ‘Qur’an and Modern Science - Conflict or Conciliation?’, where I have spoken in detail. Our beloved Muhammed(Peace be upon him) said -It is mentioned in Sahih Bukhari Vol. 1, Hadith No.2, that... ‘Islam is based on five principals, five pillars. The first is the Tawheed: ‘La ilaha Ill Allah, Muhammed ur Rasulullah’ -that… There is no god but Allah, and Prophet Muhammed(Peace be upon him) is the messenger. The Holy Qur’an says in Surah Al-Baqarah, Ch. 2, Verse 177... ‘It is not righteous that you turn your face to the east or west, but it is righteousness that you believe in Allah (Almighty God), you believe in the hereafter, you believe in the angels, you believe in the messengers, and you believe in the Books’. The best definition that a Muslims can give you of Almighty God… Allah (SWT), is in the Holy Qur’an Surah Ikhlas, Ch. 112, Verse 1 to 4, which says... (Arabic)... ‘Say: Allah, He is one and only’...(Arabic)... ‘Allah, the absolute and eternal’...(Arabic)... ‘He begets  not, nor is He begotten’...(Arabic)... ‘And there is nothing like Him’. This is a four line definition of Allah (SWT)… of Almighty God. What we Muslims say…. 'If any person, any entity who claims him to be Almighty God, if he fits in this four line definition of God, then we Muslims have no objection in accepting that candidate, as Almighty God. But the Holy Qur’an also says in Surah Isra, Ch. 17, Verse 110, it says... (Arabic)... ‘Say, call upon Him, by Allah or by Rahman, by whichever name you call upon Him, to Him belongs the most beautiful names’. That means you can call Allah (SWT)… Almighty God by any name, but it should be a beautiful name. It should not conjure up a mental picture, and the Qur’an gives not less than 99 different attributes to Almighty God…. Ar Rahim, Ar Rahman, Al Jabbar, Al Kahar, Al Kuddus, no less than 99 attributes to Almighty God. He is Merciful, He is Beneficient and, etc. But the crowning one is, The Allah. Now, why we Muslims prefer calling Almighty God by the Arabic word Allah, instead of the English word God... the reason we Muslims prefer calling Allah (SWT) by the Arabic word Allah, because the English word God -it can be played around with. You can play mischief with the English word God. For example, if you add an ‘s’ to the God, it becomes Gods. In Islam, there is nothing like Allahs, there is no plural of Allah. Ch 112,  Verse 1...(Arabic)... ‘Say He is Allah, one and only’. If you add ‘dess’ to god, it becomes goddess… meaning a female god. In Islam, there is nothing like male   Allah, or female Allah. Allah (SWT) has got no gender. He is unique. If you add father to god, it becomes godfather -that he is my godfather, he is my guardian. There is nothing like Allah-father, or Allah-abba, in Islam. Allah, is a unique word. If you add a mother, to Allah… to God, it becomes   godmother. There is nothing like Allah- ammi, or Allah-mother, in Islam. If you prefix a tin before God, it becomes  tin-god… meaning fake. There is nothing like tin Allah, in Islam. We Muslims prefer calling Allah (SWT), by the Arabic word Allah… than by the English word God. Otherwise Qur’an says... ‘You call Him by any name besides’ Surah Isra, Ch. 17, Verse 110. It is also mentioned in Surah Araf, Ch. 7, Verse 180, in Surah Taha, Ch. 20, Verse 20, and Surah Al-Hashr, Ch. 59, Verse 24, that... ‘You can call Allah, by any name but to Him belongs the most beautiful name’. It should be a beautiful name. It should not conjure up a mental picture, and the Holy Qur’an further says in Surah Anam, Ch. 6, Verse 108, that... ‘Revile not those who worship God besides Allah’, that means… Abuse not these who worship gods besides Allah, lest in their ignorance, they will revile they will abuse Allah (SWT). So a Muslims is prohibited from abusing those people who worship gods besides Allah, lest in their ignorance they will abuse Allah (SWT). The second pillar of Islam, is Salaah. Many people translate the word Salaah, as ‘prayer’. To pray, is to ask for help… to beseech -how a person beseeches in the court of law, to ask for help. Prayer does not denote the complete meaning of the Arabic word, Salaah, because in Salaah… besides asking for help, we also praise Allah (SWT), we also get guidance in the Salaah, so therefore the English word prayer, does not denote the complete meaning of the Arabic word Salaah. The more appropriate meaning that I say, I verily prefer calling it as programming, because we Muslims… we are programmed in our Salaah. We are programmed in what is wrong, and what is right -do the good things, do not do the bad things, do not rob, do not cheat, do the good things, love your neighbour, etc, etc. We are being programmed. Out if someone tells…' Where am I going'… and if I say….' I am going for programming, I am going for brain washing'… it may sound odd. So if someone uses the word prayer, for Salaah… I have no objection, though it does not denote the Arabic word, Salaah.  But if someone says… 'Where are you going? 'And instead of saying…' For prayers' -I am going for programming, I am going for brain washing, it might sound a bit odd. So if any one uses the word prayer, for Salaah… I have got no objection. We Muslims are supposed to pray 5 times a day -in the morning before sunrise, it is the Fajr Salaah -the Zohar Salaah, after the sun reaches highest, that is early in the afternoon -the Asr Salaah, late in the afternoon… that  is before the sunsets -the Maghrib Salaah, after the sun sets immediately, and the Isha Salaah, that is late in the evening or the early in the night. We have to pray minimum 5 times a day. How… for a healthy body, the doctor will tell you -You should have three meals a day. Similarly for a spiritual soul, you should offer Salaah, 5 times a day, minimum. And whenever we offer Salaah, when we enter the Mosque, we remove our footwear -this was the commandment given to prophet Moses (Peace be upon him). It is mentioned in the Holy Qur’an in Surah Taha, Ch. 20, Verse 11 and 12, that…'' When he approached the fire he heard a voice... ‘Oh! Moses verily I am your Lord ; take off thy shoes for thou art in the sacred valley of Dua’. This was the commandment given to Moses(Peace be upon him) which we Muslims follow -We take off our footwear when we offer Salaah. Besides that, we are hygienic people, who want to see our place of worship is clean. And since we do prostration, we do not want to prostate in mud, dirt and filth which comes along with the footwear -We are hygienic people. Before offering Salaah, the Holy Qur’an says in Surah Maidah, Ch. 5, Verse 5...(Arabic)... ‘O ye believe, when you prepare yourself for Salaah, when you prepare yourself for prayers, wash your face, and your hands, and arms, up to the elbow -rub your head with water, wash your feet upto  the ankle’. It is the ablution -In Arabic, it is called as wudhu. It is compulsory that before we offer Salaah, we should do ablution, we should wash ourselves. Because we are hygienic people, we want to be clean before we appear in front of the Lord. And besides that, it is also a mental preparation -that mentally we are being prepared, that now we are going to appear in front of Allah (SWT), in front of Almighty Lord. Our believed Prophet said -it is mentioned in Sahih Bukhari, Vol. No. 1, in the Book of Adhan, Ch. No. 75, Hadith No. 692. Our prophet said... ‘When you stand for Salaah, stand shoulder to shoulder’. In another Hadith, it says that... ‘When you stand for Salaah, stand shoulder to shoulder, so that the devil does not come in between you’. Our prophet was not talking about the devil which you see in the Onida T.V. add. You Know the Onida T.V. add it has the devil with two horn and a tail. Our Prophet was not talking about the devil which you see in the Onida T.V. add or in the comic strip with two horns and a tail. He was referring to the devil of rascism, devil of casteism, devil of colour, of wealth mean irrespective of whether you are rich or poor, whether you are black or white, whether you are from America or from China or from India or from Pakistan, whether you are from a noble family, or you are not from a noble family. When you offer Salaah, stand shoulder to shoulder, so that it shows the best Universal brotherhood, five times a day. Five times a day when we offer Salaah, irrespective from which ever part he is coming, whether he is rich or poor, whether he is black or white, when they stand for Salaah, we Muslims, we stand shoulder to shoulder. Universal brotherhood… the best example, practical example …so that the devil of racsism, the devil of colour, the devil of cast, the devil of wealth does not come in between the brothers. And the best part of the Salaah, is the sujud… is the prostration. The Arabic word sujud, is mentioned in the Qur’an, no less than 92 different times. And the Psychologists, they tell us, that the mind is not directly under our control. The body, it is directly under our control but our mind, keeps on wandering. It is not directly under our control… It keeps on wandering -the body is under our control. So to humble the mind, you have to humble your body -And which is the better way, than the way we Muslims do. We put the highest part of the body… that is the forehead, to the lowest part of the ground, and then say…' Glory be to Allah (SWT), Who is the most greatest, glory be to Allah, Who is the most highest. And if you analyse, that when we offer Salaah there various benefits of the Salaah (i.e. prayers). Normally, throughout the day, there are electrostatic charges given out from the brain. When we do sujud, these charges get grounded -there is grounding of the frontal lobe, there is grounding of these charges. How, we have a three pin plug and a two pin plug... Three pin plug grounds. That does not mean, that if you put your hand below the head you will find, you will get a shock. It is not that grounding as the electric grounding, but it is dominance of the frontal lobe. Normally when you live, you always stand erect -blood is being pumped by the heart to the brain, but it is not sufficient for a very healthy brain. So when you do sujud, extra blood flows from the heart to the brain, due to gravity. This extra flow of blood, is a requirement for a very healthy brain. So when we do sujud, extra blood flows in to the brain, which is very good for a healthy brain. When we do sujud, there is extra blood supply to the skin of the face, which prevents ‘Chill bane’. When we do sujud, the secretion of the synuses… the ‘Aismodal’ synus, Magniotal synus, they get drained- there are less chances of a person suffering from Synusitis. Normally when you breath, only 2/3^rd of your lungs capacity is utilised. The remaining 1/3^rd is                                known as residual air. But when we do the sujud, and when your breath in the sujud, the abdominal vicra, it presses against the diaphram. The diaphram presses against the lower part of the lungs, and even the residual air… the 1/3^rd air is exhaled out, so more fresh air enters in to the lungs, in which there are less chances of that person suffering from lung diseases. When we do sujud, there is drainage of secretion of the Brocheal tree, in which there are less chances of a person suffering from Bronchitis. When we so sujud, there is increased vynus return, to the Abdominal vicra… when we do sujud there is less chances of having Hamroid. There are several benefits. When you do kayaam, ruku, sujud… when you stand up, and when you get up from the sitting position, the calf muscles are being activated. The calf muscles are referred to as peripheral heart, because they supply blood to the lower part of the body. So when you do kayaam, ruku, sujud… when you stand up, sit up, prostate, get up… the calf muscles are activated, and it increases the blood supply to the lower part of the body when you stand up bow down and prostrate the vertebrae is being exercised you have less chances of having disease of vertebrae. There are several medical benefits only of salah -You can give a talk only on that. But we Muslims, we do not offer salah, for these medical benefits -these are only side dishes. We offer salah, to praise Allah (SWT) to thank…Allah (SWT). That is our main dish…that is a biryani. The medical benefits are side dishes -we do not pray for these medical benefits. It may attract a person, who does not believe in Islam -that okay, you get medical benefits… he may come closer to salah. But we Muslims offer salah, to thank Allah (SWT)… to praise Him -That is our main biryani. This is the additional benefit that Allah (SWT) gives us. The third pillar is Zakah. The Arabic words Zakah, means purification… it means growth. In Islam every rich person who has a saving of more than the nesaab level, more than the minimum wealth, that is seven and a half  tola of gold. He should give 2.5% of  that saving every lunar year, in charity -and the criteria to do the charity is given in Surah Tauba Ch. 9, Verse 60, which says... ‘It can be given to the fukra, to the poor people, to the masakeen who are needy, whose heart is bent towards  Islam, to those who are in debt, those in freeing of slave, a way farer who gets scanted in a foreign land, and those who spend in the way of Allah(SWT)’. These are 8 categories given in Surah Tauba, Ch.9,V  60, to whom this Zakat can be given. It is compulsory for every rich Muslim, who has saving of more than the nisaab level, he should give 2.5% of that saving, every lunar year, in charity. I ask a question, that if every human being in the world gives Zakat, gives 2.5 % of his excess wealth in charity… poverty will be eradicated form this world. There will not be a single human being who will die of hunger. That is why the Holy Qur’an says, in Surah Hashr, in Ch. 59, Verse 7, that... ‘It prevents the wealth from circulating among the rich -is that, that the rich will not become more richer’. It prevents the wealth from circulating amongst the rich. The Holy Qur’an says in Surah Taubah, Ch. 9 Verse 34, that... ‘Those who bury gold and silver, and spend it not in the way of Allah (SWT), do not give charity, announce to them a grievous penalty. That on the day of Judgement, heat will be produced from this wealth, from fire of hell, and they will be branded on their fore heads, on their flanks, and on their back. And it will be told to them, that you hoarded the wealth- now have a taste of your wealth’. Hoarding of wealth, is prohibited in the Holy Qur’an -You cannot hoard wealth. The fourth pillar is Hajj. Every Adult Muslim who has the means to perform Hajj, that is pilgrimage to the Holy city of Makkah, should at least do it once in his life time. And I say that the Hajj is the best practical example in the world, of Universal brotherhood -There is not a better example. In Hajj, there are 2.5 million Muslims who gather in Mecca. In Mina, in Arafat… the holy land, 2.5 million Muslims from various part of the world,  from America, England, Japan, India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Singapore and various part of the world. And the men, they dress up in two pieces of unsewen cloth preferably white -so that the person standing next to you, when he is performing the pilgrimage, you cannot make out whether the person standing in front of you is a king or a popper. You cannot come to know, whether he is rich or poor. All of the Muslims from various parts of the world …they collect -It is the biggest annual gathering of the world. 2.5 million Muslims, 25 lakhs Muslims, they gather there and they perform their pilgrimage, and they are dressed in the same simple unsewen pieces of cloth -Best example of Universal brotherhood. I started my talk by quoting a Verse from the Holy Qur’an, Surah Hujurah, Ch.49, Verse 13, which says... (Arabic)... ‘O human kind, We have created you from a single pair of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye shall recognize one another, and not that you shall despise one another’. And the most honoured in the sight of Allah (SWT) is the one who has taqwaa, who has righteousness, who has God-consciousness, who has piety. The Holy Qur’an says that... ‘The whole of the human kind, has been created from a single pair of a male and a female’. And God Almighty has divided them into nations and tribes, so that they shall recognise each other not that they shall despise each other -That I am superior to you… or you are superior to me. And the Prophet said that... ‘No Arab is superior to a Non-Arab, neither a Non-Arab superior to an Arab, neither a White superior to a Black, nor a Black superior to a White’. The Qur’an says -the only criteria for judgement in Surah Hujrat, Ch. 49, Verse 13... ‘The only criteria for judgement in the sight of Allah (SWT) is not sex, it is not caste, it is not colour, it is not wealth, it is not age, it is taqwaa, it is God-consciousness, it is peity, it is righteousness, it is by             God-consciousness… not by wealth, colour or nobility’. These are the guidance given by the Holy Qur’an, for Universal brotherhood. The fifth pillar in Ramadhan, is saum. That every adult Muslims should fast, should abstain from having food and drink, from sunrise to sunset, in the complete lunar month of Ramadhan. The Holy Qur'an says in Surah Al-Baqarah, Ch. 2, Verse 183, that... ‘Ramadhan has been prescribed to you, as it was prescribed earlier, to the people who came early before you, so that you may learn self restrain’. The reason for fasting has been described in the Holy Qur’an, for self restraint. And the Psychologists, they tell us today, that if you can control your hunger, you can control almost all your desires. That is what Qur’an says, that... ‘Ramadan has been prescribed to you, so that you may learn self restrain, you may control your desire. If you can control your hunger, you can control almost all your desires. And there are various benefits, that if a person can abstain from having alcohol, from sunrise to sunset, he can very well abstain from having alcohol, from the cradle to the grave. If he can abstain from smoking from sunrise to sunset, he can very well abstain from smoking, from the cradle to the grave. It gives an opportunity to improve yourself. I call it the over hauling -like how your  machine requires servicing…like you service your car every three months, every four months… your motor cycle every five month, etc. If you allow me to call the human being a machine, I would say… It is the most complicated machine on the face of the earth. Ramadhan is a servicing of the human body -one lunar month, every lunar year… servicing. There are several medical benefits even of the Salaah. I would not like to go in to detail. But it also improve, increases the intestinal absorption when you fast, it increases your intestinal absorption. These were in a nutshell the five pillars of Islam. If you remember the Prophet said these are the pillars of Islam, these are the principles of Islam. This does not constitute the complete Islam. Many people have a misunderstanding that if they do these 5 things they become very good Muslims. These are only the 5 pillars, and any engineer will tell you, that if the pillar is strong, then hopefully the structure will be strong. If the foundation is strong, then the structure will be strong, so if we follow these 5 pillars correctly, then InshaAllah the structure will be correct. And the other structure, the do’s and dont’s are mentioned in the Holy Qur’an. How a person should lead his life, is mentioned in the Holy Qur’an. The Holy Qur’an says in Surah Dhariyat, Ch. 51, Verse 56...(Arabic)... ‘That We have created the jinn and the men, not but to worship Me’. That means, God Almighty created the jinn and the men, only to worship Him. What is the meaning of the Arabic word Ibadah? It comes from the root word ‘Abd’ which means, following His commandment. Many people have a misconception that Salaah… prayer is the only form of Ibadah. Salaah is one of the high forms of Ibadah -But it is the not the only form of Ibadah. Whatever commandments of Allah (SWT) -if you are following them you are doing Ibadah. If you abstain from prohibited food like Alcohol, Qur’an says in Surah Al-Maidah, Ch. 5, Verse 90, that... ‘Alcohol is prohibited’. You are doing Ibadah of Allah (SWT) Almighty God, if you are honest in your business, you are doing Ibadah… you are doing worship of Allah(SWT). If you love your neighbours, as the Qur’an says in Surah Al-Maun, Ch. 107, Verse 127... ‘Provide neighbourly needs', you are doing Ibadah of  Allah (SWT). If you abstain from back biting, speaking ill about people behind their back, you are doing worship of Allah (SWT). Qur’an says in Surah Al-Humuza, Ch. 104...(Arabic)... ‘Woe to every kind of scandal, monger and backbiter. Qur’an says in Surah Hujurat, Ch. 49, Verse 11 to 12, that... ‘Do not defame others, do not be sarcastic, do not call others by nickname, avoid suspicion for suspicion in many cases is a crime. Do not speak ill about others behind their back, are you ready to eat the dead meat of your brother, means if you backbite, if you speak ill about any body else it is as though your are eating the dead meat of your brother.' What does it mean? -Eating dead meat had been prohibited in the Holy Qur’an. Eating dead meat of your brother, is double crime. Even the animals that eat human being, they do not the dead meat of their own brother. So the Qur’an says... ‘If you backbite, if you speak ill about other people behind their back, it is a double crime. First speaking ill about any one without proof is a crime… speaking ill about any one without proof, behind their back is double crime, because he cannot support himself. Eating dead meat is a crime, eating dead meat of your brother is a double crime. The Qur’an says that... ‘If you backbite… are you ready to eat the dead meat of your brother’? And Allah gives the reply… "Nay, you will abhor it?' So if you abstain from backbiting, you are doing worship of Allah (SWT)… you are doing Ibadah. Qur’an says in Surah Isra, Ch. 17, Verse 23 to 24, that... ‘I have ordained for you that you should worship none but Me, and that you should be kind to your parents’. After worshipping Allah (SWT) -Allah says... ‘We should be kind to our parents. And if any one of them, or both of them reach their old age, do not say a word of contempt -do not even say uff to your parents. But lower to them your wings of humility, and address them with honour, and pray to Almighty God, that… Bless them, as they cherished me in childhood’. You have to love and respect your parents... If you love and respect your parents, you are doing worship of Allah (SWT). Monasticism, celibacy is prohibited in Islam. Our beloved Prophet said in Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 7, Ch. 3, in the Book of Nikaah, Hadith No. 4... ‘Oh young people whoever has the means to get married, should get married. That will help to lower your gaze, and guard your modesty’. The Prophet said... ‘Whoever does  not marry, is not of me’. It is compulsory in Islam, to marry. If you are marrying, you are doing worship of Allah (SWT). If you have sex with your wife, and abstain from adultery, you are doing worship of Allah (SWT). Because Qur’an says in Surah Isra, Ch. 17, Verse 32, that... ‘Come not close to adultery, for it is an evil deed, an unjust deed, and an evil opening roads to other evils. It is a shameful deed, an evil opening roads to other evils, so if you have sex with your wife and abstain from adultery, you are doing Ibadah. The Holy Qur’an says in Surah Nisa, Ch. 4, Verse 19, that... ‘Treat your wives on a footing of equity and kindness, even if you dislike her’. That even if you dislike your wife. Qur’an says... ‘You should love her and treat her with equity’. If you dress up modestly, that is Ibadah, that is worship of Allah (SWT). In short, any commandments you follow of Allah (SWT), that is worship of Almighty God. If you abstain from those things that Allah has prohibited, you are doing Ibadah, you are doing worship of Allah (SWTsss). Islam has got a dual role -It caters to the body as well as the soul. There is not a single teaching of Islam, which is against humanity. People may think… 'This teaching of Islam is wrong' -due to lack of knowledge. They may have less information either about Islam, or about the statistics of the world. Therefore they may think this teaching of Islam that marrying more than one wife okay it is a wrong teaching. But if you have the correct information, correct knowledge of Islam and the correct statistics of the world, there is not a single teaching of Islam which is against humanity. Every teaching of Islam, is either beneficial to the body or to the soul, of the being. The Holy Qur’an says in Surah Mulk, Ch. 67, Verse 2... ‘Allah has created death and life to test which of you is good is deed’. This life that you are leading, is a test for the Hereafter. It is a test that we are undergoing -If we fail, you go to hell. And the criteria for salvation, was recited by our young Kari, brother Kaamil, in beginning of the talk. He recited Surah Al-Asr, Ch. 103, Verse 1 to 3... (Arabic)... ‘By the token of time, man is verily in a state of loss, except for those who have faith, who have righteous deeds, those who exhort people to the truth… that do dawah and islaah… those who exhort to patience, and perseverance’. These are the minimum 4 criteria for any human being, to go to heaven. He should have faith, he should have righteous deeds, he should exhort people to the truth, and should exhort people to patience and perseverance. Only having for two or three of these criteria, will not transport you to the heaven -you should have all the four criteria, for a human being to enter Jannah. Holy Qur’an says in Surah Al-Baqarah, Ch. 2, Verse 25... (Arabic)... ‘There is no compulsion in Religion’. But many people quote this and stop. The complete verse says... ‘There is no compulsion in Religion, truth stands out clear from error’. You have to present the truth. You cannot force anyone on the point of sword, at the point of the gun -that is not allowed in Islam. You have to present the truth -if he agrees Alhamdolillah, well and fine. If he does not agree, you can not force anyone. Truth stands out clear from error. But we have to present the truth to them. I was asked by the organiser… 'As far as possible to give a short talk, and spend more time for the Question and Answer session -there are many misconceptions of Islam, amongst Non-Muslims… even among the Muslims.' Today, the gathering is specially for the Non-Muslims -so whatever misconceptions they have,       however stupid it may sound, however illogical it may sound, however offensive it may sound… No problem, I can take it. You are most welcome to ask any question about Islam… You are welcome to criticize Islam -No problem. I will only ask you… 'Why do you… why do you say that the Qur’an is wrong?' If you know something about the Qur’an, you are most welcome to clarify any doubts -this is your opportunity. Normally we do not have Religious gatherings, after which there is an open Question and Answer session. I normally prefer having a Question and Answer session… whatever doubts are there. Some people may think -Why do Muslims have more than one wife?… Why do not they have pork?… Why are they circumcised?… Why do they have Non-Veg., etc.,etc. Whichever doubts they may have, this is an opportunity to clarify -Believe me, I will not get offended. You are most welcome to ask any question. If you feel that this teaching of Islam is not right, speak it up. You are most welcome to ask any question, clarify any doubts. This is your best opportunity… so that even if you want to criticize, I can take it. I am young, but I can take it -that is my job… it is my field. I would like to end my talk, with the Verse from the Holy Qur’an from Surah Nahl, Ch. 16, Verse 125...(Arabic)... ‘Invite all to the way of thy Lord, with wisdom and beautiful teachings, and argue with them, and reason with them, in ways that are best and most gracious'.

Wa Akhiruddawana Anil Hamdulillahi Rabbil Alamin.