From: bv8bv8bv8@gmail.com   
      
   The Beauties of Islam   
       
      
   At this time in Islam’s history, when the entire religion is being judged by   
   the actions of a few, it is appropriate to step back from the glare of the   
   media spotlight and examine the beauties that infuse the way of life known as   
   Islam. There is    
   greatness and splendour in Islam that is often overshadowed by actions that   
   have no place in Islam or by people who speak about topics they only vaguely   
   understand. Islam is a religion, a way of life that inspires Muslims to try   
   harder, reach farther and    
   act in a manner that is pleasing to those around them and most importantly   
   pleasing to their Creator.   
      
   The beauties of Islam are those things that are part of the religion and make   
   Islam stand out. Islam answers all of humankind’s eternal questions. Where did   
   I come from? Why am I here? Is this really all there is? It answers these   
   questions with clarity    
   and in a beautiful way. So then, let us begin our journey and discover and   
   ponder over the beauties of Islam.   
      
   1.  The answers to all your questions about life are in the Quran   
   The Quran is a book detailing the glory of God and the wonder of His creation;   
   it is also a testament to His Mercy and Justice. It is not a history book, a   
   storybook, or a scientific textbook, although it does contain all of those   
   genres and more. The    
   Quran is God’s greatest gift to humanity – it is a book like no other, for it   
   contains the answers to the mysteries of life. It answers the questions and   
   asks us to look beyond materialism and see that this life is little more than   
   a transient stop on    
   the way to everlasting life. Islam gives a clear aim and purpose to life.   
      
   “And I (God) created not the jinn and humankind, except to worship Me   
   (Alone).” (Quran 51:56)   
      
   Thus it is the most important book and Muslims have no doubt that it is   
   exactly the same today as it was when it was first revealed to Prophet   
   Muhammad, may God praise him. When we ask those most important questions, we   
   want to be sure that the answers    
   we receive are the truth. Knowing that the answers are coming from a book   
   which is the unchanged Word of God, gives comfort and solace. When God   
   revealed the Quran, He promised to preserve it. The words we read today are   
   the same as those memorised and    
   written down by the companions of Prophet Muhammad.   
      
   “It is We Who have sent down the remembrance (i.e. the Quran) and surely, We   
   will guard it from corruption.” (Quran 15:9)   
      
   2.  True Happiness can be found in Islam   
   Rejoice and be happy, remain positive and be at peace. [1] This is what Islam   
   teaches us, for all God’s commandments aim to bring happiness to the   
   individual. The key to happiness is in understanding and worshipping God. This   
   worship serves as a reminder    
   of Him and keeps us always conscious of Him and hence we stay away from evil,   
   committing injustices and oppression. It elevates us to being righteous and of   
   good character. By following His commands, we lead a life that guides us to   
   the best in all our    
   affairs. When we lead such a meaningful life, then and only then are we able   
   to see happiness all around us, at any given moment and even on the darkest of   
   times. It is even there in the touch of a hand, in the smell of rain or newly   
   mown grass, it is in    
   a warm fire on a cold night or a cool breeze on a hot day. Simple pleasures   
   can make our hearts truly happy because they are manifestations of God’s Mercy   
   and Love.   
      
   The nature of the human condition means that amongst great sorrow can be   
   moments of joy and sometimes in moments of despair we can find an anchor in   
   the things that bring us happiness. Prophet Muhammad said, “Indeed amazing are   
   the affairs of a believer!    
   They are all for his benefit. If he is granted ease then he is thankful, and   
   this is good for him.  And if he is afflicted with a hardship, he perseveres,   
   and this is good for him.” [2]   
      
   3.  In Islam we can easily communicate with God at any time of day or night   
   Every member of the human race is born innately knowing that God is One.   
   However those who do not know how to communicate with God or establish a   
   relationship with Him tend to find their existence puzzling and sometimes even   
   distressing. Learning to    
   communicate with God and worshiping Him gives life a whole new meaning.   
      
   According to Islam, God is accessible at any time and in any place. We need   
   only call on Him and He will answer the call. Prophet Muhammad advised us to   
   call on God often. He told us that God said,   
      
   “I am just as My slave thinks I am, (i.e. I am able to do for him what he   
   thinks I can do for him) and I am with him if He remembers Me. If he remembers   
   Me in himself, I too, remember him in Myself; and if he remembers Me in a   
   group of people, I remember    
   him in a group that is better than they; and if he comes one span nearer to   
   Me, I go one cubit nearer to him; and if he comes one cubit nearer to Me, I go   
   a distance of two outstretched arms nearer to him; and if he comes to me   
   walking, I go to him    
   running.” [3]   
      
   In the Quran God says, “Remember Me and I will remember you…” (Quran2:152)   
      
   Believers call on God in any language, at any time and in any place. They   
   supplicate to Him, and give thanks. Muslims also pray in a more ritualised way   
   five times every day and interestingly the Arabic word for prayer is ‘salah’,   
   which means a    
   connection. Muslims are connected to God and can communicate with Him easily.   
   We are never alone or far from God’s Mercy, Forgiveness and Love.   
      
   4.  Islam gives us real peace   
   The words Islam, Muslim and salaam (peace) all come from the Arabic root word   
   “Sa - la – ma”. It denotes peace, security, and safety. When a person submits   
   to the will of God he or she experiences an innate sense of security and   
   peacefulness. Salaam is a    
   descriptive word that entails more than tranquillity and calmness; it also   
   encompasses the concepts of safety, security and submission. In fact, Islam in   
   the complete sense means submission to the One God who grants us safety,   
   security, peace and harmony.   
    This is real peace. Muslims greet each other with the words ‘Assalam   
   Alaikum’. These Arabic words mean ‘May God grant you protection and security   
   (real and lasting peace)’. These brief Arabic words let Muslims know that they   
   are among friends, not    
   strangers. This greeting encourages believers to be a worldwide community   
   unencumbered by tribal or nationalistic loyalties and bound together by peace   
   and unity. Islam itself is inherently associated with inner peace and   
   tranquillity.   
      
      
   [continued in next message]   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)