• Most misunderstood word – ‘Jihaad’
  The first, number one misconception regarding Islam, the top of the charts is regarding Jihaad. Today Jihaad is the most misunderstood word regarding Islam. It is not only misunderstood by non‑Muslims, it is even misunderstood by many of us Muslims. Non‑Muslims and many Muslims think that Jihaad means any war fought by any Muslim for any reason, whether it be for power, whether it be for wealth, whether it be for land, whether it be for language, etc. Any war fought by any Muslim for any reason, is called Jihaad. Jihaad does not mean any war fought by any Muslim for any reason, whether it be for money, whether it be for power, whether it be for land, whether it be for language, etc.

• Meaning of Jihaad
  ‘Jihaad’ is a word which comes from ‘Jahada’ which means to strive, which means to struggle. So Jihaad basically means to strive and struggle. In the Islamic context, Jihaad means to strive and struggle against one’s own evil inclinations. Jihaad also means to strive and struggle to make society better. Jihaad also means to fight against oppression. Jihaad also means to fight in self‑defense in the battlefield. For example, if a student is striving and struggling to pass an examination, we say the student is doing Jihaad. He’s striving and struggling.

• Jihaad can also be done by non‑Muslims
  Many people have a misconception and they think that Jihaad can only be done by a Muslim. There are no less than two verses in the Qur’an which say that even non‑Muslims do Jihaad.

• Qur’anic Quotations
  4(a) Surah Luqmān, Chapter 31, Verse 14:
  “We have enjoined on human beings to be kind to their parents; in travail upon travail the mother bore them and in pain did she give them birth.”
  Immediately after praising the parents, especially the mother, the verse continues…

  4(b) Surah Luqmān, Chapter 31, Verse 15:
  “But if your parents strive and struggle to make you worship somebody else besides Allah of whom you have no knowledge, then don’t obey them but yet live with them with love and compassion.”
  Here the Qur’an is talking about non‑Muslim parents doing Jihaad, striving and struggling to make their children do shirk.

  4(c) Surah al‑‘Ankabūt, Chapter 29, Verse 8:
  “We have enjoined on human beings to be kind to their parents, but if the parents strive and struggle to make them worship somebody else besides Allah, don’t obey them. You all have to return to Me, and I will tell you the truth of all that you did.”
  Again, the Qur’an describes non‑Muslim parents doing Jihaad.

• Jihaad Fi Sabīlish Shayṭān and Jihaad Fi Sabīlillah
  The Qur’an mentions non‑Muslims doing Jihaad as ‘Jihaad Fi Sabīlish Shayṭān’ (in the way of Satan). What Muslims should do is ‘Jihaad Fi Sabīlillah’ (in the way of Allah). Whenever ‘Jihaad’ is mentioned individually in an Islamic context, it means ‘Jihaad Fi Sabīlillah’.

• Jihaad is not ‘Holy War’
  Many non‑Muslims—including some self‑styled “Muslim scholars”—translate Jihaad as ‘Holy War.’ But if you translate ‘Holy War’ into Arabic it would be ‘Ḥarbun Muqaddasah.’ Neither the Qur’an nor the Hadith ever uses that term.

• Qitāl
  While one form of Jihaad is fighting in the way of Allah—called Qitāl—Jihaad itself doesn’t basically mean war. There are various types of Jihaad, such as Jihaad bīnafs (striving against one’s own evil inclinations), and fighting in self‑defense in the way of Allah.

• The word ‘Jihaad’ revealed multiple times in Makkah, but no war in Makkah
  In the first thirteen years of the Prophet’s mission in Makkah, many verses containing the word ‘Jihaad’ were revealed, yet there was no physical fighting until after the migration to Madīnah.

• Qur’anic Quotations
  9(a) Surah al‑‘Ankabūt, Chapter 29, Verse 69:
  “Those who strive in Our cause – We will certainly guide them to Our paths, for verily Allah is with those who do right.”
  When this verse was revealed, there was no war at that time.

  9(b) Surah al‑Furqān, Chapter 25, Verse 52:
  “Therefore listen not to the unbelievers, but strive against them with the utmost strenuousness with the Qur’an.”
  That means you do Jihaad with the Qur’an—strive to convey the message of Allah.

• Killing any innocent human being is prohibited in Islam
  Surah al‑Mā’idah, Chapter 5, Verse 32:
  “If anyone kills a person—unless it be for murder or spreading mischief in the land—it would be as if he killed all of humanity; and if anyone saves a life, it would be as if he saved all of humanity.”
  No other scripture contains a verse like this.

This question is often hurled at Muslims, either directly or indirectly, during any discussion on religion or world affairs. Muslim stereotypes are perpetuated in every form of the media accompanied by gross misinformation about Islam and Muslims. Infact, such misinformation and false propaganda often leads to discrimination and acts of violence against Muslims. A case in point is the anti‑Muslim campaign in the American media following the Oklahoma bomb blast, where the press was quick to declare a ‘Middle Eastern conspiracy’ behind the attack. The culprit was later identified as a soldier from the American Armed Forces.

Let us analyze this allegation of ‘fundamentalism’:

1. Definition of the word ‘fundamentalist’
   A fundamentalist is a person who follows and adheres to the fundamentals of the doctrine or theory he is following. For a person to be a good doctor, he should know, follow, and practise the fundamentals of medicine. In other words, he should be a fundamentalist in the field of medicine. For a person to be a good mathematician, he should know, follow and practise the fundamentals of mathematics. He should be a fundamentalist in the field of mathematics. For a person to be a good scientist, he should know, follow and practise the fundamentals of science. He should be a fundamentalist in the field of science.

2. Not all ‘fundamentalists’ are the same
   One cannot paint all fundamentalists with the same brush. One cannot categorize all fundamentalists as either good or bad. Such a categorization of any fundamentalist will depend upon the field or activity in which he is a fundamentalist. A fundamentalist robber or thief is a bad person since he causes harm to the society. A fundamentalist doctor, on the other hand, is a good person as he benefits the society.

3. I am proud to be a Muslim fundamentalist
   I am a fundamentalist Muslim who, by the grace of Allah, knows, follows and strives to practise the fundamentals of Islam. A true Muslim does not shy away from being a fundamentalist. I am proud to be a fundamentalist Muslim because, I know that the fundamentals of Islam are beneficial to humanity and the whole world. There is not a single fundamental of Islam that causes harm or is against the interests of the human race as a whole. Many people have misconceptions about Islam and consider several teachings of Islam to be unfair or improper. This is due to misinformation and incorrect knowledge of Islam. Moreover, many observe the teachings of Islam only superficially or out of context. If one critically analyzes the teachings of Islam with an unbiased and open mind, one has to agree that Islam is the best way of life.

4. Dictionary meaning of the word ‘fundamentalism’
   According to Webster’s dictionary ‘fundamentalism’ was a movement in American Protestanism that arose in the earlier part of the 20th century. It was a reaction to modernism, and stressed the infallibility of the Bible, not only in matters of faith and morals but also as a literal historical record. It stressed on belief in the Bible as the literal word of God. Thus fundamentalism was a word initially used for a group of Christians who believed that the Bible was the verbatim word of God without any errors and mistakes.

5. Definition of ‘fundamentalist’ according to Oxford Dictionary
   When we read the Oxford dictionary, the Oxford dictionary says that, “‘fundamentalist’ is a person who strictly adheres to the ancient or fundamental doctrine of any religion.” But when we read the revised edition of the Oxford Dictionary, there’s a slight change, it says, “‘fundamentalist’ is a person who strictly adheres to the ancient scriptures or fundamentals of any religion, especially Islam” “Especially Islam” has been added in the revised edition of Oxford Dictionary. The moment you hear the word fundamentalist, immediately you start thinking of a Muslim.

6. Every Muslim should be an Extremist
   Media says, “Muslims are Fundamentalists, Muslims are Extremists.” And we Muslims are becoming apologetic. No… no… no… I’m not a fundamentalist. No… no… no… I’m not an extremist. I say, I’m an extremist. I’m extremely honest, I’m extremely just, I’m extremely kind, I’m extremely merciful, I’m extremely loving. Can anyone tell me why being extremely just, extremely honest, extremely loving, extremely merciful, extremely kind is bad? What’s wrong in being an extremist?

7. The Qur’an says ‘Be an Extremist’
   The Qur’an says you have to be extremely honest. You can’t be partly honest. When it benefits you, you’re honest; when it doesn’t benefit you, you’re dishonest. The Qur’an says you have to be extremely honest, extremely just. If you are a practicing Muslim you have to be extremely kind, extremely honest, extremely just. We have to be extremist in the correct direction. We should not be extremist in the wrong direction. But a Muslim should be extremist in following the Qur’an. Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Al Baqarah, Chapter 2, Verse 208,
   “O ye who believe! Enter into Islam whole-heartedly; and follow not the footsteps of the evil one; for he is to you an avowed enemy.”
   So why are the Muslims becoming apologetic? The Media is attacking Islam and unfortunately we Muslims are afraid. We have the best Deen, but why are we afraid? Why are we apologetic? It’s time that we turn the tables over.

The third most common misconception is ‘Muslims are Terrorists.’ And after 9/11, you had the 7th July or 7/7, that’s the London Bombing and there was a common statement, which said, “All Muslims are not Terrorists but All Terrorists are Muslims.”

1. Meaning of the word ‘Terrorist’
   What is the meaning of the word ‘Terrorist’? ‘Terrorist’ by definition means a person who causes terror. For example, if a criminal sees a policeman, he is terrified. So for the criminal, the policeman is a terrorist. I’m aware that ‘Terrorist’ more commonly means a person who terrorizes innocent human beings.

2. Two different labels given to the same individual for the same action
   We know from the media that many a time two different labels are given to the same individual for his same activity. For example, more than 60 years back there were many Indians who were fighting for the freedom of the country. These people by the British Government were called ‘Terrorists.’ But we common Indians call them ‘Freedom Fighters,’ as ‘Patriots’; same people, same activity, but two different labels. If you agree with the view of the British Government that they had a right to rule over India, then you have to call these people ‘Terrorists.’ But if you agree with the view of the common Indians that the Britishers came to India to do business and had no right to rule over us, then you have to call these people Patriots or Freedom Fighters.

3. Check before you pass the information
   The Qur’an says in Surah Al‑Ḥujurāt, Chapter 49, Verse 6:
   “O ye who believe! If a wicked person comes to you with any news, ascertain the truth, lest ye harm people unwittingly, and afterwards become full of repentance for what ye have done.”
   [Al‑Qur’an 49:6]

4. George Washington
   When the British were ruling America during the Revolution (1775), George Washington was labeled ‘Terrorist No. 1’ by the British Government. Later, when America gained its freedom, George Washington became President of the United States. Imagine ‘Terrorist No. 1’ becoming President!

5. Nelson Mandela
   Nelson Mandela, decades earlier under apartheid South Africa, was arrested and imprisoned on Robben Island for 27 years and called ‘Terrorist No. 1.’ After apartheid fell, he was freed and awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The same actions once branded terrorism later earned the world’s highest peace honor.

6. Powerful Media dictates ideas
   Whoever holds power and labels someone, that label sticks. Media can turn black into white, day into night, heroes into villains and vice versa. Unfortunately, Muslims have been slow to harness permissible media channels. Television itself is not forbidden; we must learn to use it in ways Islam allows. Always verify media claims before believing or sharing them.

7. Further study
   For more details, watch Dr. Zakir Naik’s lectures “Terrorism and Jihaad – An Islamic Perspective” and “Is Terrorism a Muslim Monopoly?”

It is a common complaint among some non‑Muslims that Islam would not have millions of adherents all over the world, if it had not been spread by the use of force. The following points will make it clear that, far from being spread by the sword, it was the inherent force of truth, reason and logic that was responsible for the rapid spread of Islam.

1. Islam means peace
   Islam comes from the root word ‘salm’ or ‘salaam’, which means peace. It is also derived from the root word ‘silm’, which means submitting one’s will to Allah (swt). Thus Islam is a religion of peace, acquired by submitting one’s will to the will of the Supreme Creator, Allah (swt).

2. Sometimes force has to be used to maintain peace
   Not every human being favours peace and harmony; some would disrupt it for their own vested interests. At times, force is necessary to preserve peace—hence the existence of police to restrain criminals and anti‑social elements. Islam promotes peace but exhorts its followers to fight oppression when required. In Islam, force may be used only to promote peace and justice.

3. Opinion of historian De Lacy O’Leary
   As De Lacy O’Leary writes in Islam at the Crossroads (p. 8):

   “History makes it clear however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims sweeping through the world and forcing Islam at the point of the sword upon conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd myths that historians have ever repeated.”

4. Muslims ruled Spain for 800 years
   During roughly eight centuries of Muslim rule in Spain, there was no compulsory conversion by the sword. Later, Christian Crusaders expelled the Muslims entirely—there was not a single Muslim able to give the adḥān (call to prayer) openly by the end of that era.

5. 9 million Arabs are Coptic Christians
   Islam governed Arabia for around 1,400 years (with brief British and French interludes), yet today some 9 million Arab Coptic Christians remain, often in continuous family lines spanning generations. If forced conversions had been the norm, none would have endured.

6. More than 80 % non‑Muslims in India
   Muslim dynasties ruled large parts of India for about a millennium. Despite having the power, they never converted the entire population by force—over 80 % of Indians remain non‑Muslim today.

7. Indonesia and Malaysia
   Indonesia boasts the world’s largest Muslim population, and Malaysia is majority Muslim—yet no Muslim army ever invaded these lands. Islam spread there via trade, scholarship, and peaceful mission.

8. East Coast of Africa
   Likewise, rapid Islamic growth along Africa’s East Coast stemmed from peaceful coastal trade networks, not military conquest.

9. Thomas Carlyle
   In Heroes and Hero Worship, Thomas Carlyle observes:

   “The sword indeed, but where will you get your sword? Every new opinion, at its starting is precisely in a minority of one… One man alone of the whole world believes it… That he takes a sword and tries to propagate with that, will do little for him. You must get your sword! On the whole, a thing will propagate itself as it can.”

10. No compulsion in religion
    Which sword? Even if Muslims had armies ready, they could not compel conversion, for the Qur’an declares:

“Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks.”
[Al‑Qur’an 2:256]

11. Sword of the Intellect
    Islam’s true “sword” is reasoned argument. The Qur’an instructs:

“Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious…”
[Al‑Qur’an 16:125]

12. 1934–1984 growth statistics
    A Reader’s Digest Almanac article reported that between 1934 and 1984 Islam grew by 235 %, while Christianity grew by only 47 %. What war in that half‑century converted millions to Islam?

13. Fastest‑growing in the West
    Today Islam is the fastest‑growing religion in both America and Europe. No sword compels Westerners; rather, the “bomb of Peace” falls by its own merit.

14. Dr Joseph Adam Pearson
    As Dr Joseph Adam Pearson aptly said,

“People who worry that nuclear weaponry will one day fall into the hands of the Arabs, fail to realize that the Islamic bomb (the bomb of Peace) has been dropped already—it fell the day MUHAMMAD (pbuh) was born.”

In every case, Islam spread through intellectual appeal, moral example, and social justice—not by forced conversion at the point of a sword.

• • Definition of Polygamy
    Polygamy means a system of marriage whereby a person has more than one spouse. Polygamy can be of two types. One is polygyny where a man marries more than one woman, and the other is polyandry, where a woman marries more than one man. In Islam, limited polygyny is permitted; whereas polyandry is completely prohibited.
    Now coming to the original question, why is a man allowed to have more than one wife?

  • The Qur’an is the only religious scripture in the world that says, ‘Marry Only One.’
    The Qur’an is the only religious book, on the face of this earth, that contains the phrase ‘Marry Only One’. There is no other religious book that instructs men to have only one wife. In none of the other religious scriptures, whether it be the Vedas, the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, the Geeta, the Talmud or the Bible does one find a restriction on the number of wives. According to these scriptures one can marry as many as one wishes. It was only later, that the Hindu priests and the Christian Church restricted the number of wives to one.
    Many Hindu religious personalities, according to their scriptures, had multiple wives. King Dashrat, the father of Rama, had more than one wife. Krishna had 16,108 wives. Some Hindus may argue that Krishna did not marry these women for sex but to give them protection. After the battle thousands of women became widows and Krishna, in order to give them protection married them. Then, how come Krishna had 160,000 children from them.
    In earlier times, Christian men were permitted as many wives as they wished, since the Bible puts no restriction on the number of wives. It was only a few centuries ago that the Church restricted the number of wives to one.
    Polygyny is permitted in Judaism. According to the Talmudic law, Abraham had three wives, and Solomon had seven hundred wives. The practice of polygyny continued till Rabbi Gershom ben Yehudah (960 CE to 1030 CE) issued an edict against it. The Jewish Sephardic communities living in Muslim countries continued the practice till as late as 1950, until an Act of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel extended the ban on marrying more than one wife.

  • Hindus are more polygynous than Muslims
    The report of the ‘Committee of The Status of Women in Islam’, published in 1975, mentions that the percentage of polygamous marriages between 1951 and 1961 was 5.06% among Hindus and only 4.31% among Muslims. According to Indian law only Muslim men are permitted to have more than one wife. It is illegal for any non‑Muslim in India to have more than one wife. Despite it being illegal, Hindus have more multiple‑wife marriages than Muslims. Earlier, there was no restriction even on Hindu men with respect to the number of wives allowed. It was only in 1954, when the Hindu Marriage Act was passed, that it became illegal for a Hindu to have more than one wife. At present, Indian law restricts Hindu men, not Hindu scriptures.

  • Qur’an permits limited polygyny
    As mentioned earlier, the Qur’an is the only religious book on earth that says ‘Marry Only One’. The context of this phrase is in Surah An‑Nisā’ (4:3):

    “Marry women of your choice, two, or three, or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one…”
    Before the Qur’an was revealed, there was no upper limit for polygyny and many men had scores of wives, some even hundreds. Islam put an upper limit of four wives. Islam gives a man permission to marry two, three or four women, only on the condition that he deals justly with them.
    The same chapter (4:129) adds:
    “Ye are never able to be fair and just as between women, even if it is your ardent desire: But turn not away (from a woman) altogether, so as to leave her (as it were) hanging (in the air). If ye come to a friendly understanding, and practise self-restraint, Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.”
    Therefore polygyny is not a rule but an exception. It is a permissible concession, not an obligation.

  • Average life span of females is more than that of males
    By nature, males and females are born in approximately the same ratio. However, female children have stronger immunity and lower mortality from infancy onward. During wars, accidents, and disease, more men die than women. The average life span of females thus exceeds that of males, resulting globally in more widows than widowers.

  • India has more male population than female due to female foeticide and infanticide
    India registers a sex ratio imbalance because of female foeticide and infanticide. A 2015 UN report (quoted by Al Jazeera) noted that some 7,000 girls are killed in the womb or immediately after birth each day—yielding over 2.5 million annual female deaths before birth or infancy. Ending this atrocity would reverse the imbalance and reduce the surplus of marriageable men.

  • World female population exceeds male population
    According to the CIA World Factbook (July 2015):

    • USA: women outnumber men by 4.8 million (including 0.5 million in New York alone)

    • Germany: +1.2 million women

    • Bangladesh: +4.2 million women

    • Russia: +10 million women

    • European Union (28 nations): +10.2 million women

  • Restricting every man to one wife is impractical
    Even if every man married only once, millions of women worldwide (e.g., 4.8 million in the USA, 1.2 million in Germany, etc.) would remain unmarried. The modest alternative to becoming “public property” or marrying a married man is polygyny, which Islam permits to preserve women’s dignity and protection.

  • Other reasons for permitted polygyny
    Excess female numbers is not the sole rationale. Islam also allows a man to marry additional wives to safeguard women’s welfare in cases such as:

    1. Wife is sterile – If a couple cannot bear children, a second marriage may fulfill their shared desire for offspring, provided the husband treats both wives justly.

    2. Wife becomes handicapped – If an accident leaves a wife unable to fulfill marital duties, a second wife can support her and their children, maintaining both wives’ dignity.

    3. Wife suffers severe illness – When illness incapacitates a wife, a second wife can assist with child‑rearing; a maidservant cannot replace the protective, honourable role of a wife.

A lot of people, including some Muslims, question the logic of allowing Muslim men to have more than one spouse while denying the same ‘right’ to women. Let me first state emphatically that the foundation of an Islamic society is justice and equity. Allah has created men and women as equal, but with different capabilities and responsibilities. Men and women are different physiologically and psychologically. Their roles and responsibilities differ. Men and women are equal in Islam, but not identical.

Surah An‑Nisā’ (4:22–24) lists those whom one may not marry and makes clear:

“Also (prohibited are) women already married.”
[Al‑Qur’an 4:24]

The reasons polyandry is prohibited in Islam include:

1. Parentage and lineage clarity
   If a man has multiple wives, the father and mother of each child are easily identified. But if a woman had multiple husbands, only the mother’s identity would be clear—fatherhood would be uncertain. Islam places tremendous importance on knowing both parents. Psychologists confirm that children who do not know their fathers often suffer mental trauma and unhappy childhoods. Even with modern genetic testing, lineage uncertainty remains a serious social concern.

2. Natural inclinations
   By nature, men are more inclined to polygyny than women to polyandry. Islamic law recognizes this difference and legislates accordingly.

3. Biological and psychological factors
   Biologically, a man can fulfill his marital duties to several wives. A woman with multiple husbands would face extreme difficulty. Hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycles and other physiological changes can destabilize her mental state, leading to conflict. Islam even prohibits a husband from divorcing his wife during her menstrual cycle, underscoring the importance of stability.

4. Health and disease transmission
   A woman with multiple husbands would have simultaneous sexual partners, greatly increasing the risk of venereal or other sexually transmitted diseases—and passing them back to each husband. By contrast, a man with multiple wives, all faithful, does not pose the same risk.

These reasons are among the most readily identified. In His infinite wisdom, Allah prohibited polyandry to protect family structure, lineage clarity, women’s well‑being, and public health.

The status of women in Islam is often the target of attacks in the secular media. The ‘hijaab’ or the Islamic dress is cited by many as an example of the ‘subjugation’ of women under Islamic law. Before we analyze the reasoning behind the religiously mandated ‘hijaab’, let us first study the status of women in societies before the advent of Islam.

1. In the past women were degraded and used as objects of lust
   The following examples from history amply illustrate the fact that the status of women in earlier civilizations was very low to the extent that they were denied basic human dignity:
   a) Babylonian Civilization:
   The women were degraded and were denied all rights under the Babylonian law. If a man murdered a woman, instead of him being punished, his wife was put to death.
   b) Greek Civilization:
   Greek Civilization is considered the most glorious of all ancient civilizations. Under this very ‘glorious’ system, women were deprived of all rights and were looked down upon. In Greek mythology, an ‘imaginary woman’ called ‘Pandora’ is the root cause of misfortune of human beings. The Greeks considered women to be subhuman and inferior to men. Though chastity of women was precious, and women were held in high esteem, the Greeks were later overwhelmed by ego and sexual perversions. Prostitution became a regular practice amongst all classes of Greek society.
   c) Roman Civilization:
   When Roman Civilization was at the zenith of its ‘glory’, a man even had the right to take the life of his wife. Prostitution and nudity were common amongst the Romans.
   d) Egyptian Civilization:
   The Egyptians considered women evil and as a sign of a devil.
   e) Pre‑Islamic Arabia:
   Before Islam spread in Arabia, the Arabs looked down upon women and very often when a female child was born, she was buried alive.

2. Islam uplifted women and gave them equality and expects them to maintain their status
   Islam uplifted the status of women and granted them their just rights 1400 years ago. Islam expects women to maintain their status.

   Hijaab for men
   People usually only discuss ‘hijaab’ in the context of women. However, in the Glorious Qur’an, Allah (swt) first mentions ‘hijaab’ for the men before ‘hijaab’ for the women. The Qur’an mentions in Surah An‑Nūr:

   “Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do.”
   [Al‑Qur’an 24:30]
   The moment a man looks at a woman and if any brazen or unashamed thought comes to his mind, he should lower his gaze.

   Hijaab for women
   The next verse of Surah An‑Nūr says:

   “And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons…”
   [Al‑Qur’an 24:31]

3. Six criteria for Hijaab
   According to the Qur’an and Ṣaḥīḥ Ḥadīth there are basically six criteria for observing hijaab:
   i. Extent: The first criterion is the extent of the body that should be covered. For men, from the navel to the knees; for women, the entire body except the face and hands up to the wrists (though some scholars include face and hands).
   ii. Loose clothing: Garments should be loose and not reveal the figure.
   iii. Opaque fabric: Clothes must not be transparent or translucent.
   iv. Non‑glamorous: Clothing should not be so attractive as to draw undue attention.
   v. Sex‑appropriate: Garments must not resemble those of the opposite sex.
   vi. Distinct from non‑Muslim symbols: Clothing must not mimic the religious symbols or distinctive dress of non‑Muslims.

4. Hijaab includes conduct and behaviour among other things
   Complete hijaab, besides covering the body, includes modest conduct, behaviour, attitude, and intention. True hijaab covers the eyes, heart, thoughts, and intentions—extending to speech, walk, and overall demeanour.

5. Hijaab prevents molestation
   The Qur’an prescribes hijaab for women so they are recognized as modest and thus protected from molestation (Surah Al‑Aḥzāb 33:59):

   “O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad); that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested. And Allah is Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
   [Al‑Qur’an 33:59]

6. Example of twin sisters
   Suppose two equally beautiful twin sisters walk down the street—one wearing full hijaab (body covered except face and hands), the other in a mini‑skirt and low neckline. A ruffian waiting to tease girls will target the immodestly dressed sister, not the one in hijaab. Revealing clothes act as indirect invitations to teasing and molestation; hijaab prevents it.

7. Capital punishment for rapists
   Under Islamic Sharīʿah, a man convicted of rape receives capital punishment. Many find this harsh, but when asked what penalty they’d give for rape of their own wife or mother, most non‑Muslims say death—some even torture. When the crime strikes someone else’s family, they suddenly call capital punishment barbaric. Why the double standard?

8. Western society falsely claims to have uplifted women
   Western “liberalization” often means exploitation of women’s bodies, degradation of their souls, and loss of honour—disguised behind art and culture. True upliftment respects her dignity and protects her.

9. USA has one of the highest rates of rape
   Despite being highly “advanced,” the USA has among the world’s highest rape rates. In 2005, an average of 1,997 rapes occurred daily; by 2014, that rose to 2,318 per day (U.S. Dept. of Justice).

   Imagine full implementation of Islamic Sharīʿah in America: men lower their gaze at any immodest thought; every woman observes complete hijaab; rapists receive capital punishment. Would rape rates increase, stay the same, or decrease? They would plummet.

10. Implementation of Islamic Sharīʿah will reduce rapes
    As soon as Islamic Sharīʿah is applied—hijaab plus stringent penalties—society breathes easier. Hijaab uplifts and protects women’s modesty; it does not degrade them.

Ka’bah is the Qiblah— the direction Muslims face during their prayers. It is important to note that though Muslims face the Ka’bah during prayers, they do not worship the Ka’bah. Muslims worship and bow to none but Allah.

It is mentioned in Surah Al Baqarah (2:144):

“We see the turning of thy face (for guidance) to the heavens: now shall We turn thee to a Qiblah that shall please thee. Turn then thy face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque: wherever ye are, turn your faces in that direction…”

1. Islam believes in unity
   If Muslims were free to face any direction—north, south, east, or west—each prayer gathering would be fragmented. To unite the Ummah in worship of the One True God, all Muslims face the single, shared Qiblah: the Ka’bah in Makkah.

2. Ka’bah is at the Centre of the World Map
   Early Muslim geographers drew world maps with south at the top and the Ka’bah at the centre. When Western cartographers later inverted north to the top, the Ka’bah still remained geographically central.

3. Ṭawāf indicates belief in One God
   When performing ṭawāf (circumambulation) around the Ka’bah, Muslims physically manifest their belief in one centre of worship—just as every circle has one centre, so there is only one Allah (swt) worthy of worship.

4. Ḥadīth of ʿUmar (ra)
   Concerning the Black Stone (Ḥajar al‑Aswad), ʿUmar ibn al‑Khaṭṭāb said:

   “No doubt I know that you are a stone and can neither benefit nor harm. Had I not seen the Prophet (pbuh) touch and kiss you, I would never have touched or kissed you.”
   This illustrates that even companions did not attribute divinity to the Ka’bah’s elements.

5. People stood on the Ka’bah to give the adhān
   During the Prophet’s time, Muslims would ascend the Ka’bah’s roof to call the adhān (call to prayer). If the Ka’bah were an object of worship, no idol‑worshipper would stand upon their idol to call others to worship it.

In all acts of prayer—direction, bowing, and circumambulation—the focus is on worshiping Allah alone, with the Ka’bah serving as a unifying focal point, not as an object of veneration.

• It is true that non‑Muslims are not allowed in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, by law. The following points will serve to elucidate the possible reasoning behind such a restriction:

  1. All citizens are not permitted in the cantonment area
     I am a citizen of India. Yet, I am not permitted to enter certain restricted areas like the cantonment. In every country there are certain areas where a common citizen of that country cannot enter. Only a citizen who is enrolled in the military or those who are connected with the defence of the country are allowed in the cantonment area. Similarly Islam is a Universal Religion for the entire world and for all human beings. The cantonment areas of Islam are the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. Here, only those who believe in Islam and are involved in the defence of Islam—i.e. the Muslims—are allowed.
     It would be illogical for a common citizen who is not involved in defending the country to object against the restriction on entering a cantonment area. Similarly, it is not appropriate for non‑Muslims to object against the restriction on non‑Muslims entering Makkah and Madinah, which are the cantonment areas of Islam.

  2. Visa to enter Makkah and Madinah
     a. Whenever a person travels to a foreign country he has to first apply for a visa—i.e. permission to enter that country. Every country has its own rules, regulations and requirements for issuing a visa. Unless their criteria are satisfied they will not issue a visa.
     b. One of the countries which is very strict in issuing visas is the United States of America, especially when issuing visas to citizens of third‑world countries. They have several conditions and requirements to be fulfilled before they issue a visa.
     c. When I visited Singapore, it was mentioned on their immigration form—“death to drug traffickers.” If I want to visit Singapore I have to abide by their rules. I cannot say that the death penalty is a barbaric punishment. Only if I agree with their requirements and conditions will I be permitted to enter the country.
     d. The Visa for Makkah and Madinah: The primary condition required for any human being to enter Makkah or Madinah is to pronounce with their lips, “Lā ilāha ill‑Allāh, Muḥammadur Rasūlullāh”—meaning “There is no God but Allah and Muhammad (pbuh) is His Messenger.”

   

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• • A Muslim can be a pure vegetarian
    A Muslim can be a very good Muslim despite being a pure vegetarian. It is not compulsory for a Muslim to have non‑vegetarian food.

  • Qur’an permits Muslims to have non‑vegetarian food
    The Qur’an permits a Muslim to eat non‑vegetarian food. The following verses illustrate this:

    • “O ye who believe! Fulfill (all) obligations. Lawful unto you (for food) are all four‑footed animals with the exceptions named…” [4:1]

    • “And cattle He has created for you (men): from them ye derive warmth, and numerous benefits, and of their (meat) ye eat.” [16:5]

    • “And in cattle (too) ye have an instructive example: From within their bodies We produce (milk) for you to drink; there are, in them, (besides), numerous (other) benefits for you; and of their (meat) ye eat.” [23:21]

  • Meat is nutritious and rich in complete protein
    Non‑vegetarian food provides biologically complete protein—that is, all eight essential amino acids the body cannot synthesize. It also supplies iron, vitamin B₁ and niacin.

  • Humans have an omnivorous set of teeth
    Herbivores (cows, goats, sheep) have flat teeth; carnivores (lions, tigers) have pointed teeth; humans possess both. This dental structure indicates that God designed us to eat both plants and meat.

  • Human digestive systems handle both plant and animal food
    Herbivores digest only plant matter; carnivores only meat. Humans can digest both, so if God intended us only to be vegetarian, He would have given us a single‑type digestive tract.

  • Hindu scriptures give permission to eat non‑vegetarian food
    a. Many Hindus believe their faith forbids meat, yet texts like Manusmriti permit it:
    – “The eater who eats the flesh of those to be eaten does nothing bad, even if he does it day after day, for God himself created some to be eaten and some to be eater.” (5 : 30)
    – “Eating meat is right for the sacrifice, this is traditionally known as a rule of the gods.” (5 : 31)
    b. Mahābhārata (Anuśāsana Parva 88) describes meat offerings to ancestors providing months or years of sustenance, illustrating early Hindu acceptance of meat.

  • Hinduism was influenced by other religions
    Though Hindu scriptures permit meat, many Hindus adopted vegetarianism under the influence of Jainism and Buddhism.

  • Even plants have life
    Those who oppose killing animals for food often argue plants lack life—but modern science confirms plants are living organisms.

  • Even plants can feel pain
    Research shows plants respond to damage with electrical signals analogous to pain, though inaudible to human ears.

  • Killing a living creature with fewer senses is not a lesser crime
    If one argues plants have fewer senses than animals, consider: murdering a deaf‑mute person (with two senses less) is no lesser crime. All life is sacred.

  • Overpopulation of cattle
    If all humans were vegetarian, unchecked livestock reproduction would strain land and resources. Permitting meat helps maintain ecological balance.

  • Cost of meat is reasonable since not everyone is vegetarian
    Widespread vegetarianism would drive up meat prices. A mixed diet keeps food affordable for all.

• 1. Vegetarian is optional
     A Muslim may choose pure vegetarianism—Islam does not obligate meat‑eating.

  2. Qur’anic permission

     “Lawful unto you (for food) are all four‑footed animals with the exceptions named…” (5:1)
     “And cattle He has created for you: from them ye derive warmth, and of their meat ye eat.” (16:5)
     “From within their bodies We produce milk for you to drink… and of their meat ye eat.” (23:21)

  3. Omnivorous design
     Human dentition combines flat (herbivore) and pointed (carnivore) teeth—built for both plant and animal foods.

  4. Digestive versatility
     Unlike strict herbivores or carnivores, humans digest both plant and meat efficiently, consistent with omnivorous anatomy.

  5. Hindu texts also allow meat
     Manusmriti 5:30–31 explicitly permits meat in sacrifice; Mahabharata Anushashan Parva 88 describes meat offerings as sustaining ancestors.

  6. Cultural influences
     Vegetarian practice among Hindus largely stems from later Jain and Buddhist influence, not original Vedic injunction.

  7. Plants also live and feel
     Modern science confirms plants possess life and can sense harm—pure vegetarianism still involves killing living beings.

  8. Ethical consistency
     If reduced senses made killing lesser, would we leniently punish killers of the deaf and blind? Islamic justice does not vary by victim’s capacities.

  9. Nutritional value
     Meat provides complete proteins (all eight essential amino acids), plus iron, vitamin B₁, and niacin. 

The Islamic method of slaughtering animals, known as Zabiha has been the object of much criticism from a large number of people.

Before I reply to the question, let me relate an incidence about a discussion between a Sikh and a Muslim regarding animal slaughter.

Once a Sikh asked a Muslim, “Why do you slaughter the animal painfully by cutting the throat instead of the way we do with one stroke i.e. jhatka?” The Muslim replied “We are brave and courageous and attack from the front. We are mard ka baccha (macho men), you are cowards and attack from behind.”

Jokes apart, one may consider the following points, which prove that the Zabiha method is not only humane but also scientifically the best:

1. Islamic method of slaughtering animal
   Zakkaytum is a verb derived from the root word Zakaah (to purify). Its infinitive is Tazkiyah, which means purification. The Islamic mode of slaughtering an animal requires the following conditions to be met:

a. Animal should be slaughtered with sharp object (knife):
The animal has to be slaughtered with a sharp object (knife) and in a fast way so that the pain of slaughter is minimised.

b. Cut windpipe, throat and vessels of neck:
Zabiha is an Arabic word which means ‘slaughtered.’ The ‘slaughtering’ is to be done by cutting the throat, windpipe and the blood vessels in the neck causing the animal’s death without cutting the spinal cord.

c. Blood should be drained:
The blood has to be drained completely before the head is removed. The purpose is to drain out most of the blood which would serve as a good culture medium for micro-organisms. The spinal cord must not be cut because the nerve fibres to the heart could be damaged during the process causing cardiac arrest, stagnating the blood in the blood vessels.

d. Blood is a good medium for germs and bacteria
Blood is a good media of germs, bacteria, toxins, etc. Therefore the Muslim way of slaughtering is more hygienic as most of the blood containing germs, bacteria, toxins, etc. that are the cause of several diseases are eliminated.

2. Meat remains fresh for a longer time
Meat slaughtered by the Islamic way remains fresh for a longer time due to deficiency of blood in the meat as compared to other methods of slaughtering.

3. Blood is a good medium for germs and bacteria
Blood is a good media of germs, bacteria, toxins, etc. Therefore the Muslim way of slaughtering is more hygienic as most of the blood containing germs, bacteria, toxins, etc. that are the cause of several diseases are eliminated.

4. Meat remains fresh for a longer time
Meat slaughtered by the Islamic way remains fresh for a longer time due to deficiency of blood in the meat as compared to other methods of slaughtering.

5. Animal does not feel pain
The swift cutting of vessels of the neck disconnects the flow of blood to the nerve of the brain responsible for pain. Thus the animal does not feel pain. While dying, the animal struggles, writhes, shakes and kicks, not due to pain, but due to the contraction and relaxation of the muscles deficient in blood and due to the flow of blood out of the body.

6. Animal does not feel pain
The swift cutting of vessels of the neck disconnects the flow of blood to the nerve of the brain responsible for pain. Thus the animal does not feel pain. While dying, the animal struggles, writhes, shakes and kicks, not due to pain, but due to the contraction and relaxation of the muscles deficient in blood and due to the flow of blood out of the body.

The fact that consumption of pork is prohibited in Islam is well known. The following points explain various aspects of this prohibition:

1. Pork prohibited in the Qur’an
   The Qur’an prohibits the consumption of pork in no less than 4 different places. It is prohibited in Surah Al Baqarah 2:173, Surah Al Maa’idah 5:3, Surah Al An’aam 6:145 and Surah Al Nahl 16:115:
   “Forbidden to you (for food) are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked the name of other than Allah…”
   [Al-Qur’an 5:3]
   The above verses of the Glorious Qur’an are sufficient to satisfy a Muslim as to why pork is forbidden.

2. Pork prohibited in the Bible
   The Christian is likely to be convinced by his religious scriptures. The Bible prohibits the consumption of pork, in the Book of Leviticus:
   “And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you.”
   “Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcass shall ye not touch, they are unclean to you.”
   [Leviticus 11:7-8]
   Pork is also prohibited in the Bible in the Book of Deuteronomy:
   “And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you. Ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcass.”
   [Deuteronomy 14:8]
   A similar prohibition is repeated in the Bible in the Book of Isaiah Chapter 65 Verses 2-5.

3. Consumption of pork causes several diseases
   The other non-Muslims and atheists will agree only if convinced through reason, logic and science. Eating of pork can cause no less than seventy different types of diseases. A person can have various helminths like roundworm, pinworm, hookworm, etc. One of the most dangerous is Taenia Solium, which is in layman’s terminology called tapeworm. It harbours in the intestine and is very long. It’s ova i.e. eggs, enter the blood stream and can reach almost all the organs of the body. If it enters the brain it can cause memory loss. If it enters the heart it can cause heart attack, if it enters the eye it can cause blindness, if it enters the liver it can cause liver damage. It can damage almost all the organs of the body.
   Another dangerous helminths is Trichura Tichurasis. A common misconception about pork is that if it is cooked well, these ova die. In a research project undertaken in America, it was found that out of twenty-four people suffering from Trichura Tichurasis, twenty-two had cooked the pork very well. This indicates that the ovas present in the pork do not die under normal cooking temperature.

4. Pork has fat building material
   Pork has very little muscle building material and contains excess of fat. This fat gets deposited in the vessels and can cause hypertension and heart attack. It is not surprising that over 50% of Americans suffer from hypertension.

5. Pig is one of the filthiest animals on earth
   The pig is one of the filthiest animals on earth. It lives and thrives on muck, faeces and dirt. It is the best scavenger that I know that God has produced.
   In the villages they don’t have modern toilets and the villagers excrete in the open air. Very often excreta is cleared by the pigs.
   Some may argue that in advanced countries like Australia, pigs are bred in very clean and hygienic conditions. Even in these hygienic conditions the pigs are kept together in sties. No matter how hard you try to keep them clean they are filthy by nature. They eat and enjoy their own as well as their neighbour’s excreta.
   Some may argue that even the chickens eat the excreta. The chicken does many a time peck the excreta and dirt but does not survive on it. The chicken has a second stomach i.e. the gizzard. Whenever the chicken consumes faeces and other dirt, it enters the gizzard and is directly excreted. On the other hand, the pig has only one stomach and everything passes through the normal digestive system. Therefore, the pork also contains this dirt, which is indirectly consumed while eating pork.

6. Pig is the most shameless animal
   The pig is the most shameless animal on the face of the earth. It is the only animal that invites its friends to have sex with its mate. In America, most people consume pork. Many times after dance parties, they have swapping of wives i.e. many say “you sleep with my wife and I will sleep with your wife”. If you eat pigs then you behave like pigs. We Indians look upon America to be very advanced and sophisticated. Whatever they do, we follow after a few years. According to an article in Island magazine, this practice of swapping wives has become common in the affluent circles of Mumbai.

1. Prohibition of alcohol in the Qur’an
   The Glorious Qur’an prohibits the consumption of alcohol in the following verse:
   “O ye who believe! Intoxicants and Gambling, (Dedication of) stones, and (divination by) arrows, are an abomination – of Satan’s handiwork; eschew such (abomination), that ye may prosper.”
   [Al-Qur’an 5:90]

2. Prohibition of alcohol in the Bible
   The Bible prohibits the consumption of alcohol in the following verses:
   a. “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging; and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”
   [Book of Proverbs 20:1]
   b. “And be not drunk with wine…”
   [Book of Ephesians 5:18]

3. Alcohol inhibits the inhibitory centre
   The human beings possess an inhibitory centre in their brains. This inhibitory centre prevents the person from doing things that he considers wrong. For instance, a person does not normally use abusive language while addressing his parents or elders. If he has to answer the call of nature, his inhibitory centre will prevent him from doing so in public. Therefore he uses the toilet.
   When a person consumes alcohol, the inhibitory centre itself is inhibited. That is precisely the reason that an intoxicated person is found to use abusive and foul language and does not realize his mistake even if he is addressing his parents. Neither do they talk nor walk properly. They misbehave and many even urinate in their clothes.

4. Cases of adultery, rape, incest and AIDS are found more among alcoholics
   According to National Crime Victimization Survey Bureau of Justice (U.S. Department of Justice) in the year 2014 alone everyday on an average 2,318 rapes took place. The statistics tell us that the majority of the rapists, were intoxicated while committing the crime. The same is true in cases of molestation.
   According to statistics, 8% of Americans commit incest i.e. one in every twelve to thirteen persons in America is involved in incest. Almost all the cases of incest are due to intoxication of one or both the persons involved.
   The Prophet (pbuh) said:
   “Alcohol is the mother of all evils, the greatest of Major Sins. Whoever drinks it may end up committing incest with his mother, his maternal aunt and his paternal aunt.”
   [Al Silisilah al-Saheehah, Hadith No. 1853]
   One of the major factors associated with the spread of AIDS, the most dreaded disease, is alcoholism.

5. Every alcoholic was initially a social drinker
   Many may argue in favour of alcohol by calling themselves ‘social drinkers’. They claim that they only have one or two pegs and they have self-control and never get intoxicated. Investigations reveal that every alcoholic starts as a social drinker. Not a single alcoholic or drunkard initially starts drinking with the intention of becoming an alcoholic or a drunkard. No social drinker can say that I have been having alcohol for several years and that I have so much self-control that I have never been intoxicated even a single time.

6. If a person is intoxicated just once and commits something shameful, it will remain with him for a lifetime
   Suppose a ‘social drinker’ loses his self-control just once and in a state of intoxication he commits rape or incest, then any good and modest human being will never forgive himself throughout his life. The damage caused, both to the rapist and the victim is irreparable and irreversible.

7. Alcohol is prohibited in the Hadith
   The Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
   a. In Sunan Ibn Maajah, Volume 4, Book of Intoxicants, Chapter 1 Hadith No. 3371.
   “Do not drink wine, for it is the key to all evils.”
   b. In Sunan Ibn Maajah, Volume 4, Book of Intoxicants, Chapter 10 Hadith No. 3392
   “…Anything which intoxicates in a large quantity is prohibited even in a small quantity.”
   Thus there is no excuse for a nip or a tot.
   c. Not only those who drink alcohol are cursed but also those who deal with it directly or indirectly are cursed by Allah.
   According to Sunan Ibn Maajah, Volume 4, Book of Intoxicants, Chapter 6 Hadith No. 3381.
   It was reported by Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:
   “God’s curse falls on ten groups of people who deal with alcohol. The one who distills it, the one for whom it has been distilled, the one who drinks it, the one who transports it, the one to who it has been brought, the one whom serves it, the one who sells it, the one who utilizes money from it, the one who buys it and the one who buys it for someone else.”

8. Diseases associated with alcoholism
   There are several scientific reasons for the prohibition of consumption of intoxicants i.e. alcohol. The maximum number of deaths in the world related to any one particular cause is due to the consumption of alcohol. Millions of people die every year only because of intake of alcohol. I need not go into the details of all the ill effects of alcohol since most of them are commonly known.
   Below is a simple list of few of the alcohol related illnesses:

9. Cirrhosis of Liver is the most well known alcohol associated disease.

10. Others are Cancer of Oesophagus, Cancer of Head and Neck, Cancer of Liver (Hepatoma), Cancer of Bowel, etc.

11. Oesophagitis, Gastritis, Pancreatitis and Hepatitis are linked with alcohol consumption.

12. Cardiomyopathy, Hypertension, Coronary Atherosclerosis, Angina and Heart Attacks are linked with heavy alcohol intakes.

13. Strokes, Apoplexy, Fits and different types of Paralysis are linked with alcohol intake.

14. Peripheral Neuropathy, Cortical Atrophy, Cerebellar Atrophy are well-known syndromes caused by alcohol consumption.

15. Wernicke – Korsakoff syndrome with amnesia of recent events, confabulations and retainment of memory to old events with different types of paralysis are mainly due to thiamine deficiency due to excessive alcohol intake.

16. Beriberi and other deficiencies are not uncommon among alcoholics. Even Pellagra occurs in alcoholics.

17. Delerium Tremens is a serious complication that may occur during recurrent infection of alcoholics or post operatively. It also occurs during abstention as a sign of withdrawal effect. It is quite serious and may cause death even if treated in well-equipped centres.

18. Numerous Endocrine Disorders have been associated with alcoholism ranging from Myxoedema to Hyperthyroidism and Florid Cushing’s Syndrome.

19. Haematological ill effects are long and variable. Folic acid deficiency, however, is the most common manifestation of alcoholic abuse resulting in Macrocytic Anaemia. Zeive’s syndrome is a triad of Haemolytic Anaemia, Jaundice and Hyperlipidemia that follows alcoholic binges.

20. Thrombocytopenia and other platelet abnormalities are not rare in alcoholics.

21. The commonly used tablet metronidazole (flagyl) interacts badly with alcohol.

22. Recurrent infection is very common among chronic alcoholics. The resistance to disease and the immunological defense system are compromised by alcohol intake.

23. Chest infections are notorious in alcoholics. Pneumonia, Lung Abcess, Emphysema and Pulmonary Tuberculosis are all common in alcoholics.

24. During acute alcoholic intoxication, the drunken person usually vomits, the cough reflexes which are protective are paralysed. The vomitus thus easily passes to the lung causing Pneumonia or Lung Abscess. Occasionally it may even cause suffocation and death.

25. The ill effects of alcohol consumption on women deserve special mention. Females are more vulnerable to alcohol-related Cirrhosis than men. During pregnancy alcohol consumption has a severe detrimental effect on the foetus. Foetal Alcohol Syndrome is being recognised more and more in the medical profession.

26. Skin diseases are also related to alcohol indulgence.

27. Eczema, Alopecia, Nail Dystrophy, Paronychia (infection around the nails) and Angular Stomatitis (inflammation of the angle of the mouth) are common diseases among alcoholics.

28. Alcoholism is a ‘disease’
    Medical doctors have now turned sympathetic towards alcoholics and call alcoholism a disease rather than an addiction.
    The Islamic Research Foundation has published a pamphlet that says:
    If alcohol is a disease, it is the only disease that:

• Is sold in bottles

• Is advertised in newspapers, magazines, on the Internet, radio and television

• Has licensed outlets to spread it

• Produces revenue for the government

• Brings violent deaths on the highways

• Destroys family life and increases crime

• Has no germs or viral cause

ALCOHOLISM IS NOT A DISEASE – IT IS SATAN’S HANDIWORK

• • Two female witnesses are equal to one male witness only in financial transaction.
    It is not true that two female witnesses are always considered as equal to only one male witness. It is true only in certain cases. There are no less than eight verses in the Qur’an that mention witnesses, without specifying male or female. There is only one verse in the Qur’an that says two female witnesses are equal to one male witness. This verse is in Surah Al Baqarah, Chapter 2 Verse 282. This is the longest verse in the Qur’an and deals with financial transactions. It says:
    “O’ ye who believe! When ye deal with each other, in transactions involving future obligation in a fixed period of time, reduce them to writing… and get two witnesses out of your own men and if there are not two men, then a man and two women, such as ye choose, for witnesses, so that if one of them errs, the other can remind her…”
    [Al-Qur’an 2:282]
    This verse of the Qur’an deals only with financial transactions. In such cases, it is advised to make an agreement in writing between the parties and take two witnesses, preferably both of which should be men only. In case you cannot find two men, then one man and two women would suffice.
    For instance, suppose a person wants to undergo an operation for a particular ailment. To confirm the treatment, he would prefer taking references from two qualified surgeons. In case he is unable to find two surgeons, his second option would be one surgeon and two general practitioners who are plain MBBS doctors.
    Similarly in financial transactions, two men are preferred. Since financial responsibility is shouldered by men, they are expected to be well versed in financial transactions as compared to women. As a second option, the witness can be one man and two women, so that if one of the women errs the other can remind her. The Arabic word used in the Qur’an is ‘Tazil’ which means ‘confused’ or ‘to err’. Many have wrongly translated this word as ‘to forget’. Thus financial transaction is the only case in the Qur’an in which two female witnesses are equal to one male witness.

  • Two female witnesses equal to one male witness even in the case of murder
    However, some scholars are of the opinion that the feminine attitude can also have an effect on the witness in a murder case. In such circumstances a woman is more terrified as compared to a man. Due to her emotional condition she can get confused. Therefore, according to some jurists, even in cases of murder, two female witnesses are equivalent to one male witness. In all other cases, one female witness is equivalent to one male witness.

  • Two female witnesses not always considered equal to one male witness
    There are no less than eight verses in the Qur’an, which speak about witnesses without specifying man or woman.
    a) While making a will of inheritance, two just persons are required as witnesses.
    In Surah Al Maa’idah Chapter 5 Verse 106, the Glorious Qur’an says:
    “O’ you who believe! When death approaches any of you, (take) witnesses among yourself when making bequests, two just persons of your own (brotherhood) or other from outside if you are journeying through the earth and the chance of death befalls you…”
    [Al-Qur’an 5:106]
    b) Two persons endued with justice in case of Talaaq (Divorce).
    “And take for witness two persons from among you, endued with justice, and establish the evidence (As) before Allah”
    [Al-Qur’an 65:2]
    c) Four witnesses are required in case of charge against chaste women
    “And those who launch a charge against chaste women, and produce not four witnesses (To support their allegations), flog them with eighty stripes; and reject their evidence ever after: for such men are wicked transgressors.”
    [Al-Qur’an 24:4]
    d) It is also mentioned in Surah Al Nisaa’ Chapter No. 4, Verse No. 6, Surah Al Nisaa’ Chapter No. 4, Verse No. 15, Surah Al Noor, Chapter No. 24, Verse No. 8, as well as Surah Al Noor, Chapter No. 24, Verse No. 13, which all speak about witnesses without specifying man or woman.

  • Qur’an clearly specifies that one female witness is equal to one male witness
    There are some scholars who are of the opinion that the rule of two female witnesses equal to one male witness should be applied to all the cases. This cannot be agreed upon because one particular verse of the Qur’an from Surah Al Noor Chapter 24, Verse 6 clearly equates one female witness and one male witness:
    “And those who launch a charge against their spouses, and have (in support) no evidence but their own – their solitary evidence can be received.”
    [Al-Qur’an 24:6]

  • Solitary witness of Ayesha (May Allah be pleased with her) is sufficient for hadith to be accepted
    Ayesha (May Allah be pleased with her) the wife of the beloved Prophet (pbuh) has narrated no less than 2220 Ahadith, which are considered authentic only on her solitary evidence. This is a sufficient proof that one witness of a woman can also be accepted.
    Many jurists agree that even one witness of a woman is sufficient for the sighting of the crescent of the moon. Imagine one woman witness is sufficient for one of the pillars of Islam, i.e. fasting and the whole Muslim community agree and accept her witness! Some jurists say that one witness is required at the beginning of Ramadhaan and two witnesses at the end of Ramadhaan. It makes no difference whether the witnesses are men or women.

  • Female witnesses are preferred in some cases
    Some incidents require only female witness and that of a male cannot be accepted. For instance, in dealing with the problems of women, while giving the burial bath to a woman, the witness has to be a woman.

1. Is believing in the Hereafter a blind belief?
   Many people wonder as to how a person who believes in science and logic believes in the existence of life after death. People assume that anyone believing in the Hereafter is doing so on the basis of blind belief.
   My belief in the Hereafter is also based on a logical argument.

2. Believing in Hereafter is a logical belief
   There are more than a thousand verses in the Glorious Qur’an, containing scientific facts (refer to my book, “The Qur’an and Modern Science – Compatible or Incompatible?”). Many facts mentioned in the Qur’an have been discovered in the last few centuries. But science has not advanced to a level where it can confirm every statement of the Qur’an.
   Suppose 80% of all that is mentioned in the Qur’an has been proved to be 100% correct. About the remaining 20%, science makes no categorical statement, since it has not advanced to a level, where it can either prove or disprove these statements. With the limited knowledge that we have, we cannot say for sure whether even a single percentage or a single verse of the Qur’an from this 20% ambiguous portion is wrong. Thus when 80% of the Qur’an is 100% correct and the remaining 20% is not disproved, my logic says that even the 20% ambiguous portion is correct. The existence of the Hereafter, which is mentioned in the Qur’an, falls in the 20% ambiguous portion, which my logic says is correct.

3. Concept of peace and human values is useless without the concept of Hereafter
   Is robbing good or bad? Any normal human being would say it is bad. How would a person who does not believe in the Hereafter convince a powerful and influential criminal that robbing is bad?
   Suppose I am the most powerful and influential criminal in the world. At the same time I am an intelligent and a logical person. I say that robbing is good because it helps me to lead a luxurious life. Thus robbing is good for me.
   If any person can give me a single logical reason or argument as to why it is bad for me, I will stop immediately. People usually put forward the following arguments:

a. The person who is robbed will face difficulties
Some may say that the person who is robbed will face difficulties. I do agree that it is bad for the person who is robbed. But it is good for me. If I rob a thousand dollars, I can enjoy a good meal at a 5-star restaurant.

b. Someone may rob you
Some people argue that someday I may be robbed. No one can rob me because I am a very powerful criminal and I have hundreds of bodyguards. I can rob anyone but no one can rob me. Robbing may be bad for a common man but not for an influential person like me.

c. The police may arrest you
Some may say, if you rob, you can be arrested by the police. The police cannot arrest me because I have the police in my pocket. I have the ministers on my payroll. I agree that if a common man robs, he will be arrested and it will be bad for him, but I am an extraordinarily influential and powerful criminal.
Give me one logical reason why it is bad for me and I will stop robbing.

d. It’s easy money
Some may say it’s easy money and not hard-earned money. I totally agree that it is easy money, and that is one of the main reasons why I rob. If a person has the option of earning money the easy way or the hard way, any logical person would choose the easy way.

e. It is against humanity
Some may say it is against humanity and that a person should care for other human beings. I counter argue by asking as to who wrote this law called ‘humanity’ and why should I follow it?
This law may be good for the emotional and sentimental people but I am a logical person and I see no benefit in caring for other human beings.

f. It is a selfish act
Some may say that robbing is being selfish. I agree that robbing is a selfish act; but then why should I not be selfish? It helps me enjoy life.

4. No logical reason as to why robbing is bad
   Hence all arguments put forth to prove that robbing is bad are illogical. It may satisfy a common man but not a powerful and influential criminal like me.
   Similarly raping, cheating etc. can be justified as good for a person like me and there is no logical argument that can convince me that these things are bad.

5. A Muslim can convince a powerful and influential criminal
   Now let us switch sides. Suppose you are the most powerful and influential criminal in the world, who has the police and the ministers in his pocket. You have hundreds of bodyguards to protect you. I am a Muslim who will convince you that robbing, raping, cheating, etc. are bad.
   Even if I put forth the same arguments to prove that robbing is bad, the criminal will respond the same way as he did earlier.
   I agree that the criminal is being logical and all his arguments are only true when he is the most powerful and influential criminal.

6. Every human being wants justice
   Each and every human being wants justice. Even if he does not want justice for others, he wants justice for at least himself. Some people who are powerful and influential would not mind doing injustice to others. However, the same people would surely object if some injustice were done to them. The reason such people do not mind doing injustice to others is because they think their power and influence besides helping them in doing injustice to others, will also prevent others from doing injustice to them.

7. God is Most Powerful and Just
   As a Muslim I would convince the criminal about the existence of Almighty God (refer to my answer on proving the existence of God). This God is more powerful than you and at the same time is also just. The Glorious Qur’an says:
   “Allah is never unjust in the least degree”
   [Al-Qur’an 4:40]

8. Why does God not punish me?
   The criminal, being a logical and scientific person, agrees that God exists, after being presented with scientific facts from the Qur’an but he may argue as to why God, if He is Powerful and Just, does not punish him.

9. The people who do injustice should be punished
   Every person who has suffered injustice, irrespective whether he is rich or poor, influential or not, would surely want the perpetrator of injustice to be punished. Every normal person would like the robber or the rapist to be punished. Though a large number of criminals are punished, many even go scot-free. They lead a pleasant, luxurious life, and even live peacefully. If injustice were done to a powerful and influential person, by someone more powerful and more influential than he, even such a person would want that person to be punished.

10. This life is a test for the Hereafter
    This life is a test for the Hereafter. The Glorious Qur’an says:
    “He who created Death and Life that He may try which of you is best in deed; and He is the Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving.”
    [Al-Qur’an 67:2]

11. Final justice is on the Day of Judgement
    The Glorious Qur’an says:
    “Every soul shall have a taste of death: and only on the Day of Judgement shall you be paid your full recompense. Only he who is saved far from the Fire and admitted to the Garden will have attained the object (of life): For the life of this world is but goods and chattels of deception.”
    [Al-Qur’an 3:185]
    Final justice will be done on the Day of Judgement. After a person dies, he will be resurrected on the Day of Judgement. It is possible that a person receives part of his punishment in this world. The final reward and punishment will only be in the Hereafter. God Almighty may not punish a robber or a rapist in this world but he will surely be held accountable on the Day of Judgement and will be punished in the Hereafter i.e. life after death.

12. What punishment can the human law give to Hitler?
    Hitler incinerated six million Jews. Even if the police had arrested him, what punishment can the human law give Hitler for justice to prevail? The most they can do is to incinerate Hitler. But that will only compensate for the killing of one Jew. What about the remaining five million, nine hundred and ninety-nine thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine Jews?

13. Allah can burn Hitler more than six million times in the Hellfire
    Allah says in the Glorious Qur’an:
    “Those who reject Our signs, We shall soon cast into the Fire; as often as their skins are roasted through, We shall change them for fresh skins, that they may taste the penalty: for Allah Is Exalted in Power, Wise.”
    [Al-Qur’an 4:56]
    If Allah wishes He can incinerate Hitler six million times in the Hereafter in the Hellfire.

14. No concept of human values or good and bad without the concept of Hereafter
    It is clear that without convincing a person about the Hereafter, i.e. life after death, it is impossible to prove the concept of human values or the good and bad to any person who is doing injustice especially when he is influential and powerful.

1. Major difference between Islam and other religions
   All religions basically teach its followers to do good deeds, but the difference between Islam and other religions is that Islam shows us the way how to achieve that state of goodness.

2. Example – Islam does not only prohibit robbery but also prescribes methods of eliminating robbery
   a. Islam prescribes a method of eliminating robbery
   All major religions teach that robbing is an evil act. Islam teaches the same. So what is the difference between Islam and the other religions?
   The difference lies in the fact that Islam, besides teaching that robbing is evil, shows a practical way on how to achieve that state in which people will not rob.

b. Islam prescribes Zakaah
Islam prescribes a system of Zakaah (obligatory annual charity). Islamic law prescribes that every rich person who has a saving of more than the nisaab level i.e. more than 85 grams of gold, should give 2.5% of that saving every lunar year in charity. If every rich person in the world gives Zakaah sincerely, poverty will be eradicated from this world. Not a single human being would die of hunger.

c. Chopping off the hands as punishment for robbery
Islam prescribes chopping off the hands for the robber. The Glorious Qur’an says in Surah Al Maa’idah:
“As to the thief, male or female, cut off his or her hands: a punishment by way of example, from Allah, for their crime: and Allah is Exalted in power, full of wisdom.”
[Al-Qur’an 5:38]
The non-Muslim may say, “Chopping off the hands in this 21st century. Islam is a barbaric and ruthless religion!”

d. Results achieved when Islamic Shar’iah is Implemented
America is supposed to be one of the most advanced countries in the world. Unfortunately it also has one of the highest rates of crime, theft, and robbery.
According to National Crime Victimization Survey Bureau of Justice Statistics (US Dept. of Justice), in the year 2014 alone 664,210 cases of robbery took place in America. Everyday 1,820 cases of Robbery. Every Second 1.26 cases of robbery took place in America in the year 2014.
According to National Crime Victimization Survey Bureau of Justice Statistics (US Dept. of Justice), in 2013 alone 6,126,420 Violent Crimes took place in America. Everyday 16,785 cases of Violent Crime. Every second about 12 Violent Crimes were committed in America in the year 2013.
Suppose the Islamic Shar’iah is implemented in America i.e. every rich person gives Zakaat (i.e. 2.5% of his savings in charity above 85 grams of gold every lunar year), and every convicted robber has his or her hands chopped off as a punishment. Will the rate of theft and robbery in America increase, remain same or decrease? Naturally it will decrease.
It’s a practical law. The moment the Shar’iah is implemented, it gets results.
I agree that the amount of theft that takes place in the world today is so tremendous that if you chop off the hands of all the thieves, there will be tens of thousands of people whose hands will be chopped off. The point here is that the moment you implement this law, the rate of theft will decline immediately. The robber will think 10 times before robbing. The mere thought of the punishment itself will discourage majority of the robbers. There will barely be a few who would rob. Hence only a few person’s hands would be chopped off but millions would live peacefully without fear of being robbed.
Islamic Shar’iah is therefore practical, and achieves results.

3. Example – Islam prohibits the molestation and rape of women. It enjoins Hijaab and prescribes capital punishment for a rapist
   a. Islam prescribes methods of eliminating molestation and rape
   All the major religions teach its followers not to molest or rape women. Islam teaches the same. What then is the difference between Islam and the other religions? The difference lies in the fact that Islam does not merely prohibit but also shows a way about how to achieve a state in which people will not molest or rape women.

b. Hijaab for men
Islam has a system of Hijaab. The Glorious Qur’an first mentions Hijaab for the men and then for the women. Hijaab for the men is mentioned in the following verse:
“Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do.”
[Al-Qur’an 24:30]
The moment a man looks at a woman and if any brazen or unashamed thought comes to his mind, he should lower his gaze.

c. Hijaab for women
Hijaab for women is mentioned in the following verse:
“And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons…”
[Al-Qur’an 24:31]
The extent of Hijaab for a woman is that her complete body should be covered. The only part that can be seen, are the face and the hands up to the wrists. If they wish to cover, they can even cover these parts of the body. However some Islamic scholars insist that even the face should be covered.

d. Hijaab prevents molestation
The reason why Allah has prescribed Hijaab for the women is given in the Qur’an in the following verse of Surah Al-Ahzaab:
“O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad): that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
[Al-Qur’an 33:59]
The Qur’an says that Hijaab has been prescribed for the women so that they are recognized as modest women, and this would prevent them from being molested.

e. Example of twin sisters
Suppose two sisters who are twins and who are equally beautiful, walk down a street. One of them is wearing the Islamic Hijaab i.e. the complete body is covered except for the face and the hands up to the wrists, and the other twin is wearing a mini skirt or shorts with a deep neck. Around the corner there is a hooligan who is waiting for an opportunity to tease a girl. Who will he tease? The girl wearing the Islamic Hijaab or the girl wearing the mini skirt or shorts with a deep neck? Dresses that expose more than they conceal, are an indirect invitation to the opposite sex for teasing, molestation and rape. The Qur’an rightly says that the Hijaab prevents women from being molested.

f. Capital punishment for rapist
The Islamic Shar’iah prescribes capital punishment for a rapist. The non-Muslim may say, “Capital punishment in the age of science and technology! Islam is a ruthless and barbaric religion.” Many accuse Islam of being ruthless and barbaric. I have asked a common question to hundreds of non-Muslim men. Suppose God-forbid, someone rapes your wife, your mother or your sister and you are made the judge. The rapist is brought in front of you. What punishment would you give him? All of them said, “we would put him to death”. Some went to the extent of saying, “we would torture him to death”. If your wife or your mother is raped you want the rapist to be put to death. But if someone else’s wife or mother is raped, capital punishment is a barbaric law. Why the double standards?

g. USA has one of the highest rates of Rape
The United States of America is supposed to be one of the most advanced countries of the world. An FBI report in the year 1990 says that 1,02,555 cases of rape were reported. It further says that only 16% of the cases of rapes were reported. Thus, in order to know the actual number of rapes that took place in 1990, the reported figure should be multiplied by 6.25. We get a total of 6,40,968 rape cases that took place in the year 1990. If the total is divided by 365, the number of days in a year, we get an average of 1,756 rape incidents everyday.
The FBI report of 1990 continues and says that out of the rape cases that were reported only 10% of the rapists were arrested, that is only 1.6% of the actual rapes committed. Out of those arrested, 50% were let free before the trial. This would mean that only 0.8% of the rapists faced a trial. In other words if a person commits 125 rapes the chances that he will get a punishment for rape is only once. Many would consider this a good gamble. And the report says that of those people who faced trial, 50% received sentences of less than a year’s imprisonment though the American law says rape carries a seven-year sentence of imprisonment. For a rapist, the judge is lenient to first time offenders. Imagine a person commits 125 rapes and the chances of being convicted is only once, and 50% of the time the judge will be lenient and give a sentence of less than a year!

According to National Crime Victimization Survey Bureau of Justice Statistics (US Dept. of Justice), in 2014 alone 2,84,350 cases of rape were reported and only 33.6% of the actual cases of rape were reported. Thus, 2,84,350 × 2.976 = 8,46,280 rapes took place in 2014. That is, an average of 2,318 cases of rape took place everyday in America in 2014. Every 37 seconds one rape is taking place in America. Maybe American rapists got bolder.

h. Results achieved when Islamic Shar’iah is implemented
Suppose the Islamic Shar’iah is implemented in America. Whenever a man looks at a woman and if any brazen or unashamed thought comes to his mind, he lowers his gaze. Every woman wears the Islamic Hijaab that is the complete body is covered except the face and the hands up to the wrists. After this if any man commits rape, he gets capital punishment. The question is, will the rate of rape in America increase, will it remain the same or will it decrease? Naturally it will decrease.
Islamic Shar’iah gets results.

4. Islam has Practical Solutions for the Problems of Mankind
   Islam is the best way of life because it provides practical solutions for the problems of mankind. Islam is a universal religion. It can be followed by any group of people in any part of the world, yet it will get results.

• Media maligns Islam
  a. Islam is without doubt the best religion but the media is in the hands of the westerners who are afraid of Islam. The media is continuously broadcasting and printing information against Islam. They either provide misinformation about Islam, misquote Islam or project a point out of proportion, if any.
  b. When any bomb blasts take place anywhere, the first people to be accused without proof are invariably the Muslims. This appears as headlines in the news. Later, when they find that non-Muslims were responsible, it appears as an insignificant news item.
  c. If a 50-year old Muslim marries a 15-year old girl after taking her permission, it appears on the front page but when a 50-year old non-Muslim rapes a 6-year old girl, it may appear in the news in the inside pages as ‘Newsbriefs’. Everyday in America on an average 2,318 cases of rape take place but it doesn’t appear in the news, since it has become a way of life for the Americans.

• Black sheep in every community
  I am aware that there are some Muslims who are dishonest, unreliable, who cheat, etc. but the media projects this as though only Muslims are involved in such activities. There are black sheep in every community. I know Muslims who are alcoholics and who can drink most of the non-Muslims under the table.

• Muslims best as a whole
  Inspite of all the black sheep in the Muslim community, Muslims taken on the whole, yet form the best community in the world. We are the biggest community of tee totallers as a whole, i.e. those who don’t imbibe alcohol. Collectively, we are a community, which gives the maximum charity in the world. There is not a single person in the world who can even show a candle to the Muslims where modesty is concerned; where sobriety is concerned; where human values and ethics are concerned.

• Don’t judge a car by its driver
  Suppose if you want to judge how good is the latest model of the “Mercedes” car and a person who does not know how to drive sits at the steering wheel and bangs up the car, who will you blame? The car or the driver? But naturally, the driver. To analyze how good the car is, a person should not look at the driver but see the ability and features of the car. How fast is it, what is its average fuel consumption, what are the safety measures, etc. Even if I agree for the sake of argument that the Muslims are bad, we can’t judge Islam by its followers? If you want to judge how good Islam is, then judge it according to its authentic sources, i.e. the Glorious Qur’an and the Sahih Hadith.

• Judge Islam by its best follower i.e. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
  If you practically want to check how good a car is, put an expert driver behind the steering wheel. Similarly the best and the most exemplary follower of Islam by whom you can check how good Islam is, is the last and final messenger of God, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Besides Muslims, there are several honest and unbiased non-Muslim historians who have acclaimed that prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was the best human being. According to Michael H. Hart who wrote the book, ‘The 100 Most Influential Men in History’, the topmost position, i.e. the number one position goes to the beloved prophet of Islam, Muhammad (pbuh). There are several such examples of non-Muslims paying great tributes to the Prophet (pbuh), like Thomas Carlyle, La-Martine, etc.

• Kaafir means one who rejects
  ‘Kaafir’ is derived from the word ‘kufr’, which means ‘to conceal’ or ‘to reject’. In Islamic terminology, ‘Kaafir’ means one who conceals or rejects the truth of Islam and a person who rejects Islam is in English called a ‘non-Muslim’.

• If non-Muslims are hurt – they should accept Islam
  If any non-Muslim considers the word ‘Kaafir’ i.e. ‘non-Muslim’ as an abuse, he may choose to accept Islam and then we will stop referring to him as or call him a Kaafir i.e. a non-Muslim.