"Islam cannot be understood without reference to angels" Discuss The statement shows that an understanding of Islam would be incomplete without covering angels

"Islam cannot be understood without reference to angels" Discuss The statement shows that an understanding of Islam would be incomplete without covering angels. This suggests that their role is far beyond seen in any other religion. I will be investigating the statement in more detail and finally deciding if it is a fair comment or is the role being overstated. Angels are a specialised creation of Allah. In Arabic they are known as Malaikah. They are created from divine light (Nur) to perform specific functions. Angels do not have any gender. Allah did not give them any gender since the angels themselves are asexual and do not reproduce. However in the Qur'an, Archangels are referred to as "he" or "he is", because in Arabic the word for angel is a masculine noun. The angels are different from the human race in the way that they do not contain any of man's physical attributes (although they may appear in the shape of a man.) They do not sleep, procreate, eat or drink. Angels themselves do not possess free will, therefore they do not have any desires nor do they commit sins or misdeeds. They always obey Allah and can never disobey Him. Whenever Allah commands the angels to do something, it is always done. Angels are known to be "innocent servants of Allah's will". They are known to help men in the use of free will, and carry out the decision that men decide. Some angels guard

  • Word count: 2418
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Religious Studies & Philosophy
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"It is impossible to describe Allah

"It is impossible to describe Allah in human terms" The word God has so many meanings, however the most simplest is that God is a Supreme Being, creator and ruler of the universe. One God in particular is worshiped by millions around the world and is known as Allah. Allah clearly through his many names is portrayed as a role model to many and has power to create life and take as he pleases. Therefore it is clear to say that Allah is mighty and the power which he controls is endless. So why is it then that so many humans find it easy to describe this exceptional role model with human terms? After all are his qualities so unlike humans that he can never be described through the same words used to describe us who are nothing compared to him? This is one opinion which many people believe in however others think differently. Other people think that Allah being described in human term in not at all inappropriate. After all Allah is the one who created us therefore we have a strong bond with him, therefore it isn't surprising that this bond has lead to people feeling that Allah is like one of us, a fellow brother. Describing Allah in human terms can also be justified by the fact that Muslims calling Allah in human terms are their own individual way of being closer to Allah who gave us life. The one and only thing which we would be nothing without. Some agree and some do not which I

  • Word count: 1771
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Religious Studies & Philosophy
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"It is Impossible to Describe Allah in Human Terms".

Every person in this world has one important belief. Be that in religion, money, power or family life. Many people have this one belief in particular. One that causes conflict, but also brings about happiness and celebrations. Religion and God. It has existed over thousands of years. Islam is the second largest religions among the world with approximately 1.3 billion followers. Many people have their own views on Allah and they can neither be described as true or false because we humans do not have the answer. People even in the same religion have different beliefs on God. The statement "It is impossible to describe Allah in human terms", is a personal belief, but is still talked about. Some people may say they agree to the statement and others may disagree. But if Allah is not described in human terms then how are we to understand anything about Allah? If we can relate Allah to humans it will be easier to understand as we can understand ourselves as we are humans too. But if Allah is transcendent, then it is impossible to describe Allah in human terms as transcendent means out of this world and beyond all human knowledge. So if this is the matter, then how do we understand Allah? Some people may think that it is impossible to describe Allah in human terms because Allah is Transcendent- that is beyond our reach, knowledge and understanding, beyond the world and outside of

  • Word count: 956
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Religious Studies & Philosophy
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Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the messenger of Allah (SWT) in the light of the Quran and in the light of the Sunnah.

This essay will be looking at Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the messenger of Allah (SWT) in the light of the Quran and in the light of the Sunnah. The Quran is the Holy Book, it is the message sent from Allah (SWT) to all humanity. The Quran was revealed to mankind from Allah (SWT) himself to the angel Gabriel whom then revealed it to Prophet Muhammad (PBUP). The Quran was revealed in parts to the Prophet over a period of time of about twenty-three years. The language which it was revealed in was Arabic but since then it has been translated into many other languages making it easier for others to understand. After the Quran the Sunnah is the second source of information for Muslims. The Sunnah represents the way Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) lived his life, therefore giving mankind a guide on how to live there's. The two basis of Islam, the Quran and the Sunnah are very similar to each other, yet again they must never be confused with each other. They have one main difference between them; the Quran is the direct word of Allah (SWT) to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) through the Angel Gabriel. Whereas the Sunnah has been inspired by Allah (SWT) but they are the wordings and the actions of the Prophet (PBUH), which has been interpreted by many different scholars. (Hasan, page 9,91) In order to be a Muslim a person must express his or her faith (Iman). Faith is the first pillar of Islam,

  • Word count: 1168
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Religious Studies & Philosophy
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In this essay I will be writing about the 4th pillar of Islam, Sawm (fasting).

In this essay I will be writing about the 4th pillar of Islam, Sawm (fasting). I will define what fasting is, why Muslims fast, how and when they fast. I will also clarify the ritual and moral duties a Muslim must perform during this sacred month and what rewards are promised from Allah for fasting. I will furthermore go on to explain the difficulties Muslims face when fasting in non-Muslim countries. I will also explain that its not Muslims alone who are commanded to fast but Christians (lent) and Jews (Yom Kippur) also have been commanded to fast. I will end this essay by summarizing and giving my opinion on fasting. Fasting is another unique moral and spiritual characteristic of Islam. Literally defined, fasting means to abstain "completely" from foods, drinks, intimate intercourse and smoking, before the break of the dawn till sunset, during the entire month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic year. The Islamic calendar is Lunar, i.e. based on the moon so Ramadan falls eleven days shorter every year. Fasting is a test of control, to see if we can control our innermost desires for a certain period of time, which might include eating and sexual entertainment. While fasting a Muslim has to keep his emotions under control, no evil thought or wrong deed should be committed. If the emotions or the heart or behaviour of a Muslim are wrong then the fast looses its real

  • Word count: 2217
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Religious Studies & Philosophy
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How Islam responds to issues about Equality

Contents Pages . Introduction 3 2. Racism 4 3. Sexism 5 4. Attitudes towards other religions 6 5. Forgiveness/Reconciliation 7 6. Conclusion 10 7. Bibliography 12 Introduction Throughout this project, the intention of the information is to answer the question: How does the religion of Islam respond to issues on equality? All through this Booklet, I have kept in mind to focus on the ideas of Islamic equality and what this means to a Muslim, in the Islamic definition. In Islam a definition of equality means evenness, uniformity, impartiality, parity etc. Therefore, if applied to Islam in liaison to the now modern everyday life this would involve issues such as * Racism * Sexism * Forgiveness * Religious attitude Which are the subjects I will be talking about and looking over at the Islamic perspective on these topics of concern. To portray the view Islam has over these issues I will be using: * The genuine teachings from the word of our God `Allah` himself, doing this through the Qur'an. * Referring to important hadiths (lessons) and quotes from the

  • Word count: 3270
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Religious Studies & Philosophy
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Bismillahi Ar-Rahman - The first edition of the book "The Ruling System"

Bismillahi Ar-Rahman Ar-Raheem The first edition of the book "The Ruling System" was written in the early 50's of this century. Western culture had a great effect on the minds of the educated sons of the Muslims. One of its effects which dominated their thinking was that Islam is a spiritual religion that does not have a system suitable to solve the problems of life in this age and that there was no ruling system for the state beside that, the State that Islam had was religious and spiritual. Those undertaking the work for Islam used to call for it with general thoughts which were not crystallised. They lacked the clarity to show Islam as a complete system for life, state and society. They used to call for a return to Islam in an open and general manner without them having a clear vision in their minds as to what the systems of Islam were or the manner in which they were going to restore the ruling by Islam. The fact that ruling by what Allah (SWT) has revealed could not be restored without the Khilafah was absent from their Da'wah. That is why establishing the Khilafah and reinstating the ruling by what Allah (SWT) has revealed did not find a place in their program of work. At such a time a structure undertook the study of the situation of the Ummah at her present time and the condition she had reached. And it studied her history and the power and authority she had in the

  • Word count: 96604
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Religious Studies & Philosophy
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Is it difficult for a Muslim male to practice his religion in Britain?

Is it difficult for a Muslim male to practice his religion in Britain? Being a male Muslim living in Britain can be like an obstacle course making the course to Allah full of problems. If one lives in a Muslim community, then these obstacles will be made less of an obstacle, but they become a big problem if he does not live within a Muslim community. My answer to the question is yes and no. it is difficult on the surface, but there is a lot of things he can do to make his life a lot easier. It is required of a Muslim to find halal meat since eating haram meat (meat from animals which have not had their jugular vein cut) is forbidden. This is not always easy to obtain since it can be difficult to access or find time to travel to a halal butcher. This can be a problem and used to be a huge problem about ten to twenty years ago, but nowadays in Britain, it is easier than it was to find a halal butcher. They usually locate in the cities where there is a significant Muslim population. This may require the man to live in a Muslim community or to travel to the shop and buy meat on a regular basis. However, if he lives quite a distance from a Muslim community, it may be very difficult to be able to travel down there regularly and buy meat. Usually, the solution is to move somewhere nearer to a Muslim community. "Allah has forbidden for you what dies of itself, and blood, and the

  • Word count: 1556
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Religious Studies & Philosophy
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Examine the challenges facing the Muslim community when it settled in Madinah after the Hijrah

Examine the challenges facing the Muslim community when it settled in Madinah after the Hijrah. The word hijrah in Islam means migration from Makah to Medina that Prophet Muhammad together with his followers went on. It holds a great meaning and significance in Islam. However for enemies of Islam, they believe that Prophet Muhammad fled from Makah to Medina in fear. Prophet Mohammad was rejected by the people of Makah because he was a Monotheist, worshipped one God whereas the people of Makah where Polytheists and therefore believed in more than one God. In Makah, Mohammad was seen as a troublemaker and left because of public humiliation and the non-believers at that time made a plan to put the Muslims in big danger. The Hijrah is mentioned as Prophet Muhammad's moving from Makah to Medina, which arised in 622 CE. It was a journey for Prophet Muhammad from Makah to Medina to get away from the enemies of Islam who wanted to persecute him. It was too dangerous for Prophet Muhammad to travel on his own so his companion Abu Bakr went with him to Medina. The event Hijrah took place in the night where Ali, another companion of the Prophet pretended to be Prophet in his bed so that the enemies thought it was Prophet who was laying down. They had guarded the whole house with their army so that the Prophet could not escape so they were ready to kill him as they planned. Moving to

  • Word count: 858
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Religious Studies & Philosophy
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Examine What Shirk Means in Islam

Examine What Shirk Means in Islam. Tawheed in Islam is very important as it means that believing in one lord and no one else. It is attributing oneness to Allah and describing him as being one and unique as he has no partner in his essence and attributes. However if one doesn't believe in this then he is going against Tawheed and will be classed as not a true Muslim. Believing that Allah is one with no partner or associate in his lordship is known as Tawheed ruboobiyyah. If any disagrees with this statement then they are going against Allah's word which are written in the Quran as he states "Say he is Allah, the One and only". This verse clearly shows that Allah is one as he has written it him in the Quran for Muslims, no one should join partners with him nor should they believe in anyone besides him, this is known as shirk. Shirk in linguistic meaning is associating partnership, sharing with someone or associating something with someone however in Islam it refers to associating partners with Allah. There are two type of shirk which are: . Shirk Akbar - Major Shirk 2. Shirk Asgar - Minor Shirk Major shirk in Islam means when an individual ascribe partners with Allah such as saying that he has a son or a family. This can be with his Lordship, divinity or his names and attribute. Allah has told the Muslims in the Quran that he does not forgive anyone who ascribes partners

  • Word count: 1459
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Religious Studies & Philosophy
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