Al-ghurabah
29-03-06, 03:44 PM
Ranks of Guidance
Islam (Al-Islâm): Submitting your heart, mind and soul only to God as your creator and your Lord. This requires belief in only ONE God and His last messenger (Muhammad peace and blessings be with him) and The Holy Qur’an as the final revealed holy book.
Prophet Muhammad was asked about Islam, He said: It’s to testify that there is no God but one God (Allah) and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, Performing prayers, paying alms (Zakat), pilgrimage to The House in Mecca and Fasting the month of Ramadan.
Islam is not a new religion, it’s not the last revealed message as some would think. However, Islam is the ONLY revelation sent by God to ALL His messengers. Allah has prescribed to all messengers to talk to people in believing only in God and abide by His commands. Different messengers come with the same message, which is BELIEVING IN ONE GOD. However, God has a point of sending messengers at different times to various nations in order to remind them with the message of guidance (Islam).
“It was We who revealed the Law to Moses, therein was guidance and light. By its standards have judged the prophets, who have submitted to God in Islam, among the Jews and the rabbis” The Table Chapter 5:44.
“And in their footsteps We have sent Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming the law that had come before him, We sent him the Gospel; therein was guidance and light and confirmation to the law that had come before him; a guidance and admonition to those who fear Allah” The Table Chapter 5:46.
“To you (Muhammad) We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the scriptures that came before it, and surpassing it” The Table Chapter 5:48
“Behold, his Lord (Abraham’s) said to him: submit to Me in Islam. He said: I submit in Islam to Allah the Lord of the worlds. And this was the legacy that Abraham left to his sons and so did Jacob: O sons, Allah has chosen the religion for you, die not except in the religion of Islam” The Cow Chapter 2:131-132.
Faith (Al-Emân): It is (as prophet Muhammad peace and blessings be with him said) the belief in God, His Angels, all of His messengers, his revealed books, The Day of Judgment and Divine decree being prosperity or adversity.
Signs of true faith include:
1- Feeling a tremor in your heart just when the though that Allah is with you occurs to your mind. Your faith increases knowing that He will support you.
“Believers are those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a tremor in their hearts and when they hear His verses (signs) recited find their faith strengthened and who putt all their trust in their Lord. Who establish regular prayers (on time, piously) and spend freely from the gifts We have given them for sustenance. Such are truly believers, they have grades of dignity with their Lord, forgiveness and generous sustenance” The Spoils of War Chapter 8:2-4.
2- Guarding prayers, not out of fear or routine, but out of love for Allah.
3- Performing charity, knowing that you are doing this to thank God for what He gave by giving out of His gifts for you.
4- Being trustworthy and reliable.
“The believers must eventually win through, those who humble themselves in their prayers. Who avoid vain talk. Who are active in deeds of charity. Who abstain from sex, except with their spouses or (the captives) whom their right hands possess, for in their case, they are free from blame. But those whose desires exceed such limits are the transgressors. Those who faithfully observe their trusts and covenants. And who (strictly) guard their prayers. These will be the heirs. Who will inherit Paradise(The Highest Rank), they will dwell therein forever.
5- Feeling with unity and brotherhood to all your Muslim fellows.
“ Believers are (verily) but a single brotherhood” The Apartments Chapter 49:10.
6. Giving your time, effort, money, skills, knowledge and whatever you can give in the cause of Allah “ Only those are believers who believed in Allah and His messenger (Muhammad) and have never since doubted and have striven with their belongings and themselves in the cause of Allah, such are the sincere ones” The Apartments Chapter 49:15.
Righteousness (Al-Birr): Righteousness or piety is a higher level of guidance. Allah tells us, in the Holy Qur’an, that “It’s righteousness to believe in Allah and in the Last Day, the angels, the book, and the messengers, to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, the orphans, the needy, the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves, to be steadfast in prayer, and give charity (Alms giving as purification), to fulfill the contracts you have made (including a word you gave), and to be firm and patient in pain or suffering and in adversity and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people who are true to Allah and who are pious” The Cow Chapter 2:177.
“It is righteous to be pious and enter houses from the proper doors (not to cheat on one another) and fear Allah, for you may prosper” The Cow Chapter 2:189.
“By no means shall you attain (the rank of) righteousness unless you give (freely) of that which you love, and whatever you give, Allah truly knows it all” The Family of Imran Chapter 3:92.
“Help you one another in righteousness and piety, but help you not one another in sin and rancor. Fear Allah, for Allah is strict in punishment” The Table Chapter 5:2.
Prophet Muhammad Peace and blessings be with him taught Muslims to be pious to parents for it f of piety to God. He said that the greatest sins are claiming partners to Allah and filial impiety. Good deeds are not accepted or accounted for unless you are pious toward our parents. Impiety shreds your relationship with God. However, piety raises you to the next level, the rank of prophets and messengers.
Virtuousness ( Al-Ihsân): Virtuousness is the highest rank of guidance. It’s the level of prophets and messengers, though people can truly get to that rank.
It requires being good to others and waiting for the Thawab (reward) only from God. Others may or may not be thankful for you, but God always will, as He knows your good deeds, whether you did them in public or secretly. One of the most things that Allah confirmed in the Holy Qur'an is being good to your parents, this is even better than being pious, as in this rank, you are sure that it is God who will thank and reward you for it. Your are doing this for fear of Allah and for His love.
“Your Lord has decreed that you worship no one but Him and that you be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attains old age during your life (or being with you) say not to them a word of contempt (not even angrily exhale), nor repel them, but address them in terms of honor (talk to them in a good way). And out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility and say: O Lord bestow on them Your mercy as they cherished me during my childhood” The Night Journey Chapter 17:23-24.
“Worship Allah and join not partners with Him and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbors who are close (of your family), neighbors who are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer you meet, and what your right hands possesses (your captives) for Allah loves not the arrogant, the vainglorious” The Women Chapter 4:36.
Virtuousness is also being good to your own self in the form of being good to Allah. Prophet Muhammad peace and blessings be with him said, when asked about virtuousness, it is to worship Allah as if you see Him, if you don’t see Him, then He (definitely) sees you.
Virtuousness is seeking perfection in your good deeds “and spend of your substance for the cause of Allah and don’t contribute to your own destruction with your own hands, but do good (as perfectly as you can) for Allah loves those who do good” The Cow Chapter 2:195.
“Those who spend (freely) whether in prosperity or in adversity, who restrain anger and forgive all people. For Allah loves those who do good (those who are virtuous)” The Family of Imran Chapter 3:134.
What will you get being virtuous???
1) Getting tremendous blessings during life, as related to your own guidance or to that of your successors, as God has done to Abraham peace and blessings be with him. “That was the reasoning (about Us) which We gave Abraham to use against his people. We raise whom We will degree after degree, for your Lord is most wise and most knowledgeable. We gave him Isaac and Jacob all (three) guided and before him We guided Noah and among his progeny; David, Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses and Aaron: Thus do We reward those who do good (who are virtuous)” The Cattle Chapter 6:83-84.
2) Getting great knowledge, wisdom and power, as God has granted Joseph and Moses peace and blessings be with them. “When Joseph attained his full manhood, we gave him power and knowledge, thus do We reward those who do right” Joseph Chapter 12:22.
“When Moses reached full age and was firmly established in life, We bestowed on him wisdom and knowledge, thus do We reward those who do good” The Stories Chapter 28:14.
3) Getting Divine Mercifulness in Life and the Hereafter. “The mercy of Allah is always close to those who do good” The Heights Chapter 7:56.
4) Not losing your rewards, as it’s God who keeps track of them. “For Allah loses not the reward of those who do good” the Repentance Chapter 9:120.
5) Having the merit of getting whatever you ask The Lord for, more importantly, being in His presence. “They shall have all what they wish for, in the presence of their Lord: Such is the reward of those who do good” The troops Chapter 39:34.
6) Gaining Divine love. “And Allah gave them a reward in this world and the excellent reward of the Hereafter. For Allah loves those who do good” The Family of Imran Chapter 3:148.
7) Winning Paradise (Janna). “Allah has rewarded them with gardens, with rivers flowing underneath; their eternal dwelling: Such is the recompense of those who do good” The table Chapter 5:85.
8) Being always with Allah and under His protection. “And those who strive in Our cause, we will certainly guide them to Our path, for Allah is with those who do right” The Spider Chapter 29:69.
Islam (Al-Islâm): Submitting your heart, mind and soul only to God as your creator and your Lord. This requires belief in only ONE God and His last messenger (Muhammad peace and blessings be with him) and The Holy Qur’an as the final revealed holy book.
Prophet Muhammad was asked about Islam, He said: It’s to testify that there is no God but one God (Allah) and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, Performing prayers, paying alms (Zakat), pilgrimage to The House in Mecca and Fasting the month of Ramadan.
Islam is not a new religion, it’s not the last revealed message as some would think. However, Islam is the ONLY revelation sent by God to ALL His messengers. Allah has prescribed to all messengers to talk to people in believing only in God and abide by His commands. Different messengers come with the same message, which is BELIEVING IN ONE GOD. However, God has a point of sending messengers at different times to various nations in order to remind them with the message of guidance (Islam).
“It was We who revealed the Law to Moses, therein was guidance and light. By its standards have judged the prophets, who have submitted to God in Islam, among the Jews and the rabbis” The Table Chapter 5:44.
“And in their footsteps We have sent Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming the law that had come before him, We sent him the Gospel; therein was guidance and light and confirmation to the law that had come before him; a guidance and admonition to those who fear Allah” The Table Chapter 5:46.
“To you (Muhammad) We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the scriptures that came before it, and surpassing it” The Table Chapter 5:48
“Behold, his Lord (Abraham’s) said to him: submit to Me in Islam. He said: I submit in Islam to Allah the Lord of the worlds. And this was the legacy that Abraham left to his sons and so did Jacob: O sons, Allah has chosen the religion for you, die not except in the religion of Islam” The Cow Chapter 2:131-132.
Faith (Al-Emân): It is (as prophet Muhammad peace and blessings be with him said) the belief in God, His Angels, all of His messengers, his revealed books, The Day of Judgment and Divine decree being prosperity or adversity.
Signs of true faith include:
1- Feeling a tremor in your heart just when the though that Allah is with you occurs to your mind. Your faith increases knowing that He will support you.
“Believers are those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a tremor in their hearts and when they hear His verses (signs) recited find their faith strengthened and who putt all their trust in their Lord. Who establish regular prayers (on time, piously) and spend freely from the gifts We have given them for sustenance. Such are truly believers, they have grades of dignity with their Lord, forgiveness and generous sustenance” The Spoils of War Chapter 8:2-4.
2- Guarding prayers, not out of fear or routine, but out of love for Allah.
3- Performing charity, knowing that you are doing this to thank God for what He gave by giving out of His gifts for you.
4- Being trustworthy and reliable.
“The believers must eventually win through, those who humble themselves in their prayers. Who avoid vain talk. Who are active in deeds of charity. Who abstain from sex, except with their spouses or (the captives) whom their right hands possess, for in their case, they are free from blame. But those whose desires exceed such limits are the transgressors. Those who faithfully observe their trusts and covenants. And who (strictly) guard their prayers. These will be the heirs. Who will inherit Paradise(The Highest Rank), they will dwell therein forever.
5- Feeling with unity and brotherhood to all your Muslim fellows.
“ Believers are (verily) but a single brotherhood” The Apartments Chapter 49:10.
6. Giving your time, effort, money, skills, knowledge and whatever you can give in the cause of Allah “ Only those are believers who believed in Allah and His messenger (Muhammad) and have never since doubted and have striven with their belongings and themselves in the cause of Allah, such are the sincere ones” The Apartments Chapter 49:15.
Righteousness (Al-Birr): Righteousness or piety is a higher level of guidance. Allah tells us, in the Holy Qur’an, that “It’s righteousness to believe in Allah and in the Last Day, the angels, the book, and the messengers, to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, the orphans, the needy, the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves, to be steadfast in prayer, and give charity (Alms giving as purification), to fulfill the contracts you have made (including a word you gave), and to be firm and patient in pain or suffering and in adversity and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people who are true to Allah and who are pious” The Cow Chapter 2:177.
“It is righteous to be pious and enter houses from the proper doors (not to cheat on one another) and fear Allah, for you may prosper” The Cow Chapter 2:189.
“By no means shall you attain (the rank of) righteousness unless you give (freely) of that which you love, and whatever you give, Allah truly knows it all” The Family of Imran Chapter 3:92.
“Help you one another in righteousness and piety, but help you not one another in sin and rancor. Fear Allah, for Allah is strict in punishment” The Table Chapter 5:2.
Prophet Muhammad Peace and blessings be with him taught Muslims to be pious to parents for it f of piety to God. He said that the greatest sins are claiming partners to Allah and filial impiety. Good deeds are not accepted or accounted for unless you are pious toward our parents. Impiety shreds your relationship with God. However, piety raises you to the next level, the rank of prophets and messengers.
Virtuousness ( Al-Ihsân): Virtuousness is the highest rank of guidance. It’s the level of prophets and messengers, though people can truly get to that rank.
It requires being good to others and waiting for the Thawab (reward) only from God. Others may or may not be thankful for you, but God always will, as He knows your good deeds, whether you did them in public or secretly. One of the most things that Allah confirmed in the Holy Qur'an is being good to your parents, this is even better than being pious, as in this rank, you are sure that it is God who will thank and reward you for it. Your are doing this for fear of Allah and for His love.
“Your Lord has decreed that you worship no one but Him and that you be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attains old age during your life (or being with you) say not to them a word of contempt (not even angrily exhale), nor repel them, but address them in terms of honor (talk to them in a good way). And out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility and say: O Lord bestow on them Your mercy as they cherished me during my childhood” The Night Journey Chapter 17:23-24.
“Worship Allah and join not partners with Him and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbors who are close (of your family), neighbors who are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer you meet, and what your right hands possesses (your captives) for Allah loves not the arrogant, the vainglorious” The Women Chapter 4:36.
Virtuousness is also being good to your own self in the form of being good to Allah. Prophet Muhammad peace and blessings be with him said, when asked about virtuousness, it is to worship Allah as if you see Him, if you don’t see Him, then He (definitely) sees you.
Virtuousness is seeking perfection in your good deeds “and spend of your substance for the cause of Allah and don’t contribute to your own destruction with your own hands, but do good (as perfectly as you can) for Allah loves those who do good” The Cow Chapter 2:195.
“Those who spend (freely) whether in prosperity or in adversity, who restrain anger and forgive all people. For Allah loves those who do good (those who are virtuous)” The Family of Imran Chapter 3:134.
What will you get being virtuous???
1) Getting tremendous blessings during life, as related to your own guidance or to that of your successors, as God has done to Abraham peace and blessings be with him. “That was the reasoning (about Us) which We gave Abraham to use against his people. We raise whom We will degree after degree, for your Lord is most wise and most knowledgeable. We gave him Isaac and Jacob all (three) guided and before him We guided Noah and among his progeny; David, Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses and Aaron: Thus do We reward those who do good (who are virtuous)” The Cattle Chapter 6:83-84.
2) Getting great knowledge, wisdom and power, as God has granted Joseph and Moses peace and blessings be with them. “When Joseph attained his full manhood, we gave him power and knowledge, thus do We reward those who do right” Joseph Chapter 12:22.
“When Moses reached full age and was firmly established in life, We bestowed on him wisdom and knowledge, thus do We reward those who do good” The Stories Chapter 28:14.
3) Getting Divine Mercifulness in Life and the Hereafter. “The mercy of Allah is always close to those who do good” The Heights Chapter 7:56.
4) Not losing your rewards, as it’s God who keeps track of them. “For Allah loses not the reward of those who do good” the Repentance Chapter 9:120.
5) Having the merit of getting whatever you ask The Lord for, more importantly, being in His presence. “They shall have all what they wish for, in the presence of their Lord: Such is the reward of those who do good” The troops Chapter 39:34.
6) Gaining Divine love. “And Allah gave them a reward in this world and the excellent reward of the Hereafter. For Allah loves those who do good” The Family of Imran Chapter 3:148.
7) Winning Paradise (Janna). “Allah has rewarded them with gardens, with rivers flowing underneath; their eternal dwelling: Such is the recompense of those who do good” The table Chapter 5:85.
8) Being always with Allah and under His protection. “And those who strive in Our cause, we will certainly guide them to Our path, for Allah is with those who do right” The Spider Chapter 29:69.