The Generation Gap

Testimonies of Non-muslims About Islam

My child! Now we have to see which religion had all the above characteristics. A study of different religious faiths indicate that Islam1 is such a religion, because it is a collection of laws that ensure the prosperity of its followers. The Islamic religion commands to perform good deeds and to avoid bad ones. The Islamic religion calls for gentleness, fortitude, patience, steadfastness, resistance, truggle and sacrifice

____________

Here it will be appropriate to refer to definations of Islam as defined by Imam Ali (as) as follows:

"Praise be Allah who revealed Divine Laws through Islam. For its followers He made its code easy to undertand and gave its principles a position so exalted and so noble the their eminence overcomes all contentions and objection. He destined Islam to be a harbinger of eternal peace and haven of unfailing security for those who enter its fold. Its doctrines provide logical and well founded arguments for those who what to defend truth and justice. Its precepts contain the best-proction for pirty and virtue."

"It is a heavenly beacon unto seekers for light, and a great source of enlightenment for inetllectual persons. Who pay due attention to it will find geat wisdom in its teachings, and its careful examination will prove it to be a very bright manifestation of the goodness of virtue. Islam furnishes most educative patterns and instances to those who want to discern between right and wrong and who are willing to accept its timely admonitions of the consequences of evil and falsehood, It brings salvation to tis testifiers, great moral strength to its believers, perpetual peace and comfort to its faithfuol followers, and considerable power of resistence against sin and vice to those patiently beat suffering in life."

Nahjul-Balagha Sermon No.109

"You must be thankful to Allah that He made you a Muslim and selected you ro represent and propagete Islam. As its name indicates it is a religion which brings peace and salvation to mankind. He has bestowed universality of truth through its simple, distinct and intelligible code as well as, through the deeper and far reaching significance and inferences hidden in its orders and interdictions. The wonders that Islam can achieve in improving human mind and miracles it can work to raise the standard of human life, will never come to an end.

Islam holds secrets of real peace and prosperity which you will never acquire but through its help; it can direct you to ways of improving your knowledge (about material as well as spiritual world), and you can never attain this but through its guidance. The Merciful God had ordered you to faithfully accept its principles and to sincerely and diligently obey its commands and interdictions. It brings salvation to those who follow it, and worldly protection to those who enter it's folds."

Nahjul-Balagha Sermon No.156

"Have you fully realized what Islam is? It is a religion founded on truth. It is such a fountain-head of lerning that from it flow out several streams of wisdom and knowledge. It is such a lamp that from it several lamps will be lighted. It is a tall beacon lightig the path to Allah. It is a set of principles and beliefs which will satisfy every seeker of truth and reality.

Know you all that Allah has made Islam the most sublime path rowards His supreme pleasure and the highest standard of His worship and obedience. He has favoured ti with noble precpts, exalted principles, undoubtable arguments, unchallengeable supremacy and undeniable wisdom. It is up to you to maintain the eminence and dignity granted to it by the Lord, to follow it sincerely, to do justice to its articles of faith and belief, to implictly obey its tenets and orders, and to give the proper place in your lives."

Nahjul-Balagha Sermon No. 203

in the way of a holy cause, fainess, mercifulness, generosity, chastity, mosesty, justice, honesty, truthfulness, equality, brotherhood, know-now and performance, glory, endeavour, earning a living, an cleanliness. And it warns against inactivity, laziness, idleness, begging, treason, telling lies, arrogance, selfishness, injustices and violating the rights others.

Count Henry Decasterie, the French scientist, in the book Islam and Thoughts, writes: "Islam had occupied an extensive area of the world because of its grand and simple instructions. It was the sound and firm Islamic Laws that persuaded and uncivilized, fantical idol worshippers to accept the faith of Islam and to fly its flag not only on the roof tops of their houses but also throughout their country as well as major countries of the world."

Hygiene in Islam

Lothron Stodard, the famous American scientist and historian says:

"For the greatness of Islam it is enough to say that despite all obstacles, it still manifests its truths and excellence in the world. It does so, because Islam is a simple and prudent religion."

Hygien in Islam Wells, the famous English historian in the book General History writes:

"Islam is a social order, and a civil law for the humanity. It appeared in the Dark Ages and has struggled against any kind of tyranny, treason, crime, and injustice with its holy instructions."

Hygiene in Islam Dr. Gustave Lebon, the French historian, in the book, The Islamic culture and the Arabs, writes:

"The simlplicity and clarity of the principles of Islamic beliefs and its beneficient way of dealing with masses, which is minted on the coin of the Islamic faith, is the reason for its conquering of the globe."

Hygiene in Islam Sir Quwlliam an English in a book in Islam, writes:

"Islam like a fast horse has taken big steps in the path of human progress and civilization. It has rapidly come a long and difficult way and has entered the land of truth. Its noble commandments teach lessons in morality, sociability and conduct in a beautiful way."

Hygiene in Islam Prince Boorguise in the book New Italy, writes:

"The greatness of Islam is apparent from the fact that the Islamic civilization began with the start of Islam and the appointment of its prophet (p.b.u.h.) whereas the European civilization became apparent six hundred years after Christ and christianity."

Hygiene in Islam The English Lady, L.E. Cbbold, in the book, Toward God writes:

"Islam in all senses is a great and flawless social law; because its principles are on the fundamental of civilization, progress, intellect and reason, it shall never die."

Hygiene in Islam Conte de Gobineau in the book, Three Years in Asia, says:

"Islam has brought a chaste, immaculate and flawless religion for humanity."

Hygiene in Islam Emile der Menghem writes:

"Islam, like a loud call, moved the hearts and its awakened the East and the West from impiety and ignorance. It had such an impact on hearts that throughout ages, the human history does not remember such a spiritual revolution and a social movement"

Hygiene in Islam Bernard Shaw, the famous writer in his book getting Married, writes:

"I have always looked at Mohammed's religion with extreme respect because it has wonderful energy and freshness. In my opinion, it is the only religion that can adjust itself to different stages of a free life. It's instructions are compatable with time.

Hygiene in Islam

20.5 Islam and Productivity:

My child! Islam has form and valuable instructions on productivity. I will twll you of one such instruction so you would become aware of how its leaders have advised people to strengthen their financial mean and to increase their wealth through productive activities.

Imam al-Sadiq (a. s) says: "Agricultural is the greatest Alchemy" - Foru'e Kafi Fith Ed. p, 261 Everyone is in search of "Alchemy", hoping it will make their dreams in getting all they want in life come true. Here, our sixth Imam is saying that the best Alchemy is Agriculture. Whoever wants to meet all his needs must pursue them in this way. Take a good look and see how beautifully he is expressing a noble idea in such a simple phrase. What a rich and meaningful statement. One cannot but to admire its clarity. I believe on order to better introduce Islam, Its leaders and its wealth of knowledge, this sort of maxims should be written in large letters and in a calligraphic manner and be placed in all agricultural colleges and learning centers.

20.6 The Hidden Treasures in the East:

My child! Our religious leaders through interpretation of the Holy Qur'an, as a duty, have explained to us all the good and the evil. Their instructions are concerned with our individual as well as social welfare and happiness in both this world and the world to come. Their word, without any shortcoming, is a completeguide for a happy, free from anxiety, and a prosperous individual and social life.

But unfortunately, we have not pondered into them deeply enough. In many literary sources of the East and the West, I have come across the fact, that more than a thousand years ago, our Holy Book and religious leaders have been the pioneers in revealing valuable sublime realities about life. They have excelled in doing so, at a time when there were no scientific or interllectual thoughts available.

Think about it and see the guidelines and instructions our religious lerders have given us on morality, hygiene, psychological, scientific, social and political issues. And see how recently we have been getting similar instuctions as new and modern Ideas from the Western countries! At this time I would like to present you some guidalines and laws of others and in order to prove their truth would quote some Islamic religious commandments what I call, the hidden treasures (of knowledge) in the East as follows:

In the advanced countries, now they have found out that you cannot put a man's body and soul through too much work. And that the maximun length of work as well as minimum length of rest period should be eight hours. This idea is now a universal law, whereas this same thing was said by Imam Ali (as) more than thirteen hundred years ago. In the Nahjul-Balagha, his unique book of wisdom, he says:

a'" "A believer divides his day into three parts. He spends one for worshipping Allah, another for making a living, and another for resting and for ligitimate pleasurable activities."

Nahjul-Balagha, p. 545

Of course, by worshipping Allah, we do not mean that one should spend all his time only in prayers, rather to become engaged in activities which pleases Him, such as serving people and charity of public interest. The Holy Prophet (p.n.u.h) said: "One who endeavours the most in goodwill toward people on earth, shall have the highest rank with Allah in the day of Judgement."

Wafi, Third part, p.99 "The Prophet of Allah once was asked who is the most beloved person in the eyes of Allah. He relied: "'The one who benefits people most."
Usul Kafi, Second Volume, pp.163-164 The Prophet (p.b.u.h) of Islam also said:

"He who spends a say without making any efforts in the affairs of Muslims, is not a Muslim himself." - Usul Kafi, Second Volume, pp. 163-164 The Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) also said: "The best worshipper of all is the one who is the most truthful and the most benevolent to and the most found of the Muslims." - Usul Kafi, second volume pp:163 -164.

Thus, if a person in addition to the prescribed obligations such as the daily preyers, engages himself in such actions as assisting, encouraging others by soft words, visiting the sick and ridding someone of his problems, he has done acts of worship. If every Muslim follows these instructions, by spending several hours a day in the affairs of public interest would not then the Islamic countries be the best countries and the Muslims people be the most tranquil people of the world?

II Dale Carnegie under the heading of Don't hurt of ungratefulness writes: "The owner of a national corporation gave ten thousand dollers as a Christimas bonus to thirty four employees. None of them thanked him for it. And he was complaining about it."

How to Live,k p. 138 Imam Ali (a.s) discussing this same topic said:

"Do not get discouraged when you do someone a favour but he does not appreciate you for it."

Nahjul-Balagha III. Homer Croy has entitled one of his articles:

"After any hardship there is a relief."

How to Live. p.271 First of all, the Holy Quran under this subject matter says:

"Even with difficulty, there will be relief."

The Holy Qur'an 94;5 Secondly, still in this matter Imam Ali (as) says:

"When hardship comes to an end, relief comes about, and when the rings of difficulty become too tight, there comes comfort." - Nahjul Balagha. p. 536

IV. Dale Carnegre on page 95 of the book how to Live, under the topic of "Take with calm has no cure" concludes: "Get along and cooperate with what is incurable." He also quotes Shopenhauer as saying:

"Submitting to the incurable events is the most important provision for a journey through life."

Now, let us examine the sayings of our own religious leaders, which are full of wisdom and are based upon faith on Allah, regarding the topics earlier disdcussed. Imam Sadiq (as) says:

"About the events, the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.) never woud say I wish they would have happened in a diffrent manner." - Usul Kafi, Second Volume p. 63.

He also asks:

"How could could one know that he is a believer? "Through submission to Allah, and being satisfied with whatever joy or anxiety that comes his way." - Usul Kafi, second volumes p. 63

V. Dale Carnegie in the book How to live on page 130, concludes:

"Never attempt to take revenge because you will hurt yourself more then others."

With paying a little attention, you will find this same conclusion in what our own religious leaders have said. On this subject, the Holy Prophet (p.h.u.b.) says:

"Shall I advise you of the best disposition in this world and the world to come? To the one who rejects you, attach yourself. To the one who deprives you, give. And to the one who treats you with injustices, offer forgivesness."

Usul Kafi, second volume, p.107

Also Imam Ali (as) has spoken eloquently about this matter as follows:

"In being thankful for coming out victorious forgive your enemy after you have defeated him."

Nahjul Balagha, p.470.

My dear child! These were just a few samples of the many brilliant topics on our faith and religious beliefs that explained to you. I hope you have found them interesting. You can take it from here to see that everty single Islamic commandment is just as acceptable s these, as one can find no faults with them. Religion is an important topic and the discussions about it are extensive. There have been numerous books written on it. But for the sake of brevity, and in order to make you tired, I will stop at this point. I will never wish to impose upon you my opinion or to force you into accepting a certain belief without any logical reasioning.

As much as I thought it might be advisable, very briefly, I offered my guidance. That, I feel is enough for you. The rest, I shall leave up to you. Allah has granted man intellectual power by which he may distinguish the Good from the evil, and accordingly may select the best course for himself. I whole heartedly accept and faithfully believe in the matters I have just discussed with you. You can think them over and if your intellects permits you may accept and believe in them, as well as other Islamic instructions and obligations regarding prayers, social, and ethical issues.

The Child:

Your explanations about religion have enlightened me and have created an optimism in me. Now I am looking at religion with respect. What I have learned from you, has made one realize that what I thought to be ambiguities in religion in fact are not. Rather, I had not understood them correctly. Through asking qauestions and research, we must eliminate any such uncertainties. At last, I understand that Islam can be a world wide religion. It can manage the affairs of people. And it can establish discipline and universal peace. And finally it can provide eternal happiness for mankind.

My child! My purpose of speaking about the religious issues was for you to become familiar with a sample of the beliefs of you father and mother, and to become certain that it is not without reasons that they are fond of religion. Even, if these discussions did not convince you, and if you still are of your old opinion about them, and should think your parents are old fashioned and supersticious, this rights, to be rude to them or to treat them disrespectfully. As the rights of your parents are natural and intellectual and in any case they are inviolabel. e Have you not ever heard of a Christian youth by the name of Zakariya who became Muslim and who went to Medina to Imam al-Sadiq (as) and said to him:

"I was a Chirstian, now I have become Muslim. My father, mother and entire family are Chirstians also my mother is blind. Do you see it advisable for me to stay with them?"

The Imam Said:

"Certainly, be good to your mother and pay attention to her."

Usual Kafi, New edition, 2nd Volume, p. 16 The youth, upon the return to his home town of kufa, started to render his services to his mother. And more than ever before, he treated her with kindness. So much so the it surprised his mother. She inquired about the reason of his extreme kindness after becoming Muslim. He told her of the Imam's advice. She was impressed and consequently, she too accepted Islam.

The Child:

Of course the matter of religious beliefs has nothing to do with the rights of parents. They exist whether the child is in agreement with parent's principles and beliefs or not.