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Islam in its fundamentals

Sarwar Md. Saifullah Khaled finds a new book on the subject instructive
AT the very outset I humbly confess that I am no authority on the subject the book is written on, though I have to continually study and learn Islam in my pursuit in research on Islamic economics. However, it is to comply with my desire that I expressed to the author, who has studied advanced Public Administration and written several books on his field of study and Islam also, that I will try to write something on the book. I congratulate him for taking keen interest in the religion he belongs to in a comparative religion spirit and taking the pain of writing on Islam. As a Muslim I feel it my duty to be true to my desire - and this is the result.
The book has been arranged in six chapters. I intend to touch them one by one. I want to make it clear that I am not going to review the book in the true sense of the term, but my purpose is to present the book per se to interested readers.
Chapter one deals in Islam per se. Chapter breakdown has been made as "Divine guidance, Comprehensive code of life, Oneness of Allah, Concept of Religion, Philosophy of Islam, Socialism in Islam, Islamic Culture, Religion of Mankind, Fundamental Obligation, Human rights and fundamental freedom, Concept of Property and Justice, Representative form of Government, Family life, Equality of Man, Hoarding, Dishonesty and corruption, Islamic Law of Sharia and Theory of Sovereignty". The author made measured discussions on all the topics mentioned so that the reader may get the idea about Islam in the author's words: "Today, the message of peace and brotherhood and belief in Almighty he (Mohammad (sm)) disseminated in his lifetime remains the focus of our dream of what our lives should be" (P.40).
Chapter two deals with the situation in Arabia prior to Muhammad (SWS). In this chapter the readers will find: "Status of the Arabians before the advent of Islam, Religions status in Arabia, Origin of the name of ARAB, Climate of Arabia, Products of Arabia, Inhabitants of Arabia, Age of Ignorance, Political Condition, Economic Condition, Cultural Condition, Religious Conditions, and Qualities of the people". Here the author truly observes: "When the whole of Arabia was groaning under the pangs of oppression and torture, injustice and cruelty, vice and superstition, Muhammed (SWS) appeared as a
blessing of Arabia, nay of the whole universe” (P.53) and "Faculties which have remained dormant for ages seem awake suddenly, under the proper stimuli, and develop into dynamic powers" (Hitti, History of the Arabs, 2006, P. 28).
Chapter three deals with Hazrat Muhammed (SWS). Discussions have been made on: "Need for a Prophet, Family linkage of Hazrat (SWS), Birth of Muhammed (SWS), Childhood, Cleaning of Hearts, Death of Ameena - The Mother of Muhammed (SWS), Oiganization of peace. Marriage of Muhammed (SWS), Rebuilding of the Kaaba, Meditation for fifteen years, The firet Revelation, Preaching Islam and the First Muslim, Migration to Abyssinia, The conversion of Uthman Umar and others, Pilgrim party from Madina, MIRAJ - the Ascent to Heaven, HIJRAH/ HIJRAT: The Migration to Madina, Socio-Political condition of Yathrib (Madina), Importance of Hijrat, Introduction of Azan and Change of Qiblah, New Revelations for the complete way of Life, Jihad/War Begins, Family life of Muhammed (SWS), The Farewell Pilgrimage, Last days of the Prophet (SWS) on Earth, Achievement of the Prophet (SWS)".
Under the above titles the author has tried to portray the necessity of the Almighty's last messenger on earth and his birth, family, spiritual and socio-political activities as a practical guide line for humankind to follow for salvation here on earth and the hereafter. The author rightly asserts: "The prophet of Islam was the greatest reformer the world has ever produced. Before his advent, Arabia, nay the whole of the known world, was steeped in vice, superstition and barbarism. Social inequality, degraded womanhood, slavery, drunkenness, debauchery, gambling, rapacity, blood thirstiness and such other heinous vices were prevalent among the Arabs. Never were the people as low as the Arabs were, never was idolatry so deep rooted as in Arabia, nowhere on the globe was so dark a spot as in Arabia. No Prophet before Muhammed (SWS) seems to have thought of tackling these horrible problems. He ruthlessly attacked them one after another till they were gone" (P. 121). The author is historically true: "Undaunted through these dark days of persecution by temporary loss of so many followers, Muhammad fearlessly continued to preach and by persuasion convert men from the worship of many and false gods to that of the one and true God, Allah" (Hitti. Op. cit. P. 114) Who sent him on earth "but as a Mercy for the peoples" (Surah Al Anbiyaa, 21:107) to teach mankind the right conduct reveled through Al Qur'an.
Chapter four, The Holy Quran. Here the author discusses the "Main Issues of Holy Quran, Revealed to Muhammed (SWS), Characteristics of Allah (God), Allah is the light or Nur, Halal (Lawful) and Haram (Forbidden) Foods, Drinking wine, Adultery, Ramadan (Fasting), Marriage, Family and Divorce". The Holy Qur'an is necessary reading for mankind because, in the words of the author, "The Holy Quran describes in detail all these duties. Acquiring knowledge about the basic duties becomes the fundamental duty. Unless one has the basic knowledge about fundamental duties, how can one correctly carry out these compulsory duties?" (P.189). True. In emphasizing the necessity of the Holy Qur'an the Prophet (SWS) in his speech in the Farewell Pilgrimage said: "O people, reflect on what I am saying, I leave behind me two things: the Holy Qur'an and my Sunnah. If you follow them you will never go wrong". The Prophet (SWS) knew full well that he is mortal but the Holy Qur'an and his Sunnah shall live forever to guide people to righteousness and virtue till the Dooms day come.
Chapter Five dwells on the Pillars of Islam. Here the author candidly discusses the importance and significance of "Iman and Kalema, Prayer,
Zakat, Fasting or Siam, and Hajj". And, finally, in Chapter Six the author convincingly discusses the omnipotence of Allah in “Universal God and Al Qur'an" and at the same time he does not forget to mention all the 99 revealed names of Allah the One with their literal meanings.
The book is a handy one, with an elegant cover, and contains almost all the relevant fundamental aspects of Islam, about which Allah Himself has said: "This day have I perfected your religion for you and completed My favor unto you, and chosen for you as religion Al Islam" (Surah Al-Ma'ida, 5:3). The author has enriched his contention by freely quoting the relevant verses from the Holy Qur'an throughout the book wherever necessary and relevant. 1 shall be failing in my duty if I do not mention three small things i.e. (i) the author could a bit more carefully have arranged the subsections in each chapter of the book, (ii) he could hint at the references of the facts to enrich the book, and (iii) the printing mistakes which usually embarrass almost all writers in the first edition of a book. I hope the book will be free from these shortcomings in its subsequent editions. 1 feel the book - a product of hard work - is instructive and worth reading for people of all walks of life and religion to know Islam.
SARWAR MD. SAIFULLAH KHALED IS RETIRED PROFESSOR OF ECONOMICS, BCS GENERAL EDUCATION CADRE