Religion diversity

1.From where does a Muslim take his creed and faith? The Muslim takes his creed and faith from the Book of Allah(The Qur'an) and the authentic Sunnah of His Prophet,Muhammad S.A.W, who does not speak of his own desire rather (as Allah says): "It is only revelation revealed"[53:4].These two sources should be understood according to the understanding of the companions and the righteous predecessors. 2.What should Muslims refer to in case they differ? Muslims must refer back to the Islamic law,since this is what was mentioned in the book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Prophet, Muhammad S.A.W.Allah said "....then if you differ in any matter,refer it to Allah and the Messenger..."[4:59] The Prophet said:"I have left two things amongst you which if you adhere to,you will never go astray: the book of Allah and the Sunnah of his Prophet." 3.Which of the sectswill be the one that will be saved on the Day of Resurrection? The Prophet, Muhammad,S.A.W, said: "My nation will split into seventy three sects, all of which will go to Hellfire, except for one." His companions asked: "Which one of that O Messenger of Allah?" He replied: " The one that will be upon the way of me and my companions." This the truth and correct path is the way of the Prophet and his companions. Therefore if one wishes to be saved on the Day of Judgement and desires that one's deeds be accepted by Allah, one must adhere strictly to the way of the Prophet and his companions and avoid all innovations in religious matters. 4. What are the conditions for righteous deeds to be accepted? The conditions for righteous deeds to be accepted are as follows: a). Correct belief in Allah and maintaining Tawheed as Allah does not accept any deed from one who commit shirk. b). Purify of intention, by doing good deeds for the sake of Allah alone. c). Following the example of the Prophet.The person should perform the deed in the exact manner explained by the Prophet. One should only worship Allah through those things specifically legislated in the religion. If one of these three conditions is missing, then the deed is unacceptable. Allah said: " And we shall turn to whatever deeds they did in this life ,and We shall make such deeds as floating dust scattered about." [25:23] 5. How many levels are there in the religion of Islam? There are three levels in the religion of Islam. Islam, Iman and Ihsan. 6. What is Islam and how many pillars does it have? Islam is Submission to Allah by believing in Tawheed, Compliance to His orders by obeying Him, Avoiding and absolving oneself from all forms of polytheism and idolatry, as well as those who commit them. The pillars of Islam are five, as mentioned in the narration of the Prophet: " Islam is build on five pillars: To testify that none is rightfully worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah ( La Ilaha Ill-Allah, Muhammad -ur-Rasool-ullah), to establish the Salah(prayer), to offer the Zakaah(obligatory charity), to perform Hajj( pilgrimage to Mecca) and to fast the month of Ramadan. 7. What is Iman and how many pillars does it have? Iman is belief and conviction in the heart, speech of the tongue and action of the limbs. Iman increases by performing good deeds and decreasing by committing sins. Allah said: "Verily we have sent you ( O Muhammad) as a witness, as a bearer of glad tidings and as a warner "[48:8] The Prophet said:" Iman is seventy odd branches: the highest is to say that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah (Laa Ilaaha Ill-Allah), the lowest is to remove harm from the path; and modesty is a branch of Iman." What supports this fact is the enthusiasm which a Muslim feels in seasons of good deeds such as Ramadan and Hajj and the slackening a Muslim feels upon committing sins. Allah says:" Indeed good deeds do away with the evil ones." [11:114] Iman has six pillars as mentioned in the Hadith of the Prophet ( Iman is to believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His Messengers, the Day of Judgement and Qadar (Divine Measure) and what it brings of good or evil." 8. What is the meaning of the phrase "Laa Ilaaha Ill-Allah "? This statement means to negate that any being other than Allah has the right to be worshipped, and to affirm that it is Allah alone who deserves worship. 9. Is Allah with us? Yes, Allah is with us with His perfect knowledge, His bearing, His seeing, His protection, His absolute comprehensiveness, His omnipotent power and His divine will. However, Allah Himself is not a part of His creation, and nothing of His creation can encompass Him. 10. Can Allah be seen by the eye sight? The Muslim scholars are in agreement (ijmaa) that Allah cannot be seen in this life, but that the believers will see Him on the Day of Resurrection as well as in Paradise. Allah said: "On that Day, some faces will beam in brightness and beauty looking at their Lord." [75:22-23] 11. What is the benefit of knowing Allah's Names and Attributes? The first obligation that Allah obligated upon the people is to know Allah . If they truly come to know Allah,they will worship Him as He deserves. Allah said: "And know that there is none that is rightfully worshipped except Allah...." [47:19] Bringing the expansive mercy of Allah to mind causes one to hope , remembering His characteristic of being severe in punishment for disobedience instigates fear, and acknowledging His characteristic of being the exclusive Bestower of Bounties creates a feeling of gratefulness. Therefore, what is meant by worshipping Allah through His Names and Attributes is that one learns them properly, understand their meanings and acts accordingly. There are some traits which are regarded as praiseworthy if they are found in a person, such as knowledge, mercy and justice, while there are others which are blameworthy, such as divinity,and dominance and pride.There are yet other praiseworthy traits which humans have been ordered to seek and acquire but they are never to be attributed to Allah, such as servitude, being in a state of need, humanity, solicitation and others similar to this. The most beloved human being to Allah is one who has traits which He loves , and the most hated one to Allah is one who has traits He hates. 12. What is the most beautiful the names of Allah? Allah says: "And to Him belongs the most beautiful names, so supplicate to Him with them..."[7:180] The Prophet said: "Allah has ninety nine Names one hundred minus one, and whoever enumerates them will go to Paradise." There are three levels of Enumerating them: a). To count and know them and their expressions. b). To understand their meanings and which they indicate. For example, knowing that Allah is Al-Hakeem (the Wise) entails that the Muslim resigns all his affairs to Allah , since it is all according to His wisdom. Similarly, knowing that Allah is Al-Quddoos (the Holy) entails that the Muslim believes that Allah is free from all imperfections. c). To call on Allah by them, and that is of two types: (1). Glorifying and worshipping Allah in accordance to these names.(2). Supplicating to Allah and asking Him by them. 13. What is the difference between the Names of Allah and His Attributes? The Names of and His Attributes both share the traits that it is allowed to seek refuge and to swear oaths by them, but there are some important differences between them, some of which are as follows: A. It is allowed to supplicate to Allah using one of His Names, or name oneself " the slave of" one of His Names, but this is not allowed with His Attributes . B. One may derive Attributes from Allah's Names, but one may not derive names from His Attributes. C. One may not derive Name from tha actions of Allah .