Pleasing Allah through Taqwa

Pleasing Allah through Taqwa

Translations of Taqwa Taqwa is an essential Islamic term. Linguistically, this term is from the Arabic root, < ي – ق – و >  or  < w – q – y >, which means “to protect.”  In Islamic terminology, Taqwa means to…
Does Jihad Fulfill our Purpose? ,islamic jihad, What Does Jihad Mean?

Does Jihad Fulfill our Purpose? | Part 1 of 2

Yes, Jihad fulfills our purpose as God’s vicegerents [khalifa] on earth. First, who is Allah’s ‘vicegerent’ (successive authority)? “…when your Lord said to the angels, ‘I shall place upon the earth a viceregent [khalifa] … …And He [Allah] taught Adam …  …and…
The Rightful Place of Reason in Islam

The Rightful Place of Reason in Islam

Is there a conflict between religion and the thinking, rational mind? The atheists say: “The mind is enough, so we do not need religion,” and the fundamental conservative religious say: “We cannot use our mind in religion.” So, the question is this:…
Free Will and Freedom of Choice

Free Will and Freedom of Choice

Adam chose to eat from the tree that God had forbidden. That means he had free will to choose between listening to God’s command and submitting to Satan’s seduction. However, this free will is not absolute.  It operates only within a range…
Between Jihad and Terrorism Part 2

Between Jihad and Terrorism | Part 2

Between Jihad and terrorism So what are the differences between Jihad and terrorism? First, terrorists are not committed to the ethics of military Jihad, such as “Do not fight those who did not fight you”; and “Fulfill your treaties.” Most terrorists break…
Between Jihad and Terrorism

Between Jihad and Terrorism | Part 1

We were created as human beings before we chose our religions, acquired our cultures, learned our languages, or belonged to our homelands. Therefore, we cannot be good religious people, or good citizens, if we are not human beings first. Our religions, cultures,…
Revving Up Your Worship in Islam

Revving Up Your Worship in Islam

Worship is a relationship natural to the human being.  How a person establishes his (or her) link to whom or to what he chooses (or allows himself) to worship will define how well he can successfully fulfill his purpose in life.  The…