Islam

The Prophet Muhammad's advent foretold by earlier Prophets

Kalabooshanam M. Y. M. Meeadh

"I will make of thee a great nation and I will bless thee and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing and I will curse him that curseth thee, and on thee shall all families of the earth be blessed"

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sal) was born on Rabiul Awwal 12, 53 B.H, corresponding to April 20, 571 AC in Makkah, the 'Mother of Cities' (Holy Quran 42:7) in Saudi Arabia in which city is situated the Holy Ka'bah, "the Ancient House (Holy Quran 22:29), the first house of worship appointed for men" (Holy Quran 3:96) built during the time of Prophet Adam (Alaihissalam) and re-built thereafter by Prophet Ibrahim (Alai) and his son Prophet Ismail (Alaihi) (Holy Quran 2:127).

He was raised by Allah, the Lord of the Universe as His 'Last Prophet' (Holy Quran 33:40) to perfect through the divine message of the Holy Quran, Allah's religion of Islam (Holy Quran 3:18; 5:3) to humanity preached by all his 124,000 Prophets or human messengers, commencing with Prophet Adam (Alai) (Holy Quran 42:13).

After successfully delivering the message of the Creator to His creatures, the Holy Prophet peacefully passed away at Madinah the 'City of the Prophet' on Rabiul Awwal 12, 10 AH corresponding to June 8, 632 AC.

The Holy Prophet of Islam has said as follows about himself:

1. "Every Prophet was sent particularly to his people; but I have been sent to the whole of mankind". (Mishkathul Mosahils, chap. XLIV Hadith: 9).

2. "When there will come the Resurrection Day, I shall be the Leader of the Prophets and their spokesman and one who will intercede for them without boast". (Mishkeathul Mosahils Chapt. XLIV - Hadith 23).

Prophecies in the Bible about the Holy Prophet

We can find a number of prophecies in the Bible by various Prophets of Allah about the advent of the Holy Prophet of Islam Muhammad (Sal). Let's briefly examine here the Prophecies of Abraham, Moses, David and Jesus Christ, four of the most important ones among them.

Abraham's Prophecy

Abraham was a great Prophet of God common to the Jews, the Christians and the Muslims. Besides, he is the common ancestor of the Holy Prophet Muhammad through his son Ishmael and Jesus Christ through his son Isaac. Addressing Abraham, God has said:

"I will make of thee a great nation and I will bless thee and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing and I will curse him that curseth thee, and on thee shall all families of the earth be blessed" (The Bible: Genesis 12: 2, 3)

The Holy Quran says that after rebuilding the Ka'bah at Makkah Abraham and Ishmael prayed jointly as follows:

"Our Lord! Raise among them an apostle of their own who shall rehearse thy signs unto them and instruct them in the scripture and wisdom and sanctify them; for Thou art the mighty, the wise" (Quran 2: 129)

The Quran further says as follows:

"It is He (Allah) who has raised among the unlettered an Apostle from among themselves to rehearse to them His signs, the sanctify them and to instruct them in the scripture and wisdom although they had been in manifest error before". (Quran 62:2)

The Holy Prophet himself said: "I am the answer of the prayer of my father Ibrahim".

From the above statement, it is quite evident that the Holy Prophet Muhammad is the promised descendent of Abraham in whom "all families of the earth be blessed".

Covenant of circumcision

Another strong proof that this Prophecy is fulfilled in the Holy Prophet is furnished by the following covenant which God made with Abraham. "This is my covenant which ye shall keep between me and thee and thy seed after thee. Every man child among you shall be circumcised". (Genesis - 17:11).

In terms of this covenant, Abraham was circumcised at his 99th year (Genesis 17:24). Ishmael was circumcised at his 13th year (Genesis 17:24) and later on Jesus Christ was also circumcised on the 8th day of his birth. (St. Luke 2:21).

The followers of the Holy Prophet, the Muslims, still practise the institution of circumcision.

Moses' Prophecy

The Bible says:

"I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren like unto thee and will put by words in his mouth... (Deuteronomy - 18:18).

Accordingly, the above Prophecy is most relevant to Prophet Muhammed because Muhammad was a human being like Moses and he never claimed anything more than being a Prophet. He was raised from the brethren of the Israelites namely Isharaelites who are the Arabs. He was both a temporal ruler and Prophet like Moses. The words of God put in his mouth compose the Holy Quran a direct Revealation from Allah.

David's Prophecy

There is the following Prophecy of David in the Psalter of the Bible: "The Lord said to My Lord, sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies they foot stool". (Pslams - 110:1)

Our Holy Prophet is the 'My Lord' of David is amply proved by the following historical evidence:

"His 'enemies' at Makkah instead of accepting Islam conspired to kill him. He fled to Madinah - this is the Hijrah - to escape death. The enemies marched to Madinah and fought three battles with him.

Jesus Christ's Prophecy

The Bible says: "If you love me keep my commandments and I will pray the Father and he shall give you another comforter that he may abide with you for ever". (St. John - 14:15, 16)

The Christians argue that this Prophecy of their Master about the 'Comforter' refers to the 'Holy Ghost', because the expressions. 'Holy Ghost', and the 'Spirit of Truth' occur in it. The Christ's words clearly show that the coming of the Comforter depends on Christ's leaving the world that is - the Comforter is one who has not come to the world at any time before.

Thus, it is quite evident that the last Prophet of Islam - Muhammad has been prophesied by all the four Prophets who preached Islam earlier.

Courtesy: This article is based on the booklet, 'The Holy Prophet and His Universal Mission' - published by Ceylon Muslim Missionary Society, Colombo.

Zakat - The Third Pillar in Islam (Compulsory Charity)

This is the treasure which you hoarded for yourselves. Now taste of what you used to hoard

One of Islam's pillars, ranking third in importance after the two testimonies of faith and the prayer. Allah's Book, the Prophet's Sunnah, and the consensus of the Muslims attest to Zakat being obligatory. Whoever denies that it is obligatory to give Zakath is a disbeliever an apostate from whom repentance is demanded. If he repents, then that is well; otherwise, he is killed.

Allah almighty says:

And those who hoard up gold and silver (Al-Kanz: the money, the Zakat of which has not been paid), and spend it not in the way of Allah, announce unto them a painful torment.

On the Day when that (Al-Kanz: money, gold and silver, etc., the Zakat of which has not been paid) will be heated in the fire of Hell and with it will be branded the it foreheads, their flanks, and their backs, (and it will be said to them):

"This is the treasure which you hoarded for yourselves. Now taste of what you used to hoard." (al-quran-9:34) The prophet said; Any owner of gold or silver who does not pay their due (i.e., Zakat) will have plates of fire prepared for him on the Day of Judgement.

They will be heated in the Fie, and then his side, his forehead, and his back will be ironed (by those plates) Each time he becomes cook again, the process is repeated on him in a day whose measure is equal to fifty thousand years, until finally judgements will have been passed among (Allah's) worshippers. (al-hatheeth:muslim)

Some of the Benefits of Zakat;

Zakat has many individual, social, and religious benefits; we will begin by mentioning some of its religious benefits:

1). By paying Zakat, one fulfils one of the pillars of Islam, around which revolved happiness for Allah's worshippers both in this world and the Hereafter.

2). By giving Zakat, one gets closer to his Lord, and just as in other acts of obedience, his faith increases.

3). The rewards for giving charity are great; Allah almighty says:

Allah will destroy Riba (usury) and will give increase for Sadaqat (deeds of charity, alms, etc.)

The benefits of Zakat on manners and morals

1. The giver of Zakat joins the ranks of the generous ones, those who give freely from their wealth.

2. The giver of Zakat is described as being merciful and compassionate to his poor Muslim brothers. It is the merciful ones upon whom Allah shows mercy.

3. Those who give financial of physical support to their Muslim brothers gain a sense of joy and peace in their hearts and souls, which further results in one being loved in proportion to that which he expends.

4. Zakat purifies the character of its giver - purifies him from miserliness, for Allah says: Take Sadaqah (alms) from their wealth in order to purify them and sanctify them with it, and invoke Allah for them. (Alquran-9:103)

Some of the Societal Benefits of Zakat

1. The needs of the poor are fulfilled, an especially important achievement, considering that the poor represent the greater percentage of populations in most countries. Where every rich Muslim to pay Zakat as Allah commands, there would not remain a single poor, needy person among the Muslims.

2. Zakat strengthens Muslims as a whole, and it raises their status, which is why Jihad in the way of Allah is one of the categories deserving of Zakat - as well shall soon mention, if Allah wills.

3. Through Zakat, rancor and malice leave the hearts of the poor and the weak. When the poor see the extravagant lifestyle of the rich, without seeing any benefits from their wealth at all, they will perhaps feel anger and enmity toward the rich, who did not give them their due right, and did not help them in their needs. But when the rich give a share of their money to the poor on a yearly basis, that anger disappears, being replaced by love and brotherhood.

4. Wealth increases, and not decreases, when charity is given because of the blessings of charity. The proper Muhamed (Sal) said: Charity does not cause one's wealth to diminish, Meaning that though, it quantity, one's wealth ostensibly decreases, it does not decrease in blessings and it causes increase in the future, indeed Allah replaces the wealth one gives in charity and blesses one in the wealth he has.

5. When the rich is society give Zakat as they should give it, wealth is distributed to a much larger circle of people, as opposed to wealth remaining among the few who are rich. The benefits mentioned above show that Zakat is necessary to rectify the individual and society - and glory is to Allah, the All Knowing, and the All-Wise.

The Categories of People Who May Receive Zakat

Allah almighty clarified the categories of people to whom Zakat is paid when he said: As-Sadaqat (here it means Zakat) are only for the Fuqara' (poor), and Al-Masakin (the needy) and those employed to collect (the funds); and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam); and to free the captives; and for those in debt; and for Allah's cause (i.e., for Mujahidun-those fighting in the holy wars). And for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allah. And Allah is All-Knower, All-Wise. (Alquran-9:60)

They Are Of Eight Categories

1. The poor: they are those who can barely find less than half of what they need. If a person doesn't find enough to spend on himself and his family for a period of six months, then he is considered to be a poor person, and is given what is enough for him and his family for a period of one year.

2. The needy (a level of poverty above that of the poor): They are those who can find half or more of what they need. But are not able to find what they need over a period of an entire year. They are given a sufficient amount so that their expenditures for the year are satisfied.

3. Sakat Employees: these are the people the general ruler of the country appoints to collect the Zakkat from those who must give it, and to distribute it to those who deserve it; and those who are appointed to safeguard the Zakat wealth between the period that it is paid and the period it is paid off to its recipients. They are given from Zakat money in proportion to their work, even if they are rich.

4. Zakat is also those who are inclined toward Islam, those whose hearts can be further attracted to the true religion. This mainly applies to leaders and chiefs whose level of faith is weak; they are given wealth to strengthen their faith, so that they can be good examples for others and so that they may call others to Islam.

5. Slaves and captives: Zakat money can be used to buy a slave and free him, to complete the payments for those slaves who have a contract with their owners to give certain amounts of payments until they free themselves. Zakat money can also be used to ransom Muslim prisoners.

6. Those in debt: If one in debt doesn't have enough to pay off his debt, he may receive Zakat money to do so; he may be given Zakat money regardless of whether his debt is small or great. Even if one is rich in the sense that he has a salary that allows him to feed himself and his family, he may receive Zakat money to pay off a debt that he cannot pay off himself.

7. And for Allah's cause: Those fighting for the cause of Allah are given that amount which is enough for them in their Jihad. So from the Zakat money, weapons for Jihad may be purchased. "For Allah's cause" here includes those who are seeking Islamic knowledge, so the student of Islamic knowledge is given an amount that is sufficient for him to pursue his studies - books and whatever else he needs, unless he has enough money himself to pursue his studies.

These are the categories of Zakat that Allah Almighty mentioned in His Book, and He informed us that it is an obligation which He ordered us to perform, based on His Complete Knowledge and Wisdom, for He is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

Al Hafil M.I.M. Thalib

(BA. Hons) Eravur.