The difference between a mushrik and a kaafir
source: silsilat ul-hudā wa nnūr ~ the series of guidance and light ~ tape no. 727 Question #7: “Is every mushrik (one who associates partners with Allāh) a kāfir (disbeliever), but not every kāfir is a mushrik? Or are they the same?” Shaykh al-Albāni answers: “This is the established understanding in people’s minds, except few of them. I will explain that with an example: a man bears witness that none has the right to be worshiped but Allāh and that…
The Origins of Shirk
Author: Shaykh Muhammad Nasir-ud-Deen al-Albani From that which has been established in the Sharee’ah (prescribed law) is that mankind was – in the beginning – a single nation upn true Tawheed, then Shirk (directing any part or form of worship, or anything else that is solely the right of Allaah, to other than Allaah) gradually overcame them. The basis for this is the saying of Allaah – the Most Blessed, the Most High: “Mankind was one Ummah, then Allaah sent…
Mocking the religion is major disbelief
Q: “With regard to mocking the religion, which was mentioned in Allaah’s Statement: {Say: Was it Allaah and His Aayaat (verses, revelations, proofs, lessons, signs) and His Messenger that you were mocking? Make no excuse; you disbelieved after you had believed},1 is the disbelief here kufr i`tiqaadi (disbelieving by one’s heart) or kufr `amali (disbelieving by one’s limbs)?”2 Shaikh al-Albaani: “No doubt, this is kufr i`tiqaadi, indeed this is disbelief with two horns (i.e. it is clear disbelief) because it…
Ahmadiyyah
Ahmadiyyah (Part 1 of 3): The Prophet, may God praise him, said: ‘I asked God for three things, He gave me two and didn’t give me one. I asked God to save my nation from being destroyed by natural calamities and He gave it to me. I asked God to protect my nation from defeat at the hands of a foreign enemy and He gave it to me. I asked God to save my nation from being destroyed from within,…
The Names of God
In any discussion about the Names of God, it is important to understand that Muslims believe in One True God, the only Creator, the One Who has Dominion over all that exists, has ever existed or will come to exist. A Muslim worships the same One God whom all the Prophets worshipped. “…were you witnesses when death approached Jacob? When he said unto his sons, ‘What will you worship after me?’ They said, ‘We shall worship your God, the God…
Ahmadiyyah
(part 1 of 3): Origin and History The Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, said: ‘I asked God for three things, He gave me two and didn’t give me one. I asked God to save my nation from being destroyed by natural calamities and He gave it to me. I asked God to protect my nation from defeat at the hands of a foreign enemy and He gave it to me. I asked God to…
The First Pillar of Islam: The Muslim Profession of Faith
All practicing Muslims accept belief in the ‘Six Articles of Faith’ and are obliged to follow the ‘Five Pillars.’ They are: 1. Muslim profession of faith orshahada. 2. Ritual Prayer or salah. 3. Obligatory Charity or zakah. 4. Fasting or sawm. 5. Pilgrimage or hajj. The First Pillar Muslim Profession of Faith The Shahada is the Muslim profession of faith and the first of the ‘Five Pillars’ of Islam. The word shahada in Arabic means ‘testimony.’ The shahada is…
Sufism
Introduction Whether it’s from a documentary on TV or a beautifully designed website, the majority have heard something about ‘Sufis’ and ‘Sufism’; programs on TV have aired, talk show hosts have made mention of them and politicians are taking a keen interest in this group… one has only to type the word ‘Sufi’ on any search engine to be overwhelmed with the videos and pictures that are available. In cyberspace one can view images and videos of Sufi mystics and…
What is Scientology?
(part 1 of 2): The Eclectic Religion Scientology has been called the world’s most significant new religion, and Scientologists themselves claim to draw on 50,000 years of wisdom. However apostates from Scientology claim it is a vicious, dangerous cult masquerading as a religion. No matter which description we choose, the fact remains that Scientology is a controversial, mysterious religious movement, with more than 10 million members in around 160 countries across the globe. In this series of articles, we hope…
Zoroastrianism
(part 1 of 2): Fire worshippers or monotheists? Zoroastrianism is defined by the Merriam Webster[1] online dictionary as a Persian religion founded in the sixth century B.C.E. by the prophet Zoroaster, promulgated in the Avesta, and characterized by worship of a supreme god, Ahura Mazda, who requires good deeds for help in his cosmic struggle against the evil spirit Ahriman. This is a rather limited definition that actually tells us very little about Zoroastrianism or Zoroaster (also known as Zarathustra)….