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◊ What is the Ka'ba?



The Ka'ba is the place of worship which God commanded Abraham and Ishmael to build over four thousand years ago. The building was constructed of stone on what many believe was the original site of a sanctuary established by Adam. God commanded Abraham to summon all mankind to visit this place, and when pilgrims go there today they say 'At Thy service, O Lord', in response to Abraham's summons.

The Prophet's Mosque, Madinah, the dome indicates the place where his house stood and where he is buried.

The Mountain of Light where Gabriel came to Prophet Muhammad

Hui Shen Mosque, China. Built in the 7th Century

	This opening chapter of The Quran, the Fatiha, is central in Islamic prayer. It contains the essence of The Quran and is recited during every prayer.

Pilgrims praying at the mosque in Makkah.

Pilgrim tents during Hajj.

If you want to listen the Quran go to this site


http://www.mp3quran.net/eng/s_gmd_english.html

What is Quran


The Quran is the constitution of the Muslims from which they derive the teachings which organize both their religious and everyday affairs. It differs from the previous Divine Books in the following ways:

• It is the last Divine Book which was revealed, and for that reason, Allah, the Exalted, promised to protect it from any distortion until the Last Day.
  Allah says:
  (Indeed, it is We who have sent down this Reminder [i.e., the Quran] and indeed, it is We who are its Guardian. ) (15:9)
  
• The Quran includes all the legislations which reform society and guarantees happiness for all in its implementation.
  
• The Quran has documented the stories of the Prophets and Messengers, and what happened between them and their peoples, from Adam till Muhammad, may Allah exalt his mention.
  
• It was revealed to all of mankind so that they would live a life of peace and happiness, and to take them out of darkness and bring them into the light.
  
• Reciting, memorizing and teaching it are acts of worship
  

Why become a muslim?


The reasons which make great number of people become Muslims.

• It is the last Divine Religion revealed to man.
  
• Islam recognizes previous divine revelations. On the other hand, Jews do not recognize Jesus, and the Christians do not recognize Muhammad; whereas, Muslims recognize Moses and Jesus, may Allah exalt their mention
  
• In Islam humans relates with their Lord in all matters and conditions.
  
• Islam is the only Religion which has not been distorted or changed.
  Harry G. Dorman said:
  'It (the Quran) is literal Revelation of God, dictated to Muhammad by Gabriel, perfect in every letter. It is an ever-present miracle witnessing to itself and to Muhammad, the Prophet of God. Its miraculous quality resides partly in its style, so perfect and lofty that neither man nor jinn could produce a single chapter to compare with its briefest chapter, and partly in its content of teachings, prophecies about the future, and amazingly accurate information such as the illiterate Muhammad could never have gathered of his own accord.'34
  
• Islam is the Religion which covers the material and spiritual aspects of life. It did not neglect even the slightest of things in a Muslim's life. Abdurrahmaan b. Zaid said that it was said to Salman:
  'Your Prophet has taught you everything, even how to relieve yourselves? Salman said: 'Of course, he forbade us to face the direction of the Qiblah while defecating or urinating, or to clean oneself with his right hand, or to use less than three stones, or to use bone or dung (to clean oneself).' (Muslim)
  W. Thomas Arnold said: 'Sense of justice is one of the most wonderful ideals of Islam, because as I read in the Quran I find those dynamic principles of life, not mystic but practical ethics for the daily conduct of life suited to the whole world.'
  
• Islam satisfies the man's bodily and spiritual needs in equilibrium. It refuses that one aspect be given precedence over the other.
  Prince Charles said:
  'Islam can teach us today a way of understanding and living in the world which Christianity itself is poorer for having lost. Islam refuses to separate man and nature, religion and science, mind and matter.'
  
• Islam does not conflict with man's intellect and natural disposition.
  
• 
  Islam is the Religion for humankind at large, regardless of their education, time and place which, in contrast to previous religions were sent to a specific people during a specific time. For example, if a person wants to become a Jew, he has to be born a Jew. Jesus said about Christianity: 'I was sent to the lost sheep of the Children of Israel.'
  

This copy of the Quran written with liquid gold on papyrus proves the Muslims concern for preserving the Quran.

One of the proofs that Islam is a universal religion and that it is fit for all people at all times, regardless of their race or language it is the word of God:
'O you who covers himself with a garment! Arise and warn. And your Lord glorify.' (74:1-3)
In these verses God commands His Prophet to openly call to Islam, so he called his people to worship God alone, and to cast aside all false deities. He was harmed by his people, yet he remained steadfast and merciful, he sent letters to the Kings of his time and invited them to accept Islam. Among those whom he wrote to were the Emperor of Rome, the Emperor of Persia, and the King of Abyssinia. If the message of Prophet Muhammad was not a universal one, he would not have invited the rulers of different kingdoms close to Arabia to accept Islam!
This would possibly open more than one front with adversaries who were well equipped and great in number. Why would he venture to do something like this, if it were not but a divine Message from God, which he was ordered to convey to mankind at large!
Translation : From Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, To the Negus, King of Abyssinia. Peace be upon him who follows the Guidance. I am grateful to Allah, there is no god but Him, and I bear witness that Jesus son of Mary was no more than a spirit created by Him, and His word («Be!» - and he was) which He bestowed on Mary, the Virgin, the good, the pure, so that she conceived Jesus. Allah created Him as He created Adam by His Hand. I call you to worship Allah Alone, and not to associate any partner with Him and (I call you) to His obedience and to follow me and to believe in that which was revealed to me, for I am the Messenger of Allah. I invite you and your men to Allah, the Exalted. I bear witness that I have communicated my message. I invite you to listen and accept my advice. Peace be upon him who follows true guidance.

The Messenger of God said: 'This matter (i.e. the religion of Islam) will become apparent as night and day. Every person in a city or desert area will come to know of this religion, by means of might or disgrace. Might by which Islam is honored and disgrace by which God disgraces disbelief.' (Ahmed)
Translation : I begin with the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the most Merciful. From Muhammad b. Abdullah the Messenger of God, to Heraclius the Emperor of Rome (He was the Emperor of the Byzantine Empire [610-641] who captured Syria, Palestine, and Egypt from Persia [613-628] ). Peace be upon him who follows the guidance. I call you to Islam. Accept Islam and you will be safe. God will give you your reward double-fold. If you forsake the message of God, you will carry the sin of all your followers. (Say: "O People of the Book! Come to common terms between us and you: that we worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with Him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than Allah. If then they turn back, say you: 'Bear witness that we are Muslims (submitting to Allah's Will).) (3:64)

Translation : I begin with the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the most Merciful. From Muhammad