WHO IS MUSLIM ?

Assalamo alykum wa Rehmatullahe wa Barakaatuh

WHO IS MUSLIM ?

Huge Topic, Bit lengthy but will be useful Insha’Allah. Definitions

According To the Quran

Creating Background

To understand something the first and foremost thing is to understand the basics of that study and the basics of any field is always general.
- But if the basics are strong you will never fluctuate in any of the advanced level of that study.
- Example:
- 2+2=4 is basic rule in mathematics and is known to every child. So if a Mathematician who is a great researcher comes with a theory which proves the base wrong then you need not be a scientist or PHD to say that there is a flaw that should be addressed.
- Like Law of Conservation of Energy is the basic law of nature or physics. But when Stephen hawking came with a theory of Black Holes which says it consumes everything and nothing is reflected then it had gone against the base rule. Scientists at that time too were not able to address the problem but they knew for sure that the theory is wrong in itself, later we got good clarification and hawking himself refused it but it took more than 20 yrs(Hawking's paradox).
- The Most important point is that the theory 2+2=4 and The Law of conservation of Energy and every other theory are the basic laws because we have 100 % proof of what we believe(Imaan) about the theory. So theory is never without proofs (Burhaan). And when we have 100% proof of something or some theory we are 100% satisfied (Momin). So in this condition when you are satisfied about the theory with enough evidences, even if the world tells you that 2+2=5, you will never implement 2+2=5 in your life(resisting falsehood) and someone comes in front of you with 2+2=5 then definitely your first reaction will be 'HOW' and you will start discussing that there is a flaw in your theory(Dawah).
- That's why the very first verse of Quran starts from 'Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds' which means you are at such a stage where you ponder on the universe and in yourself and found enough proofs and a voice comes from your heart that Definitely without doubt 'THE PRAISE IS FOR THE ONLY LORD' who created everything flawless. Like when you see a beautiful painting you immediately say 'What a beautiful painting the painter had created, can i have a privilege to meet him', so that is what the first verse is. If we do not understand it then it just becomes a lip service.
- Now the very important thing to understand is:

Lets's take two examples

Let's suppose Kaifi is 'HONEST' and 'TRUTHFUl'(MUSLIM). Then it definitely means that we are talking about his property and Kaifi does not have two identities. Honesty is attribute which can be understood by means of a few rules:

He is truthful.
He does not speaks lie even in worst cases.
Even if his parents tell him to lie he will not.
Whenever there is a conflict and people wants to get witness they prefer kaifi over others.
Many More....

Kaifi is a 'LIER'(MUNAFIQ - HYPOCRITE).

He is a lier if he lies.
He promises many things and never fullfill them.
His lips say great things but he never implements himself.
Many More....

Now without doubt anybody can know whether Kaifi is an Honest and Truthfull guy or a Lier based on the basic principles. And these rules are common for everyone. The properties of being a 'HONEST AND TRUTHFUL' guy and the properties of being a 'LIER' is told.
Anybody falling in these categories whether he is born in any family, race, color, language (It does not matter) he will be called a 'HONEST AND TRUTHFULL' OR A 'LIER'.
So it is very Important to understand that 'MUSLIM', 'MUNAFIQ', 'KAFIR', 'MUSHRIQ' are properties which can be conceived by any human being and the laws which define what are the properties of being a 'MUSLIM', 'MUNAFIQ', 'KAFIR', 'MUSHRIQ' are given by the CREATOR because the laws can only be given by the CREATOR because he created everything and he knows THAT WHAT WILL HARM YOU IN A LONGER RUN(WHICH YOU MAY DISCOVER WITH TRIAL AND ERRORS AND BY LOOSING LIVES AND HARMING OTHERS). Like if you create a motor bike with five gears, 1 is in front and 4 backwards then you will tell that 'IF YOU HIT BACK GEAR YOU THEN IT WILL NOT BE THE 1rst GEAR', AND '1 IS IN FRONT' ETC.

MUSLIM

The definition is 'He who submits his will to ALLAH'. Muslim and Islam are made of same Arabic roots meaning 'PEACE' which comes only when you are satisfied internally, socially, universally. Which obviously means you have enough proofs.
That is why Quran had called Trees, Birds, and things in universe as Muslims because they never go against law.
Ibrahim(a.s) journey towards belief(Iman) in Allah The Great is wonderfully explained in Quran. Where at first he starts pondering on to the universe and rejecting false even though he was the son of the highest Priest. And thinks that sun is the Star is the God, then Moon is the God, then Sun but with an open mind and highest thinking he came to the conclusion of the ultimate reality the MOST HIGH and that was the moment when ALLAH said Ya Ibrahim become my MUSLIM.
So when did he became Muslim is a thought to be considered.
So whole of the Quran mentions the property of Being A MUSLIM.
You are a MUSLIM only if YOU ARE A MUSLIM BY CHOICE.

MUNAFIQ

The Most important Ayah In context of MUNAFIQ(HYPOCRITE) is Quran 2:8-9.

Quran 2:8,9 - 'And of the People are some who say,"We believe in Allah and the Last day," but they are not believers’. ‘They Deceive Allah and those who believe, but they deceive not except themselves and percieve it not'.

It goes again for everyone. He may be a Muslim or anyone.
That's why it was mentioned in a hadith that once Hazrat Umar(r.a.) once felt whether he became a munafiq and was frightened with the very thought.
It was the assessment of his deeds and Iman which made him think so which he could never be.
But our whole life goes without thinking whether i am a Muslim or Munafiq or what?

KAFIR

Is made from 'K','F','R' Arabic roots which have three meanings.

Denier (Denying after knowing) - Denier is the one who knows and then deny. The reason could be anything often it is Ego. Nobody is denier until he does not know. That means it had to be proved with more than sufficient proofs that what is what. At the time of Prophet there was not a single man who denied because he did not knew. Everybody knew that he was a true prophet either by their scriptures or by internal proofs or universal proofs. And i personally never found a Hadith in which he said someone a Kafir or Munafiq.
One Who Hides the Truth - Truth is often hidden by people who knows that they have The Truth. Which Often Falls on So called Muslims.
Not Thankful (NaShukri) - A person is not thankful if he does not know the capabilities he is having and never wants to know. A person who does not care in a least Bit. This also goes on so called Muslims.

All the Properties are mentioned by Allah Subhan-o-Tala in Quran. And whoever falls in the laws mentioned had done Kufr.

WISDOM

Often I think if ALLAH the most Great is with us then why is the condition of MUSLIMS is as is today.
Beloved Prophet said 'He is not a MUSLIM, by whom his neighbours are Distorted or worried', 'Momin aur Kufr ke beech Namaz Deewar hai','When asked whose Islam is best, replied the one who does not harm his brother neither through his hands nor through his tongue' and thousands more....
Sahaba were the examples of Muslims (or even greater Momin) and i do not find a single evidence in which they fall out of the rules of Allah Azwajjal. And Allah was with Them and they conquered their innerselves(nafs) and the world through peace and love.
- So I have to decide who i am?
So I have to become a MUSLIM as prescribed by ALLAH until then the tables will not turn. And until then i may be a Munafiq because if i fall under the laws of Munafiq mentioned by ALLAH then i have to repent and make TAUBA and return towards ALLAH and become a best MUSLIM.

Huge Topic, Bit lengthy but will be useful InshaAllah. Definitions According To the Quran:

Muslim

Creating Background

To understand something the first and foremost thing is to understand the basics of that study and the basics of any field is always general.
- But if the basics are strong you will never fluctuate in any of the advanced level of that study.
- Example:
- 2+2=4 is basic rule in mathematics and is known to every child. So if a Mathematician who is a great researcher comes with a theory which proves the base wrong then you need not be a scientist or PHD to say that there is a flaw that should be addressed.
- Like Law of Conservation of Energy is the basic law of nature or physics. But when Stephen hawking came with a theory of Black Holes which says it consumes everything and nothing is reflected then it had gone against the base rule. Scientists at that time too were not able to address the problem but they knew for sure that the theory is wrong in itself, later we got good clarification and hawking himself refused it but it took more than 20 yrs(Hawking's paradox).
- The Most important point is that the theory 2+2=4 and The Law of conservation of Energy and every other theory are the basic laws because we have 100 % proof of what we believe(Imaan) about the theory. So theory is never without proofs (Burhaan). And when we have 100% proof of something or some theory we are 100% satisfied (Momin). So in this condition when you are satisfied about the theory with enough evidences, even if the world tells you that 2+2=5, you will never implement 2+2=5 in your life(resisting falsehood) and someone comes in front of you with 2+2=5 then definitely your first reaction will be 'HOW' and you will start discussing that there is a flaw in your theory(Dawah).
- That's why the very first verse of Quran starts from 'Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds' which means you are at such a stage where you ponder on the universe and in yourself and found enough proofs and a voice comes from your heart that Definitely without doubt 'THE PRAISE IS FOR THE ONLY LORD' who created everything flawless. Like when you see a beautiful painting you immediately say 'What a beautiful painting the painter had created, can i have a privilege to meet him', so that is what the first verse is. If we do not understand it then it just becomes a lip service.
- Now the very important thing to understand is:

Lets's take two examples

Let's suppose Kaifi is 'HONEST' and 'TRUTHFUl'(MUSLIM). Then it definitely means that we are talking about his property and Kaifi does not have two identities. Honesty is attribute which can be understood by means of a few rules:

He is truthful.
He does not speak lie even in worst cases.
Even if his parents tell him to lie he will not.
Whenever there is a conflict and people wants to get witness they prefer kaifi over others.
Many More....

Kaifi is a 'LIER'(MUNAFIQ - HYPOCRITE).

He is a liar if he lies.
He promises many things and never fullfill them.
His lips say great things but he never implements himself.
Many More....

Now without doubt anybody can know whether Kaifi is an Honest and Truthfull guy or a Lier based on the basic principles. And these rules are common for everyone. The properties of being a 'HONEST AND TRUTHFUL' guy and the properties of being a 'LIER' is told.
Anybody falling in these categories whether he is born in any family, race, color, language (It does not matter) he will be called a 'HONEST AND TRUTHFULL' OR A 'LIER'.
So it is very Important to understand that 'MUSLIM', 'MUNAFIQ', 'KAFIR', 'MUSHRIQ' are properties which can be conceived by any human being and the laws which define what are the properties of being a 'MUSLIM', 'MUNAFIQ', 'KAFIR', 'MUSHRIQ' are given by the CREATOR because the laws can only be given by the CREATOR because he created everything and he knows THAT WHAT WILL HARM YOU IN A LONGER RUN(WHICH YOU MAY DISCOVER WITH TRIAL AND ERRORS AND BY LOOSING LIVES AND HARMING OTHERS). Like if you create a motor bike with five gears, 1 is in front and 4 backwards then you will tell that 'IF YOU HIT BACK GEAR YOU THEN IT WILL NOT BE THE 1rst GEAR', AND '1 IS IN FRONT' ETC.

MUSLIM

The definition is 'He who submits his will to ALLAH'. Muslim and Islam are made of same Arabic roots meaning 'PEACE' which comes only when you are satisfied internally, socially, universally. Which obviously means you have enough proofs.
That is why Quran had called Trees, Birds, and things in universe as Muslims because they never go against law.
Ibrahim(a.s) journey towards belief(Iman) in Allah The Great is wonderfully explained in Quran. Where at first he starts pondering on to the universe and rejecting false even though he was the son of the highest Priest. And thinks that sun is the Star is the God, then Moon is the God, then Sun but with an open mind and highest thinking he came to the conclusion of the ultimate reality the MOST HIGH and that was the moment when ALLAH said Ya Ibrahim become my MUSLIM.
So when did he became Muslim is a thought to be considered.
So whole of the Quran mentions the property of Being A MUSLIM.
You are a MUSLIM only if YOU ARE A MUSLIM BY CHOICE.

MUNAFIQ

The Most important Ayah In context of MUNAFIQ(HYPOCRITE) is Quran 2:8-9.

Quran 2:8,9 - 'And of the People are some who say,"We believe in Allah and the Last day," but they are not believers’. ‘They Deceive Allah and those who believe, but they deceive not except themselves and percieve it not'.

It goes again for everyone. He may be a Muslim or anyone.
That's why it was mentioned in a hadith that once Hazrat Umar(r.a.) once felt whether he became a munafiq and was frightened with the very thought.
It was the assessment of his deeds and Iman which made him think so which he could never be.
But our whole life goes without thinking whether i am a Muslim or Munafiq or what?

KAFIR

Is made from 'K','F','R' Arabic roots which have three meanings.

Denier (Denying after knowing) - Denier is the one who knows and then deny. The reason could be anything often it is Ego. Nobody is denier until he does not know. That means it had to be proved with more than sufficient proofs that what is what. At the time of Prophet there was not a single man who denied because he did not knew. Everybody knew that he was a true prophet either by their scriptures or by internal proofs or universal proofs. And i personally never found a Hadith in which he said someone a Kafir or Munafiq.
One Who Hides the Truth - Truth is often hidden by people who knows that they have The Truth. Which Often Falls on So called Muslims.
Not Thankful (NaShukri) - A person is not thankful if he does not know the capabilities he is having and never wants to know. A person who does not care in a least Bit. This also goes on so called Muslims.

All the Properties are mentioned by Allah Subhan-o-Tala in Quran. And whoever falls in the laws mentioned had done Kufr.

WISDOM

Often I think if ALLAH the most Great is with us then why is the condition of MUSLIMS is as is today.
Beloved Prophet said 'He is not a MUSLIM, by whom his neighbours are Distorted or worried', 'Momin aur Kufr ke beech Namaz Deewar hai','When asked whose Islam is best, replied the one who does not harm his brother neither through his hands nor through his tongue' and thousands more....
Sahaba were the examples of Muslims (or even greater Momin) and i do not find a single evidence in which they fall out of the rules of Allah Azwajjal. And Allah was with Them and they conquered their innerselves(nafs) and the world through peace and love.
- So I have to decide who i am?
So I have to become a MUSLIM as prescribed by ALLAH until then the tables will not turn. And until then i may be a Munafiq because if i fall under the laws of Munafiq mentioned by ALLAH then i have to repent and make TAUBA and return towards ALLAH and become a best MUSLIM.

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Compiled edited and adapted by Khalid Latif.

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WHO IS MUSLIM ?