Definition of Muslim

[JBJ]

Salaam Alaikum,

I've heard many various things about what defines a Muslim. Some seeking Allah, some say keeping the 5 pillars, and I think all agree on at least repeating the shahada. Is the a reference in the Qur'an or hadith that says what the definition is?

[Huda]

A Muslim is a word which in arabic which means one who submits. A Muslim is anyone who believes in Allah as the one true god, and submits himself to the Will of Allah.

How do you become a muslim?? Simply by saying the Shahada.. but saying the shahada is not just words... if u believe in Allah.. why in the world then would u not follow what he told u??

There is a story that the prophet peace be upon him was visited by Gabriel...and Gabriel(looking like a man) said to the prophet: "What is islam?" And the prophet peace be upon him said: Islam is to believe in Allah as the one true god, and to believe in Mohammad as the prophet of Allah; to perform prayers, fast Ramadan, pay charity (alms tax) and perform Hajj (pilgrimage).

This shows that all the pillars and the belief are interconnected. Gabriel then asked what is Belief?!! To which the prophet peace be upon him said: "Belief is to believe in Allah, his angels, his books, his prophets, the day of judgement and Fait (or Destiny ... not exactly but this is the closest i could get).

So to be a muslim u need the five pillars... but the five pillars already contain shahada. Shahada already contains the 6 articles of faith. Islam is a complete way of life.. u don't take a part of it and leave the rest. Its a complete system.. u either take it all or u leave it all. Allah doesn't accept that we take the parts we like and leave that which we don't. This indeed isn't belief in Allah. If you believe in Allah.. you won't argue.. that's it. For any muslim, once u pass this level (the things i mentioned above) anyone should come and say to you the prophet peace be upon him said this...and even it doesn't make sense to you... as a muslim we say: "I heard and I shall obey". That is called submission!

To submit means to obey everything Allah ordered us with, which includes good manners, good conduct, acts of worship, honesty, sincerity.. etc

i'd also be interested to see what other members think of a muslim.

[khalid sawani]

SALAM TO THOSE WHO FOLLOW GUIDENCE

Muslim a arabic word derived from root word SILM which means nose string (bridle} of a camel as arabs use to say MUSLIM to a camel with bridle because all the commands of that camel are in to the hands of owner of that camel, The camle is having no choice with him to walk ,to sit or move or turn ,all camel will have to do according to the wills of its owner
This further clearifes meaning of MUSLIM one who is obidient.
Here I will like to clearify one big misunderstanding regarding 5 pillars i.e shuada,salat,saoum,zakat and Hajj. Majority of population thinks that one who does all 5 is muslim and will definitely go in jannah. I agree on this partially not fully becouse there are many more command of Allah in the quran and thro’ hadith which are also obligatry , they are like enjoin right and forbid evils, spread islam,fear Allah,make efforts (jihaad) ,keep patience during hard , join true people,teach others with wisdom, there are many more verses where our lord orders what to do and what not, every thing is mentioned
All what is in quran has to be followed then why we commonly say or believe that one who perform on 5 is muslim ? This is very big ignorance among ummah as what all is revealed by Allah is obligatry on our part TO AGREE WITH TOUNGE, TO CONFIRM IT BY HEART,AND TO DO IT PRACTICALLY BY OUR ORGANS
Then what is the so important of 5 pillars ? The 5 pillars are compulsary on time as compare to other orders by Allah – I mean
1…tawheed all the time
2…salat 5 time when it is time for each
3…saoum once in year during Ramdhan for 29/30 days
4…zakat once every year if capable 2.5%
5…hajj once in life if capable
but other commands from Allah and apostle are also compulsary when ever and where ever needed there is no time bound,no limit bound -like salat (rakah) or zakat 2.5% or saoum 29/30 days- but then also they are compulsary as Allah says in Quran

1. The response of the believers, when they are invited to Allah and His Apostle that he may judge between them, is only to say: We hear and we obey; and these it is that are the successful –24/51

2 And be not like those who said, We hear, and they did not obey.-8/21

One more verse in quran where Allah says to believers (ie muamin) to become muslim

O you who believe! Enter perfectly in Islâm (by obeying all the rules and regulations of the Islâmic religion) and follow not the footsteps of Shaitân (Satan). Verily! He is to you a plain enemy—2/208

O you who believe! be careful of (your duty to) Allah with the care which is due to Him, and do not die unless you are Muslims –3/102


this means that the person saying sahada is believer and one after saying sahada starts getting knowledge and obeying without making excuses is a MUSLIM

as Allah says in quran
Do not make excuses; you have denied indeed after you had believed; if We pardon a party of you, We will chastise (another) party because they are guilty.-9/66

this is all what I know about MUSLIM

KHALID….

[JBJ]

Salaam Huda,

Where did you get that hadith from? Is it authentic? I only wonder because in it Gabriel says that Islam is believing in the Prophet (and other things) but I've heard many times that everyone is born into Islam, yet everyone isn't born knowing about Muhammad. #2, Adam didn't know about Muhammad. Or did he? (Please no one quote me the GOB on that.)

[Huda]

Everyone knows the hadith of the pillars of islam... yes it is authentic...
Bukhari Volume 1, Book 2, Number 7:

Narrated Ibn 'Umar:

Allah's Apostle said: Islam is based on (the following) five (principles):

1. To testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is Allah's Apostle.

2. To offer the (compulsory congregational) prayers dutifully and perfectly.

3. To pay Zakat (i.e. obligatory charity) .

4. To perform Hajj. (i.e. Pilgrimage to Mecca)

5. To observe fast during the month of Ramadan. ]


Bukhari Volume 1, Book 2, Number 47:
Narrated Abu Huraira:

One day while the Prophet was sitting in the company of some people, (The angel) Gabriel came and asked, "What is faith?" Allah's Apostle replied, 'Faith is to believe in Allah, His angels, (the) meeting with Him, His Apostles, and to believe in Resurrection." Then he further asked, "What is Islam?" Allah's Apostle replied, "To worship Allah Alone and none else, to offer prayers perfectly to pay the compulsory charity (Zakat) and to observe fasts during the month of Ramadan." Then he further asked, "What is Ihsan (perfection)?" Allah's Apostle replied, "To worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you cannot achieve this state of devotion then you must consider that He is looking at you." Then he further asked, "When will the Hour be established?" Allah's Apostle replied, "The answerer has no better knowledge than the questioner. But I will inform you about its portents.

1. When a slave (lady) gives birth to her master.

2. When the shepherds of black camels start boasting and competing with others in the construction of higher buildings. And the Hour is one of five things which nobody knows except Allah.

The Prophet then recited: "Verily, with Allah (Alone) is the knowledge of the Hour--." (31. 34) Then that man (Gabriel) left and the Prophet asked his companions to call him back, but they could not see him. Then the Prophet said, "That was Gabriel who came to teach the people their religion." Abu 'Abdullah said: He (the Prophet) considered all that as a part of faith.


hope this helps

[khalid sawani]

SALAM TO THOSE WHO FOLLOW GUIDENCE
Deae JBJ
This is nothing but a communication gap between you and Huda
I’ll take a chance to say something more
Yes there is no authentic hadeeth saying that past prophets(peace be upon them) gave witness confirming Moahammed(pbuh) as Allah’s apostle.
There are two reasons for that
1…they themselves were apostle and they had laws from Allah with them
2…it was compulsary on people of their time to accept them as a prophet so they were mentioning their names when they take sahada as this was part of thir faith

but all of them claimed themselves as MUSLIM ( as they had submitted their wills) and their true followers (at their time)were also called MUSLIMS see in the quran

Now when last Prophet Mohammed pbuh. (who is prophet till last day) arrived all who exist during his time will have to witness him as prophet because this is part of their faith and one who denie this (out of jealousy,ego,ignorence,proud,prejudice)is not muslim because he is not submitting , this exactly same which Iblees did he refused to bow Adam due to jealous and ego feelings and brought hell for himself

The hadith which is presented by Huda are for us who exist during prophethood of Mohammed pbuh

I hope this clears doubts
Something more I would like to mention in this issue

Every where in quran I found Allah ordering all commands to BELIEVERS also at one place Allha says to the believers to become muslim, this is the point to be noted
This means that a person after saying witness he become BELIEVER not MUSLIM . He will become Muslim only when he will agree with heart, say with mouth and act with body onto each and every command of his lord Allah, commands which are revealed thro’ vahi to moahmmed pbuh
One other important thing that there is a category of muslims near Allah, who obey more is more muslim and will get more rewards
There are group of people who feel that Allah is big forgiver and will forgive then they are also not true because they are unalbe to keep balance between LOVE ,HOPE and FEAR . there is authentic hadeeth from prophet pbuh which says that one who leave salat is has done KUFR(disbelief) . How Allah almighty the most just will forgive all unbelieves ,rejectors of truth,denials of practice and make unjust to those who sacrificed themself for truth
There is another sound hadeeth from Mahammed pbuh that one who reject what I told is rejecting me as Allah’s prophet

Allah in the quran says that these people are non believers…

But no! by your Lord! they do not believe (in reality) until they make you a judge of that which has become a matter of disagreement among them, and then do not find any straitness in their hearts as to what you have decided and submit with entire submission. …4/65

In quran Allah says at many places that he who obeyed massanger obeyed Allah indeed

All creation of Allah almighty are muslim because they obey Allah and do their duty which Allah has given them ie sun,moon trees, wind, earth , birds and animals ,clouds, angles, mountains,rivers .They all perform their job and praise Allah all the time they never violate or transgress and there will no question to them on the day of QUIAHMAH (this from quran and auth.hadeeth}
Only we humans who violate,transgress,reject truth and do according to our silly desieres after knowing truth and and that’s why we will have to reply on last day and will be given reward of our deeds

OUR DUTY IS FROM ALLAH IS TO ENJOIN GOOD AND FORBID EVILS AND SPREAD ALLAH'S WORD

Nor can you be a guide to the blind out of their error; you cannot make to bear (any one) except those who believe in Our communications,and become muslims ..27/81

MAY ALLAH HELP US TO KNOW TRUTH AND OBEY

KHALID....

[BinZiad]

Peace to all members!

Very good points from everyone..

I will provide this link to the aqeedah issue, expanding on the issue of 'what' makes a muslim or what we believe in.

Take a loook;

>http://66.34.131.5/ISLAM/misc/tahawi.htm

"..While the permanent relevance of the statements of belief in al-'Aqidah is obvious, the historical weight and point of certain of these statements can be properly appreciated only if the work is used as a text for study under the guidance of some learned person able to elucidate its arguments fully, with reference to the intellectual and historical background of the sects refuted in the work. Such study helps one to better understand the Islamic doctrines and avoid the deviations of the past or the present. ...."

Read and findout what are the essential beliefs in islam to be regarded as a muslim.

..........

[JBJ]

Salaam alaikum guys,

Thanks to all, that's filled me in. So I would be right in saying that the shahada alone is far too little to be a Muslim? That was my main question.

JBJ

[Lulua]

Assalaamu alaikum ya muslimeen.

Greetings and good day.

I think that it would be safe to say, JBJ...that to say the shahadah is the basis of being a muslim. It is the basic defining line, yet it is not all there is to it.

Perhaps similar to being a Christian. I mean..wasn't it you...or was it someone else...who mentioned in another thread in another forum...that ... ummm...who was it ... Peter? .. said something like 'faith alone does not determine a Christian' (sorry...know it is not exact quote. I have done so much reading the past couple days of these forums...cannot recall which thread...and so many responses on those threads...don't know now which response it would have been in ) Anyways...the gist of it was that faith alone...without the actions which define and expand on that faith...is of little worth. And...on the other hand...so actions without faith as the basic underlying current are of little worth. There has to be the right combination, and that combination starts with the faith (for a muslim that means to state the shahadah with full belief in what that message of the shahadah stands for)...and then to eminate that faith by deeds and acts which demonstrate that faith in daily life...for as long as the person lives.

This is what classifies a muslim.

Now...even for those muslims who do not put the religion into practice...that does not necessarily mean that they are not muslims. That is something not for us to be judgemental about. That is left for Allah...to judge the results of each person's accounts. There are many muslims who do not pray, perhaps do not fast, or perhaps do not do many of the things that a muslim is commanded to do, and should be doing. Yet ... does that mean that they are not muslim? They are muslim...and they will be judged accordingly...as muslims...who have rejected the signs and commands of what they were given of the message. Allah knows best.

I hope that this helps to get the point across.

Lulua.

[khalid sawani]

>Assalaamu alaikum to those who follow truth

SISTER

this type of belief may make weak muslims more weaker

do you have any quranic verse or authentic hadith favoring ur statement

prophet (pbuh) said that one who leaves salat has done kufr

kufr means muslim or non muslim ?

what does this ayah of quran mean ?

yusuf 106 --
most of them will believe in allah and also assosiate partners with him
shirk ( associating partners) is forgivable ?

how so called lazy and weak muslim will perform duty of dawah (obgligatry) on each ?

if some one born in muslim family is his own effort ?
If he will get Jannah only for this then what is fault with jew or hindoo as Allah did not gave him birth in muslim family ?

otherwise he would also devloped himself as so called muslim and claimed jannah

after knowing each and every proof exposed very clearly we can never say that it is upto Allah as we know from quran and sunnah that what Allah likes, what Allah dislikes, what he will do and what he will not

if we do not practice being muslim then who will practice ?
if some one else will practice then why we claim rewards ?

don't you know hadith that person refuging to do amal(to act on)is indirectly refusing Allah and his apostle

kufr mean to refuse and kafir is for bidden for jannah

yes if you have a valid reason then it is forgivable if Allah wishes

I hope this clears the doubts
I wish you read my previous post in this thread againg as there are many quotations from quran and sunnah

wassaalamoalykum

KHALID..

[servant_of_Allah]

Assalamu Alaykum brother !

I have read the hadith you are talking about.

However, brother, i was bemused by the fact that you did not mention that there is a difference of opinion amongst scholars on the interpretation of the hadith.

The hadith which we are discussing is :
"The barrier between iman and kufr is leaving Salaah".

Scholars like Imam al Shafi'i, Imam Abu Hanifa and Imam Malik interpreted "leaving Salaah" as "not considering it compulsory anymore". Whereas Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal interpreted it as "refusing to perform it in its due time without an excuse."

I follow the former opinion. And Allah knows best.

Therefore, if sister Lulua or anyone else follows the former opinion (i.e. the opinion of Imam al Shafi'i, etc.), then, i believe no one should object. And Allah knows best.

Wassalamu Alaykum,
servant of Allah.




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[khalid sawani]

walaykum ##### salmm ww

this all depend upon your intentions as


I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended. So whoever emigrated for worldly benefits or for a woman to marry, his emigration was for what he emigrated for."

and what I mean to say some one after knowing truth intentionally or in fear of other then Allah leaves that and refuse put in practice then he is not muslim ( obidient)

see only valid reasons behind leaving anything that Allah has revealed will be aacceptable

and after all Allah knows INTENTIONS very well

wallahu alam

KHALID...