In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Imam As-Sadi [may Allah have mercy upon him] said:
All praise be to Allah; we praise Him, seek His Help, seek His Forgiveness, and repent to Him. We seek refuge in Allah from the evils of ourselves and the evils of our actions. Whoever Allah guides, none can misguide, and whoever Allah allows to stray (due to a perversion in their heart), there is no guide for such a person. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah, alone without a partner; and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him].
To proceed: Indeed, the religion of Islam conveyed by Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] is the most complete and greatest of religions, the loftiest and most exalted. It possesses beautiful traits, perfection, righteousness, mercy, justice, and wisdom, all of which attest to Allah’s perfection, His All-Encompassing Knowledge, and Wisdom. It attests to the fact that Allah’s Prophet is a true Messenger of His, as well as a truthful and trustworthy one who does not speak out of his own desires; rather [إن هو إلا وحي يوحى – It (the Qur’an and Sunnah) is only an Inspiration that is inspired (to him)]. [Surah An-Najm. Aayah 4]
My goal with this annotation is to show – based on what I know – the basis of the virtues of this magnificent religion, even though my understanding and awareness would be severely lacking (as I endeavour to) express the majesty, beauty, and perfection that is contained in it. My remarks would be inadequate in explaining it in general, let alone in depth. However, if something is not fully understood and its aim cannot be reached or is only partially reached, a person should not discard what one knows from it due to the inability to understand what one does not know, because Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capability. Allah said: [فاتقوا الله ما استطعتم – So fear Allah as much as you can]. [Surah Al-Taghabun. Ayah 16]
Acquaintance with this knowledge (i.e. Islam’s outstanding characteristics) provides numerous benefits, including the following:
Engaging in this topic, which is the most honourable and elevated topic, is one of the most virtuous and righteous deeds. Acquaintance with it, searching for it, reflecting on it, and choosing every avenue that leads to it is the best thing that a servant of Allah can be preoccupied with, and the time spent on it is in one’s favour rather than the reverse.
One of the greatest of good deeds, which Allah and His Messenger have commanded, is to acknowledge and speak about Allah’s blessings. There is no question that the research in this matter is a recognition, a discourse, and a contemplation regarding Allah’s loftiest blessings which He has bestowed on His servants, and that is the Islamic religion, apart from which no other religion is approved by Allah. Thus, this discourse serves as means of thanking Allah for His blessings and requesting more of them.
People’s levels of faith and perfection vary greatly, therefore the faith and certainty of a servant of Allah becomes stronger the more they understand this religion, rejoice in it, revere, and adore it since it is evidence of all the fundamentals of faith and its principles.
Explaining Islam’s virtues, which are recognised by everyone of upright natural inclination and intellect, is one of the greatest invitations to the religion. If men (Footnote a) call to this religion while explaining its realities and welfare, that would be completely sufficient in attracting the people to it without much need to confront the opponents’ doubts and refutation of the religions that oppose Islam because of what they would see regarding its agreement with the welfare for both religious and worldly affairs, rectification of deeds and hearts. That is because Islam repels all doubts that contradict it, and it is truth backed by precise explanations and proofs that lead to certainty. If some of the proofs about this religion are revealed, it becomes the most compelling cause for its acceptance and will be preferred above other (paths). (Footnote b) (1)
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Footnote a:
Footnote b:
The Religion Is Protected Through Detailing Truth and Refutation Against All Callers to Misguidance
The Religion Is Established Through Clarification of Truth And Refutation Against Falsehood – [A Brief Faa’idah By Shaikh Abdullaah Al-Bukhaari]
[Ref 1: An Excerpt from Ad-Durar Al-Mukhtasar Fee Mahaasin Ad-Deen Al-Islaamiy. pages 5-9. slightly paraphrased]
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