Chapter 23: The Five Pillars of Islam_The Breeze of Dusk with the Scent of Musk

In the Rainbow City in the Silk Province in the Star Kingdom, Mohammad Azzumurrud, the Arab and Muslim Koran memorizer, is still sharing his knowledge with his twenty Chinese friends (Yueliang Jian, Taiyang Jian, Junjie Song, Liling Heng, Mei Shun, Ji Biming, An Bo, Chang Dequan, Cong Fai, Jiang Qi, Wen Yu, Zhong Ming, Guotin Chuanli, Baozhai Aiguo, Chyou Bolin, Daiyu Chaoxiang, Fen Huizhong, Ju Jianyu, Nuo Park and Shu Qianfan) in regular knowledge sharing sessions held at the Merlin School. Mohammad has started teaching his friends about the basics and fundamentals of Islam. He told his friends that Islam is the paramount and most delicious fruit of the Arabic and Islamic civilization and that he/she who misses the knowledge of Islam misses the greatest treasure of the Arabic and Islamic civilization.

The Five Pillars of Islam

Islam is built on five pillars and these are: 1) The Witness: a Muslim bears witness that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. 2) Establishing the prayer: a Muslim prays to Allah five times a day. 3) Paying Zakat (obligatory charity). 4) Fasting the month of Ramadan. 5) The pilgrimage to the Holy Mosque in Makkah.

These pillars were mentioned in one famous Hadeeth where Prophet Muhammad said: “Islam has been built on five [pillars]: testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing the prayer, paying the Zakat (obligatory charity), making the pilgrimage to the House, and fasting in Ramadan.”

[BH-1][BH-2].

Pillar 1: The Witness

To bear witness that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah is the key to embrace and enter Islam. This Witness has glorious meanings and implications. The meaning and implication of believing that “There is no God but Allah” is that you only worship Allah and believe that all gods worshipped instead of Allah are completely false and do not deserve any worship. The meaning and implication of believing that “Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah” is that you only worship Allah according to the way He ordained for Prophet Muhammad which is Islam, the only true religion. Islam in Arabic means submission to Allah. By believing that Allah is your only God and that Muhammad is the final Prophet and Messenger of Allah, you declare that you will submit to Allah and obey the instructions of Allah that Allah revealed to Prophet Muhammad in the Holy Koran and the Honorable Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad. Islam is the religion of perfect obedience to Allah. To obey Allah, you must obey Prophet Muhammad because he represents the perfect example of understanding the Islamic knowledge and applying Islam. Allah only accepts the religion of Islam and does not accept any other religion or philosophy. Allah said in the Holy Koran:

“Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam...” [THK: S 3: V 19].

“And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers. (85)” [THK: S 3: V 85].

“And obey Allah and the Messenger (Muhammad) that you may obtain mercy. (132)” [THK: S 3: V 132].

“He who obeys the Messenger (Muhammad), has indeed obeyed Allah, but he who turns away, then we have not sent you (O Muhammad) as a watcher over them. (80)” [THK: S 4: V 80].

Obeying Allah is the essence of worshipping Allah. The purpose of life is worshipping Allah Alone. Allah said in the Holy Koran:

“And I (Allah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone). (56) I seek not any provision from them (i.e. provision for themselves or for My creatures) nor do I ask that they should feed Me (i.e. feed themselves or My creatures). (57) Verily, Allah is the All-Provider, Owner of Power, the Most Strong. (58)” [THK: S 51: V 56-58].

In Islam, the concept of worshipping Allah is broad and includes any good word or deed if the intention of the person is to please Allah. For example, praying to Allah is one form of worship, removing garbage from people’s way is a second form of worship, having a sexual intercourse between a husband and a wife is a third form of worship, etc.

Allah taught Muslims to worship Him Alone with the combination of these three pillars: love, hope and fear. These pillars establish the ideal and perfect worship of Allah and ensure that the human soul is kept in equilibrium. Ibn Alqayyim, one of the greatest Muslim scholars, described the journey of a Muslim to his Lord, Allah, as a bird whose head is love, and whose two wings are hope and fear [AB-14]. Without love, the bird is dead, and without hope or fear, the bird’s balance is lost and it becomes an easy prey to predators. To worship Allah Alone, you must first have pure love in your heart for Allah that emanates from the true and authentic knowledge of Allah. The true and authentic knowledge of Allah only can be found in the Revelation of Allah which is the Holy Koran and the Honorable Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad. Worshipping Allah with hope springs from the knowledge of the Beauty Attributes of Allah such as being the Merciful, the Beneficent, the Loving, etc. Worshipping Allah with fear springs from the knowledge of the Majesty Attributes of Allah such as the Mighty, the Severe in punishment, the Lord of vengeance. Worshipping Allah with hope and fear has practical fruits in daily life. In other words, worshipping Allah with hope encourages one to do and grow the good deeds to please Allah and win His rewards in this life and in the Hereafter (Paradise) whereas worshipping Allah with fear deters one from doing bad or evil deeds that pollute his/her soul and the society and subject him/her to the punishment of Allah in this life and in the Hereafter (Hellfire).

The paramount fruit of worshipping Allah Alone and obeying His instructions in the Holy Koran and the Honorable Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad will be in the Hereafter on the Day of Judgment when a Muslim enters Paradise as a reward for his obedience to Allah and Prophet Muhammad in this life. On the other hand, the paramount fruit of disobeying Allah and Prophet Muhammad will be in the Hereafter on the Day of Judgment when a disbeliever (a non-Muslim who rejects to embrace Islam) who disobeyed Allah and Prophet Muhammad will be punished in Hell. Allah said in the Holy Koran:

“These are the limits (set by) Allah (or ordainments as regards laws of inheritance), and whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad) will be admitted to Gardens under which rivers flow (in Paradise), to abide therein, and that will be the great success. (13) And whosoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad), and transgresses His limits, He will cast him into the Fire, to abide therein; and he shall have a disgraceful torment. (14)” [THK: S 4: V 13-14].

Pillar 2: The Prayer

The second greatest pillar of Islam is establishing the prayer. The prayer is the closest connection and communication between the Muslim and Allah. It is the essence of worshipping Allah. A wise Muslim scholar said: “If you want to speak to Allah, pray; and if you want Allah to speak to you, read the Holy Koran.” In the prayer, the Muslim recites some verses from the Holy Koran in addition to the remembrance of Allah and certain predefined supplications to Allah that Prophet Muhammad taught Muslims. When done properly, attentively, mindfully and with earnest humility, the prayer greatly strengthens the Islamic faith of a Muslim and lets him/her taste the matchless pleasure and sweetness of speaking to Allah, communicating with Allah and worshipping Allah Alone. Allah ordered Muslims in many verses in the Holy Koran to establish the prayer. This is one such verse:

“So establish regular Prayer and give regular Charity: and obey the Messenger; that ye may receive mercy. (56)” [THK: S 24: V 56].

Also, Allah mentioned some fruits of the prayer where He said in this verse in the Holy Koran:

“Recite what is sent of the Book by inspiration to thee, and establish Regular Prayer: for Prayer restrains from shameful and unjust deeds; and remembrance of Allah is the greatest (thing in life) without doubt. And Allah knows the (deeds) that ye do. (45)” [THK: S 29: V 45].

A Muslim must pray five times a day by default. The names of these prayers are: Alfajr (two bows), Azzuhr (4 bows), Alasr (4 bows), Almaghrib (3 bows) and Alisha (4 bows). The Muslim woman must not pray during her menstruation or puerperium when she is discharging blood. Prayer has numerous preconditions that must be met so that it becomes valid. Examples of these preconditions are: performing ablution, facing the direction of the Holy Mosque in Makkah, etc. The prayer has four positions and the Muslim transitions to/from these positions in a predefined sequence. These four positions are standing, bowing, prostrating and sitting as shown in the following picture [I am sorry as I could not attach the picture].

Mohammad Azzumurrud taught his Chinese friends how to perform ablution in preparation for the prayer. Ablution consists of these steps in sequence: 1) the intention to perform ablution and mentioning Allah in the beginning by saying: (In the name of Allah). 2) Washes hands up to the wrists. 3) Rinse mouth. 4) Sniff water deep into the nose (then expel it) 5) Wash the face. 6) Wash hands up to the elbows. 7) Wipe head. 8) Wipe ears. 9) Wash feet up to the ankles.

A Muslim can perform multiple prayers with a single ablution if his/her ablution is not invalidated. There are multiple things that invalidate ablution such as breaking wind, urination, defecation and others. Also, a Muslim can wipe his socks lightly instead of washing his feet upon meeting the necessary conditions for sock wiping. After teaching ablution, Mohammad taught his Chinese friends how to perform the five prayers. Here is a complete sample of Alfajr prayer. Ideally, the prayer must be in Arabic.

Step

Position

What to Say

Stand

[Raise your hands to the level of your shoulders and say:] Allah is greater [than everything].

Stand

Glory and praise be to You, O Allah. Blessed be Your name and exalted be Your majesty, there is none worthy of worship except You.

Stand

I seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the outcast (the cursed one).

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

“All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the Alameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists). (2) The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful (3) The Only Owner (and the Only Ruling Judge) of the Day of Recompense (i.e. the Day of Resurrection) (4) You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything). (5) Guide us to the Straight Way. (6) The Way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace, not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger (such as the Jews), nor of those who went astray (such as the Christians). (7)” [THK: S 1: V 1-7].

Stand

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

“By the declining day, (1) Lo! man is a state of loss, (2) Save those who believe and do good works, and exhort one another to truth and exhort one another to endurance. (3)” [THK: S 103: V 1-3].

Transition

Allah is greater [than everything].

Bow

Glory and praise be to my Mighty Lord (Allah).

Stand

Allah listens to those who praise Him.

O our Lord (Allah)! And to You is the praise.

Transition

Allah is greater [than everything].

Prostrate

Glory and praise be to my Most High Lord (Allah).

Transition

Allah is greater [than everything].

Sit

My Lord (Allah), forgive me. My Lord (Allah), forgive me.

O Allah forgive me, have mercy on me, guide me, support me, protect me, provide for me, and elevate me.

Transition

Allah is greater [than everything].

Prostrate

Glory and praise be to my Most High Lord (Allah).

Step

Position

What to Say

Transition

Allah is greater [than everything].

Stand

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Stand

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

“Say: He is Allah the One and Only; (1) Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; (2) He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; (3) And there is none like unto Him. (4)” [THK: S 112: V 1-4].

Transition

Allah is greater [than everything].

Bow

Glory and praise be to my Mighty Lord (Allah).

Stand

Allah listens to those who praise Him.

O our Lord (Allah)! And to You is the praise.

Transition

Allah is greater [than everything].

Prostrate

Glory and praise be to my Most High Lord (Allah).

Transition

Allah is greater [than everything].

Sit

My Lord (Allah), forgive me. My Lord (Allah), forgive me.

O Allah forgive me, have mercy on me, guide me, support me, protect me, provide for me, and elevate me.

Transition

Allah is greater [than everything].

Prostrate

Glory and praise be to my Most High Lord (Allah).

Transition

Allah is greater [than everything].

Sit

All greetings of humility are for Allah, and all prayers and goodness.

Peace be upon you, O Prophet (Muhammad), and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.

Peace be upon us and upon the righteous slaves of Allah.

Step

Position

What to Say

Sit

I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His Slave and His Messenger.

O Allah, bestow Your favor on Muhammad and on the family of Muhammad as You have bestowed Your favor on Ibraheem (Prophet Abraham) and on the family of Ibraheem, You are Praiseworthy, Most Glorious.

O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You have blessed Ibraheem and the family of Ibraheem, You are Praiseworthy, Most Glorious.

O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the punishment of the grave, and from the punishment of Hellfire, and from the trials of life and death, and

from the evil of the trial of the False Messiah.

O Allah, I ask You for Paradise and I seek Your protection from the Fire.

Sit

[Turn your head right and say:] Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.

[Turn your head left and say:] Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.

This is a brief form of prayer. A Muslim can customize or extend his/her prayer by reading different verses from the Holy Koran and by saying more supplications. For example, in prostration, the Muslim can supplicate Allah and ask him for help in different matters of this life and the Hereafter. To illustrate, a sick Muslim can supplicate Allah to cure him/her; a poor Muslim can supplicate Allah to grant him/her wealth; a married Muslim can supplicate Allah to grant him/her righteous children, etc.

Pillar 3: Paying the Obligatory Charity (Zakat)

The third pillar of Islam is paying Zakat which is an obligatory charity paid to the poor and the needy mainly. Zakat shows and proves the solidarity of Muslims with the poor and the needy. Prophet Muhammad said in one Hadeeth: “A faithful believer to a faithful believer is like the bricks of a wall, enforcing each other.” [BH-1]. Paying Zakat is usually coupled with prayer in the Holy Koran. For example, Allah said in one verse in the Holy Koran:

“And be steadfast in prayer and given regular Charity: and whatever good ye send forth for your souls before you, ye shall find it with Allah; for Allah sees well all that ye do (110)” [THK: S 2: V 110]. Not every Muslim is eligible to pay Zakat because Zakat has some preconditions that must be met. If the Muslim does not meet the minimum eligibility requirements for paying Zakat, he/she is not required to pay Zakat. For example, to pay Zakat for his/her money, the Muslim's money must be above a predefined threshold. If he/she owns money below the predefined threshold, he/she is not required to pay Zakat. When all the eligibility requirements are met for money, the Muslim must pay quarter the tenth of his money (2.5%). To quickly calculate Zakat for money, divide the money by 40 and this is what must be paid to the poor or the needy. For example, if a Chinese Muslim has 4000 golden taels and this money is eligible for Zakat, then this Muslim must pay 100 (4000 / 40) golden taels for the poor or the needy; If she owns 40000 golden taels and this money is eligible for Zakat, then she must pay 1000 (40000 / 40) golden taels for the poor or the needy; if she owns 100000 golden taels and this money is eligible for Zakat, she must pay 2500 (100000 / 40) for the poor or the needy.

Pillar 4: Fasting the Month of Ramadan

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar (Hijri calendar) and must be fasted by Muslims who are capable. In Ramadan, Muslims abstain from food, drink and sexual intercourse from dawn until sunset. Allah ordered Muslims to fast Ramadan in the Holy Koran where He said:

“O ye who believe! fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you that ye may (learn) self-restraint. (183)” [THK: S 2: V 183].

Muslim scholars inferred many secrets of wisdom behind fasting Ramadan [AB-11][AB-12]. For example, Allah tests people in this life for two major qualities: patience in times of hardships and thankfulness in times of prosperity. Fasting Ramadan measures these two qualities in a Muslim. As for thankfulness, Allah revealed the Holy Koran in Ramadan and this is one of the paramount blessings that every Muslim must thank Allah for by obeying Allah's instructions. Allah said in the Holy Koran:

“Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Koran as a guide to mankind also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong). So everyone of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spent it in fasting, but if anyone is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (should be made up) by days later. Allah intends every facility for you He does not want to put you to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful. (185)” [THK: S 2: V 185]. As for patience, In Islam there are three types of patience: patience for doing good deeds, patience for abstaining from sins and patience for calamities or painful events of fate [AB-13]. Fasting Ramadan teaches a Muslim all these types of patience. Muslims fast during the day and pray during the night in addition to reciting the Holy Koran and this requires patience for doing good deeds. Muslims abstain from sins during Ramadan more than other months and this teaches them patience for abstaining from sins. Also, Muslims experience the pain of hunger, thirst and lack of sexual intercourse during the day of Ramadan and this teaches them patience for calamities or painful events of fate. There is another secret of wisdom behind fasting Ramadan which is achieving the value of sacrifice. The supreme and ultimate form of love is that which involves sacrifice. Since Muslims love Allah the most, fasting Ramadan shows the value of sacrifice Muslims pay as a tangible proof for their love of Allah. Muslims sacrifice their material desires (food, drink and sexual intercourse) during the day of Ramadan for the sake of Allah and in order to please Allah. It is like Muslims say to Allah: “O Allah, seeking your Good Pleasure is dearer to us than our material desires”. Allah said in one Hadeeth: “Every [good] deed a son of Adam does will be multiplied, a good deed receiving a tenfold to seven hundredfold reward. Allah has said, ‘With the exception of fasting, for it is done for my sake and I give a reward for it. One abandons his passion and his food for my sake. The one who fasts has two occasions of joy, one when he breaks his fast and one when he meets his Lord (Allah). The bad breath of one who fasts is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk.” [BH-1][BH-2]. Allah has prepared great rewards for those fasting Ramadan in Paradise in the Hereafter on the Day of Judgment. Allah said in the Holy Koran: “And be patient; verily, Allah wastes not the reward of the good-doers. (115)” [THK: S 11: V 115].

Pillar 5: Pilgrimage (Hajj)

Performing pilgrimage during the month of Thulhijja (the 12th month in the Hijri calendar) is obligatory once in a lifetime for those Muslims who are physically and financially capable. Allah ordered Muslims to perform pilgrimage is the Holy Koran where He said: “Verily, the first House (of worship) appointed for mankind was that at Bakkah (Makkah), full of blessing, and a guidance for Al-Alameen (the mankind and jinn). (96) In it are manifest signs (for example), the Maqam (place) of Abraham; whosoever enters it, he attains security. And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Kaabah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford the expenses (for one's conveyance, provision and residence); and whoever disbelieves [i.e. denies Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah), then he is a disbeliever of Allah], then Allah stands not in need of any of the Alameen (mankind and jinn and all that exists). (97)” [THK: S 3: V 96-97]. Muslim scholars inferred many secrets of wisdom behind pilgrimage. For example, pilgrimage resembles the Day of Judgment in terms of the great gathering of people so Muslims are reminded of the Day of Judgment in different stages of pilgrimage. Also, a true lover visits the house of his/her loved one with passion. Similarly, mosques are the Houses of Allah on the earth and the greatest mosque is the Holy Mosque in Makkah that has Kaabah (the cubic building and its surroundings). Muslims visit the House of Allah to show their love and obedience to Allah. Furthermore, pilgrims follow the footsteps of Prophet Ibraheem (Abraham), Prophet Ismaeel (Ishmael) and Prophet Muhammad to declare the covenant of Islamic monotheism that was established firmly by all the prophets of Allah and especially those three great prophets of Allah. Performing pilgrimage has multiple pillars such as wearing certain clothes and abstaining from certain things (Ihram), spending the ninth day of Thulhijja month in Arafa (a place in Makkah), walking between Assafa and Almarwa (two hills in the Holy Mosque in Makkah), and shaving (for men mainly) [AB-16].

The Discussion of the Beauty of Islam

After Mohammad explained the five pillars of Islam to his Chinese friends, they thanked him deeply for sharing this valuable knowledge with them. Then a friendly discussion happened afterwards about the beauty of Islam.

Mohammad: One beauty aspect of Islam is that any falsehood that people have invented can be denied, refuted or negated by the Holy Koran either generally or specifically.

Taiyang: That is awesome. Can you provide us with examples?

Mohammad: Thank you, Xiuying. Yes, I will elucidate this concept by showing some examples. Greek and Roman mythologies are rife with falsehood, superstitions, myths and fables. They have explicit and flagrant polytheism in their literature and mythologies. They believed in multiple gods and goddesses each specializing in a given domain or area of expertise and here are some examples [W-3][W-4]:

Greek

Roman

Specialty

Hermes

Mercury

The god of commerce, eloquence, travel and theft and the messenger of the other gods.

Aphrodite

Venus

The goddess of love and beauty.

Ares

Mars

The god of war.

Zeus

Jupiter

The chief god (Jupiter), the king of gods (Zeus).

Saturn

The god of agriculture.

Uranus

The earliest supreme god.

Poseidon

Neptune

The god of the sea.

Pluto

Dis

The god of the underworld.

Demeter

Ceres

The goddess of agriculture.

Athena

Minerva

The goddess of wisdom.

All of these gods and goddesses are completely false and do not exist. They only exist in the imagination of astray people who invented them but with no existence in this real life. There is no God but Allah. Allah knows everything and is Able to do all things. The following verses from the Holy Koran refute the Greek and Roman falsehood:

Allah said in the Holy Koran:

“Say: He is Allah the One and Only; (1) Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; (2) He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; (3) And there is none like unto Him. (4)” [THK: S 112: V 1-4].

“Say (O Muhammad ): "I am only a warner and there is no Ilah (God) except Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah) the One, the Irresistible, (65) "The Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving." (66)” [THK: S 38: V 65-66].

“These are nothing but names which ye have devised - ye and your fathers - for which Allah has sent down no authority (whatever). They follow nothing but conjecture and what their own souls desire!- even though there has already come to them Guidance from their Lord! (23)” [THK: S 53: V 23].

“Nay, but We have brought them the truth (Islamic Monotheism), and verily, they (disbelievers) are liars. (90) No son (or offspring or children) did Allah beget, nor is there any Ilah (god) along with Him; (if there had been many gods), then, each god would have taken away what he had created, and some would have tried to overcome others! Glorified is Allah above all that they attribute to Him! (91) All-Knower of the unseen and the seen! Exalted is He over all that they associate as partners to Him! (92)” [THK: S 23: V 90-92].

“It is Allah Who has created seven heavens and of the earth the like thereof (i.e. seven). His Command descends between them (heavens and earth), that you may know that Allah has power over all things, and that Allah surrounds all things in (His) Knowledge. (12)” [THK: S 65: V 12].

Yueliang: Mohammad, have you heard about the Deicide?

Mohammad: No, what is that?

Yueliang: The Deicide is a word which means: 1) the act of killing a god. 2) a person who kills a god. [W-3][W-4]. Does the Holy Koran say anything in this regard?

Mohammad: The Deicide is complete falsehood invented by astray people. Allah is the One and Only True God and He cannot be killed. Also, no person can kill Allah. One beautiful name of Allah is the Ever Living. The Deicide can be refuted with this verse from the Holy Koran where Allah says: “And put your trust (O Muhammad) in the Ever Living One Who dies not, and glorify His Praises, and Sufficient is He as the All-Knower of the sins of His slaves; (58)” [THK: S 25: V 58].

Liling: Mohammad, some religions believe that God has a son/sons. Does the Holy Koran refute this falsehood?

Mohammad: Of course, Allah has no son. Allah said in the Holy Koran:

“And they say: "The Most Gracious (Allah) has begotten a son (or offspring or children) [as the Jews say: Ezra is the son of Allah, and the Christians say that He has begotten a son [Christ], and the pagan Arabs say that He has begotten daughters (angels, etc.)]." (88) Indeed you have brought forth (said) a terrible evil thing. (89) Whereby the heavens are almost torn, and the earth is split asunder, and the mountains fall in ruins, (90) That they ascribe a son (or offspring or children) to the Most Gracious (Allah). (91) But it is not suitable for (the Majesty of) the Most Gracious (Allah) that He should beget a son (or offspring or children). (92) There is none in the heavens and the earth but comes unto the Most Gracious (Allah) as a slave. (93) Verily, He knows each one of them, and has counted them a full counting. (94) And everyone of them will come to Him alone on the Day of Resurrection (without any helper, or protector or defender). (95)” [THK: S 19: V 88-95].

Fen: Mohammad, some people deny resurrection after death. Does the Holy Koran refutes this as well?

Mohammad: Certainly, Allah proved resurrection after death in many verses of the Holy Koran and these verses are one example:

“Does not man see that We have created him from Nutfah (mixed male and female discharge - semen drops). Yet behold! he (stands forth) as an open opponent. (77) And he puts forth for Us a parable, and forgets his own creation. He says: "Who will give life to these bones after they are rotten and have become dust?" (78) Say: (O Muhammad) "He will give life to them Who created them for the first time! And He is the All-Knower of every creation!" (79) He, Who produces for you fire out of the green tree, when behold! You kindle therewith. (80) Is not He, Who created the heavens and the earth Able to create the like of them? Yes, indeed! He is the All-Knowing Supreme Creator. (81) Verily, His Command, when He intends a thing, is only that He says to it, "Be!" and it is! (82) So glorified is He and Exalted above all that they associate with Him, and in Whose Hands is the dominion of all things: and to Him you shall be returned. (83)” [THK: S 36: V 77-83].

Jiang: Mohammad, some people in our Asian culture believe in reincarnation. Does the Holy Koran refute reincarnation as well?

Mohammad: What is reincarnation?

Wen: Reincarnation means: “Rebirth of the soul in another human or nonhuman body.” [W-3].

Mohammad: Reincarnation is absolutely false. When the soul is extracted from the body, it cannot be placed in another body. There is exactly one unique and distinct soul per body. A soul can live in only one body. Yes, the Holy Koran explains what happens to the soul after death. Allah said in the Holy Koran:

“Until, when death comes to one of them (those who join partners with Allah), he says: "My Lord! Send me back, (99) "So that I may do good in that which I have left behind!" No! It is but a word that he speaks, and behind them is Barzakh (a barrier) until the Day when they will be resurrected. (100)” [THK: S 23: V 99].

“And a ban is laid on every town (population) which We have destroyed that they shall not return (to this world again, nor repent to Us). (95)” [THK: S 21: V 95].

Junjie: Thank you, Mohammad. I truly feel the power and beauty of the Holy Koran now.

Chapter 23: The Five Pillars of Islam

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