Islamic Proclamation of Faith By Hassan Ali El-Najjar

Islam:

A Scientific View of God's Message to Humanity

Islamic Proclamation of Faith

By Hassan Ali El-Najjar

Updated on the 17th of Dthul 'Hijja 1441 - 7th of August, 2020

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نُطْقُ الشَّهَادَتَيْنِ

الرُّكْنُ الأَوَّلُ فِي الإِسْلَامِ

تأليف حسن علي النجار

تمت مراجعة هذا الفصل في االسابع عشر من ذي الحجة 1441 - السابع من أغسطس \ آب 2020

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أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

I seek refuge with Allah from the Stoned Shaytan

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Introduction

The proclamation of faith is the first of the five pillars of the Islamic faith structure, followed by performing the five daily prayers, giving Zakat (charity), fasting the month of Ramadhan, and making the pilgrimage (Haj) to the First House of Allah on Earth, Al-Ka'ba, in Makkah.

Overall, these ways of worshipping Allah, praise to Him, are beneficial to the worshippers, their families, their communities, and the world. However, the proclamation of faith has special importance, as it directs the other ways of worship to be in obedience to God, in order to achieve the maximization of the benefits, and to gain His blessings and His mercy in this life and in the Hereafter. [1]

The proclamation of the Islamic faith requires an announcement about the oneness of God and the acknowledgement of His final Messenger to humanity, as follows:

أشهدُ أنَّ لا إلهَ إلاَّ الله ، وأشهدُ أنَّ مُحمداً رسولُ الله"

"I bear witness that there is no other god than (except) Allah, and I bear witness that Mu'hammed is the Messenger of Allah."

The importance of this proclamation of faith is in that a person acknowledges the existence of Allah (God), praise to Him, as the Creator of the Universe, and acknowledges that Mu'hammed, peace and blessings be upon him (pbbuh) is the Messenger of Allah. [2]

Thus, the proclamation of faith means that a person accepts the Message of Allah, which is revealed to humanity through His Messenger, Mu'hammed (pbbuh), as expressed in the in the Holy Quran and its explanation, the Sunna. People have believed in God’s existence as a result of their realization that there should be a Creator for the Universe. This belief was reinforced by God’s messages to them, which confirmed God’s existence and His Oneness. The final of these messages has been the Holy Quran, which provided humans with the scientific evidence about the existence of the Creator of the heavens and the Earth, as was discussed in the third and fourth chapters of this book. [3]

Verses containing the proclamation that there is no other god than (except) Allah

God’s oneness is mentioned 37 times in 36 verses, in the Holy Quran. The proclamation that “there is no other god than (except) He” is mentioned in 30 verses. In addition, there are two verses in which the proclamation states that “there is no other god than (except) Allah.” The proclamation that “there is no other god than (except) Me” is mentioned three times. God’s oneness is also mentioned once, by Younus (Jonah), peace be to him, and once by the Pharaoh, when it was too late for him to acknowledge it. [4]

Here are three examples from these verses:

شَهِدَ اللَّـهُ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ وَأُولُو الْعِلْمِ قَائِمًا بِالْقِسْطِ ۚ لَا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ (آلِ عِمْرَانَ ، 3: 18).

إِنَّمَا إِلَـٰهُكُمُ اللَّـهُ الَّذِي لَا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَسِعَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ عِلْمًا (طَهَ ، 20: 98).

إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا إِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ (الصَّافَّاتُ ، 37: 35).

إِنَّنِي أَنَا اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنَا فَاعْبُدْنِي وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ لِذِكْرِي (طَهَ ، 20: 14).

Allah has witnessed, so have the angels and those of knowledge, that there is no other god except Him, and that He is maintaining (His creation) with justice. There is no other god except Him, the Exalted in Might, the Wise (Al-'Imran, 3: 18).

Your god is Allah, with Whom there is no other god. He has encompassed all things in knowledge (Taha, 20: 98).

Indeed, when it was said to them: "There is no deity but Allah," they were arrogant (Al-Saffat, 37: 35).

Indeed, I am Allah. There is no deity except Me. So, worship Me and establish prayer for My remembrance (Ta-Ha, 20: 14).

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Moreover, the Holy Quran not only includes God’s proclamation of His existence and His Oneness but it also contains His reasoning with humans, telling them that there can be no other god beside Him, in heavens and the Earth. Otherwise, these would be corrupted (destroyed), as mentioned in verse 21: 22.

لَوْ كَانَ فِيهِمَا آلِهَةٌ إِلَّا اللَّـهُ لَفَسَدَتَا فَسُبْحَانَ اللَّـهِ رَ‌بِّ الْعَرْ‌شِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ (الأنْبِيَاءُ ، 21: 22).

Had there been (in the heavens and the Earth) gods beside Allah, they both would have been corrupted (ruined). So exalted is Allah, Lord of the Throne, above what they describe (Al-Anbiya, 21: 22).

Verses containing the proclamation that Muhammed is the Messenger of Allah

The word “Messenger” (Rasool) is mentioned 235 times, in 215 verses, in the Holy Quran. About 177 of these are in reference to Mu'hammed, pbbuh, as the Messenger of Allah, who received God’s final Message to humanity, as mentioned in the following examples:

وَمَا مُحَمَّدٌ إِلَّا رَسُولٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِ الرُّسُلُ ۚ (آلِ عِمْرَانَ ، 3: 144).

مَّا كَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ أَبَا أَحَدٍ مِّن رِّجَالِكُمْ وَلَـٰكِن رَّسُولَ اللَّـهِ وَخَاتَمَ النَّبِيِّينَ ۗ وَكَانَ اللَّـهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمًا (الأحْزَابُ ، 33: 40).

وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَآمَنُوا بِمَا نُزِّلَ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَهُوَ الْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ ۙ كَفَّرَ عَنْهُمْ سَيِّئَاتِهِمْ وَأَصْلَحَ بَالَهُمْ (مُحَمَّدُ ، 47: 2).

مُّحَمَّدٌ رَّسُولُ اللَّـهِ ۚ وَالَّذِينَ مَعَهُ أَشِدَّاءُ عَلَى الْكُفَّارِ رُحَمَاءُ بَيْنَهُمْ ۖ (الْفَتْحُ ، 48: 29).

قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنِّي رَ‌سُولُ اللَّـهِ إِلَيْكُمْ جَمِيعًا (الأعْرَافُ ، 7: 158).

Muhammad is not but a messenger (of God). (Other) messengers have passed on before him (Al-'Imran, 3: 144).

Muhammad is not the father of (any) one of your men, but (he is) the Messenger of Allah, and the seal (last) of the prophets. And Allah is, of all things, Knowing (Al-A'hzab, 33: 40).

And those who have believed (in God), have done righteous deeds, and believed in what has been sent down upon Muhammad - and it is the truth from their Lord - He will remove from them their misdeeds and amend their condition (Mu'hammed, 47: 2).

The Messenger of Allah, Mu'hammed, and those with him, are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves (Al-Fat'h, 48: 29).

Say, (O Mu'hammed): "O mankind, indeed, I am the Messenger of Allah to you all (Al-A'araf, 7: 158).

Continuity of God’s Messages of Guidance to Humanity

The Islamic proclamation of faith confirms the continuity of God’s guidance to humanity, as represented by the Messages He sent through His Messengers, from Adam to Mu'hammed, peace be upon all of them.

As such, it gives peace of mind to the believers that they are not here by a vain accident (Al-Muminoon, 23: 115), and they are not left lonely on this small planet, in God’s vast Universe. Thus, the proclamation of faith gives a profound meaning to the other ways of worship, as it puts them in the context of observing the Commands of the Creator, praise to Him. Performed properly, the ways of worship, contained in the Holy Quran, lead to happiness in this lower life and in the Hereafter.

Out of His love and care, Allah, the Merciful and the Compassionate Creator, has completed His messages of guidance to humanity by sending His final Message, through His final Messenger, Mu'hammed, pbbuh. We do not know the number of God’s Messengers and Prophets, or their names, except for the twenty-five, who are mentioned in the Holy Quran. However, there are some ‘Hadiths about this subject but the ‘Hadith scholars concluded that these are weak, or even fabricated. [5]

Verses 4: 164-165 tell us that there are others who were not mentioned in God’s Book. Like the ones who were mentioned, they were sent with God’s messages to guide people, give them glad tidings, and warn them against wrongdoing. So, people don’t have an excuse when they meet their Creator, for accountability, in the Hereafter.

وَرُ‌سُلًا قَدْ قَصَصْنَاهُمْ عَلَيْكَ مِن قَبْلُ وَرُ‌سُلًا لَّمْ نَقْصُصْهُمْ عَلَيْكَ وَكَلَّمَ اللَّـهُ مُوسَىٰ تَكْلِيمًا (النِّسَاءُ ، 4: 164).

رُّ‌سُلًا مُّبَشِّرِ‌ينَ وَمُنذِرِ‌ينَ لِئَلَّا يَكُونَ لِلنَّاسِ عَلَى اللَّـهِ حُجَّةٌ بَعْدَ الرُّ‌سُلِ وَكَانَ اللَّـهُ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا (النِّسَاءُ ، 4: 165).

And (We sent) messengers about whom We have related (their stories) to you before, and messengers about whom We have not related to you. And Allah spoke to Moussa (Moses) with (direct) speech (Al-Nisa, 4: 164).

(We sent) messengers as bringers of good tidings and warners, so that people will have no argument against Allah after the messengers. And ever is Allah Exalted in Might and Wise (Al-Nisa, 4: 165).

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Further, the Holy Quran tells us that Allah, praise to Him, sent Messengers and Prophets to guide people wherever they lived on Earth and confirmed that He won’t punish a community without sending them His guidance and His warning first, as mentioned in verses 35: 24, 16: 36, and 17: 15.

وَإِن مِّنْ أُمَّةٍ إِلَّا خَلَا فِيهَا نَذِيرٌ (فَاطِرُ ، 35:24).

وَلَقَدْ بَعَثْنَا فِي كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَّسُولًا أَنِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّـهَ وَاجْتَنِبُوا الطَّاغُوتَ ۖ (النَّحْلُ ، 16: 36).

وَمَا كُنَّا مُعَذِّبِينَ حَتَّىٰ نَبْعَثَ رَسُولًا (الإسْرَاءُ ، 17: 15).

And there was no community but that there had passed within it a warner (Fatir, 35: 24).

And We certainly sent into every community a messenger (saying), "Worship Allah and avoid idol worship" (Al-Na’hl, 16: 36).

And We would never punish until We sent a messenger (Al-Isra, 17: 15).

Messengers of Allah, Prophets, and their followers are all Muslims

There are many verses in the Holy Quran, which refer to previous Messengers of Allah, Prophets, and their followers as Muslims (those who submit their will to God). The objective is to confirm that Islam is God’s message of guidance to humanity, which was revealed in different times, through different messengers, as we learn from the verses 3: 19 (Islam), 10: 72 (Noo’h, Noah), 2: 131-133 (Ibrahim, Abraham, his children, and grandchildren), 12: 101 (Yousuf, Joseph), 5: 44 (the Prophets), 3: 52 (Disciples of ‘Eissa, Jesus), and 3: 20 (Mu'hammed). [6]

إِنَّ الدِّينَ عِندَ اللَّـهِ الْإِسْلَامُ (آل عمْرَانَ ، 3: 19).

Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam (submission to God) (Al-‘Imran, 3: 19).

فَإِن تَوَلَّيْتُمْ فَمَا سَأَلْتُكُم مِّنْ أَجْرٍ ۖ إِنْ أَجْرِيَ إِلَّا عَلَى اللَّـهِ ۖ وَأُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ (يُونًسُ ، 10: 72).

(Noo’h, Noah, said to his people): And if you turn away (from my advice), then no payment have I asked of you. My payment (reward); is only from Allah, and I have been commanded to be of the Muslims" (Younus, 10: 72).

إِذْ قَالَ لَهُ رَبُّهُ أَسْلِمْ ۖ قَالَ أَسْلَمْتُ لِرَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ﴿١٣١﴾ وَوَصَّىٰ بِهَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بَنِيهِ وَيَعْقُوبُ يَا بَنِيَّ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ اصْطَفَىٰ لَكُمُ الدِّينَ فَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ ﴿١٣٢﴾ أَمْ كُنتُمْ شُهَدَاءَ إِذْ حَضَرَ يَعْقُوبَ الْمَوْتُ إِذْ قَالَ لِبَنِيهِ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن بَعْدِي قَالُوا نَعْبُدُ إِلَـٰهَكَ وَإِلَـٰهَ آبَائِكَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ إِلَـٰهًا وَاحِدًا وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ ﴿١٣٣﴾ (الْبَقَرَةُ ،2: 131- 133).

When his Lord said to him, "Submit" (be a Muslim), he said "I have submitted (become a Muslim) to the Lord of the worlds." (131) And Abraham instructed his sons (to be Muslims) and (so did) Ya’qoob, Jacob, (who said): "O my sons, indeed, Allah has chosen for you this religion, so do not die except while you are Muslims." (132) Or were you witnesses when death approached Ya’qoob (Jacob), when he said to his sons: "What will you worship after me?" They said, "We will worship your God and the God of your fathers, Ibrahim, Isma’il, and Is’haq - One God. And we are Muslims (in submission) to Him" (132) (Al-Baqara, 2: 131-133).

رَبِّ قَدْ آتَيْتَنِي مِنَ الْمُلْكِ وَعَلَّمْتَنِي مِن تَأْوِيلِ الْأَحَادِيثِ ۚ فَاطِرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ أَنتَ وَلِيِّي فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ ۖ تَوَفَّنِي مُسْلِمًا وَأَلْحِقْنِي بِالصَّالِحِينَ (يُوسُفُ ، 12: 101).

(Yousuf, Joseph, said): My Lord, You have given me some sovereignty (power) and taught me of the interpretation of dreams. (O, You) Creator of the heavens and the Earth, You are my protector in this life (world) and in the Hereafter. Cause me to die a Muslim and join me with the righteous" (Yousuf, 12: 101).

إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَا التَّوْرَاةَ فِيهَا هُدًى وَنُورٌ ۚ يَحْكُمُ بِهَا النَّبِيُّونَ الَّذِينَ أَسْلَمُوا (الْمَائِدَةُ ، 5: 44).

Indeed, We sent down the Torah, in which was guidance and light, for the Prophets who submitted (to Allah, were Muslims) to judge with … (Al-Ma-ida, 5: 44).

فَلَمَّا أَحَسَّ عِيسَىٰ مِنْهُمُ الْكُفْرَ قَالَ مَنْ أَنصَارِي إِلَى اللَّـهِ ۖ قَالَ الْحَوَارِيُّونَ نَحْنُ أَنصَارُ اللَّـهِ آمَنَّا بِاللَّـهِ وَاشْهَدْ بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ (آلِ عِمْرَانَ ، 3: 52).

But when ‘Eissa (Jesus) felt (persistence in) disbelief from them, he said, "Who are my supporters for (the cause of) Allah?" The disciples said, "We are supporters for Allah. We have believed in Allah, and (you Jesus) bear witness that we are Muslims (submitting to Him) (Al-‘Imran, 3: 52).

فَإِنْ حَاجُّوكَ فَقُلْ أَسْلَمْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّـهِ وَمَنِ اتَّبَعَنِ ۗ (آلِ عِمْرَانَ 3: 20).

So, if they argue with you, say, "I have submitted myself to Allah (in Islam), and (so have) those who follow me" (Al-‘Imran, 3: 20).

The Difference between Prophets and Messengers of Allah

The Holy Quran verses mentioned two categories of people who received communication from Allah, by inspiration, to tell it to people. Twenty-five of them were mentioned directly by name, including twelve Messengers and thirteen Prophets, who are different from each other in two major ways. [7]

First, a Messenger was a man who received inspiration and a new message from Allah, praise to Him, to tell it to people. However, a Prophet was a man who received inspiration and a message from Allah to preach, educate, and remind people of a message sent to a previous Messenger.

In verse 3:19 (above), Allah, praise to Him, has stated that all His messages to humanity constitute one religion, Islam. In verse 5: 3, He further stated that He completed the religion of Islam to humanity, with the revelation of the Holy Quran. Thus, there is no need for any more messengers, as He promised, in verse 15: 9, that He would to preserve His final message intact.

الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا ۚ (الْمَائِدَةُ ، 5: 3).

This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion (Al-Ma-ida, 5: 3).

إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا الذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَحَافِظُونَ (الْحِجْرُ ، 15: 9).

Indeed, it is We, who sent down the Quran, and indeed, We will be preserving it (Al-‘Hijr, 15: 9).

Thus, Mu'hammed, pbbuh, was the last of God’s Messengers. He was also described as the last of the Prophets, in verse 33: 40. So, there will be no need for prophets to preach, educate, and teach people about God’s Book, like what Prophets did after Moussa (Moses), peace be upon him, as we are told by Verse 5: 44. This job will be maintained by the scholars, who are mentioned in verse 3: 18 (above) with high regards, directly after mentioning Allah and the angels.

مَّا كَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ أَبَا أَحَدٍ مِّن رِّجَالِكُمْ وَلَـٰكِن رَّسُولَ اللَّـهِ وَخَاتَمَ النَّبِيِّينَ ۗ (الأحْزَابُ ، 33: 40).

Muhammed was not the father of (any) one of your men, but (he was) the Messenger of Allah and last of the prophets (Al-A'hzab, 33: 40).

إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَا التَّوْرَ‌اةَ فِيهَا هُدًى وَنُورٌ‌ يَحْكُمُ بِهَا النَّبِيُّونَ الَّذِينَ أَسْلَمُوا (الْمَائِدَةُ ، 5: 44).

We sent down the Torah, in which (there) was guidance and light. The prophets who submitted (themselves to Allah; were Muslims) judged by it (Al-Ma-ida, 5: 44).

The second major difference between Prophets and Messengers of God is that messengers were supported with clear and strong physical miracles, to help them convince people that they were Messengers of Allah. Examples of these miracles were Noo’h's Arch, Salih's she-camel, rescuing Ibrahim from the fire, Moosa's stick (staff), 'Eisa's healing, and revealing the Holy Quran to Mu'hammed. Moreover, the messages they told people included prophecies about future events, which would reinforce people’s faith when they happen.

Prophets were supported by their ability to prophesize, telling about future events. As people saw these prophecies come true, they listened more attentively to the teachings of the prophets about God’s previous messages.

Because Messengers of God also brought prophecies, part of the new messages revealed to them, they were both messengers and prophets. However, prophets were not messengers in the sense that they were not given new messages to tell people about. Thus, a messenger was also a prophet, but a prophet was not a messenger.

Miracles and Prophecies Given to Prophet Mu'hammed

Allah, praise to Him, supported His Messenger, Mu'hammed, pbbuh, with the greatest miracle, the Holy Quran, the verses of which represent clear scientific facts people discover century after century. These are pieces of evidence that this Book is the Word of God, which does not contain any falsehood (Fussilat, 41: 42), as demonstrated in the first book (Part I), of this series (Islam: A Scientific View of God’s Message to Humanity), particularly in the third and fourth chapters.

The Holy Quran is the greatest miracle because it is continuous in its existence intact, without any changes, it is God’s Message to the whole of humanity, across time. Other miracles, with which God supported His Messengers, aimed at influencing a particular group of people, who were alive at the time of the miracle incidence. Thus, such miracles did not target the whole of humanity and across time, as the Holy Quran does.

Another miracle, Allah supported His Messenger with, was the Night Journey and Ascent to Heavens (Al-Isra Wal Mi’raj), which is the topic of Chapter 23 of this book. Allah, praise to Him, wanted to show His Messenger some signs of His capabilities. So, He had him flown from Makkah to Al-Quds (Jerusalem) and from there to the seven heavens, accompanied by the angel Jibril, peace be to him, and even beyond heavens. Then, He had him returned to his bed in Makkah, all that in a short time, during the last part of the night. People at that time, and for centuries, could not understand the feasibility of such journey and such ascent. However, both issues are perfectly understood, at our present time. It’s now a known fact that the distance between Makkah and Al-Quds (Jerusalem) can be flown in few minutes, using fast aircrafts, particularly the military planes which fly several times the sound speed. We have also been able to send spaceships and devices to explore other planets in our solar system, and even beyond it. Thus, the Prophet’s Journey and Ascent was a prophecy about human aviation on Earth and in outer space, which is another piece of scientific evidence that the Holy Quran is God’s Message to humanity. [8]

In addition, Allah, praise to Him, supported His Messenger, pbbuh, with many prophecies about future events, some of which were mentioned in the Holy Quran, and came true in few years, as reinforcement to the believers’ faith, and glad tidings for them. An example was the prophecy of the Roman victory over Persians after few years from the Roman defeat, which was revealed in verse 30: 2-4. [9]

Among the Quran prophecies, which has not been achieved yet, is the return of ‘Eisa (Jesus), the Son of Mary, peace be to him. This prophecy was revealed in verse 4: 159, which mentions that when he returns to Earth, all people of the Book, including Jews and Christians (together with Muslims), will believe in him, as the Messiah. Then, he dies. [10]

Moreover, in his ‘Hadiths (sayings), the Prophet, pbbuh, told his Companions many prophecies, about future events. Some of these prophecies have already come true and others are still to be seen in the future. Here are some examples of such ‘Hadith prophecies.

First, in one prophecy, the Prophet, pbbuh, told his Companions that Muslims would defeat the two dominant powers at that time, the Roman Byzantine and Persian empires. This in fact came true just few years after the Prophet’s death, when Muslims defeated the Romans in Al-Yarmook battle, in 15 Hijriya (636 AD). Then, they defeated the Persians, in the battle of Al-Qadisiya, in the same year. These two victories resulted in that most people, who were ruled by the two empires in the Middle East, became Muslims. Here is the text of the ‘Hadith:

The Companion Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him (mAbpwh), said that the Messenger of Allah, pbbuh, said:

“When Kisra (the Persian Emperor) is dead, there will be no other Kisra after him, and when Kaisar (the Roman Emperor) is dead, there will be no other Kaisar after him. By God, you are going to spend their treasures in the way that pleases God.” [11]

Second, he prophesized that a day will come, on which the barefooted, naked, poor sheep herders are going to compete in constructing the highest buildings. This prophecy has come to pass in our time, by the construction of the Khalifa Tower, in Dubai, UAE, as the highest building in the World. This prophecy was included in the ‘Hadith, which was mentioned in Chapter 2, “Three Levels of Faith.” In that ‘Hadith, Jibril, peace be upon him, asked the Prophet, pbbuh, about the events which should precede the “Hour.” He said: “You’ll see the barefooted, naked, poor sheep herders constructing the highest of buildings.

For centuries, many people in the Arabian Gulf area were barefooted and poor sheep herders. Others dived naked in the sea, looking for pearls. This continued until the twentieth century, when their oil wealth enabled them to compete in building the highest of buildings, instead of herding and pearl diving. [12]

Third, in a ‘Hadith narrated by Companion Abu Hurayrah, mAbpwh, the Prophet, pbbuh, mentioned six prophecies. He said:

“The Hour (the start of the Last Day) will not come until the (religious) scholarship disappears, earthquakes increase, time is shortened, upheavals emerge, killing increases, and wealth increases among you until it exceeds the need.” [13]

Five of these prophecies have come true but the first one (disappearance of Islamic scholars and scholarship) has not happened yet. Actually, we are blessed with abundance of scholars, their writings, and their audio-visual contributions, as well as works of scholars from previous centuries. This has been made possible by the availability of the world-wide internet. The other five prophecies have been achieved at our time. There have been a lot of earthquakes; travel time has been shortened, as a result of our fast mediums of transportation and communication; there have been many upheavals, particularly in the Muslim countries; there has been a lot of killing, as a result of many wars; and wealth of nations has increased tremendously, reaching trillions of dollars, which is unprecedented in human history. This was made possible in some Muslim countries as a result of the oil wealth, and in the world as a whole, as a result of issuing currencies without the gold back up, selling and buying money as a commodity, and the ability of banks to increase their capital by a variety of ways, such as making profits on selling loan contracts, before even receiving interest on such loans.

Fourth, in a ‘Hadith narrated by Companion Abu Hurayrah, mAbpwh, the Prophet, pbbuh, mentioned a prophecy about Arabia. He said:

“The Hour (the start of the Last Day) will not come … until Arabia will again have rivers and grasslands.” [14]

Actually, this ‘Hadith includes a newly discovered geographical fact that current Arabian desert was once a lush paradise of rivers, grass, and woodlands, watered by torrential monsoon rains, about 23,000 years ago. NASA photos taken from space have shown the valleys of these dried rivers and the geological investigations have shown evidence of such vegetation. The prophecy will be achieved when the climate cycle of torrential monsoon rains comes back, as argued by geologists, or even before that by human intervention. We are now capable of pumping up the abundant underground water to turn the desert into gardens. We are also capable of desalinating the sea water and pumping it into huge pipelines, like rivers, which may turn the Arabian desert into green and grassland again.

Fifth, among the most important prophecies, which have not happened yet, are the ten big signs, which indicate that the Hour (the start of the Last Day) is about to happen. These are included in the following three ‘Hadiths.

Companion Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri, mAbpwh, said the Messenger of Allah, pbbuh, said:

“The Guided (Al-Mahdi) is one of my descendants. He will have a broad forehead and a hump nose (a little high in the middle). He will fill the Earth with justice, after a period of injustice and oppression. And he will rule for seven years.” [15]

The importance of Al-Mahdi’s appearance is that it is an immediate precursor to the appearance of the fake messiah (the Anti-Christ), which will prompt the descent of the true Messiah (‘Eissa, Jesus, the Son of Mary) from Heavens. Then, Jesus will fight the fake messiah and kill him. The following ‘Hadith lists the ten big signs (prophecies):

Companion Hudthayfa Bin Usayd Al-Ghafari, mAbpwh, said that the Prophet, pbbuh, asked a group of his companions about the topic of their discussion. They said they were talking about the Hour. He said:

“It will not happen until you see ten signs happening before it. Then, he mentioned the smoke, the fake messiah, the beast, the sun rising from the west, descent of ‘Eisa (Jesus) peace be to him, Yajooj and Majooj (Gog and Magog), three eclipses in the east, west, and Arabia. Finally, a fire will be coming out from Yemen, which drives people (north) to their gathering place.” [16]

Finally, the two Companions Al-Nawwas Bin Sam’an and Abu Umama Al-Bahili, mAbpwt both, narrated a long ‘Hadith about the appearance of the Muslim leader (Al-Mahdi), the emergence of the anti-Christ (Al-Dajjal: the fake messiah), and the descent of ‘Eisa (Jesus, the Messiah), peace be upon him, from Heavens. The ‘Hadith mentions the place he descends to (Damascus, Syria) and the time of his descent (during Al-Mahdi’s rule). He will pray with Muslims in Baytul Maqdis (House of the Holy, in Jerusalem), led by their Imam (Al-Mahdi). Then, he will fight the fake messiah and kill him. He will rule with justice, and will fill the Earth with peace and prosperity, then he dies [17]

Conclusion

The Islamic proclamation of faith is the first of the five pillars of the Islamic faith structure. It gives peace of mind to the worshippers that they are not here by accident and they are not left lonely on Earth. Allah, the Merciful and Compassionate Creator, out of His love and care, has completed His messages of guidance to humanity by sending His Final Message through His final Messenger, Mu'hammed, peace and blessings be upon him.

The first part of the proclamation represents recognition of the oneness of God, the Creator of the Universe, and the Merciful of His creation. It also represents an acceptance of His Messages and His Messengers.

The second part of the proclamation recognizes Mu'hammed, pbbuh, as the final of God’s Messengers and Prophets. It also represents acceptance of the Holy Quran, as God’s Message, which was revealed to humanity through him.

Thus, the proclamation of faith gives a profound meaning for the other ways of worship. It puts them in the context of obedience to the Creator, Allah, praise to Him, by observing His commands. This maximizes the benefits people get from performing the various ways of worship. The end outcome for people is that they live happily in this life and gain His everlasting reward of living in Paradise forever, in the hereafter.

The study of and contemplation about the Holy Quran and ‘Hadith prophecies reinforce the faith of the believers, as it provides them with the assurance that they are on the right path of happiness, here and in the hereafter.

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Notes:

[1] More information about the benefits of performing these four ways of worship can be found in Chapter 8 of in this book: "The Relationship Between the Spiritual and the Physical Aspects of Islamic Teachings."

[2] For information about Allah (God) and who He is, see Chapter 16, “Allah, As He Described Himself in the Holy Quran.”

For information about God’s final Messenger to humanity, see Chapter 22, "Mu'hammed in the Holy Quran," and Chapter 23, "Prophet Mu'hammed's Night Journey and Ascent to Heavens, Al-Isra Wal Mi'raj."

[3] See Chapter 3, "The Scientific Evidence That God Exists and the Holy Quran Is His Message to Humanity,” and Chapter 4, “Creation and Evolution in the Holy Quran.”

[4] God’s oneness is mentioned 37 times in 36 verses, in the Holy Quran. The proclamation that “there is no other god than (except) He” is mentioned in 30 verses. These are 2: 163, 2: 255, 3: 2, 3: 6, 3: 18 (twice), 4: 87, 6: 102, 6: 106, 7: 158, 9: 31, 9: 129, 11: 14, 13: 30, 20: 8, 20: 98, 23: 116, 27: 26, 28: 70, 28: 88, 35: 3, 39: 6, 40: 3, 40: 62, 40: 65, 44: 8, 59: 22, 95: 23, 64: 13, and 73: 9.

In addition, there are two verses in which the proclamation states that “there is no other god than (except) Allah” (37: 35, 47: 19). The proclamation that “there is no other god than (except) Me” is mentioned three times (16: 2, 20: 14, and 21: 25). God’s oneness is also mentioned once, by Younus (Jonah), peace be to him (21: 87), and once by the Pharaoh (10: 90), when it was too late for him to acknowledge it.

[5] In his interpretation of verse 4: 164, Ibn Katheer discussed the ‘Hadiths mentioning the number of God’s Messengers and Prophets, particularly the one in which it was mentioned that there were 124,000 Prophets and 313 Messengers. He reviewed opinions of the ‘Hadith scholars, all of whom concluded that it was a weak, and even a fabricated ‘Hadith. The same conclusion was reached concerning other ‘Hadiths, which mentioned numbers of Prophets and Messengers. See more discussions about the topic at:

https://islamqa.info/ar/answers/95747/هل-صح-في-عدد-الانبياء-والرسل-شيء

The following verses mention the names of the twenty-five messengers and prophet, including the five major messengers, known as “the Ones with Determination” (Ulul 'Azm): Noo’h, Ibrahim, Moussa, ‘Eissa, and Mu'hammed, peace and blessings of Allah be upon all of them.

آدم ، وإدريس ، ونوح ، وهود ، وصالح ، وإبراهيم ، ولوط ، وإسماعيل ، وإسحاق ، ويعقوب ، ويوسف ، وأيوب ، وشعيب ، وموسى ، وهارون ، وداود ، وسليمان ، وإلياس ، والْيَسَع ، ويونس ، وذو الكفل ، وزكريا ، ويحيى ، وعيسى ، ومحمد ، عليهم الصلاة والسلام أجمعين.

Thus, the twenty-five Messengers and Prophets, mentioned in the Holy Quran are Adam, Idris, Noo’h (Noah), Hood, Sali’h, Ibrahim (Abraham), Loot (Lot), Isma’il, Is’haq (Isaac), Ya’qoob (Jacob), Yousuf (Joseph), Ayoob (Job), Shu’ayb, Moussa (Moses), Haroon (Aaron), Dawood (David), Sulayman (Solomon), Elyas (Elias or Elijah), Elyasa’ (Elisha), Younus (Jonah), Dthul Kifl, Zakariya (Zacharia), Ya’hya (John), ‘Eissa (Jesus), and Mu’hammed, peace and blessings of Allah be upon them all.

Note:

The above list of God’s Messengers and Prophets is based on the Arabic text of the Holy Quran, with the biblical names in parentheses. However, five of them are without biblical names because there is no agreement on them being mentioned in the Bible. These are Idris, Hood, Sali’h, Shu’ayb, and Dthul Kifl. However, some authors identified them as Enoch (Enokh), Eber, Salah (Shelah), Jethro, and Ezekiel, respectively, but without evidence.

Eighteen Prophets and Messengers were mentioned by name in Verses 83-86 of Surat Al-An'am (Chapter 6) of the Holy Quran, as follows:

تِلْكَ حُجَّتُنَا آتَيْنَاهَا إِبْرَ‌اهِيمَ عَلَىٰ قَوْمِهِ نَرْ‌فَعُ دَرَ‌جَاتٍ مَّن نَّشَاءُ إِنَّ رَ‌بَّكَ حَكِيمٌ عَلِيمٌ ﴿٨٣﴾

وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُ إِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ كُلًّا هَدَيْنَا وَنُوحًا هَدَيْنَا مِن قَبْلُ وَمِن ذُرِّ‌يَّتِهِ دَاوُودَ وَسُلَيْمَانَ وَأَيُّوبَ وَيُوسُفَ وَمُوسَىٰ وَهَارُ‌ونَ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِي الْمُحْسِنِينَ ﴿٨٤﴾

وَزَكَرِ‌يَّا وَيَحْيَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ وَإِلْيَاسَ كُلٌّ مِّنَ الصَّالِحِينَ ﴿٨٥﴾

وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَالْيَسَعَ وَيُونُسَ وَلُوطًا وَكُلًّا فَضَّلْنَا عَلَى الْعَالَمِينَ ﴿٨٦﴾ (الأنْعَامُ ، 6: 83-86).

And that was Our (conclusive) argument which We gave Ibrahim (Abraham) against his people. We raise by degrees whom We will. Indeed, your Lord is Wise and Knowing. (83)

And We gave (to Ibrahim), Is’haq (Isaac) and Ya’qoob (Jacob) - both We guided. And Noo’h (Noah), We guided before; and among his descendants, Dawood (David), Sulayman (Solomon), Ayoob (Job), Yousuf (Joseph), Moussa (Moses), and Haroon (Aaron). Thus, We do reward the doers of good. (84)

And Zakariya (Zachariah), Ya’hya (John), ‘Eissa (Jesus) and Elyas (Elias, Elijah) - all were of the righteous. (85)

And Isma’il (Ishmael), Elyasa’ (Elisha), Younus (Jonah), and Loot (Lot) - and all (of them) We preferred over the worlds. (86) (Al-An'am, 6: 84-86).

The remaining seven Messengers and Prophets were Dthul Kifl, Hood, Idris, Salih, Shu'ayb, Adam, and Mu'hammed, peace and blessings of Allah be upon all of them. They were mentioned in the following verses:

وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِدْرِ‌يسَ وَذَا الْكِفْلِ كُلٌّ مِّنَ الصَّابِرِ‌ينَ (الأنْبِيَاءُ ، 21: 85).

And (mention) Isma’il, Idris, and Dthul-Kifl; all were of the patient (Al-Anbiya, 21: 85).

وَإِلَىٰ مَدْيَنَ أَخَاهُمْ شُعَيْبًا (الأعْرَافُ ، 7: 85).

And to (the people of) Madyan, (We sent) their brother Shu'ayb (Al-A'araf, 7: 85).

وَيَا قَوْمِ لَا يَجْرِ‌مَنَّكُمْ شِقَاقِي أَن يُصِيبَكُم مِّثْلُ مَا أَصَابَ قَوْمَ نُوحٍ أَوْ قَوْمَ هُودٍ أَوْ قَوْمَ صَالِحٍ وَمَا قَوْمُ لُوطٍ مِّنكُم بِبَعِيدٍ (هُودُ ، 11: 89).

And O my people! let not (your) dissension from me cause you to be struck by that similar to what struck the people of Noo’h or the people of Hood or the people of Salih. And the people of Loot are not from you far away (Hood, 11: 89).

إِنَّ اللَّـهَ اصْطَفَىٰ آدَمَ وَنُوحًا وَآلَ إِبْرَ‌اهِيمَ وَآلَ عِمْرَ‌انَ عَلَى الْعَالَمِينَ (آلِ عِمْرَانَ ، 3: 33).

Allah chose Adam, Noo’h, the family of Ibrahim, and the family of 'Imran, over the worlds (Al-'Imran, 3: 33).

وَمَا مُحَمَّدٌ إِلَّا رَ‌سُولٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِ الرُّ‌سُلُ (آلِ عِمْرَانَ ، 3: 144).

Mu'hammed is not but a messenger, (other) messengers have passed on before him (Al-'Imran, 3: 144).

[6] There are, at least, six verses of the Holy Quran, which refer to God’s religion (His messages to humanity) as Islam. These are 3: 19, 3: 85, 5: 3, 6: 125, 39: 22, and 61: 7.

There are also, at least, 27 verses of the Holy Quran, which refer to the previous Prophets, Messengers of Allah, and their followers as Muslims (those who submit their will to God). These are 2: 128, 2: 131, 2: 132, 2: 133, 3: 20, 3: 52, 3: 67, 3: 84, 5: 44, 5: 111, 6: 14, 6: 163, 7: 126, 10: 72, 10: 84, 11: 14, 12: 101, 27: 42, 27: 81, 27: 91, 28: 53, 29: 46, 39: 12, 40: 66, 46: 15, 51: 36, and 72: 14.

[7] The Holy Quran verses mention twelve Messengers of Allah and thirteen of His Prophets, by name. Here are the verses mentioning the twelve Messengers, using the infinitive verb form /arsala/ (to send a messenger) or the noun /rasool/ (messenger):

لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِ (الأعْرَافُ ، 7: 59 ، هُودُ ، 11: 25).

1. We had certainly sent Noo’h (Noah) (as a messenger) to his people (Al-A’raf, 7: 59; Hood, 11: 25).

إِذْ قَالَ لَهُمْ أَخُوهُمْ هُودٌ أَلَا تَتَّقُونَ ﴿١٢٤﴾ إِنِّي لَكُمْ رَسُولٌ أَمِينٌ ﴿١٢٥﴾ (الشُّعَرَاءُ ، 26: 124-125).

2. When their brother Hood said to them, "Will you not fear Allah? (124) Indeed, I am to you a trustworthy messenger (125) (Al-Shu’ara, 26: 124-125).

إِذْ قَالَ لَهُمْ أَخُوهُمْ صَالِحٌ أَلَا تَتَّقُونَ ﴿١٤٢﴾ إِنِّي لَكُمْ رَسُولٌ أَمِينٌ ﴿١٤٣﴾ (الشُّعَرَاءُ ، 26: 142).

3. When their brother Sali’h said to them, "Will you not fear Allah? (124) Indeed, I am to you a trustworthy messenger (125) (Al-Shu’ara, 26: 124-125).

وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا وَإِبْرَاهِيمَ وَجَعَلْنَا فِي ذُرِّيَّتِهِمَا النُّبُوَّةَ وَالْكِتَابَ ۖ فَمِنْهُم مُّهْتَدٍ ۖ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَاسِقُونَ (الْحَدِيدُ ، 57: 26).

4. And We have already sent Noo’h (Noah) and Ibrahim (Abraham) and placed in their descendants prophethood and scripture; and among them is he who is guided, but many of them are defiantly disobedient

وَإِنَّ لُوطًا لَّمِنَ الْمُرْسَلِينَ (الصَّافَّاتُ ، 37: 133).

5. And indeed, Loot (Lot) was among the messengers (Al-Saffat, 37: 133).

وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ ۚ إِنَّهُ كَانَ صَادِقَ الْوَعْدِ وَكَانَ رَسُولًا نَّبِيًّا (مَرْيَمُ ، 19: 54).

6. And mention in the Book, Isma’il (Ishmael). Indeed, he was true to his promise, and he was a messenger and a prophet (Maryam, 19: 54).

وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰ يَا فِرْعَوْنُ إِنِّي رَسُولٌ مِّن رَّبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ (الأعْرَافُ ، 7: 104).

7. And Moosa (Moses) said, "O Pharaoh, I am a messenger from the Lord of the worlds (Al-A’raf, 7: 104).

فَأْتِيَا فِرْعَوْنَ فَقُولَا إِنَّا رَسُولُ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ (الشُّعَرَاءُ ، 26: 16).

8. Go both (Moosa and Haroon, Moses and Aaron) to Pharaoh and say, 'We are a messenger of the Lord of the worlds (Al-Shu’ara, 26: 16).

فَأْتِيَاهُ فَقُولَا إِنَّا رَسُولَا رَبِّكَ فَأَرْسِلْ مَعَنَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ وَلَا تُعَذِّبْهُمْ ۖ (طَهَ ، 20: 47).

So, go both to him (Pharaoh) and say, 'Indeed, we both are two messengers of your Lord. So, send with us the Children of Israel, and do not torment them (Ta Ha, 20: 47).

In verse 26: 16, both Moosa and Haroon (Moses and Aaron) were presented as one Messenger of Allah. However, in verse 20: 47, they were presented as two Messengers of Allah. Thus, the meaning is that they were two Messengers carrying one message, asking the Pharaoh to allow the Israelites to leave Egypt. Actually, Allah chose Moosa to be His Messenger, but he asked his Lord to send Haroon with him because he was more eloquent.

وَإِنَّ إِلْيَاسَ لَمِنَ الْمُرْسَلِينَ (الصَّافَّاتُ ، 37: 123).

9. And indeed, Elyas (Elijah) was from among the messengers (Al-Saffat, 37: 123).

وَإِنَّ يُونُسَ لَمِنَ الْمُرْسَلِينَ (الصَّافَّاتُ ، 37: 139).

10. And indeed, Yoonus (Jonah) was from among the messengers (Al-Saffat, 37: 139).

إِنَّمَا الْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولُ اللَّـهِ (النِّسَاءُ ، 4: 171).

11. The Messiah, ‘Eissa (Jesus), the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah (Al-Nisa, 4: 171).

12. Mu'hammed was not the father of (any) one of your men, but (he is) the messenger of Allah and last of the prophets (Al-A’hzab, 33: 40).

***

Adam and Dawood (David), peace be to them, were unique, among Prophets, in that Allah sent them Words and Psalms, to be recited in His praise, and for them to ask for His forgiveness and His support.

فَتَلَقَّىٰ آدَمُ مِن رَّبِّهِ كَلِمَاتٍ فَتَابَ عَلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ (الْبَقَرَةُ ، 2: 37).

Then Adam received from his Lord Words, and He accepted his repentance (Al-Baqara, 2: 37).

وَآتَيْنَا دَاوُودَ زَبُورًا (الإسْرَاءُ ، 17: 55).

… and to Dawood (David) We gave (the book of) Psalms (Al-Isra, 17: 55).

***

The five Determined Messengers of Allah were mentioned in the following two verses:

فَاصْبِرْ كَمَا صَبَرَ أُولُو الْعَزْمِ مِنَ الرُّسُلِ (الأحْقَافُ ، 46: 35).

So, be patient (O Muhammad), as were those of determination among the messengers (Al-A’hqaf, 46: 35).

شَرَعَ لَكُم مِّنَ الدِّينِ مَا وَصَّىٰ بِهِ نُوحًا وَالَّذِي أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ وَمَا وَصَّيْنَا بِهِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ ۖ (الشُّورَى ، 42: 13).

He has ordained for you of the religion what He enjoined upon Noo’h (Noah), and that which We have revealed to you (O Mu'hammed), and what We enjoined upon Ibrahim (Abraham), Moosa (Moses), and ‘Eissa (Jesus) (Al-Shoora, 42: 13).

[8] The calculated flying distance from Makkah (Mecca) to Al-Quds (Jerusalem) is equal to 769 miles and the current fastest human aircraft (NASA X-43) has a speed of 6,598 miles per hour. This means that the distance between Makkah and Al-Quds can be traveled in less than seven minutes (exactly 6 minutes and nine seconds). This is the current human capability, let alone the future progress, and not to mention the divine capability of God, Who assigned the one-with-power, Jibril (Gabriel’s), peace to him, for that job.

https://militarymachine.com/fastest-military-jets/

The calculated flying distance from Makkah to Jerusalem is equal to 769 miles.

https://www.distancecalculator.net/from-mecca-to-jerusalem

For information about the possible speed of human space travel, see:

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20150809-how-fast-could-humans-travel-safely-through-space

[9] When the Persians defeated the Romans in 614-615 AD, Muslims were sad, because Romans were closer to them in faith, as they were considered among People of the Book (Christians). Verses 30: 2-5 were revealed, giving glad tidings to the believers that the Romans would defeat the Persians in few (3-9) years. This Quran prophecy came true in about eight years, in 622-624 AD.

بِسْمِ اللَّـهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

الم ﴿١﴾ غُلِبَتِ الرُّومُ ﴿٢﴾ فِي أَدْنَى الْأَرْضِ وَهُم مِّن بَعْدِ غَلَبِهِمْ سَيَغْلِبُونَ ﴿٣﴾ فِي بِضْعِ سِنِينَ ۗ لِلَّـهِ الْأَمْرُ مِن قَبْلُ وَمِن بَعْدُ ۚ وَيَوْمَئِذٍ يَفْرَحُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ ﴿٤﴾ بِنَصْرِ اللَّـهِ ۚ يَنصُرُ مَن يَشَاءُ ۖ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الرَّحِيمُ ﴿٥﴾ (الرُّومُ ، 30: 1-5).

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Alif, Lam, Meem (A, L, M, Arabic letters). (1) The Romans (Byzantines) have been defeated (2) In the lowest land. But they, after their defeat, will overcome. (3) Within some (three to nine) years. To Allah belongs the command, before and after. And on that day, the believers will rejoice, (4) for the support of Allah. He gives support to whom He wills, and He is the Exalted in Might, the Merciful. (5) (Al-Room, 30: 1-5).

Moreover, verse 30: 2 described the location of the battles, in which the Romans were defeated, as the “lowest land” (lowest part of Earth), a term which was not correctly understood by Muslim scholars before the last few decades of the 19^th Century. The battles took place on Al-Ghawr (low land) of Bilad Al-Sham (currently known as Syria, Jordan, and Palestine), where the Jordan River and the Dead Sea are located. It’s a well-known fact now that this is the lowest area on Earth, as it is more than 400 meters below the sea level. Thus, this verse turned to be one among the scientific miracles of the Holy Quran, mentioned in the context of this prophecy.

See Zghlool Elnaggar’s interpretation of verses 30: 1-5, at the following link:

http://www.elnaggarzr.com/pg/51 / غُلبت الرومُ

See also: Holland, Cecilia. 2018. “Heraclius Brings Persia to Its Knees.” History Net, in which the author mentioned the Quran verse and the year the Romans were defeated by the Persians, i.e. 614.

http://www.historynet.com/heraclius-brings-persia-knees.htm

[10] Among the prophecies which have not been reached yet is about the return of ‘Eissa (Jesus), which is revealed in verse 4: 159:

وَإِن مِّنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ إِلَّا لَيُؤْمِنَنَّ بِهِ قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ ۖ وَيَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ يَكُونُ عَلَيْهِمْ شَهِيدًا (النِّسَاءُ ، 4: 159).

And all the People of the Scripture will surely believe in him (Jesus) before his death. And on the Day of Resurrection, he will be a witness against them (Al-Nisa, 4: 159).

Word by word translation:

And there is none from the People of the Scripture but that he will surely believe in (Jesus) before his death. And on the Day of Resurrection, he will be a witness on them (Al-Nisa, 4: 159).

The Holy Quran tells us, in verse4: 157, that Jesus, peace be to him, did not die, in his first mission on Earth, as Allah lifted him to heavens. He’ll be there until he is commanded to descend to Earth for his second mission, during which all People of the Book (including Jews) will believe in him. Then, he will die upon completing that second mission (This also was the interpretation of Al-‘Hassan, Al-Dha’hak, and Sa’id Bin Jubair, as narrated by Al-Tabari).

وَقَوْلِهِمْ إِنَّا قَتَلْنَا الْمَسِيحَ عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولَ اللَّـهِ وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ وَمَا صَلَبُوهُ وَلَـٰكِن شُبِّهَ لَهُمْ ۚ وَإِنَّ الَّذِينَ اخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ لَفِي شَكٍّ مِّنْهُ ۚ مَا لَهُم بِهِ مِنْ عِلْمٍ إِلَّا اتِّبَاعَ الظَّنِّ ۚ وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ يَقِينًا (النِّسَاءُ ، 4: 157).

And their saying, "Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, ‘Eissa (Jesus), the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah." And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but (another man) was made to resemble him to them. And indeed, those who differ over it are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it, except the following of assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain (Al-Nisa, 4: 157).

[11] The prophecy of the total defeat of the Persian empire on the hands of Muslims came true during the rule of Caliph ‘Uthman, mAbpwh, in 651 (AD). The Byzantine empire was initially defeated by Muslims in Al-Yarmook battle. Then, it was totally defeated during the rule of Caliph Mu'hammed II, the Conqueror (Al-Fat’h), mAbpwh, who conquered its capital, Constantinople (Istanbul), in 1453 AD.

The ‘Hadith, which contains this prophecy, was also narrated by Companion Jabir Bin Sumra, mAbpwh, and was recorded by Al-Bukhari: 3121, 3618, Muslim: 2919, and was authenticated by Al-Albani as Sa’h’ih: 846. For more information about the meanings of the ‘Hadith, see the article written by Mu'hammed Ibrahim Al-Sa’di, at the following link:

حديث: «إذا هلك قيصر فلا قيصر» بيان ورفع إشكال | مركز سلف للبحوث والدراسات (salafcenter.org)

The Arabic text of the ‘Hadith is as follows:

فعن أبي هريرة ، رضي الله عنه ، أن رسُول اللهِ ، صَلَّى اللهُ عليهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، قال: "إِذَا هَلَكَ كِسْرَى فَلَا كِسْرَى بَعْدَهُ ، وَإِذَا هَلَكَ قَيْصَرُ فَلَا قَيْصَرَ بَعْدَهُ ، وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ لَتُنْفَقَنَّ كُنُوزُهُمَا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ" (البخاري: 3121 ، ومسلم: 2919 ، وصححه الألباني: 846).

[12] The ‘Hadith about sheep herders erecting the highest buildings was fully mentioned at the beginning of Chapter 2 of the first book (Part I), in this series, by this author (Islam: A Scientific View of God’s Message to Humanity), titled: “Three Levels of Faith: Islam, Iman, and I’hsan.”

It was authenticated by Al-Albani, as a Sa’hi’h ‘Hadeeth, in Sa’hi’h Al-Jami’: 2672, was recorded as such by Muslim: 8, Abu Dawood: 4695, Al-Tirmidthi: 2610, Al-Nisa-i: 4990, Ibn Maja: 63, and A’hmed: 367, with few differences.

The Arabic text of the ‘Hadith is as follows:

في حديث جبريل ، عليه السلام ، عندما سأل النبيَّ ، صلى الله عليه وسلم ، عن الساعة ، وقال: أخبرني عن أمارتها؟ فقال صلى الله عليه وسلم: "أن ترى الحفاة العراة العالة رعاء الشاء يتطاولون في البنيان" (أخرجه مسلم: 8 ، وأبو داود: 4695 ، والترمذي: 2610 ، والنسائي: 4990 ، وابن ماجه: 63 ، وأحمد: 367 ، باختلاف يسير، وابن منده في الإيمان: 2. كما صححهُ الألبانيُّ في صحيحِ الجامعِ: 2672).

This ‘Hadith may also be applied to the naked population groups, such as the Yanomamo, who lived in the Amazon rain forest. After the discovery of oil and other raw materials there, many cities with high-rise buildings started to emerge, such as Manaus, Santarem, and Belem, in Brazil. The general meaning of the prophecy is that advanced development and technology are going to spread all over the world, including the poorest of its regions.

[13] The ‘Hadith which includes the six prophecies was recorded by Al-Bukhari: 7121, 1036 and was authenticated by Al-Albani as Sa’hi’h: 7428 but with five prophecies, without mentioning the last one (until the wealth increases).

The Arabic text of the ‘Hadith is as follows:

عن أبي هريرة ، رضي الله عنه ، قال: قال النبي ، صلى الله عليه وسلم: "لا تقوم الساعة حتى يُقبَض العلم ، وتَكثُر الزلازل ، ويتقارَب الزمان ، وتظهر الفِتن ، ويَكثُر الهرَج (وهو القتل) ، حتى يَكثر فيكم المال ، فيَفيض" (رواه البخاري: 7121 ، 1036 ، وصححه الألباني: 7428 ، ولكن بخمس نبوءات ، أي بدون ذكر النبوءة الأخيرة: حتى يَكثر فيكم المال ، فيَفيض).

[14] The ‘Hadith which includes the prophecy about Arabia’s rivers and grasslands was recorded by Al-Bukhari: 1036, Ibn Maja: 4047, Muslim: 157, Ahmed: 8833, and Al-Albani: 50.

The Arabic text of the ‘Hadith is as follows:

فعن أبي هريرة ، رضي الله عنه ، عن رسول الله ، صلى الله عليه وسلم ، أنه قال: "لَا تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ ... حَتَّى تَعُودَ أَرْضُ الْعَرَبِ مُرُوجًا وَأَنْهَارًا" (أخرجه البخاري: 1036 ، ابن ماجه: 4047 ، مسلم: 157 ، أحمد: 8833 ، الألباني: 50).

For details about Arabia’s past lush paradise of rivers, grass, and woodlands, which were watered by torrential monsoon rains, see:

Parton, Ash et al. 2015. “Alluvial fan records from southeast Arabia reveal multiple windows for human dispersal.” Geology, 43 (4): 295-298.

https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/gsa/geology/article-abstract/43/4/295/131827/alluvial-fan-records-from-southeast-arabia-reveal?redirectedFrom=fulltext

See Marshall’s article, in which he summarized Parton’s main findings about Arabia’s rivers and grasslands, 23,000 years ago:

Marshall, Michael. 2015. “Arabia was once a lush paradise of grass and woodlands.” BBC (February 23).

http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150223-arabia-was-once-a-lush-paradise

See also an explanation, in Arabic, for the ‘Hadith about Arabia’s past rivers and vegetation, by Zaghlool El-Naggar, at:

http://www.elnaggarzr.com/pg/483/أرض%20العرب%20مروجا%20وأنهارا.html

[15] The ‘Hadith, which includes the prophecy about the appearance of Al-Mahdi (the guided one) was recorded by Abu Dawood: 4285, Al-‘Hakim: 8670, and was authenticated by Al-Albani as Sa’hi’h: 6736.

The Arabic text of the ‘Hadith is as follows:

عن أبي سعيد الخُدري ، رضي الله عنه ، قال: قال رسول الله ، صلى الله عليه وسلم: "المهدي مني ، أجْلى الجَبهة ، أقْنَى الأنف ، يَملأ الأرض قسطًا وعدلاً ، كما مُلِئتْ جَورًا وظلمًا ، ويَملِك سبع سنين" (رواه أبو داود: 4285 ، والحاكم: 8670 ، وصحَّحه الألباني في صحيح الجامع: 6736).

[16] The ‘Hadith, which includes the ten prophecies, which are considered among the big signs before the Hour, including the descent of the Messiah (‘Eisa, Jesus), peace be upon him, was recorded as a Sa’hi’h ‘Hadeeth by Muslim: 2901 and by Abu Dawood: 4311, but with a different order of the prophecies. It was also authenticated by Al-Albani as Sa’hi’h, in Sa’hi’h Al-Jami’: 1635, based on Sa’hi’h Ibn Maja: 3282 and Sa’hi’h Al-Tirmidthi: 2183.

The Arabic text of the ‘Hadith is as follows:

عن حذيفة بن أَسيد الغفاري ، رضي الله عنه ، قال: اطَّلع النبي ، صلى الله عليه وسلم ، علينا ونحن نتذاكر، فقال: "ما تَذاكرون؟" قالوا: نذكر الساعة. قال: "إنها لن تقوم حتى ترونَ قبلها عشر آيات. فذكَر الدُّخان والدجَّال ، والدابَّة ، وطلوع الشمس من مغربها ، ونزول عيسى ابن مريم ، صلى الله عليه وسلم ، ويأجوج ومأجوج ، وثلاثة خسوفٍ: خسف بالمشرق ، وخسْف بالمغرب ، وخسْف بجزيرة العرب. وآخر ذلك نار تَخرج من اليمن تَطرد الناس إلى مَحشرهم" (رواه مسلم: 2901 ، أبو داود: 4311 ، ولكن باختلاف في الترتيب ، وصححه الألباني).

[17] The ‘Hadith, which includes the appearance of Al-Mahdi, the emergence of the fake messiah (the anti-Christ), and the descent of the Messiah (‘Eisa, Jesus), was narrated by Companions Al-Nawwas Bin Sam’an and Abu Umama Al-Bahili, mAbpwt both. It was authenticated as a Sa’hi’h ‘Hadeeth by Al-Albani, in Sa’hi’h Al-Jami’: 787. It was also recorded as such by Muslim: 2937, Abu Dawood (briefly): 4322, and Ibn Maja: 4077, with few differences.

The three-prophecy ‘Hadiths were mentioned and explained in the following three articles. The first article is written by Mu'hammed Bin Abdul Salam, in Arabic, titled “The Prophet’s Prophecies are True (2013), which can be accessed on the following link:

https://www.alukah.net/sharia/0/50918/

http://www.alsiraj.net/prophecy/html/page00.html

See also "Prophecies of the Nobel Prophet, pbbuh,” (2008), at:

https://rasoulallah.net/ar/articles/article/3864

See also the book, written about the subject, by Abdul Sattar Al-Shaikh, in four volumes (2,064 pages), titled, “Prophecies of the Messenger, pbbuh: Lessons and Parables,” which was issued by the Qatari Ministry of Endowment and Islamic Affairs, in 1433 Hijriya, 2012.

"نبوءات الرسول ، صلى الله عليه وسلم: دروس وعبر" ، تأليف عبد الستار الشيخ (1433\2012) ، من إصدار وزارة الأوقاف والشئون الإسلامية ، في قطر.

https://www.moswrat.com/books_view_27593.html

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About the Author and the Book:

* The author of this book has a Ph.D. in Sociology and a Master’s degree in Cultural Anthropology. He was born in Gaza, Palestine in 1369 Hijriya (1950) but he has been living in the United States since 1986.

The authentic Quran Arabic text is used as a reference for the translation of the meanings of the Quran verses, particularly from www.tanzil.net.

The works of the three renowned Islamic scholars Al-Tabari, Al-Qurtubi, and Ibn Katheer, have been used throughout the chapters of this book, as these are the most credited interpretations of the Holy Quran, for their use of 'Hadith, companions' interpretations, and their thorough knowledge of the Arabic language.

يُرِيدُونَ لِيُطْفِئُوا نُورَ اللَّـهِ بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ وَاللَّـهُ مُتِمُّ نُورِهِ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْكَافِرُونَ (الصف ، 61: 8).

They want to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah will perfect His light, although the disbelievers dislike it (Al-Saff, 61: 8).