Why People Are Still Reverting (i.e. Accepting) To Islam All Around The World Despite Hostilities From The Media And Their Politicians

Al Jazeera Publishing

People embrace Islam in the West (USA, Canada, UK, France and Germany), in the Middle Eastern countries (Saudi Arabia, the Gulf States, Jordan), in Africa and the Far East (Malaysia, Philippines, Hong Kong) and many other countries all over the world.

According to Islam, there is only one revealed religion which has been revealed from the time of Adam until the last of the prophets, Mohammad (PBUH), yet it was revealed on stages. Consequently, the essential message of all the prophets was one and the same, Allah says in the Holy Qur’an:

“Verily, We have sent to every nation a messenger (saying), ‘Worship Allah and avoid false gods.”

All the Prophets that Allah has sent had one basic messages, for indeed the purpose of creation is only one, which is worshiping Allah. Allah says in the Holy Qur’an

“I did not create the jinn and mankind except for My worship.”

This message addressed a basic and essential need in human beings; the need to worship. Such basic need was created in all human beings at the time of Adam’s creation.

Man’s Natural Disposition : the Fitrah

As Allah made all human beings swear to His Godhood when He first created Adam, this oath is printed on the human soul even before it enters the fetus in the fifth month of pregnancy. So when a child is born, he has a natural belief in Allah. This natural belief is called in Arabic the fitrah. If the child was left alone, he would grow with the same faith and believe in Allah. But what happens is that all children get affected by their surroundings, whether directly or indirectly. Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said that Allah said:

“I created My servants in the right religion but the devils made them go astray.”

Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) also said:

“Each child is born in a state of ‘fitrah’, but his parents make him a Jew or a Christian. It is like the way an animal gives birth to a normal offspring. Have you noticed any (young animal) born mutilated before you mutilate them?”

And since the child’s body submits to the physical laws which Allah has put in nature, his soul also submits naturally to the belief that Allah is its Lord and Creator. However, his family friends, and his surroundings affect him, and as he grows up, he may find himself following this or that’s way of life.

The religion the child follows at early stages of his life (childhood) is one of custom and upbringing, and Allah does not punish him for this religion. However, by reaching maturity one starts differentiating between what’s right and what’s wrong, an adult must now follow the religion of knowledge and reason; Islam. At this point the devil starts doing his best and trying hard to encourage him to stay as he is ( encourage him to stay passive and not do any good deeds), or bring down. Evils are made pleasing to mankind and thus we live in a constant struggle between our fitrah and our desires till we find the right road.

If one chooses his fitrah, Allah will help him control his desires, even though it may take most of his life to do so; for example some people embraced Islam in their old age, yet it is never too late.

People in all ages may be divided into two main groups with respect to their preparedness to receive the message:

1. Those searching for the truth who are dissatisfied with the religion followed by their contemporaries on one hand,

2. And those not searching. This second group may be further divided into those not searching because they are satisfied with their religion and those not searching because they have rejected belief in God. The second group has been a minority throughout history.

People usually tend to accept the cultural norms of their society without question. In Prophet Mohammad’s time, that minority was called the hunafaa’ . Most of them embraced Islam once they received the message. Very few however, due to tribal jealousies rejected the Islam message. Thus, the first group responded positively to the clear truth of revelation. On the other hand, the second group based their response on their trust in Prophet Mohammad’s (PBUH) character. For he was indeed truthful and honest throughout his life, therefore, there was not reason to doubt him being a Prophet.

1. The Role Model

First people who embraced Islam were from the Prophet’s (PBUH) household

Khadijah bint Khuwaylid
‘Ali ibn Abi Talib
Zayd ibn Harithah

Afterwards the Prophet’s close friend and confidant joined them and embraced Islam too.

Their embracing Islam was partially a result of their direct contact with the Prophet (PBUH) and their unquestioned belief in him and his truthfulness due to their personal experience with him. This reason for conversion may be called the “role model.”

2. Da’wah to Islamic Monotheism (Tawheed)

The next five figured embraced Islam with the help of Abu Bakr’s invitation.

‘Uthman ibn ‘Affan
Az-Zubayr ibn al- ‘Awwam
‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf
Sa ‘ad ibn Abi Waqqas
Talhah ibn ‘Ubaydullah

In their case, embracing Islam was a result of them to introducing the message of Islam and calling them to embrace it. Here the reason may be generally called the “Da’wah”( calling for Islam)

3. Truth Seekers
Among the converts was ‘Amr ibn ‘Absah who had rejected the idolatry of his people and went on his search for the truth. Same case was with Salman al-Farisi who journeyed from Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity to Islam. The reason for the conversion of those companions of the Prophet (PBUH) and others like them may be called “truth seekers”.

4. Reading the Qur’an

‘Umar ibn al-Khattab’s embracing Islam was as a result of his hearing the Prophet (PBUH) recite Surrah al-Haaqqah. The Najashi’s was due to his hearing Surrah Maryam. These and others like them may be referred to as those who embraced Islam as a result if “Reading the Qur’an”.

5. Moreover Islam reached out to the Far East countries through Muslim businessmen and salesmen who went there for business, their ethics in business dealings and their honesty encouraged people to embrace Islam, and so we have lots of Muslims at these countries, like Thailand. So Islam wasn't spread with the power of sword, as some anti-Muslims claim. It was through presenting the true image and nature of this fine religion that made people want to embrace Islam.

Different reasons behind embracing Islam were almost the same in all ages. They are not limited to time periods, but can be found from the earliest of times until the present. Those involved in propagating the religion and inviting others to Islam, must familiarize themselves with these and other factors in order to develop the correct strategies to deal with them.

The other major problem that Muslims face, especially in western societies, is the absence of a Muslim community to support their families, their children often leave Islam by the time they graduate from high school. Consequently, among the da’wah strategies necessary is the development of Muslim schools to preserve the identity of Muslim children of the converts.

In today’s modern life, values have turned upside down, family life, that was always the very heart of society is attacked just as much as many other handed-down traditions.

Yet, neither socialism nor any other "isms" will ever be able to oust what has been implanted into human nature, the need of social ties and the warmness of ties of blood that Allah has ordered us to maintain.

In Muslim world family life with all its aspects concerning not only husband, wife and children, but all other relatives too, is so firmly established by tradition as well as by religious law that it could not be affected seriously.

It is the firm structure of Islamic family life based on the following four fundamentals that makes morals values so enduring and enables them to outlive Western practices. They are based on Qur'anic regulations and the traditions from the life of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), handed down from generation to generation.

1. Family life as a cradle of human society providing a secure, healthy and encouraging home for all its members.

2. Family life as guardian of the natural erotic desires of men and women, leading this powerful urge into wholesome channels.

3. Family life as the very breeding-place for human virtues like love, kindness, mercy.

4. Family life as the most secure refuge against inward and outward troubles.

An ever valid and never outgrowing aspect of Islamic family life is, however, that the strength of all the four pillars is made up by the system. And it must not be forgotten, that the benefits of family life are extended not only to blood relations but encompass also the world-wide family of Muslims, the Islamic brotherhood.

The exact meaning of the word rahim is "womb". It is derived from the root raheem which means to have mercy on. Two of Allah's names - Ar-Rahmaan and Ar-Raheem - are derived from the same root.

The word is used figuratively to refer to relatives.

Al-Qurtubi said:

"The family ties which must be maintained are general and specific. The general one is the relations of Islam. It is obligatory to maintain connections with them with friendly relations, advice, justice, fairness and fulfilling ones obligations to them in the obligatory and the commendable. The specific includes financially supporting family members, checking on their condition and overlooking their mistakes."

Allah says:

“O people! Beware of your Lord who created you from a single soul and created from it its mate and spread from those two many men and women and beware of Allah in whose name you ask one another and [beware of] the wombs. Verily, Allah is ever watchful over you.” Qur’an (4:1)

Ties of blood were given importance in the jahiliya (life before Islam), but this didn't really include women - the "causes" or "links" in family ties. Girls were murdered for fear of them being captured by opposing tribes and being a source of shame. Wives were treated as goods and "inherited" by male relatives without having any say in the matter. Women had no defined property rights. Inheritance customs of the jahiliya dictated that the male relatives - those most capable of fighting and defending the family - took everything even if the deceased left a wife and children. They would be left with nothing at all.

Islam came and changed all this and while confirming the blood ties respected in the jahiliya, Islam put much more focus on the women and gave them their rights of property, inheritance, etc., prevented their murder and named family ties after them by using the word for "womb".

Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:

"Allah has forbidden you irritating your mothers, burying your daughters, witholding and "Give me". And He hates for you "It was said" and "He said", too many questions and the wasting of wealth."

Cutting family ties which should be maintained has serious consequences in this life and in the hereafter. It is one of the worst of the major sins.

Allah says:

“Those who join that which God has Commanded to be joined, and have awe for their Lord, and fear the constraint of the reckoning.” Qur’an (13:21)

So let’s obey Allah, let’s keep our blood ties. when you come to think of it, that’s what we need nowadays and forever, maintaining family ties is what implants inside us the sense of stability and spiritual peacefulness. Let’s stay close to our families and our relatives.

Stocks, money, bonds, T-bills, market accounts, certificates of deposits, variable-interest checking and saving accounts, and many other financial dealings that have become a fact in our life.

But what we're concerned with here is how can we stick to the Islamic teachings regarding various financial issues?! And what are the financial prohibitions in Islam?

1- Gambling:

Allah says in the Qur'an:

"Intoxicants and gambling, sacrificing to stones and divination by arrows, are an abomination, of Satan's handiwork, so avoid such abomination, in order that you may be successful."Qur'an (5:90)

Today gambling has taken many forms, such as the lottery which itself is of different types, the most known is to buy numbers, and different prizes are given to the winning numbers. This is definitely forbidden even if some say it is for charitable causes.

Any type of gambling game is included in this category. Nowadays there exist clubs just for gambling, where 'green tables' are reserved for this abominable sin, there is also betting for football games, and other sports games, these are also considered unlawful gambling.

2- Stealing:

Allah says in the Qur'an:

"Cut off the hand of the thief, male or female, as a recompense for that which they committed, a punishment by way of example from Allah. And Allah is Ail-Powerful, All-Wise."Qur'an (5:38)

Among the biggest crimes of stealing is stealing from the persons who come to the House of Allah for Hajj or Umrah. These types of thieves do not give any respect to Allah's punishment, while they are in the most sacred place on earth, around His House.

Another horrible crime is stealing from the funds of the Muslim community. Some people who do it say, 'We do what many other people are doing.’ They do not realize that they are stealing from all the Muslims, because the public funds are the property of all the Muslims, and the fact that other people do it is not an excuse to follow them. Some people steal from people they consider non Muslims, arguing that they are disbelievers. Of course this is not permissible.

Another type of stealing is to steal from other people's pockets. Some people steal from their hosts' houses, others steal from their guests' purses, others shoplift. Some people think it is permissible to steal things as long as they are of small or insignificant value. Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:

"Allah cursed the thief, he steals the egg and then his hand is cut off, and he steals the rope and then his hand is cut off." (Bukhari)

Any person who steals anything should return it back to its owner and return to Allah and ask for His Forgiveness, whether he returns it openly or in secret, by himself or through an intermediary. If he is unable to return the property to its owner or to his inheritors after him, then he may give it to any charity organisation and intend the reward for its owner.

3- Accepting and Giving Bribes:

This another source of unlawful money, which Allah has forbidden. Giving a bribe to a judge or a ruler in order to incur injustice is a crime, for it leads to unfairness in ruling by taking away people's rights, and it leads to the spread of corruption.

Allah says:"And eat up not one another's property unjustly, nor give bribery to the rulers that you may knowingly eat up a part of the property of others sinfully."Qur'an (2:18)

Abu Hurairah narrated that Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:

"Allah curses the bribe giver and the bribe taker in ruling cases."

However, bribes given by a person to take back what rightfully belongs to him, or to ward off an injustice, and which could not be accomplished otherwise, are not included in this type of cursed bribes. On the contrary it is considered means of regaining one's rights.

Bribes nowadays are looked at as a more profitable source of income than some employees' salaries, to the extent that it has become a clause in many companies' budgets under different cover names. It has also corrupted many employees at the expense of their employers, so that the good service (or merchandise) is presented only to the one who gives bribe. As for the others, they are neglected or their service is postponed. Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) has cursed those who participate in this crime, saying:

"Allah's curse be upon the bribe giver and the bribe taker." (Narrated by Ibn Majah)

Once the fear of Allah is absent, then power and cunning is abused in wrongdoings, such as to lay claim to people's properties, and to confiscate their land. The punishment for this deed is severe, for Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:

"Whoever wrongfully takes away a land, will sink into the seventh earth on the Day of Judgment."(Bukhari)

Also Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:

"Whoever wrongfully takes even a span of the hand from a land, Allah will order him to dig it down to the seventh earth, then He will fence it on the Day of Judgment until He judges between people."

4- Denying the Employees Their Money:

Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) has stressed the importance of paying the worker as soon as he finishes his task, saying:

"Give the worker his pay before his sweat dries up."

It is prohibited to delay paying the workers and the employees. And this takes various forms:

Denying the employee his entire salary when the employee has no proof of his work: Even if the employee's right is lost in this life, it will not be lost on the Day of Judgment.

Another form is giving the employee only part of his salary, without having any lawful reason.

Allah says:

"Woe to al-Mutaffifeen (those who decrease the rights of others)." Qur'an (83:1)

Another example is assigning the employee additional tasks or making him work overtime, without giving him any compensation.

5- Asking for money when not in need:

Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:

"Whoever asks for money while he has what suffices him has asked for a lot of Hellfire's embers." People asked him, "What is the sufficient amount of money above which one should not ask?" He said, "The amount he needs for his lunch and dinner." ( Narrated Abu Dawud)

Also the Prophet (PBUH) said:

"Whoever asks for money while he has what suffices him, will have scratches or bruises on his face on the Day of Judgment."

He also said:

"Whoever asks people for their money to increase his wealth, has asked for embers, so let him ask a little or a lot."

Some may ask for other's financial help although they are well off. Others lie and bring falsified documents and invent stories to win people's sympathy and take money from then. On the other hand there are others who are in bad need for money yet they never ask for people's help, people who do not know them think they are not in need because of their modesty.

6- Taking a loan without having the intention of paying it back:

Allah has given high respect and importance to people's rights. A person may be forgiven when he does not fulfill Allah's rights if he repents, but he can not escape from fulfilling people's right before a Day comes where accounts are not settled by money, but by good deeds and sins.

Allah says:

"Verily! Allah commands that you should render back the trusts to those to whom they are due." Qur'an (4:58)

It has become common nowadays that people borrow money without having the intention of giving it back. For some people do not borrow to fulfill a basic need, but to live more comfortably and to compete with others in buying new cars, new furniture, and things of the kind.

Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) warned us of the punishment of this act saying:

"Whoever takes people's money with the intention of paying it back, Allah will carry out [this burden] for him. And whoever takes people's money with the intention to loose it [i.e., not pay it back] Allah will destroy him."

Unfortunately when it comes to the matter of borrowing, people are so careless and lax although it is a serious thing in the sight of Allah.

Repaying debts is very serious that even the martyr, in spite of the great sacrifice he offered, the great reward he will get and the high position he will gain, cannot escape from paying his debt.

For the Prophet (PBUH) said:"Praise to Allah, how Allah has stressed the seriousness of debt. By the One Who my soul is in His Hands, if a man were killed for the sake of Allah, then resurrected, then killed again, then resurrected then killed again, and he had a debt, he will not enter Paradise until his debt is paid for him."

7- Eating what is Unlawfully Gained:

He, who does not fear Allah, does not give much attention to whether he acquires or spends his money in a lawful way. He is mostly concerned with increasing his wealth even if it were ill-gotten and Haram, were it by stealing, or bribing, or confiscation, or forgery, or illegal sale, or usury, or eating the wealth of an orphan, or getting paid for an unlawful act such as prostitution, fortune-telling, stealing public properties, or taking people's money by force, or asking people their money while not in need for it, etc...

If he spends this money on his food, clothing, a new car and build or rent a house, hence Haram have entered his body, And so Allah would never accept his prayers until he gets purified for such ill-gotten money.

Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:

"Any meat that has grown from ill-gotten wealth, then hellfire is more deserving of it."

On the Day of Judgment Allah will ask everyone of us how he acquired his money and how he spent it.

Thus whoever has any ill-gotten money that is still in his possession, should indeed get rid of it. If it is another person's property, he should return it back to him and ask for his forgiveness, before a Day will come when the accounts are not settled with dollars and cents, but by good deeds and sins.

Some Muslims think that by abandoning these forbidden practices, they will incur a lot of hardships, and that the sources of their subsistence will be dried up.

On the contrary, following God's Shari'ah (God's Commands) and putting one's trust in Allah is the original source for all we need in our lives.

Allah says:

"And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out from every difficulty. And He will provide for him from sources he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him."Qur'an (65:2-3)

Forgiveness: Islamic Perspective

Part of our being human is that we make mistakes, no body is perfect. Sometime we make mistakes without deliberation and intention. But sometime we deliberately sin and do wrong to others. It is said, “to err is human and to forgive is divine.” Both parts of this statement are very true. As human beings we are responsible, but we do also make mistakes and we are constantly in need of forgiveness.

Islam states two aspects of forgiveness:

a) Allah’s forgiveness;
b) Human forgiveness.

We need both, because we do wrong in our relations to Allah as well as in our relations to each other.

Allah’s Forgiveness:
Allah the Almighty is the most Forgiving. There are many names of Allah given in the Qur’an. Some of which are related to His mercy and forgiveness. Let me mention some of these names.

Al Ghafoor (The Most Forgiving):
The most Forgiving. This name occurs in the Qur’an more than seventy times. There are other names from the same root.The meaning of the “ghafar” is to cover, to hide and from it comes the meaning “to excuse”, “to pardon”, “to remit” and “to forgive”. Allah the Almighty does all these things. In the Qur’an, it is mentioned that Allah does not forgive shirk (without repentance) but He may forgive every other sin for whomsoever He wills.

As Allah says in the Qur'an:

"Indeed! God does not forgive the sin of ascribing partners to Him, but He forgives anything else to whom He pleases, and whoever takes partners with God has gone astray into far error".Qur'an (4:116)

We must turn to Allah to seek His forgiveness.

Al-’Afuw:
This is another aspect of forgiveness. This name occurs in the Qur’an five times. Literally the word ‘Afuw means “to release” “to heal”, “to restore”, “to remit”. It means that Allah “ releases us from the burden of punishment due to our sins and mistakes”, “to restore our honor after we have dishonored ourselves by committing sins and making mistakes.” In some verses in the Qur’an both names: ‘Afuw and Ghafoor occur together.

Al-Tawwab:
This name means The Acceptor of repentance. This name of Allah is mentioned in the Qur’an about 11 times. Allah accepts the repentance of those who sincerely repent and turn to him for forgiveness. The word “Tawwab” gives the sense of “oft-returning” which means that Allah again and again accepts the repentance. We make sins and mistakes then we repent, He accepts our repentance. Then again we commit sins and make mistakes and when we repent, He again very kindly accepts us and gives us another chance. It is important to mention that we have to repent from our sins quickly and turn to God and ask for His forgiveness.

Al-Haleem:
The Clement. This name is mentioned fifteen times in the Qur’an. It means that Allah The Almighty is not quick to judgment. He gives us time. He forebears and is patient with us till we return to Him.

Al-Rahman and al-Rahim:
The most Merciful and Compassionate. These names are the most frequently mentioned in the Qur’an. Al-Rahman is mentioned 57 times and Al-Raheem is mentioned 115 times. Al-Rahman indicates that Allah’s mercy is abundant and plenty and Al-Raheem indicates that this is always the case with Allah.

The Qur’an states that Allah is a Judge and He also punishes, but Allah is not bound to punish. The justice of Allah, according to Qur’an is that Allah does not and will not inflict undue punishment on any person. He will not ignore the good of any person. But if He wishes to forgive any sinner, He has full freedom to do that. His mercy is unlimited and infinite.

There are many verses in the Qur’an and sayings of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) that emphasises the mercy and forgiveness of Allah. In one of the prayers that the Prophet taught, he said:

“O Allah, You are most Forgiving One, You love to forgive, so forgive me.” (Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah).

Thus we all need Allah’s mercy and forgiveness all the time.

Human Forgiveness in Islam:
Just as it is important to believe in the mercy and forgiveness of Allah, it is also necessary to base all human relations on forgiveness. How should we expect Allah’s forgiveness while we do not forgive those who do wrong to us?! Forgiving each other, even forgiving one’s enemies is one of the most important Islamic teaching. In the Qur’an Allah has described the Believers as:

“Those who avoid major sins and acts of indecencies and when they are angry they forgive.” Qur'an ( 42:37)

Later in the same Surrah Allah says:

“The reward of the evil is the evil thereof, but whosoever forgives and makes amends, his reward is upon Allah.”Qur'an ( 42:40)

In another Surrahs in the Qur’an, Allah The Almighty says:

“If you punish, then punish with the like of that wherewith you were afflicted. But if you endure patiently, indeed it is better for the patient. Endure you patiently. Your patience is not except through the help of Allah."Qur'an (16:126-127)

In one Hadith Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said that Allah has commanded him with nine things. One of them he mentioned was “that I forgive those who do wrong to me.”

The Prophet (PBUH) was the most forgiving person. He was ever ready to forgive his enemies. When he went to Ta’if to preach the message of Allah, its people mistreated him, abused him and hit him with stones. He left the city humiliated and wounded. When he took shelter under a tree, the angel of Allah visited him and told him that Allah sent him to destroy the people of Ta’if because of their sin of maltreating their Prophet. Mohammad (PBUH) prayed to Allah to save the people of Taif, because what they did was out of their ignorance.

He (PBUH) said:

“O Allah, guide these people, as they did not know what they were doing.”

When he entered the city of Mekkah after the victory, the Prophet -peace be upon him- had in front of him some of his staunchest enemies. Those who fought him for many years, persecuted his followers and killed many of them. Now he had full power to pay back and punish them for their crimes and for what they did to him and to the Muslims. Instead the Prophet (PBUH) asked them:

“What do you think I shall do to you now?” They pleaded for mercy. The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Today I shall say to you what Joseph (referring to Prophet Youssuf (PBUH) as mentioned in the Qur’an, (Youssuf 12:92) Prophet Youssuf (PBUH) said to his brothers, ‘No blame on you today. Go, you are all free.” Soon they all came and embraced Islam at his hands. He forgave even Hind who had caused the murder of his uncle Hamza -may Allah be pleased with him. After killing him she had his body mutilated and chewed his liver. When she embraced Islam, the Prophet even forgave her.

A very striking example of forgiveness we find in the Qur’an in reference to the most unfortunate event of “Slander of Sayeda Aicha” (one Prophet Mohammed's wives). Some hypocrites of Madinah tried unrightfully to put dirt on her noble character. One of the slanderers turned out to be Mistah, the cousin of ‘Aicha's father Abu Bakr’s. Abu Bakr -may Allah be pleased with him- used to give financial help to this young man. After he slandered his daughter, Abu Bakr vowed not to help him any more. But Allah reminded Abu Bakr and through him all the Believers saying:

“Let not those among you who are endued with grace and amplitude of means resolve by oath against helping their kinsmen, those in want and those who migrated in the path of Allah. Let them forgive and overlook. Do you not wish that Allah should forgive you? Indeed Allah is oft-Forgiving, most Merciful.”Qur'an (24:22)

Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) came out of his home and said, “Yes, indeed, I want Allah’s forgiveness. He not only continued to help and support Mistah but he gave him more. Islam emphasises justice and punishment of the wrong doers, but it equally strongly emphasizes mercy, kindness and love. Justice, law and order are necessary for the maintenance of a social order, but there is also a need for forgiveness to heal the wounds and to restore good relations between the people.

Thus must not forget that as much as we need Allah’s forgiveness for our sins and mistakes, we must forgive those who do wrong to us.

Islam has stressed and asserted the importance of honesty in monetary dealings and highlighted its vital role in social stability and peacefulness.

The Holy Qur’an and Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) have made it clear to us that the true Muslim is he who is honest and upright in his business and monetary dealing with others, even if they weren’t Muslims. Also the true Muslim should keep his word and fulfill his promises, shun fraud and avoid deceit and perfidy, encroach not upon the rights of others, nor take part in wrongful litigation. Also a good Muslim does not give false testimony, and abstains from making unlawful money as from usury and graft. According to Islam whoever is not free from these vices is not a true believer but a renegade and a worthless transgressor.

And the Qur’an is rich with verses that confirms all this. Allah says in the Qur’an:

"Oh ye who believe! Eat not up each other's property by unfair and dishonest means." Qur’an (4:29)

Allah forbids all unclean and corrupt means of making money, such as, dishonest trading, gambling, and bribery. And the Holy Qur’an has explained and described such practices in many of its verses. In this verse, for instance, Allah warns those traders who cheat in weighing, he says:

"Woe to those that deal in fraud, - those who, when they have to receive by measure from men, exact full measure, but when they have to give by measure or weight to men, give less than due. Do they not think that they will be called to account- on a Mighty Day when (all) mankind will stand before the Lord of the Worlds." Qur’an (133: 1-6)

Another example is given in the coming verse, where Allah urges Muslims to be very particular about their trusts and about other people's rights.

"Allah does command you to render back your trust, to those to whom they are due." Qur’an(4:58)

At two places in the Qur’an a chief distinguishing feature of Muslims is said to be that they are:

"Those who faithfully observe their trusts and their covenants." Qur’an (24:8)

Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) has stressed the importance of honesty in most of his sermons, saying:

"Remember, there is no faith in him who is not trustworthy; there is no place for him in religion who cares not for his pledged word or promise."

He (PBUH) also said:

“The signs of a hypocrite are three: when he speaks, he is false, when he promises, he fails; and when he is trusted, he plays false."

Condemning those who cheat in business Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) has said:

"He who cheats is not of us. Deceitfulness and fraud are things that lead one to Hell."

Once Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) came upon a heap of corn in the market of Madinah and thrust his hand onto it. His fingers felt damp. On being asked, the trader replied that rain had fallen upon it. The Prophet (PBUH) observed,

"Why did you not then keep (the wet portion of) it above the dry corn, so that men may see it? He who deceives, is not one of us."

Thus traders who deceive by showing to customers a false sample or by concealing from them the defects of the product they’re selling are not true Muslims in the judgment of Allah Prophet (PBUH) and, they are going to end up in hell.

Another example: Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:

"The seller must explain to the buyer the defects, if any, in the quality of the article offered for sale. Should this not be done, the seller will permanently be caught in the Wrath of Allah (according to another narrator the exact words, ‘he will always be cursed by the angels')."

In short, all manner of deceit and dishonesty in business is prohibited in Islam. It has been proclaimed to be an act worthy of unqualified condemnation. The Holy Prophet has expressed his strong dislike for those who do so. He has said he will have nothing to do with them; they do not belong to him.

Likewise, bribery and usury, although might be practiced by mutual consent and agreement, are totally prohibited and forbidden and those who are guilty of them have been condemned by Allah and His Prophet (PBUH). Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:

"The curse of Allah rests on him who offers loan on usurious terms, and on him who receives, and on those who are witnesses to the transaction, and on the writer who writes the deed thereof."

As for bribery, Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) according has "condemned alike the giver of bribes, and the taker of bribes in deciding cases."

Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:

"If a person made a recommendation for anyone in a just manner and gratified party gave him something as a gift (in return for it) and he accepted it, then he committed a grave error (meaning that it, too, is a form of bribery)."

Usurpation of another's property by force or fraud or dishonest litigation is even worse. Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) made this clear, as he says:

"Whoever occupies land belonging to another unjustly will be sunk into the ground along with the plot of land on the Doomsday till he reaches the lowest layer of the earth."

"He who acquires the property of a Muslim unjustly by taking a false oath (before an Officer) is debarred by Allah from entering Paradise and the Fire of Hell is made inevitable for him."

Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) again, is reported to have warned a person who was very fond of entering into litigation with others in these strong words:

”Remember, he who will obtain the property of another by swearing a false oath will appear as a leper before Allah (on the Day of Judgement).”

And, again he (PBUH) said:

“Whoever laid a claim on a thing that was not his is not of us.”

The Spirit of Islam

Islam has stressed the importance of unity and good spirit among people. It also directs people to how to treat each other with respect, and forbids what humiliates the individuals or spreads hatred and evil spirits among them.

The Islamic Law has introduced a number of public ethics. At also, it warned of to strictly abiding by it, as this will entail punishment in the Hereafter.

Imam Muslim narrated that the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said: Do you know who is the bankrupt?” They answered: A bankrupt among us is the person who has neither money nor property. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “The bankrupt in my nation is the one who comes on the Day of Resurrection with prayer, zakat and fasting, yet he used to insult, slander, slay and beatothers. Thus claimants are rewarded according to their good deeds. If one's good deeds are gone, he is punished for his ill-doings until he is thrown intoHell.”

Islam respects the feelings of people who gather at a place to make gathering desirable and repel all that cause people to hate gathering. Therefore, Islam instructs its followers to be clean-bodied, with no bad smell, and clean-dressed, with no disgusting sights. It also instructs them to listen to the speaker without interrupting him and to sit where they find room without stepping over people's neck or causing them any inconvenience by pressing against them.

This is supported by the Prophet Mohammad's (PBUH) saying while addressing Muslims on a Friday sermon: “Whoever has a bath on Friday, puts on the best of his clothes, puts some scent on if any, then attends Friday prayer without crossing over people's necks and performs whatever rak'as he could. Then keep quiet when the Imam mounts the pulpit until he concludes prayer. His prayer will be atonement for the whole week preceding that prayer.”(Abu Dawood).

Moreover, Islam directs us Muslims to the attitude that forms some sort of friendliness and sociability between individuals, and this is shown to us through Prophet Mohammad's (PBUH) attitude among his companions. The Prophet (PBUH) has set some rules of behavior such as speaking pleasantly, and being cheerful with others.

He said (PBUH): Do not underestimate any kind of acts, even to receive your brother cheerfully.”

He (PBUH) also said:“A good word is an act of kindness.”(Bukhari & Muslim).

Al-Hussain, may Allah be pleased with him, said:“I asked my Father about the Prophet's behavior among his companions” to which he answered:“He was always cheerful, easy mannered and lenient. He was not rough, noisy, vulgar, insulting, or miserly. He used to overlook what he dislikes without depriving others of hope or answering them negatively. He refrained from disputation, prattling and curiosity. He spared others from three things: He never censured, found fault with or spied on them. He spoke only what he hoped would be rewarded. When he spoke, his listeners lowered their head quietly and when he was silent they spoke. They never spoke haphazardly in front of him. If one talked in his presence they listened to him until he has finished. He used to laugh and wonder at what they laughed or wondered at. He was patient with strangers who were rude in both their talk and requests.”

All this sums up the nature of Islam, and the attitude Muslims should have. Islam was never a rough or a harsh religion, on the contrary it guides people to what spreads love and warmness among them, and this is the true spirit of Islam. Nevertheless, it is important to stress the fact that no human affair, private or public, goes without Qur'anic or Prophetic instruction or guidance that defines or regulates it.

God’s greatest Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is known for his good manners, purified character and conduct.

The Holy Prophet (PUBH) used to invoke and pray to the Almighty Allah to grant him good manners and good treatment with the people and to adorn him with good character and conduct. He used to say in his invocation:

"O Allah, make my constitution and conduct good. He used to pray: O Allah, save me from bad character and conduct.

Saad (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Once I went to Aicha (May Allah be pleased with her) and her father and asked them about the character and conduct of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) to which Aicha (May Allah be pleased with her) replied: Don't you read the Qur’an? I said: Yes. She said: The character of the Messenger of Allah is the Qur’an. (From Ihya-Ulum-Id-Din by Imam Ghazzali (r.a.) Revival of Religious Learnings- English Translation by Fazlul Karim )

His Life:

Muhammad (ca. 570–632 CE) (Arabic محمد Muhammad) also transliterated Mohammad, Mohammed, Muhammed, and sometimes Mahomet (Latin Mahometus), following the Latin or Turkish, or Mahoma in Spanish, is God's final prophet sent to guide all of mankind with the message of Islam. (Wikipedia) Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was born ca. 570 in Mecca (Makkah) and passed away June 8, 632 in Medina (Madinah). Both Mecca and Medina are cities in the Hejaz region of present day Saudi Arabia. The name Muhammad means "the praised one" in Arabic.

He was a merchant who traveled widely. And in 610, at about the age of forty, while praying in a cave called Hira near Mecca, he was visited by the Angel Gabriel. Later, he described the experience (to those close to him) and informed them that the angel had commanded him to memorize and recite the verses sent by God which were later collected as part of the Qur'an. Gabriel told him that God (Allah in Arabic) had chosen him as the last of the prophets to mankind. He eventually expanded his mission as a prophet, publicly preaching a strict monotheism and warning against a Day of Judgement where all humans shall be held responsible for their deeds. He greatly respected Judaism and Christianity, two other monotheistic faiths known to the Arabs.

The holy Prophet (PBUH) is sent by God in order to complete and perfect those religions’ teachings. Many in Mecca resented his preaching, at least in part due to his followers' tendency to hold his authority above that of their leaders. Eventually, persecution followed and in 622, he was forced to leave Mecca (the Hijra) and settled in Yathrib (now known as Medina) with his followers, where he was the leader of the first avowedly Muslim community.

Under Prophet Muhammad's immediate successors, the Islamic empire expanded into Palestine, Syria, Mesopotamia, Persia, Egypt, North Africa, and Iberia. Later conquests, commercial contact between Muslims and non-Muslims, and missionary activity helped the peaceful spread of Islam over much of the globe.

Before his death in 632, the holy Prophet had established Islam as a social and political force and had unified most of Arabia. A few decades after his death, his successors had united all of Arabia, and conquered Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Armenia, and much of North Africa. By 750, Islam had emerged as the spiritual counterpart to the two great monotheistic belief systems, Judaism and Christianity.

Under the Ghaznavids, in the tenth century, Islam was spread to the mainly Hindu principalities east of the Indus by conquering armies in what is now northern India. Even later, Islam expanded into much of Africa and Southeast Asia. Islam is now the faith of well over a billion people all over the globe, and is the second largest religion of the present day.

Traits:

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) was the most patient among men, the best judge, and one who pardoned most. His hands never touched any strange woman. He was the greatest charitable man. Whenever any excess money came to him and if he did not then get anyone to accept it as charity, he did not return home till he gave it to the poor and the needy.

He did not store up for more than a year the provision of his family members which Allah was pleased to give him. He used to take one fifth of what easily came to him out of dates and wheat. What remained in excess, he used to give in charity. He used to give away in charity to one who begged anything of him, even out of his stored up provision.

He used to repair his shoes, join his wives in their labours and cut meat with them. He was the most shy among men and could not stare at anyone for long. He accepted invitation of slaves and free men and presentation of even a cup of milk. He always refused to use the properties of Zakat. He used to speak the truth even though it was sometimes a cause of trouble to himself and his companions. He used to bind stones in his bell to appease his hunger and eat whatever he gets. He never returned any present.

He considered milk as sufficient if he did not get any other food. He used not to take food leaning against a pillow or upon a high table. Soles of his two feet served as his towel.

He used to accept invitations to attend wedding festivals, attend the sick and the diseased and attend the funerals. He was the most modest without pride and his tongue was most eloquent without prolongation of his speech.

His constitution was the most beautiful. No worldly duties could keep him busy. He used to put on whatever he got. His ring was made of silver and he used to put it on in the little finger of his right or left hand. He used to take his servant behind his back on any conveyance, whether it was horse or a camel. Sometimes he walked bare footed; sometimes he had no turban or cap on his head. He used to go even to a distant place to see sick, love scents and hate stench or bad smell, sit with the poor and the destitute, eat with them, honor those possessing honor, advise them to do good deeds and show kindness to their relatives. He was never harsh with anybody and accepted excuse offered to him. He used at times to cut jokes without falsehood and not burst into laughter. (From Ihya-Ulum-Id-Din by Imam Ghazzali (r.a.) Revival of Religious Learnings- English Translation by Fazlul Karim)

To love someone for the sake of Allah is a grand act for which much merit and many rewards have been promised.

"To love for the sake of Allah" means loving someone, not for worldly gain, but because he/she is more religious and pious or busy in serving Muslims and Islam, or because loving him or her is commanded by Allah; like loving parents.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:

"Allah shall ask on the Day of Judgment; ' Where are those who loved for the sake of my greatness? Today when there is no shade, I shall have them in my shade.'" [Sahih Muslim]

Allah (swt) says in the Qur’an:

"The Believers are but a single brotherhood."[49:10]

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:

“There are three things, that whoever attains, will find the sweetness of faith: If Allah and his messenger are dearer to him than anyone else; if he loves a person solely for the sake of Allah; and if he would hate to return to disbelief (kufr) after Allah has rescued him from it, as much as he would hate to be thrown into fire."[Agreed upon]

Having love for Allah's pious and good bondsmen is actually an outcome of one's love for Allah, so it earns the same rewards and merits as the latter.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was asked:

"When shall come the Day of Judgment?" Our Prophet (pbuh) asked him : “What preparation have you made for the Day?" The man said, "Nothing, but I have love for Allah and for his messenger." The Prophet (pbuh) said: "You shall be (on that Day) with whom you love."

The above saying (hadith) has been quoted by Anas. He said that these words of the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) pleased us as nothing had ever done. He added: "I have great love for the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) - may he be eternally blessed - and with Abu Bakr and Umar, may Allah be pleased with them, and because of this love, I shall be in their company, even though my deeds are not equal to theirs." [Sahih Bukhari]

Allah has commanded Muslims to love one another, to take one another as friends and brothers and care and help each other, Allah (swt) says in the Qur’an:

(And hold fast by the covenant of Allah all together and be not disunited, and remember the favor of Allah on you when you were enemies, then He united your hearts so by His favor you became brethren; and you were on the brink of a pit of fire, then He saved you from it, thus does Allah make clear to you His communications that you may follow the right way.)[3:103]

Our love for each other for the sake of Allah implies a willingness to sacrifice our needs for the sake of our fellow Muslims’ needs in a manner that far outweighs normal sacrifice for the sake of friendship. This pure love is crucial to maintaining Muslims’ faith, if Muslims don’t have strong relations with each other, their faith will automatically decrease.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:

“The relationship between believers is like a wall, parts of which support other parts.”[Muslim]

The concept of love for the sake of Allah doesn’t recognize nor permit “friendship" between men and women that is outside of marriage and familial bonds. However, Muslims wives and husbands shouldl love each other for the sake of Allah, their children will love them and love each other for the sake of Allah. This will sure result in strong family relations and a healthy Muslim community.

A Muslim should not forsake or abandon his brother, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:

“There should be no breaking off of ties, no turning away from one another, no hating one another. Be brothers, as Allah has commanded you.”[Muslim]

Also Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) advised Muslims to show their love for one another, he said:

“If a man loves his brother in faith, he should tell him that he loves him.”[Abu Dawud]

There are so many sayings of our Prophet (pbuh) showing that having love for someone for the sake of Allah is an act of great merit, which grants one the opportunity of doing good in this world and being in exalted company in the Hereafter.

Hence, one should love good people for the sake of Allah and with the intent of becoming good oneself and earning Allah's pleasure.

Muslims should love Allah (swt) and be devoted to him alone, so that in return he loves them. They must love Allah (swt) more than anything else, more than money, family, friends, and more than this life.

Muslims should also love Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) –Allah’s beloved- and follow his path, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:

“Love Allah because he nourishes and sustains you. Love me because Allah loves me” [Tirmidhi]

We should learn how to earn Allah’s love. Allah (swt) tells us two ways by which he bestows his love upon us, Allah said in the Qur’an:

(Say: ‘If you do love Allah follow me, Allah will love you and forgive your sins for Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.) Qur'an (3:31)

(Surely those who believe and do righteous deeds, to them will God Most Gracious bestow His Love.) Qur'an (19:96)

It is very clear that if we follow the traditions (sunnah) of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), Allah (swt) will love us. Allah’s Messenger (swt) invited people to have faith in Allah and work deeds of righteousness, which he himself practiced with much devotion.

Muslims can show their love and devotion to Allah (swt) by performing not only the obligatory deeds required upon them but also to do the voluntary deeds. This means to commit to the obligatory five daily prayers, charity (almsgiving), fasting in the month of Ramadan, and pilgrimage to Mecca in the House of Allah (swt) once in a lifetime for those who can afford it.

In addition to these obligatory deeds, Muslims should try as much as possible to perform the optional prayers, to give voluntary charity, to fast in other days and months, and to perform minor pilgrimage to Mecca (umrah).

All these deeds must be done in accordance with the traditions (sunnah) of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) .The most important of these voluntary deeds is the after midnight prayers (tahajjud). Allah (swt) commanded his Messenger (pbuh) to pray night prayers, which the Prophet (pbuh) regularly performed and which became part of his “Sunnah”.

Allah says in the Qur’an:

(O you (Muhammad) folded in garments! Stand (to prayer) by night, but not whole night, half of it, or a little less, or a little more; and recite the Qur’an in slow, measured rhythmic tone. Soon shall We send down to you a weighty Word. Truly the rising by night is a time when impression is more keen and speech more certain. True, there is for you by day prolonged occupation with ordinary duties: but keep in remembrance the name of Allah (your rabb) and devote yourself to Him whole-heartily. He is the god (rabb) of the East and the West: there is no god but He. Take Him therefore for your Disposer of affairs.) Qur'an (73:1-9)

By making night prayers a part of our practice, we become pious, a characteristic that will make us better Muslims. We must strive to be pious to earn Allah’s love, we must know that Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) encourages us to have such excellent character as narrated in the following saying:

Abu Dharr ( god bless him) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said to him;

“You are not better than people with red or black skins unless you excel them in piety.”[Tirmidhi and Ahmad]

Once we become pious, we earn Allah’s love, in return, Allah (swt) will bless us.

Abu Hurairah (god bless him) narrated that the Prophet (pbuh) said:

“If Allah loves a person, He calls Gabriel saying, 'Allah loves so and-so; O Gabriel! Love him.’ Gabriel would love him and make an announcement amongst the inhabitants of the Heaven. 'Allah loves so-and-so, therefore you should love him also,' and so all the inhabitants of the Heaven would love him, and then he is granted the pleasure of the people on the earth."[Bukhari and Tirmidhi]

Muslims should love each other for the sake of Allah (swt), also they must invite other people to love Allah (swt) for the favors that he has given to them. Allah (swt) is our Creator, Sustainer and Cherisher. Everything comes from him. He alone deserves our love, Allah says in the Qur’an:

(Yet there are men who take (for worship) others besides Allah as equal (with Allah); they love them as they should love Allah. But those of faith are overflowing in their love for Allah. If only the unrighteous could see behold they would see the penalty that to Allah belongs all power and Allah will strongly enforce the penalty.)Qur'an (2:165)

Allah (swt) loves those who constantly supplicate, and repent, he says in the Qur’an:

(Truly Allah loves those who turn into him in repentance) Qur'an (2:222)

Finally, Muslims should always keep Allah (swt) in their hearts, and glorify him with his 99 names (tasabeeh) as Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:

“The people of paradise will not regret, except one thing: the hour that they wasted in which they made no remembrance of Allah”[Tabarabi]

The stairway to Paradise

What is the stairway to Paradise? What should we do to enter Paradise? Most of us must be wondering what does Paradise look like? What sorts of pleasure are there? It is beyond human imagination. So let's do our part in life; obey Allah and His Messenger (PBUH), and win Allah's satisfaction, for by His mercy we can enter the Eternal Paradise.

Allah says in the Qur'an:

"And give good news (O Mohammad) to those who believe and do good deeds, that they will have gardens (Paradise) in which rivers flow.... (Qur'an 2:25)

Allah also encourages us to win his forgiveness and look forward to Paradise as he says in the Qur'an:

"Race one with another for forgiveness from your Lord and for Paradise, whose width is as the width of the heavens and the earth, which has been prepared for those who believe in God and His messengers.... (Qur'an 57:21)

Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) told us that the lowest in rank among the dwellers of Paradise will have ten times the like of this world, and he or she will have whatever he or she desires and ten times like it.

Also, Prophet Mohammad said (PBUH):

"A space in Paradise equivalent to the size of a foot would be better than the world and what is in it."

He (PBUH) also said:

"In Paradise there are things which no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human mind has thought of."

Once you enter Paradise, you will live a very happy life without sickness, pain, sadness, or death; Allah will be pleased with you; and you will live there forever.

Allah says:

"But those who believe and do good deeds, We will admit them to gardens (Paradise) in which rivers flow, lasting in them forever.... " (Qur'an, 4:57)

Now what should we do to enter Paradise? What are the deeds that lead one to Paradise?

People who will enter Paradise are those who believe in Allah and His Messengers, those who avoid wrong doings and fear Allah and the Day of Resurrection. On the other hand, those who associate others with Allah, or disbelieve in Him, or deny any of the principles of faith, will not be allowed to enter Paradise. Their destination will be Hellfire.

Allah has stated in many verses in the Qur'an that the people of Paradise are the believers who do righteous deeds. For example: Allah says:

"And give glad tidings to those who believe and do righteous good deeds that for them will be Gardens under which rivers flow. Every time they will be provided with fruits there from, they will say: 'This is what we were provided with before,' and they will be given things in resemblance [i.e. in the same form but different in taste] and they shall have therein purified mates as wives, and they will abide therein forever." (Qur'an 2:25)

Also Allah says:

"Allah has promised to the believers - men and women - Gardens under which rivers flow to dwell therein forever, and beautiful mansions in Gardens of 'Eden. But the greatest bliss is the Good Pleasure of Allah. That is the supreme success." (Qur'an 9:72)

In some places the Qur'an states that people will deserve Paradise for their achievements in faith and righteous deeds:
Believers may earn Paradise through their faith and Islam:

"My worshippers! Today no fear shall be on you, nor shall you grieve. Those who believed in Our Revelations and they were Muslim; "Enter the Garden, you and your spouses, in rejoicing". (Qur'an 43:68-70)

Or they may earn Paradise because they were sincere in their devotion to Allah:

"Save the chosen slaves of Allah, For them there will be a known provision [in Paradise], Fruits, and they shall be honoured, In the Gardens of delight." (Qur'an 37:40-43)

Or for the strength of their relationship with Allah and how close they are to Allah, their longing for Him and worship of Him:

"Only those who believe in our ayat (signs, proofs, verses) who, when they are reminded of them fall down prostrate, and glorify the Praises of their 'Rabb' (Lord) and they are in fear and hope, and they spend [charity in Allah's Cause] out of what We have bestowed on them." (Qur'an 32:15-16)

Also people may enter Paradise as a result of their patience and reliance on Allah:

"And those who believe and do righteous good deeds, to them We shall surely give lofty dwellings in Paradise, underneath which rivers flow, to live therein forever. Excellent is the reward of the workers, those who are patient and put their trust [only] in their 'Rabb' (Allah)."(Qur'an 29: 58-59)

Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) has told us about three great deeds through which a person may earn Paradise. 'Ayyad ibn Himar al-Mujashi'i narrated that Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said one day in his Khutbah (sermon):

"The people of Paradise are three: a ruler who is fair and just; a man who is compassionate and gentle towards every relative and Muslim; and a man with a large family who is proud and does not beg."

Is reaching Paradise easy?

Paradise is very high, and ascending to lofty places takes a great deal of effort. To reach Paradise you have to walk through a road full of difficulties; a way that is full of things that go against human wishes and inclinations. This needs strong determination and willpower.

In a Hadith narrated by Bukhari and Muslim from Abu Hurayrah, Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:

"Hell has been veiled with desires, and Paradise has been veiled with hardships."

An-Nisa'i, Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud report from Abu Hurayrah that Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:

"When Allah created Paradise, He told Jibril, 'Go and look at it.' So he went and looked at it, then he came back and said: 'By Your Glory, no one will hear of it but he will enter it.' So He surrounded it with hardships and said, 'Go and look at it.' So he went and looked at it, then came back and said: 'By Your Glory, I fear that no one will enter it.'"

An-Nawawi commented on the first Hadith: "This is an example of the beautiful, eloquent and concise speech of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), in which he gives a beautiful analogy. It means that nothing will help you to reach Paradise except going through hardships, and nothing will lead you to Hell but whims and desires. Both are veiled as described, and whoever tears down the veil will reach what was hidden behind it. The veil of Paradise is torn down by going through hardships, and the veil of Hell is torn down by giving in to whims and desires. Hardship includes striving consistently and patiently in worship, restraining one's anger, forgiving, being patient, giving in charity, being kind to those who mistreat you, resisting physical desires etc."

Thus, Paradise is worth sacrificing wordly pleasure, so try to pull back your whims and desires, be strong, and remember the eternal pleasure you'll enjoy in Paradise. Put up with hardships for in Paradise there will be no place for grieve or sadness, it's a place for happiness and peacefulness.

Islam is the religion of mercy and kindness, the religion of tolerance and ease. Allah has not burdened the Muslim Nation with more than it can bear. Whatever good it does, it will be rewarded for it, and whatever evil it does, it will have to bear the burden of that sin, as Allah says:

“Allah burdens not a person beyond his scope. He gets reward for that (good) which he has earned, and he is punished for that (evil) which he has earned”. Qur’an (2:286)

Allah has spared the Muslims any difficulty or hardship in all that He has enjoined upon them. Allah says:

“He has chosen you (to convey His Message of Islamic Monotheism to mankind by inviting them to His religion of Islam), and has not laid upon you in religion any hardship”. Qur’an (22:78)

Every sin that a Muslim commits because he makes a mistake, or forgets, or is forced to do it, is forgiven by Allah, as Allah says:

“Our Lord! Punish us not if we forget or fall into error”. Qur’an (2:286)

And Allah says: your prayer is granted.

The Muslim will be brought to account for what he does deliberately, not for what he does by mistake, as Allah says:

“And there is no sin on you concerning that in which you made a mistake, except in regard to what your hearts deliberately intend”. Qur’an (33:5)

Allah is Kind and Merciful. He sent Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) with ease and the tolerant monotheism:

“Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you”. Qur’an (2:185)

Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:

“Religion is very easy and whoever overburdens himself in his religion will not be able to continue in that way. So you should not be extremists, but try to be near to perfection and receive the good tidings that you will be rewarded.” (narrated by al-Bukhari, 39).

Satan is man's greatest enemy. He makes him forget the remembrance of Allah (dhikr) and makes his sin attractive to him, as Allah says:

“Shaytaan (Satan) has overpowered them. So he has made them forget the remembrance of Allah. They are the party of Shaytaan (Satan). Verily, it is the party of Shaytaan (Satan) that will be the losers! Qur’an (58:19)

What one’s own self says has also been forgiven by Allah. The Prophet (PBUH) said:

“Allah has forgiven my Ummah for thoughts that cross their minds, so long as they do not speak of them or act upon them.” (Narrated by Muslim, 127)

Whoever commits a sin then Allah conceals it, it is not permissible for him to speak of it, as Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:

“All of my Ummah will be fine except those who commit sin openly.” (Narrated by Muslim, 2990).

If a person commits a sin then repents, Allah will accept his repentance, Allah says in the Holy Qur’an:

“Your Lord has written (prescribed) Mercy for Himself, so that if any of you does evil in ignorance, and thereafter repents and does righteous good deeds (by obeying Allah), then surely, He is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful”. Qur’an (6:54)

Allah is Generous and Kind, He multiplies the reward for good deeds and forgives bad deeds. Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said, narrating the words of his Lord:

“Allah has decreed hasanaat (good deeds) and sayi’aat (bad deeds), then He explained that. Whoever intends to do a good deed then does not do it, Allah will write it down as one complete hasanah(good deed); if he intends to do it then he does it, then Allah will write it down as between ten and seven hundred hasanaat, or more. Whoever intends to do a bad deed, then he does not do it, Allah will write it down as one complete hasanah; if he intends to do it then he does it, Allah will write it down as one bad deed.” (Agreed upon; narrated by al-Bukhari, Kitaab al-Raqaa’iq, 81)