Jama Masjid India

Description:  We are not the first or only Muslims to ponder our strangeness. Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, said, “Islam began as something strange, and it shall return to being something strange, so give glad tidings to the strangers.” [1]   It was asked, “Who are those strangers, O Messenger of God?”  He replied, “Those that correct the people when they become corrupt.” [2]   In another narration he said in response to the same question, “They are a small group of people among a large evil population.  Those who oppose them are more than those who follow them. [3] Just who are the strangers?    Is it me or you or the neighbours; is it the people at the mosque, or the other mosque?   Is it all of us or none of us?    Are the strangers those who have converted to Islam?    Or the born Muslim who suddenly grows a beard, or puts on a scarf for the first time?   I t...

The True Richness Description:  The reality of life in this world. Many people mistakenly assume that true wealth and real treasure is that of money.  It is indeed true that wealth is a great blessing from God which He bestows upon His servants.  And the one who earns it purely, and spends it properly, and gives it to those that deserve it, without a doubt earns a great reward from God. But at the same time, wealth is not the greatest blessing that can be given to mankind.  Furthermore, no matter how much wealth a person has, eventually it will leave him, and pass on into the hands of others.  The Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, reminded us of this when he asked the Companions, “Who amongst you loves the money of his inheritors more than his own money?” [1] They replied, “O Messenger of God!  There is no one of us except that he loves his own money more than he loves the money of his inheritors.” So the Prophet repli...

(part 1 of 4): The Worship of God Description:  The purpose for the creation of mankind is worship.  Part 1: Human’s need for worship. From the perspective of humankind, the question “Why did God create man?”  implies “For what purpose was man created?”  In the final revelation (the Quran), this question is answered without any ambiguity.  Humans are first informed by God that every human being is born with an innate consciousness of God.  In the Quran, God said: “[Remember] when your Lord extracted from the loins of Adam’s children their descendants and made them testify [saying]: ‘Am I not your Lord?’  They said: ‘Yes, we testify to it.’  [This was] in case you say on the Day of Judgment: ‘We were unaware of this.’  Or you say: ‘It was our ancestors who worshipped others besides God and we are only their descendants.  Will you then destroy us for what those liars did?’” (Quran 7:172) The Prophet, may the mercy and blessings...

(part 1 of 3): Reason and Revelation Description:  Is “Reason” a sufficient source in the search for the purpose of life? Introduction ‘What is the meaning and purpose of life?’  This is, perhaps, the most important question that has ever been asked.  Throughout the ages, philosophers have considered it to be the most fundamental question.  Scientists, historians, philosophers, writers, psychologists and the common man all wrestle with the question at some point in their lives. Is Reason a Sufficient Guide? ‘Why do we eat?’  ‘Why do we sleep?’  ‘Why do we work?’  The answers we would get to these questions would be similar.  ‘I eat to live.’  ‘I sleep to rest.’  ‘I work to support myself and my family.’  But when it comes to what the purpose of life is, people are confused.  We see their confusion by the type of answers we receive.  Youths may say, "I live for booze and bikinis."  The middle aged profe...