What If There Is No Afterlife?
LastProphet regular writer Fatma Bayram offers some thoughts on the Islamic understanding of the Hereafter (akhira), presented as a dialogue between a friend [E] and herself, discussing the precepts and confusing perceptions which are sometimes offered on the subject. What if there is no afterlife? E: The people around me seem to have the hardest time in believing in an afterlife. And I think to...

Not Knowing What to Say
In daily life, we may face objections and questions having to do with religion that are not well-intentioned. Don’t object immediately thinking, “How can you know someone’s intentions?” What gives people with such attitudes away are their expressions, their raised eyebrows, a belittling and mocking tone, and instead of the usually intrigued wide eyes, there are half-closed  eyes that seem lik...

How do you make people feel?
They say that people may forget what they spoke to you about, what they experienced with you, but they will never forget you made them feel. Do we think that when we treat people in a way that makes them feel valuable, that our own value will decrease? And is this why we treat people in such a way that they will feel insufficient, weak, inadequate and helpless? Is our opinion of ourselves so low...

Our shield: Fasting
Fasting is the shield donned by the soul. It represents the human inclination towards the soul in the battle between the soul and the body. Fasting in other faiths According to this statement in the Holy Qur'an, all divine religions prescribe fasting: "O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, even as it was prescribed for those before you that ye may ward off (evil)." (Surah Bakara:183) T...

The Foundation of the Principles Brought by Our Prophet: Revival
When Allah the Almighty sent our Prophet to the polytheists  of Mecca for the purpose of a divine calling, his first message was to be that Allah is the only deity and that human beings, following death, would be resurrected and brought before Him (s.w.t.) Despite the fact that the polytheists were idolators, they believed in Allah. However, they denied resurrection and the Afterlife. And today, ...

Staying Vigorous With the Qur'an
How frequently does a Muslim read the Qur'an? How did the Companions do it, how do we go about this and is there an average measure to go buy? What is the status of our texts and transliterations readings that are read from one Ramadan to the next? A person who does not adorn their average days with worship and dhikr, how will they, spend important days and times, in remembrance of what? During ...

Following the Path of the Prophet
The rocky road of “Qur'an Islam” tries to distance Islam from all of the religion's visible aspect, imprisoning it in the labile world of feelings.  Accordingly, the Qur'an has not made alcohol forbidden; it has only seen it in a negative light. Women need not cover; the Qur'an rather places restrictions on dressing provocatively. What is banned in the Qur'an is not interest, but rather loan-shar...

Introduction To Islam -Part IV
  INCORPORATING THE PRACTICES OF ISLAM INTO DAILY LIFE In a Muslim's daily life, it is important when with family or friends, to pay careful attention to the planning of worship, doing charity, and demonstrating good behavior as a means of education. For example, when making plans to go out with children, thinking out loud about where and when the ritual prayers will be performed and narrating ho...

Introduction To Islam -Part III
  PERSONAL PROBLEMS SHOULD NOT AFFECT BELIEFS Reading the Qur’an can result in mental discord regarding a certain subject. A ruling on a certain matter may contradict our egos. Certain memories or past experiences may cause a sudden loss of faith. No matter what the excuse, we may very well be able to convince ourselves that we have no need for God. Regardless of our current circumstances, perhap...

Introduction To Islam -Part II
  POLYTHEISM / CREATING ALTERNATIVES FOR ALLAH In the Qur’an, the oneness of Allah is mentioned more than the existence of Allah. According to the Qur’an, the existence of Allah for humans is so indispensible and natural that expressions of astonishment are used for those who do not believe that. Atheism (denial of God) is something that is developed as a reaction against religion.Nowadays, the n...

Introduction To Islam - Part I
WHAT IS FAITH? Entering into Islam is only possible with faith. It is not possible to consider someone a “Muslim” if that person does not believe in the principles that are brought by the Qur’an. In Islam, faith is innate. God created each person with a potential that is to be fulfilled through full belief in the Supreme Might. When belief fully in a supreme being cannot be reached, the person is...

Introduction To Islam - Part I
WHAT IS FAITH? Entering into Islam is only possible with faith. It is not possible to consider someone a “Muslim” if that person does not believe in the principles that are brought by the Qur’an. In Islam, faith is innate. God created each person with a potential that is to be fulfilled through full belief in the Supreme Might. When belief fully in a supreme being cannot be reached, the person is...