overshadowed everything else. Recitation of the Quran was, in those days, a common method of preaching Islam. When Mus’ab ibn Zubayr was sent to Madinah as a preacher, he used to “talk to people, and recite

that produce the reaction that Islamic preaching evokes. However untiring the efforts of the preacher, and no matter how accurately he presents the true message of Islam, it is more the disposition of

and We will certainly preserve it.”4 It was God’s will that, with the mission of the Prophet of Islam, polytheism should be vanquished and monotheism reign supreme in the world.5 Only He can bring about

groundwork for the Islamic revolution had been laid. It was for the Prophet Muhammad to work on this foundation and bring about the domination of monotheism over polytheism. The Islamic revolution of the

hearts. The match was held on the appointed day. As per their plan, the team of students from the Islamic institution played very badly, thus allowing the university team to win. Then, as previously decided

claim of being superior, and the folks at the Islamic institution made every effort to satisfy this urge of theirs. And so, the problem that had beset the Islamic institution for several years was automatically

where Muslims consider themselves secure, numerically as well as economically. In the light of the Islamic commandments mentioned above, all efforts that Muslims have been making to end inter-communal violence

others in screaming and protesting. This method is completely opposed to Islamic teachings. And if a method is opposed to Islamic teachings, it cannot produce any worthy results in this

liked by the common Muslims, for to them this reeked of humiliation and surrender. But the Prophet of Islam had foreseen that he would take this stand and he approved of it. According to traditions, when Hasan

surrender— belong to the days of ignorance (prior to Islam). The Islamic way is to look upon such matters in terms of their result. According to the teachings of Islam, in controversial matters only that way is

Khanam is an author, editor, translator, public speaker and former professor of Islamic Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. Among her books are ‘A Simple Guide to Sufism’ and ‘A Study of World’s

SIGNIFICANCE OF RAMADANAccording to Islamic teachings, Ramadan, the ninth month of the Hijra calendar, is the month of fasting. The Quran mentions that fasting was a common practice in all the religions:

fasting. The Arabic equivalent of fasting is saum. Saum means abstinence, which is the spirit of Islamic fasting. In the month of Ramadan, believers abstain from food and drink for a limited period each

active mission he laid all other matter aside and concentrated solely on propagating the message of Islam. First of all he was determined to inform his kinsfolk that he had been chosen to communicate the

face. The Prophet’s uncle, ‘Abbas, heard about this. Though at that time ‘Abbas had not accepted Islam, family pride moved him to go and smite Abu Jahl in return. Then he came back to the Prophet, “Nephew

he said triumphantly, “I have taken your revenge.” “It would make me happier if you were to accept Islam,” The Prophet replied. Once the leaders of the Quraysh came to Abu Talib, another of the Prophet’s

active mission he laid all other matter aside and concentrated solely on propagating the message of Islam. First of all he was determined to inform his kinsfolk that he had been chosen to communicate the

face. The Prophet’s uncle, ‘Abbas, heard about this. Though at that time ‘Abbas had not accepted Islam, family pride moved him to go and smite Abu Jahl in return. Then he came back to the Prophet, “Nephew

he said triumphantly, “I have taken your revenge.” “It would make me happier if you were to accept Islam,” The Prophet replied. Once the leaders of the Quraysh came to Abu Talib, another of the Prophet’s

practical value—is something which can win the world. Adopting a high code of ethics means practising what one preaches; treating the weak with the same courtesy and deference as one shows to the strong; setting

bearing even when others stoop to the depths of degradation. From this point of view, the prophet of Islam stood at the highest pinnacle of human ethics, never abandoning the lofty standards that he preached