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...

Islamic Ruling on Female Circumcision
The following has been translated from the fatwa issued in Arabic by Egyptian Islamic Theologian Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi, Head of the International Union of Muslim Scholars. "Praise to Allah, and may the peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family and companions, and followers of his guidance."  Ever since I was a student at Al-Azhar University, I have seen people debate over the...

What really is a Black Hole?
This Quranic concept of the beginning and the end of the creation is undoubtedly extraordinary. It would not have been less amazing if it had been revealed to a highly educated person of our contemporary age, but one is wonder-struck by the fact that this most advanced knowledge, regarding the perpetually repeating phenomenon of creation, was revealed more than fourteen hundred years ago...

Prophet Muhammad and the Middle Ages IV
  Renan argued that Hebrew and Arabic were degraded languages, deviations from the Aryan tradition, which had become irredeemably flawed. These Semitic tongues could be studied only as an example of arrested development and lacked the progressive character of 'our' linguistic systems. The nineteenth century was characterised by the colonial spirit, which was giving Europe...

Christmas and New Year
  In an age when the world has become a large village with the increase of mass communication technologies, Western culture is making its presence felt in every field. Christmas is a religious holiday regarded by Christians to mark the birth of Jesus (p.b.u.h.). However, nowadays Christmas is being confused with New Year celebrations by many people, and they are even identified with e...

Mustafa Cagrici, The Mufti of Istanbul, on the events of Karbala
Mustafa Cagrici, The Mufti of Istanbul, on the events of Karbala December 16th, 2010 (corresponding to the 10th of Muharram, 1432 Hijri) is the anniversary of Karbala, one of the saddest events in Muslim history. We asked Dr. Cagrici about the day of Ashura and how present day Muslims should approach the events of Karbala. His message, which emphasized that the incidents which took place at Karba...

Glossary of Islamic Terms
This glossary aims to assist the readers of Lastprophet.info, as well as readers of any Islamic text, in understanding the definitions of certain foreign terms whose English cognates may or may not convey the true meaning found in the original languages that employ them. Certain foreign words may differ with their English counterparts due to conceptual differences in theology and current conflict...

The Day of Ashura and its Place in the Religious Life of the Ott
The Day of Ashura was celebrated in the Ottoman period by Muslims according to the identity of their sect, either as a day of mourning or as a day of celebration. Throughout the Ottoman period, leadership in the Ashura traditions belonged to the palace. The necessary ingredients for cooking the Ashura pudding would be sent to the Topkapı Palace kitchens from the royal larder a few days before an...

Mourning or Salvation?
The day of Ashura, the tenth day of the Islamic month Muharram, has been celebrated throughout Islamic history mostly as a day of salvation. However, especially with the matrydom of Hussein and his people at Karbala, the day has gained a political dimension and become a day of mourning for especially the Shii. It is important to make room for these traditions in our world by understand...

The Christian World Celebrates the Birth of Jesus
As with every year, the streets in cities from New York to London and from Sydney to Berlin are decked out in Christmas enthralling all who see them. The streets are illuminated, Christmas trees are decorated and the shop windows compete with each other to attract the attention of passers-by. While the Santa Clauses are ringing their sleigh bells, the capitalist economy brings this wind to the re...

Jesus through a Muslim Lens
Christians may be surprised to learn that Muslims believe in the Virgin Birth and Jesus' miracles. But this shared interest in his message goes much further. In our scientific age, the miraculous side of Jesus' story has greatly obscured his role in the prophetic tradition. In this sense, there may be more important questions for Muslims and Christians than whether he walked on water or raised th...

What is Christmas About?
  The pressure on parents each year to buy bigger and better toys for their children is so great. Many have to borrow money to cope with the financial burden Christmas brings.   Christmas, celebrated in December, is surrounded by so much media hype that many of the shops have begun to display their Christmas range from as early as October. After three months of "jingle bells," shopper...