Which is the oldest of all the religion? and the, most pure, authentic and best of all the religions of the world.
Answer:
Islam is the oldest religion
Hinduism is not the oldest of all the religions. It is Islam which is the first and the oldest of all religions. People have a misconception that Islam is 1400 years old and that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the founder of this religion. Islam existed since time immemorial, ever since man first set foot on this earth. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was not the founder of Islam. He was the last and final Messenger of Almighty God.
The oldest religion need not be the purest and the most authentic religion
A religion cannot be claimed to be most pure and authentic, only on the criterion that it is the oldest. It is similar to a person saying that the water he has kept in an open glass, in his house, outside the refrigerator, for three months is purer than the water which has just been collected in a clean glass, immediately after it has been purified.
The latest religion need not be the purest and the most authentic religion
On the other hand a religion cannot be claimed to be the purest or authentic, only on the criterion that the religion is new or the latest. A bottle of distilled water which is sealed, packed and kept in the refrigerator for three months is much purer than a bottle of water freshly collected from the sea.
For religion to be pure and authentic, it should not have interpolations, changes and revisions in its scriptures revealed from God
For any religion to be pure and authentic, its scriptures should not contain any interpolation, addition, deletion or revision. Moreover the religion’s source of inspiration and direction should be Almighty God. The Qur’an is the only religious scripture on the face of the earth which has been maintained it its original form. All the other religious scriptures, of all the other religions have interpolations, additions, deletions or revisions. The Qur’an has been in the memory of a multitude of people, intact in its original form ever since its revelation, and now there are hundreds of thousands of people who have preserved it in their memory. Moreover, if you compare the copies made by Caliph Uthman from the original Qur’an which is yet present in the museum in Tashkent and in Koptaki museum in Turkey, they are the same as the ones we possess today.
Allah (swt) promises in the Qur’an, in Surah Al Hijr, chapter 15 verse 9
"We have, without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption)."
The oldest religion need not be best religion
A religion cannot be claimed to be the best religion only on the criterion that it is the oldest. It is similar to a person saying, that my 19th century car is better than a Toyota car manufactured in 1998, because it is older. He would be considered to be a fool to say that his 19th century car which required a rod to be turned in circles to start it, is better than a key-start 1998 Toyota car, just because it is older.
The latest religion need not be the best religion
On the other hand a religion cannot be called as the best religion only on the criterion that the religion is new or that it came later. It is similar to a person who says that my 800 cc Suzuki car manufactured in 1999 is better than a 5000 cc Mercedes 500 SEL manufactured in 1997. To judge which car is better, a person should compare the specifications of the car e.g. the power of the car, safety measures, the capacity of the cylinders, the pickup, the speed, the comfort, etc. 5000 cc Mercedes, 500 SEL car manufactured in 1997, is far superior and better than a 800 cc Suzuki (Maruti Suzuki 800) manufactured in 1999.
A religion is best, if it has the solutions to the problems of mankind
For a religion to be considered the best, it should have the solution to all the problems of mankind. It should be the religion of truth, and should be applicable to all ages. Islam is the only religion which has the solution to all the problems of mankind. e.g. the problem of alcoholism, surplus women, rape and molestation, robbery, racism, casteism, etc.
Islam is the religion of truth, and its laws and solutions are applicable to all the ages. The Qur’an is the only religious book on the face of the earth, which has maintained its purity and authenticity proving itself to be the word of God in all the ages. i.e. previously, when it was the age of miracles, literature and poetry and in present times when it is the age of science and technology. Moreover, Islam is not a man-made religion, but a religion revealed and inspired by Almighty God. It is the only religion acceptable in His Sight.
WOMEN IN THE MOSQUE
Why are women not allowed in the mosque?
Answer:
1. There is not a single verse in the Qur’an which prohibits women from entering the mosque and there is no single authen tic Hadith which I know of which states that the Prophet (pbuh) prevented or forbade women from going to the mosque.
There is only one Hadith which could be misunderstood to mean that women should not go to the mosque. That Hadith is as follows: ‘The prayer of women is better in their house than in the mosque and the prayer of women is better in their rooms than in their house.’
If you base your conclusion only on this single Hadith, then you may wrongly conclude that it is not advisable or preferable for women to go to the mosque. As I mentioned earlier, your conclusion cannot be based only on one Hadith neglecting or ignoring all the other Ahadith. The context of the Hadith is also very important.
The Prophet (pbuh) said that if a person prays in the mosque he gets 27 times more blessings (Sawab). Some women argued that they had infants at home and other household work and therefore could not go to the mosque. Thus the men have a greater advantage than women for receiving such blessings. It is then that the Prophet said the above Hadith that ‘The prayer of women is better in their house than in the mosque and the prayer of women is better in their rooms than in their house’.
Hence, the conclusion is that in situations where women have infants and household work, which too is an important duty that cannot be neglected, women would not be deprived of the sawab (blessings) if they pray in their own house.
2. There are several Ahadith which prove that both men and women went to the mosque during the life of the prophet:
(i) The Prophet said, ‘Do not prevent the female servants of Allah from going to the mosque of Allah.’
(ii) And husbands were specifically told by him, “ When your women folk ask you for permission to attend the mosque, do not prevent them.”
(Sahih Bukhari Volume 1, Book of Salaah, Chapter 80, Hadith No. 832)
(iii) From the time the Prophet (pbuh) entered Madinah, after Hijra, till his demise, he never prevented women from entering the mosque.
(iv) During the time of the Prophet (pbuh), women not only went to the mosque for prayer but also for religious education and liter ary discussions as the mosque was the centre of community. Several Ahadith tell us that the Prophet (pbuh) addressed people in the mosque, and the audience consisted of both Muslim men and women, and women many a times asked questions to the Prophet (pbuh) in the mosque.
(v) Even at the time of Hazrat Umar (R) women went to the mosque. The famous incident in which a lady from the back seat of the mosque objected to Hazrat Umar (R) considering an upper limit to meher, is very well known.
(vi) During the Prophet’s (pbuh) time, mosques had separate entrances for ladies. Women filled the mosques from behind while men had separate entrances and filled the mosques from the front. In between the two sections were children who acted as a buffer zone.
(vii) It is reported by Abu Husainah that the Prophet (Pbuh) said: “The best row for men is the first, and the worst for them is the last. The best row for women is the last, and the worst is the first.” (Muslim)
3. Islam permits women to pray in mosques. Ladies should have separate and equal facilities. Islam does not permit the inter mingling of sexes. Otherwise there will be a similar scene in mosques like other places of worship where some people even come for ‘bird watching’ and eve teasing.
4. In recent times, women are not allowed in mosques in a very few countries especially in India and the neighbouring countries. Otherwise in most of the other countries, women are allowed in mosques. Women are allowed in mosques in Saudi Arabia, in U.A.E, in Egypt, in U.S.A, in England, etc. They are also allowed in the Haram Shareef in Makkah and in Masjid - e - Nabawi in Madinah.
Allahamdulillah, the trend is now changing in India . We have several mosques in India and a few in Mumbai which allow women to pray in mosques (masjid)
Zakathul Fitr and Eid
Sadaqat Al-Fitr
Sadaqat Al-Fitr (or Zakaat Al-Fitr) is prescribed by the Sharee‘ah based on the general indication of the texts of the Quran and the Sunnah, as well as by scholarly consensus. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {He has certainly succeeded who purifies himself. And mentions the Name of his Lord and prays.} [Quran 87:14-15]
The Commander of the Believers, ‘Umar ibn ‘Abdul-Azeez 
would command the Muslims to give Sadaqat Al-Fitr and recite the abovementioned verse. As for theSunnah, Ibn ‘Umar 
said, "The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, ordained Zakaat Al-Fitr to be given as one Saa‘ (handful) of dates or barley for every slave and free Muslim, male or female, young or old. He ordered it to be given out before the Muslims go to the ‘Eed Prayer." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim] The scholars have unanimously agreed on the obligation of Zakaat Al-Fitr, which has two stipulations:
1- Its amount (one Saa’) should be over and above one’s own need and the need of his dependants for the day and night of ‘Eed.2- It should be given upon (and not before) the arrival of its due time, which is sunset of the last day of Ramadhaan.
Zakaat Al-Fitr is an individual obligation upon every Muslim who can afford it. It was ordained, along with fasting, in the second year after Hijrah (prophetic emigration). The recipients of Sadaqat Al-Fitr are the same recipients of general Zakaah, based on what Allaah The Almighty Says (which means): {Zakaah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy…} [Quran 9:60]
The amount to be given of Sadaqat Al-Fitr is a single Saa‘ for each Muslim, but it can be less than one Saa‘ if the Muslim does not find any more than that. Sadaqat Al-Fitris obligatory upon every Muslim individually, and the Muslim is not obligated to give it on behalf of others according to the preponderant opinion of scholars. However, one can give it on behalf of those under his care with their consent. An exception to this ruling is the slave, for whom Sadaqat Al-Fitr is, of course, an obligation, but in his case it is alright for his master to pay on his behalf. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: "There is no charity to be paid on the slave (i.e. for owning him) except Sadaqat Al-Fitr." [Muslim]
It is recommended that the Muslim gives Sadaqat Al-Fitr on behalf of the fetus if it becomes four months old as ‘Uthmaan did so, and he was one of the four Rightly-Guided Caliphs regarding whom we are ordered to follow their practices.
It is permissible to give Zakaat Al-Fitr early but only by a maximum of two days before ‘Eed as this was authentically reported from Ibn ‘Umar : In a Hadeeth, it was said, "Ibn ‘Umar gave Sadaqat Al-Fitr for those who would accept it, and they used to receive it one or two days before ‘Eed Al-Fitr." [Al-Bukhaari] However, it is preferable to give it before the ‘Eed Prayer due to the Hadeeth which was narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar where it was mentioned that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, ordered Sadaqat Al-Fitr to be distributed before Muslims go out for the ‘Eed Prayer. It is not permissible to delay it until after the ‘Eed Prayer, and if it is, it would not be valid. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: "Whoever introduces something to our affairs (i.e. religion) which does not belong to it, it will be rejected."
Therefore, the time for giving Zakaat Al-Fitr can be one of three:
1- Permissible: which is two days before ‘Eed Al-Fitr2- Recommended: which is the morning of the day of ‘Eed before the Prayer3- Prohibited: which is after the ‘Eed Prayer, when it would not be valid
It is permissible for the Muslim to authorize someone to give it on his behalf. Also, there is no sin on him who delays giving it for a valid reason and therefore gives it late.Sadaqat Al-Fitr can be given out of the common staple-food of the country, and according to the majority of scholars it is not permissible to give the monetary value of the Sadaqat Al-Fitr. The Muslim may give one person many Saa‘s or one Saa‘ for many people.
Finally, it is preferable for the Muslim to give it personally so that he would be sure of delivering it to its due recipients on time.
Etiquette of 'Eed
'Eeds or Festivals are moments of celebration common to all nations. The festivals of non-believing nations are associated with worldly matters such as the birth of a nation or its decline, the appointment or crowning of a ruler, his marriage, or the beginning of a season like spring, and so on. As to Muslims, their festivals ('Eeds) are associated with their religious rituals. They have only two festivals or 'Eeds: 'Eed Al-Fitr (Celebration of the end of Ramadhaan) and 'Eed Al-Adha (festival of sacrifice).
When the Prophet 
came to Madeenah and found the people celebrating two days he,allallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, said: “What are these occasions”? They said: “We used to celebrate them in Jaahiliyya (before the coming of Islam)”. He, allallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, then said : “Allaah has replaced them for you with the two better days (i.e. 'Eed Al Fitr and 'Eed Al-Adha)”. These two festivals which Allaah prescribed to the Muslims are part of the rituals of Islam which should be commemorated and the purposes of which should be understood.
Rules Pertaining to 'Eed:
1. It is forbidden to fast on the day of both 'Eeds, as it is understood from the hadeeth narrated by Abee Sa’eed that the Prophet forbade the fasting of the two 'Eeds.
2. It is recommended that both men and women observe 'Eed prayer in an open field as is clear in the Hadeeth narrated by Um Atiya, may Allaah be please with her, who said: “We used to be ordered to come out on the day of 'Eed and even to bring the virgin girls from their houses and menstruating women so that they might stand behind the men and say Takbir along with them and hope for the blessings of that day for purification from sins”. Since menstruating women as well as those who are virgin are commanded to observe 'Eed prayer, there is no doubt that the men, old and young are even strongly commanded to observe it.
3. 'Eed prayer should be performed before the khutba of 'Eed as is confirmed in the hadeeth narrated by Ibn Amr, Abee Sa’eed, and Ibn Abbas 
.
4. It is recommended that the Imaam makes Takbeer (Allaahu Akbar) during the prayer, seven times in the first Raka’at and five in the second. This has been confirmed by the companions of the Salaf (our righteous predecessors).
5. It is recommended that the Imaam recites in the first Raka’at Soorah Al-A'alaa (chapter 87) and Soorah Al-'Ghaashiah (chapter 88) in the second. Other reports also show that the Prophet used to recite Soorah Qaaf (chapter 50) and Soorah Al-Qamar (chapter 54) as is confirmed in Saheeh Muslim.
6. There is no Sunnah prayer either before or after 'Eed prayer as Ibn Abbas, may Allaah, be pleased with him, narrated that whenever the Prophet went for 'Eed prayer, he used to pray two Raka’at (of 'Eed) but nothing before or after them.
[from : islamweb.net]
would command the Muslims to give Sadaqat Al-Fitr and recite the abovementioned verse. As for theSunnah, Ibn ‘Umar said, "The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, ordained Zakaat Al-Fitr to be given as one Saa‘ (handful) of dates or barley for every slave and free Muslim, male or female, young or old. He ordered it to be given out before the Muslims go to the ‘Eed Prayer." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim] did so, and he was one of the four Rightly-Guided Caliphs regarding whom we are ordered to follow their practices.: In a Hadeeth, it was said, "Ibn ‘Umar gave Sadaqat Al-Fitr for those who would accept it, and they used to receive it one or two days before ‘Eed Al-Fitr." [Al-Bukhaari] However, it is preferable to give it before the ‘Eed Prayer due to the Hadeeth which was narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar where it was mentioned that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, ordered Sadaqat Al-Fitr to be distributed before Muslims go out for the ‘Eed Prayer. It is not permissible to delay it until after the ‘Eed Prayer, and if it is, it would not be valid. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: "Whoever introduces something to our affairs (i.e. religion) which does not belong to it, it will be rejected."Etiquette of 'Eed
'Eeds or Festivals are moments of celebration common to all nations. The festivals of non-believing nations are associated with worldly matters such as the birth of a nation or its decline, the appointment or crowning of a ruler, his marriage, or the beginning of a season like spring, and so on. As to Muslims, their festivals ('Eeds) are associated with their religious rituals. They have only two festivals or 'Eeds: 'Eed Al-Fitr (Celebration of the end of Ramadhaan) and 'Eed Al-Adha (festival of sacrifice).
When the Prophet came to Madeenah and found the people celebrating two days he,allallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, said: “What are these occasions”? They said: “We used to celebrate them in Jaahiliyya (before the coming of Islam)”. He, allallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, then said : “Allaah has replaced them for you with the two better days (i.e. 'Eed Al Fitr and 'Eed Al-Adha)”. These two festivals which Allaah prescribed to the Muslims are part of the rituals of Islam which should be commemorated and the purposes of which should be understood.
Rules Pertaining to 'Eed:
1. It is forbidden to fast on the day of both 'Eeds, as it is understood from the hadeeth narrated by Abee Sa’eed that the Prophet forbade the fasting of the two 'Eeds.
2. It is recommended that both men and women observe 'Eed prayer in an open field as is clear in the Hadeeth narrated by Um Atiya, may Allaah be please with her, who said: “We used to be ordered to come out on the day of 'Eed and even to bring the virgin girls from their houses and menstruating women so that they might stand behind the men and say Takbir along with them and hope for the blessings of that day for purification from sins”. Since menstruating women as well as those who are virgin are commanded to observe 'Eed prayer, there is no doubt that the men, old and young are even strongly commanded to observe it.
3. 'Eed prayer should be performed before the khutba of 'Eed as is confirmed in the hadeeth narrated by Ibn Amr, Abee Sa’eed, and Ibn Abbas .
4. It is recommended that the Imaam makes Takbeer (Allaahu Akbar) during the prayer, seven times in the first Raka’at and five in the second. This has been confirmed by the companions of the Salaf (our righteous predecessors).
5. It is recommended that the Imaam recites in the first Raka’at Soorah Al-A'alaa (chapter 87) and Soorah Al-'Ghaashiah (chapter 88) in the second. Other reports also show that the Prophet used to recite Soorah Qaaf (chapter 50) and Soorah Al-Qamar (chapter 54) as is confirmed in Saheeh Muslim.
6. There is no Sunnah prayer either before or after 'Eed prayer as Ibn Abbas, may Allaah, be pleased with him, narrated that whenever the Prophet went for 'Eed prayer, he used to pray two Raka’at (of 'Eed) but nothing before or after them.
[from : islamweb.net]
came to Madeenah and found the people celebrating two days he,allallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, said: “What are these occasions”? They said: “We used to celebrate them in Jaahiliyya (before the coming of Islam)”. He, allallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, then said : “Allaah has replaced them for you with the two better days (i.e. 'Eed Al Fitr and 'Eed Al-Adha)”. These two festivals which Allaah prescribed to the Muslims are part of the rituals of Islam which should be commemorated and the purposes of which should be understood. forbade the fasting of the two 'Eeds.. used to recite Soorah Qaaf (chapter 50) and Soorah Al-Qamar (chapter 54) as is confirmed in Saheeh Muslim. went for 'Eed prayer, he used to pray two Raka’at (of 'Eed) but nothing before or after them.
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