Episode 1

Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah. Brother, sister, if a non-Muslim asks you the following question: What does your religion call for? You can answer with a comprehensive, complete, and concise answer. How? Read him two texts that represent Islam: As for the Sunnah, read him the sermon that the Prophet (peace be upon him) delivered during the Farewell Pilgrimage. It is found in the Sahihs of Bukhari and Muslim. The British journalist Yvonne Ridley, who converted to Islam years ago, said (Everything you need to know about Islam in two minutes: The Farewell Sermon)...Sometimes those who enter this religion after being non-Muslims see in it beauties that we, who were born Muslims, do not appreciate. So this was from the Sunnah. As for the Quran, and we have postponed speaking about it because we will stop at it for a long time, read to the questioner about Islam three great verses from Surah Al-An'am, verses (151-153). Reflect on them as we read them now to see how they gathered the teachings of Islam in the most beautiful phrase: Allah the Almighty said: ((Say, 'Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited for you: Do not associate anything with Him, and do good to your parents, and do not kill your children out of poverty—We provide for you and them—and do not approach shameful deeds, whether open or secret, and do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden except by right. That is what He has enjoined upon you that you may use reason (151). And do not approach the property of the orphan except in the best way until he reaches maturity, and give full measure and weight with justice. We do not charge a soul except according to its capacity. And when you speak, be just, even if it is against a relative or a promise made to Allah. That is what He has enjoined upon you that you may remember (152). And this is My straight path, so follow it, and do not follow the ways, lest they divert you from His path. That is what He has enjoined upon you that you may be righteous (153).')) (Al-An'am).

Great verses that stop me every time I read the Surah. Imagine yourself reading them to someone who does not truly know Islam. Imagine how proud you will be of the words of your Lord, glorified and exalted be He, which agree with human nature and call for all good and forbid all evil. ((Say, 'Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited for you'))...He is ((your Lord)): your Creator, your Provider, your Giver of life and death, and therefore He alone has the right to prohibit and permit and legislate for His servants as He wills. And to Him alone is due absolute obedience. And look at the kindness in the word ((your Lord))...your Lord who takes care of you, raises you, and loves good for you is the One who instructs you with these ten commandments. ((Say, 'Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited for you: Do not associate anything with Him'))...In the verse, there is an honor, as if He, the Almighty, says: Say, 'Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited for you...I command you not to associate anything with Him.' As if in the verse there is a summary of a longer statement: Your Lord commands you with the following and prohibits you from the opposite of what He commands you. In the upcoming episodes, we will stop, by the will of Allah, for brief moments with the ten commandments in these great verses...moments we ask Allah to increase our love for Him, glorified and exalted be He, and for His words, and our trust in His legislation and pride in our great religion. Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah.