The Nobles,the Companions of the Prophet,sahaba,Companions

Growing up in America, we learn that one of the country's greatest strengths has been social mobility -- the ability of any person in America to transcend the social strata or caste into which he is born. At times the key to that American Dream has been education, at others political power, but most often money has been the measure of a person's success if not explicitly his means. And surely, America has a history of greater social mobility than any of the European empires that ruled the lands that now make up the fifty states. But does money or social status guarantee happiness? And how long can such pleasure last? The Prophet Muhammad sull Allahi alayhi wa sallam taught that no man is better than any other save by the measure of his obedience to the Will of Almighty God, Allah subhanahu wata ala. And likewise piety and faith were the tokens of social mobility among the companions, radi Allah anhum, of the Prophet, sull Allahi alayhi wa sallam. That assessment is born out marvelously in the example of the slave Bilal, radi Allah anho, who was bitterly tortured by his pagan masters when he accepted Islam. But who was one of the most beloved companions of the Prophet, sull Allahi alayhi wa sallam. Today, more than 1400 years later, you will still find Muslim children all over the world of every color and nationality who are named Bilal in honor and love of the former slave. Not because of wealth. But because of how wonderful a Muslim he was, and how beloved he was to Allah subhanahu wata ala and to His Prophet, sull Allahi alayhi wa sallam.

The Way Is One by Dr. Bilal Philips

The overwhelming majority of people do believe in Allah, subahanahu wata ala. They may not accept Him by that Name. They may prefer to call Him God or Gott or Dieu. They may simply refer to Him as a Supreme Being. They may call Him by other names that are not ones He has taken for Himself. But they believe. Because all of creation bears witness to the sheer majesty of what He created. It takes despicable arrogance and willful blindness to claim that all of creation spontaneously or meaninglessly came into being. But what separates Muslims from the rest of mankind is that we accept Him as One, Alone, Having no partner of any kind nor of any degree. Indeed, the idol worshippers of Makkah who rejected the Prophet Muhammad, sull Allahi alayhi wa sallam, believed in Allah subhanahu wata ala, and even called Him by His Name. But the idol worshippers insisted that there was a pantheon of lesser gods that interceded on behalf of man. And that worshipping these intermediaries would please Allah! This lecture by Bilal Philips explains the Oneness of Allah subhanahu wata ala, and its implications. He also explains how Islam is the one religion that truly respects the Oneness of Allah subhanahu wata ala. This video is not perfect but it is a must-see for any person who thinks all religions are the same or are equally loved by Allah subhanahu wata ala. Here's the Google Video description of this recently uploaded lecture: "In this video Dr. Bilal Philips talks about madhabs, sufis, multiple paths to God, and so on."