The religion of Islam is the acceptance of and obedience to the teachings of God which He revealed to His last prophet, Muhammad (pbuh).
The literal meaning of Islam is peace; surrender of one’s will i.e. losing oneself for the sake of God and surrendering one’s own pleasure for the pleasure of God. The message of Islam was revealed to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings on him) 1, 400 years ago. It was revealed through angel Gabriel (on whom be peace) and was thus preserved in the Holy Quran. The Holy Quran carries a Divine guarantee of safeguard from interpolation and it claims that it combines the best features of the earlier scriptures.
The prime message of Islam is the Unity of God, that the Creator of the world is One and He alone is worthy of worship and that Muhammad (peace and blessings on him) is His Messenger and Servant. The follower of this belief is thus a Muslim - a Muslim’s other beliefs are: God’s angels, previously revealed Books of God, all the prophets, from Adam to Jesus (peace be on them both), the Day of Judgement and indeed the Decree of God. A Muslim has five main duties to perform, namely; bearing witness to the Unity of God and Muhammad (peace and blessings on him) as His Messenger, observing the prescribed prayer, payment of Zakat, keeping the fasts of Ramadhan and performing the pilgrimage to Mecca.
Islam believes that each person is born pure. The Holy Quran tells us that God has given human beings a choice between good and evil and to seek God’s pleasure through faith, prayer and charity. Islam believes that God created mankind in His image and by imbuing the attributes of God on a human level mankind can attain His nearness. Islam’s main message is to worship God and to treat all God’s creation with kindness and compassion. Rights of parents in old age, orphans and the needy are clearly stated. Women’s rights were safeguarded 1,400 years ago when the rest of the world was in total darkness about emancipation. Islamic teachings encompass every imaginable situation and its rules and principles are truly universal and have stood the test of time.
In Islam virtue does not connote forsaking the bounties of nature that are lawful. On the contrary one is encouraged to lead a healthy, active life with the qualities of kindness, chastity, honesty, mercy, courage patience and politeness. In short, Islam has a perfect and complete code for the guidance of individuals and communities alike. As the entire message of Islam is derived from the Holy Quran and indeed the Sunnah and Hadith (the traditions and practices of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings on him) it is immutable in the face of change in time and place. It may appear rigid to the casual eye, in actual fact it is most certainly an adaptable way of life regardless of human changes.
Islam teaches that the path to spiritual development is open to all. Any individual who searches the One Creator can seek nearness to God through sincere and earnest worship; it is central to establishing a relationship with the Almighty. This positive message for humanity fills hearts with hope and courage.
At present there are 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide and they form the majority in more than 50 countries of the world. Today Islam is the fastest growing faith in the world - its beautiful message is reaching millions in the far corner of the earth.
Source: www.momin.com
by Ishaq Zahid
Faith or belief in the Oneness of God(Allah) and the finality of the Prophethood of Muhammad (pbuh);
Establishment of the daily prayers (Salat);
Concern for and almsgiving to the needy (Zakah);
Self-purification through fasting (Sawm); and
The pilgrimage to Makkah for those who are able.(Hajj)
"There is none worthy of worship except God (Allah) and Muhammad is the messenger of God." This declaration of faith is called the Shahadah, a simple formula that all the faithful pronounce. The significance of this declaration is the belief that the only purpose of life is to serve and obey God, and this is achieved through the teachings and practices of the Last Prophet, Muhammad (pbuh).
Salah is the name for the obligatory prayers that are performed five times a day, and are a direct link between the worshipper and God. There is no hierarchical authority in Islam and there are no priests. Prayers are led by a learned person who knows the Qur'an and is generally chosen by the congregation.
Prayers are said at dawn, mid-day, late-afternoon, sunset and nightfall, and
thus determine the rhythm of the entire day. These five prescribed prayers
contain verses from the Qur'an, and are said in Arabic, the language of the
Revelation. Personal supplications, however, can be offered in one's own
language and at any time.
Although it is preferable to worship together in a mosque, a Muslim may pray
almost anywhere, such as in fields, offices, factories and universities.
Oftentimes visitors to the Muslim world are struck by the centrality of prayers
in daily life.
A translation of the Adan or Call to Prayer is:
God is Great.
God is Great.
God is Great.
God is Great.
I testify that there is none worthy of worship except God.
I testify that there is none worthy of worship except God.
I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God.
I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God.
Come to prayer!
Come to prayer!
Come to success!
Come to success!
God is Great!
God is Great!
There is none worthy of worship except God.
An important principle of Islam is that everything belongs to God, and that
wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. The word zakah means both
"purification" and "growth." Our possessions are purified by setting aside a
proportion for those in need and for the society in general. Like the pruning of
plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth.
Each Muslim calculates his or her own zakah individually. This involves the
annual payment of a fortieth of one's capital, excluding such items as primary
residence, car and professional tools.
An individual may also give as much as he or she pleases as sadaqa-h, and does so preferably
in secret. Although this word can be translated as "voluntary charity" it has a wider meaning.
The Prophet said, "Even meeting your brother with a cheerful face is an act of charity." The Prophet
also said: "Charity is a necessity for every Muslim." He was asked:
"What if a person has nothing?" The Prophet replied: "He should work
with his own hands for his benefit and then give something out of
such earnings in charity." The Companions of the Prophet asked:
"What if he is not able to work?" The Prophet said: "He should help
the poor and needy." The Companions further asked: "What if he
cannot do even that?" The Prophet said: "He should urge others to do
good." The Companions said: "What if he lacks that also?" The
Prophet said: "He should check himself from doing evil. That is also
an act of charity."
Every year in the month of Ramada-n, all Muslims fast from dawn until
sundown--abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations with their spouses.
Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are menstruating,
pregnant or nursing, are permitted to break the fast and make up an equal number
of days later in the year if they are healthy and able. Children begin to fast
(and to observe prayers) from puberty, although many start earlier.
Although fasting is
beneficial to health, it is mainly a method of self-purification and
self-restraint. By cutting oneself from worldly comforts, even for a
short time, a fasting person focuses on his or her purpose in life
by constantly being aware of the presence of God. God states in the
Qur'an: "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was
prescribed to those before you that you may learn self-restraint."
(Qur'an 2:183)
The pilgrimage to Makkah (the hajj) is an obligation only for those who are
physically and financially able to do so. Nevertheless, over two million people
go to Makkah each year from every corner of the globe providing a unique
opportunity for those of different nations to meet one another.
The annual hajj begins in the twelfth month of the Islamic year (which is lunar,
not solar, so that hajj and Ramada-n fall sometimes in summer, sometimes in
winter). Pilgrims wear special clothes: simple garments that strip away
distinctions of class and culture, so that all stand equal before God.
The rites of the hajj, which are of Abrahamic origin, include going around the
Ka'bah seven times, and going seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa as
did Hagar (Hajir, Abraham's wife) during her search for water. The pilgrims
later stand together on the wide plains of 'Arafat (a large expanse of desert
outside Makkah) and join in prayer for God's forgiveness, in what is often
thought as a preview of the Day of Judgment.
The close of the hajj is marked by a festival,
the 'Id al Adha, which is celebrated with prayers and the exchange
of gifts in Muslim communities everywhere. This and the 'Id al Fitr,
a festive day celebrating the end of Ramadan, are the two holidays
of the Islamic calendar.
Source: www.WhyIslam.org
Islam is not a new religion, but the same truth that God revealed through all His prophets to every people. For a fifth of the world's population, Islam is both a religion and a complete way of life. Muslims follow a religion of peace, mercy, and forgiveness, and the majority have nothing to do with the extremely grave events which have come to be associated with their faith.
One billion people from a vast range of races, nationalities and cultures across the globe - from the southern Philippines to Nigeria - are united by their common Islamic faith. About 18% live in the Arab world; the world's largest Muslim community is in Indonesia; substantial parts of Asia and most of Africa are Muslim, while significant minorities are to be found in the Soviet Union, China, North and South America, and Europe.
Muslims believe in One, Unique, Incomparable God; in the Angels created by Him; in the prophets through whom His revelations were brought to mankind; in the Day of Judgement and individual accountability for actions; in God's complete authority over human destiny and in life after death. Muslims believe in a chain of prophets starting with Adam and including Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Elias, Jonah, John the Baptist, and Jesus, peace be upon them. But God's final message to man, a reconfirmation of the eternal message and a summing-up of all that has gone before was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad through Gabriel.
The Arabic word 'Islam' simply means 'submission', and derives from a word meaning 'peace'. In a religious context it means complete submission to the will of God. 'Allah' is the Arabic name for God, which is used by Arab Muslims and Christians alike.
Simply by saying 'there is no god apart from God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God.' By this declaration the believer announces his or her faith in all God's messengers, and the scriptures they brought.
No. Together with Judaism, they go back to the prophet and patriarch Abraham, and their three prophets are directly descended from his sons Muhammad from the eldest, Ishmael, and Moses and Jesus from Isaac. Abraham established the settlement which today is the city of Makkah, and built the Ka'ba towards which all Muslims turn when they pray.
The Ka'ba is the place of worship which God commanded Abraham and Ishmael to build over four thousand years ago. The building was constructed of stone on what many believe was the original site of a sanctuary established by Adam. God commanded Abraham to summon all mankind to visit this place, and when pilgrims go there today they say 'At Thy service, O Lord', in response to Abraham's summons.
Muhammad(PBUH), was born in Makkah in the year 570, at a time when Christianity was not yet fully established in Europe.
Since his father died before his birth, and his mother shortly afterwards, he was raised by his uncle from the respected
tribe of Quraysh. As he grew up, he became known for his truthfulness, generosity and sincerity, so that he was sought
after for his ability to arbitrate in disputes. The historians describe him as calm and meditative.
Muhammad(PBUH) was of a deeply religious nature, and had long detested the decadence of his society. It became his habit to
meditate from time to time in the Cave of Hira near the summit of Jabal al-Nur, the 'Mountain of Light' near Makkah.
At the age of 40, while engaged in a meditative retreat, Muhammad(PBUH) received his first revelation from God through
the Angel Gabriel. This revelation, which continued for twenty-three years, is known as the Quran.
As soon as he began to recite the words he heard from Gabriel, and to preach the truth which God had revealed to
him, he and his small group of followers suffered bitter persecution, which grew so fierce that in the year 622
God gave them the command to emigrate. This event, the Hijra, 'migration', in which they left Makkah for the city
of Madinah some 260 miles to the north, marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar.
After several years, the Prophet and his followers were able to return to Makkah, where they forgave their
enemies and established Islam definitively. Before the Prophet died at the age of 63, the greater part of Arabia
was Muslim, and within a century of his death Islam had spread to Spain in the West and as far East as China.
The Quran is a record of the exact words revealed by God through the Angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad(PBUH). It was memorized by Muhammad(PBUH) and then dictated to his Companions, and written down by scribes, who cross-checked it during his lifetime. Not one word of its 114 chapters, Suras, has been changed over the centuries, so that the Quran is in every detail the unique and miraculous text which was revealed to Muhammad(PBUH) fourteen centuries ago.
The Quran, the last revealed Word of God, is the prime source of every Muslim's faith and practice. It deals with all the subjects which concern us as human beings: wisdom, doctrine, worship, and law, but its basic theme is the relationship between God and His creatures. At the same time it provides guidelines for a just society, proper human conduct and an equitable economic system.
Yes, the sunna, the practice and example of the Prophet, is the second authority for Muslims. A hadith is a reliably transmitted report of what the Prophet said, did, or approved. Belief in the sunna is part of the Islamic faith.
The Quran says: God forbids you not, with regards to those who fight you not for [your] faith nor drive you
out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them; for God loveth those who are just. (Quran, 60:8)
It is one function of Islamic law to protect the privileged status of minorities, and this is why non-Muslim
places of worship have flourished all over the Islamic world. History provides many examples of Muslim tolerance
towards other faiths: when the caliph Omar entered Jerusalem in the year 634, Islam granted freedom of worship
to all religious communities in the city.
Islamic law also permits non-Muslim minorities to set up their own courts, which implement family laws drawn up
by the minorities themselves.
Muslims respect and revere Jesus, and await his Second Coming. They consider him one of the greatest of God's
messengers to mankind. A Muslim never refers to him simply as 'Jesus', but always adds the phrase 'upon him be
peace'. The Quran confirms his virgin birth (a chapter of the Quran is entitled 'Mary'), and Mary is considered
the purest woman in all creation.
The Quran describes the Annunciation as follows:
'Behold!' the Angel said, 'God has chosen you, and purified you, and chosen you above the women of all nations.
O Mary, God gives you good news of a word from Him, whose name shall be the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, honored
in this world and the Hereafter, and one of those brought near to God. He shall speak to the people from his
cradle and in maturity, and shall be of the righteous.'
She said: 'O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has touched me?' He said: 'Even so; God creates what He
will. When He decrees a thing, He says to it, "Be!" and it is.' (Quran, 3:42-7)
Jesus was born miraculously through the same power which had brought Adam into being without a father:
Truly, the likeness of Jesus with God is as the likeness of Adam. He created him of dust, and then said to him,
'Be!' and he was. (Quran, 3:59)
During his prophetic mission Jesus performed many miracles. The Quran tells us that he said:
I have come to you with a sign from your Lord: I make for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird,
and breathe into it and it becomes a bird by God's leave. And I heal the blind, and the lepers and I raise the
dead by God's leave. (Quran, 3:49)
Neither Muhammad nor Jesus came to change the basic doctrine of the belief in One God, brought by earlier
prophets, but to confirm and renew it. In the Quran Jesus is reported as saying that he came:
To attest the law which was before me. And to make lawful to you part of what was forbidden you; I have come to
you with a sign from your Lord, so fear God and obey Me. (Quran, 3:5O)
The Prophet Muhammad said:
Whoever believes there is no god but God, alone without partner, that Muhammad is His messenger, that Jesus is
the servant and messenger of God, His word breathed into Mary and a spirit emanating from Him, and that Paradise
and Hell are true, shall be received by God into Heaven. (Hadith from Bukhari)
The family is the foundation of Islamic society. The peace and security offered by a stable family unit is greatly valued, and seen as essential for the spiritual growth of its members. A harmonious social order is created by the existence of extended families; children are treasured, and rarely leave home until the time they marry.
Islam sees a woman, whether single or married, as an individual in her own right, with the right to own and
dispose of her property and earnings. A marriage dowry is given by the groom to the bride for her own personal
use, and she keeps her own family name rather than taking her husband's.
Both men and women are expected to dress in a way which is modest and dignified; the traditions of female dress
found in some Muslim countries are often the expression of local customs.
The Messenger of God said:
'The most perfect in faith amongst believers is he who is best in manner and kindest to his wife.'
Like Christianity, Islam permits fighting in self-defense, in defense of religion, or on the part of those who
have been expelled forcibly from their homes. It lays down strict rules of combat which include prohibitions
against harming civilians and against destroying crops, trees and livestock. As Muslims see it, injustice would
be triumphant in the world if good men were not prepared to risk their lives in a righteous cause.
The Quran says:
Fight in the cause of God against those who fight you, but do not transgress limits. God does not love
transgressors. (2:190)
If they seek peace, then seek you peace. And trust in God for He is the One that heareth and knoweth all things.
(8:61)
War, therefore, is the last resort, and is subject to the rigorous conditions laid down by the sacred law. The
term jihad literally means 'struggle', and Muslims believe that there are two kinds of jihad. The other 'jihad'
is the inner struggle which everyone wages against egotistic desires, for the sake of attaining inner peace.
Freedom of conscience is laid down by the Quran itself: 'There is no compulsion in religion'. (2:256)
The life and property of all citizens in an Islamic state are considered sacred whether a person is Muslim or
not.
Racism is incomprehensible to Muslims, for the Quran speaks of human equality in the following terms:
O mankind! We created you from a single soul, male and female, and made you into nations and tribes, so that you
may come to know one another. Truly, the most honored of you in God's sight is the greatest of you in piety. God
is All-Knowing, All Aware (49:13)
Islamic Center of America, Dearborn, Michigan - The largest Mosque in the US.
It is almost impossible to generalize about American Muslims: converts, immigrants, factory workers, doctors; all
are making their own contribution to America's future. This complex community is unified by a common faith,
underpinned by a countrywide network of a thousand mosques.
Muslims were early arrivals in North America. By the eighteenth century there were many thousands of them,
working as slaves on plantations. These early communities, cut off from their heritage and families, inevitably
lost their Islamic identity as time went by. Today many Afro-American Muslims play an important role in the
Islamic community.
The nineteenth century, however, saw the beginnings of an influx of Arab Muslims, most of whom settled in the
major industrial centers where they worshipped in hired rooms. The early twentieth century witnessed the arrival
of several hundred thousand Muslims from Eastern Europe: the first Albanian mosque was opened in Maine in 1915;
others soon followed, and a group of Polish Muslims opened a mosque in Brooklyn in 1928.
In 1947 the Washington Islamic Center was founded during the term of President Truman, and several nationwide
organizations were set up in the fifties. The same period saw the establishment of other communities whose lives
were in many ways modeled after Islam. More recently, numerous members of these groups have entered the fold of
Muslim orthodoxy. Today there are about five million Muslims in America.
The Muslim population of the world is around one billion. 30% of Muslims live in the Indian subcontinent, 20% in Sub-Saharan Africa, 17% in Southeast Asia, 18% in the Arab World, 10% in the Soviet Union and China. Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan comprise 10% of the non-Arab Middle East. Although there are Muslim minorities in almost every area, including Latin America and Australia, they are most numerous in the Soviet Union, India, and central Africa. There are 5 million Muslims in the United States.
Source: A book, Understanding Islam and the Muslims, prepared by The Islamic Affairs Department, The Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Washington DC.
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