Islam is not a new religion, but the same truth that Allah 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.
A Moroccan in prayer
Muslims praying in Jerusalem outside The Dome of the Rock
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, India, Pakistan North and South America, and Europe, Only Islamic Republic of Pakistan is atomic power country in Muslim world.
Muslims believe in One, Unique, Incomparable Allah; 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 Allah'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 Allah's (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 (Peace Be Upon Him) through Gabriel.
Simply by saying 'there is no God apart from Allah, and Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) is the Messenger of Allah.' By this declaration the believer announces his or her faith in all Allah's messengers, and the scriptures they brought.
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.
Meaning of Islam
Islam means to submit freely to
The Commandments and Will of The
One and Only God (Allah). This
submission should come from within,
from sound belief in and conviction
to Allah, with no doubt. It should
also come from love, trust, and
affection.
Allah is not a special God for
Muslims, but Allah is The Creator of
all creatures, including mankind.
The Prophet Muhammad (Peace
on him) is the Messenger of Allah.
The Prophet Muhammad (Peace on
him) received The Word of Allah
(revelation), through the archangel
Gabriel (The Holy Spirit). This
revelation comprises the Religion of
Islam.
The Qur'an is the authentic
collection of this revelation recorded
in book form. It is the exact,
unchanged Word of Allah to all
mankind.
Islam is the religion that preaches the
Oneness of God, the Oneness of
mankind and the Oneness of the
Message. Pillars of Islam
There are five pillars of Islam:
1. Shahada (Testify)
2. Salah (Prayer)
3. Seyam (Fasting)
4. Zakat (Charity)
5. Hajj (Pilgrimage)
Shahada (Creed)
The verbal commitment and pledge
that there is no deity but Allah, and
Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.
Salah (Mandatory Worship
[Prayer])
It is the duty of every Muslim, male
and female, after reaching the age of
puberty, to perform five Salats
(Prayers) at specific times during the
day and night. These five specific
times are: - Dawn, Noon, Afternoon,
Sunset, and Night. A ritual called
Wudu (Cleaning several parts of die
body with water) is a prerequisite to
Salat.
The above picture is one "rak'a",
i.e, one set of standing, bowing,
prostrating and sitting. Each Salah
consists of several Rak'a. Muslims are
strongly encouraged to pray in the
masjid, but if that is beyond their
ability, they can pray anywhere that is
clean; Muslims do not make Salah in
a bathroom.
Siyam (Fasting)
Fasting during the month of Ramadan (the ninth month of the lunar calendar) is from sun up to sun down only and is an obligation on every adult healthy Muslim, male or female. Fasting is total abstinence from eating, drinking, smoking, gum chewing, intimate relations, and taking anything into the body. If a person is ill and needs to take medication, s/he cannot fast. Fasting is also a time to discipline one's self from bad behaviors, such as, arguing, arguing, and saying mean things. Those who are ill or unable to fast for health or reasons of age are exempt from fasting. However, they should feel the poor one meal for every day they miss of fasting. Women who are pregnant, menstruating, or nursing, or any who are traveling, are also exempt from fasting. However, when their situation changes, they make up the days of fasting or feed the poor one meal for each day of fasting they missed.
Fasting during the month of Ramadan (the ninth month of the lunar calendar) is from sun up to sun down only and is an obligation on every adult healthy Muslim, male or female. Fasting is total abstinence from eating, drinking, smoking, gum chewing, intimate relations, and taking anything into the body. If a person is ill and needs to take medication, s/he cannot fast. Fasting is also a time to discipline one's self from bad behaviors, such as, arguing, arguing, and saying mean things. Those who are ill or unable to fast for health or reasons of age are exempt from fasting. However, they should feel the poor one meal for every day they miss of fasting. Women who are pregnant, menstruating, or nursing, or any who are traveling, are also exempt from fasting. However, when their situation changes, they make up the days of fasting or feed the poor one meal for each day of fasting they missed.
Zakah (Charity)
Zakat is an annual obligatory charity on every Muslim, male or female, who possesses over the last year money or property that exceeds their minimum needs. The requirement is 2.5% of one's excess wealth. It is also called a tax because it supports the government workers who are not free to make money elsewhere.
Zakat is an annual obligatory charity on every Muslim, male or female, who possesses over the last year money or property that exceeds their minimum needs. The requirement is 2.5% of one's excess wealth. It is also called a tax because it supports the government workers who are not free to make money elsewhere.
Hajj (Pilgrimage)
The performance of the pilgrimage to Makkah, Saudi Arabia is required once in a lifetime of every Muslim, if financially able, as well as physically able. Hajj begins every year during the month of Dul Hejja; Dul Hejja is the 12th month of the Islamic (lunar) calendar year. The Hajj is a spiritual journey where a Muslim forgets all worldly things and devotes his\her attention and time to Allah alone.
The performance of the pilgrimage to Makkah, Saudi Arabia is required once in a lifetime of every Muslim, if financially able, as well as physically able. Hajj begins every year during the month of Dul Hejja; Dul Hejja is the 12th month of the Islamic (lunar) calendar year. The Hajj is a spiritual journey where a Muslim forgets all worldly things and devotes his\her attention and time to Allah alone.
Pillars of Faith
In Islam, there are six pillars of faith:
Belief in Allah, His angels, His books
to mankind, His Prophets and
Messengers, the Day of Judgment,
and Destiny.
1. Belief in God (Allah)
Islam teaches that there is one Unique God (Allah) who should be worshipped and obeyed.
Islam teaches that there is one Unique God (Allah) who should be worshipped and obeyed.
2. Belief in Mala-eka
(Angels)
Muslims believe that Allah created unseen creatures such as Angels. Muslims believe in their existence, their names, their tasks, and descriptions as explained in the Quran and in the Sunnah (Teachings of the Prophet).
Muslims believe that Allah created unseen creatures such as Angels. Muslims believe in their existence, their names, their tasks, and descriptions as explained in the Quran and in the Sunnah (Teachings of the Prophet).
3. Belief in the Books of
Allah
Muslims believe that Allah from time to time revealed books to mankind through his Prophets. These books originated from the same divine source; they are all divine revelations. Muslims believe in the original text of these books when they were revealed. The five prominent divine books are: 1) Abraham's Scrolls; 2) Zabur (Psalms) revealed to Prophet David; 3) Tawrah (Torah) revealed to Prophet Moses; 4) Injil (Gospel) revealed to Prophet Jesus; 5) Quran revealed to Prophet Muhammad.
Muslims believe that Allah from time to time revealed books to mankind through his Prophets. These books originated from the same divine source; they are all divine revelations. Muslims believe in the original text of these books when they were revealed. The five prominent divine books are: 1) Abraham's Scrolls; 2) Zabur (Psalms) revealed to Prophet David; 3) Tawrah (Torah) revealed to Prophet Moses; 4) Injil (Gospel) revealed to Prophet Jesus; 5) Quran revealed to Prophet Muhammad.
4. Belief in the Prophets of
Allah
Muslims believe that Allah sent Prophets to all mankind as messengers for their guidance. Muslims believe in their existence, their names, and their messages, as Allah and His Prophet informed about them. Prophets are void of divinity because divinity is exclusive only to Allah (God) the Almighty. They are all righteous, truthful, and pious men chosen by Allah to be models to all mankind, both their words and deeds being in accordance with the divine commandments.
Muslims believe that Allah sent Prophets to all mankind as messengers for their guidance. Muslims believe in their existence, their names, and their messages, as Allah and His Prophet informed about them. Prophets are void of divinity because divinity is exclusive only to Allah (God) the Almighty. They are all righteous, truthful, and pious men chosen by Allah to be models to all mankind, both their words and deeds being in accordance with the divine commandments.
5. Belief in Yawm al-Qiyama
(Day of Judgement)
Muslims believe that the life of this world and all that is in it will come to an end on one appointed day, when everything will be annihilated. This day will resurrect all the dead; Allah will judge with perfect justice each person individually according to his good or bad actions that he did during his life, and every victim will have his/ her rights. Allah will reward those who lead a righteous life and did good deeds by sending them to Paradise (Jannah). Allah forgives whom He pleases of those who disobeyed His Command, or punish them in the Hellfire (Jahannam).
Muslims believe that the life of this world and all that is in it will come to an end on one appointed day, when everything will be annihilated. This day will resurrect all the dead; Allah will judge with perfect justice each person individually according to his good or bad actions that he did during his life, and every victim will have his/ her rights. Allah will reward those who lead a righteous life and did good deeds by sending them to Paradise (Jannah). Allah forgives whom He pleases of those who disobeyed His Command, or punish them in the Hellfire (Jahannam).
6. Qada wal-Qada (Destiny,
Divine Decree)
Muslims believe that since the whole
universe is entirely under the direction
and control of Allah, then everything
that is or that happens in this universe,
from the smallest to the greatest event
is governed by Allah. Muslims put
their trust in Allah only they are
required, however, to make a sincere
effort to strive and do their best, and
not simply sit back and let things take
their course in blind resignation. Such
belief gives a person a tremendous
degree of inner certainty, confidence
and peace of heart, especially in the
face of afflictions. Moreover, he lives
with the assurance that whatever is to
come to any individual, including
death, cannot fail to come at its
appointed time.
Muslims respect and revere Jesus, and await his Second Coming. They consider him one of the greatest of Allah'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 'Maryam'), and Maryam is considered the purest woman in all creation. The Quran describes the Annunciation as follows:
'Behold!' the Angel said, 'Allah has chosen you, and purified you, and chosen you above the women of all nations. O Maryam, Allah gives you good news of a word from Him, whose name shall be the Messiah, Jesus son of Maryam, honored in this world and the Hereafter, and one of those brought near to Allah . 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; Allah 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 Allah 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 Allah's leave. And I heal the blind, and the lepers and I raise the dead by Allah's leave. (Quran, 3:49)
Neither Muhammad nor Jesus came to change the basic doctrine of the belief in One Allah, 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 Allah and obey Me. (Quran, 3:5O)
The Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) said:
Whoever believes there is no God but Allah, alone without partner, that Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) is His messenger, that Jesus is the servant and messenger of Allah, His word breathed into Maryam and a spirit emanating from Him, and that Paradise and Hell are true, shall be received by Allah into Heaven. (Hadith from Bukhari)
The Muslim population of the world is around one billion. 30% of Muslims live in the India, 96% in Pakistan, 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.
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. (Quran, 49:13)
