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.
Muslims 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.
Muslims Population:
