What
is Islam?
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.
Who are the Muslims?
One
billion people from a vast range or 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.
What do Muslims believe?
Muslims believe in
One, Unique, Incomparable God (called Allah in Arabic); in the Angels
created by Him; ; in the Angels created by Him; in the prophets through
whom His revelation 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 (pbuh)
through Angel Gabriel.
How does someone become a Muslim?
Simply
by saying ‘there is no god worthy of worship besides God (Allah), and
Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. By this declaration the believer
announces his or her faith in all God’s messengers, and the scriptures
they brought.
What Is Ka'bah?The Ka’bahah is
the place of worship which God commanded Prophets Abraham and Ishmael
to build over Four thousand years ago. The building was constructed of
stone.
Who is Muhammad?
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 and idolatry 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.
How did he become a prophet and a Messenger of God?
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
Qur’an.
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 Hijirah, [migration], in which they left
Makkah for the city of Madeenah some 260 miles from Mekkah.
How
did the spread of Islam affect the world?
Among the reasons
for the rapid and peaceful spread of Islam was the simplicity of its
doctrine. Islam calls for faith in only One God worthy of worship. It
also repeatedly instructs man to use his powers of intelligence and
observation.
Within a few years, great
civilizations and universities were flourishing, for according to the
Prophet ( pbuh ) , ‘seeking knowledge is an obligation for every Muslim.
The synthesis of Eastern and Western ideas and of new thought with old,
brought about great advances in medicine, mathematics, physics,
astronomy, geography, architecture, art, literature, and history. Many
crucial systems such as algebra, the Arabic numerals, and also the
concept of the zero (vital to the advancement of mathematics), were
transmitted to medieval Europe from Islam. Sophisticated instruments
which were to make possible the European voyages of discovery were
developed, including the astrolabe, the quadrant and good navigational
maps.
What does ‘Islam’ mean?
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. ‘Mohammedanism’ is thus a misnomer because it suggests that
Muslims worship Muhammad ( pbuh ) rather than God. ‘Allah’ is the
Arabic name for God, which is used by both Arab Muslims and Arab
Christians alike.
Why does Islam often seem strange?
Islam
may seem exotic or even extreme in the modern world. Perhaps this is
because religion does not dominate everyday life in the West today,
whereas Muslims have religion always uppermost in their minds, and make
no division between secular and sacred. They believe that the Divine
Law, the Sharee‘ah, should be taken very seriously, which is why issues
related to religion are still so important.
Do Islam and
Christianity have different origins?
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‘bah
towards which all Muslims turn when the pray.
God
commanded Abraham to summon all mankind to visit this place, and when
pilgrims go there today the say ‘Here I am O Allah’, in response to
Abraham’s summons.
What is the Qur’an?
The Qur’an
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, handwritten 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 Qur’an is in
every detail the unique and miraculous text which was revealed to
Muhammad (pbuh) fourteen centuries ago.
What is the Qur’an
about?The Qur’an, 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, doc-trine, 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.
Are
there any other sacred sources?
Yes, the sunnah, the practice
and example of the Prophet (pbuh), is the second authority for
Muslims. A hadith is a reliably transmitted report of what the Prophet
(pbuh) said, did, or approved. Belief in the sunnah is a fundamental
part of the Islamic faith.
Examples of the
Prophet’s sayings
The Prophet (pbuh) said:
‘God
has no mercy on one who has no mercy for others.’
‘None of you truly
believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.’
‘He
who eats his fill while his neighbor goes without food is not a true
believer.’
“The truthful and trusty businessman is associated with
the prophets, the saints, and the martyrs.’
‘Powerful is not he who
knocks the other down, indeed powerful is he who controls himself in a
fit of anger.’
‘God does not judge according to your bodies and
appearances but He scans your hearts and looks into your deeds.’
‘A
man walking along a path felt very thirsty. Reaching a well he
descended into it, drank his fill and came up. Then he saw a dog with
its tongue hanging out, trying to lick up mud to quench its thirst. The
man saw that the dog was feeling the same thirst as he had felt so he
went down into the well again and filled his shoe with water and gave
the dog a drink. God forgave his sins for this action.’ The Prophet
(pbuh) was asked: ‘Messenger of God, are we rewarded for kindness
towards animals?’ He replied, ‘There is a reward for kindness to every
living thing.’
From the hadith collections of
Bukhaaree, Muslim, Tirmithee and Bayhaqee.
What are the ‘Five
Pillars’ of Islam?
They are the framework of the Muslim life:
faith, prayer, concern for the needy, self-purification, and the
pilgrimage to Makkah for those who are able.
1. FAITH
There
is no god worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad is His messenger.
This declaration of faith is called the Shaahadah, a simple formula
which all the faithful pronounce. In Arabic, the first part is la
ilaaha il - lal - ’laah-’ there is no god except Allah’; ilaaha (god)
can refer to anything which we may be tempted to put in place of
God-wealth, power, and like. Then comes il - lal - ‘laah:’ except
Allah’, the creator of all things The second part of the Shahaadah is
Muhammadun rasoolul-laah ‘Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.’ A
Message of guidance has come through a man like ourselves.
2.
PRAYER
Salaah is the name for the obligatory prayers which are
performed five times a day, and are a direct link between the worshipper
and God. There is no hierarchical authority in Islam and no priests, so
the prayers, are led by a learned person who knows the Qur’an, chosen
by the congregation. These five prayers contain verses from the Qur’an,
and are said in Arabic, the language of the Revelation, but personal
supplication can be offered in one’s own language. Prayers are said at
dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and nightfall, and thus determine the
rhythm of the entire day. Although it is preferable to worship together
in a mosque, a Muslim may pray almost anywhere, such as in fields,
offices, factories and universities. Visitors to the Muslim world and
struck by the centrality of prayers in daily life.
A
translation of the Call to Prayer is:
Allah is most great. Allah is
most great.
Allah is most great. Allah is most great.
I testify
that there is no god except Allah.
I testify that there is no god
except Allah.
I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.
I
testify that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.
Come to prayer!
Come to prayer!
Come to success (in the life and the Hereafter)! Come
to success!
Allah is most great. Allah is most great.
There is no
god except Allah.
3. THE ‘ZAKAAH’
One of the most important
principles of Islam is that all things belong to God, and that wealth is
therefore held by human beings in trust. The word zakaah means both
‘purification’ and growth’. Our possessions are purified by setting
aside a proportion for those in need, and, like the pruning of plants,
this cutting back balances and encourages new growth.
Each Muslim calculates his or her own zakat
individually. For most purposes this involves the payment each year of
two and a half percent of one’s surplus savings.
A
pious person may also give as much as he or she pleases as sadaqah, and
does so preferably in secret.
Although this word
can be translated as voluntary charity’ it has a wider meaning. The
Prophet (pbuh) said
‘even meeting your brother
with a cheerful face is charity.’
The Prophet
(pbuh) said: ‘Charity is a necessity for every Muslim.’ He was asked’
What if a person has nothing?’ The Prophet (pbuh) replied: ‘He should
work with his own hands for his benefit and then give something out of
such earnings in charity.’ The Companions asked: ‘What if he is not
able to work?’ The Prophet (pbuh) said: ‘He should help poor and needy
persons.’ The Companions further asked, ‘What if he cannot do even
that?’ The Prophet (pbuh) said’ He should urge others to do good.’ The
Companions said ‘What if he lacks that also?’ The Prophet (pbuh) said’
He should check himself from doing evil. That is also charity.’
4.
THE FAST
Every year in the month of Ramadaan, all Muslim fast from
first light until sundown, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual
relations.
Those who are sick, elderly, or on a
journey, and women who are pregnant or nursing are permitted to break
the fast and make up an equal number of days later in the year. If they
are physically unable to do this, they must feed a needy person for
every day missed. Children begin to fast (and to observe the prayer)
from puberty, although many start earlier.
Although
the fast is most beneficial to the health, it is regarded principally
as a method of self purification. By cutting oneself off from worldly
comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person gains true sympathy
with those who go hungry which leads to growth in one’s spiritual life.
5.
PILGRIMAGE (Hajj)
The annual pilgrimage to Makkah the Hajj - is an
obligation only for those who are physically and financially able to
perform it. Nevertheless, about 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.
Although
Makkah is always filled with visitors, the annual Hajj begins in the
twelfth month of the Islamic year (which is lunar, not solar, so that
Hajj and Ramadan fall sometimes in summer, sometimes in winter).
Pilgrims wear special clothes: simple garments which strip away
distinctions of class and culture, so that all stand equal before God.
The rites of the Hajj, which were begun by Prophet
Abraham, include circling the Ka’bah seven times, and going seven times
between the mountains Safaa and Marwah as Hager did during her search
for water. Then the pilgrims stand together on the wide plain of
‘Arafah and join in prayers for God’s forgiveness, in what is often
thought of as a preview of the Last Judgement.
In previous
centuries the Hajj was an arduous undertaking. Today, however, water,
modern transport, and the most up-to-date health facilities are provided
for the millions who take part in the pilgrimage.
The close of
the Hajj is marked bya festival, ‘Eed al-Ad-haa, which is celebrated
with prayers and the exchange of gifts in Muslim communities
everywhere. This, and the ‘Eedal-Fitr, a feast-day commemorating the
end of Ramadan, are the main festivals of the Muslims’ calendar.
Does Islam tolerate other beliefs?The
Qur’an says:
Allah does not forbid you with
regards to those who do not fight you for [your] faith nor drive you
out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them; for Allah
loves those who are just. (Qur’an, 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.
SIN: According
to Islam, man is not born in ‘original sin’. Every child is born with an
innate disposition towards virtue, knowledge, and beauty. Islam
considers itself to be the ‘primordial religion’, it seeks to return man
to his original, true nature in which he is in harmony with creation,
inspired to do good, and confirming the Oneness of God.
What
do Muslims think about Jesus?
Muslims respect and revere
Jesus (r), and await his Second Coming. They consider him one of the
greatest of God’s messengers to mankind. The Qur’an confirms his virgin
birth (a chapter of the Qur’an is entitled ‘Mary’), and Mary is
considered the purest woman in all creation. The Qur’an 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; Allah
creates whatever He wills. When He decrees a thing, He says to it,
“Be!” and it is.’ (Qur’an, 3:42-7)
Jesus (r) was
born miraculously through the same power which had brought Adam (r)
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. (3:59)
During his prophetic
mission Jesus (r) performed many miracles. The Qur’an tells us that he
said:
‘I have come to you with a sign from your
Lord: I make for you out of clay, 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.(3:49)
Neither Muhammad (r) nor Jesus (r) came to change the
basic doctrine of the belief in One God, brought by earlier prophets,
but to confirm and renew it. In the Qur’an Jesus (r) 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.’
(3:50)
The Prophet Muhammad (r) said:
‘Whoever
believes there is no god but God, alone without partner, that Muhammad
(r) is His messenger, that Jesus is the servant and messenger of God,
His word breathed into Mary and a spirit from Him, and that Paradise and
Hell are true, shall be received by Allah into Heaven.’
(Hadith from Bukhaaree)
Why is the family so
important to Muslims?
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.
What about Muslim women?
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. Women are required to cover all of their body
except for the face and hands in order to protect their modesty and
honor.
The Messenger of God (pbuh) said:
"The
most perfect in faith amongst believers is he who is best in manner and
kindest to his wife."
Can a Muslim have more than one wife?
The
religion of Islam was revealed for all societies and all times and so
accommodates widely differing social requirements. Circumstances may
warrant the taking of another wife but the right is granted, according
to the Qur’an, only on condition that the husband is scrupulously fair.
Is
Islamic marriage like Christian marriage?
A Muslim marriage
is not a ‘sacrament’, but a simple, legal agreement in which either
partner is free to include conditions. Marriage customs thus vary
widely from country to country. As a result, divorce is not common,
although it is not forbidden as a last resort. According to Islam, no
Muslim girl or boy can be forced to marry against their will: their
parents will simply suggest young men or women they think may be
suitable.
How do Muslims treat the elderly?
In the
Islamic world there are no old people’s homes. The strain of caring for
one’s parents in this most difficult time of their lives is considered
an honor and blessing, and an opportunity for great spiritual growth.
God asks that we not only pray for our parents, but act with limitless
compassion, remembering that when we were helpless children they
preferred us to themselves.
Mothers are particularly honored:
the Prophet (pbuh) taught that ‘Paradise lies at the feet of mothers’.
When they reach old age, Muslim parents are treated mercifully, with the
same kindness and selflessness.
In Islam, serving one’s parents
is a duty second only to prayer, and it is their right to expect it.
It is considered despicable to express any irritation when, through no
fault of their own, the old become difficult.
The Qur’an says:
‘Your Lord has commanded that you worship none but Him, and be kind to
parents. If either or both of them reach old age with you, do not say
‘Uff’ to them or chide them, but speak to them in terms of honor and
kindness. Treat them with humility, and say, ‘My Lord! Have mercy on
them, for they cared for me when I was little’. (17:23-4)
How do Muslims view
death?
Like Jews and Christians, Muslims believe that the
present life is only a preparation for the next realm of existence.
Basic articles of faith include: Resurrection the Day of Judgment,
Heaven and Hell.
When a Muslim dies, he or she is
washed, usually by a family member, wrapped in a clean white cloth, and
buried preferably the same day. Simple prayers following Muslims
consider this one of the final services they can do for their relatives,
and an opportunity to remember their own brief existence here on
earth. The Prophet (pbuh) taught that three things can continue to help
a person even after death; charity which he had given, knowledge which
he had taught and prayers on their behalf by a righteous child.
What
does Islam say about war?
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 Qur’an 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 you should also
seek peace. And trust in Allah for He is the One that hears and knows
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 jihaad literally means’ struggle’, and Muslims
believe that there are two kinds of jihaad. The outer struggle against
the forces of evil and corruption and the inner struggle which everyone
wages against egotistic desires, for the sake of attaining inner peace.
What
about food?
Although much simpler than the dietary law
followed by Jews and the early Christians, the code which Muslims
observe forbids the consumption of blood, pork and any kind of
intoxicating substances. The Prophet taught that ‘your body has rights
over you’, and the consumption of wholesome food and the leading of a
healthy lifestyle are seen as religious obligations.
The Prophet
(pbuh) said:
‘Ask God for certainty [of faith] and well-being; for
after certainty, no one is given any gift better than health!’
How does Islam
guarantee human rights?
Freedom of conscience is laid down by
the Qur’an 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 Qur’an 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 Allah’s
sight is the greatest of you in piety. Allah is All-Knowing,
All-Aware.
(49:13)
Islam in the United States?
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 more than a thousand mosques.
Muslims were early arrivals in North America. By the
eighteenth century there were may 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. During the fifties through seventies there was a great
influx of Muslims from India and Pakistan who today represent a major
segment of immigrant American Muslims. From the early twenties until
the seventies a few Pseudo-Islamic organizations have appeared among
indigenous Muslims using Islamic terminology to cover racist un-Islamic
teachings: The nation of Islam (commonly called “Black Muslims”), The
Moorish Science Temple, The Ansarullah.
Although
they have always remained a small but vocal minority, some of their
spokesmen continue to tarnish the image of Islam until today. Today the
Muslim population in America is estimated by researchers at five to
eight millions.
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