Introduction
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What is Islam? |
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'Mohammedanism' is a misnomer because it suggests that Muslims worship Mohammad  rather than God. 'Allah' is the Arabic name for
God, which is used by Arab Muslims and Christians alike. 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, (Shari'a), should be taken very seriously, which is why issues related to religion are still so important. Once the Prophet described Islam using a
metaphor, "Islam is pleasant talk and serving of food". Pleasant
talk here represents good pleasant company, socializing and
having good manners, serving of food represents hospitality,
kindness and sharing. |
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Who are the Muslims? The followers of Islam are called Muslims. The word Muslim means "The One Who Has Submitted To God". One billion people from a vast range of races, nationalities and cultures across the globe--from the southern Philippines to USA--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. The Prophet once said, "Muslims
are like one body, if one part is in pain the whole body is in
pain." No matter what nationality, color, gender or race you
belong to, being a Muslim makes you part of the family of
Muslims worldwide. No man or woman is better than another, all
are equals. |
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What do Muslims believe? 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 Judgment 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 Mohammad through Gabriel. |
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What is the
Quran? The Quran is a record of the exact words revealed by God through the Angel Gabriel to the Prophet Mohammad. It was memorized by Mohammad 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
Mohammad fourteen centuries ago.Back to Top |
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What is the
Quran
About? 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. |
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Are there any other sacred
sources? Yes, the sunnah, 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 sunnah is part of the
Islamic faith.Examples of the Prophet's sayings The Prophet said:'Gods mercy overcomes his punishment.' '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 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 was asked: 'Messenger of God, are we rewarded for kindness towards animals?' He said, 'There is a reward for kindness to every living thing.' (From the Hadith collections of Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi and Bayhaqi.) Back to Top |
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What is the
Kab'ah? The Kab'ah 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. The Kabah serves as a marker towards which all Muslims bow in Unity in worship of One God, it is a powerful symbol of Monotheism. The Kabah itself is an empty building from inside, the Muslims do not worship the Kabah, it only serves as a 'marker'. The Kabah is located in the Holy City of Mecca in the Mosque of Al-Har'am. |
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What is the black stone in the corner of the Kabah? The black stone is known as the "Hajra-e-Aswat", it holds no religious significance, or any significance in part of worship. It was just a rock which was placed there by Abraham when he first built the Kabah. The story goes that when him and his son were building the Kabah for the first time, they could not complete it because there was one stone short. So God sent them a stone from the heavens as a gift to complete the Kabah, and thus it was placed the the corner and to this date remains. |
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Who is Mohammad?
Mohammad 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.
Mohammad 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 Mecca.
Back to
Top
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--Mohammad from the eldest, Ishmael, and Moses and Jesus, peace be upon
them, from Isaac. Abraham established the settlement which today is the
city of Mecca, and built the Kab'ah towards which all Muslims turn when
they pray.
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 'seeking knowledge is an obligation for every Muslim man and
woman'. 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.
The Prophet said, 'Seek knowledge even into China': the Hui Shen
mosque was built in the seventh century.
Does Islam tolerate other
beliefs?
The Quran says:
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Al-Quran, Chapter 60 Ibrahim, Verse 8 |
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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. |
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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.
When the caliph Omar
took Jerusalem from the Byzantines, he insisted on entering the city with
only a small number of his companions. Proclaiming to the inhabitants that
their lives and property were safe, and that their places of worship would
never be taken from them, he asked the Christian patriarch Sophronius to
accompany him on a visit to all the holy places.
The Patriarch invited
him to pray in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, but he preferred to pray
outside its gates, saying that if he accepted, later generations of
Muslims might use his action as an excuse to turn it into a
mosque.
According to Islam, man is not born in 'original sin'. He is
God's vicegerent on earth. Every child is born with the fitra, an innate
disposition towards virtue, knowledge, and beauty. Islam considers itself
to be the 'primordial religion', din al-hanif, 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.
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Why is the family so
important to Muslims?
What about Muslim women
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Can a Muslim have more than one wife? |
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Is an Islamic marriage
like a 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 can be forced to
marry against her will: her parents will simply suggest young men 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 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 Quran says:
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Al-Quran, Chapter 17 Al-Israa, Verse 23-24 |
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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 did care for me when I was little'. |
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Al-Quran, Chapter 46 Al-Ahqaf, Verse 15 |
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We have enjoined on man Kindness to his parents: in pain did his mother bear him and in pain did she give him birth. The carrying of the (child) to his weaning is (a period of) thirty months. At length when he reaches the age of full strength and attains forty years he says "O my Lord! grant me that I may be grateful for Thy favor which Thou hast bestowed upon me and upon both my parents and that I may work righteousness such as Thou mayest approve; and be gracious to me in my issue. Truly have I turned to Thee and truly do I bow (to Thee) in Islam." |
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How do Muslims view
death?
Like Jews and Christians, Muslims believe that
the present life is only a trial preparation for the next realm of
existence. Basic articles of faith include: the Day of Judgment,
resurrection, 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
with a simple prayer preferably the same day. 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 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 Quran says:
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Al-Quran, Chapter 2 Al-Baqara, Verse 190 |
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'Fight in the cause of God against those who fight you, but do not transgress limits. God does not love transgressors.' |
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Al-Quran, Chapter 8 Al-Anfal, Verse 61 |
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'If they seek peace, then seek you peace. And trust in God for He is the One that heareth and knoweth all things.' |
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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.
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 pig meat or any kind of intoxicating drink. 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 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
Quran itself:
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Al-Quran, Chapter 2 Al-Baqara, Verse 256 |
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'There is no compulsion in religion'. |
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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:
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Al-Quran, Chapter 49 Al-Hujurat, Verse 13 |
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'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'. |
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How does one become
Muslim?
First of all
a person should undertake studying Islam so that the questions they may
have can be answered. And only once their heart and mind are at peace in
the truth of Islam should they embrace Islam. To become a Muslim is very
simple. Simply by saying
'There is no god apart from God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God.'
one enters the folds of Islam. All their past sins are forgiven by God
and replaced by good deeds. Each good deed they did in their life prior
to becoming a Muslim are multiplied many folds over and good deeds are
written in their place. After one embraces Islam, they should take a
shower to start their new life afresh, like a baby they emerge, innocent
and clean of all sins, by the Mercy of Allah. By this declaration the
believer announces his or her faith in all God, God's messengers, and
the scriptures they brought, the angels, the Qadr (preordained events in
life), and the day of resurrection.
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Tawheed - The Gatway to Islam |
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'There is no god apart from God, and Muhammad |
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