Brief Introduction to Islam
Islam: The name of the religion is Islam, which comes from the Arabic root word meaning "peace" and "submission." Islam teaches that one can only find peace in one's life by submitting to Almighty God (Allah) in heart, soul and deed. The same Arabic root word gives us "Salaam alaykum," ("Peace be with you"), the universal Muslim greeting.
Islam was not born in the 7th century A.D. Rather, it is the same religion that God revealed through His messengers (peace be upon them) to every people. Islam sometimes seems strange to non-Muslims because it is a religion, which impacts every part of life, from eating and sleeping to working and playing. It is not only a personal religion, but also a social one.
Muslims seek to live in accordance with God's laws. By doing so, they strive to obtain nearness to God and victory over temporary trials and temptations in this world. All aspects of their practice including prayer, fasting, charity, and pilgrimage are intended to help meet this goal. Although strict by secular standards, Islam is not an ascetic religion. Islam requires its followers to be active participants in their communities.
Muslims believe that God is One, indivisible, and they believe in all the prophets of the Christians and Jews including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Elias, Jonah, John the Baptist, and Jesus (peace be upon them). Allah is the proper name for Almighty God, and is often translated merely as "God." Allah has other names that are used to describe His characteristics: the Creator, the Sustainer, the Merciful, the Compassionate, the Judge, the Governor, the Eternal, etc. Allah is without beginning, without end, and He alone sees and knows all things. Allah is transcendent, yet close to mankind.
Since Allah alone is the Creator, it is He alone that deserves our devout love and worship. Anything other than Him is simply His creation.
Islam holds to a strict monotheism - Allah has no partners and is not divided into a trinity. "Say: He is Allah, the One; Allah, the Eternal, Absolute. He begets not, nor is He begotten, and there is none like unto Him" (Qur'an 112:1-4). Any worship and prayers directed at saints, prophets, other human beings or nature is considered idolatry.
Muslims also recognize another prophet named Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family), who is a direct descendant of Abraham through his first born son, Ishmael. His prophethood may be prophecied in the Bible in several places, including Deut 18:18 and John 14:16.
The Qur'an is the holy book of Muslims. It contains many stories that are familiar to Christians and Jews. It was not created by man but was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) through the Angel Gabriel at the command of God. It contains no scientific fallacies or internal contradictions. In fact, it contains much scientific knowledge discovered by scientists only in this
century. The Qur'an is an unparalleled Arabic literary masterpiece. Furthermore, it survives in its original revealed form, unlike the Torah and the Gospel.
Islam is the only religion in the world that says that its precepts are natural. The Holy Quran says:
In Islam, the beliefs have primary position; they are the roots, and the practices are branches that are dependent for their existence on the roots. The primary belief is that of the Unity and Supreme Sovereignty of Allah, the Almighty, the Ever-present, the Everlasting, and the All-knowing. Allah is just. He sent prophets to convey His message. He selected Imams to safeguard His message. He ordained a Day of Judgement when the deeds of His creatures will be measured and rewarded or punished accordingly.
Belief in Allah, therefore, entails belief in all of the above.
Islam is the last divine religion and Prophet Muhammad (s) is the last Messenger of Allah. In Islam, Allah has encompassed all His commandments and decrees - decrees that will suffice for humankind till the end of the world. The commandments are there not only to guide His creatures to proper belief, but also to show them the proper way to live their lives. Islam says that its practices are for benefit of the followers, benefit in this world and in the hereafter.
The Five Pillars of Islam
In Islam, faith and good works go hand-in-hand. A mere verbal declaration of faith does not make one a Muslim, for belief in Allah makes obedience to Him a duty. Only when your practice is consistent with your profession will you be a true Muslim. Faith in Allah will be your strength, and the Qur'an your guide.
The Muslim concept of worship is very broad. Muslims consider everything they do in this life according to Allah's will, an act of worship. Speaking the truth, refraining from gossip, dealing honestly in commercial affairs, treating one's parents with respect and honour, helping the poor and needy, dealing lovingly and fairly with family members - whatever is done for the sake of Allah is called worship.
Worship of Allah is foremost in a Muslim's mind all the time. There are also five formal acts of worship, which help strengthen a Muslim's faith and obedience. They are often called the "Five Pillars of Islam."
Testimony of Faith (Kalima)
This is simply the declaration, "I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger." As mentioned previously, all of Islam is based on faith in the Unity of God. When one declares this statement, one testifies to the Unity of Allah, and to the message of the Prophethood. When one bears witness that Muhammad is His messenger, one is confirming that all of the prophets before him were also His messengers - Allah is One and His message is one. A person becomes a Muslim when he or she declares this statement with purity of heart, conviction of faith, and in public in front of witnesses.
Prayer (Salaat)
Formal prayer is the most important act of worship; it is mankind's connection to Allah, through which one gathers strength, guidance and peace of mind. Islam prescribes five formal prayers daily, through which Muslims repeat and refresh their beliefs, taking time out of their busy day to remember Allah and renew the effort to follow His guidance. Five times each day (before dawn, noon, afternoon, after sunset, and evening) Muslims rise, cleanse with water, and present themselves directly before Allah for prayer.
Far from being a ritualistic and mindless activity, prayer constantly reminds us of the purpose of life itself, refreshes our faith, and keeps our belief in Allah alive and ever presents. We go back to our worldly affairs conscious of our duties and strengthened against sin. Prayers said in congregation bond Muslims together in love and brotherhood. Prayer also symbolizes the equality of believers; there is no hierarchy, and all stand side-by-side in rows and bow only to Allah.
Aside from the five formal prayers each day, Muslims begin and complete every activity with Allah ever present in their minds. The words "Bismillah" (In the name of Allah) precede every action, and "Alhamdilillah" (Thanks be to Allah) completes it. Muslims also make private supplications, and words in praise of Allah fall constantly off one's lips.
Fasting (Sawm)
What the prayers seek to do five times a day, fasting in the month of Ramadan (9th month of the lunar year) does once a year. During this month, from dawn to dusk, Muslims do not eat anything nor drink even a drop of water. Each and every moment during the fast, we suppress our desires and remember Allah alone. This places in us a consciousness of duty and a spirit of patience that helps strengthen faith in Allah. Discipline and hardship during this month bring us face to face with the realities of life and the suffering of so many throughout the year. The whole month is filled with increased devotion, piety, and purity of mind, soul and body.
Almsgiving (Zakat)
Every Muslim whose financial conditions are above a certain specified minimum, must pay annually at least 2.5% of his savings to a deserving needy person, a new convert to Islam, a traveler, or one overwhelmed by debts. This fosters in a Muslim the quality of sacrifice and rids one of selfishness, greed and vanity. As all wealth is a gift from Allah, one has the duty to help his needy brethren when he is able.
Pilgrimage (Hajj)
Once in a lifetime, a Muslim who is financially and physically able must go on the pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, during the month of Hajj (12th month of the lunar year). Mecca is the spiritual center of the Muslim world. It was here that Abraham built the first house of worship (the Kaaba), towards which all Muslims stand in unity in their daily prayers.
All pilgrims dress in pure white cloth, and are required to suppress passion, refrain from any bloodshed, and be pure in word and deed.
The pilgrimage is a great international conference, wherein all people, kings or peasants, black or white, stand before Allah as equals. During the ten days of the annual pilgrimage, several million Muslims from all over the world, of all nations, languages, and colors come together in the largest spiritual gathering of the world.
Islam was not born in the 7th century A.D. Rather, it is the same religion that God revealed through His messengers (peace be upon them) to every people. Islam sometimes seems strange to non-Muslims because it is a religion, which impacts every part of life, from eating and sleeping to working and playing. It is not only a personal religion, but also a social one.
Muslims seek to live in accordance with God's laws. By doing so, they strive to obtain nearness to God and victory over temporary trials and temptations in this world. All aspects of their practice including prayer, fasting, charity, and pilgrimage are intended to help meet this goal. Although strict by secular standards, Islam is not an ascetic religion. Islam requires its followers to be active participants in their communities.
Muslims believe that God is One, indivisible, and they believe in all the prophets of the Christians and Jews including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Elias, Jonah, John the Baptist, and Jesus (peace be upon them). Allah is the proper name for Almighty God, and is often translated merely as "God." Allah has other names that are used to describe His characteristics: the Creator, the Sustainer, the Merciful, the Compassionate, the Judge, the Governor, the Eternal, etc. Allah is without beginning, without end, and He alone sees and knows all things. Allah is transcendent, yet close to mankind.
...He knows what enters within the earth and what comes forth out of it, what comes down from heaven and what mounts up to it. And He is with you wheresoever you may be. And Allah sees well all that you do."
Qur'an 57:4
Since Allah alone is the Creator, it is He alone that deserves our devout love and worship. Anything other than Him is simply His creation.
That is Allah, your Lord! There is no god but He, the Creator of all things; then worship Him, and He has power to dispose of all affairs. No vision can grasp Him, but His grasp is over all vision; He is the Sublime, Well-Aware.
Qur'an 6:102-103
Islam holds to a strict monotheism - Allah has no partners and is not divided into a trinity. "Say: He is Allah, the One; Allah, the Eternal, Absolute. He begets not, nor is He begotten, and there is none like unto Him" (Qur'an 112:1-4). Any worship and prayers directed at saints, prophets, other human beings or nature is considered idolatry.
Muslims also recognize another prophet named Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family), who is a direct descendant of Abraham through his first born son, Ishmael. His prophethood may be prophecied in the Bible in several places, including Deut 18:18 and John 14:16.
The Qur'an is the holy book of Muslims. It contains many stories that are familiar to Christians and Jews. It was not created by man but was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) through the Angel Gabriel at the command of God. It contains no scientific fallacies or internal contradictions. In fact, it contains much scientific knowledge discovered by scientists only in this
century. The Qur'an is an unparalleled Arabic literary masterpiece. Furthermore, it survives in its original revealed form, unlike the Torah and the Gospel.
Islam is the only religion in the world that says that its precepts are natural. The Holy Quran says:
..It is Allah's Nature on which Allah has created humans. There is no change in Allah's creation. This is the established religion (deen al-qayyim) but many of the humans know not.
Surat al-Ruum, Verse 30
In Islam, the beliefs have primary position; they are the roots, and the practices are branches that are dependent for their existence on the roots. The primary belief is that of the Unity and Supreme Sovereignty of Allah, the Almighty, the Ever-present, the Everlasting, and the All-knowing. Allah is just. He sent prophets to convey His message. He selected Imams to safeguard His message. He ordained a Day of Judgement when the deeds of His creatures will be measured and rewarded or punished accordingly.
Belief in Allah, therefore, entails belief in all of the above.
Islam is the last divine religion and Prophet Muhammad (s) is the last Messenger of Allah. In Islam, Allah has encompassed all His commandments and decrees - decrees that will suffice for humankind till the end of the world. The commandments are there not only to guide His creatures to proper belief, but also to show them the proper way to live their lives. Islam says that its practices are for benefit of the followers, benefit in this world and in the hereafter.
The Five Pillars of Islam
In Islam, faith and good works go hand-in-hand. A mere verbal declaration of faith does not make one a Muslim, for belief in Allah makes obedience to Him a duty. Only when your practice is consistent with your profession will you be a true Muslim. Faith in Allah will be your strength, and the Qur'an your guide.
The Muslim concept of worship is very broad. Muslims consider everything they do in this life according to Allah's will, an act of worship. Speaking the truth, refraining from gossip, dealing honestly in commercial affairs, treating one's parents with respect and honour, helping the poor and needy, dealing lovingly and fairly with family members - whatever is done for the sake of Allah is called worship.
Worship of Allah is foremost in a Muslim's mind all the time. There are also five formal acts of worship, which help strengthen a Muslim's faith and obedience. They are often called the "Five Pillars of Islam."
Testimony of Faith (Kalima)
This is simply the declaration, "I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger." As mentioned previously, all of Islam is based on faith in the Unity of God. When one declares this statement, one testifies to the Unity of Allah, and to the message of the Prophethood. When one bears witness that Muhammad is His messenger, one is confirming that all of the prophets before him were also His messengers - Allah is One and His message is one. A person becomes a Muslim when he or she declares this statement with purity of heart, conviction of faith, and in public in front of witnesses.
Prayer (Salaat)
Formal prayer is the most important act of worship; it is mankind's connection to Allah, through which one gathers strength, guidance and peace of mind. Islam prescribes five formal prayers daily, through which Muslims repeat and refresh their beliefs, taking time out of their busy day to remember Allah and renew the effort to follow His guidance. Five times each day (before dawn, noon, afternoon, after sunset, and evening) Muslims rise, cleanse with water, and present themselves directly before Allah for prayer.
Far from being a ritualistic and mindless activity, prayer constantly reminds us of the purpose of life itself, refreshes our faith, and keeps our belief in Allah alive and ever presents. We go back to our worldly affairs conscious of our duties and strengthened against sin. Prayers said in congregation bond Muslims together in love and brotherhood. Prayer also symbolizes the equality of believers; there is no hierarchy, and all stand side-by-side in rows and bow only to Allah.
Aside from the five formal prayers each day, Muslims begin and complete every activity with Allah ever present in their minds. The words "Bismillah" (In the name of Allah) precede every action, and "Alhamdilillah" (Thanks be to Allah) completes it. Muslims also make private supplications, and words in praise of Allah fall constantly off one's lips.
Fasting (Sawm)
O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may learn self-restraint. Fast for a fixed number of days.... Ramadan is the month in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, and clear signs for guidance and judgment between right and wrong. So every one of you who is present at home during that month should spend it in fasting.... Allah intends every facility for you; He does not want to put you to difficulties. He wants you to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance you shall be grateful.
Qur'an 2:183-185
What the prayers seek to do five times a day, fasting in the month of Ramadan (9th month of the lunar year) does once a year. During this month, from dawn to dusk, Muslims do not eat anything nor drink even a drop of water. Each and every moment during the fast, we suppress our desires and remember Allah alone. This places in us a consciousness of duty and a spirit of patience that helps strengthen faith in Allah. Discipline and hardship during this month bring us face to face with the realities of life and the suffering of so many throughout the year. The whole month is filled with increased devotion, piety, and purity of mind, soul and body.
Almsgiving (Zakat)
Every Muslim whose financial conditions are above a certain specified minimum, must pay annually at least 2.5% of his savings to a deserving needy person, a new convert to Islam, a traveler, or one overwhelmed by debts. This fosters in a Muslim the quality of sacrifice and rids one of selfishness, greed and vanity. As all wealth is a gift from Allah, one has the duty to help his needy brethren when he is able.
Pilgrimage (Hajj)
Once in a lifetime, a Muslim who is financially and physically able must go on the pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, during the month of Hajj (12th month of the lunar year). Mecca is the spiritual center of the Muslim world. It was here that Abraham built the first house of worship (the Kaaba), towards which all Muslims stand in unity in their daily prayers.
The first House of worship appointed for men was that at Bakka (Mecca), full of blessing and of guidance for all the worlds. It are Signs manifest - the Station of Abraham - whoever enters it attains security. Pilgrimage thereto is a duty men owe to Allah, for those who can afford the journey..."
When this house was desecrated into a center of pagan worship, it was the prophet Muhammad that cleansed it of its 300+ idols and rededicated it to the worship of Allah alone.
Qur'an 3:96-97
All pilgrims dress in pure white cloth, and are required to suppress passion, refrain from any bloodshed, and be pure in word and deed.
For Hajj are the months well-known. If any one undertakes the journey therein, let there be no obscenity, nor wickedness, nor wrangling in the Hajj. And whatever good you do be sure Allah knows it. And take a provision with you for the journey, but the best of provisions is right conduct...
Qur'an 2:197
The pilgrimage is a great international conference, wherein all people, kings or peasants, black or white, stand before Allah as equals. During the ten days of the annual pilgrimage, several million Muslims from all over the world, of all nations, languages, and colors come together in the largest spiritual gathering of the world.