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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 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, North
and South America, and Europe.
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 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 (SAW) through Gabriel.
How does someone become a Muslim?
Simply by saying 'There is no god apart from God, and
Muhammad is the Messenger of God.' By this declaration the
believer announces his or her faith in all God's messengers,
and the scriptures they brought.
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 (SAW) rather than God. 'Allah' is
the Arabic name for God, which is used by Arab Muslims and
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 Shari'a, 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 (SAW) from the eldest,
Ishmael, and Moses and Jesus, peace be upon them, from
Isaac. Abraham established the settlement which today is the
city of Makkah, and built the Ka'ba towards which all
Muslims turn when they pray.
What is the Ka'ba?
The Ka'ba 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.
Who is Muhammad?
Muhammad (SAW) 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 (SAW) 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 Makkah.
How did he become a prophet and a messenger of
God?
At the age of 40, while engaged in a meditative retreat,
Muhammad received his first revelation from God through the
Angel Gabriel. This revelation, which continued for
twenty-three years, is known as the Quran. 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 Hijra, 'migration', in
which they left Makkah for the city of Madinah some 260
miles to the north, marks the beginning of the Muslim
calendar. After several years, the Prophet (SAW) and his
followers were able to return to Makkah, where they forgave
their enemies and established Islam definitively. Before the
Prophet (SAW) died at the age of 63, the greater part of
Arabia was Muslim, and within a century of his death Islam
had spread to Spain in the West and as far East as China.
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
(SAW) '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 (SAW) said, 'Seek knowledge even into China': the
Hui Shen mosque was built in the seventh century.
What is the Quran?
The Quran is a record of the exact words revealed by God
through the Angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). It
was memorized by Muhammad (SAW) 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 Muhammad (SAW) fourteen centuries ago.
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.
Are there any other sacred sources?
Yes, the sunna, the practice and example of the Prophet
(SAW), is the second authority for Muslims. A hadith is a
reliably transmitted report of what the Prophet (SAW) said,
did, or approved. Belief in the sunna is part of the Islamic
faith.
Examples of the Prophet's sayings
The Prophet (SAW) 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 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 (SAW) 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.)
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.
First Pillar: Faith
There is no god worthy of worship except God and Muhammad
is His messenger. This declaration of faith is called the
Shahada, a simple formula which all the faithful pronounce.
In Arabic, the first part is la ilaha illa'Llah - 'there is
no god except God'; ilaha (god) can refer to anything which
we may be tempted to put in place of God--wealth, power, and
the like. Then comes illa'Llah: 'except God', the source of
all Creation. The second part of the Shahada is Muhammadun
rasulu'Llah: 'Muhammad is the messenger of God.' A message
of guidance has come through a man like ourselves.
Second Pillar: Prayer
Salat 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 Quran, chosen by the
congregation. These five prayers contain verses from the
Quran, 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 are struck by the
centrality of prayers in daily life. A translation of the
Call to Prayer is:
'God is most great. God is most great. God is most great.
God is most great. I testify that there is no god except
God. I testify that there is no god except God. I testify
that Muhammad is the messenger of God. I testify that
Muhammad is the messenger of God. Come to prayer! Come to
prayer! Come to success (in this life and the Hereafter)!
Come to success! God is most great. God is most great. There
is no god except God.'
Once Muslims prayed towards Jerusalem, but during the
Prophet's lifetime it was changed to Makkah. From the
minbar, the pulpit, the Imam who leads the prayer gives the
sermon at the Friday noon community prayers.
Third Pillar: Zakat
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 zakat 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 capital. A
pious person may also give as much as he or she pleases as
sadaqa, and does so preferably in secret. Although this word
can be translated as 'voluntary charity' it has a wider
meaning. The Prophet (SAW) said: 'Even meeting your brother
with a cheerful face is charity.'
TheProphet (SAW) said: 'Charity is a necessity for every
Muslim.' He was asked: 'What if a person has nothing?'
TheProphet (SAW) 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 (SAW) said: 'He should help poor and
needy persons.' The Companions further asked 'What if he
cannot do even that?' The Prophet (SAW) said 'He should urge
others to do good.' The Companions said 'What if he lacks
that also?' The Prophet (SAW) said 'He should check himself
from doing evil. That is also charity.'
Fourth Pillar: The Fast
Every year in the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from
first light until sundown, abstaining from food, drink, and
sexual relations. Those who are sick, elderly, or on a
joumey, 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 selfpurification. By cutting oneself off from
worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person
gains true sympathy with those who go hungry as well as
growth in one's spiritual life.
Fifth Pillar: The Pilgrimmage (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 comer 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 are
of Abrahamic origin, include circling the Ka'ba seven times,
and going seven times between the mountains of Safa and
Marwa as did Hagar during her search for water. Then the
pilgrims stand together on the wide plain of Arafa and join
in prayers for God's forgiveness, in what is often thought
of as a preview of the Last Judgement. In previous centunes
the Hajj was an arduous undertaking. Today, however, Saudi
Arabia provides millions of people with water, modem
transport, and the most up-to-date health facilities. The
close of the Hajj is marked by a festival, the Eid al-Adha,
which is celebrated with prayers and the exchange of gifts
in Muslim communities everywhere. This, and the Eid al-Fitr,
a feast-day commemorating the end of Ramadan, are the main
festivals of the Muslim calendar.
Does Islam tolerate other beliefs?
The Quran says: 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. (Quran, {60.8::qs60.8})
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 minonties 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 Sepulchre, 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. Above is the mosque built on the spot
where Omar did pray. According to Islam, man is not born in
'onginal 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.
What do Muslims think about Jesus?
Muslims respect and revere Jesus (SAW) and await his
Second Coming. They consider him one of the greatest of
God'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 'Mary'), and Mary is considered the
purest woman in all creation. The Quran 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; God creates what He
will. When He decrees a thing He says to it, "Be!" and it
is.' (Quran, {3.42::qs3.42}-7)
Jesus (SAW) was born miraculously through the same power
which had brought Adam (SAW) 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::qs3.59})
During his prophetic mission Jesus (SAW) 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 God's leave. And I
heal the blind, and the lepers, and I raise the dead by
God's leave.' ({3.49::qs3.49})
Neither Muhammad (SAW) norJesus (SAW) came to change the
basic doctrine of the belief in One God, brought by earlier
prophets, but to confirm and renew it. In the Quran Jesus
(SAW) is reported as saying that he came:
'To attest the law which was before me. And to make
lawful to you paff of what was forbidden you; I have come to
you with a sign from your Lord, so fear God and obey Me.'
(3:5O)
The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:
'Whoever believes there is no god but God, alone without
partner, that Muhammad (SAW) is His messenger, that Jesus is
the servant and messenger of God, His word breathed into
Mary and a spirit emanating from Him, and that Paradise and
Hell are true, shall be received by God into Heaven.'
(Hadith from Bukhari)
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; the traditions of female
dress found in some Muslim countries are often the
expression of local customs. The Messenger of God 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
Quran, only on condition that the husband is scrupulously
fair.
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 (SAW) 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: 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'.
({17.23::qs17.23}-4)
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
Judgement, 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 (SAW) 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-defence, in defence 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:
'Fight in the cause of God against those who fight you,
but do not transgress limits. God does not love
transgressors.' ({2.190::qs2.190})
'If they seek peace, then seek you peace. And trust in
God for He is the One that heareth and knoweth all things.'
({8.61::qs8.61})
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 dnnk. 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 (SAW) said: 'Ask God for certainty
[of faith] and well-being; for after certainty, no one is
given any gift better than health!'
What is Islam's presence 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 a thousand mosques. Muslims were
early arrivals in North America. By the eighteenth century
there were many 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 Eastem 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. The
same period saw the establishment of other communities whose
lives were in many ways modelled after Islam. More recently,
numerous members of these groups have entered the fold of
Muslim orthodoxy. Today there are about five million Muslims
in America.
How does Islam guarantee human rights?
Freedom of conscience is laid down by the Quran itself:
'There is no compulsion in religion'. ({2.256::qs2.256})
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 Quran 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 God 's sight is the greatest of you in piety. God is
All-Knowing, All-Aware'. ({49.13::qs49.13})
What is the makeup of The Muslim World?
The Muslim population of the world is around one billion.
Most Muslims live east of Karachi. 30% of Muslims live in
the Indian subcontinent, 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
minonties in almost everv 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.
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