October 23, 2010
Islam 101
What is Islam?
The root of Islam is Salaam which means PEACE through SUBMISSION and Obedience to GOD (Allah).
In religious context it means attaining PEACE through complete, willing, and loving SUBMISSION and OBEDIENCE to GOD’s Will with TRUST. The Will of God is the natural order created by the ONE Almighty GOD. By the willing and loving submission and obedience to God we attain peace with our creator, with our self, with others, and the universe.
Islam is the name given by Allah in the Qur’an:
“It is the religion of your father Ibrahim (Abraham), it is He Who Has named you Muslims, both before and in this revelation” (Qur’an 22:78)
Allah Has made His Will known to man through prophets and messengers who communicated it to us in words and actions and they have demonstrated the life that man is supposed to follow.
Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, The Last and Seal of All Prophets and Messengers of God lived among his companions for twenty three (23) years teaching them the Will of God and they have record it in his life.
Misnomers
Mohammadanism or Mohammaden: These misnomers means that Muslims worship a mortal human being which is not true, Mohammad pbuh is not worshipped and he is not the founder of Islam but Islam is the religion taught by all the prophets and messengers of Allah.
Who are Muslims?
A Muslim is one who submits to the will of God. The Muslims comprise one fifth (1.6 Billion) of the world population.
There are more than 7 million Muslims in the US and More than 30 million Muslims in Europe.
What is the Quran ?
The Quran is a record of the exact words revealed by ALLAH Subhanaho Wa Taala (SWT) through the Arch-Angel Gabriel to Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him pbuh, over fourteen centuries ago.
The Quran, the last revealed Word of ALLAH, is the primary source of Guidance for Muslims. The first verses of the Quran revealed by ALLAH to Prophet Muhammad PBUH are:
“Read in the name of thy lord Who Created, Created man from a clot; Read in the name of thy Lord, Who taught by the pen, Taught man what he did not know.”
The Quran provides guidance for a just society, and proper human conduct.
Who is Muhammad (pbuh) ?
Muhammad (pbuh) son of Abdullah was born in the city of Makkah (Arabian Peninsula) in 570 AD üLike all the prophets before him he was a human-being sent by ALLAH to guide people to worship The One True Creator and to establish a system of peace and justice for humanity. The practice and example of the Prophet, is the second source of guidance for Muslims.
What are some of the sayings of Muhammad (pbuh) ?
The reliably transmitted report of what the Prophet said, did, or approved is called “Sunnah”. e.g.
‘ALLAH has no mercy on one who has no mercy for others.’
‘Whoever believes in Allah and the Day of Judgment should do good to his neighbor’
‘ Real Faith is what is deeply rooted in the heart and reflected in practice and behavior.’
What are the Basic Islamic Beliefs?
1.) One, Unique, Incomparable God, Who has no partner or son. Almighty God picked the Name “ALLAH” for Himself.
” Say: He is Allah, the One and Only; Allah the Eternal, Absolute; He Begetteth not, nor is He Begotten; and there is none like unto Him.” (Quran: 112)
2.) Angels “They do not disobey Allah’s commands and they do as they are told to do.
3.) Belief in God’s Revealed Books: Suhuf, Zabur, Torah (old Testament), Injil (new Testament) & the Quran
4.) Belief in all prophets of ALLAH: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Moses, Jesus and the Final Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon them all)
5.) Belief in the Day of Judgment: When all of humanity will be held accountable for their deeds
6.) Destiny (fate) – with Freedom of Choice
What are the Five Pillars of Islam?
1.) Testimony of Faith: There is no deity but Allah and Muhammad pbuh is the last Messenger (Prophet) of ALLAH
2.) The Five (5) Daily (Obligatory) Prayers: i) Fajr or Dawn prayer and to be performed from about an hour and half before sunrise until just before sunrise; ii) Zuhr or Noon prayer and to be performed between noon mid-afternoon; iii) Asr or Mid-Afternoon and to be performend between mid-afternoon to just before sunset; iV) Maghrib or Sunset prayer and to be performed just after sunset to about an hour and half after sunset; v) Ishaa or Night prayer and to be performed from about an hour and half after sunset to dawn or about an hour and half before sunrise. Each prayer takes no more than a few minutes.
3.) Poor Due (Zakat): An annual payment of 2.5% of wealth savings/investments that has been in possistion for one year and if it is over $2,000., to be shared among the needy. Optional charity all the time is highly encouraged.
4.) Fasting: Total abstinence from food and liquid, and intimate relation from dawn to sunset, yearly during the Full month of Ramadan.
5.) Hajj or pilgrimage to Makkah: Once in a lifetime for those who are physically and financially able.
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(to be completed and inhansed)
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