About Islam
Islam is both a religious practice and a complete way of life. Islam is an Abrahamic faith that teaches that there is one God (Allah) who is unique to anything else, who has no equals or partners, and is endlessly merciful to all of his creations. Islam is the second largest faith and is known to be the fastest growing religion in the world. Despite common belief, Islam is not a new religion for it is the same primordial truth that God revealed to all of His prophets (peace be upon them) throughout the history of mankind. Muslims practice a religion of peace, mercy, and forgiveness to believers and non-believers as the prophets (peace be upon them all) had taught and do not associate with acts of violence against the innocent.
Muslims believe in One, Unique, and Incomparable God (Allah). Muslims believe in a chain of prophets; beginning with Adam and including Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Moses, David, Solomon, and Jesus (peace be on them all). God’s eternal message was reaffirmed and finalized by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). They believe in individual accountability for actions during their lifetime, and after our death, all of Allah’s creations will be put to trial on the Day of Judgement, stand before him and will have to answer for their good deeds and our bad deeds. Those with more good deeds and proper faith will be admitted into Jannah (paradise) and those with more bad deeds, improper faith, or without the mercy of Allah will be admitted into Jahannam (Hell). To receive God’s mercy, forgiveness, and favor is to submit your will to him, follow the commandments laid out by Allah’s chosen prophets (peace be upon them), and declare your faith. And thus, one becomes a Muslim, or one who submits. One becomes a Muslim by saying, “There is no deity but God, and Muhammad is the messenger of God.” By this declaration, the person announces faith in all of God’s messengers (peace be upon them), his scriptures (the Torah, the Psalms, the Gospel, and the Quran), the belief in the unseen world (angels and other creations of Allah), the Day of Accountability / Judgement, and Qadr (predestination).There are an estimated 1.2 billion Muslims worldwide; most of which reside in the Middle East, Northern Africa, India, and the Asia Pacific. The Quran and the religion of Islam was revealed in Arabic yet only 20 percent of Muslims live in the Arabic-speaking world. The country with the largest Muslim population is Indonesia, followed by Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh.
The Quran (the recitation) is the record of the exact words revealed by Allah through the Angel Jabrieel (Gabriel) to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). These profound words and statements transformed the world of the Muslims and established a reformation of justice, instilled an enduring peace and brotherhood amongst waring tribes, and laid-out an economic/social policy that was made to establish good and forbear evil amongst the believers. The prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was 40 years old when he began to receive revelation, and continued until his natural death from fever at the age of 63 (23 years of revelation). During his revelation, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) experienced some of the most unethical treatment, backlash, torture, and condemnation by his own family, his local peers, and community members. Ultimately, the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) struggle ultimately made him one, if not the most influential person politically, socially, and religiously that ever existed in the world.Revelation was either memorized by Muhammad and then dictated to his companions, or came during specific moments to guide and provide example for the Muslims. The text of the Quran was memorized, recorded, and cross-checked during the life of the Prophet (peace be upon him) up until his ultimate death. The 114 chapters of the Quran have remained unchanged through the centuries.
(courtesy of sbia.net)
What Are The Five Pillars of Islam?
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- TESTIMONY OF FAITH (Shahadah)
The five pillars of Islam are the basis of Muslim life and are the foundation upon which the faith itself stands. The Prophet Muhammad said:“Islam is founded on five pillars; to testify that ‘there is no deity except God, and Muhammad is the messenger of God;’ to establish the ritual prayers; to give charity (to the needy); to fast during the month of Ramadan and to perform the pilgrimage to the House (in Makkah).”A practicing Muslim’s life is centered upon these five pillars, the first and foremost of which is the testimony:
“There is no deity except God; Muhammad is the messenger of God.”
This simple declaration of faith is required of all those who wish to accept Islam as their chosen way of life. These words are to be uttered with sincerity and out of personal conviction, as there is no coercion in Islam. The significance of this testimony is that the only purpose of life is to serve and obey God, such being achieved through following the beautiful and noble example of the Prophet Muhammad (may God bless him and grant him peace).
Muslims believe that God sent messengers, at different points in history. The foundation of their message was always the testimony, “There is no deity except God”. The first commandment found in the Bible is: “I am the Lord, thy God; thou shalt not have other gods before Me.” This belief in the Oneness of God is central to Islam and permeates all of Muslim life.
- PRAYER (Salah)
Another key element of Muslim life is the daily ritual prayers, or Salah. These prayers are performed five times a day, everyday, and are a direct link between the worshipper and God. This very personal relationship with the Creator allows one to fully depend upon, trust in, and love God; and to truly achieve inner peace and harmony, regardless of the trials of life that one faces.Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Indeed, when one of you prays, he communes privately with his Lord.”The prayers are performed at dawn, mid-day, late-afternoon, sunset, and nightfall; reminding one of God throughout the day. Regular prayer helps prevent destructive deeds and gives one the opportunity to seek God’s pardon for any misgivings that occur in the course of one’s daily activities.
The Prophet once asked his companions: “Think of a river by one’s door and bathing in it five times a day; would there remain any dirt on such a person?” The Prophet’s companions answered in the negative. The Prophet, peace be upon him, then said: “Such it is with the five (daily) prayers; through them God washes away your sins.”
Friday is the main day of the week in which Muslims congregate. The mid-day prayer on Friday is different from all other prayers in that it includes a sermon. Prayers at other times are relatively simple; they include the recitation of verses from the Quran, specific movements and invocations, and they take only a few minutes to complete.
Muslims are greatly encouraged to perform their five daily prayers in a group–in the mosque if possible. A mosque, in its most basic form, is simply a clean area designated for the daily prayers. Mosques throughout the world take on various architectural forms, typically reflecting local cultures and their aesthetic tastes. They range from detached pavilions in China to elaborate courtyards in India; from massive domes in Turkey to glass and steel structures in the United States.
The Call to Prayer:
God is Greatest, God is Greatest
God is Greatest, God is Greatest
I testify that there is no deity except God
I testify that there is no deity 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! Come to success!
God is Greatest, God is Greatest
There is no deity except God - CHARITY (Zakah)
An important principle of Islam is that everything belongs to God; wealth is therefore held by the human being as a trust. Zakah, or obligatory charity, is a word that linguistically signifies both purification and growth. Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need and for the society in general. Like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth.Each Muslim calculates his or her own zakah individually. This involves an annual payment calculated at 2.5% of one’s assets, excluding such items as primary residence, car, and professional tools, to be given to those in need. Zakah is a unique concept, compared to other forms of giving, in that it redistributes the wealth of society, and when applied correctly, it could effectively eliminate abject poverty and world hunger all together.God places great emphasis on taking care of the needy; He says in the Quran:
Those who spend of their wealth (in charity) by night and by day, in secret and in public, have their reward with their Lord; on them there shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. (Quran 2:274)
Giving beyond the obligatory charity is expected of every Muslim and may take many forms. The Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace) said, “Even meeting your brother with a warm smile is an act of charity.” The Prophet further said that, when one has nothing to give, staying away from evil is considered a form of charity as well.
- FASTING (Siyam)
Fasting in the month of Ramadan is an essential part of being a Muslim. Muslims fast from dawn until sunset–abstaining from food and drink, as well as from marital relations. During this blessed month, the Muslim should be even more vigilant about the destructive qualities of character, speech, and behavior.Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, as well as women who are pregnant or nursing, are permitted to break the fast and make up an equal number of days later in the year (unless chronically ill).God states in the Quran:
O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed to those before you, in hopes that you may achieve greater awareness (of God). (Quran 2:183)Fasting is not only beneficial to one’s health, but it also engenders empathy for those less fortunate. However, fasting is mainly a method of self-purification, spiritual discipline, and self-restraint. By withholding oneself from certain worldly comforts, even if for only a short time, the fasting person is able to focus on his or her purpose in this life by constantly being aware of God, thereby becoming more cognizant of the meaning of what occurs to them in this earthly abode and realizing the great importance of their final destination after life.
Ramadan is a special time for Muslims everywhere; a time for clearer reflection and heightened spirituality. The end of Ramadan is ushered in by a holiday called Eid al-Fitr. On this day Muslims all over the world celebrate with prayers, friendly and family gatherings, and in many cases, a joyous exchange of gifts and the giving of sweets to children.
- TESTIMONY OF FAITH (Shahadah)
- PILGRIMAGE (Hajj)
The pilgrimage, or Hajj, to Makkah is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for those who are physically and financially able. Over two million people, from all corners of the globe, go for Hajj each year making it the largest gathering for peace, worship, and unity known to humankind. Hajj also provides a unique opportunity for people of different nations and cultures to meet one another.The annual Hajj begins in the twelfth month of the Islamic year. The Islamic year is lunar; consequently Hajj occurs throughout all the seasons of the year during one’s lifetime.Pilgrims enter a state of sacredness where arguing, fighting, and even cutting a plant or harming a fly is prohibited. They are required to wear simple and similar garments, thereby stripping away any cultural distinctions and class considerations; all stand equal before God.
The rites of the Hajj go back to Prophet Abraham and his family. They include visiting the Ka’bah and standing together on the vast plain of ‘Arafat (a desert expanse just outside of Makkah). It is here that pilgrims pray for God’s forgiveness and put forth all of their needs, in what is often considered a preview of the Day of Judgment. The Hajj provides an ideal occasion for the Muslim to reflect on his or her life, to refocus on God, and to return to their homes and their families spiritually rejuvenated.
The close of the Hajj is marked by the second major Muslim holiday, the Festival of Sacrifice, Eid al-Adha. Pilgrims, if able, sacrifice a sheep or goat, commemorating Prophet Abraham’s readiness to sacrifice his own son, a story that is known to both Jews and Christians as well. This sacrificial meat is then distributed to the needy and is not to be squandered in any way. Muslims around the world celebrate this day with prayers, ritual sacrifice, and an exchange of gifts.