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 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 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'ah, 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 from the eldest,
Ishmael, and Moses and Jesus from Isaac. Abraham established the settlement
which today is the city of Makkah, and built the Ka'bah towards which all
Muslims turn when they pray.
What
is the Ka'bah?
The Ka'bah
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,
was born in Mecca 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
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.
How
did Muhammad 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 Qur'an.
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 and his followers were able to return to Makkah,
where they forgave their enemies and established Islam definitively. Before
the Prophet 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, '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.
What
is the Qur'an?
The Qur'an
is a record of the exact words revealed by God through the Angel Gabriel
to the Prophet Muhammad. It was memorized by Muhammad 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 Qur'an is in every detail the unique and
miraculous text which was revealed to Muhammad fourteen centuries ago.
What
is the Qur'an all about?
The Qur'an,
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, is the second authority
for Muslims. A hadith is a reliably transmitted report of what the Prophet
said, did, or approved. Belief in the sunna is part of the Islamic faith.
Examples
of the Prophet's sayings
The Prophet
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 neighbour 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
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.
1)
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 ill
Allah - '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 Allah: 'except God', the source of all Creation.
The second part of the Shahada is: Muhammadur rasul Allah:
'Muhammad is the messenger of God.' A message of guidance has come through
a man like ourselves.
2)
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 Qur'an, chosen by the congregation. These five prayers
contain verses from the Qur'an 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 great. God is great.
God
isgreat. God is 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 great. God is great.
There
is no god except God.
To hear this call to prayer:
RealAudio
| MP3
3)
THE '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 said 'even meeting your brother
with a cheerful face is charity.'
The
Prophet said: 'Charity is a necessity for
every Muslim. ' He was asked: 'What if
a person has nothing?' The Prophet 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 said: 'He
should help poor and needy persons.' The
Companions further asked 'What if he cannot do even that?' The Prophet
said 'He should urge others to do good.'
The Companions said 'What if he lacks that also?' The Prophet said 'He
should check himself from doing evil. That is also charity.'
4)
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 journey, 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 self purification. 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.
5)
PILGRIMAGE (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 corner of the globe
providing a unique opportunity for those of different nations to meet one
another. Although Mecca 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'bah seven times, and going seven times between the mountains of
Safa and Marwa as did Hagar [Abraham's wife] during her search for water
[for their baby, Ismael]. 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 centuries the Hajj was an arduous undertaking. Today, however,
Saudi Arabia provides millions of people with water, modern 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 Qur'an
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. (Qur'an, 60:8)
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 Umar 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.
What
do Muslims think about Jesus?
Muslims
respect and revere Jesus, 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 Qur'an confirms his virgin birth (a chapter of the Qur'an is entitled
'Mary'), and Mary is considered the purest woman in all creation. The Qur'an
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, honoured 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.' (Qur'an, 3:42-7)
Jesus
was born miraculously through the same power which had brought Adam 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. (Qur'an, 3:59)
During
his prophetic mission Jesus performed many miracles. The Qur’an 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. (Qur'an, 3:49)
Neither
Muhammad nor Jesus came to change the basic doctrine of the belief in One
God, brought by earlier prophets, but to confirm and renew it. In the Qur'an
Jesus is reported as saying that he came:
To
attest the law which was before me. And to make lawful to you part of what
was forbidden you; I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, so fear
God and obey Me. (Qur'an, 3:5O)
The
Prophet Muhammad said:
Whoever
believes there is no god but God, alone without partner, that Muhammad
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 Qur'an, only
on condition that the husband is scrupulously fair.
Is
Islamic marriage like 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 honour 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 honoured: 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
Qur'an 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 honour and kindness. Treat
them with humility, and say, 'My Lord! Have mercy on them, for they did
care for me when I was little'. (17:23-4)
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
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 Qur'an says:
Fight
in the cause of God against those who fight you, but do not transgress
limits. God does not love transgressors. (2:190)
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)
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 [freedom to choose whatever religion one wants] is laid down
by the Qur'an itself: 'There is no compulsion in religion'. (2:256)
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 Qur'an 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 honoured of you in God's sight is the greatest of you in piety.
God is All-Knowing, All Aware (Qur'an 49:13)
Islam
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 centres where they worshipped
in hired rooms. The early twentieth century witnessed the arrival of several
hundred thousand Muslims from Eastern 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 Centre was founded during the term of President
Truman, and several nation-wide 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.
The
Muslim World
The Muslim
population of the world is around one billion. 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 minorities in almost every 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.
| 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 honoured of you in God's
sight is the greatest of you in piety. God is All-Knowing, All-Aware. [Qur'an,
49:13] |
