What is Islam?
Islam is
not a new religion, but the same truth that God revealed through all His
prophets to every people.
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 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 Judgment
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'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 from the
elder son Ishmael, and Moses and Jesus from the younger son Isaac. Abraham
established the settlement which today is the city of Makah
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
was born in Makah 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
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 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 Makah
for the city of Madinah
After
several years, the Prophet and his followers were able to return to Makah,
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 Quran
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 Quran is in every detail the unique and miraculous
text which was revealed to Muhammad fourteen centuries ago.
What is the Qur’an 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, 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 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 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
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)
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
Islamic law
also permits non-Muslim minorities to set up their own courts, which implement
family laws drawn up by the minorities themselves.
The
Patriarch invited him to pray in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, 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.
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 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, 3:42-7)
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. (Quran, 3:59)
During his
prophetic mission Jesus 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. (Quran,
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 Quran 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.
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 Quran,
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 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 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'. (17:23-4)
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 Judgment, 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-defense, in defense 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)
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 is laid down by the Quran 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 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)
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