The Faith

The Faith


* What is Islam?
* Who are the Muslims?
* What do Muslims believe?
* How does someone become a Muslim?
* What does 'Islam' mean?
* Do Islam and Christianity have different origins?
* What is the Ka'aba?
* Who is Muhammad?
* How did he become a prophet and messenger of God?
* How did the spread of Islam affect the world?
* What is the Qur'an?
* What is the Qur'an about?
* Are there any other sacred sources?
* Examples of the Prophet's sayings
* What are the 'Five Pillars' of Islam?
* Does Islam tolerate other beliefs?
* What do Muslims think about Jesus?
* Why is the family so important to Muslims?
* What about Muslim Women?
* Can a Muslim have more than one wife?
* Is Islamic marriage like Christian marriage?
* How do Muslims treat the elderly?
* How do Muslims view death?
* What does Islam say about war?
* What about food?
* Islam in the United States
* How does Islam guarantee human rights?
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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 Muslims, 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
[peace be upon him] 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 [peace be upon him] rather than God. 'Allah' is the
Arabic name for God, which is used by Arab Muslims and Christians alike.
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 [peace be upon him] from the eldest, Ishmael, and Moses and Jesus
[peace be upon him] from Isaac. Abraham established the settlement which
today is the city of Makkah, and built the Ka'aba towards which all Muslims
turn when they pray.
What is the Ka'aba?
The Ka'aba 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 [pbuh] 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 [peace be upon him] 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 Jbal al-Nur, the
'Mountain of Light' near Makkah.
How did he become a prophet and messenger of God?
At the age of 40, while engaged in a meditative retreat, Muhammad [pbuh]
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 persecutions, 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 [peace be upon him] and his followers were
able to return to Makkah, where they forgave their enemies and established
Islam definitively. Before the Prophet [pbuh] 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 [pbuh], '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 [pbuh]. It was memorized by Muhammad [pbuh]
and then dictated to his Companions, and written down by scribes, who
cross-checked it during his lifetime. Not one word if 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 [pbuh]
fourteen centuries ago.
What is the Qur'an 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, aand 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 [pbuh], is the
second authority for Muslims. A hadith is a reliably transmitted report of
what the Prophet [pbuh] said, did, or approved. Belief in the sunna is part
of the Islamic faith.
Examples of the Prophet's sayings The Prophet [pbuh] 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 [pbuh] was asked: 'Messenger
of God, are we rewarded for kindness towards animals?' He said, 'There is a
reward for kindness to every living thing.'
What are the 'Five Pillars' of Islam?
They are the framework of the Muslim life:
* faith
* prayer
* concern for the needy
* self-purification
* pilgrimage to Makkah [for those who are able]
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 partof the Shahada is Muhammadun rasulu'Llah: 'Muhammad is the
messenger of God.' A message of guidance has come through a man like
ourselves.
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.
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.
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 [pbuh] said: 'Even
meeting your brother with a cheerful face is charity.' The Prophet [pbuh]
said: 'Charity is a necessity for every Muslim.' He was asked: 'What if a
person has nothing?' The Prophet [pbuh] 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 [pbuh] said: 'He should urge others to do good.' The Companions
said, 'What if he lacks that also?' The Prophet [pbuh] said: 'He should
check himself from doing evil. That is also charity.'
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.

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 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'aba 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 Arafat and join in prayers for God's
forgiveness, in what is often thought of as a preview of the Last Judgment.
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
toward 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 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 [pbuh], 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, 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.' [Qur'an, 3:42-47]
Jesus [pbuh] was born miraculously through the same power which had brought
Adam [pbuh] 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 [pbuh] 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. [3:49]
Neither Muhammad [pbuh] nor Jesus [pbuh] 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 [pbuh] 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. [3:50]
The Prophet Muhammad [pbuh] 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 [pbuh] 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 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 [pbuh]
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 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.' [17:23-24]
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 [pbuh] taught that three things can continue to help a
person even after death: charity which he has 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 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 the Jews and the
early Christians, the code which Muslims observe forbids the consumption of
pig meat or any kind of intoxicating drink. The Prophet [pbuh] 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 [pbuh] 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 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 honored of you in God's sight is
the greatest of you in piety. God is All-Knowing, All-Aware. [49:13]
Courtesy: Shahid Khan

Compiled from various sources.

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Note that an English translation of the Qur'an is an interpretation of the
Qur'an, and does not have the perfect status as the Qur'an in its original
Arabic form.