Islam, the
religion of over 1.2 billion in the world, provides humankind with a
unified view about the purpose of our creation and existence, our
ultimate destiny and our place among other creatures. It is a way of
life that is in complete conformance with nature, and with reason,
logic and science.
The Arabic word,'Islam', means voluntary surrender to the will of
Allah and obedience to His commands.'Allah' is the Arabic word that
Muslims use for God. A person who freely and consciously accepts the
Islamic way of life and sincerely practices it is called a 'Muslim'.
ONENESS OF GOD (TAWHID)
This is the most important Islamic belief. It implies that
everything in existence originates from the one and only Creator,
who is also the Sustainer and the sole Source of Guidance. This
belief should govern all aspects of human life. Recognition of this
fundamental truth results in a unified view of existence that
rejects any divisions of life into the religious and the secular.
Allah is the sole source of Power and Authority and therefore
entitled to worship and obedience from mankind. There is no scope
for any partnership with the Creator. Tawhid teaches man that Allah
is not born, nor is anyone born of Him. He has no son or daughter.
Human beings, like the rest of creation, are His subjects.
PROPHETHOOD (RISALAH) or Messengership.
Since the creation of the first human, Allah has revealed His
guidance to mankind by sending prophets, who all called to the
belief of One God. The prophets who received books from Allah are
called messengers. Whenever the teachings of a prophet were
distorted by people Allah sent another prophet to bring human beings
back to the Straight Path. The chain of Risalah began with Adam,
included Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Lot, Jacob, Joseph, Moses
and Jesus, and ended with Muhammad (peace be upon them all), as the
final messenger of Allah to all of mankind.
The revealed books from Allah are: the Torah (Tawrah), the Psalms (Zabur),
the Gospel (Injeel) and the Qur'an. The Qur'an was revealed to
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)1, as the final book of Guidance. Among all
these books, it is only the Qur'an that remains unchanged, in its
original revealed form.
LIFE AFTER DEATH (AKHIRAH)
This belief has a profound impact on the life of a believer by
making them accountable to Allah. On the Day of Judgment we will be
judged according to how we lived our lives. One who obeys and
worships Allah will be rewarded with a permanent place of happiness
and bliss in Paradise; One who does not do so will be sent to Hell,
a place of punishment and suffering.
FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM
Acting correctly and sincerely on the five pillars transforms a
Muslim's life into one that is in harmony with nature and thus in
conformity with the will of the Creator.It inspires one to work
towards the establishment of justice, equality and righteousness in
society, and the eradication of injustice, falsehood and evil.
1. TESTIMONY (Shahadah), the first of the five basic foundations, is
the declaration,knowingly and voluntarily, of: La ilaha illal lahu
Muhammadur rasulul lah. ''There is no god except Allah, Muhammad is
the Messenger of Allah''.This declaration is the basis of all
actions in Islam, and the other basic duties follow this
affirmation.
2. COMPULSORY PRAYER (Salah) is offered five times a day. It is a
practical demonstration of faith, and keeps a believer in touch with
their Creator.The Salah develops in a believer the qualities of
self-discipline, steadfastness and obedience to the Truth, leading
one to be patient, honest and truthful in the affairs of their life.
3. CHARITY (Zakah) is a compulsory payment from a Muslim's annual
savings. It can only be spent on helping the poor, the needy, and
the oppressed, and for the general upliftment of society. Zakah is
one of the fundamental principles of Islamic economy, which ensures
an equitable society where everyone has a right to contribute and
share.
4. FASTING (Sawm) is the annual obligatory fasting during each day
of the month of Ramadan - the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
One must refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and sex, from dawn
to sunset. Sawm develops a believer's moral and spiritual standard
and keeps them away from selfishness, greed, extravagance and other
vices. Sawm is an annual training program that increases a Muslim’s
determination to fulfill their obligation to the Almighty Lord.
5. PILGRIMAGE (Hajj) is an annual event, obligatory on those Muslims
who can afford to undertake it, at least once in their lifetime. It
is a pilgrimage (journey) to the ''House of Allah'' (Al-Ka'bah) in
Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar.
Hajj symbolizes the unity of humankind; Muslims from every race and
nationality assemble together in equality and fraternity to worship
their Lord.
THE QUR'AN
The Qur'an is the final Book of guidance from Allah, revealed to
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) through the angel Gabriel (Jibra'il). Every
word of the Qur'an is the word of Allah. The Qur'an is unrivaled in
its recording and preservation. Unlike other scriptures that were
corrupted with human interpolations and omissions, the Qur'an has
remained unchanged, even to a letter, for over 1400 years. The
Qur'an is the last and final revelation to mankind and covers all
aspects of human life, and its relation to the life after death.
THE HADITH
The Hadith is the collection of sayings, actions and silent
approvals of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). It explains the Qur'an, and
how to practice it. The Hadith were recorded meticulously by the
Prophet’s companions.
PROPHET MUHAMMAD
Muhammad (pbuh), the final messenger of Allah,was born in Mecca,
Arabia, in the year 571 CE. He received the first revelation from
Allah at the age of forty. The people of Mecca at that time used to
worship idols. The Prophet (pbuh) invited them to Islam. Some of
them accepted and became Muslims, while others rebuked him and
turned against him. In the 13th year of his Prophethood, Muhammad (pbuh)
migrated from Mecca to Madinah.
The Prophet (pbuh) organized the early Muslims and preached the
message of Allah with patience and profound wisdom. Eventually Islam
was established in the whole of Arabia and was set to make a
tremendous contribution to the history and civilization of the
world. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) died in 632 CE at the age of 63. He
left behind the Qur'an and his Sunnah (way) as the source of
guidance for all generations to come.
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY LIFE
Marriage is the basis of family life in Islam. It is a solemn yet
simple contract between a consenting man and a consenting woman.
Islam does not allow the free mixing of men and women; nor does it
allow sex before marriage. Extra-marital sex is severely punishable.
No discrimination is made on the basis of sex. Husband and wife are
equal partners of the family and play their part in their respective
fields.
DIET
Muslims are encouraged to eat what is good for them. Islamic law
requires an animal to be slaughtered while invoking the name of
Allah. All varieties of alcoholic drinks are prohibited. Pork and
blood are also forbidden.
DRESS
Muslims must cover their bodies properly and decently. When it comes
to dressing-up, simplicity and modesty are encouraged. No particular
dress is recommended, however, men must cover their body from navel
to the knees.Women must cover their whole body except the face and
hands.Any dress that is suggestive, transparent, skin-tight or
half-naked may send wrong signals to others; signals that are
contrary to Islam's teachings. Pure silk and gold are not allowed
for men.
SOCIAL MANNERS
Islam teaches decency, humility and good manners. Keeping promises,
truthfulness, justice, fair play, helping the poor and needy,
respect for parents, teachers and elders, love for children and good
relations with neighbors and relatives are the most valued virtues
of a Muslim. Islam condemns enmity, back-biting, slander, blasphemy,
ridicule, use of offensive names, suspicion and arrogance.
