The basic teachings of Islam are similar to those of Christianity and Judaism. Islam teaches the belief in one God, the Angels, the Day of Judgment, Heaven and Hell, Adam and Eve, Prophets, Prayer, and Equality.
Q: What are the Pillars of Islam?
Faith: Believe in one God and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as his last messenger Prayer: Pray towards Mecca five times each day to remember God and thank him for his grace Charity: Donate a portion of your wealth to the poor Fasting: Go without food and drink from sunrise to sunset during the month of Ramadan to empathize with the poor and learn self-discipline Pilgrimage: Visit Mecca and perform the Hajj once in a lifetime, if you are able and have the means
Q: What are these 5 pillars built on?
God: There is only one God with no associate or partner. All that happened in the past, is happening now and is going to happen in the future is by the will of God. The Angels of God: Angels can only do only good and serve God The Books of God: This includes the Torah, the Psalms given to David, The Bible and gospels revealed to Jesus (peace be upon them) and recorded by his disciples, and the Quran the holy book of Islam. Prophets of God: Muslims believe that there were thousands of prophets who preached God’s message. Muslims believe in all of the prophets mentioned in the Torah and the Bible including Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus (peace be upon them). We also believe that Muhammad was the last prophet for all humanity and completed the message of God started by Adam (peace be upon him). Day of Resurrection or Judgment Day: Muslims believe that all mankind will be raised back to life and judged by God. Those whose good deeds outweigh their bad deeds will be rewarded and those whose bad deeds outweigh their good deeds will be dealt with according to God’s judgment. Power of doing Good or Evil: Humans are given intelligence and the knowledge of right and wrong actions. The free will and conscience of each individual is their guide. Life after Death: The eternal life in heaven where one will be rewarded for living a righteous life on Earth, or the fire of hell where one will be punished for the evils that one committed (that one did not repent).
Q: When did Islam start?
A: Contrary to popular belief, Islam was not started by Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the 7th century. Muslims, the followers of Islam, believe that Islam was first followed by Adam, then by all of the prophets thereafter. Muslims believe that the same basic message of belief in one God was communicated through many prophets including Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (peace be upon them) over time.
Q: What is a Muslim?
A: A “Muslim” is one who follows Islam and submits to the will of God.
Q: How many Muslims are out there?
A: There are currently 1.2 billion Muslims in the world, with 7 million in the United States. Contrary to popular perception, only 20% of Muslims are Arabs and live in the Middle East. The countries with the largest Muslim populations are India and Indonesia with about 175 million Muslims each.
Q: Who is Allah?
A: “Allah” is simply the Arabic word for God, the same God worshiped by Christians and Jews. It is the God of Abraham and Moses, not a different God. Christian Arabs also refer to God as “Allah”.
What is the Quran/Koran?
A: The Quran is the holy book of Islam. Muslims believe that the Quran was divinely revealed and is the last testament of God. The Quran is preserved in its original Arabic form and has never been changed, and it is the living miracle of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Q: What are Hadiths?
A: Hadiths are the sayings of the prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Q: Who was Muhammad?
A: Muslims believe that Muhammad (peace be upon him) was a prophet and the last in a series of messengers of God. Muslims believe in many prophets including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (peace be upon them). Muhammad was born in Mecca in the year 570 CE, during the period of history Europeans call the Middle Ages. Muhammad was the son of 'Abd Allah, a noble from the tribe of the Quraysh. Muhammad's father died before Muhammad's birth, and his mother, Aminah died shortly afterwards. Muhammad was raised by his uncle, Abu Talib.
Q: What is a mosque/masjid?
A: A Mosque or Masjid is a place of worship for Muslims. Muslims pray in a mosque similar to the way that Christians pray in a church, for example.
Q: What is an Islamic Fundamentalist?
A: This term has no basis in Islam. This term is incorrectly used in the media to refer to some Middle Eastern people and does not represent Muslims.
How did Muhammad become Prophet and Messenger of God?
A: At the age of 40, while engaged in a meditative retreat, Muhammad (peace be upon him) received his first revelation from God through the Archangel Gabriel. This revelation, which continued for twenty-three years, is known as the Qur'an.
Q: What is Hajj?
A: The pilgrimage to Mecca (the Hajj) is an obligation only for those who are physically and financially able to do so. Nevertheless, over two million people go to Mecca each year from every corner of the globe providing a unique opportunity for those of different nations to meet one another.
Q: What does Islam say about War?
A: As Muslims see it, injustice would be triumphant in the world if good people were not prepared to risk their lives in a righteous cause. One reads in the Quran: "Fight in the cause of God against those who fight you, but do not transgress limits. God does not love transgressors." (Qur'an 2:190)
"And fight them until persecution is no more, and religion is for God. But if they desist, then let there be no hostility except against wrongdoers." (Qur'an 2:193)
"If they seek peace, then you seek peace. And trust in God for He is the One that hears and knows all things." (Qur'an 8:61)
War is therefore the last resort, and is subject to the rigorous conditions laid down by the sacred law.
Q: How does Islam view terrorism?
A: Islam does not support terrorism under any condition or circumstances. Terrorism goes against every principle of Islam. Islam is meant to bring peace to individuals and society. If a Muslim engages in terrorism he is not following the religion and he will be accountable for that in this world and surely on the Day of Judgement.. He may be wrongly using the name of Islam for political or financial gain.
Q: How does Islam view killing innocent people?
A: Islam does not condone the killing of innocent people under any condition or circumstances. It is one of the greatest sins in Islam. What some people do is contrary to Islam; they follow their own desires and anger, not Islam.
Q: How does Islam view suicide?
A: Islam states that life is a gift from God and must be cherished. Suicide is a major sin in Islam and not permitted or justifiable under any circumstances.
Q: What is “Jihad”?
A: Jihad does not mean "holy war". Jihad in Arabic means to strive, struggle and exert effort. It is a central and broad Islamic concept that includes struggle against evil inclinations within oneself, struggle to improve the quality of life in society, for self-defense or fighting against tyranny or oppression.
Q: What is a “Fatwa”?
A: A “Fatwa” is a religious ruling to a question based on Islamic law and issued by Islamic scholars.
Q: How does Islam view women?
A: Islam views women as equal to but different from men. Islam teaches that women must be respected and protected. Islam does not condone oppression of women but to the contrary provides many rights to women. In some Middle Eastern countries women may be limited in certain rights. This is not due to Islam but due to the culture of that area.
Q: How does Islam view human rights?
A: Freedom of conscience is laid down by the Qur'an itself: "There is no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clearly from falsehood; whoever rejects evil and believes in God has grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold that never breaks. And God is All-Hearing and All-Knowing." (Qur'an 2:256)
Q: Where can I learn more about Islam?
One way to learn about Islam is to read an authentic translation of the Qur'an. Most libraries carry an English translation by Abdullah Yusuf Ali. An English translation is available online where you can also find general information about Islam.
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