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Islam
in Detail
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.
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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.
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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 (PBUH) through Gabriel.
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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.
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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. 'Allah' is the Arabic name
for God.
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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.
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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 (PBUT). Abraham established
the settlement which today is the city of Makkah, and built
the Ka'bah towards which all Muslims turn when they pray.
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The
Ka'bah is the place of worship which God commanded Abraham
and Ishmael (PBUH) 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 (PBUH) 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.
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Muhammad
(PBUH) was born in Makkah in the year 570CE 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 (PBUH)
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 Him near the summit of
Jabal al-Nur, the 'Mountain of Light' near Makkah.
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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 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 Makkah for the city of Madinah some 260
miles to the north, marks the beginning of the Muslim
calendar. After several years, the Prophet (PBUH) 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.
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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.
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The
Quran 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 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 (PBUH) fourteen centuries
ago.
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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.
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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 (PBUH) sayings:
'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.'
(From
the hadith collections of Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi and
Bayhaqi)
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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 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 part of the Shahada is Muhammadun
rasulu'Llah: '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 Quran, chosen by the congregation.
These five prayers contain verses from the Quran, 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.
3.
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 help poor and
needy persons.' The Companions further asked 'What if he
cannot do even that?'' 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.'
4.
Fasting
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 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'bah 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. The close of the Hajj is marked by a
festival, the Eid ul-Adha, which is celebrated with prayers
and marked by sacrifice of domestic animals (usually goats,
but also sheep, cows and camels) as a symbol of Abraham's
sacrifice.
This, and the Eid al-Fitr, a feast-day commemorating the end
of Ramadan and highlighted by exchange of gifts, are the main festivals of the Muslim calendar.
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Yes.
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 in the year
634CE 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.
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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 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
(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. (Quran 3:59)
During
his prophetic mission Jesus (PBUH) 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 3:40))
Neither
Muhammad nor Jesus (PBUT) 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 (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. (Quran 3:50)
The
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: Whoever believes there is
no god hut God, alone without partner, that Muhammad (PBUH)
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)
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5 Pillars