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Islam comes from the Arabic root word meaning "peace" and "submission."
Islam teaches that one can only find peace in one's life by submitting to
Almighty God (Allah) in heart, soul and deed. The same Arabic root word
gives us "Salaam alaykum," ("Peace be with you"), the universal Muslim
greeting. Islam was not born in the 7th century A.D. Rather, it is the
same religion that God revealed through His messengers (peace be upon
them) to every people. Islam sometimes seems strange to non-Muslims
because it is a religion, which impacts every part of life, from eating
and sleeping to working and playing. It is not only a personal religion,
but also a social one. Muslims seek to live in accordance with God's laws.
By doing so, they strive to obtain nearness to God and victory over
temporary trials and temptations in this world. All aspects of their
practice including prayer, fasting, charity, and pilgrimage are intended
to help meet this goal. Although strict by secular standards, Islam is not
an ascetic religion. Islam requires its followers to be active
participants in their communities.
Muslims believe that God is One, indivisible, and they believe in all the
prophets of the Christians and Jews including Adam, Noah, Abraham,
Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Elias,
Jonah, John the Baptist, and Jesus (peace be upon them). Allah is the
proper name for Almighty God, and is often translated merely as "God."
Allah has other names that are used to describe His characteristics: the
Creator, the Sustainer, the Merciful, the Compassionate, the Judge, the
Governor, the Eternal, etc. Allah is without beginning, without end, and
He alone sees and knows all things. Allah is transcendent, yet close to
mankind. "...He knows what
enters within the earth and what comes forth out of it, what comes down
from heaven and what mounts up to it. And He is with you wheresoever you
may be. And Allah sees well all that you do" (Qur'an 57:4).
Since Allah alone is the Creator, it is He alone that deserves our devout
love and worship. Anything other than Him is simply His creation. "That
is Allah, your Lord! There is no god but He, the Creator of all things;
then worship Him, and He has power to dispose of all affairs. No vision
can grasp Him, but His grasp is over all vision; He is the Sublime,
Well-Aware" (Qur'an 6:102-103).
Islam is the last divine religion and Prophet Muhammad (s) is the last
Messenger of Allah. In Islam, Allah has encompassed all His commandments
and decrees - decrees that will suffice for humankind till the end of the
world. The commandments are there not only to guide His creatures to
proper belief, but also to show them the proper way to live their lives.
Islam says that its practices are for benefit of the followers, benefit in
this world and in the hereafter.
The Five
Pillars of Islam
In Islam, faith and
good works go hand-in-hand. A mere verbal declaration of faith does not
make one a Muslim, for belief in Allah makes obedience to Him a duty. Only
when your practice is consistent with your profession will you be a true
Muslim. Faith in Allah will be your strength, and the Qur'an your guide.
The Muslim concept of worship is very broad. Muslims consider everything
they do in this life according to Allah's will, an act of worship.
Speaking the truth, refraining from gossip, dealing honestly in commercial
affairs, treating one's parents with respect and honour, helping the poor
and needy, dealing lovingly and fairly with family members - whatever is
done for the sake of Allah is called worship. Worship of Allah is foremost
in a Muslim's mind all the time. There are also five formal acts of
worship, which help strengthen a Muslim's faith and obedience. They are
often called the "Five Pillars of Islam."
Testimony of Faith (Kalima)
This is simply the declaration, "I bear witness that there is no deity but
Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger." As
mentioned previously, all of Islam is based on faith in the Unity of God.
When one declares this statement, one testifies to the Unity of Allah, and
to the message of the Prophethood. When one bears witness that Muhammad is
His messenger, one is confirming that all of the prophets before him were
also His messengers - Allah is One and His message is one. A person
becomes a Muslim when he or she declares this statement with purity of
heart, conviction of faith, and in public in front of witnesses.
Prayer (Salaat)
Formal prayer is the most important act of worship; it is mankind's
connection to Allah, through which one gathers strength, guidance and
peace of mind. Islam prescribes five formal prayers daily, through which
Muslims repeat and refresh their beliefs, taking time out of their busy
day to remember Allah and renew the effort to follow His guidance. Five
times each day (before dawn, noon, afternoon, after sunset, and evening)
Muslims rise, cleanse with water, and present themselves directly before
Allah for prayer. Far from being a ritualistic and mindless activity,
prayer constantly reminds us of the purpose of life itself, refreshes our
faith, and keeps our belief in Allah alive and ever presents. We go back
to our worldly affairs conscious of our duties and strengthened against
sin. Prayers said in congregation bond Muslims together in love and
brotherhood. Prayer also symbolizes the equality of believers; there is no
hierarchy, and all stand side-by-side in rows and bow only to Allah. Aside
from the five formal prayers each day, Muslims begin and complete every
activity with Allah ever present in their minds. The words "Bismillah" (In
the name of Allah) precede every action, and "Alhamdilillah" (Thanks be to
Allah) completes it. Muslims also make private supplications, and words in
praise of Allah fall constantly off one's lips.
Fasting
(Sawm)
"O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was
prescribed for those before you, that you may learn self-restraint. Fast
for a fixed number of days.... Ramadan is the month in which was sent down
the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, and clear signs for guidance and
judgment between right and wrong. So every one of you who is present at
home during that month should spend it in fasting.... Allah intends every
facility for you; He does not want to put you to difficulties. He wants
you to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has
guided you; and perchance you shall be grateful" (Qur'an 2:183-185).
What the prayers seek to do five times a day, fasting in the month of
Ramadan (9th month of the lunar year) does once a year. During this month,
from dawn to dusk, Muslims do not eat anything nor drink even a drop of
water. Each and every moment during the fast, we suppress our desires and
remember Allah alone. This places in us a consciousness of duty and a
spirit of patience that helps strengthen faith in Allah. Discipline and
hardship during this month bring us face to face with the realities of
life and the suffering of so many throughout the year. The whole month is
filled with increased devotion, piety, and purity of mind, soul and body.
Almsgiving (Zakat)
Every Muslim
whose financial conditions are above a certain specified minimum, must pay
annually at least 2.5% of his savings to a deserving needy person, a new
convert to Islam, a traveller, or one overwhelmed by debts. This fosters in
a Muslim the quality of sacrifice and rids one of selfishness, greed and
vanity. As all wealth is a gift from Allah, one has the duty to help his
needy brethren when he is able.
Pilgrimage (Hajj)
Once in a lifetime, a Muslim who is financially and physically able must
go on the pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, during the month of Hajj
(12th month of the lunar year). Mecca is the spiritual centre of the
Muslim world. It was here that Abraham built the first house of worship
(the Kaaba), towards which all Muslims stand in unity in their daily
prayers. "The first House of worship
appointed for men was that at Bakka (Mecca), full of blessing and of
guidance for all the worlds. It are Signs manifest - the Station of
Abraham - whoever enters it attains security. Pilgrimage thereto is a duty
men owe to Allah, for those who can afford the journey..."
(Qur'an 3:96-97).
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