WHAT IS ISLAM ?

Islam is a complete way of life. It tells man about the purpose of his creation and existence, his ultimate destiny, his place among other creatures and, more importantly, it provides him with Guidance to lead a balanced and purposeful life which will enable him to avoid the Hell-fire and be rewarded with a place in Paradise in the life after death. The Arabic word 'Islam' means voluntary surrender to the will of Allah and obedience to His commands. Allah, also an Arabic word, is the proper name of God. Muslims prefer to use Allah rather than God. The Islamic way of life is based on total obedience to Allah. This is the way to obtain peace both here and in the hereafter; hence, Islam also means peace.

MUSLIM
A person who freely and consciously accepts the Islamic way of life, and sincerely practices it, is called a Muslim.
BASIC BELIEFS
The three fundamental Islamic beliefs are:

Tawhid - the oneness of Allah;
Risalah - prophethood;
Akhirah - life after death.

TAWHID 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 aspeds of human life. Recognibon of this fundamental truth results in a unified view of existenre which rejects any divisions of life into religious and secular. Allah is sole source of Power and Authority, and therefore entitled to worship and obedience from mankind. There is no scope for any parhership with the Creator. Tawhid is pure monotheism. It tells man that Allah is not born, nor is anyone born of Him. He has no son or daughter. Human beings are His subjects. He is the Real and the Ever-lasting; He is the First and the Last; and He is Allah, the One. Belief in Tawhid brings a total change in a Muslim's life. This belief makes him bow down only to Allah, Who is ever-watchful over all of his actors. He must work to establish the laws of the Creator in all areas of his life, in order to gain the pleasure of Allah.

RISALAH means prophethood and messengership. Allah has not left man without Guidance (Hidayah) for the conduct of his life.Since the creation of the first man, Allah has revealed His guidance to mankind through His prophets. The prophets who received books from Allah are called messengers. The message of all the prophets and messengers is one and the same; they urged the people of their time to obey and worship Allah alone and none other. Whenever the teachings of a prophet were distorted by people Allah sent another prophet to bring human beings back to the Straight Path (Siratul Mustaqim). 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). Muhammad is the final messengerof Allah to mankind. The revealed books from Allah are: the Torah (Tawrat), the Psalms (Zabur), the Gospel (Injil) and the Qur'an. The Qur'an, which was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), is the final book of Guidance.

AKHRAH means life after death. Belief in Akhirah has a profound impact on the life of a believer. We are a/ accountable to Allah on the Day of Judgement, when we will be judged according to how we lived our lives. A person who obeys and worships Allah will be rewarded with a peranent place of happiness in Paradise (Jannah); the person who does not will be sent to Hell (Jahannam), a place of punishment and suffering. Allah knows man's every thought and inner-most intention, and angels are recording all his actions; if he always keeps in mind that he will be judged on his actions, he will try to make sure that he acts according to the Will of Allah. Many of todays problems would disappear if man had this awareness and acted accordingly.


FIVE BASIC DUTIES OF ISLAM
Islam has five basic cubes, often called the 'pillars of Islam'. Performed regularly, correctly and sincerely these duties will transform a Muslim's life, bringing it into line with the wishes of the Creator. Faithful practice of these duties should inspire him to work towards the establishment of justice, equality and righteousness (Ma'ruf') in society, and the eradication of injustice, falsehood and evil (Munkar).

1. SHAHADAH ,the first of the five basic duties, 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 contains the two basic concepts of Tawhid and Risalah. This is the basis of all actons in Islam, and the four other basic duties follow this affirmation.

2. SALAH (campulsory prayer) is offered five times a day, either individually or in congregation. It is a practical demonstration of faith, and keeps a believer in constant touch with his Creator. The benefits of Salah are far-reaching, long-lasting and immeasurable. Salah prepares a Muslim to work towards the establishment of true order in society, and the removal of falsehood, evil and indecency. It develops in a believer the qualities of self-discipline, steadfastness and obedience to the Truth, leading him to be patient, honest and truthful in the affairs of his life. Five times a day, Salah provides a wonderful opportunity for a Muslim to improve his life. It is a system of spiritual, moral and physical training which makes him truly obedient to his Creator.

The five daily prayers are:
1. FAJR - between dawn and sunrise
2. ZUHR - between midday and mid-afternoon
3. ASR - between mid-aftemoon and sunset
4. MAGHRIB - just after sunset
5. ISHA - between nightfall and daybreak


3. ZAKAH(welfare contribution) is a compulsory payment from a Muslim's annual savings. It literally means purification, and is an annual payment of 2.5% on the value of cash, jewellery and precious metals; a separate rate applies to animals, crops and mineral wealth. Zakah is neither a charity nor a tax: charity is optional, whilst taxes can be used for any of the needs of society. Zakah, however, can only be spent on helping the poor and needy, the disabled, the oppressed, debtors and other welfare purposes, as defined in the Qur'an and Sunnah. Zakah is an act of worship. It is one of the fundamental princples of an Islamic economy, which ensures an equitable society where everybody has a right to contribute and share. Zakah should be paid with the conscious belief that our wealth and our property belong to Allah, and we merely act as trustees.

4. SAWM is the annual obligatory fast during the month of Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. From dawn to sunset every day of this month a Muslim refrains from eating, drinking, smowking and from sex with his marital partner, seeking only the pleasure of Allah. Sawm develops a believers moral and spiritual standards, and keeps him away from selfishness, greed, extravagance and other vices. Sawm is an annual training programme which increases a Muslim's determination to fulfil his obligations to the Creator and Sustainer.

5. HAJJ(pilgrimage to the House of Allah) is an annual event, obligatory on those Muslims who can afford to undertake it at least once in their lifetime. It is a journey to the House of Allah (Al Ka'bah)in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, in the month of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar. Hajj symbolises the unity of mankind; Muslims from every race and nationality assemble, together in equality and humility to worship their Lord. The pilgrim, in the ritual clothing of Ihram, has the unique feeling of being in the presence of his Creator, to Whom he belongs, and to Whom he must return after death.