Courtesy
The Embassy of Saudi Arabia
Department of Islamic Affairs
Washington, D.C.

What is Islam?

Islam is not a new religion, God revealed the same truth 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.�

What does 'Islam' mean?

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. 'Mohammedanism' is thus a misnomer because it suggests that Muslims worship Muhammad (sal) rather than God, which is used by both Arab Muslims and Arab Christians alike.

What do Muslims believe?

Muslims believe in One, Unique, Incomparable God; in the Angels created by Him; in the prophets through whom His revelation was brought to mankind; in the Day of Judgement and individual accountability for actions; in God's complete authority over human destiny and in life after death.

How does someone become a Muslim?

Simply by saying 'there is no god worthy of worship besides Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.' By this declaration the believer announces his or her faith in God's oneness, His sole right to be worshipped and that Muhammad was the last of the prophets. It also confirms his or her belief in all God's messengers, and the scriptures they brought.

Why does Islam often seem strange?

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 always have religion foremost in their minds, and make no division between secular and sacred. They believe that the Divine Law, the Sharee'ah, should be taken very seriously, which is why issues related to religion are still so important.

Do Islam and Christianity have different origins?

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 & Jesus from Isaac. Abraham established the settlement which today is the city of Makkah, and built the Ka'bah towards which all Muslims turn when they pray.

� What is the Ka'bah?

The Ka'bah is the place of worship which God commanded Prophets Abraham and Ishmael to build over 4000 years ago.� The building was constructed of stone.� God commanded Abraham to summon all mankind to visit this place, and when pilgrims go there today they say 'Here I am O Allah', in response to Abraham's summons.

Who is Muhammad?

Muhammad (sal) was born in Makkah in the year 570, 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 (sal) was of a deeply religious nature, and had long detested the decadence and idolatry of his society.� It became his habit to meditate from time to time in the Cave of Hira near the summit of Jabal al-Nur, the 'Mountain of Light' near Makkah.�

How did he become a prophet and a messenger of God?

At the age of 40, while engaged in a meditative retreat, Muhammad (sal) received his first revelation from God through the Angel Gabriel.� This revelation, which continued for 23 years, is known as the Qur'an.� 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 Hijirah, [migration], in which they left Makkah for the city of Madeenah some 260 miles to the north, marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar.� After several years, the Prophet (sal) and his followers were able to return to Makkah, where they forgave their enemies and established Islam definitively.� Before the Prophet (sal) died in 632 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.

How did the spread of Islam affect the world?

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 (sal), 'seeking knowledge is an obligation on every Muslim'.� 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 concepts of the zero (vital to the advancement of mathematics), were transmitted to medieval Europe from Islam.� In addition, sophisticated instruments which were to make possible the European voyages of discovery were developed, including the astrolabe, the quadrant and good navigational maps.

What is the Qur'an?

The Qur'an is a record of the exact words revealed by God through the Angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad (sal).� It was memorized by Muhammad (sal) 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 Qur'an is in every detail the unique and miraculous text which was revealed to Muhammad (sal) 14 centuries ago.

What is the Qur'an about?

The Qur'an, 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.

Are there any other sacred sources?

Yes, the sunnah, the practice and example of the Prophet (sal), is the second authority for Muslims.� A hadith is a reliably transmitted report of what the Prophet (sal) said, did, or approved.� Belief in the sunnah is a fundamental part of the Islamic faith.�

Examples of the Prophet's sayings

The Prophet (sal) said:

• '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 is hungry is not a true believer.'

• 'The truthful and trusty businessman is associated with the prophets, the saints, and the martyrs.'

• 'The powerful individual is not he who knocks the other down, but 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.'

What are the 'Five Pillars' of Islam?

They are the framework of the Muslim life: faith, prayer, charity, fasting and pilgrimage to Makkah for those who are able.

There is no god worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad is His messenger.� This declaration of faith is called the Shahadah, a simple formula which all the faithful pronounce.�� In Arabic, the first part is la ilaaha il-lal-'laah - 'there is no god except Allah'; ilaaha (god) can refer to anything which we may be tempted to put in place of God - wealth, power and the like.� Then comes il-lal-'laah (except Allah, the creator of all things.)� The second part of the Shahaadah is Muhammadun rasoolul-laah - 'Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.'� A message of guidance has come through a man like ourselves.

Salaah 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 chosen by the congregation who knows the Qur'an.� These five prayers contain verses from the Qur'an, 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 pre-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.

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 Arabic work zakaah means both 'purification and growth'.� Our possessions are purified by setting aside a portion 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 zakaah individually.� In most cases this involves the payment each year of two and a half percent of one's surplus savings.� A pious person may also give as much as he or she pleases as sadaqah, and does so preferably in secret.� Although this word can be translated as 'voluntary charity' it has a wider meaning.� The Prophet (sal) said: 'even meeting your brother with a cheerful face is charity.'

The prophet (sal) said: 'Charity is a necessity for every Muslim.'� He was asked 'What if a person has nothing?'� The Prophet (sal) 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 (sal) said: 'He should help poor and needy persons.'� The companions further asked, 'What if he cannot do even that?'� The Prophet (sal) said: 'He should urge others to do good.' The companions said, 'What if he lacks that also?'� The Prophet (sal) said: 'He should check himself from doing evil.� That is also charity.'

Every year in the month of Ramadaan, 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 which leads to growth in one's spiritual life.

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 Ramadaan 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 were begun by Prophet Abraham, include circling the Ka'bah seven times, and going seven times between the mountains of Safaa and Marwah as Hager did during her search for water.� Then the pilgrims stand together on the wide plain of Arafah and join in prayers for God's forgiveness, in what is often thought of as a preview of the Last Judgement.

The close of the Hajj is marked by a festival, 'Eid-al-Ad-haa', which is celebrated with prayers and the exchange of gifts in Muslim communities everywhere.� This, and the 'Eid-al-Fitr', a feast-day commemorating the end of Ramadaan, are the main festivals of the Muslims' calendar.