A Brief Introduction to Islam
Salamu alaikum,
The Word 'Islam' comes from the root Arabic word 'silm[submission]' and is also derived from 'salm[peace]. Thus Islam basically means 'Peace attained by submission to GOD'. A muslim would refer to Islam as a removal of false notions and doctrines. Once a person abandons what is false, that person comes one step closer to Islam. For example, when a person forsakes human or idol worship, which we know is false, that person is on the brink of Islam.
Islam is a pure Monotheistic belief which strictly adheres to the worship of the One GOD. A muslim is to believe in the GOD of all the Prophets like Noah[p], Abraham[p], Moses[p], Jesus[p] and finally Muhammad[p]. There is a misconception among non-muslims that Islam came around 1400 years ago and its founder was a man called Muhammad[p]. According to its teachings however, Islam is not a new religion but rather, it is there since the creation as we know it and Prophet Muhammad[p] is not the founder of this religion instead he is the last Messenger and Prophet of GOD.
What is faith in Islam?
The Holy Qur'an describs; 'It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces Towards east or West; but it is righteousness- to believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers...' [Al-Qur'an 2:177].
The Prophet Muhammad[p] said; 'Faith is to believe in Allah, His angels, (the) meeting with Him, His Apostles, and to believe in Resurrection' [Sahih Bukhari b.Belief, h.47].
'Faith in Allah[GOD]'
To believe in GOD as the solitary Creator of the hevens and the earth. He is One and Unique[without any persons]. No slumber seizes Him nor sleep[Al-Qur'an 2:255]. It is He alone Who has the knowledge of the unseen[Al-Qur'an 31:34]. He is the Eternal and Absolute[Al-Qur'an 112:2]. He has no partners or associates nor children for He does not beget nor is He begotten[Al-Qur'an 17:111],[23:91],[25:2],[112:3]. There is nothing like unto Him(in the creation)[Al-Qur'an 42:11],[112:4]. If the GOD of any religion has the above characteristics or attributes, muslims have no objection in accepting that GOD.
'Faith in the Hereafter'
According to the Glorious Qur'an; 'Every soul[Nafs] shall have a taste of death: And only on the Day of Judgment shall you be paid your full recompense. Only he who is saved far from the Fire and admitted to the Garden will have attained the object (of Life): For the life of this world is but goods and chattels of deception.' [Al-Qur'an 3:185].
In Islam the purpose of creation is that we may worship GOD alone [Al-Qur'an 51:56]. Thus this life is a test for the Hereafter and according to our deeds we'll be judged [Al-Qur'an 67:2]. Muslims believe that all humans and Jinn will bodily resurrect on the day of judgement. GOD in the Qur'an describes it; 'It is Allah Who sends forth the Winds, so that they raise up the Clouds, and We drive them to a land that is dead, and revive the earth therewith after its death: even so (will be) the Resurrection!' [Al-Qur'an 35:9]. Allah[s] also says; 'It is He Who gave you life, will cause you to die, and will again give you life: Truly man is a most ungrateful creature!' [Al-Qur'an 22:66].
'Faith in GOD's Angels'
Angels are among the unseen creations of GOD, though they can take human form [Al-Qur'an 11:69-70]. They are created from light. Angels never disobey any commandment of GOD for they don't have a free will [Al-Qur'an 66:6]. Angels are created to perform certain duties e.g Angel Gabriel is appointed to bring GOD's revealtions to His Prophets.
'Books'
GOD says in the Noble Qur'an; 'We did send messengers before thee[o Muhammad], and appointed for them wives and children: and it was never the part of a messenger to bring a sign except as Allah permitted (or commanded). For each period is a Book (revealed).' [Al-Qur'an 13:38].
According to the above passage, GOD has sent several revelation in the past. Four are mentioned by name in the Qur'an;
'Taurat [Torah]', the revelation given to Prophet Moses[p].
'Zaboor [Psalms]', the revelation given to Prophet David[p].
'Injeel [Gospel]', the revelation given to Prophet Jesus[p].
'Fur'qan [Qur'an]', the last revelation of GOD given to Prophet Muhammad[p].
Though unlike previous Books, the Glorious Qur'an is the last and final revelation of GOD Almighty therefore it is meant for the whole of mankind and not just a particular group of people; [Al-Qur'an 2:185],[14:1],[39:41],[68:52],[69:43],[82:27].
'Messengers'
'Verily We have sent thee[o Muhammad] in truth, as a bearer of glad tidings, and as a warner: and there never was a people, without a warner having lived among them (in the past).' [Al-Qur'an 35:24]. 'To every people (was sent) a messenger...' [Al-Qur'an 10:47],[16:36].
GOD Almighty has sent several Prophets and Messengers on the face of the earth. By name twenty-five are mentioned in the Qur'an e.g Noah[p], Abraham[p], Lot[p], David[p], Solomon[p], Moses[p], Aaron[p], Jesus[p], Yahya[p](John the baptist) and lastly Muhammad[p]. The Glorious Qur'an emphasises that; 'We did aforetime send messengers before thee[o Muhammad]: of them there are some whose story We have related to thee, and some whose story We have not related to thee. It was not (possible) for any messenger to bring a sign except by the leave of Allah: but when the Command of Allah issued, the matter was decided in truth and justice, and there perished, there and then those who stood on Falsehoods.' [Al-Qur'an 40:78].
The Prophet Muhammad[p] said; "Every Prophet used to be sent to his nation exclusively but I have been sent to all mankind." [Sahih Bukhari b.Salaah, h.429]. He further stated; "The parable of myself and the Prophets who came before me is that of a man who built houses and made them complete and beautiful apart from the space of a brick in one of the corners. The people started to walk around, admiring the construction and saying, If only you put a brick here, your construction will be complete." The Messenger of Allah said: "And I am that brick." [Imam Ahmad].
All the previous Messenger and Prophets were sent only for a particular group of people and the message or revelation they brought was only to be followed till a particular time period. But Prophet Muhammad[p] was not only sent for the arabs of that time, he was sent for the whole of humanity; 'We sent thee[o Muhammad] not, but as a Mercy for all creatures.' [Al-Qur'an 21:107].
Allah[s] further testifies; 'We have not sent thee but as a universal (Messenger) to men, giving them glad tidings, and warning them (against sin), but most men understand not.' [Al-Qur'an 34:28].
Often the claim is made by Christian brothers that Jesus Christ[p] was sent for the whole world and not just for the Jewish people. But the words attributed to Jesus[p] in Matthew' Gospel seem to contradict that claim; "These twelve Jesus sent out, charging them, "Go nowhere among the Gentiles[non-Jews], and enter no town of the Samaritans, [6] but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." [Mat 10:5-6]. "He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." [Mt 15:24],[Al-Qur'an 3:49].
The Prophet Muhammad[p] said; 'Narated By Ibn 'Umar : Allah's Apostle said; "Islam is based on five pillars:
1. To testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is Allah's Apostle.
2. To offer the (compulsory congregational) prayers dutifully and perfectly.
3. To pay Zakat. (i.e. obligatory charity)
4. To perform Hajj. (i.e. Pilgrimage to Mecca)
5. To observe fast during the month of Ramadan.'
[Sahih Bukhari B.Belief, h.7]
1. 'La ilaha ill-allahu Muhammad-ur-rasoolullah', 'There is no GOD but Allah[s] and Muhammad[p] is Allah's Messenger.' This is a summation of faith in Islam which we've discussed above. To proclaim the 'Shahadah' means to believe in GOD' existence and attesting to His Oneness. It is also a proclamation of faith in the last day, Angels, GOD's Books, His Messengers etc.
2.' Salaah' is more than just a prayer, it is a five times a day, seven days a week programing towards righteousness. The Qur'an describes it as a 'protection from shameful and unjust deeds' [Al-Qur'an 29:45].
3. Zakat[charity] is a compulsory upon every muslim who has a saving above the Nisaab level[87 grams of gold]. That person should pay 2.5% of that wealth in charity. The word Zakaat accually means 'purification', thus it purifies us from our sins. The reason for its prescription is that wealth may also reach the poor and the needy [Al-Qur'an 9:60].
4. Saum[fasting] for a full lunar month of Ramadan[Islamic calender]. It has been prescribed so that we may learn self-restraint [Al-Qur'an 2:183].
5. Hajj is an essential journey to the holy city of Makkah once in a lifetime for every able Muslims.
As a house without pillars cannot stand, similarly our Islam cannot stand unless supported with the above principles.
So this was a very short introduction to the basic beliefs and fundamentals of Islam. In most other major religions, we fined quite often that the fundamentals of faith are self-conflicting. In contrast we see how Islamic beliefs are perfect from A to Z and certinly don't self-contradict. Its teachings are pure, accurate and authentic.
But sadly we also fined in the international media a continuous maligning of Islam and muslims. These anti-islamists who basically control the media are labeling muslims as 'Terrorists', 'Extremists', 'Fundamentalists' etc which portrays a bad image of Islam. To this day the majority of people believe that muslims were responsible for 9/11, even though most Americans themselves think it was an inside job[1]. People have demonstrated how the Twin Towers were brought down via explosives[2]. Yet the mainstream media isn't bothering.
Muslims countries are accused for harbouring terrorists and for developing weapons of mass destruction. That was the main reason for the Iraq war or so we were made to believe. To this day no such weapons have been located. Muslims are blaimed for suicide bombings but when you won't let people live, what do you expect? The "Coalition" invades Iraq, kill thousands of inocent people but when the Iraqis fight back, they're called "terrorists", why these double standards?
Not saying that all muslims are angelic, all communities have black sheeps but more often than not the media pick up these black sheeps and depict them as true muslims.
Therefore today there is all the more need for us to learn each other' religions from the authentic sources of that particular faith. If you want to know about Christianity you go to the Bible and if you want to learn about Islam, read the Glorious Qur'an and other authentic Islamic sources.
I thank you for a patient reading, Salamu alaikum.
1. Cnn poll.
2. Why Indeed Did the WTC Buildings Completely Collapse? Prof. Steven Jones (BYU Physicist).
Related article: What Is Islam & Who Are Muslims?
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