A Simple Web Guide to Islam
Islam is the name of the second largest major religion in the world. The Arabic word Islam means peace and submission to God. A follower of Islam is called a Muslim. A Muslim strives to live in peace and harmony with the Creator, oneself, other people and the environment. Thus Islam is not only a religion, but a way of life.
Sources of Islam
The Quran is the holy book of Islam. Muslims consider the Quran to be the exact word of God in the Arabic language. Muslims believe that it was transmitted by the Angel Gabriel through the Prophet Muhammad. At the Quran's heart is the teaching of monotheism, but it also provides guidance for every part of a believer's life, including aspects that in the West would be considered social, political or legal, and not religious. The Quran is considered by Muslims to complete God's earlier revelations and is meant for all humanity, not for any exclusive group.
There is only one Quran unchanged since Muhammad received it. A number of his followers had carefully memorized each of the revelations, word for word -- an achievement still common among serious scholars -- and the text we know today was written down by the year 651. The Quran is considered to be untranslatable because no other language carries the full range of often subtle meaning that the Arabic of the Quran can convey. Muslims regard translations of the Quran in other languages to be interpretations rather than true translations because of the Quran's linguistic beauty, poetical eloquence and clear erudition in the Arabic language.
The Hadith are the reports of the sayings, deeds and approvals of the Prophet Muhammad. The Prophet's sayings and deeds are also called his Sunnah, or example. Muslims believe Muhammad was chosen by God to deliver His message of peace, Islam. He was born in 570 C.E. in Mecca, Arabia and was entrusted with the message of Islam when he was forty years old. The revelation that he received is called the Quran.
Muslims believe that Muhammad is the very last Prophet and Messenger of God to mankind. He is considered to be the summation and the culmination of all the prophets and messengers that came before him. Hence, it is the life history of the Prophet Muhammad which provides examples of daily living for Muslims. He was entrusted with the power of explaining, interpreting and living the teachings of the Quran.
The sources of legislation in Islam are the Quran and the Hadith
The Quran is the holy book of Islam. Muslims consider the Quran to be the exact word of God in the Arabic language. Muslims believe that it was transmitted by the Angel Gabriel through the Prophet Muhammad. At the Quran's heart is the teaching of monotheism, but it also provides guidance for every part of a believer's life, including aspects that in the West would be considered social, political or legal, and not religious. The Quran is considered by Muslims to complete God's earlier revelations and is meant for all humanity, not for any exclusive group.
There is only one Quran unchanged since Muhammad received it. A number of his followers had carefully memorized each of the revelations, word for word -- an achievement still common among serious scholars -- and the text we know today was written down by the year 651. The Quran is considered to be untranslatable because no other language carries the full range of often subtle meaning that the Arabic of the Quran can convey. Muslims regard translations of the Quran in other languages to be interpretations rather than true translations because of the Quran's linguistic beauty, poetical eloquence and clear erudition in the Arabic language.
The Hadith are the reports of the sayings, deeds and approvals of the Prophet Muhammad. The Prophet's sayings and deeds are also called his Sunnah, or example. Muslims believe Muhammad was chosen by God to deliver His message of peace, Islam. He was born in 570 C.E. in Mecca, Arabia and was entrusted with the message of Islam when he was forty years old. The revelation that he received is called the Quran.
Muslims believe that Muhammad is the very last Prophet and Messenger of God to mankind. He is considered to be the summation and the culmination of all the prophets and messengers that came before him. Hence, it is the life history of the Prophet Muhammad which provides examples of daily living for Muslims. He was entrusted with the power of explaining, interpreting and living the teachings of the Quran.
The sources of legislation in Islam are the Quran and the Hadith
Place of Worship
The Muslim place of worship is called a Mosque or Masjid.
Three of the most holy places of worship for Muslims are the Great Mosque which surrounds the Kaaba in Mecca, the Mosque of the Prophet Muhammad in Medina, and Masjid Al-Aqsa, adjacent to the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem.
The Kabaa is the black cubical stone structure in the courtyard of the Great Mosque at Mecca. Muslims believe it was built by Adam and rebuilt by Abraham and his son Ishmael. The Kaaba is empty and it is not entered except for a ritual cleaning every year. A black cloth covering embroidered in gold with Quranic calligraphy is made for it each year. Wherever Muslims are in the world they face the direction of the Kaaba when they pray. Muslims do not worship the Kaaba, but consider it the House of God and most holy place on earth. During the Hajj and throughout the year, pilgrims circle the Kaaba seven times in a ritual circumambulation.
A Muslim may pray any where in the world whether in a Mosque, a house, an office, or outside. The whole world is a place of worship.
The Muslim place of worship is called a Mosque or Masjid.
Three of the most holy places of worship for Muslims are the Great Mosque which surrounds the Kaaba in Mecca, the Mosque of the Prophet Muhammad in Medina, and Masjid Al-Aqsa, adjacent to the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem.
The Kabaa is the black cubical stone structure in the courtyard of the Great Mosque at Mecca. Muslims believe it was built by Adam and rebuilt by Abraham and his son Ishmael. The Kaaba is empty and it is not entered except for a ritual cleaning every year. A black cloth covering embroidered in gold with Quranic calligraphy is made for it each year. Wherever Muslims are in the world they face the direction of the Kaaba when they pray. Muslims do not worship the Kaaba, but consider it the House of God and most holy place on earth. During the Hajj and throughout the year, pilgrims circle the Kaaba seven times in a ritual circumambulation.
A Muslim may pray any where in the world whether in a Mosque, a house, an office, or outside. The whole world is a place of worship.
Main Practices
In Islam there are five pillars of practice, often called the 'Five Pillars of Islam':
1. Profession of Faith (Shahada): The verbal commitment and pledge that there is only One God and that Muhammad is the Messenger of God.
2. Prayers (Salat): Muslims pray five times a day. before dawn, mid-day, afternoon, after sunset and night . facing toward the Kaaba, considered the House of God, in the Great Mosque in Mecca. They may pray wherever they are when prayer-time arrives, in any clean place, preferably in the company of other Muslims. On Fridays in the afternoon, Muslims are encouraged to pray as a gathered community in congregational mosques and listen to a sermon in their local language. There is a sequence of physical postures for the ritual prayer, and the prayers are said in the language of their revelation, Arabic. The performance of the five daily prayers is required of all Muslims who are able.
3. Charity (Zakat): This is an annual payment of a certain percentage of a Muslim's wealth which is distributed among the poor. A fixed proportion of a Muslim.s net worth . not just his or her income . is prescribed as a donation for the welfare of the community, whether that community is made up of Muslims, non-Muslims or both.
4. Fasting (Sawm): Every day from dawn to dusk during the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims must abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual contact; even more than at other times they must also avoid cursing, lying, cheating and otherwise abusing or harming others. Fasting is total abstinence from food, drink, and unlawful actions from dawn to sunset during the entire month of Ramadan.
5. Pilgrimage (Hajj): The journey to Mecca is obligatory for every able bodied Muslim who can afford to make it. Pilgrimage need be made only once in a lifetime, but it can be made several times if a Muslim wishes. At Hajj every pilgrim carries out specified rituals at specific times. At any other time of year, Muslims can perform similar prayers and rituals and thus complete a .lesser pilgrimage.. The performance of pilgrimage to Mecca is required once in a life time if means are available. Hajj is in part in memory of the trials and tribulations of Prophet Abraham, his wife Hagar and his eldest son Prophet Ishmael.
In Islam there are five pillars of practice, often called the 'Five Pillars of Islam':
1. Profession of Faith (Shahada): The verbal commitment and pledge that there is only One God and that Muhammad is the Messenger of God.
2. Prayers (Salat): Muslims pray five times a day. before dawn, mid-day, afternoon, after sunset and night . facing toward the Kaaba, considered the House of God, in the Great Mosque in Mecca. They may pray wherever they are when prayer-time arrives, in any clean place, preferably in the company of other Muslims. On Fridays in the afternoon, Muslims are encouraged to pray as a gathered community in congregational mosques and listen to a sermon in their local language. There is a sequence of physical postures for the ritual prayer, and the prayers are said in the language of their revelation, Arabic. The performance of the five daily prayers is required of all Muslims who are able.
3. Charity (Zakat): This is an annual payment of a certain percentage of a Muslim's wealth which is distributed among the poor. A fixed proportion of a Muslim.s net worth . not just his or her income . is prescribed as a donation for the welfare of the community, whether that community is made up of Muslims, non-Muslims or both.
4. Fasting (Sawm): Every day from dawn to dusk during the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims must abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual contact; even more than at other times they must also avoid cursing, lying, cheating and otherwise abusing or harming others. Fasting is total abstinence from food, drink, and unlawful actions from dawn to sunset during the entire month of Ramadan.
5. Pilgrimage (Hajj): The journey to Mecca is obligatory for every able bodied Muslim who can afford to make it. Pilgrimage need be made only once in a lifetime, but it can be made several times if a Muslim wishes. At Hajj every pilgrim carries out specified rituals at specific times. At any other time of year, Muslims can perform similar prayers and rituals and thus complete a .lesser pilgrimage.. The performance of pilgrimage to Mecca is required once in a life time if means are available. Hajj is in part in memory of the trials and tribulations of Prophet Abraham, his wife Hagar and his eldest son Prophet Ishmael.
Major Beliefs
Muslims believe Islam is God's final message to humankind, a reconfirmation and perfection of the messages that God has revealed through earlier prophets.
A. Oneness of God: The central Muslim belief is that there is only one God to be worshipped, unique incomparable, eternal, absolute and without peer or associate. Allah is the name of the One and Only God in Arabic. The word Allah is used by Muslims, Christians and Jews alike who speak the Arabic language. Allah has ninety-nine beautiful names, such as: The Gracious, The Merciful, The Beneficent, The Creator, The All-Knowing, The All-Wise, The Lord of the Universe, and others. He is the Creator of all human beings. Muslims do not believe in the idea of a trinity or a unity with God which implies more than one God in one.
B. Oneness of mankind: Other important tenets of Islam are that God is the Creator of all that exists and that His will is supreme. People are created equal in front of the Law of God and there is no superiority for one race over another. God made humans of different colors, nationalities, languages and beliefs so that we get to know each other. The best of people are those who are pious and righteous.
C. Oneness of Messengers and the Message: Muslims believe that God sent different messengers and prophets throughout the history of mankind in order to guide them. Muslims believe in Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, Jacob, Moses, David, Jesus, and Muhammad. All came with the same message to worship the one true God. Some were sent books, such as the original Torah or the original Gospel. However over time the true message was changed or misinterpreted. Muhammad is the 'seal' of all the prophets -- that is, the last.
D. Angels and the Day of Judgment: Muslims believe that there are unseen immortal creatures such as angels created by God in the universe for special tasks. Satan was also created to test mankind. Muslims also believe that humans are responsible to God for their actions; and that, on the Day of Judgment, an all-knowing and merciful God will judge His creation according to their deeds in this life. On that 'day' all people of the world throughout the history of mankind till the last day of life on earth, are to be brought for accounting. The reward or punishment is to be Heaven or Hell.
E. Innocence of Man at Birth: Muslims believe that people are born free of sin. It is only after they reach the age of puberty and it is only after they commit sins that they are to be charged for their mistakes. No one is responsible for or can take the responsibility for the sins of others. However, the door of forgiveness through true repentance to God is always open.
Population
The followers of Islam are called Muslims. Muslims come from all races, nationalities and cultures across the globe. They may be Arabs, Turks, Persians, Indians, Pakistanis, Malaysians, Indonesians, Europeans, Africans, Americans, Chinese, or any other nationality. They also have varied languages, foods, dress, traditions, cultures and customs, yet they all consider themselves Muslim.
While there are over one billion Muslims in the world, there are only about 200 million Arabs. Thus Arab Muslims constitute about twenty percent of the Muslim population of the world. It is important to note that not all Arabs are Muslim and not all Muslims are Arab. Twenty percent of all Muslims are found in Sub-Saharan Africa. The most populous Muslim nation is Indonesia. Substantial parts of Asia and almost all the Central Asian republics are Muslim. Significant minorities are found in China, India, Russia, Europe, North America and South America.
One out of five people in the world are Muslim.
There are approximately five million Muslims in North America. They are most populous in its major cities such as New York, Detroit, Boston, Toledo, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Cedar Rapids (Iowa), Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Edmonton, Vancouver, Windsor, Winnipeg, Calgary, and others.
Civilization
The Muslim community expanded rapidly after the Prophet's death. Within a few decades, Islam had spread as far as Spain in the West and China in the East. Among the reasons for the rapid and peaceful spread of Islam was the simplicity of its doctrine.
As Muslim civilization developed, most of the important philosophical and scientific works of ancient times were all rendered into Arabic, including works of astronomy, mathematics and medicine. As a result, Arabic became the most important scientific language of the world for many centuries and the depository of much of the wisdom and the sciences of antiquity. Besides translation and preservation of ancient learning, these scholars built upon and developed the ancient heritage before passing it on to the West.
Muslims excelled in art, architecture, astronomy, geography, history, language, literature, medicine, mathematics, and physics. Many crucial systems such as algebra, the Arabic numerals, and the very concept of the zero (vital to the advancement of mathematics), were formulated by Muslim scholars and shared with medieval Europe. Sophisticated instruments that would make possible the later European voyages of discovery were invented or developed, including the astrolabe, the quadrant and navigational charts and maps. The Muslims of the early period of the Islamic era were pioneers in medicine, chemistry, physics, geography, navigation, arts, poetry, mathematics, algebra, logarithms, calculus, etc. They contributed to the Renaissance of Europe and world civilization.
Christians and Jews lived peacefully with Muslims throughout centuries in the Middle East and other Asian and African countries. Jews fled from Spain during the Inquisition, and they were welcomed by the Muslims. They settled in the heart of the Islamic Caliphate and enjoyed positions of power and authority. Throughout the Muslim world, churches, synagogues and missionary schools were built within the Muslim neighborhoods. These places were protected by Muslims even during the contemporary crises in the Middle East.
In modern times, Muslims have become established as minorities in places like North America. Muslims have established academic institutions, community centers and organizations, schools and places of worship. The Sears Tower and the John Hancock buildings in Chicago were designed by a Muslim chief architect. Muslims live in peace and harmony among themselves and among other groups of people in the society. The rate of crime among Muslims is very minimal. Muslims in North America are highly educated and they have added to the success of American scientific and technological fields.
The Muslim community expanded rapidly after the Prophet's death. Within a few decades, Islam had spread as far as Spain in the West and China in the East. Among the reasons for the rapid and peaceful spread of Islam was the simplicity of its doctrine.
As Muslim civilization developed, most of the important philosophical and scientific works of ancient times were all rendered into Arabic, including works of astronomy, mathematics and medicine. As a result, Arabic became the most important scientific language of the world for many centuries and the depository of much of the wisdom and the sciences of antiquity. Besides translation and preservation of ancient learning, these scholars built upon and developed the ancient heritage before passing it on to the West.
Muslims excelled in art, architecture, astronomy, geography, history, language, literature, medicine, mathematics, and physics. Many crucial systems such as algebra, the Arabic numerals, and the very concept of the zero (vital to the advancement of mathematics), were formulated by Muslim scholars and shared with medieval Europe. Sophisticated instruments that would make possible the later European voyages of discovery were invented or developed, including the astrolabe, the quadrant and navigational charts and maps. The Muslims of the early period of the Islamic era were pioneers in medicine, chemistry, physics, geography, navigation, arts, poetry, mathematics, algebra, logarithms, calculus, etc. They contributed to the Renaissance of Europe and world civilization.
Christians and Jews lived peacefully with Muslims throughout centuries in the Middle East and other Asian and African countries. Jews fled from Spain during the Inquisition, and they were welcomed by the Muslims. They settled in the heart of the Islamic Caliphate and enjoyed positions of power and authority. Throughout the Muslim world, churches, synagogues and missionary schools were built within the Muslim neighborhoods. These places were protected by Muslims even during the contemporary crises in the Middle East.
In modern times, Muslims have become established as minorities in places like North America. Muslims have established academic institutions, community centers and organizations, schools and places of worship. The Sears Tower and the John Hancock buildings in Chicago were designed by a Muslim chief architect. Muslims live in peace and harmony among themselves and among other groups of people in the society. The rate of crime among Muslims is very minimal. Muslims in North America are highly educated and they have added to the success of American scientific and technological fields.
Holidays
Islamic holidays are based on the lunar calendar, as opposed to the Gregorian calendar that is based on the solar year. The Islamic calendar began with emigration (Hijra) of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in the year 622 C.E. The Gregorian year 2004 C.E. for example is 1425 A.H. (After Hijra). The lunar month is either 29 or 30 days and the Islamic calendar is yearly 11 days shorter than the Gregorian one. This causes Islamic holidays to travel through all the seasons over the years.
Muslims have two major celebrations called Festivals or Eid.
The Eid of Breaking Fast comes at the end of the fasting month.
The Eid of Sacrifice is in remembrance of the test of sacrifice given to Prophet Abraham. Eid begins with special morning prayers and lasts for three days. During Eid Muslims greet each other with the phrase "Eid Mubarak" (eed-moo-barak), meaning "blessed Eid." They also embrace one another, exchange gifts, and visit one another.
In addition to Eids, Muslims also observe the following:
Hijra New Year -- A holiday in many countries. The New Year reminds Muslims of the migration of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in the year 622 C.E.
Day of Atonement -- Remembrance of God saving Moses and the Children of Israel.
Birthday of the Prophet
Night Journey & Ascension -- Remembrance of the ascent of the Prophet in a spiritual journey to God.
Night of Salvation -- In honor of the merits of the special month of Shaban.
Ramadan -- The 9th month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The month of fasting when Muslims abstain from food, drink, and intimate relations from dawn to sunset each day during the month. They often break fast in the evening with family and friends and attend special prayers each night. Fasting Muslims are encouraged to display genorosity, kindness and self discipline more than they do throughout the year.
The Night of Power -- This is the night of the first revelation of the Quran. Muslims pray throughout the night seeking reward.
Day of Hajj -- In remembrance of those performing Hajj.
Friday is also considered a Muslim holy day. Muslims will congregate in mosques for a special sermon and prayer.
Islamic holidays are based on the lunar calendar, as opposed to the Gregorian calendar that is based on the solar year. The Islamic calendar began with emigration (Hijra) of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in the year 622 C.E. The Gregorian year 2004 C.E. for example is 1425 A.H. (After Hijra). The lunar month is either 29 or 30 days and the Islamic calendar is yearly 11 days shorter than the Gregorian one. This causes Islamic holidays to travel through all the seasons over the years.
Muslims have two major celebrations called Festivals or Eid.
The Eid of Breaking Fast comes at the end of the fasting month.
The Eid of Sacrifice is in remembrance of the test of sacrifice given to Prophet Abraham. Eid begins with special morning prayers and lasts for three days. During Eid Muslims greet each other with the phrase "Eid Mubarak" (eed-moo-barak), meaning "blessed Eid." They also embrace one another, exchange gifts, and visit one another.
In addition to Eids, Muslims also observe the following:
Hijra New Year -- A holiday in many countries. The New Year reminds Muslims of the migration of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in the year 622 C.E.
Day of Atonement -- Remembrance of God saving Moses and the Children of Israel.
Birthday of the Prophet
Night Journey & Ascension -- Remembrance of the ascent of the Prophet in a spiritual journey to God.
Night of Salvation -- In honor of the merits of the special month of Shaban.
Ramadan -- The 9th month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The month of fasting when Muslims abstain from food, drink, and intimate relations from dawn to sunset each day during the month. They often break fast in the evening with family and friends and attend special prayers each night. Fasting Muslims are encouraged to display genorosity, kindness and self discipline more than they do throughout the year.
The Night of Power -- This is the night of the first revelation of the Quran. Muslims pray throughout the night seeking reward.
Day of Hajj -- In remembrance of those performing Hajj.
Friday is also considered a Muslim holy day. Muslims will congregate in mosques for a special sermon and prayer.
