IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MOST
GRACIOUS, THE MOST MERCIFUL
This page has the humble mission to
give an informational introduction on Islam for non-muslims who
wish to know about Islam and its fundamentals.
The word "Islam" means peace and submission to the Will
of the only God worthy of being worshipped.. This peace is
contentment with yourself and your surroundings that could only
be achieved by willfully submitting to God, obeying what He
commands and abstaining from what He forbids.
1. WHO IS ALLAH?
Allah is the name in Arabic for the "One God". Allah is
the Creator, Sustainer, Planner and Organizer. He is the only
deity that has the right to be worshipped (i.e. praying,
supplicating, fasting ,etc.). In Islam, the belief in the One God
cannot be separated from the acts of worshipping the One God. In
other words, it is not enough to simply think you believe in the
Oneness of the Creator but that belief must be affirmed by your
statement and actions. Example, it would negate ones belief in
the Oneness of the Creator if he directs his worship to a man (or
any of the other created things).
2. WHO IS A PROPHET?
A Prophet is a person who is appointed by God to call the people
to the worship and believe in the One God. All Prophets were
given miracles by Allah to prove that they were Prophets. For
example, Moses was given the miracles to free the Children of
Israel, Jesus was given the ability to heal the sick and raise
the dead and Muhammad was given the Qur'an which is the
everlasting and literal speech of Allah. May Allah send His peace
and blessings on all the Prophets. Ameen!
3. WHAT IS THE QUR'AN?
The Qur'an is the Last Revelation from your Lord. It was revealed
in the pure Arabic language to the Prophet Muhammad and has been
kept preserved and unchanged, in its original form. The English
interpretation of the Qur'an will be used as reference in this
brochure. It is not Allah's Word rather, it is a general
interpretation of the meaning of the Qur'an. The Qur'an confirms
the truth in the Torah, Psalms and the Gospel.
4. WHO WAS MUHAMMAD?
Muhammad is the Final Prophet and Messenger. He was born into the
tribe of Quorish in the year 570 AD. His ancestry goes back to
the Prophet Ishmael, the son of Prophet Abraham. His father died
before his birth and his mother died before he was six. As a
young man he was known as Al-Ameen (the trustworthy). He would
retreat to a cave outside of Mecca where, he would ponder and
reflect about the immoral practices and customs of the Pagan
Arabs. He received revelation from the Creator at the age of 40
through the Angel Gabriel. Subsequently, the Revelations came
over the period of 23 years and are collectively in the Qur'an.
5. WHAT ARE THE PILLARS OF ISLAM?
Islam has 5 Pillars.
1. (Iman) Belief that no deity is worthy of
worship except Allah and Muhammad is His Last Prophet and
Messenger.
2. (Salat) Prayers, which are performed 5 times
a day.
3. (Siyam) Fasting in the month of Ramadhan.
Abstaining from food, drink and sexual relations with spouses
from sunrise to sunset.
4. (Zakat) Charity is the requirement of 2.5%
of a Muslim's saved earnings given to the poor once a year as
purification of his wealth.
5. (Hajj) Pilgrimage is a journey to the Kab'ah
in the sacred cityof Mecca. Muslims are required to do this at
least once in a lifetime if they are physically and financially
able.
6. WHAT ARE THE FUNDAMENTALS OF FAITH?
Belief in Allah, His Oneness and ascribing no partners to Him.
Belief in the Angels (Gabriel, Michael, Israfil, etc.).
Belief in the revealed scriptures in their original form, not as
they exist today (Torah, Psalms,Gospels).
Belief in Allah's Messengers (Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus,
Muhammad etc.)
Belief in the Day of Resurrection.
Belief in Pre-Ordainment. The good or bad of it.
7. WHO IS A MUSLIM?
One who practices the 5 pillars of Islam and believes in the
fundamentals of faith. One can become a Muslim by saying;
"Ashadhu An Laa ilaha illa Allah, wa ashadhu anna Muhammad
ar-rasulullah." This means, " I bear witness that no
deity has the right to be worshipped except Allah and I bear
witness that Muhammad is His servant and Final Messenger."
All Prophets preceding Muhammad were Muslims. This includes Noah,
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and Jesus. Is there a doubt that
these Prophets did not submit their will to the Creator? Allah
says in the Qur'an: " Abraham was neither a Jew or a
Christian, but he was a true Muslim and he was not of the
idolaters." (Qur'an 3:67) It is important to note that other
religions are derived from the name of a place or a person.
Examples of this are: Judaism is derived from the tribe of Judah,
Hinduism is from the Indus River, Buddhism is from Goutam Buddha
and Christianity is from Jesus Christ. Islam is the only revealed
religion and way of life that directly attaches its worshippers
to the servitude of the Creator.
8. IS ISLAM THE ONLY RELIGION ACCEPTABLE TO THE CREATOR?
Yes! As explained in the introduction, Islam means peace through
the submission to the Will of Allah. One who does this is called
a Muslim. Therefore, the only thing acceptable to the Creator is
submission to Him. Allah says: "Do they seek other than the
Religion of Allah (Islam)? While to Him submit all other
creatures in the heavens and the Earth, willingly or unwillingly.
And to Him they shall all be returned. Say, 'We believe in Allah
and what was sent down to us, and what was sent down to Abraham,
Ismail, Isaac, Jacob and the tribes, and what was revealed to
Moses, Jesus, and the Prophets from their Lord. We make no
distinction between them, and to Him (Allah) we have submitted
(in Islam).' And whosoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it
will never be accepted of him, and in the hereafter he will be of
the losers (in the hellfire). (Qur'an 3:83-85)
9. WILL THE ACTIONS OF NON-BELIEVERS BE WASTED?
Yes! Allah says: "Say, 'Shall We tell you the greatest
losers in respect of their deeds? Those whose efforts have been
wasted in this life while they thought that they were acquiring
good by their deeds. They are those who deny the revelation of
their Lord and the meeting with Him (in the Hereafter). So their
works are in vain and on the Day of Resurrection, We shall not
give them any weight. That shall be their recompense, Hell;
because they disbelieved and took My revelations and My
Messengers by way of jest and mockery. Verily, those who believe
(in the Oneness of Allah-Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous
good deeds shall have the Garden of Paradise for their
entertainment." (Qur'an 18:103-107)
10. WHAT IS THE HEREAFTER?
The "Hereafter" is the final destiny of all worldly
existence starting at the time of death. The day mankind will be
resurrected from their graves then they shall be brought to
account for their deeds whether good or evil. Allah says: "I
(Allah) swear by the Day of Resurrection, and I (Allah) swear by
self-reproaching person. Does Man think that We shall not
assemble his bones? Yes, We are able to put together in perfect
order the tips of his fingers. Nay! (Man denies Resurrection and
Reckoning. So) he desires to continue committing sins. He asks,
'When will be this Day of Resurrection?' So, when the sight shall
be dazed, and the moon will be eclipsed, and the sun and the moon
will be joined together. On that day man will say, ' Where is the
place that I can flee to?' No! There is no refuge! Unto that your
Lord (Alone) will be the place of rest that day. On that day men
will be informed of what he sent forward ( of evil or good
deeds), and what he left behind (of his good or evil practices).
Nay! Man will be a witness against himself." (Qur'an 35:1-4)
11. DO MUSLIMS WORSHIP MUHAMMAD?
No! Muslims do not worship Muhammad nor do they worship any other
Prophets, Saints, or created things. It is not permissible for a
Muslim to pray, supplicate, or direct any type of worship to any
created thing in rivalry to the Lord of all that exists. Allah
says: " Say (to them Muhammad), 'I am only a man like you.
It has been inspired to me that your God is One God. So whoever
hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work with
righteousness and associate none as a partner in the Worship of
his Lord.' " (Qur'an 18:110)
12. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF OUR CREATION?
As we examine Allah's creation, we will inevitably conclude that
all things have a purpose. If we look at the delicate balance of
our universe, as vast as it is, orchestrated in perfect
synchronization. The human body and its various different
processes like thought, movement, vision and its ability to heal
itself. The earth and its countless number of life forms, various
plants, vegetables and animals. The weather system, the seasons
and the water cycle. Surely, these things have some purpose, more
so for human beings. Allah says: " And I (Allah) created not
the spirits and men, except that they should worship Me
(alone)." (Qur'an 51:56) As the verse states in question #8,
all things are in a state of submission to the Creator by
following the natural laws that they have been created for. We
were born in a state of submission, as we had no choice in the
matter and we will die in submission. Between these two time
spans, man has been given the rational ability to choose to
submit to his Creator. Know for surety that we will all die and
none of us knows when we're going to die. Isn't it time you
submitted to your Lord?
13. WHAT IS THE TRUTH ABOUT JESUS?
Jesus, the son of Mary is a servant and Messenger of Allah. Allah
says in the Qur'an that Jesus was born of a miraculous birth;
"Verily, the likeness of Jesus before Allah is the likeness
of Adam. He created him from dust, then (He) said unto him: 'Be'
and he was." (Qur'an 3:59). He performed many miracles as a
Prophet by Allah's permission such as resurrecting a dead man,
healing the blind and sick, making a living bird out of clay and
speaking as new born infant. Jesus brought the same message as
the other Prophets. He is not to be worshipped as the "Son
of God!".Jesus was raised alive up to Allah from where he
will return to re-establish the Law of Allah on earth.
14. WHAT IS THE TRUTH ABOUT THE "SON OF GOD",
"TRINITY"
AND MARY?
Your Creator says: "Surely, they have disbelieved who say:
'Allah is the Messiah (Jesus).'; But the Messiah said, 'O
Children of Israel! Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.'
Verily, whosoever sets up partners in worship with Allah, then
Allah has forbidden Paradise for him, and the Fire will be his
abode. And for the polytheists there are no helpers. Surely, the
disbelievers are those who said, 'Allah is a third of the three
(in a trinity).' But there is no god but the One God. And if they
cease not from what they say, verily, a painful torment will
befall the disbelievers among them. Will they not repent to Allah
and ask for His Forgiveness? For Allah is Oft Forgiving, Most
Merciful. The Messiah, son of Mary is no more than a Messenger.
Many were the Messengers that passed away before him. His mother
was a truthful woman. They both used to eat food (As other human
beings, while Allah does not eat). Look how Allah makes the
revelations clear to them, yet look how they are deluded away
(from the truth)." (Qur'an 5:72-75)
15. DOES ISLAM OPPRESS WOMEN?
No! On the contrary, 1400 years ago Islam liberated women. At
that time in Europe, Christian scholars were debating whether
women had souls, if yes, did they have animal souls or human
souls? Until recently women were stripped of their last names to
illustrate that they were the property of their husbands. As for
Islam, women are equal to men in all acts of piety, they keep
their last names, they are allowed to keep their own money,
choose who they want to marry, have the right to divorce, have
the right to inheritance and have the right to be protected and
maintained by their husbands. They have been dignified and
exonerated by the Hijab (Islamic covering). In the West, women
are portrayed as sex objects to be used and discarded. We see
them being used to sell cars, alcohol and even bubble gum. In
Islam, women have been elevated to a stature that surpasses the
roles placed upon them by any religion or culture. Women are not
to be abused or oppressed but they are to be respected and cared
for. As a result, Islam is the fastest growing religion in the
world amongst women.
16. IS THERE RACISM IN ISLAM?
No. Muslims are found in every country, whether they are
European, African, Asian or American. 1 in every 5 people on the
earth is a Muslim, Which means there are 1.2 billion Muslims in
the world. Islam promotes racial harmony and tolerance. Allah
says: " O mankind! We have created you from a male and
female, and made you into nations and tribes that you may know
one another. Verily, the most honorable of you in the Sight of
Allah is the believer who has the most piety. Verily, Allah is
All Knowing, All Aware." (Qur'an 49:13) This is in
opposition to Louis Farrakhan's disbelieving lies against Islam,
in saying that, 'Allah appeared in the person of Master W. Fard
Muhammad', or 'We the original (black) nation of the earth'. The
Believers seek refuge with Allah from such lies against Allah and
His Religion. Ameen!
17. HAS THE QUR'AN PREDICTED THE NEW DISCOVERIES OF
MODERN SCIENCE?
Yes! Since the Qur'an came from the Creator of the Heavens and
the Earth, it is only befitting that science would later confirm
what is in the Qur'an. Examples of this are, the expansion of the
universe as stated in the Qur'an: "With power did We
construct the heaven. Verily, We expand the vastness of
space." (Qur'an 51:47) Every living thing is created from
water: "Do not those who disbelieve know that the heavens
and the earth were joined together as one united piece, then We
parted them? And We have made from water every living thing. Will
they then not believe?" (Qur'an 21:30) The trimester:
"...He (Allah) created you in the wombs of your mothers,
creation after creation in three veils of darkness, such is Allah
your Lord. How then are you turned away (from the truth)?"
(Qur'an 39:7) There are several other examples proving that the
Qur'an is from your Lord. Allah says: "Do they not consider
the Qur'an carefully? Had it been from other than Allah, they
would have found therein much contradictions."(Qur'an 4: 82)
18. SHOULD YOU BECOME A MUSLIM RIGHT NOW?
Absolutely! If you believe in what you have read in this page, we
strongly suggest that you don't delay. You are now accountable
for what you know about Islam. For many people Islam has balanced
their lives, created a form of discipline, given them respect and
dignity and given them peace and tranquillity in a society that
has been ravaged by mental illnesses, excessive materialism,
substance abuse, increase in crime and an all time decline in
human morality. Allah warns us in the Qur'an: " O you who
believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared. And die not except in
a state of Islam (as Muslims)."(Qur'an 3:102)
If you wish to become a Muslim, refer to
question #7 and drop us an email anytime.
We invite you to become a Muslim.
Please feel free to email us
your suggestions and comments on what YOU would like to see in
this web-site at:
kentmuslims@hotmail.com
Thank you!
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