Islam is an Arabic word which means peace, purity, acceptance and commitment. as a religion, Islam calls for complete acceptance of and submission to the teachings and guidance of God. A muslim is one who freely and willingly accepts the supreme power of God and stives to organize his life in total accord with the teachings of God. He also works for building social institutions which reflect the gidance of God. Muslims use the word " Allah" for the English word " God " Islam is not a new religion. It is in essence, the same message and guidance which God revealed to all His previous messengers. The message which was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ( peace be upon him ) is Islam in its comprehensive, complete and final form.
Muslims believe in One, unique, incomparable God' in the Angels created by Him, in the prophets through whom His revelations were brought to mankind, IN God's complete authority over human destiny and in life after death. Muslims believe in chain of
Islam is built on five pillars (Hadith Sahih Bukhari Vol 1, Book 2, No 7 ), the first of which is a state of faith, the other four are major exercises of faith of which some are daily, some weekly, some monthly, some annually and some are required as a minimum once in a lifetime. These exercises of faith are to serve man's spiritual purposes, satisfy his human needs and to mark his whole life with a Divine touch. The five pillars of Islam are:
This statement of faith must be declared publicly. It should be a genuine belief which includes all the above articles of faith. The witnessing of the Oneness of Allah is the rejection of any form of deity other than Allah, and the witnessing that Muhammad is His Messenger is the acceptance of him being chosen by Allah to convey His message of Islam to all humanity and to deliver it from the darkness of ignorance into the light of belief in, and knowledge of, the Creator. The statement of Shahada in arabic is
:Offering of prayers is obligatory upon every Muslim male and female who is sane, mature and in the case of women free from menstruation and confinement due to child birth Obligatory prayers: Five daily prayers, the Friday's noon congregation prayer and the funeral prayer.
The literal meaning of Zakah is purity and it refers to the annual amount in kind or coin which a Muslim with means must distribute among the rightful beneficiaries. Zakah does not only purifies the property of the contributor but also purifies his heart from selfishness and greed. It also purifies the heart of the recipient from envy and jealousy, from hatred and uneasiness and it fosters instead good-will and warm wishes for the contributors. Zakah has a deep humanitarian and social-political value; for example, it frees society from class welfare, from ill feelings and distrust and from corruption. Although Islam does not hinder private enterprise or condemn private possession, it does not tolerate selfish and greedy capitalism. Islam adopts a moderate but positive and effective course between individual and society, between the citizen and the state, between capitalism and socialism, between materialism and spiritualism. Zakah is paid on the net balance after paying personal expenses, family expenses, due credits, taxes, etc. Every Muslim male or female who at the end of the year is in possession of the equivalent of 85 grams of gold (approx. $1400 in 1990) or more in cash or articles of trade, must give Zakah at the minimum rate of 2.5%. Taxes paid to government do not substitute for this religious duty. The contributor should not seek pride or fame but if disclosing his name and his contribution is likely to encourage others, it is acceptable to do also.
Fasting is abstaining completely from eating, drinking, intimate sexual contacts and smoking from the break of dawn till sunset. It is a matchless Islamic institution which teaches man the principle of sincere love to God. Fasting teaches man a creative sense of hope, devotion, patience, unselfishness, moderation, willpower, wise saving, sound budgeting, mature adaptability, healthy survival, discipline, spirit of social belonging, unity and brotherhood. Obligatory fasting is done once a year for the period of the month of Ramadan; the ninth month of the Islamic year. Recommended fasting includes every Monday and Thursday of every week, three days in the middle of each Islamic month, six days after Ramadan following the Feast Day and a few days of the two months before Ramadan. Fasting of Ramadan is a worship act which is obligatory on every adult Muslim, male or female if he/she is mentally and physically fit and not on a journey. Exceptions: women during their period of menstruation and while nursing their child, and also in case of travel and sickness for both men and women.
It is a pilgrimage to Mecca, at least once in a lifetime and it is obligatory upon every Muslim male and female who is mentally, physically and financially fit. It is the largest annual convention of faith on earth (in 1989: 2.5 million). Peace is the dominant theme. Peace with Allah, with one's soul, with one another, with all living creatures. To disturb the peace of anyone or any creature in any shape or form is strictly prohibited. Muslims from all walks of life, from every corner of the globe assemble in Mecca in response to the call of Allah. There is no royalty, but there is loyalty of all to Allah, the Creator. It is to commemorate the Divine rituals observed by the Prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael, who were the first pilgrims to the house of Allah on earth: the Ka'bah. It is also to remember the great assembly of the Day of Judgement when people will stand equal before Allah. Muslims go to Mecca to glorify Allah, not to worship a man. The visit to the tomb of Prophet Muhammad at Madena is highly recommended but not essential in making the Hajj valid and complete.
Muhammad (SAW ) was born in Makkah in the year 570, at a time when Christianity was not yet fully established in Eurpoe. 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 calm and meditative. Muhammad ( Peace be upon him ) was of a deeply religious nature, and had long detested the decadence of his society. It became his habit to meditate from time to time in the Cave of Hira near the summit of Jabal al-Jur," the Mountain of light" near Makkah. At the age of 40, while engaged in meditative retreat, Muhammad ' peace be upon him' received his first revelation from God through the Angel Gabriel, this revelation, which continued for twenty-three years, is known as the Qur'an.
Which is to equalize other things with Allaah [the One that created you], and worship other things besides him such as stones, human beings, the sun, the moon, a prophet, a shaikh, a friend, a star, a king, or other things or human beings. Allaah the exalted says : Verily Allaah forgives not, that rivals should be set up with Him in worship but He forgives save that (anything else) to whom He pleases.(S.4A.116) ( Surat Al nissaa Aya # 116)
The Prophet said : Shall I tell you the fatal sins? Shirk with Allaah......... the hadeeth.
Allaah the Exalted says : And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell, to abide therein, and the wrath and the curse of Allaah are upon him and a great punishment is prepared for him.( S.4A.92 ) ( Surat Al Nissaa AYa # 92)
Allaah says O who you believe : Fear Allaah, and give up what remains of your damned for usury, if you are indeed believers. If you do it not, take notice of war from Allaah and his messenger.( S.2A.278,279) ( Surat Al Bakara Aya # 278,279)
Allaah says : Those who unjustly eat up the property of orphans, eat up a fire into their own bodies.( S.4A.10) ( Surat Al Nissaa Aya # 10 )
Allaah says : Those who slander chaste women, indiscreet but believing are cursed in this life, and in the hereafter. For them is the grevious penalty.( S.24,A.23) ( Surat Al noor Aya # 23 )
Allaah says : Nor come close to Adultery : for it is a shameful (deed) and an evil, opening the road for other evils.( S.17 A.32 ) ( Surat Al Israa Aya # 32 )
Allaah says : O ye who believe! Intoxicants and Gambling, Sacrificing to stones, And ( divination by) arrows, Are an abomination of Satan's handiwork: Eschew such ( abomination ), That ye may prosper. ( S.5 A.90 ) ( Surat Al Ma'eda Aya # 90 )
The Almighty says : Those who witness no false hood and if they pass by futility they pass honourable( S.25 A.72 ) ( Surat Al Furkan Aya # 72 )
Allah says : And do not eat up your property amongst yourselves for vanities nor use it as a bait for judges with it intent that you may eat up wrongfully and knowingly a little of other people's property. ( S.2 A.188 ) ( Surat al Bakara Aya # 188 )
Allaah says :
As to the thief male or female, cut off his or her hands a
punishment by way of example from Allaah for their crime.( S.5 A 38 ) ( Surat Al Ma'eda Aya # 38 )
Ubdullaah Ibn Amru said that the Prophet said : The fatal sins are : Shirk, disobeying parents, kiling others unjustly, and false swearings. Disatrous swearing is lying intentionally when swearing, and it is called disastrous because it leads the swearer to deep hell.
Allaah says : Allaah guides not one who transgress and lie
Allaah says : .......Nor kill yourselves, for verily Allaah has been to you most Merciful. If any do that in rancour and injustice soon shall we cast them into the fire, and easy it is for Allaah. If you but eschew the most heinous of the things which you are forbidden to do, we shall expell out of you all the evil in you. ( S.4 A 29,30 ) ( Surat al Nissaa Aya # 29,30 )
Allah says: Forbidden to you ( for food ) Are: dead meat, blood, The flesh of swine, ... ( S.5 A.3 ) ( Surat Al Ma'eda Aya # 3 )