What Is Islam?
  Can
we find an explanation for the great universe?
Is there any convincing interpretation of the secret of
its existence? We realize that no family can
function properly without a responsible head, that no
city can prosperously exist without sound
administration, and that no state can survive without a
leader of some kind. We also realize that nothing
comes into being on its own.
Moreover,
we observe that the universe exists and
functions in the most orderly manner, and that it has
survived perhaps billions of years. Can we,
then, say that all this is accidental and haphazard?
Can we attribute the existence of man and the
whole world to a mere chance? Man represents only a
very small portion of the great universe, and if he
can make plans and appreciate the merits of planning,
then his own existence and the survival of the universe
must also be based on a planned policy.
This
means that there is a designing will behind our
material existence, and that there is an
extraordinary power to bring things into being and
keep them moving in order. In the world there must be a
great force in action to keep everything in
order. In the beautiful nature there must be a
Great Creator who makes these great pieces of
art and produces everything for a special purpose in
life.
The
deeply enlightened people recognize this Creator
and call Him Allah .
He is not a man because no man can create or make
another man. He is not an animal, nor is He a plant. He
is neither an idol nor is He a statue of any kind,
because none of these things can make itself or create
anything else. He is different from all these things,
because He is the Maker and Keeper of
them all. The maker of anything must be different and
greater than the things that he makes.
There
are various ways to know Allah
and there are many things to tell about Him. The
great wonders and impressive marvels of the world
are like open books in which we can read about Him.
Besides, Allah
comes to our aid through the many Messengers and
Revelations He has sent down to humanity. These
Messengers and Revelations tell us everything we
need to know about our Creator.
The
complete acceptance of the teachings and guidance of
our Creator as revealed to all His messengers (‘alaihimus
salaam) is the religion of Islam. Islam enjoins
faith in the oneness and sovereignty of Allah,
which makes man aware of the meaningfulness of the
universe and of his place in it. This belief frees the
human being from all fears and superstitions as
it makes him conscious of the presence of Allah
Almighty, and of his obligation towards Him.
This
faith must be expressed and tested in action, for faith
alone is not enough. Belief in one God requires
that we look upon all humanity as one family
under the universal omnipotence of the Creator, and
Nourisher of all. Islam rejects the idea of a
chosen people while on the other hand, it approves that
belief in the Creator, and doing righteous deeds
is the only way to Heaven. Thus, a direct relationship
is established with Allah
and without any intercessor at that.
Islam
is not a new religion. It is, in essence, the same
message and guidance which Allah
revealed to all His Prophets, like Adam,
Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, David, Moses,
Jesus and Muhammad (‘alaihimus salaam). But the
message which was revealed to
Prophet Muhammad
(sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) is Islam in its
comprehensive, complete and final form.
The
Qur'aan is the revealed words of Allah
and the basic source of Islamic teachings and Laws.
It deals with the basis of creeds, morality, history of
humanity, worship, knowledge, wisdom, man’s
relationship with God, and human relationships in all
aspects. It contains comprehensive teachings of which,
can be built sound systems and social justice,
economics, politics, legislation, jurisprudence, law
and international relations, all of which are
important contents of the Qur'aan.
The
hadeeth, which contains the teachings, sayings,
approvals and actions of
Prophet Muhammad
(sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) meticulously reported
and collected by his devoted companions, explains and
elaborates on the Qur'aanic verses.
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Arkaanul-Eeman: The
Fundamental Articles Of Faith In Islam (The Beliefs).
The true faithful Muslim believes
in the following principal articles of faith:
-
Belief in one God (Allah),
Supreme and Eternal, Infinite and Mighty, Merciful
and Forgiving, the Creator and the Provider, He
begets not, nor was He begotten, and there is none
equal or comparable unto Him.
-
Belief in all Messengers of Allah
(Ar-Rusul) without any discrimination among them, as
every known nation had a Warner or Messenger from
Allah.
They were chosen by Allah
to teach humanity and deliver His Divine message. The
Qur'aan mentions the names of some of them,
and Muhammad
(sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) stands as the Last
Messenger and the crowning glory of the
foundation of prophethood.
-
Belief in all original scriptures and revelations of
Allah
(Al-Kutub), accepting them as the guiding light that
the messengers received to show their respective
people the right path to Him. In the Qur'aan,
special reference is made to the books of Abraham,
Moses, David and Jesus (‘alaihimus salaam), but
long before the revelation of the Qur'aan to
Muhammad
(sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) some of these books
and revelations had been lost or corrupted. The only
authentic and complete book of Allah
in existence today is the Qur'aan, which has
been preserved as it was revealed to
Prophet Muhammad
(sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) in its pristine, pure
form.
-
Belief in the Angels (malaa-ikah) of Allah,
recognizing them as spiritually pure and splendid
beings whose nature requires no food, drink or sleep.
They are honored servants who are assigned certain
functions, and spend their days and nights in the
worship of Allah.
They do not speak before Allah
does, and they act only by His command.
-
Belief in the Last Day (Yaum Al-Qiyaamah) and
the Hereafter (Al-Aakhirah), acknowledging
that this world will end someday, and that the dead
will rise to stand for their final and fair trial.
People with good records will be generously
rewarded and warmly welcomed to the Heaven
of Allah,
and those with bad records will be punished
and cast into Hell and none will be treated with
injustice.
-
Belief in Fate (Qadr), whether good or bad,
which Allah,
measured and ordained for all creation according to
His previous knowledge, and as deemed suitable by His
wisdom. And in the timeless knowledge of Allah,
and in His power to plan and execute His plans,
nothing could happen in His Kingdom against His will.
His knowledge and power which are
always in action command over His creation. He is
Wise and Merciful, and whatever he does must have
a meaningful purpose. If this is established in our
minds and hearts, we should accept with good faith
all that He does, although we may fail to understand
it fully, or think it is bad.
Faith
without action and practice is a dead end as far as
Islam is concerned, for faith by nature is very
sensitive and can be most influential. When it is out
of practice or out of use, it quickly loses its
liveliness and motivational power.
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Arkaanul-Islam: The Five
Pillars Of Islam (The Actions)
-
Shahadatain (Testimony): To bear witness that
there is none worthy of worship except Allah
(The Creator), and that
Muhammad
(sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) is His Messenger.
Muslims are obliged to follow his exemplary life
as a model.
-
Salaah: Daily prayers are offered five times a
day as a duty towards Allah.
They strengthen and enliven the belief in Allah
and inspire man to a higher morality. They purify
the heart and prevent temptation towards
wrong-doings and evil things. They are:
- Salaatul-Fajr
(The Dawn Prayer)
- Salaatul-Dhuhr
(The Noon Prayer)
- Salaatul-Asr
(The Afternoon Prayer)
- Salaatul-Maghrib
(The Sunset Prayer)
- Salaatul-Isha
(The Evening Prayer)
-
Zakaah (Charity): The literal and simple
meaning of Zakaah is purity, while its
technical meaning designates the annual amount in
kind or cash that a Muslim with means must
distribute among the rightful beneficiaries from his
yearly net savings. But the religious and spiritual
significance of Zakaah is much deeper and more
valuable than its humanitarian, and
socio-political value.
-
Sawm (Fasting): The Muslims during the month
of Ramadhaan do not only abstain from food,
drink and sexual intercourse from dawn to sunset but
they are also required to refrain from evil
intentions and desires throughout the whole months of
the year in general, and during the month of
Ramadhaan in particular. It teaches love,
sincerity and devotion, and develops a sound
social conscience, patience, selflessness and will
power as well.
-
Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca): It is to be
performed once in a lifetime, so long as one
can afford it financially and physically, and it is
the largest annual convention of faith where Muslims
meet to know one another, study their common affairs
and promote their general welfare without prejudice
or bias as to one's color, race, nationality as well
as status in life. After all, everyone is equal in
the sight of Allah,
and so Hajj therefore demonstrates in effect
the universality of Islam and the brotherhood and
equality of Muslims.
-
THIS
IS ISLAM
-
THE
TRUE WAY FOR SUCCESS
-
IN
THIS LIFE AND IN THE LIFE HEREAFTER
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