|
|
In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Understanding Islam and Muslims
What is Islam ? Islam is not a new religion, but the same
truth that God revealed through all His prophets to every people. For a fifth of the world's population, Islam is both a
religion and a complete way of life. Muslims follow a religion of peace, mercy, and forgiveness, and the majority have
nothing to do with the extremely grave events which have come to be associated with their faith. Who
are the Muslims? One billion people from a vast range of
races, nationalities and cultures across the globe - from the southern
Philippines to Nigeria - are united by their common
Islamic faith. About 18% live in the Arab world; the world's largest Muslim community is in Indonesia; substantial
parts of Asia and most of Africa are Muslim, while significant minorities are to
be found in the Soviet Union, China, North and
South America, and Europe. What do Muslims believe? 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 the
Day of Judgement and individual accountability for actions; in God's complete authority over human destiny and
in life after death. Muslims believe in a chain of prophets starting with Adam and including Noah, Abraham, Ishmael,
Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Elias, Jonah, John the Baptist, and Jesus, peace be upon them.
But God's final message to man, a reconfirmation of the eternal message and a summing-up of all that has gone
before was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad through Gabriel. How does someone become a Muslim? Simply by saying 'there is no god apart
from God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God.' By this declaration the believer announces his or her faith in all
God's messengers, and the scriptures they brought. What does 'Islam' mean? The Arabic word 'Islam' simply means
'submission', and derives from a word meaning 'peace'. In a religious context it means complete submission to the will of
God. 'Mohammedanism' is thus a misnomer because it suggests that Muslims worship Muhammad rather than God. 'Allah'
is the Arabic name for God, which is used by Arab Muslims and Christians alike. Why does Islam often seem strange? Islam may seem exotic or even extreme in
the modern world. Perhaps this is because religion does not dominate everyday life in the West today, whereas
Muslims have religion always uppermost in their minds, and make no division between secular and sacred. They believe
that the Divine Law, the Shari'a, should be taken very seriously, which is why issues related to religion are still so
important. Do Islam and Christianity have different
origins? No. Together with Judaism, they go back to
the prophet and patriarch Abraham, and their three prophets are directly descended from his sons Muhammad from the
eldest, Ishmael, and Moses and Jesus from Isaac. Abraham established the settlement which today is the city of
Makkah, and built the Katba towards which all Muslims turn when they pray. What is the Ka'ba? The Ka'ba is the place of worship which God
commanded Abraham and Ishmael to build over four thousand years ago. The building was constructed of stone on
what many believe was the original site of a sanctuary established by Adam. God commanded Abraham to summon all mankind
to visit this place, and when pilgrims go there today they say 'At Thy service, O Lord', in response to Abraham's
summons. Who is Muhammad? Muhammad, was born in Makkah in the year
570, at a time when Christianity was not yet fully established in Europe. 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 as calm and meditative. Muhammad 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-Nur, the 'Mountain of Light' near Makkah. How did Muhammad become a prophet and a
messenger of God? At the age of 40, while engaged in a
meditative retreat, Muhammad received his first revelation from God through the Angel Gabriel. This revelation, which
continued for twenty-three years, is known as the Quran. where Gabriel came to Prophet Muhammad? As soon as he began to recite the words he
heard from Gabriel, and to preach the truth which God had revealed to him, he and his small group of followers
suffered bitter persecution, which grew so fierce that in the year 622 God gave
them the command to emigrate. This event, the
Hijra, 'migration', in which they left Makkah for the city of Madinah some 260 miles to the north, marks the beginning of
the Muslim calendar. After several years, the Prophet and his
followers were able to return to Makkah, where they forgave their enemies and established Islam definitively. Before the
Prophet died at the age of 63, the greater part of Arabia was Muslim, and within a century of his death Islam had
spread to Spain in the West and as far East as China. How did the spread of Islam affect the
world? Among the reasons for the rapid and
peaceful spread of Islam was the simplicity of its doctrine - Islam calls for
faith in only One God worthy of worship. It also
repeatedly instructs man to use his powers of intelligence and observation. Within a few years, great civilizations and
universities were flourishing, for according to the Prophet, 'seeking knowledge is an obligation for every Muslim man and
woman'. The synthesis of Eastern and Western ideas and of new thought with old,
brought about great advances in medicine, mathematics, physics, astronomy,
geography, architecture, art, literature, and history. Many crucial systems such as
algebra, the Arabic numerals, and also the concept of the zero (vital to the advancement of mathematics), were
transmitted to medieval Europe from Islam. Sophisticated instruments which were
to make possible the European voyages of
discovery were developed, including the astrolabe, the quadrant and good navigational maps. What
is the Quran? The Quran is a record of the exact words
revealed by God through the Angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad. It was memorized by Muhammad and then dictated to
his Companions, and written down by scribes, who cross-checked it during his lifetime. Not one word of its
114 chapters, Suras, has been changed over the centuries, so that the Quran is
in every detail the unique and miraculous text
which was revealed to Muhammad fourteen centuries ago. What is the Quran about? The Quran, the last revealed Word of God,
is the prime source of every Muslim's faith and practice. It deals with all the subjects which concern us as human beings:
wisdom, doctrine, worship, and law, but its basic theme is the relationship between God and His creatures. At the same
time it provides guidelines for a just society, proper human conduct and an equitable economic system. Are there any other sacred sources? Yes, the sunna, the practice and example of
the Prophet, is the second authority for Muslims. A hadith is a reliably transmitted report of what the Prophet
said, did, or approved. Belief in the sunna is part of the Islamic faith. Examples of the Prophet's sayings The Prophet said: 'God has no mercy on one who has no mercy
for others.' 'None of you truly believes until he wishes
for his brother what he wishes for himself.' 'He who eats his fill while his neighbor
goes without food is not a believer. ' 'The truthful and trusty businessman is
associated with the prophets the saints, and the martyrs.' 'Powerful is not he who knocks the other
down, indeed powerful is he who controls himself in a fit of anger. ' 'God does not judge according to your
bodies and appearances but He scans your hearts and looks into your deeds.' 'A man walking along a path felt very
thirsty. Reaching a well he descended into it, drank his fill and came up. Then
he saw a dog with its tongue hanging out,
trying to lick up mud to quench its thirst. The man saw that the dog was feeling
the same thirst as he had felt so he went down
into the well again and filled his shoe with water and gave the dog a drink. God forgave his sins for this action.' The
Prophet was asked: 'Messenger of God, are we rewarded for kindness towards animals?' He said, 'There is a
reward for kindness to every living thing.' What are the 'Five Pillars' of Islam ? They are the framework of the Muslim life:
faith, prayer, concern for the needy, self-purification, and the pilgrimage to Makkah for those who are able. 1) FAITH There is no
god worthy of worship except God and Muhammad is His messenger. This declaration
of faith is called the
Shahada, a simple formula which all the faithful pronounce. In Arabic, the first
part is la ilaha illa Llah - 'there is no
god except God'; ilaha (god) can refer to anything which we may be tempted to
put in place of God - wealth,
power, and the like. Then comes illa Llah: 'except God', the source of all
Creation. The second part of the Shahada is
Muhammadun rasulu'Llah: 'Muhammad is the messenger of God.' A message of
guidance has come through a man
like ourselves. 2) PRAYER Salat is the
name for the obligatory prayers which are performed five times a day, and are a
direct link between the
worshipper and God. There is no hierarchical authority in Islam, and no priests,
so the prayers are led by a learned
person who knows the Quran, chosen by the congregation. These five prayers
contain verses from the Quran, and
are said in Arabic, the language of the Revelation, but personal supplication
can be offered in one's own language.
Prayers are
said at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and nightfall, and thus determine the
rhythm of the entire day. Although
it is preferable to worship together in a mosque, a Muslim may pray almost
anywhere, such as in fields,
offices, factories and universities. Visitors to the Muslim world are struck by
the centrality of prayers in daily life. A translation
of the Call to Prayer is: God is most
great. God is most great. God is most
great. God is most great. I testify
that there is no god except God. I testify
that there is no god except God. I testify
that Muhammad is the messenger of God. I testify
that Muhammad is the messenger of God. Come to
prayer! Come to prayer! Come to
success (in this life and the Hereafter)! Come to
success! God is most
great. God is most great. There is no
god except God. 3) THE 'ZAKAT' One of the
most important principles of Islam is that all things belong to God, and that
wealth is therefore held by human beings
in trust. The word zakat means both 'purification' and 'growth'. Our possessions
are purified by setting aside
a proportion for those in need, and, like the pruning of plants, this cutting
back balances and encourages
new growth. Each Muslim
calculates his or her own zakat individually. For most purposes this involves
the payment each year of two and a
half percent of one's capital. A pious
person may also give as much as he or she pleases as sadaqa, and does so
preferably in secret. Although this word can
be translated as 'voluntary charity' it has a wider meaning. The Prophet said
'even meeting your brother with
a cheerful face is charity.' The Prophet
said: 'Charity is a necessity for every Muslim. ' He was asked: 'What if a
person has nothing?' The Prophet
replied: 'He should work with his own hands for his benefit and then give
something out of such earnings in charity.'
The Companions asked: 'What if he is not able to work?' The Prophet said: 'He
should help poor and needy
persons.' The Companions further asked 'What if he cannot do even that?' The
Prophet said 'He should urge others
to do good.' The Companions said 'What if he lacks that also?' The Prophet said
'He should check himself from
doing evil. That is also charity.' 4) THE FAST Every year in
the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from first light until sundown,
abstaining from food, drink, and sexual
relations. Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are
pregnant or nursing are permitted to
break the fast and make up an equal number of days later in the year. If they
are physically unable to do this, they
must feed a needy person for every day missed. Children begin to fast (and to
observe the prayer) from puberty,
although many start earlier. Although the
fast is most beneficial to the health, it is regarded principally as a method of
self purification. By cutting
oneself off from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person gains
true sympathy with those who go hungry
as well as growth in one's spiritual life. 5) PILGRIMAGE
(Hajj) The annual
pilgrimage to Makkah - the Hajj - is an obligation only for those who are
physically and financially able to perform
it. Nevertheless, about two million people go to Makkah each year from every
corner of the globe providing a
unique opportunity for those of different nations to meet one another. Although
Makkah is always filled with
visitors, the annual Hajj begins in the twelfth month of the Islamic year (which
is lunar, not solar, so that Hajj and
Ramadan fall sometimes in summer, sometimes in winter). Pilgrims wear special
clothes: simple garments which strip
away distinctions of class and culture, so that all stand equal before God. The rites of
the Hajj, which are of Abrahamic origin, include circling the Ka'ba seven times,
and going seven times between the
mountains of Safa and Marwa as did Hagar during her search for water. Then the
pilgrims stand together on
the wide plain of Arafa and join in prayers for God's forgiveness, in what is
often thought of as a preview
of the Last Judgment. In previous
centuries the Hajj was an arduous undertaking. Today, however, Saudi Arabia
provides millions of people with
water, modern transport, and the most up-to-date health facilities. The close of
the Hajj is marked by a festival, the Eid al-Adha, which is celebrated with
prayers and the exchange of gifts in
Muslim communities everywhere. This, and the Eid al-Fitr, a feast-day
commemorating the end of Ramadan, are
the main festivals of the Muslim calendar. Does Islam tolerate other beliefs? The Quran says: God forbids you not, with
regards to those who fight you not for [your] faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with
them; for God loveth those who are just. (Quran, 60:8) It is one function of Islamic law to
protect the privileged status of minorities, and this is why non-Muslim places
of worship have flourished all over the
Islamic world. History provides many examples of Muslim tolerance towards other faiths: when the caliph Omar entered
Jerusalem in the year 634, Islam granted freedom of worship to all religious communities in the city. Islamic law also permits non-Muslim
minorities to set up their own courts, which implement family laws drawn up by
the minorities themselves. ABOVE: Mosque of Omar and Church of the
Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem. When the caliph Omar took Jerusalem from the Byzantines, he insisted on entering the
city with only a small number of his companions. Proclaiming to the inhabitants that their lives and property were safe,
and that their places of worship would never be taken from them, he asked the Christian patriarch Sophronius to accompany
him on a visit to all the holy places. The Patriarch invited him to pray in the
Church of the Holy Sepulchre, but he preferred to pray outside its gates, saying that if he accepted, later generations of
Muslims might use his action as an excuse to turn it into a mosque. Above is the mosque built on the spot where Omar did
pray. RIGHT: According to Islam, man is not born
in 'original sin'. He is God's vicegerent on earth. Every child is born with the fitra, an innate disposition towards
virtue, knowledge, and beauty. Islam considers itself to be the 'primordial
religion', din al-hanif, it seeks to return man to his
original, true nature in which he is in harmony with creation, inspired to do
good, and confirming the Oneness of God. What do Muslims think about Jesus? Muslims respect and revere Jesus, and await
his Second Coming. They consider him one of the greatest of God's messengers to mankind. A Muslim never
refers to him simply as 'Jesus', but always adds the phrase 'upon him be peace'. The Quran confirms his virgin birth (a
chapter of the Quran is entitled 'Mary'), and Mary is considered the purest
woman in all creation. The Quran describes the
Annunciation as follows: 'Behold!' the Angel said, 'God has chosen
you, and purified you, and chosen you above the women of all nations. O Mary, God gives you good news of a word
from Him, whose name shall be the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, honored in this world and the Hereafter, and one of
those brought near to God. He shall speak to the people from his cradle and in maturity, and shall be of the righteous.' She said: 'O my Lord! How shall I have a
son when no man has touched me?' He said: 'Even so; God creates what He will.
When He decrees a thing, He says to it, "Be!" and it is.' (Quran,
3:42-7) Jesus was born miraculously through the
same power which had brought Adam into being without a father: Truly, the likeness of Jesus with God is as
the likeness of Adam. He created him of dust, and then said to him, 'Be!' and he was. (Quran, 3:59) During his prophetic mission Jesus
performed many miracles. The Quran tells us that he said: I have come to you with a sign from your
Lord: I make for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breathe into it and it becomes a bird by God's
leave. And I heal the blind, and the lepers and I raise the dead by God's leave. (Quran, 3:49) Neither Muhammad nor Jesus came to change
the basic doctrine of the belief in One God, brought by earlier prophets, but to confirm and renew it. In the Quran
Jesus is reported as saying that he came: To attest the law which was before me. And
to make lawful to you part of what was forbidden you; I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, so fear God and
obey Me. (Quran, 3:5O) The Prophet Muhammad said: Whoever believes there is no god but God,
alone without partner, that Muhammad is His messenger, that Jesus is the servant and messenger of God, His word
breathed into Mary and a spirit emanating from Him, and that Paradise and Hell are true, shall be received by God
into Heaven. (Hadith from Bukhari) Why is the family so important to Muslims? The
family is the foundation of Islamic society. The peace and security offered by a
stable family unit is greatly valued, and seen as essential for the spiritual
growth of its members. A harmonious social order is created by the existence of extended families; children are treasured,
and rarely leave home until the time they marry. What about Muslim women? Islam sees a woman, whether single or
married, as an individual in her own right, with the right to own and dispose of
her property and earnings. A marriage dowry is
given by the groom to the bride for her own personal use, and she keeps her own family name rather than taking her
husband's. Both men and women are expected to dress in
a way which is modest and dignified; the traditions of female dress found in some Muslim countries are often the
expression of local customs. The Messenger of God said: 'The most perfect in faith amongst
believers is he who is best in manner and kindest to his wife.' Can a Muslim have more than one wife? The religion of Islam was revealed for all
societies and all times and so accommodates widely differing social requirements. Circumstances may warrant the
taking of another wife but the right is granted, according to the Quran, only on condition that the husband is
scrupulously fair. CLOCKWISE: Muslims from Turkestan,
Scotland, Saudi Arabia. Denmark, Egypt. Is Islamic marriage like Christian
marriage? A Muslim marriage is not a 'sacrament', but
a simple, legal agreement in which either partner is free to include conditions. Marriage customs thus vary widely from
country to country. As a result, divorce is not common, although it is not forbidden as a last resort. According to
Islam, no Muslim girl can be forced to marry against her will: her parents will simply suggest young men they think may be
suitable. How do Muslims treat the elderly? In the Islamic world there are no old
people's homes. The strain of caring for one's parents in this most difficult
time of their lives is considered an honor and
blessing, and an opportunity for great spiritual growth. God asks that we not
only pray for our parents, but act with
limitless compassion, remembering that when we were helpless children they
preferred us to themselves. Mothers are particularly
honored: the Prophet taught that 'Paradise lies at the feet of mothers'. When they reach old age, Muslim parents are
treated mercifully, with the same kindness and selflessness. In Islam, serving one's parents is a duty
second only to prayer, and it is their right to expect it. It is considered
despicable to express any irritation when, through no
fault of their own, the old become difficult. The Quran says: Your Lord has commanded
that you worship none but Him, and be kind to parents. If either or both of them reach old age with you, do not say
'uff to them or chide them, but speak to them in terms of honor and kindness. Treat
them with humility, and say, 'My Lord! Have mercy on them, for they did care for
me when I was little'. (17:23-4) How do Muslims view death? Like Jews and Christians, Muslims believe
that the present life is only a trial preparation for the next realm of
existence. Basic articles of faith include: the Day of
Judgment, resurrection, Heaven and Hell. When a Muslim dies, he or she is washed, usually by a family member, wrapped
in a clean white cloth, and buried with a simple prayer preferably the same day. Muslims consider this one of the
final services they can do for their relatives, and an opportunity to remember their own brief existence here on earth.
The Prophet taught that three things can continue to help a person even after death; charity which he had given,
knowledge which he had taught and prayers on their behalf by a righteous child. What does Islam say about war? Like Christianity, Islam permits fighting
in self-defense, in defense of religion, or on the part of those who have been expelled forcibly from their homes. It lays
down strict rules of combat which include prohibitions against harming civilians and against destroying crops, trees and
livestock. As Muslims see it, injustice would be triumphant in the world if good men were not prepared to risk their lives
in a righteous cause. The Quran says: Fight in the cause of God against those who
fight you, but do not transgress limits. God does not love transgressors. (2:190) If they seek peace, then seek you peace.
And trust in God for He is the One that heareth and knoweth all things. (8:61) War, therefore, is the last resort, and is
subject to the rigorous conditions laid down by the sacred law. The term jihad literally means 'struggle', and Muslims
believe that there are two kinds of jihad. The other 'jihad' is the inner
struggle which everyone wages against egotistic
desires, for the sake of attaining inner peace. What about food? Although
much simpler than the dietary law followed by Jews and the early Christians, the
code which Muslims observe forbids the consumption of pig meat or any
kind of intoxicating drink. The Prophet taught that 'your body has rights over you', and the consumption of wholesome food
and the leading of a healthy lifestyle are seen as religious obligations. The Prophet said: 'Ask God for certainty
[of faith] and well-being; for after certainty, no one is given any gift better
than health!' How does Islam guarantee human rights? Freedom of conscience is laid down by the
Quran itself: 'There is no compulsion in religion'. (2:256) The life and property of all citizens in an
Islamic state are considered sacred whether a person is Muslim or not. Racism is incomprehensible to Muslims, for
the Quran speaks of human equality in the following terms: O mankind! We created you from a single
soul, male and female, and made you into nations and tribes, so that you may come to know one another. Truly, the most
honored of you in God's sight is the greatest of you in piety. God is All-Knowing, All Aware (49:13)
Islam in the United States It is almost impossible to generalize about
American Muslims: converts, immigrants, factory workers, doctors; all are making their own contribution to America's
future. This complex community is unified by a common faith, underpinned by a countrywide network of a thousand
mosques. Muslims were early arrivals in North
America. By the eighteenth century there were many thousands of them, working as slaves on plantations. These early
communities, cut off from their heritage and families, inevitably lost their
Islamic identity as time went by. Today many Afro-American
Muslims play an important role in the Islamic community. The nineteenth century, however, saw the
beginnings of an influx of Arab Muslims, most of whom settled in the major industrial centers where they worshipped in
hired rooms. The early twentieth century witnessed the arrival of several hundred thousand Muslims from Eastern
Europe: the first Albanian mosque was opened in Maine in 1915; others soon followed, and a group of Polish Muslims
opened a mosque in Brooklyn in 1928. In 1947 the Washington Islamic Center was
founded during the term of President Truman, and several nationwide organizations were set up in the fifties.
The same period saw the establishment of other communities whose lives were in many ways modeled after Islam. More
recently, numerous members of these groups have entered the fold of Muslim orthodoxy. Today there are about five
million Muslims in America. The Muslim World The Muslim population of the world is
around one billion. 30% of Muslims live in the Indian subcontinent, 20% in Sub-Saharan Africa, 17% in Southeast Asia,
18% in the Arab World, 10% in the Soviet Union and China. Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan comprise 10% of the
non-Arab Middle East. Although there are Muslim minorities in almost every area, including Latin America and Australia, they
are most numerous in the Soviet Union, India, and central Africa. There are 5 million Muslims in the United States. O mankind! We created you from a single soul, male and female,
and made you into nations and tribes, so that you may come to know one another. Truly, the most honored of you
in God's sight is the greatest of you in piety. God is
All-Knowing, All-Aware. (Quran, 49:13)
|
|
|
