Download A Brief Introduction to Islam

A Brief Introduction to Islam
Owais Bayunus
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: 651 428 9956 Direct
651 459 9568
Islam is not a new religion. It is the same truth that God revealed through all his prophets
to every people. For about one quarter of 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 vast majority have nothing to do with the extremely grave events which have come to
be associated with their faith. About 1.5 billion people from Southern Philippines to
Nigeria and Morocco are united by their common Islamic faith. The world’s largest
Muslim communities are in Indonesia and Pakistan and parts of Asia and Africa are
Muslims, while significant minorities are found in China, India, Russia, North and South
America and Europe. The Arabic word ‘Islam’ means both “peace’ and ‘submission’. In
a religious context it means total submission to God brings peace to one self and peace
with God. “Mohammedanism” is a misnomer because it incorrectly suggests that
Muslims worship Mohammad rather than God. Islam is the second-largest religion and
the fastest-growing major religion in the world
What do Muslims believe? Muslims believe in strict monotheism. In Arabic ‘Allah’ is
the name of ONE GOD. Muslims worship the same God worshipped by Abraham,
Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (PBUT); the same God which Christians and Jews believe
in. Allah is the name of one true God. The term has no plural or gender such as gods or
goddess. The one true God is the reflection of the unique concept that Islam associate
with God. To Muslims Allah is the Almighty, the Creator, the Cherisher and Sustainer of
the Universe. He is similar to no one or nothing and no one is comparable to Him.
Muslims believe in Angels of God who perform every duty assigned to them with
perfection. Angels are not programmed to make any sin or mistake. Gabriel is an arch
angel, close to God.
Muslims believe in all the books sent by God through revelations to different Prophets.
Muslims also believe in all Prophets of God. They all brought the same message of strict
monotheism.
Muslims believe there is life after death. People will be resurrected and will give account
of their beliefs and deeds in this World. Then God will decide who will go to heaven and
who to hell or forgiven.
Muslims believe in predestination and that the results of all our efforts have been
predestined. Therefore on the Day of Judgment we will be accounted for our efforts to do
well, and not on the final result as result has already been predestined and is not in our
control. (Explanation)
Who was Muhammad (pbuh): Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was born in Makkah in the
year 571 CE. at a time when Christianity was not fully established in Europe. Since his
father had died before his death and mother soon afterwards, he was raised by his uncle.
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. He was of a deeply religious in
nature and had long detested the decadence of his society. He used to meditate in the
Cave of Hira on the top of Jabale Nur, the mountain of light in the vicinity of Makkah.
At the age of 40, while contemplating in the Cave of Hira, Angel Gabriel approached him
and gave him the first message from God. These messages keep coming though for 23
years, till his death. The revelations were written down as soon as they were received by
the Prophet.
Prophet Muhammad practiced what he preached. Prophet Muhammad displayed several
miracles in his lifetime, Qur’an being the living miracle as its language and philosophy is
par excellence and Prophet Muhammad did not know to read and write. He said the angel
“brings me the revelations from God and I pass it to the mankind”. His teaching was so
powerful that within a period of 23 years he was able to convert the pagans Arabia into
the best of philosophers, doctors, engineers, architect, and took the torch of Islam from
Spain to China within 90 years after his death. To this day all except Spain, remain
Muslim.
What is Qur’an: Qur’an is the collection of the all the revelations sent to Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh) and is in Arabic, the original language of revelation. Thus it is the
WORD of GOD. Translations of Qur’an are now available in all languages of the World
for non Arabic speaking people. Quran has been preserved without any change for the
past 1400 years as can be seen from the copy of the earliest seventh century Qur’an
available in Topkapi Museum in Istanbul, with no difference from present day Qur’an.
Qur’an also contains information unknown to mankind at the time of the Prophet in 7th
Century and Prophecies about future. Thus Qur’an being the direct Word of God is the
foremost source of Islamic Law.(called Sharia).
The Universe is the Work of God. Thus there cannot be any conflict between the Work of
God and the Word of God. Thus all the physical laws which govern the system of
Universe, to Muslims are the natural laws of God. Anything which is revealed in Qur’an
will therefore has no conflict with the physical laws. It may happen that some laws
described by Quran are not yet known to man and will be known many years or centuries
later.
What do Muslims act? Muslims are supposed to follow the five Pillars of Islam.
Belief in One God (Strict Monotheism), Praying to God 5 times a day, Giving a
percentage of annual saving as charity to the needy and poor, and pilgrimage to
Makkah at least once in life time (If one can afford it).
Duties towards other human being include following the strict code of family laws,
Muslims are not supposed to take part in usury, pre-marital sex, game of chance,
back biting (unless called upon as witness). Muslims don’t consume any alcohol nor
use pork or pork products.
Islamic Funeral Rites: Care for the dying, funeral prayers, burial, and mourning
Natural Death
Death is a very painful and emotional time, yet one that may be filled with hope and
mercy. Muslims believe that death is a departure from the life of this world, but not the
end of a person's existence. Rather, eternal life is to come, and we pray for God's mercy
to be with the departed, in hopes that they may find peace and happiness in the life to
come.
Care for the Dying: When a Muslim is near death, those around him or her are called
upon to give comfort, and reminders of God's mercy and forgiveness. They may recite
verses from the Qur'an, give physical comfort, and encourage the dying one to recite
words of remembrance and prayer. It is recommended, if at all possible, for a Muslim's
PLACE OF WOMEN IN ISLAM.
Women have right over men as men have rights over women.
• Sustenance of family is sole responsibility of men. Men cannot compel women work
to support the family. But women may do so at their own discretion.
• Islam requires highest respect, support and companionship to your parents.
• “Your Heaven lies under the feet of your mother“ - Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
• Since last 1400 years, Muslim women can own property, own business (as did
Khadijah the wife of the Prophet (pbuh))
• Women inherit the property of deceased father, mother, son, brother or husband.
• A muslim woman does not normally take after her husband's name upon marriage
• Muslim women take active part in the political and social affairs of society
• In Islam a marriage is a contract between a man and woman (not ‘holy
matrimonial’.) Women can introduce any non un-Islamic clause, for own protection.
• Women can initiate divorce, if incompatible.
Contact: Owais Bayunus
Tel: 651 428 9956 (Direct)
651 459 9568
E-mail: [email protected]