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Introduction of Islam About Islam |
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Islam which is the world fasted growing
and second largest
religion that has the follower all over the world, 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.
Islam is not a new religion. It is a continuation of Divine revelations. According to Islam, religions are not to compete with one another because all religions came from Allah for the purpose of guiding. Islam is both a religion and a complete way of life. Islam is not only a religion of spirituality, but also a religion of physical and social life. In other words, Islam does not separate the spiritual life from the materialistic life. Man in Islam is soul and body the soul has its needs and the body has its needs, and all needs should be organized and satisfied. The Muslims are the one who believe in Islam and follow its teaching. Muslims follow a religion of peace, mercy, and forgiveness. One fifth of the world's population are 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, Japan, North and South America, Australia and Europe. While large Muslim population live in peace and tolerate other faith, unfortunately through few misguided Muslims, who in fact are promoted by anti-Muslims, are used by their opponents to defame the whole Muslims community and Islam. | |
| Some historians in the West call Islam Muhammadanism. But Islam is Islam and not Muhammadanism. A believer in Islam is called a Muslim and not a Muhammadan. Those who mislabel Islam as Muhammadanism do this in analogy to Christianity, Confucianism, and Buddhism, which are called after Christ, Confucius, and Buddha respectively. | |
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The root of the word Islam is silm, i.e., peace, which denotes peace with God and man. Further, Islam means submission to God an obedience to His orders. In this sense, Islam is the religion of all prophets, who submitted to the words of Allah, i.e., God. Thus, Islam, by definition, means the submission of all prophets and all peoples to Allah. This overall submission to Allah implies the unity of all humans and the brotherhood of all races. | |
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A Muslim believes in all prophets and all Revealed Books. Islam includes all revealed religions before Islam. The Holy Quran mentions: Say we believe in Allah and that which has been revealed to us and which was revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes, and in that which was given to Moses and Jesus and in that Which was given to the prophets from their Lord; we make no difference between any of them and unto Him we have surrendered. Quran (2:136) Thus Islam confirm that the previous religions brought by previous prophets were basically from Allah. The followers of their religion with due course of time altered the teaching of their religion and deviated from the true path. Now the Quran is only Divine book, which exist in its original form as it was revealed. 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 Calipha Omar entered Jerusalem in the year 634, Islam granted freedom of worship to all religious communities in the city. In India during 800 years of Muslims rule, ancient Hindu place of worships and culture were protected and they did not force them to adopt Islam or Islamic culture. 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 love those who are just. (Quran 60:8) Islamic law also permits non-Muslim minorities to set up their own courts, which implement family laws drawn up by the minorities themselves. | |
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Allah has completed His message to mankind, so no other messenger will come after Mohammed (PBUH). Islam is the final religion revealed by Allah. The Holy mentions: This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor on you, and chosen for you Islam as a religion. (Quran 5:3) | |
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O you who believe!
Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even though it be
against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor, Allah
is a Better Protector to both, So follow not the lusts, lest you may avoid
justice, and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah
is Ever Well Acquainted with what you do!. (Quran 4:135)
O you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah and be just witnesses and let not the enmity and hatred of others make you avoid justice. Be just: that is nearer to piety, and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Well-Acquainted with what you do. (Quran 5:8) | |
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And fight in the Way
of Allah those fight you, but transgress not the limits. Truly, Allah likes
not the transgressors. (Quran 2:190)
And what is wrong with you that you fight not in the Cause of Allah, and for those weak, ill-treated and oppressed among men, women, and children, whose cry is: 'Our Lord! Rescue us from this town whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from You one who will protect, and raise for us from You one who will help.' (Quran 4:75) Except those who join a group, between you and whom there is a treaty, or those who approach you with their breasts restraining from fighting you as well as fighting their own people. Had Allah willed, indeed He would have given them power over you, and they would have fought you. So if they withdraw from you, and fight not against you, and offer you peace, then Allah has opened no way for you against them. (Quran 4:91) | |
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  Holy Kaba Black Stone The Ka'ba is called the Sacred House or the Ancient House, or the First House of Divine worship. This sacred house Ka'ba was build over four thousand years ago by prophet Abraham (PBUH) and his son prophet Ishmael. The building was constructed of stone on what many believe was the original site of a sanctuary established by Adam. The Black Stone, which is fixed at one corner, is one of the oldest stones which were used in building the Ka'ba for the first time. Each time the Ka'ba was rebuilt, this stone was kept in its place to symbolize the continuity and unity of all prophets. Allah commanded prophet Abraham to summon all mankind to visit this place, and when Muslim pilgrims go there today they say 'At Thy service, O Lord', in response to Abraham's summons. This is a symbol of unity of all revealed religions. When a Muslim prays, they must face the Ka'ba as a symbol of the unity of all Muslims and all believers in Allah. The Muslim pilgrims turn round the Ka'ba seven times. This act of circumambulating starts from the side of the corner where the Black Stone is fixed. The pilgrim kisses or touches or points at this stone in the beginning of every circumambulating. The Muslims do this is just because of the tradition of prophets, otherwise this black stone has no religious value. | |
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