Islam

What is Islam?

It is the religion of the Muslims. A monotheistic religion, which was revealed by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Muslims submit to Allah (SWT)- by stating that there is no God but Allah, and Mohammad (PBUH) is His last and final messenger.

Submission is the first step to becoming a true Muslim.

The Five Pillars

Muslims have the five pillars of Islam, which can be said to be their guide to the tenants of the religion

Shahada

Shahada is the first pillar in Islam. It means to witness, or testify, that there is no God but Allah, and Muhammad (PBUH) is His last and final messenger.

This is the biggest step to becoming a Muslim.

Salat

Salat—or prayer—are the 5 prayers that are requested to be done by Muslims everyday.

The five prayers are Fajir, Dhur, Asr, Maghrib, and Ishaa. They are all done facing the Kaa’ba in Mecca.

Almsgiving (Zakat)

Known as a type of purification in Islam, giving a portion of ones income to the poor or needy.

Allah sees refusal to give zakat—when one is financially stable—as a sign of hypocrisy.

Fasting during Ramadan

Ramadan is the 9th and holiest month of the Islamic year. For 30 days, Muslims will fast from sunrise to sunset—this excludes food and water and all impure acts.

Ramadan is important for Muslims because fasting during Ramadan is not for the sake of the of the worshippers, but instead for God.

The Hajj

The fifth and final pillar of Islam is Hajj to the holy city of Mecca. It is a religious duty that is required by all financially able Muslims at least once in their lifetime.

The importance of Hajj

Hajj teaches Muslims many things, but one important lesson is one that all Muslims will come to realize during Hajj: their dependence on Allah. Realizing that they will forever need his mercy and forgiveness is a non-forgettable lesson.

Muslims who complete the pilgrimage are said to be “newly born.” They are washed of their sins and start fresh as if it was the day they were born.

Muslim Lifestyle

Muslims have brought in the commands of Allah into their normal lifestyle which both flow together.

Muslims do not drink alcohol. The reason for this is because these are both intoxicating and apart of Satan’s handiwork. Alcohol is an intoxicating substance, and it allows the drinker to lose consciousness and will no longer have control over his or her actions.

Lifestyles cont.

Gambling is also a sin (haram) because it’s earning profit that you did not earn. An example being you put up $1.00 to gamble, but you earn $10.00 instead. Eventually, gambling becomes and addiction for many.

Muslims also do not eat pork because of it’s uncleanliness and impurity.

Muslim women are also asked to dress modestly, not revealing and showing skin.

Muslims in general are required to “lower their gaze” to prevent temptations or impure thoughts.

Facts about Muslims

A central belief for all Muslims is to believe in all the messengers (i.e. Jesus, Moses, Abraham,) as well as their revelations (Torah, Psalms, Gospels, the Bible, etc.)

One cannot be considered a true Muslim if he/she does not believe in all the messengers.

The Quran, of all the books, has preserved its faith throughout time. The Prophet (PBUH) forbade writing anything other than the words he said. He made sure that nothing but the Quran was written (safe-guarded).

The Quran itself states the word of God saying that the Quran will be preserved and unchangeable.

Misconceptions

Muslims: are they terrorists? Has their religion pushed them to the extreme acts that we see in our modern times today? Does their “God” tell them to commit these acts?

Islam is a peaceful religion. With every religion comes its extremists, or those who will make their own interpretations of the holy book and act upon their interpretation.

Unfortunately, media and social interpretations of these horrendous acts caused by extreme minorities have been used as the reflection of the entire Muslim nation.

In Islam, killing—whether for the sake of killing or with a purpose—is unforgiveable.

However, Islam has come to be the center of attention world wide. The word “Muslim” or even “Arab” may trigger thoughts of terrorism because of how Islam has been portrayed in the Media.

Muslims are not asked by Allah to force Islam on anyone. They are not required to forcefully convert anyone to become a believer. Allah asks that we spread the word of Islam—the correct, truthful word—and make it known to everyone. But after it is known, this is where the line is drawn.

No minority extremists should represent a majority nation. Islam is a peaceful and

beautiful religion, and its true believers do not wish to harm or corrupt followers of other faiths.

In the end, we are all one nation, under one God.