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 (SAW)
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 (SAW) 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 (SAW) from the eldest, Ishmael,
and Moses and Jesus, peace be upon them, from Isaac.
Abraham established the settlement which today is the
city of Makkah, and built the Ka'ba towards which all
Muslims turn when they pray. To find out more, visit: An
Islamic perspective on Christianity.
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 (SAW) 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 (SAW) 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 he 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. 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 (SAW) and his
followers were able to return to Makkah, where they
forgave their enemies and established Islam
definitively. Before the Prophet (SAW) 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 (SAW) '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. The Prophet (SAW)
said, 'Seek knowledge even into China': the Hui Shen
mosque was built in the seventh century.
What
is the Quran?
The Quran is a record
of the exact words revealed by God through the Angel
Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). It was memorized
by Muhammad (SAW) 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 (SAW) fourteen centuries ago.
To find out more, visit: The
Holy Quran
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 (SAW), is the second
authority for Muslims. A hadith is a reliably
transmitted report of what the Prophet (SAW) said, did,
or approved. Belief in the sunna is part of the Islamic
faith.
Examples of the
Prophet's sayings
The Prophet (SAW)
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 (SAW) was asked: 'Messenger of God,
are we rewarded for kindness towards animals?' He said,
'There is a reward for kindness to every living thing.'
(From the hadith
collections of Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi and Bayhaqi.)
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.
First Pillar: 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.
Second Pillar:
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.'
Once Muslims prayed
towards Jerusalem, but during the Prophet's lifetime it
was changed to Makkah. From the minbar, the pulpit, the
Imam who leads the prayer gives the sermon at the Friday
noon community prayers.
Third Pillar: 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 (SAW) said: 'Even meeting your
brother with a cheerful face is charity.'
TheProphet (SAW)
said: 'Charity is a necessity for every Muslim.' He was
asked: 'What if a person has nothing?' TheProphet (SAW)
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 (SAW) said: 'He should help poor
and needy persons.' The Companions further asked 'What
if he cannot do even that?' The Prophet (SAW) said 'He
should urge others to do good.' The Companions said
'What if he lacks that also?' The Prophet (SAW) said 'He
should check himself from doing evil. That is also
charity.'
Fourth Pillar: 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 joumey,
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 selfpurification. 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.
Fifth Pillar: The
Pilgrimmage (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 comer 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 Judgement. In
previous centunes the Hajj was an arduous undertaking.
Today, however, Saudi Arabia provides millions of people
with water, modem 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::qs60.8})
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 minonties to set up their own courts,
which implement family laws drawn up by the minorities
themselves. 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. According to Islam, man is not born in 'onginal
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 (SAW) 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::qs3.42}-7)
Jesus (SAW) was born
miraculously through the same power which had brought
Adam (SAW) 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. ({3.59::qs3.59})
During his prophetic
mission Jesus (SAW) 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.' ({3.49::qs3.49})
Neither Muhammad (SAW)
norJesus (SAW) 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 (SAW) is
reported as saying that he came:
'To attest the law
which was before me. And to make lawful to you paff of
what was forbidden you; I have come to you with a sign
from your Lord, so fear God and obey Me.' (3:5O)
The Prophet Muhammad
(SAW) said: 'Whoever believes there is no god but
God, alone without partner, that Muhammad (SAW) 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. To find
out more, visit: Family
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.' To find out
more, visit: Women
in Islam
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.
Is
an Islamic marriage like a 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 (SAW) 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::qs17.23}-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
Judgement, 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 (SAW) 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-defence, in defence 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::qs2.190})
'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::qs8.61})
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 dnnk.
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 (SAW) said:
'Ask God for
certainty [of faith] and well-being; for after
certainty, no one is given any gift better than health!'
What
is Islam's presence 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 Eastem 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 modelled 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.
How
does Islam guarantee human rights?
Freedom of
conscience is laid down by the Quran itself: 'There is
no compulsion in religion'. ({2.256::qs2.256})
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::qs49.13})
What
is the makeup of The Muslim World?
The Muslim population
of the world is around one billion. Most Muslims live
east of Karachi. 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 minonties in almost evervy area including Latin
America and Australia, they are most numerous in the
Soviet Union, India, and central Afnca. There are 5
million Muslims in the United States.
