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What Do Muslims Believe
 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 all the Prophets through whom His revelations were brought to mankind; in
the Day of Judgment 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
re-confirmation of the eternal message and a summing-up of all that has gone
before was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (may peace and blessings be upon
him) through the Angel Gabriel. Top 
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.
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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
and his son, Ishmael, established the settlement which today is the city of Makkah, and built the
Ka'abah towards which all Muslims turn when they pray.
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What is the Ka'abah?
The Ka'abah 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.
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Who is Muhammad?
Muhammad was born in Makkah in the year 570 AD. 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.
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 Jaba al-Nur, the 'Mountain of Light' near Makkah.
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How did he become a Prophet and a Messenger of God?
At the age of 40, while engaged in a meditative retreat, Muhammad (may peace
and blessings be upon him) received his
first revelation from God through the Angel Gabriel. This revelation, which
continued for twenty-three years, is known as the Qur'an.
As soon as be 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 AD, God gave
them the command to emigrate. This event, the Hijra, 'migration', in which they
left Makkah for the city of Yathrib, now known as 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.
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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.
Top
 What is the Qur'an?
The Qur'an 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 Qur'an is in every detail the unique and miraculous text
which was revealed to Muhammad fourteen centuries ago.
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What is the Qur'an About?
The Qur'an, the last revealed Message 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.
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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.
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Examples of the Prophet's sayings
The Prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) 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
pious, 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'.
From the Hadith collections of Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi and Bayhaqi
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What are the 'Five Pillars' of Islam?
They are the framework of the Muslim life: Faith, Prayer, Zakat, Fasting,
and Hajj.
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.
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 2. PRAYER
Salah 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, chosen by the congregation, who has the most knowledge of the Qur'an. These five
prayers contain verses from the Qur'an, 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.
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The Call to Prayer
The Call to Prayer is made at the time of each prayer to announce that prayer
time has entered and to call people to pray. The mu'adhdhin (muzzein, one giving
the call) recites the adhan (call to prayer) in a loud voice, pausing after each
line. The table below lists the actual words transliterated in English in the
first column and their meanings in the next column.
| Transliteration |
Translation |
Allâhu akbar Allâhu akbar
Allâhu akbar Allâhu akbar
Ash-hadu al-lââ ilâha illa-llâh
Ash-hadu al-lââ ilâha illa-llâh
Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan rasûlu-llâh
Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan rasûlu-llâh
Hayya ‘ala-s-salâh! Hayya ‘ala-s-salâh!
Hayya ‘ala-l-falâh! Hayya ‘ala-l-falâh!
Allâhu akbar, Allâhu akbar
Lââ ilâha illa-llâh |
God is Greatest. God is Greatest.
God is Greatest. God is Greatest.
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. |
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3. '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, the payment of
Zakat 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
wealth and assets each year (in excess of what is required) .
A Muslim may also give as much as he or she pleases as Sadaqa, common charity,
and does so preferably in secret.
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 is 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
restrain
himself from doing evil. That is also charity.'
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4. THE FAST
Every year, in the month of Ramadan, all Muslim adults fast from dawn till
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.
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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'abah seven times, and going seven times between the mountains of Safa and
Marwa as did Hagar, the wife of Abraham, 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 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.
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Does Islam tolerate other beliefs?
The Qur'an 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. (Qur'an, 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.
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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 Qur'an confirms his virgin birth (a chapter of the Qur'an is entitled 'Mary'),
and Mary is considered the purest woman in all creation. The Qur'an 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.' (Qur'an, 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. (3:59)
During his prophetic mission Jesus performed many miracles. The Qur'an 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)
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 Qur'an
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. (3:50)
The Prophet Muhammad said:
If anyone testifies that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah (God),
alone without partner, and that Muhammad is His Slave and His Apostle, and that
Jesus is Allah's Slave and His Apostle and His Word which He bestowed on Mary
and a Spirit created by Him, and that Paradise and Hell are true, God will admit
him into Paradise. (Hadith from Bukhari)
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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.
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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 (may peace and blessings be upon him) said:
'The most perfect in faith amongst believers is he who is best in manner and
kindest to his wife.'
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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 Qur'an, only
on condition that the husband is scrupulously fair.
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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.
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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 Qur'an 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)
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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
righteous children.
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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 Qur'an 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.
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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!'
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How does Islam guarantee Human Rights?
Freedom of conscience is laid down by the Qur'an 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 Qur'an 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)
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Further Information:
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Islam
For centuries the people of
the Arabian Peninsula have possessed a strong identity based upon the
tenets of Islam. Saudi Arabia is a modern nation that adheres to Islam,
honors its Arab heritage and tradition, and presses vigorously forward
in the service of Islam while securing the welfare of its people.
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The Coming of the Prophet
Around the year 570 AD,
Muhammad was born into a family of the ruling tribe of Makkah. Makkah, a
caravan city in the western region of Arabia, grew around the Ka'abah
(the House of God), a shrine of ancient origins built by Abraham and his
son Ishmael.
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The Rise of Islam
Islam is at once a religion and a total way of life. It prescribes order
for individuals, societies and governments and codifies law, family
relationships, matters of business, etiquette, dress, food, hygiene and
much more.
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