WHAT
IS ISLAM?
Can we find an explanation of the great
universe? Is
there any convincing interpretation of the secret of existence?
We realize
that no family can function properly without a responsible head,
that no
city can prosperously exist without sound administration, and
that no state
can survive without a leader of some kind. We also realize that
nothing
comes into being on its own. Moreover, we observe that the
universe exists
and functions in the most orderly manner, and that it has
survived for
hundreds of thousand of years. Can we then say that all this is
accidental
and haphazard? Can we attribute the existence of man and the
whole world to
mere chance.
Man represents only a very small portion of
the great
universe. And if he can make plans and appreciate the merits of
planning,
then his own existence and the survival of the universe must
also be a
planned policy. This means that there is an extraordinary power
to bring
things into being and keep them moving in order.
In the world then must be a great force in
action to keep
everything in order. In the beautiful nature there must be a
Great creator
who creates the most charming pieces of art produces every thing
for a
special purpose in life. The deeply enlightened people recognize
this
creator and call him Allah "God". He is not a man
because no man can create
or make another man. He is not an animal, nor he is a plant. He
is neither
an Idol nor is He a statue of any kind because non of these
things can make
itself or create anything else. He is different from all these
things
because he is the maker and keeper of them all. The maker of
anything must
be different from and greater than things which he
makes.
There are various ways to know God
"ALLAH'' and there are
many things to tell about him. The great wonders and impressive
marvels of
the world are like open books in which we can read about God.
Besides, God
Himself comes to our aid through the many Messengers and
revelations He has
sent down to man. These Messengers and revelations tell us
everything we
need to know about God.
The complete acceptance of the teachings and
guidance of
God 'Allah' as revealed to His Messengers Muhammad is the
religion of Islam.
Islam enjoins faith in the oneness and sovereignty of Allah,
which makes man
aware of meaningfulness of the Universe and of his place in it.
This belief
frees him from all fears and superstitions by making him
conscious of the
presence of the Almighty Allah and of man's obligations towards
Him. This
faith must be expressed and tested in actions, faith alone is
not enough.
Belief in one God requires that we look upon all humanity as one
family
under the universal Omnipotence of God the Creator and Nourisher
of all.
Islam rejects the idea of chosen people, making belief in God
and good
actions the only way to heaven. Thus, a direct relationship in
established
with God, without any intercessor.
Islam is not a new religion. It is, in
essence, the same
message and guidance which Allah revealed to all Prophets. Adam,
Noah,
Abraham, Ismael, David, Moses and Jesus (PBUT). But the message
which was
revealed to Prophet Mohammed (PBUT) is Islam in its
comprehensive, complete
and final form.
The Quran is the last revealed word of Allah
and the
basic source of Islamic teachings and laws. The Quran deals with
the basis
of creeds, morality, history of humanity, worship, knowledge,
wisdom,
God-man relationship, and human relationship in all aspects.
Comprehensive
teaching on which, can be built sound systems of social justice,
economics,
politics, legislation, jurisprudence, law and international
relations, are
important contents of the Quran. Hadith, the teachings, sayings
and actions
of Prophet Mohammed (PBUT), meticulously reported and collected
by his
devoted companions. Explained and elaborated the Quranic
verses.
THE
FUNDAMENTAL
ARTICLES OF FAITH IN ISLAM
The true
faithful
Muslim believes in the following Principal articles of
faith:-
- He believes in One God 'Allah', Supreme and
Eternal, Infinite and
Mighty, Merciful and Compassionate, Creator and
Provider.
- He believes in all Messengers of God without any
discrimination
among them. Every known nation had a warner or Messenger
from God. They
were chosen by God to teach mankind and deliver His
divine message. The
Quran mentions the name of twenty five of them. Among
them Mohammad
stands as the last Messenger and the crowning glory of
the foundation of
Prophethood.
- Muslin believes in all scriptures and revelations
of God. They
were the guiding light which the Messengers received to
show their
respected peoples the Right Path of God. In the Quran a
special
reference is made to the books of Abraham, Moses, David
and Jesus. But
long before the revelations has been lost or corrupted.
The only
authentic and complete book of God in existence in the
Quran.
- The true Muslim believes in the Angels of Allah.
They are purely
spiritual and splendid beings whose nature requires on
food, drink or
sleep. They spend their days and nights in the worship
of God.
- Muslim believes in the last Day of Judgement.
This world will
come to an end someday, and the dead will rise to stand
for their final
and fair trial. People with good records will be
generously, rewarded
and warmly welcomed to the Heaven of Allah, and those
with bad records
will be punished and cast into Hell.
- Muslim believes in the timeless knowledge of God
and His power to
plan and execute His planes and nothing could happen in
His Kingdom
against His will. His knowledge and power are in action
at all times and
command over His creation. He is wise and merciful, and
whatever He does
must have a meaningful purpose. If this is established
in our mind and
hearts, we should accept with good faith all that He
does, although we
may fail to under stand it fully, or think it is bad.
THE
FIVE PILLARS OF
ISLAM
Faith without actions arid practice is a dead
end, as far
as Islam is concerned. Faith by nature is very sensitive and can
be most
effective. When it is not out of practice or out of use, it
quickly loses
its liveliness and motivation power.
There are five
pillars of Islam:
- The declaration of faith: To bear witness that
there is none
worthy of worship except Allah, and that Mohammad (PBUH)
is His
Messenger to all human beings till the Day of Judgment.
The Prophethood
of Mohammad obliges the Muslims to follow, His exemplary
life as a
model.
- Prayers: Daily, prayers are offered five times a
day as a duty
towards Allah. They strengthen and enliven the belief in
Allah and
inspire man to a higher morality. They purify the heart
and prevent
temptation towards wrong - doings and evil.
- Fasting the month of Ramadan. The Muslims during
the month of
Ramadan not only abstain from food, drink and sexual
intercourse from
dawn to sunset but also sincerity and devotion. It
develops a sound
social conscience, patience, unselfishness and will -
Power.
- Zakkah: The literal and simple meaning of Zakkah
is purity. The
technical meaning of this word designates the annual
amount in kind or
coin which a Muslim with means must distribute among the
rightful
beneficiaries. But the religious and spiritual
significance of Zakkah is
much deeper and more lively. So it has humanitarian and
sociopolitical
values.
- Hajj (Pilgrimage to Makkah): It is to be
performed once in a
lifetime, if one can afford it financially and
physically.
