About Islam

by the Council on Islamic Education

 

INTRODUCTION

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What is Islam?

 

The term Islam derives from the three-letter Arabic root s-l-m, which generates words with interrelated meanings, including "surrender," "submission," "commitment" and "peace." Commonly, Islam refers to the monotheistic religion revealed to Muhammad ibn (son of) Abdullah between 610 and 632 of the Common Era. The name Islam was instituted by the Qur'an, the sacred scripture revealed to Muhammad. For believers, Islam is not a new religion. Rather, it represents the last reiteration of the primordial message of God's Oneness, a theme found in earlier monotheistic religious traditions.

 

Though Islam can be described as a religion, it is viewed by its adherents in much broader terms. Beyond belief in specific doctrines and performance of important ritual acts, Islam is practiced as a complete and natural way of life, designed to bring God into the center of one's consciousness, and thus one's life. Essentially, by definition Islam is a worldview focused on belief in the One God and commitment to His commandments.

 

What does the term "Allah" mean?

 

The Arabic word Allah is a contraction of the words "al" and "ilah," and literally means "The God." Believers in Islam understand Allah to be the proper name for the Creator as found in the Qur'an. The name Allah is analogous to Eloh, a Semitic term found in the divine scriptures revealed to Muhammad's predecessors Moses and Jesus (may peace be upon them all).

 

The use of the term Allah is not confined to believers in Islam alone - Arabic-speaking Christians and Jews also use Allah in reference to God, demonstrating thereby that followers of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism believe in a common monotheistic Creator, a fact that many people are surprised to learn. One reason for this may be that English-speaking persons are accustomed to the term God, whereas believers in Islam, regardless of their native language, use the Arabic word Allah. This difference in usage may cause people to view the term Allah with reticence and uncertainty, preventing them from making the connection between the Arabic name and the accepted English equivalent term. In other words, Allah means "God," like Dios and Dieu mean "God" in Spanish and French, respectively.

 

Who are Muslims?

 

The word Muslim, like Islam, comes from the three-letter Arabic root s-l-m, and literally means "one who submits (to God)." Islam teaches that everything in Creation - microbes, plants, animals, mountains and rivers, planets, and so forth - is "muslim," testifying to the majesty of the Creator and submitting or committing to His divine laws. Human beings, also, are considered fundamentally "muslim" (submitters to God) in their original spiritual orientation, but being unique creations endowed with abilities of reason, judgment, and choice, they may remain on a God-conscious, righteous path towards divine reward, or may veer away as a consequence of upbringing and life-choices.

 

More commonly, the term Muslim refers to one who believes in the Shahadah (the declaration of faith containing the basic creed of Islam) and embraces a lifestyle in accord with Islamic principles and values. Anybody may be or become a Muslim, regardless of gender, race, nationality, color, or social or economic status. A non-Muslim who decides to enter Islam does so by reciting the Shahadah, (pronounced La-Ilaha Ila Allah, Muhammad-un Rasool Allah) witnessing that "there is no deity but Allah (God), and Muhammad is His Messenger."

 

Where do Muslims live throughout the world?

 

Over 1.2 billion people throughout the world are adherents of Islam. In other words, one out of every five human beings on the planet is a Muslim. Islam is the religion of diverse peoples living in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Central, East, South and Southeast Asia, Japan, Australia, and North and South America. The global spectrum of races, ethnicities and cultures finds representation in the worldwide Muslim community.

 

While Islam is often associated almost exclusively with the Middle East, Arabs comprise only about 15-18% of all Muslims. Interestingly, the country with the largest population of Muslims (over 160 million) is Indonesia, an island nation in Southeast Asia. Furthermore, the Muslim peoples of the South Asian subcontinent (living in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka) constitute about 25% of all Muslims, while those of Africa comprise close to 20%of the total. Surprisingly to some, there are nearly as many Muslims in China as there are in Iran, Egypt or Turkey (over 50 million). Moreover, Muslims constitute sizeable minorities in many Western European countries, including England (over 2 million), France (over 2 million - about 10% of the French population), and Germany (about 2 million). See the chart on the following page for more details.

 

Do Muslims share a single culture?

 

Muslims throughout the world share the same essential beliefs, values, and God-centered approach to the world. Furthermore, all Muslims look to the Qur'an and the lifestyle and traditions of Prophet Muhammad for guidance in their daily affairs. In this respect, since Muslims, the world over, try to implement Qur'anic and Prophetic guidance, it may be said that Muslims share a common Islamic culture, focusing on shared principles and values. As a result, Muslims typically feel at home among their co-religionists anywhere in the world.

 

At the same time, the ethnic, regional or material cultures of Muslims vary tremendously across the globe. Muslims exhibit different styles of clothing, different tastes for food and drink, diverse languages, and varying traditions and customs. American Muslims fall within this panorama and are in many ways culturally distinct from Muslims living in other societal contexts. Little League baseball, apple pie, and jazz music are as natural to American Muslims as they are to other Americans. Even so, certain aspects of popular American culture (such as pre-marital relations, consumption of alcohol, and certain styles of dress) do not accord with Islamic principles.

 

Muslims view the diversity found throughout the ummah (worldwide Muslim community) as a natural part of God's plan for humanity and believe it contributes to Islam's continued vitality and universal ethos. Consequently, rather than imposing arbitrary cultural uniformity, diverse cultural practices are encouraged and supported. So long as a given cultural practice or tradition does not violate teachings of Islam as found in the Qur'an and traditions of Prophet Muhammad, it is considered legitimate and possibly even beneficial. Using this approach, Muslims throughout history have been able to retain in large part their own distinct cultures, discarding only those elements contrary to the basic moral and ethical principles of Islam.

 

How many Muslims live in the United States?

 

An estimated six million Muslims live in North America, and of these, two and a half million are Americans who have embraced Islam (i.e. they were not born into the faith). Dr. John R. Weeks, Director of the International Population Center, San Diego State University, a noted demographer and author, states: "There can be no question that the Muslim population in this country is large and is growing at a fairly rapid pace." It is projected that by the turn of the century, Islam will be the second largest religion in the United States. Even today, Muslims outnumber Episcopalians, Lutherans, Presbyterians, the United Church of Christ and many other Christian denominations, and almost as many Muslims as Jews call America their home.

 

The United States Department of Defense reports that there are currently more than 9,000 Muslims on active duty in the U.S. armed services. A number of leading American scientists, physicians, sports figures, and scholars are Muslim. Clearly, Muslims are part of the diverse fabric of America, playing a productive role in our society as neighbors, co-workers, colleagues, schoolmates, and friends. Most American Muslims share in the effort to make this nation, as well as the world, a more moral, just and peaceful place in which to live, worship and prosper.

 

What is the Muslim community in America like?

 

Muslims from various walks of life live in every state of the union. The ten states with the most concentrated Muslim populations, listed from highest concentration, are California, New York, Illinois, New Jersey, Indiana, Michigan, Virginia, Texas, Ohio, and Maryland. Muslims in these ten states constitute 3.3 million (more than 50%) of the American Muslim population.

 

There are more than 1,200 masjids (mosques) throughout the United States, as well as over 400 Islamic schools (over 150 full-time), three colleges, 400 associations, an estimated 200,000 businesses, and over 200 publications, journals, and weekly newspapers.

 

The number of houses of worship serves as one measure of the growth of Islam in the United States. In 1930, there were 19 masjids in America. By 1960 there were more than 230; by 1980 over 600; and as noted above, by 1995 over 1,200.

 

The diversity of Muslims in the United States is a hallmark of the community - virtually every race, ethnicity and culture is represented among American Muslims, making for a unique experience not found anywhere else in the world.

 

What is the history of Islam in America?

 

The history of Islam in the New World in some sense precedes that of the United States itself. Artifacts with Arabic inscriptions, antedating the European "voyages of discovery" have been found in the Mississippi delta and other locales, lending credence to the possibility of Arab expeditions into the as-then-uncharted Ocean Sea, as the Atlantic Ocean was commonly known. Arab scientists and astronomers knew the earth to be round long before the concept gained currency in European circles. But when it did, European sailing vessels, including those under Christopher Columbus' command that crossed the Atlantic in search of an alternate passage to Asia often enlisted Muslim crewmembers, due to their expertise in maritime navigation. Also, since European explorers, who spoke little Arabic, expected to reach India (hence the term "Indian" for Native Americans) and the Indian Ocean basin (where Arabs were heavily involved in maritime trade and commerce), taking along Arabs/Muslims as translators or liaisons made sense.

 

Later on in American history, during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, as many as 20% of the slaves brought to the Americas from Africa were Muslims (before being forcibly converted to Christianity). Another group of Muslims, Spaniards known as Mudejars, established roots in the New World after the conquest of Granada in 1492 and the expulsion of Muslims and Jews from Spain resulting from the Inquisition. The influence of these highly skilled Hispano-Arab Muslim craftsmen and artists has had far-reaching effects in American architecture and design, which are still in evidence today, especially in the American Southwest.

 

In the modern era, since the late 1800s, Muslims from all over the world, along with people of other faiths, have immigrated to the U.S. to make a better life for themselves and to contribute their unique talents and sensibilities to the ever-evolving American social matrix. In the last fifty years, a dramatic increase in native-born American Muslims and converts to Islam has taken place as well, providing new generations of Muslims prepared to interact fruitfully with fellow Americans and raise the contributions of the community to higher levels.

 

 

 

BASIC BELIEFS

 

What are the beliefs of Muslims?

 

The central concept in Islam, reflected in the Shahadah, is tawheed, or Oneness of God. For Muslims, there is but One God who is Lord and Sovereign of Creation, and devotion, allegiance, and obedience must first of all be to Him. This view serves as the foundation from which the basic beliefs of Islam emanate, since God is recognized as the Source for all knowledge and understanding. More specifically, the beliefs of Muslims are delineated and described in the Qur'an and in the sayings and traditions of Prophet Muhammad. The practice of Islam is based upon belief in One God (Allah), creations (humanly perceived and unperceived) of God, prophetic leadership, revealed guidance, and a Day of Judgment. Details are provided below.

 

Is there a Judeo-Christian-Islamic tradition?

 

Important doctrinal differences exist between Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Even so, each of the three faiths proceeds from a monotheistic worldview interconnected with that of the other two. The three world religions share belief in successive prophets and revealed scriptures - in fact, the three faiths trace their religious history back to the patriarch Abraham, and earlier to the first human, Adam (considered a prophet in Islam), demonstrating a common history and outlook. Thus, for Muslims Islam culminates what can be described as the Judeo-Christian-Islamic tradition of monotheism.

 

Allah

 

How is God viewed in Islam?

 

The Qur'an, the divinely revealed scripture of Islam, contains numerous verses describing the nature of God. The role of human beings as creations of God upon the earth and their relationship with God are also discussed extensively in the sacred text.

 

"Say: He is God, the One, the Eternal, Absolute. He does not beget, nor is He begotten, and there is none like unto Him." (Qur'an, 112: 1-4)

 

"It is He who brought you forth from the wombs of your mothers when you knew nothing, and He gave you hearing and sight and intelligence and affections that you may give thanks." (Qur'an, 16:78)

 

"No vision can grasp Him, but His grasp is over all vision. He is above all comprehension, yet is acquainted with all things." (Qur'an, 6:103)

 

 

 

Muslims believe that God has no partners or associates who share in His divinity or authority. Muslims also believe that God is transcendent and unlike His creations, and thus has no physical form. Nor is God believed to exist in (or be represented by) any material object. A number of divine attributes or "names," which serve to describe God, are found in the Qur'an. Some commonly known attributes include the Most Merciful, the Most Forgiving, the Most High, the Unique, and the Everlasting, among others.

 

In Islam, human beings, like other creations, are seen as completely unlike God, though they may aspire to exhibit various attributes manifested by God, such as justice or mercy. Furthermore, even while God is believed to be beyond traditional human perception, the Qur'an states, "He is with you wherever you may be" (57:5). For Muslims, God's Oneness heightens the awareness that ultimately all life is bound by Divine Law emanating from a singular source and that life has a meaning and purpose which revolves around the consciousness of God's presence.

 

Moreover, belief in a singular Creator compels conscientious Muslims to view all humanity as one extended family, and treat others with justice and equity. Respect for the environment and natural resources also follows from the Muslim view of God.

 

Angels

 

How do Muslims view Angels?

 

Mala'ikah, or Angels, are believed to be among God's many creations, and belief in angels is symbolic of a Muslim's belief in al-Ghayb, the world of the unseen (a world of which only God has knowledge). Angels are considered heavenly beings created by God to perform various duties. Angels by nature do not deviate from righteousness, as they do not possess an inherent free will, as do human beings.

 

Some angels are considered more prominent than others. Jibreel (Gabriel), for example, is known as the "Angel of Revelation," since he communicated God's revelations and scriptures to various human prophets, and also announced (much to her surprise and incredulity) to Mary, mother of Jesus, that she would bear the messiah awaited by the Children of Israel. Indeed, Jibreel is uniquely described in the Qur'an as a Spirit (ruh) from God due to his role in bridging the divine and human spheres.

 

Muslims also believe that each human being is assigned two angels by God-one to keep track of good deeds, and the other to record bad deeds or sins. Tradition holds that these "personal" angels will present the records of one's deeds to each individual as he or she stands before God on the Day of Judgment.

 

Is Satan a "fallen" angel?

 

Most commentators of the Qur'anic account of Creation do not view Satan as a fallen angel. Rather, he is believed to be one of the jinn, a class of God's creation distinct from angels. The jinn, like angels, exist in the unseen world, and cannot ordinarily be perceived by human beings. Like humans, however, the jinn have been endowed with free will, and thus can choose to act according to God's commands.

 

When God commanded Iblis (the personal name of Satan), a leader among the jinn, to bow before Adam in recognition of human eminence among God's creations, he rebelled and was cast out with his followers. Iblis asked God for a respite until the Day of Judgment to prove that he could undermine humankind's claim to superiority. A recurrent theme in all of God's revelations to humanity is that of Satan's machinations against humankind. The Qur'an repeatedly warns against deviating from the "straight path" by falling prey to Satan's temptations. Satan has no independent source of power over humans-only what they cede to him.

 

Prophets

 

What is the role of prophets in Islam?

 

Muslims believe that God has provided guidance to humanity over the ages through the institution of prophethood. In the Islamic context, prophets are not persons who prophesy (foretell the future); rather they are seen as righteous and truthful messengers selected by God to fulfill the most important mission-calling on people to worship God alone, and teaching them to live righteously, in accordance with God's commandments. Muslims believe prophets, and the scriptures given to some of them, are the only sure sources of God's guidance, and that God has chosen, throughout history, thousands of prophets from among all peoples of the earth, culminating with the last prophet, Muhammad.

 

"Say: We believe in Allah and that which is revealed to us, and in what was revealed to Abraham, Ishma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the tribes, to Moses and Jesus and the other prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Allah we have surrendered ourselves." (Qur'an, 2: 136)

 

 

 

Thus, in Islam, the prophets are seen as spiritual brothers one to another. Some commonly known figures that are considered prophets in Islam include Noah, Jonah, Abraham, Ishmail, Isaac, Joseph, Moses, David, Solomon, and Jesus. The chain of prophethood ended with Muhammad (570-632 C.E.), who lived 600 years after his predecessor Jesus.

 

Essentially, prophets give warnings as well as glad tidings to fellow human beings: warnings of punishment in this world and the next for unjust, immoral people who have turned away from God and His natural order, and glad tidings of reward in this world and the next for those who are conscious of God and follow His guidance as revealed to the prophets.

 

The Qur'an mentions twenty-five prophets by name, and tradition indicates that many thousands of prophets were chosen by God throughout human history between the time of Adam and that of Muhammad.

 

Do Muslims believe in Adam & Eve?

How about "Original Sin"?

 

Adam and Hawwa (the Arabic name for Eve) are believed to be the first human beings, endowed by God with faculties not found in other earthly creatures. Furthermore, the Qur'an indicates that the first souls of man and woman originated from a single soul cleft in two, demonstrating the spiritual coequality of men and women.

 

The blissful Garden in which Adam and Hawwa initially dwelt proved to be a testing ground as well. God had warned the two not to eat of the fruit from a particular tree, yet at the insistence of Iblis (Satan), the two succumbed to temptation. Realizing that they had transgressed against God, the two repented and were ultimately forgiven. Thereafter, God placed the two on earth and multiplied the human race in order to test humanity and give humans the opportunity to demonstrate their highest potential in the face of continued temptation from Satan and his minions.

 

According to the Qur'anic account, both Adam and Eve sinned equally when they disobeyed God's command to stay clear of the forbidden tree; Eve does not figure as a temptress leading to "man's downfall." Furthermore, since God assigns every individual his or her freedom and responsibilities, Muslims do not believe in "Original Sin," the concept that the sin of Adam is inherited by all humankind. Rather, Muslims believe that each person is personally accountable to God, and will be judged by Him according to their good and bad deeds, independent of those of others.

 

"Those who believe and work righteous deeds, from them shall We blot out all evil, and We shall reward them according to the best of their deeds." (Qur'an, 29: 7)

 

What is Islam's view of Jesus?

 

Muslims believe that Jesus was a very important prophet of God, and that he was indeed the Messiah awaited by the Jews of ancient Palestine. Like Christians, Muslims believe Jesus' mission was to reestablish justice among people and rectify deviations that had developed in the religion of the One God. Muslims share with Christians, belief in Jesus' unique birth and various miracles performed by him.

 

"Lo! The angels said: 'O Mary! Behold, God sends thee the glad tiding, through a word from Him, of a son who shall become known as the Christ Jesus, son of Mary, of great honour in this world and in the life to come, and of those who are drawn near to God." (Qur'an, 3: 45)

 

 

 

However, Muslims do not believe in Jesus' divinity, and do not consider Jesus the "Son of God," since to do so would contradict the Qur'anic concept of God's Unity (Oneness). Furthermore, since the concept of "Original Sin" does not exist in Islam, Jesus (nor any other prophet or person) does not play a redemptive role in human salvation. In other words, there is no concept of "vicarious atonement" in Islam. Moreover, Muslims do not share the Christian belief in Jesus' crucifixion. According to the Qur'an, Jesus was assumed (taken up) to the realm of God to spare him such a fate.

 

In the Qur'an, God's creation of Jesus, who had no father, is likened to His creation of Adam, who had neither father nor mother. Both, fashioned out of earth's elemental components, are viewed as direct manifestations of God's Divine Command "Be!"

 

Who was Muhammad?

 

History records that a person by the name Muhammad was born into the tribe of Quraysh in the city of Makkah in 570 C.E. His father, Abdullah, died before his birth. When Muhammad was six years old, his mother, Amina became ill and died. Thus, at a very young age Muhammad experienced the loss of his parents and became an orphan.

 

For the next few years Muhammad was entrusted to his grandfather, Abd al-Muttalib. When Muhammad was eight years old, his grandfather also passed away. His uncle Abu Talib, a well-respected member of the Quraysh tribe, took responsibility for him. Muhammad grew up to become an honest and trustworthy businessman. Indeed, Muhammad's upright and dependable reputation earned him the designation al-Amin ("the Trustworthy One") among his fellow Makkans, and even invited a marriage proposal from Khadijah, a businesswoman in Makkah for whom Muhammad worked.

 

At the age of twenty-five, Muhammad married Khadijah, a widow who was his elder by fifteen years. Their marriage lasted twenty-five years, until Khadijah's death. Muhammad and Khadijah had six children: two sons died in early childhood, and four daughters lived to bless their household.

 

While most of his fellow Makkans were polytheists, Muhammad refused to worship the traditional tribal deities and often retreated to meditate and worship the One God of his ancestor, Abraham. At the age of forty, while meditating in the cave of Hira in the mountains above Makkah, Muhammad received the first of many revelations, beginning with the Arabic word Iqra, meaning "Read" or "Recite." Soon afterwards, he was commanded to convey the Divine message and thus became the last messenger of God, according to the Qur'an.

 

"Read, in the name of thy Lord, Who Created-

Created man, out of a clot (embryo).

Proclaim! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful,

He Who taught the use of the pen-

Taught man that which he knew not." (Qur'an, 96: 1-5)

 

 

 

Muhammad spent the remaining twenty-three years of his life receiving revelations from God and advocating the message of Islam among the peoples of the Arabian Peninsula and working to implement the principles and teachings of Islam in human society. After suffering severe persecution from the polytheistic Makkans for 11 years, he and his fellow Muslims emigrated to Yathrib, a city 200 miles north of Makkah, where he established Islamic rule. The city was renamed Madinah (short for Madinat an-Nabi, City of the Prophet). In the following years, the message of Islam brought more and more tribes in the Arabian Peninsula into the fold, creating a new community based on common religious principles, rather than tribal or other affiliations. Muhammad died in 632 C.E. at the age of 63. His tomb is located adjacent to the Masjid an-Nabawi (Prophet's Masjid) in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, in what used to be his quarters next to the original masjid of the city.

 

What was Muhammad's role as the last prophet?

 

Islam teaches that Muhammad's role, as the final prophet of God was to confirm the authentic teachings of previous prophets and to rectify mistakes or innovations that followers of previous monotheistic faith traditions had introduced into the original religion of humankind. Muhammad is also viewed as the conduit for the completion of God's guidance to humanity; the scope of his mission is seen as encompassing all people, rather than a specific region, group or community. Furthermore, his life serves as a perfect model of how to practice Islam fully.

 

"We have sent you forth to all humankind, so that you may give them good news and warn them." (Qur'an, 34: 28)

 

 

 

Muslims believe that the original revelations or scriptures given by God to prophets such as Abraham, Moses, David, and Jesus had been lost or modified over time. Moreover, the ethno-religious concept of a "chosen people" found in Judaism and the doctrines of Trinity and Original Sin found in Christianity are believed to be later developments that grew away from the original practices and scriptures of previous prophets.

 

Essentially, Muslims view Islam not as a "new" religion, since it embodies the same message and guidance that God revealed to all His messengers, but rather a reestablishment of the "primordial" religion of humankind, centered around recognizing God's Oneness and adhering to His commands. The view of Islam as having achieved its final form through the scripture given to Muhammad and his own teachings is an important aspect of faith. Consequently, Muhammad is considered the final messenger of God, the "Seal" of the Prophets. Any claimants to prophethood after Muhammad, who died in 632 C.E., are not accepted by Muslims.

 

"Muhammad is the father of no man among you.

He is the Apostle of Allah and the seal of the Prophets.

Allah has knowledge of all things." (Qur'an, 33: 40)

 

 

 

What is the "Sunnah" of Muhammad? What are "Hadith"?

 

The term Sunnah refers to the sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad, as distinct from the revelations that comprise the Qur'an. It is the second source of Islam after the Qur'an, for in the Prophet there is a "beautiful pattern of conduct for any whose hope is in God and the Last Day"

(Qur'an, 33:21).

 

When the Prophet's wife Aisha was asked about her husband's character, she stated simply, "It was the Qur'an," meaning that his life was the Qur'an in application. Based on this premise, the Prophet is considered by all Muslims a guide and role model for living a successful life-one who emulates the Prophet receives God's mercy and forgiveness. Following Muhammad's example contributes to a Muslim's efforts fulfill obligations to God and gain entrance into Paradise.

 

One form in which Muhammad's Sunnah has been recorded and preserved is the Hadith (traditions of the Prophet). Hadith are records of the doings and personal sayings of the Prophet. Hadith were painstakingly verified and compiled by scholars in various books in the centuries following the Prophet's death. Six collections of hadith are considered the most authentic; the most commonly used ones being the volumes titled Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.

 

Who were the Sahabah?

 

The Makkah of Muhammad's time was a center of polytheistic practices and tribal affiliations dictated power and social relations. Many of the Quraysh opposed the Prophet, since his revolutionary message of social justice and equality undermined their sense of tradition, prosperity and tribal obligation. However, there were some who responded to the Prophet's call to righteousness and belief in the One God. Gradually, the number of Muslims grew. These individuals, who embraced Islam and who were close companions of Prophet Muhammad, are known as Sahabah.

 

Accounts from the lives of the sahabah (companions) are important as additional sources for proper behavior and practice. Many of the characteristics exhibited by various companions of the Prophet serve as inspiration to Muslims the world over. For example, the courage of Ali ibn Abi Talib sleeping in the Prophet's stead on the night the Quraysh planned to assassinate him reminds Muslims to challenge hostility or ill-will head-on, and the ingenuity of Salman al-Farsi, who recommended that the Muslims dig a deep trench around Madinah to thwart the forces of the Quraysh during one particular battle encourages Muslims to constantly seek novel solutions to seemingly insurmountable obstacles. And the selfless dedication and piety of Sumayyah bint Khubbat, who was killed by a Qurayshi notable for her newly adopted belief in Islam, thereby becoming the first martyr, is also well remembered.

 

Divine Scriptures

 

What is a "divinely revealed" scripture?

 

A divinely revealed scripture is a holy book or collection of writings believed to have divine, rather than human, origins. Muslims believe God revealed scriptures to certain prophets to communicate His commandments and guidance to humanity. For Muslims, belief in the original scriptures revealed to Abraham (Scrolls), Moses (Torah, including the Ten Commandments), David (Psalms) and Jesus (Evangelium or original Gospel) is an essential component of faith. Indeed, one cannot be considered a Muslim unless one believes in these previous scriptures and their historical role in the spiritual development of humankind.

 

How were divine scriptures revealed?

 

The angel or heavenly Spirit Jibreel (Gabriel) is believed to have transmitted divine communication from God to human prophets and personages (such as Mary, mother of Jesus). As such, Jibreel figures prominently in the history of scriptural revelation, culminating with the holy book revealed to Muhammad. In 610 C.E., at the age of 40, while in spiritual retreat in the cave of Hira above Makkah, Muhammad was visited by Jibreel for the first time. During this encounter, Jibreel revealed the first of many divine verses that would eventually comprise the Qur'an. Muslims believe God revealed His holy scriptures to the prophets in their native language. For this reason, the Torah was revealed to Moses in Hebrew, while the Qur'an was revealed to Muhammad in Arabic.

 

What is the Qur'an?

 

The word Qur'an literally means "the reading" or "the recitation," and refers to the divinely revealed scripture given to Muhammad. Since Muhammad is considered the last prophet of God, the Qur'an is believed to be the final revelation from God to humanity.

 

The Qur'an is considered by Muslims to be the literal Speech of God given to Muhammad in the Arabic language. The chapters and verses of the Qur'an were revealed throughout Prophet Muhammad's mission, over a span of close to twenty-three years, from 610-632 C.E. Contrary to common misconception, Muhammad is not the author of the Qur'an. Rather, he is viewed as the chosen transmitter of the revelation and the ideal implementer of principles and commandments contained therein. The personal sayings or words of Muhammad are known as hadith, which are distinct from the divine origin of the content of the Qur'an.

 

As verses of the Qur'an were revealed to Muhammad and subsequently repeated by him to companions and other fellow Muslims, they were written down, recited and memorized. The Prophet also typically led the formal worship five times daily, during which he recited the revealed verses according to the procedure that he established. The verses were also recited out loud by designated Muslims in the early dawn hours and prior to the worship times and other important occasions. In short, the Qur'anic verses played an immediate and practical role in the spiritual lives of Muslims from the outset. Before he passed away, the Prophet arranged the 114 chapters into the sequence we find in the Qur'an. Scholars, both Muslim and non-Muslim, agree that the Qur'an has remained intact and unchanged to the present. The Qur'an as a scripture stands unique in this regard.

 

Do translations of the Qur'an exist in other languages?

 

Translations of the Qur'an exist in many languages throughout the world, including English, Spanish, French, German, Urdu, Chinese, Malay, Vietnamese, and others. It is important to note that while translations are useful as renderings or explanations of the Qur'an, only the original Arabic text is considered to be the Qur'an itself. As a consequence, Muslims the world over, regardless of their native language, always strive to learn Arabic, so they can read and understand the Qur'an in its original form. Muslims also learn Arabic in order to recite the daily formal worship (salah) and for greeting one another with traditional expressions. However, while almost all Muslims have some basic familiarity with the Arabic language, not all Muslims speak fluent Arabic.

 

What is the structure and content of the Qur'an?

 

The Qur'an is comprised of 114 surahs (chapters) containing over six thousand ayahs (verses). The surahs were not arranged according to the sequence in which they were revealed; rather, they were arranged according to the Prophet's instructions, with the longest chapter (al-Baqarah, The Cow) near the beginning.

 

The various surahs discuss many of the same events and issues found in the Bible, but in a different fashion. Rather than presenting a sequential account of human spiritual history beginning with Adam and culminating with Muhammad, the Qur'an's chapters focus on various important themes and issues. In essence, the Qur'an was revealed as a book of guidance. In its own unique style it addresses a variety of subjects such as humans' relationship with God, His unique attributes, accountability and the Day of Judgment, ethics, social justice, politics, the rise and fall of nations, law, the natural world and family issues. The Qur'an stresses the development of certain moral and spiritual characteristics, and links these with establishing justice and righteousness in the world. Many of the lessons of the Qur'an are given through accounts of past prophets and their missions to their respective people.

 

Muslims also view the Qur'an as providing answers to questions such as: What are the duties and responsibilities given to me by God? How should I interact with family, friends, colleagues, classmates, clients or customers, as well as other creations of God, even the environment? How should I treat myself as a human being endowed with a free will, the ability to reason and make choices, as well as various innate desires and drives?

 

Day of Judgment

 

What is the Day of Judgment?

 

Muslims believe that our essential purpose in this world is to recognize and serve God by implementing His guidance as found in His divine scriptures. The role of prophets culminating with Muhammad has been to serve as role models for righteous behavior and to warn of potential punishment for those who fail to heed God's commandments. Islam teaches that human beings are responsible to God for all their words and deeds. The relatively short span of our lives, therefore, constitutes a test.

 

"He is the one who created death and life that He may test which of you is best in deeds" (Qur'an, 67:2).

 

"Say: 'Behold my prayer, and (all) acts of my worship, and my living and my dying are for God (alone), the Sustainer of all the worlds.'" (Qur'an, 6:162).

 

 

 

In the interest of justice and to fulfill God's divine plan, a day will come when the present world will be destroyed and the entire human race will be resurrected and assembled before God for individual judgment. One will either be rewarded with permanent bliss in Jannah (Paradise) or be punished with suffering in Jahannam (Hell). However, the infinite mercy of God is demonstrated in the Qur'anic statement that those who have even a mustard seed's weight of belief in God will eventually be admitted into Heaven.

 

How is "salvation" viewed by Muslims?

 

For Muslims, following the straight path laid down by the prophets and exemplified by the last Prophet, Muhammad, whose message has been preserved since its revelation, is the means of safety and salvation. According to Muslim belief, a person who consciously rejects the prophets and their message is rejecting God, and thereby earns His wrath. Those who have not consciously rejected any prophet will be judged according to their belief in God and their good deeds. Ultimately, the Creator is the sole judge, and Muslims believe that no human being can judge another in spiritual terms. A hadith states "A person may appear to be working the deeds of the people of Paradise, while he is among the people of the Fire. And a person may appear to be working the deeds of the people of the Fire, while he is among the people of Paradise."

 

For Muslims, belief in accountability to God and responsibility for one's own deeds gives one a sense of purpose, and every moment and event in life has religious purport. Thus, awareness of God's presence serves as a deterrent against crime, corruption, immorality and injustice as well as a means of acknowledging the role of God in one's life.

 

What is the Muslim view of the Afterlife?

 

Muslims believe that death is not the end of life, but rather a transitory state. After death, life continues in a different form. Various verses in the Qur'an describe Heaven as a place of blissful gardens and rivers, where all of one's desires may be fulfilled, while Hell is described as a place of fire and torment. Some scholars believe that such descriptions are in part allegorical, and serve to provide in human terms a symbol for the experience of the afterlife. Even so, no matter what form they take, physical or ethereal, reward and punishment are considered patently real by Muslims.

 

"O my devotees! No fear shall be on you that Day, nor shall you grieve. Tell those who believe in Our signs and surrender themselves: 'Enter the Garden rejoicing, both you and your spouses!' To them will be passed round dishes and goblets of gold; there they will have all that the souls could desire; all that the eyes could delight in; and you shall abide therein forever. Such will be the Garden of which you are made heirs for your good deeds in life." (Qur'an, 43: 68-72)

 

"Those who reject Allah, for them will be the Fire of Hell; no term shall be determined for them, that they may die, nor shall its penalty be lightened for them; thus do We reward every ungrateful one."

(Qur'an, 35: 36)

 

 

 

RELIGIOUS OBLIGATIONS - THE FIVE PILLARS

 

What are the major religious obligations in Islam?

 

Every action performed in obedience to God's guidance or in order to please Him is considered an act of ibadah (worship) in Islam. Thus, helping someone with their homework, greeting a stranger, or even hugging one's spouse are at the same time acts of worship which earn spiritual reward. However, it is the specific acts of worship commonly termed the "Five Pillars of Islam" that provide the framework for the Muslim's spiritual life. The observance of these duties is regulated by individual conscience, and consequently, in real life, a spectrum of practice exists among Muslims.

 

1. Shahadah -

Declaration of Faith

 

Why is the Shahadah important?

 

The Shahadah represents the first pillar of Islam, upon which everything else is based. The shahadah is a two-fold declaration or statement-it is a denial of any thing's worthiness for worship save God, and an affirm-ation of Muhammad's prophethood (and thereby the prophethood of all previous prophets, since Muhammad is considered the last). The shahadah states, "I bear witness that there is no deity except Allah (God), and that Muhammad is His Servant and Messenger."

 

Making the declaration in sincerity formally brings a person into the fold of Islam. Other than repeating the shahadah in the presence of at least two Muslim witnesses, no particular ceremony (such as a baptism) is involved.

 

The shahadah, being the central theme of Islam, is repeated in the adhan (call to worship) and in the salah (formal worship) numerous times throughout each day. This practice serves to remind Muslims of their commitment to God and effort to live righteously.

 

2. Salah - Formal Worship

 

What is Salah?

 

Salah or formal ritual worship is the second pillar of Islam. Muslims are required to perform the formal worship five times daily-at dawn, mid-day, in the afternoon, after sunset, and at night. Salah is the foremost act, which demonstrates that a Muslim's shahadah is not simply lip service, for in the various movements of the worship act a symbolic submission to God can be discerned. Moreover, salah reinforces God-consciousness, thereby reducing the likelihood of a Muslim's disobeying God and committing sins, and provides an opportunity to thank God for His blessings and to ask for His forgiveness. Salah also provides a respite from the day's challenges and circumstances, enabling a believer to refresh his or her intimate, personal relationship with God. Typically, after completing the formal worship, Muslims engage in du'a, or personal prayer, in which they may pray for good health, prosperity, happiness, assistance in times of distress, or anything one may desire. While salah is performed in Arabic, du'as may be performed in any language.

 

As implied above, the timings for the formal worship are determined by the movement of the sun in the course of the day. When the time for salah has arrived, a designated person called the mueddhin calls believers to assemble for worship. The call to prayer, performed in Arabic by the mueddhin, is called the adhan. Upon hearing the adhan, Muslims in the vicinity congregate at the nearest masjid (mosque). In most Muslim countries, the adhan can be heard some distance from the masjid, since mueddhins often make the call to prayer from the tops of minarets or use loudspeakers. Muslims who do not live near a masjid often use a daily worship timetable to determine the times for prayer. Such timetables are prepared in advance using astronomical data.

 

What does salah involve?

 

Salah is a particular ritual of movement and prayers designed to demonstrate to God a human's self-understanding of his or her role as a created being. Salah is the foremost act of worship. Since Salah involves various standing, bowing and prostrating positions, there are no pews or chairs in a masjid, the Muslim house of worship. Rather, the worship area is typically a simple, carpeted open space oriented towards the city of Makkah, where the Ka'bah is located. The length of time required to perform the salah depends on the number of ra'kah, or "units" of worship involved. For example, the early morning worship involves two units, the evening worship three units, and the other worship times four units. Each unit consists of standing, bowing, and prostrating (touching the forehead to the ground) twice. During each of the stages or positions, various verses from the Qur'an and supplications are recited in Arabic. In the case of congregational worship, an imam (leader) is chosen to lead the worshippers, who form rows behind him. The Friday noon worship is the main weekly worship when Muslims are required to pray in larger congregations.

 

The commonly used term "mosque" is a French word for Muslims' place of worship. For the sake of accuracy and self-definition, Muslims prefer the more correct Arabic word masjid, which means "place of prostration."

 

While praying in a masjid with fellow Muslims is recommended, usually Muslims worship wherever they may be-at work, at school, even at Disneyland, since a hadith states, "The whole earth is a masjid." The only requirement for a location used for worship is that it must be clean, dignified and provides sufficient space for the worship movements.

 

Muslims, regardless of where they live in the world, face towards the Ka'bah in Makkah during the formal worship. The Ka'bah, built by Abraham and his elder son Ishma'il, is considered to be the first house of worship dedicated to the One God, and therefore serves as a spiritual focal point for Muslims. Contrary to one misconception, Muslims do not worship the Ka'bah while performing the salah. Simply, Muslims face towards the building as an act of unity, demonstrating a worldwide connection between all members of the ummah (Muslim community). Interestingly, since sunrise and sunset (and thus the worship times) move across the face of the earth, there is never a moment when someone isn't praying toward

the Ka'bah.

 

No special attire is required of Muslims for performance of formal prayer, since Muslims are expected to offer the worship as part of their daily schedule, taking into consideration their professional environment or other situational factors. The only conditions for clothing are that they be clean and conform to standards of modesty.

 

What is said in the Muslim formal worship?

 

Muslims begin the salah by facing Makkah, and then raising their hands to their ears and proclaiming "Allahu Akbar" ("God is Greatest"). Worshippers proceed with a variety of movements and statements. An important component is the recitation of verses from the Qur'an during the standing position of the worship act. Worshippers may recite any verses from the Qur’an, which they choose, following recitation of Al-Fatihah, the opening chapter of the scripture. This particular chapter is recited in each of the five daily worship times, since it embodies the core of the Islamic message. Due to its significance, it is also often recited to begin special programs, gatherings, or events.

 

Surah al-Fatihah (The Opening)

 

"Praise be to God, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds

Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Master of the Day of Judgment

Thee do we worship, and thine aid we seek

Show us the straight way,

The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Mercy

Of those who do not earn Thine anger, nor go astray." (Qur'an, 1:1-7)

 

Muslims recite verses from the Qur'an by memory during prayer. These verses address themes and concepts that Muslims should ponder and learn from. Some themes include God's majesty, God's infinite wisdom and love for mankind, reward and punishment, justice and equality, among others.

 

Although it may sound like singing to some, the recitation of verses from the Qur'an is not subject to arbitrary intonations by individual reciters or worship leaders; in fact, reciters adhere to formalized principles and methods for reciting. Oral recitation of the Qur'an helps Muslims concentrate on the meaning of the words. Moreover, the beauty of the recitation often soothes and inspires believers.

 

3. Sawm - Fasting

 

What is Sawm?

 

The Qur'an enjoins Muslims to fast as a means of demonstrating commitment to God in the face of temptation and difficulty. Sawm, fasting for a period ranging from dawn to sunset, teaches Muslims self-restraint, patience, endurance, and obedience to God. Moreover, it puts into perspective the plight of those unable to obtain regular nourishing meals. When fasting, Muslims often discover a calm, inner peace, which helps them become even closer to God.

 

In physical terms, fasting means not eating any foods, drinking any beverages (including water), or engaging in marital sexual relations from dawn to sunset. On the spiritual and moral level, it means struggling to develop self-restraint, God-consciousness and piety. Muslim strive in this month to curb all detrimental desires and negative or uncharitable thoughts, and to nurture love, patience, unselfishness and social consciousness.

 

"O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you, as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may learn self-restraint." (Qur'an, 2:183)

 

When do Muslims fast?

 

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It is a sacred month for Muslims because the first verses of the Qur'an were revealed to Muhammad in Ramadan 610 C.E. The Qur'an instructs Muslims to fast from dawn to sunset during Ramadan. Conscientious Muslims often fast a given number of additional days throughout the year in emulation of Prophet Muhammad, for the sake of enhancing personal piety. Muslims may also fast to atone for lapses in spiritual devotion.

 

Since sawm can be physically demanding, those who are unable to fast, such as pregnant or nursing women, elderly people, sick or injured individuals are exempt. In place of fasting, these Muslims must make up missed fasting days at a later date. If this is not possible, they must instead arrange for the feeding of two persons for each day of fasting missed.

 

What does fasting entail?

 

During Ramadan, the entire family arises early in the morning (before dawn) to have a meal called suhoor. A variety of traditional and regional foods are prepared to nourish Muslims before beginning the day's fast. After the meal, Muslims offer the pre-dawn salah and may read a while from the Qur'an before returning to sleep or preparing for the day ahead. During the day, the occasional hunger pangs and bouts of thirst remind Muslims of God and His bounty, which are often taken for granted. When sunset arrives, Muslims break the fast by partaking of the Iftar meal.

 

In keeping with the tradition of Prophet Muhammad, Muslims break the fast with dates and other fruits and appetizers, and then offer the evening worship. Some time later, Muslims have dinner, usually in the company of extended family and friends.

 

After the night worship is offered, Muslims offer a special form of formal worship called Tarawih. Each night of Ramadan, Muslims perform up to twenty units of the tarawih salah, during which about one-thirtieth of the Qur'an is recited. In the course of the month, this enables the entirety of the Qur'an (over 6,000 verses) to be heard by believers joined in worship, reinforcing the message contained therein.

 

4. Zakah - Mandatory Almsgiving Tax

 

What is Zakah?

 

Zakah is an act of worship in which eligible Muslims pay a specified amount of money (about 2.5% of one's accumulated wealth) as a tax to be used to assist poor and needy persons in society.