Islam
means "Submission to God's will."
Muslims
believe in one God 'Allah', the creator of our world, mankind
and the universe. He
has no associates of any form, and Mohamed is his messenger. This
makes Islam a strict monotheistic religion.
The
prophet Mohamed, an Arab descendant of Abraham and his son Ismail,
was born in Mecca in 570 A.D. Both his parents died before he
was five years old. He is both loved and respected by his followers
however Muslims do not believe he supernatural powers or characteristics.
Mohamed
converted the Arabs to a new faith, Islam. He stopped their fighting
amongst themselves making them a united nation believing in one
God with one set of rules to live by. Prophet Mohamed migrated
from Mecca to Medina in 622 A.D. This marks the beginning of the
Muslim calendar. He died in 632 A.D., leaving being two permanent
guidance's; The Holy Koran, and his 'Sunnah' - that is his practice
and example.
The
Koran is the holy book for Muslim people, and the basic source
of Islamic teachings and laws. It is written in a beautiful Arabic,
which Muslims believe is the language of God. It is the last revelation
to Man revealed to the Prophet Mohamed through Archangel Gabriel.
Muslims
believe God created Man to worship Him and follow a way of life
based on his teachings prescribed in the Holy books, conveyed
by his Messengers to the people. As Muslims believe in one God,
they believe also in His Angels, His Messengers, His Holy Books,
the Day of Judgement and Life after Death. They are aware God
sees them and registers their acts, and therefore they cannot
deceive Him. Indeed a Muslim believes in a direct relationship
with God without any middleman.
Islamic
faith makes people accountable to God for all their deeds.
The
Koran says: 'No bearer of burdens shall be made to bear the
burden of another.' (6:164)
Islam
therefore puts emphasis on intention and action. As prophet Mohamed
said: 'Faith is that which resides firmly in the heart and
which is proved by deeds.' (Hadith)
Muslims
should therefore act according to God's instruction written in
the Koran and follow the sayings and doings of prophet Mohamed
in every aspect of their lives. The Koran reminds Muslims of the
purpose of their life, and of their duties and obligations to
themselves, their community, their families, their fellow human
beings and their God.
Prophet
Mohamed said Islam was founded on five pillars:
1.
Iman; Faith which consists of:
(a) the belief in one God, and in prophet Mohamed as his messenger,
(b) His Angels,
(c) His Prophets,
(d) His books (eg. Psalms of David, The Torah (book
of Moses) the Bible and the Koran)
(e)
and in the 'Day of Judgement.'
2.
Salah; Prayers five times a day, (each prayer is approximately
two minutes. This is done to remember God and be thankful for
all he gave us, teach self-discipline through performing prayer
regularly, and to purify the heart and prevent temptation toward
wrong doing and evil.
3.
Saum; Fasting for the month of Ramadan, each day from
dawn to sunset for thirty days, abstaining from all food and drink.
It is to teach sincerity and love and develops patience, will
power, social conscience and unselfishness. The sufferings of
hunger through fasting urge people to help others who hunger.
Moreover people learn food and drink are gifts from God to be
accepted with thankfulness and not taken for granted.
4.
Zakah; Alms given to poor people and those in need. This
will strengthen relationships with other members of society.
5.
Hajj; Pilgrimage to Mecca, at least once in a lifetime
for those who can afford it financially and are physically able
to do so. This is to create a feeling of unity amoungst people.
The
Islamic empire extended from Spain to Asia after the Arabs conquered
Egypt in 640 AD, and brought Islam to it. 'Al Azhar', the first
university in the world, and the greatest center of Islamic studies
was then built in Egypt, which was ruled by Muslims.
Muslims
are split into two main branches; 'Sunni' and 'Shiite', just as
Christians are divided into Catholics and Protestants.
'Sunni'
Muslims are those who follow the 'Sunna' ie; the practice and
example of Prophet Mohamed.
'Shiite'
Muslims are those who follow Ali Abu-Taleb the fourth Caliph.
After Prophet Mohamed died, his successor was Abu Baker the first
Caliph. However some Muslims believe that Ali Abu-Taleb (Prophet
Mohamed's cousin and son-in-law - he was married to his daughter
Fatima) should have been appointed his successor and become the
first Caliph. Ali was not appointed successor due to his youth
and in-experience, and the early Muslim Community did not accept
the concept of family succession. He was however appointed as
the fourth Caliph in 656 AD, and it was then, some time after
his death, that his followers who spread throughout Iraq and Persia
(Iran) became known as 'Shiite' Muslims.
Some
of Islam's basic teachings are:
Islam
acknowledges human rights and affirms the freedom of conscience.
The Koran says: 'There is no compulsion in religion.' (2:256)
Islam
does not permit discrimination. All people are considered
equal regardless of colour, race, nationality or religion.
The
Koran says: '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.' (49:13)
Prophet Mohamed said: 'All mankind are Gods children and those
dearest to God are the ones who treat His children kindly.'
(Hadith)
A
Muslim therefore is obliged to be kind, fair and considerate to
all human beings without differentiation, poor or rich, black
or white, man or woman, scholar or ordinary person.
Islam
established complete equality between Muslims and non - Muslims,
believing people should enjoy the freedom of practicing any faith
or religion they choose without interference or discrimination
and that they should be able to freely express their opinions.
Prophet Mohamed granted the freedom of faith to the Jewish people
and the Christians who lived in the Muslims territory. This practice
was also followed by his successors. Non - Muslims therefore have
the right to live in peace and tranquility in a Muslim state with
all rights and privileges. These rights, which are given to them,
are part of the Islamic faith, which protect them from persecution
and injustice.
Prophet Mohamed said: 'Whoever persecuted a non Muslim or took
work from him beyond his capacity, or took something from him
with evil intentions, I shall be a complainant against him on
the Day of Resurrection.' And he said: 'One who hurts a
non - Muslim, he hurts me, and one who hurts me, hurts God.'
(Hadith)
The
basis of the Islamic religion is: To believe in God, and to have
a set of values to be understood and practiced in order to lead
a meaningful life. Life has a purpose and meaning.
God
says: 'Not without purpose and meaning did we create Heaven
and Earth and all between.' (38:27)And 'Did you then think
that we had created you for nothing and that you would not be
brought back to us.'(23:115)
In
the end, praying five times a day and fasting the month of Ramadan,
are not good enough to be a good Muslim, but more important is
the implementation of the Islamic teachings in all ones dealings
and actions.
It
needs to be noted there is a difference between the Islamic teachings
and the customs practiced by some Muslims, which are often mistaken
for religious rules. These are certain traditions and or particular
behavior practiced by Muslims, and may vary from one country to
another. They form a part of the social and cultural life.
Religious
customs and or traditions should be compared with the religious
principles. They should only be accepted if they are not opposed
to the spirit of Islamic teachings, The Koran, or reliable sayings
of the Prophet Mohamed.
