[This introduction was written by Jim Quraishi]
Islam is an Arabic word which means peace, purity, acceptance
and commitment. As a religion, Islam calls for complete
acceptance of and submission to the teachings and guidance of
God.
A Muslim is one who freely and willingly accepts the supreme
power of God and strives to organize his life in total accord
with the teachings of God. He also works for building social
institutions which reflect the guidance of God.
"Muhammadanism" is a misnomer for Islam and offends its very
spirit since the Prophet Muhammad was a messenger of God, and
not a divine being worshipped by Muslims.
Muslims use the word "Allah" for the English word "God." The
understanding of Deity in Islam differs from some of the
connotations in the English word "God." For the convenience
of English speaking readers, the word "God" is used in this
brochure except when the word "Allah" is in the quotations
from the Qur'an.
Islam is not a new religion. It is, in essence, the same
message and guidance which God revealed to all His previous
messengers.
Say: 'We believe in Allah and that which was revealed to us,
and that which was revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac
and Jacob and the tribes and that which was given to Moses
and Jesus and to the Prophets from their Lord; we make no
distinction between any of them, and to Him we submit.'"
(Qur'an 3:83)
The message which was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace
be upon him) is Islam in its comprehensive, complete and
final form.
Every action done with the awareness that it fulfills the
Will of God is considered an act of worship in Islam. But,
it is the specific acts of worship termed the Pillars of
Islam which provide the framework of Muslim spiritual life.
These are given below:
Islam enjoins faith in the oneness and sovereignty of God,
which creates an awareness of the unity and meaningfulness of
the universe and of man's place in it. This belief frees him
from all fears and superstitions by making him conscious of
the presence of Almighty God and of man's obligations to Him.
But, this realization must be expressed and tested in action.
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 that there is a "chosen people,"
making pure intention, faith in God, and good deeds the only
way to heaven. Thus a direct relationship is established
with God, open to all alike, without any discrimination or
intercession.
The Qur'an is the last revealed word of God and the basic
source of Islamic teachings and laws. It deals with a
variety of subjects including the basic beliefs of Islam,
morality, worship, knowledge, wisdom, God and man's
relationship, and relations among human beings.
Comprehensive teachings on which sound systems of social
justice, politics, economics, legislation, jurisprudence, law
and international relations can be built form an important
part of the Holy Qur'an.
Although Prophet Muhammad did not receive a formal education,
the Qur'an, as soon as it was revealed to him in the spoken
word, was committed to writing by his secretaries. In this
way every word was written down and preserved during his
lifetime by his companions. The original and complete text
of the Qur'an is in Arabic and translations of its meaning in
most known languages are available in major libraries and
bookstores.
The Hadith, teachings, sayings and actions of the Prophet
Muhammad, were accurately reported and collected by his
devoted companions. They explain and elaborate the Qur'anic
verses and provide an example of conduct for Muslims.
Islam does not teach ritualism. It places great emphasis on
intention and action. To worship god is to love Him and to
act upon His commands in every aspect of life, to enjoin
goodness and forbid wrong-doing and oppression, to practice
charity and justice and to serve Him by serving mankind. the
Qur'an presents this sublime concept in the following manner:
"It is not righteousness that you turn your faces to the East
or the West, but righteous is he who believes in Allah and
the Last Day and the Angels and the Book and the Prophets;
and gives his wealth for love of Him to kinsfolk and to
orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and to those who ask,
and sets slaves free; and observes proper worship and pays
the Zakah. And those who keep their treaty when they make
one, and the patient in tribulation and adversity and time of
stress; such are those who are sincere. Such are the God-
fearing." (Qur'an 2:177)
Man is the highest creation of God and he has a free will to
make his own decisions. god has shown him the right path,
and the life of Prophet Muhammad provides a perfect example
for achieving success and salvation. Islam stands for the
sanctity of human personality and confers equal rights on all
without distinction of race, nationality or sex.
The law of God set down in the Qur'an and exemplified in the
life of the Prophet is supreme in all cases. It apples
equally to the prince and the pauper, the ruler and the
ruled. the saint and the sinner.
Man's life is not limited to the short span of earthly
existence. On the day of judgement the entire human race will
be resurrected; everyone will appear before Almighty God and
face the consequences of his deeds in this life. Thus, life
in the Hereafter is a continuation of the earthly life.
Belief in man's accountability to God gives a sense and
meaning to life and differentiates human beings from animals
and inanimate objects. It serves as a reminder against crime,
corruption, immorality, and injustice.
Islam protects all noble values and human rights. Freedom,
equality, justice, and the right to life, liberty, and
security of person are of prime concern in Islamic law.
"Whosoever kills a human being for other than manslaughter or
corruption in the earth, it shall be as if he had killed all
mankind, and whosoever saves the life of one, it shall be as
if he had saved the life of all mankind . . ." (Qur'an 5:32)
"There is no compulsion in religion." (Qur'an 2:256)
Islam places great emphasis on social justice. It opposes
all those who exploit, oppress and deal unjustly with people.
"O you who believe: Be steadfast witnesses for Allah in
equity and let not hatred of any people seduce you that you
deal not justly. Be just; that is nearer to piety."(Qur'an
5:8)
Islam encourages the use of science and the scientific
method. Acquisition of knowledge is obligatory on every
Muslim male and female. In Islam, science and technology
should be used for moral ends and serve all legitimate needs
of mankind. Moreover, both are viewed as yet another means
to understand and see the power and glory of God.
"He it is Who Created for you all that is in the earth."
(Qur'an 2:29)
"It is your Lord, the Most Bounteous, Who taught by the pen,
taught man that which he knew not . . . ." (Qur'an 96:2-5)
"We shall show them Our Signs on the horizons and within
themselves until it will be manifest unto them that it is the
Truth. . . ."(Qur'an 41:53)
Racism is a major problem in many materially advanced
countries. Prejudice and discrimination against racial
groups is a common phenomenon even today. For 1400 years,
Islam has shown in practice how racism can be ended. the
Islamic social scene, particularly during the Hajj, is a
unique example of the brotherhood of men of all races and
nations under One God.
Similarly, the family, the basic unit of civilization has
become something of a problem in the West. It is in a state
of visible decay. The family system of Islam brings the
rights of husband, wife, children, and relatives into a fine
equilibrium. Islam nourishes generosity in the family and
holds it together under clear Qur'anic laws and teachings of
the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.
It is unfortunate that some teachings of Islam have been
distorted and misrepresented in the West and the communist
world. The main distortions relate to the status of women,
marriage and divorce, Jihad or so-called "holy war," the
authenticity of the prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon
him), and the distinction between the Qur'an and Hadith. The
accurate teachings of Islam on these matters can be obtained
only from authentic Islamic writings. Some of these are
listed below:
These and other books may be ordered through your local
bookstore or from the Muslim Students Association, University of Houston,
Houston, TX 77004 Telephone: (713) 743-8632
URL : http://www.egr.uh.edu/~ahs21457
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