Chapter Two Islam In Brief

What is Islam?

Islam means ‎submission, obedience, surrender and compliance with the command and ‎prohibition of the commander without objections. Allah has named the true ‎religion, ‘Islam’ for it is an obedience to him, submission to His Commands ‎without any resistance, purifying acts of worship for Him, believing in His ‎words and having faith in Him. Islam then became a proper name for the ‎religion brought by Muhammad {P.B.U.H}.‎

Why was this religion named Islam?

Adherents of various religions all over the ‎world have named their religions, either with the name of a man or a particular ‎race like Christianity, which was named after Jesus Christ; and Buddhism was ‎named after its founder Buddha; and Zoroastrianism was named after its founder ‎and flag banner, Zoroaster. Judaism had also emerged among the tribe of Judah ‎and so on. The All-Mighty Allah Himself called it Islam when He said,

{{Truly, the religion with Allâh is Islâm. (Submission to His Will)}} (Holy Qur'an 3:1) 

It is only Islam that is not attributed to any particular man or ‎nation. Its name indicates a special characteristic that the meaning of Islam ‎denotes. It is evident in this name that no man has any role in bringing this ‎religion into existence and that it is not peculiar with any nation to the ‎exclusion of others. Its only goal is to make all people of the earth have ‎characteristics of Islam. So, whoever is characterized with the qualities of ‎Islam among ancient people and contemporary people is a Muslim, just as he ‎shall be called a Muslim, and anyone who possesses its qualities among the coming ‎generations.

The Message of Islam:

The most important message of Islam is the absolute Unity of God-that there is only One Supreme Being who has no partners and is not dependent on anyone or anything. He is the creator of everything and the whole universe is under His control. Since the total submission of one's will to Allah represents the essence of worship, Islam is the worship of Allah alone and the avoidance of worship directed to any person, place or thing other than Allah. In essence, Islam calls man away from the worship of creation and invites him to worship only its Creator. Allah is the only one deserving man's worship as it is only by His will that prayers are answered. Hence prayers to the non-living such as the sun, fire, and to humans whether they are Jesus, Moses or even Muhammad are rejected, as Allah informs us in the opening chapter of the Holy Qur'an,: 

{{You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything).}} 

(Holy Qur'an 1:4)

The Six Pillars of Faith in Islam:

1. Belief in Allah: 

You must believe in His Lordship; that He is the Lord, the Creator, the ‎Possessor and the Controller of all matters. You must also believe in His right ‎to be worshipped, that He is the only True Deity, that all deities besides Him ‎are false. You must believe in His Names and Attributes, that He has Beautiful ‎Names and perfect Sublime Attributes.‎

You must also believe in His Oneness in all that, that He has no partner in His ‎Lordship, nor in His right to be worshipped or in His Names and Attributes. You must also believe that neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him; that He ‎knows all that is hidden and evident; and that to him belongs the sovereignty ‎of the heavens and the earth. You must also believe that He rose high over His Throne ‎above His creation, and that He is with them by His knowledge and He knows ‎their conditions, hears their utterances, sees their places and controls their ‎affairs. He provides for the poor, gives relief to the dejected, gives authority to ‎whom He wills, withdraws it from whom He wills and that He is Able to do all ‎things.‎

2. Belief in His angels:

A Muslim must believe in the angels; that is to say, it is Allah Who has created them and ‎describes them as, “honoured slaves", they does not speak until He has spoken and ‎they act on His Command. Allah conceals them from our eyes so that we do not see them. But Allah ‎sometimes shows some of them to some of His Prophets and Messengers.‎

Angels have functions assigned to them. Gabriel is assigned to Revelations ‎which he brings from Allah to whosoever He wishes of His Messengers. Among ‎them are: an angel assigned to taking the souls, another to the ‎protection of mankind, another to recording of their ‎deeds…etc.

3. Belief in His Books

To believe that Allah revealed Books to his Prophets and Messengers, in order ‎to explain the truth and call to it. 

These Books are many. Among them are the Scripture of the Prophet Abraham, ‎the Torah of the Prophet Moses, the Psalms given to the Prophet David and the ‎Gospel which was brought by the Prophet Jesus Christ, may peace be upon all of ‎them.‎

Belief in the Previous Books lies in believing that it is Allah Who revealed them ‎to His Messengers and that they contained the Law that Allah wanted to be ‎conveyed to people at that time.‎

All these Books that Allah informs us about have all become extinct. The ‎scripture of Abraham does no longer exist in the world. As for the Torah, the ‎Gospel and the Psalms, even though they do exist by name in the hands of ‎Jews and Christians, they have become altered, interpolated and adulterated ‎and many of their original contents are missing. The lines which are not part of ‎them have been included in them, and they are attributed to those who are not ‎their authors. The Old Testament for instance, has more than forty books, and ‎only five of them were attributed to Moses. As for the existing gospels of ‎today, nothing of them is attributed to Jesus. On the Other hand, the last Book, which is revealed by Allah, ‎is the Qur'an which was revealed to Prophet Muhammad. It has always been ‎and is still protected and preserved by Allah. No change or alteration has ‎crept into any of its letters, words, vowels or meanings.‎

4. Belief in His Messengers

To believe that Allah sent Messengers to His creation in order to give them ‎glad tidings of Paradise if they believe in Allah and His Messengers, ‎and to warn them of punishment if they disobey. There are many messengers. The first of them was Noah and the last of them ‎is Muhammad {P.B.U.H}. Allah has told us stories ‎about them in the Holy Qur'an like Abraham, Moses, Jesus, David, John Zakariah and Saleh. There are ‎also some prophets whom we know nothing for, Allah tells us nothing. 

All these Messengers were humans since they are created by Allah. They possessed nothing ‎of the qualities of Lordship or Godship. Therefore, no act of worship should be ‎directed to them for they could not avail themselves of any harm or benefit. The Prophets are honoured slaves, whom Allah chose. They are honoured ‎with the Message and described as His slaves. Their religion is Islam (Submission to God's orders), and ‎Allah will not accept any other religion besides it. 

The basic messages of the Prophets were one but their Laws differ. 

The final of all these Laws is that of Muhammad. It abrogates all other previous ‎laws. His Message is the last of all Divine Messages and he is the last of all ‎Messengers. Whoever believes in a Prophet among them should believe in all of ‎them and whoever denies anyone of them, it means he/she has denied all of them.

5. Belief in the Last Day 

Believe that the present life is only a trial preparation for the next perennial realm of existence. This life is a test for each individual for the everlasting life that comes after death. A day will come when the whole universe will be destroyed and the dead will be resurrected for judgment by God. This day will be the beginning of a life that will never end. This day is the Day of Judgment. On that day, all people will be rewarded by God according to their beliefs and deeds.

After having sent the Prophet Muhammad to call people to Islam, God does not accept adherence to any religion other than Islam, when someone rejects belief in God, His Prophet Muhammad, or His religion of Islam, it is just that he or she will be punished in the Hereafter. The truth is completely enlightened and does not need more explanation for it simply does not contain conflicts in the Holy Qur'an, the Sayings of the prophet Muhammad, and the Islamic creed.

Those who die while believing that “There is no true god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger (Prophet) of Allah” and are Muslim will be rewarded on that day and will be admitted to Paradise forever, as Allah Almighty has said:

{{But they who believe and do righteous deeds - those are the companions of Paradise; they will abide therein eternally.}} (Holy Qur'an 2:82)

But those who die at the time they do not believe that “There is no true god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger (Prophet) of Allah”, in other words, they are not Muslim and they will lose Paradise forever to be sent to Hellfire, as God has said:

{{And whoever seeks a religion other than Islâm, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.}}

(Holy Qur'an 3: 85)

Those who die before Prophet Muhammad {P.B.U.H}, and were following the real message of Allah which is sent through previous messengers (Jesus, Moses…) are considered to be believers. It's quite clear to further that all the messengers of Allah are brothers and they love each other. It occurs that some people, who have followed them, try to interpolate the Holy message and to alter it to their personal gluttony and whims.

6. Belief in pre-decree.‎

You must believe that Allah knows what happened and what shall happen; that ‎He knows the conditions, deeds, life spans and provisions of His slaves. 

Some Beauties of Islam:

   1-It is the religion of Allah which He has chosen for Himself, sent ‎with His Messengers and through which He allowed His slaves to worship Him.

   2-Comprehensiveness: One of the most prominent beauties of this religion is ‎its comprehensiveness for everything. This religion encompasses all that one has to do with the Creator like His Names, ‎Attributes and rights; and all that one has to do with the creatures like laws, ‎obligations, manners and relationship.

   3- Islam is linking man to his ‎Creator directly; without a priest, reverend, or holy secret. This direct ‎connection between the Creator and the created is a connection that links the ‎heart with its Lord and it thereby gets light, guidance and loftiness; the heart will seek ‎perfection; and deems itself high above insignificant and debased things. 

   4- ‎It caters for benefits of this world and the Hereafter. The Islamic Law is ‎based on protection of the benefits of this world and the Hereafter to the extent to lead to the ‎perfection of good morals. As for the explanation of the benefits of the ‎Hereafter, the religion of Islam has explained all the necessary details and left nothing without dealing with it. It has expounded it to satisfy all the human needs to the point to let nothing of it unknown. ‎Islam promises the bliss in the Hereafter and warns the humankind against its agony. 

Concerning the benefits of this world, Allah ordained in this religion to perform all matters that can ‎protect all the elementary needs of the human being: her/his religion, life, property, posterity, dignity and intelligence.‎

Concerning honourable conducts, Islam enjoins that overtly and covertly so much so that it ‎forbids all sorts of debasing manners. Among the apparent noble conducts that Islam ‎enjoins are cleanliness and purification which are very different from all kinds of impurities and dirt. ‎Islam recommends using of perfume and outward adornment; but it forbids filthy ‎behaviours like adultery, fornication, consuming alcohol; eating dead ‎animals, blood and pork (it is fine to just say pork for it simply the flesh of the pig). It is well-known that Islam enjoins eating of lawful good things as well as it ‎prohibits wastefulness and extravagance.‎

As for the inner purification, Islam prohibits undesirable conducts and encourages ‎commendable ones. Among the forbidden manners are: lies, obscenity, anger, ‎jealousy, stinginess, debasing oneself, love of prestige and this world, ‎arrogance, haughtiness and hypocrisy. Among the commended behaviours are: ‎good conduct, good companionship to all people by being kind to them, ‎justice and fairness, humility, truthfulness, magnanimity, generosity, ‎dependence on Allah, sincerity in worshipping acts, fear of Allah, patience and ‎showing gratitude.



How Does Someone Become a Muslim?

Simply by saying with conviction, “La ilâha illa Allah, Muhammadun rasoolu Allah,” This is how one converts to Islam and becomes a Muslim. This saying means, “There is no true god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah (God).” The first part, “There is no true god but God,” means that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah Almighty –God- alone, and that Allah-God- has neither partner nor son. 

To be a Muslim, one should also:

- Believe that the Holy Qur’an is the literal word of God revealed by Him.

- Believe that the Day of Judgment (the Day of Resurrection) is true and will come, as God has promised in the Qur'an

- Accept Islam as his or her religion.

- Not worship anything or anyone except Allah Almighty.

What Are the Five Pillars of Islam?

The Five Pillars of Islam are the framework of a Muslim’s life. They are:

1) The Testimony of Faith:

The testimony of faith is saying with conviction, “La ilâha illa Allah, Muhammadun rasoolu Allah.” This saying means, “There is no true god but God (Allah), and Muhammad is the Messenger (Prophet) of God.” The first part, “There is no true god but God,” means that none has the right to be worshipped but God alone, and that God has neither partner nor son. This testimony of faith is called the 'Shahada', a simple formula which should be said with conviction in order to convert to Islam. The testimony of faith is the most important pillar of Islam.

2) Prayer:

Muslims perform five prayers a day. Each prayer does not take more than a few minutes to perform. Prayer in Islam is a direct link between the worshipper and God. There are no intermediaries between God and the worshipper. In prayer, a person feels inner happiness, peace, and comfort, and that God is pleased with him or her. 

Prayers are performed at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and night. A Muslim may pray almost anywhere is assumed to be clean such as in fields, offices, factories, or universities…

3) Alms Giving; Zakât, (obligatory support of the Needy):

All things belong to God, and wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. The original meaning of the word zakat is both ‘purification’ and ‘growth.’ Giving zakat means ‘giving a specified percentage on certain properties to certain classes of needy people.

Our possessions are purified by setting aside a small portion for those in need, and it is alike the pruning of plants for this cutting let back balances and encourages new growth.

A person may also give as much as he or she pleases as voluntary alms or charity.

4) Fasting the Month of Ramadan:

Every year in the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn until sundown, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations. Although the fast is beneficial to health, it is regarded principally as a method of spiritual self-purification. By cutting oneself off the worldly comforts even if it is performed for a short time.

5) The Pilgrimage to Makkah:

The annual pilgrimage (Hajj) to Makkah is an obligation once during a lifetime for those who are physically and financially able to perform it.



SOURCES OF ISLAM:

A. The Glorious Qur'an:

The Qur'an was not the first Book to be revealed, nor was ‎Muhammad the first Messenger to be sent. Allah has revealed the Scriptures ‎to Abraham; Torah to Moses and the Gospel to Jesus. All these Books were ‎revelations from Allah to His Prophets and Messengers. 

As for the Qur'an, Allah Himself guarantees its protection, so it is today the verbatim of what was revealed to the prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, over fourteen centuries ago:

{{Verily We: It is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Qur'an) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption).}} (Holy Qur'an 15:9)

The Qur'an, the last revealed word of God, is the primary source of every Muslim’s faith and practice. It deals with all the subjects, which concern human beings:

Wisdom, doctrine, worship, transactions, law, etc., but its basic theme is the relationship between God and His creatures. At the same time, it provides guidelines and detailed teachings for a just society, proper human conduct, and an equitable economic system. It also contains the fundamentals for which Allah sent the ‎Messengers.‎

The Qur'an guides mankind to the most righteous path in all aspects of their ‎life, for it contains a call to belief in the Oneness of Allah, and mention ‎His Names, Attributes and deeds. It calls to belief in the authenticity of what ‎the Prophets and Messengers brought. It affirms the Resurrection, reward, ‎reckoning and establishes evidences for that. It narrates the stories ‎of past nations, the punishment meted out to them in this world as well as the ‎torment and exemplary punishment that awaits them in the Hereafter.‎

B. The Prophetic Sunnah: ‎

Allah revealed the Qur'an to the Messenger and revealed to him an alike sayings ‎which are named as the Prophetic Sunnah to further the explanation of the Holy Qur'an.

The Sunnah is the second source of the religion of Islam. It means all what is ‎reported from the Prophet – with well-connected and authentic chain of ‎transmitters – of his sayings, deeds, confirmations and qualities. It is also a ‎revelation from Allah to His Messenger Muhammad, for the Prophet did not ‎speak of his own desire. Allah Almighty says: 

{{Nor does he speak of (his own) desire. It is only an Inspiration that is inspired.}} (Holy Qur'an 53: 3-4)

The Prophet only conveys to people what he is commanded to convey. Allah ‎says about him, ‎

‎

{{ Say (O Muhammad):"I am not a new thing among the Messengers (of Allâh) (i.e. I am not the first Messenger) nor do I know what will be done with me or with you. I only follow that which is revealed to me, and I am but a plain Warner."}} (Holy Qur'an 46: 9)

The pure Sunnah is the practical implementation of the rules, beliefs, acts of ‎worship, kinds of relationship and manners that Islam enjoins. 

Allah Almighty has commanded the believers to emulate him in all his ‎deeds and sayings to ensure that their faith is complete. He says: ‎

{{Indeed in the Messenger of Allâh (Muhammad) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allâh and the Last Day and remembers Allâh much.}}

 (Holy Qur'an 33: 21)

And Allah says: ‎

{{ ..And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad) gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it), ..}} (Holy Qur'an 59: 7)

 Islam In Brief