F.A.Q.

 

(Frequently Asked Questions)

What is Islam and who are Muslims?

Islam simply means to achieve peace – peace with God, peace with oneself, and peace with the creations of God – through wholly giving oneself God and accepting His guidance.

Islam is not a new faith. Muslims believe that it is the same truth that God revealed through all His prophets to every people. For a fifth of the world’s population, Islam is not just a personal religion, but a complete way of life.
Muslims come from all races, nationalities and cultures across the globe. They have varied languages, foods, dress, and customs; even the way they pr acti ce Islam may differ. Yet they all consider themselves to be Muslim.

Islam is a qualitative term – the quality of accepting God’s supreme authority above one’s own. As such, being a Muslim does not mean having to give up one’s culture or traditions; rather it means adopting the simple and logical principles of Islam to better one’s life and attain peace.

Less than 15% of Muslims live the Arab world; a fifth are found in Sub-Saharan Africa; and the world’s largest Muslim community is in Indonesia . Substantial parts of Asia , and almost all the Central Asian republics, are Muslim. Significant Muslim minorities are found in China , India , Russia , Europe , North America and South America .

What do Muslims believe?

Muslims believe in the One, Unique, Incomparable, Merciful God – the Sole Creator, Sustainer and Cherisher of the Universe; in the Angels created by Him; in the prophets through whom His revelations were brought to humankind; in the Day of Judgment, and in individual accountability for acti ons; in God’s complete authority over destiny, be it good or bad and in life after death.

Muslims believe that God sent His messengers and prophets to all people. Biblical prophets mentioned in the Qur’an include: Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Lot , Ishmael, Isaac, Job, Ezekiel, Jacob, Joseph, Jonah, Jethro, Moses, Aaron, Elijah, Elisha, David, Solomon, Zechariah, John the Baptist, and Jesus; peace be upon them all.

God’s final message to humanity was revealed to the last prophet, Muhammad (peace be upon him), through the Archangel Gabriel. It confirmed and finalized all previous revelations that were sent to humankind through God’s messengers.

One becomes a Muslim by believing and proclaiming that, “There is no deity except God, and that Muhammad is the messenger of God.” By this declaration the believer announces his or her faith in all of God’s messengers, and in the scriptures revealed to them.

What are the five pillars of Islam? Testimony

The “five pillars” of Islam are the basis of Muslim life. Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said:

“Islam is founded on 5 pillars; to testify that ‘there is no deity except God, and Muhammad is the messenger of God;’ to establish the ritual prayers; to give charity (to the needy); to perform the pilgrimage to the House (of worship in Makkah); and to fast during the month of Ramadan.”

A practicing Muslim’s life is centered on these pillars. The first and foremost of these is the testimony.

“There is no deity except God; Muhammad is the messenger of God.”

This simple declaration of faith is required of all those who accept Islam as their chosen way of life. The words have to be uttered with sincere conviction and under no coercion. The significance of this testimony is the belief that the only purpose of life is to serve and obey God; and this is achieved through following the example of Prophet Muhammad.

Muslims believe that throughout history, God sent His chosen messengers to guide humankind. The testimony that these prophets taught was similar. The first commandment found in the Bible is “I am the Lord, thy God; thou shalt not have other gods before Me.” This belief in the Oneness of God is central to Islam and permeates all of Muslim life.

What are the five pillars of Islam? Prayer

A key element of Muslim life is the obligatory, ritual prayer. These prayers are performed five times a day, and are a direct link between the worshipper and God. This very personal relationship with the Creator allows one to fully depend, trust and love God; and to truly achieve inner peace and harmony, regardless of the trails one faces.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Indeed, when one of you prays, he speaks privately with his Lord.”

Prayers are performed at dawn, mid-day, late-afternoon, sunset and nightfall; reminding one of God throughout the day. Regular prayer helps prevent destructive deeds and gives one the opportunity to seek God’s pardon for any misgivings.

The Prophet once asked his companions: “Do you think if there was a river by the door and one of you bathed in it five times a day; would there remain any dirt on him?” The Prophet’s companions answered in the negative. The Prophet then said: “That is how it is with the five (daily) prayers; through them God washes away your sins.”

Friday is the day of congregation for Muslims. The mid-day prayer on Friday is different from all other prayers in that it includes a sermon. Prayer at other times are relatively simple, they include verses from the Qur’an and take only a few minutes to complete.

Muslims are greatly encouraged to perform their five daily prayers in congregation, and in the Mosque. A Mosque, in its most basic form, is simply a clean area designated for prayers. Mosques throughout the world have taken on various architectural forms, reflected local cultures. They range from detached pavilions in China to elaborate courtyards in India ; from massive domes in Turkey to glass and steel structures in the United States . However, one unique and obvious feature remains – the “call to prayer.”

The first person to call Muslims to prayer was a freed African slave from Abyssinia , Bilal ibn Rabah. He was a beloved companion of Prophet Muhammad. Bilal’s rich and melodious voice called the Muslims of Madinah to prayer five times a day.

A translation of the call to prayer:

God is Greater, God is Greater;

God is Greater, God is Greater.

I testify that there is no deity except God;
I testify that there is no deity except God.

I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God; I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God.

Come to prayer! Come to prayer!

Come to success! Come to success!

God is Greater! God is Greater!

There is no deity except God.

What are the five pillars of Islam? Charity

An important principle of Islam is that everything belongs to God; wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. Obligatory charity or zakah means both “purifications” and “growth.” Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need and for society in general. Like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth.

Each Muslim calculates his or own zakah individually. This involves the annual payments to those in need of 2.5% of one’s assets, excluding such items as primary residence, car and professional tools. Zakah is a unique concept, compare to other forms of giving, in that it redistributes the wealth of society; when applied correctly, it effectively eliminates poverty.

God places great emphasis on taking care of the needy in society; He says in the Qur’an: “Those who spend of their wealth (in charity) by night and by day, and in secret and in public have their reward with their Lord, on them there shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” (Qur’an 2:274)

Giving beyond the obligatory charity is expected upon every Muslim and may take many forms. The Prophet said, “Even meeting your brother with a smile is an act of charity.” The Prophet further said that when one has nothing to give, he can stay away from evil; that too is charity.

What are the five pillars of Islam? Fasting

Fasting in the month of Ramadan is an essential part of being a Muslim. Muslims fast from dawn until sundown – abstaining from food and drink, and guarding themselves from destructive behavior.

Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are pregnant or nursing, are permitted to break the fast and make up an equal number of days later in the year. Children begin to fast (and to observe prayers) from puberty, although many start earlier.

God states in the Qur’an: “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed to those before you that you may achieve greater awareness (of God).” (Qur’an 2:183)

Fasting is not only beneficial to health, but it also allows one to truly empathize with those less fortunate. However, fasting is mainly a method of self-purification and self-restraint. By cutting oneself from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person focuses on his or her purpose in life by constantly being aware of God.

Ramadan is a special time for Muslims everywhere; a time for reflection and greater spirituality. The end of Ramadan is observed by a holiday – Eid al Fitr. On this day, Muslims all over the world celebrate with prayers and an exchange of gifts.

What are the five pillars of Islam? Pilgrimage

The pilgrimage to Makkah (the Hajj) is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for those who are physically and financially able. Over two million people, from all corners of the globe, go for Hajj each year making it the largest gathering for peace. Hajj provides a unique opportunity for people from different nations meet one another.

The annual Hajj begins in the twelfth month of the Islamic year. The Islamic year is lunar, consequently Hajj occurs throughout all seasons during one’s lifetime.

Pilgrims enter a state of sacredness where arguing and fighting, cutting a plant or even harming a fly is prohibited. They wear simple garments that strip away distinctions of class and culture, so that all stand equal before God.

The rites of the Hajj go back to Abraham and his family. They include visiting the Ka’bah and standing together on the wide plains of ‘Arafat (a large expanse of desert outside of Makkah). Here pilgrims pray for God’s forgiveness, in what is often considered a preview of the Day of Judgment. The Hajj provides a unique opportunity for Muslims to reflect on their lives, to refocus on God, and to return to their families and homes spiritually rejuvenated.

The close of the Hajj is marked by the Festival of Sacrifice, Eid al Adha. Pilgrims sacrifice a sheep or goat, commemorating Abraham’s readiness to sacrifice his own son. The sacrificial meat is distributed to the needy. Muslims around the world celebrate this day with prayers, ritual sacrifice, and an exchange of gifts.

How did the spread of Islam affect the World?

The Muslim community constituted to grow after Prophet Muhammad’s death. Within a few decades, vast numbers of people across three continents – Africa , Asia , and Europe – had chosen Islam as their way of life.

One of the reasons for the rapid and peaceful spread of Islam was the purity of its doctrine – Islam calls for faith in only one God. This, coupled with the Islamic concepts of equality, justice and freedom, resulted in a united and peaceful community. People were free to travel from Spain to China without fear, and without crossing any borders.

As millions of people embraced Islam, they brought with them the heritage of ancient civilizations like Egypt , Greece , India , Persia , and Rome . Muslims cherished these cultures’ knowledge and took great pains to preserve their libraries and honor and the scholars residing in their cities.

Many Muslim scholars traveled to these cities seeking knowledge. They translated into Arabic volumes of philosophical and scientific works from Greek and Syriac languages (the languages of Eastern Christian scholars), from Pahlavi (the scholarly language of Pre-Islamic Persia), and from Sanskrit (an ancient Indian language). As a result, Arabic became the language of worldly scholarship, and people migrated from all over the world to study in the Muslim Universities.

By 850, most of the philosophical and scientific works of Aristotle; much of Plato and Pythagorean school; and the major works of Greek astronomy, mathematics and medicine such as the Almagest of Ptolemy, the Elements of Euclid, and the works of Hippocrates and Galen, were all rendered into Arabic. Furthermore, important works of astronomy, mathematics and medicine were translated from Pahlavi and Sanskrit. For the next 700 years, Arabic became the most important scientific language of the world and the repository of much of the wisdom and the sciences of antiquity.

The achievement of scholars working in the Islamic tradition went far beyond translation and preservation of ancient learning. These scholars built upon the ancient heritage with their own scientific advances. These advancements were a direct cause of the Renaissance in Europe .

Muslims excelled in art, architecture, astronomy, geography, history, language, literature, medicine, mathematics, and physics. Many crucial systems such as algebra, the Arabic numerals, and the very concept of zero (vital to the advancement of mathematics), were formulated by Muslim scholars and shared with medieval Europe . Muslims invented sophisticated instruments that made future European voyages of discovery possible: the astrolabe, the quadrant, and detailed navigational maps and charts.

 

(*More resources and Q&A about islam/muslim can be found from the links listed at the side of this page; or you can just leave your questions on comment area below. We will try our best to answer them. Thanks!)

 

 

GLOSSARY

Here are some Islamic terms that you may have read or heard but you may be unfamiliar with. Their meanings are given below. We will be adding terms and their meanings to this page on a regular basis. In the meantime, if you would like to know the meaning of another Islamic term, please email us at here.

Allah
Allah is the one, single god of Islam. The word ‘Allah’ is a contraction of the Arabic words ‘al illah’ which means”the god.” Allah is a singular being who was neither born nor gives birth. Allah is the object of submission for Muslims.

Fatwa
Legal opinion concerning Islamic Law.

Hadith
Reports on the sayings and the traditions of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) or what he witnessed and approved.These are the real explanation, interpretation, and the living example of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) for teachings of the Qur’an.

Halal
Something which is lawful and permitted in Islam.

Haram
Something which is unlawful or prohibited in Islam.

Hijab
The word “hijab” comes from the Arabic word “hajaba” meaning to hide from view or conceal. In the present time, the context of hijab is modestly covering oneself. Hijab is not merely a covering dress but it is also behavior, manners, speech and appearance in public. Dress is only one facet of the total being.

Jihad
Means to strive. This can be any kind of striving in the way of God which involves either spiritual or personal effort, material resources, or arms.
It is an Arabic word the root of which is Jahada, which means to strive for a better way of life. The nouns are Juhd, Mujahid, Jihad, and Ijtihad. The other meanings are: endeavor, strain, exertion, effort, diligence, fighting to defend one’s life, land, and religion.

Masjid
A place of worship also known as the ‘the mosque.’ The life of the early Muslims used to revolve around the masjid. Meetings would be held there, discussions would take place there.

Muslim
A follower of Islam. One who submits to Allah.

Qur’an
Is the holy book of Islam. It was revealed to Muhammad (peace be upon him) by Allah through angel Gabriel over a period of 23 years. It is written in the Arabic language.

Ramadhan
The 9th month in the Islamic lunar calendar. It was during this month that the Quranic revelations began. During this month Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset