I came across a very amazing series of 20 commonly asked questions about Islam or about Muslims. So, breaking them up into parts I will post them here bit by bit.
Here is the first part. This might be a recap of what's been earlier stated with a different perspective:
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IN THE NAME OF Allaah, THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE MOST MERCIFULThe word "Islam" means peace and submission to the Will of the only God worthy of being worshipped. This peace is contentment with yourself and your surroundings that could only be achieved by willfully submitting to God, obeying what He commands and abstaining from what He forbids.
WHO IS ALLAH?
Allah is the name in Arabic for the "One God". Allah is the Creator, Sustainer, Planner and Organizer. He is the only deity that has the right to be worshipped (i.e. praying, supplicating, fasting, etc.). In Islam, the belief in the One God cannot be separated from the acts of worshipping the One God. In other words, it is not enough to simply think you believe in the Oneness of the Creator but that belief must be affirmed by your statement and actions. Example, it would negate ones belief in the Oneness of the Creator if he directs his worship to a man (or any of the other created things).
WHO IS A PROPHET?
A Prophet is a person who is appointed by God to call the people to the worship and believe in the One God. All Prophets were given miracles by Allah to prove that they were Prophets. For example, Moses was given the miracles to free the Children of Israel, Jesus was given the ability to heal the sick and raise the dead by Allah's’ leave and Muhammad was given the Qur’an which is the everlasting and literal speech of Allah. May Allah send His peace and blessings on all the Prophets. Ameen!
WHAT IS THE QUR’AN?
The Qur’an is the Last Revelation from your Lord. It was revealed in the pure Arabic language to the Prophet Muhammad and has been kept preserved and unchanged, in its original form. The English interpretation of the Qur’an will be used as reference in this brochure. It is not Allah's' Word rather, it is a general interpretation of the meaning of the Qur’an. The Qur’an confirms the truth in the Torah, Psalms and the Gospel.
WHO WAS MUHAMMAD?
Muhammad is the Final Prophet and Messenger. He was born into the tribe of Quarish in the year 570 AD. His ancestry goes back to the Prophet Ishmael, the son of Prophet Abraham. His father died before his birth and his mother died before he was six. As a young man he was known as Al-Ameen (the trustworthy). He would retreat to a cave outside of Mecca where, he would ponder and reflect about the immoral practices and customs of the Pagan Arabs. He received revelation from the Creator at the age of 40 through the Angel Gabriel. Subsequently, the Revelations came over the period of 23 years and are collectively in the Qur’an.
WHAT ARE THE PILLARS OF ISLAM?
Islam has 5 Pillars.
1. Belief that no deity is worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad is His Last Prophet and Messenger.
2. Prayers, which are performed 5 times a day.
3. Fasting in the month of Ramadaan. Abstaining from food, drink and sexual relations with spouses from sunrise to sunset.
4. Charity is the requirement of 2.5% of a Muslims' saved earnings given to the poor once a year as purification of his wealth.
5. Pilgrimage is a journey to the Kab'ah in the sacred city of Mecca. Muslims are required to do this at least once in a lifetime if they are physically and financially able.
More to follow. The above question about the Five Pillars is probably the most important thing for a muslim.
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