2] Islam at a Glance

2]
Islam And Muslim:
Islam is an Arabic Word which means peace, purity, acceptance and
commitment. The religion of Islam is the complete acceptance of the
teachings and guidance of God ( Allah being his proper name ). i.e.
surrender to the Will of God.
A Muslim is one who accepts freely and willingly the supreme power of
God and strives for total reorganisation of his life according to
revealed teachings of God. He also works towards theestablishment of a
just and equitable social order which would totally reflectthe
guidance of God.
Continuity of Message:
Islam is not a new religion.It is, in essence, the same message and
guidance which God revealed to all His Prophets ( May his peace be
upon them all ).
"Say. We believe in God 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 ofthem, and to Him
we submit. ( Holy Qu'ran ).
The message which was revealed to Muhammad ( May the Peace and
blessings of God be upon him ), the Last Prophet, is Islam in it's
comprehensive, complete and final form.
The 5 specific acts of Worship:
Every action which is donewith the awareness that it fulfils the will
of God is considered an act of worship in Islam. Nevertheless, the
specific acts of Worship, termed the pillars of Islam, provide the
framework of spiritual life.
They are the Following:
1. Shahada ( The declaration of Faith )
"I bear witness that there is none worthy of Worshipexcept God, and
that Muhammad is His servant and messenger"
The Prophethood of Muhammad ( SAW ) obliges the Muslims to follow his
exemplary life in every way.
2. Salah ( Prayers )
Prayers are prescribed five times a day as a duty towards God. They
strengthen and enliven the belief in God and inspire man to a higher
morality. They purify the heart and control temptation towards wrong
doing and evil. It should be stressed that while Allah does not need
our prayers we cannot survive without His blessings and guidance.
"O you who believe ! Seek help with patient perseverance and prayer,
for Allah is with those whopatiently persevere". ( Holy Qu'ran )
3. Sawm ( Fasting )
Fasting is observed once each year during the month of Ramadan. This
means abstention from food, drink and sexual intercourse from dawn to
sunset, and also from all evil intentions and desires.It teaches Love,
sincerity and devotion. It develops a sound social conscience,
patience, unselfishness and willpower. When we fast by choice, God
remembers our sufferings. He appreciates it all :)
4. Zakat ( Charity )
Zakat payment annually of2.5% of ones net savings as a purifying sum
to be spent on the poor and needy. Zakat implies that everything man
possesses belongs to God and therefore anyone in need has a share in
it.
5. Pilgrimage ( Hajj ) to theHoly City of Makkah:
Once in a lifetime providedone has the means to do so. Hajj implies
Man's temporary suspension of all worldly activities and his
realisation of himself as a naked soul in front of God alone.
Oneness of God:
Islam enjoins faith in the oneness and sovereignty of God, which makes
man aware of the meaningfulness of the Universe and of his 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
towards Him. Belief in One God requires that we look upon all humanity
as one family irrespective of colour, class, race, or territory, under
the Omnipotence of God the Creator and Nourisher of all.
Islam rejects the idea of a chosen people, making faith in God and
good action the only way to HEAVEN. Thus a direct relationship is
established with God. Open to all alike,without any intercessor.
Life After Death:
The world according to Islam, is a place of trial and man is being
judged in it. Man is accountable toAllah for all that he does herein.
Life on earthy will, one day, come to an end; and after that a new
worldwill be resurrected. It will be in this Life after Death that man
will be rewardedor punished for his deeds and misdeeds. God will judge
man on the day of Judgement and send him either to Heaven, a stage of
existence which leads tofurther blessings, or to Hell, a stage of
suffering and punishment.
Qu'ran And Hadith:
The Qu'ran is the last revealed Word of God and as such affirms and
completes the total process of revelation which has come from the
Divine, for the Guidance of the Human race. The Qu'ran is the basic
source of Islamic teachings and laws and deals with the bases of
creeds, morality, history of humanity, worship, knowledge, wisdom,
God-man relationship ( He is our Master, Creator, and Lord, we are his
servants ), and human relationships in all aspects. :->