2a] Islam at a Glance

2a]
and human relationships in all aspects.
Comprehensive teachings on which sound systems of social justice,
economics, politics, legislation, jurisprudence, law and international
relations can be built, are important contents of the Holy Qu'ran.
Hadith, the teachings, sayings, and actions of the Holy Prophet
Muhammad ( SAW ), meticulously reported and collected by his devoted
companions, explain and elaborate the Qu'ranic verses.
Concept of Worship:
Islam does not teach or accept mere Ritualism. It emphasises intention
and action. To worship God is to know Him and Love Him, to act upon
His laws in every aspect of life, to enjoin goodness and forbid evil
and oppression,to practice charity and justice and to serve Him
byserving mankind. Islam seeks to implant in man's heart the strongest
conviction that his every thought and action are with God, Who sees
him atall times and in all places.
The Qu'ran presents this concept in the following sublime manner:
"It is not righteousness that you turn your faces tothe East or the
West, but righteous is he who believes in God and the Last Day and the
Angels and the Book and the Prophets; and gives his wealth for the
love of Him to kinsfolk and to orphans and the needy and the wayfarer
and to those who ask, and to set slaves free; and observes proper
worship and pays the Zakat. And those who keeptheir treaty when they
make one, and are patient in tribulation and adversity and time of
stress. Such are those who are sincere. Such are the God fearing". (
Holy Qu'ran)
Islamic Way of Life:
Islam provides definite guidelines for all people tofollow in all
walks of life. The guidance it gives is comprehensive and includes the
social, economic, political, moral and spiritual aspects of life. The
Qu'ran reminds man of the purpose of life on earth, and his duties and
obligations towards himself, his kith and kin, his community, his
fellow human beings and his Creator. Man is given fundamental
guidelines about a purposeful life andthen he is left with the
challenge of human existence before him so that he might put these
high ideals into practice.
In Islam man is a wholesome, integrated unit and not a collection
offragmented, competitive parts.
Historic Perspective:
Muhammad ( SAW ) was born in the year 570 A.C. inMakkah in Arabia. He
cameof a noble Arab family. As soon as he started preaching Islam, he
and his followers were persecuted and had to facesevere hardships. He
was therefore commanded
to migrate to Medina, another city in Arabia.
During a short span of 23 years he was put to rest inthe city of
Medina. He left no wealth or property. He had lead a perfect life and
set an example for all human beings. His Biography illustrates in real
life, the meaning and implications of the Qu'ranic teachings.
Status of Women:
No discrimination is made on the basis of sex. But Islam makes one
realise that the spheres of potential capabilities and hence
responsibilities of men and women are equally important in themselves
but not exactlythe same.
The roles of men and women are complementary to each other.
Jihad:
Jihad ( meaning Struggle ) consists in exerting oneselfto the utmost
in order to personally follow the teachings of Islam. A Muslim
therefore, expends all the powers of body andsoul, his wealth,
possessions, and even life in the fight against the evilforces of the
world, in order that injustice, oppression, and contumacy are
annihilatedand God's just order is established.
Therefore to struggle in the path of Allah with the pen; speech; and
his swordis Jihad.
"What has happened to you ? why don't you fight in the way of God in
support of men, women, and children, whom finding helpless, they
haverepressed; and who pray,"Oh God ! liberate us from this habitation
which is ruled by Tyrants". ( Holy Qu'ran )
Islam has come to liberate man from the worship of man and establish
the worship of God./