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What is Islam ?
...Allah's messenger (SAW) replied, "To worship Allah Alone and none
else, to offer prayers perfectly (Iqamat-as-Salat), to give Zakat (Islamic
Tax) and to observe fasts during the month of Ramadan,..."*
(Sahih-Al-Bukhari, Vol.1, Hadith No.47)
*extra perform the HAJJ
Islam (which means submission to Allah) is not a new religion, but the same truth
that Allah revealed through all his prophets to every people. A fifth of the worlds
population, are Muslims (Those who follow Islam).
What do Muslims believe?
Muslims believe in One, Unique Incomparable God (Allah); in the angels created
by Allah; in the prophets through whom Allahs revelations were brought to
mankind; in the Day of Judgement and individual accountability for actions; in
Allahs complete authority over human destiny and in life after death. Muslims
believe in the chain of prophets starting with Adam and including Noah, Abraham,
Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Elias, Jonah,
John the Baptist, and Jesus, peace be upon them. Allahs final message to
people, a reconfirmation of the eternal message and summing up of all that has
gone before was revealed to the Prophet Muhammed, (pbuh) peace be upon him, through
Gabriel.
What is the Quran?
The Quran
is a record of the exact words revealed by Allah through angel Gabriel to the
prophet Muhammed, peace be upon him. It was memorized by Muhammed (pbuh) and then
dictated to his Companions, and written down by scribes, who cross checked it
during his lifetime.
Not one word of its 114 chapters, Surahs, has been changed over the centuries,
so that the Quran is in every detail the unique and miraculous text which was
revealed to Muhammed (pbuh) fourteen centuries ago.
Are there any other sacred sources?
Yes, the Sunnah, the practice and example of the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh), is the
second authority for Muslims. A Hadith
is a reliably transmitted report of what the Prophet (pbuh) said, did, or approved.
Belief and practice in the Sunnah is part of the Islamic faith.
Muhammed (pbuh) is the Last Messenger
Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said The parable of myself
and the other prophets is that of a building which is complete except for one
brick. Onlookers circle it, marvelling at its construction, but they note the
missing brick. It is I who has filled the empty place. No new messenger will come
after me, for the building is now complete.
The Will of Allah
The Will of Allah which is obligatory upon all people to follow, is the one which
Allah has revealed for the guidance of people. The Will of Allah is not to be
determined by people themselves. Allah has enunciated it clearly and there is
no ambiguity about it. Therefore if a person or society is honest and steadfast
in its contract with Allah, it must scrupulously fashion its entire life in accordance
with the Book of Allah and the Sunnah (practical example) of the Prophet (pbuh).
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