Islam
The Meaning of Islam
The religion of Islam, though it might be strange to people, has started with Adam, the first man. All prophets, including Jesus and Moses, called for the same religion of Islam, this will be clear if we dive deep into the meaning of the word Islam: the word literally and linguistically means submission to God’s will and peace and security , all the teachings of Islam are based on submission to God’s will and this ensues peace between the entire remembers of the world in addition to internal happiness. The concept of Islam, owing to human tampering with God’s religions throughout history, had been changed, this concept was restored by the religion of Islam- the last of all.
Islam dates back to the age of Adam and its message has been conveyed to man by God's prophets and messengers, including Abrahim, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad.
Islam and Other Religions
In Islam, A Muslim can’t be A Muslim unless he believes that all the other religions (Christianity and Judaism) are sent from God. In Islam, these once- true religions have been changed and many human interpolations were inserted in these religions changing many concepts of God- this is a confession made by Non-Muslims.
Despite this fact, it behooved on every Muslim that he should respect the others and live in peace with the Non-Muslims, Prophet Muhammad was the first to held peace treaties with the Jews and the Christian in this frame.
Application of Faith
God has laid down for a Muslim four major exercises of faith, some are daily, some weekly, some monthly, some annually and some are required as a minimum of once in a lifetime.
These exercises of faith are to serve man's spiritual purposes, satisfy his human needs and to mark his whole life with a Divine touch.
These major exercises of faith are:
1. Prayer
The word prayer means in Arabic “ Salah” which literally means” connection, contacting and communication” with God. The aim of Salah is to express the total submission to God especially when a Muslim prostrates himself to God, Muslims perform Salah five times daily.
2. Fasting
The Islamic Fasting is abstaining completely from eating, drinking, intimate sexual contact and smoking from the break of dawn until sunset. Exceptions: women during their period of menstruation and while nursing a child and also in the cases of travel and illness.
Fasting teaches man a creative sense of hope, devotion, patience, unselfishness, moderation, willpower, wise savings, sound budgeting, mature adaptability, healthy survival, discipline, spirit of social belonging, unity and brotherhood.
3. Charity Giving (Zakah)
Zakah is an act of worship and spiritual investment. The literal meaning of Zakah is purity and it refers to the annual amount in kind or coin which a Muslim with means must distribute among the rightful beneficiaries.
It also purifies the heart of the recipient from envy and jealousy, from hatred and uneasiness and it fosters instead good-will and warm wishes for the contributors.
4-Zakah has a deep humanitarian and social-political value; for example, it frees society from class warfare, from ill feelings and distrust and from corruption.
5- The Pilgrimage (Hajj)
It is annual gathering for Muslims who could bear the travel and who is able to bear the costs and it is done once a year.
It is to commemorate the Divine rituals observed by Prophet Abraham and his son, Ishmael, who are the first pilgrims to the first house of God on earth; the Ka'bah.
The sound faith of A Muslim is based on the following articles:
A Muslim believes in One God, Supreme and Eternal, Infinite and Mighty, Merciful and Compassionate, Creator and Provider.
A Muslim believes in all the Messengers and Prophets of God without any discrimination.
A Muslim believes in all scriptures and revelations of God, as they were complete and in their original versions.
A Muslim believes in the angels of God.
A Muslim believes in the day of Judgement.
A Muslim believes in "Qadaa" and "Qadar".
A Muslim believes that the purpose of life is to worship God.
A Muslim believes that man enjoys an especially high ranking status in the hierarchy of all known creatures.
A Muslim believes that every person is born "Muslim".
A Muslim believes that every person is born free from sin.
A Muslim believes that man must work out his salvation through the guidance of God.
A Muslim believes that God does not hold any person responsible until he has shown him the Right Way.
A Muslim believes that faith is not complete when it is followed blindly or accepted unquestioningly.
A Muslim believes that the Quran is the word of God revealed to prophet Muhammad through the Angel Gabriel.
A Muslim believes in a clear distinction between the Quran and the Traditions of the Prophet Muhammad.
Islam is a Code of Life
Islam presents matchless unprecedented ethical system that organize Spiritual Life, Intellectual Life ,Personal Life Family Life, Social Life Economical Life ,Political Life and the International Life