Welcome dear curious reader. Whether you’re a Muslim or not, it is anticipated that you will learn much from this endeavour. Sadly, Islam is still largely misunderstood by much of the population. Thus, we took the initiative to tell you the TRUTH about Islam.
Let’s begin!
Islam is one of the world’s major religions, followed by approximately 1.7 billion people and growing. About 1 in 5 people in the world follow Islam.
Islam, like other Abrahamic Faiths, teaches the belief in One God. However, Islam is 100% monotheistic, that is, we believe God is The One, The Eternal, The Creator, who doesn’t have any partners or family or children, and God alone deserves to be worshipped. We also believe that God (Allah) sent many prophets and messengers and revealed books to guide us. We also believe in Adam, Abraham, Noah, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (upon them be peace). Muhammad (upon him be peace) is the final Messenger of Allah, and the Qur’an (Koran) is the final revealed book of Guidance for all mankind.
All the prophets of Allah called to the same message: to worship The One True God (Allah) only, with sincerity and without making any partners, idols or rivals.
Islam means to submit your will to God (Allah), with sincerity, and in peace. Followers of Islam are called Muslims. Islam is a complete way of life. It influences everything including: worship, food, dress-code, relationships, interactions, business, health, money, law and order, life and death.
Muslims believe in an afterlife, that is, there will be a judgement, heaven and hell. We believe that our ancient enemy, Satan, is constantly plotting our downfall and encouraging disobedience to God. We can fight the Satan away by remembering Allah frequently. As humans, we make mistakes, so we always ask Allah to forgive us. We acknowledge we aren’t perfect, but have to try our best to do good and keep away from sins.
We believe our purpose in life is to worship Allah alone, following the example of the prophet Muhammad (upon him be peace).
The prophet Muhammad peace be upon him stressed the importance of excellent moral conduct and principles. Some of these key values are sincerity, patience, strength, dedication, cooperation in good, consideration, removal of evil, educating oneself and others, upholding the family, and establishing justice with EVERYONE, whoever they may be.
Here are some more details:
1.Allah-The Supreme Creator and Lord of all creation. The One True God worthy of worship. Allah is the Eternal, uncreated Creator. He is One, Self-sufficient, independent from and separate from His creation. Allah does not have any partners or children. There is nothing like Allah. Allah is the All-Knowing, All-Seeing, All-Hearing, Provider, Cherisher, Sustainer and Originator of the universe. It is essential to affirm the Oneness of Allah in His Lordship, His names and attributes and His exclusive right to be worshipped without partners or associates.
You can find a superb description of Allah in chapter 112 of the Qur’an:
2.Islam– Means submission to the will of the One Supreme Creator of the universe known as ‘Allah’ or The One True God.
3.Muslim- One who submits his/her will to the Will of Allah. The purpose in life is to worship Allah, not because He needs us (remember He is Self-Sufficient, Self-Subsisting) but because we need Him. It is in everyone’s natural disposition to recognise Allah’s Lordship and His right to be worshipped exclusively.
4.Messengers and prophets– Allah did not leave creation without guidance. He sent prophets and messengers, who were human beings, to warn their nations and remind them to worship Allah alone. We believe in Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus among others, peace be upon them all. Incidentally, we believe Jesus was born from the virgin Mary, miraculously without a father. Jesus is not the son of God, because God (Allah) is One, without partners, associates or children. Humans and created beings have children, and God is unlike His creation! Therefore, we respect and believe in Jesus peace be upon him as a messenger of God who never claimed divinity, but rather, he called to the worship of The One True God (Allah) alone without partners.
5. Scriptures and revealed books– Allah sent the messengers with scriptures to guide the people to come back to the worship of One True God alone. We believe in the original scriptures, such as the Torah, Psalms and Gospel (the current day versions have been altered by man over time and are thus no longer in the original form). All the messengers and prophets (peace be upon them all) professed Islamic Monotheism. The previous messengers were sent with revelations for their people at their times. Thereafter, Allah sent a final messenger to guide,remind and warn us.
6. The Final prophet and messenger and final book of revelation– Allah sent the final prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as the last messenger after whom no new messenger will be sent to mankind. Allah revealed the final book of revelation,The Qur’an, to the prophet Muhammad, who conveyed this to his people. The Qur’an is the verbatim words of Allah.
The miracle is that the Qur’an has been preserved from change since its revelation over 1400 years ago, as Allah guaranteed to guard it from corruption.
Verily, We, it is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Qur’an) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption) .
[Qur’an, 15:9- English interpretation]
The message Muhammad was sent with and the final revealed book (The Qur’an) abrogates all other books and laws before it. Muhammad peace be upon him also called to the Oneness of God and called people to worship Allah alone without partners (Islamic Monotheism), the same message of the previous prophets. The prophet Muhammad came with Islam, and the Qur’an, and this is the message all nations after him are to follow, as commanded by Allah. Indeed, it is through obeying God (Allah) that we hope to attain eternal bliss in the afterlife.
OMG… who hijacked history? Aren’t those facts surprisingly enlightening. Why are we hardly ever told of these incidents in history, of terror, genocide and anarchy at the hands of people who never identified with the Islamic faith- yes, think Spanish inquisition, Hitler, Milosevic, IRA bomb blasts, Vietnam war but to name a few… none of the perpetrators here were Muslim…
Lesson to learn– Terrorism knows no race, no religion, no region. STOP JUDGING, and LEARN THE TRUTH ABOUT ISLAM.
It’s been in the limelight time and time again, in parliament, in the media, in school, on the streets, virtually everywhere. Some hold it as a sign of emancipation, others ignorantly perceive it to be otherwise. For sure, it’s been heavily debated, and heavily misunderstood.
It’s the Hijab.
Did you know that Hijab is more than a scarf wrapped around your head?
Let’s break this down.
1-Hijab, is an Arabic word, meaning a screen, a cover, a barrier.
2- It’s often associated with modesty, Muslims and Islam. Incidentally, orthodox female followers of other faiths such as Judaism and Christianity also choose to cover (usually concealing the hair, with the neck exposed).
Who doesn’t have a smartphone/tablet/laptop/electronic gadget of some sort today?
In fact, many of us probably have one of these, or one of each, or even more than one of each…
Yes, so Alhamdulillah, we’re blessed with these fabulous gadgets that we use for hours on end.
We have all the time to use our digital darlings, but we’re deeply deprived.
Why?
Because which of us doesn’t have a Qur’an application on our devices, or a means to access it via WiFi or internet, but we chose to avoid it.
We have the time to make consecutive phone calls and messages. Minutes turn to hours. Granted, we’re busy- but we’ve got five, ten, fifteen minutes to spare to update our social media accounts, to browse the web, to take selfies…
When will we decide to read a verse or two of the Qur’an? It’s not that we don’t have time for it, it’s that we won’t make time for it…
Don’t we know what we’re missing out on? Our hearts are heavy, our minds are overwhelmed, our problems are many, yet we have the solutions, in the Qur’an. If only we would read.
The Qur’an is a healing, guidance and a mercy for the believers. Please read a few lines from Surah Ar-Rahman.
And observe the weight with equity and do not make the balance deficient.
10
وَالْأَرْضَ وَضَعَهَا لِلْأَنَامِ
And the earth: He has put down (laid) for the creatures.
11
فِيهَا فَاكِهَةٌ وَالنَّخْلُ ذَاتُ الْأَكْمَامِ
Therein are fruits and date-palms producing sheathed fruit-stalks (enclosing dates).
12
وَالْحَبُّ ذُو الْعَصْفِ وَالرَّيْحَانُ
And also corn, with (its) leaves and stalk for fodder, and sweet-scented plants.
13
فَبِأَيِّ آلَاءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ
Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinn and men) deny?
Allah grant us the tawfiq to read, ponder and act on His noble Book. May Allah save us from the devil’s plots. Allahumma salli alaa Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wasallam. Ameen
In the Name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful.
( 1 ) By those [winds] scattering [dust] dispersing
( 2 ) And those [clouds] carrying a load [of water]
( 3 ) And those [ships] sailing with ease
( 4 ) And those [angels] apportioning [each] matter,
( 5 ) Indeed, what you are promised is true.
( 6 ) And indeed, the recompense is to occur.
( 7 ) By the heaven containing pathways,
( 8 ) Indeed, you are in differing speech.
( 9 ) Deluded away from the Qur’an is he who is deluded.
( 10 ) Destroyed are the falsifiers
( 11 ) Who are within a flood [of confusion] and heedless.
( 12 ) They ask, “When is the Day of Recompense?”
( 13 ) [It is] the Day they will be tormented over the Fire
( 14 ) [And will be told], “Taste your torment. This is that for which you were impatient.”
( 15 ) Indeed, the righteous will be among gardens and springs,
( 16 ) Accepting what their Lord has given them. Indeed, they were before that doers of good.
( 17 ) They used to sleep but little of the night,
( 18 ) And in the hours before dawn they would ask forgiveness,
( 19 ) And from their properties was [given] the right of the [needy] petitioner and the deprived.
( 20 ) And on the earth are signs for the certain [in faith]
( 21 ) And in yourselves. Then will you not see?
( 22 ) And in the heaven is your provision and whatever you are promised.
( 23 ) Then by the Lord of the heaven and earth, indeed, it is truth – just as [sure as] it is that you are speaking.
( 24 ) Has there reached you the story of the honored guests of Abraham? –
( 25 ) When they entered upon him and said, “[We greet you with] peace.” He answered, “[And upon you] peace, [you are] a people unknown.
( 26 ) Then he went to his family and came with a fat [roasted] calf
( 27 ) And placed it near them; he said, “Will you not eat?”
( 28 ) And he felt from them apprehension. They said, “Fear not,” and gave him good tidings of a learned boy.
( 29 ) And his wife approached with a cry [of alarm] and struck her face and said, “[I am] a barren old woman!”
( 30 ) They said, “Thus has said your Lord; indeed, He is the Wise, the Knowing.”
( 31 ) [Abraham] said, “Then what is your business [here], O messengers?”
( 32 ) They said, “Indeed, we have been sent to a people of criminals
( 33 ) To send down upon them stones of clay,
( 34 ) Marked in the presence of your Lord for the transgressors.”
( 35 ) So We brought out whoever was in the cities of the believers.
( 36 ) And We found not within them other than a [single] house of Muslims.
( 37 ) And We left therein a sign for those who fear the painful punishment.
( 38 ) And in Moses [was a sign], when We sent him to Pharaoh with clear authority.
( 39 ) But he turned away with his supporters and said,” A magician or a madman.”
( 40 ) So We took him and his soldiers and cast them into the sea, and he was blameworthy.
( 41 ) And in ‘Aad [was a sign], when We sent against them the barren wind.
( 42 ) It left nothing of what it came upon but that it made it like disintegrated ruins.
( 43 ) And in Thamud, when it was said to them, “Enjoy yourselves for a time.”
( 44 ) But they were insolent toward the command of their Lord, so the thunderbolt seized them while they were looking on.
( 45 ) And they were unable to arise, nor could they defend themselves.
( 46 ) And [We destroyed] the people of Noah before; indeed, they were a people defiantly disobedient.
( 47 ) And the heaven We constructed with strength, and indeed, We are [its] expander.
( 48 ) And the earth We have spread out, and excellent is the preparer.
( 49 ) And of all things We created two mates; perhaps you will remember.
( 50 ) So flee to Allah. Indeed, I am to you from Him a clear warner.
( 51 ) And do not make [as equal] with Allah another deity. Indeed, I am to you from Him a clear warner.
( 52 ) Similarly, there came not to those before them any messenger except that they said, “A magician or a madman.”
( 53 ) Did they suggest it to them? Rather, they [themselves] are a transgressing people.
( 54 ) So leave them, [O Muhammad], for you are not to be blamed.
( 55 ) And remind, for indeed, the reminder benefits the believers.
( 56 ) And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.
( 57 ) I do not want from them any provision, nor do I want them to feed Me.
( 58 ) Indeed, it is Allah who is the [continual] Provider, the firm possessor of strength.
( 59 ) And indeed, for those who have wronged is a portion [of punishment] like the portion of their predecessors, so let them not impatiently urge Me.
( 60 ) And woe to those who have disbelieved from their Day which they are promised.
Oh My God! I’m lost for words…yet bursting to say something…
I keep clicking replay…
I can listen to this all day… I feel something in my heart when I read and listen to this. I see warnings, reminders, promises. I see truth. I see proof. I see meaning. I see no error. I feel a sense of emergency, of urgency. I feel I have to make a move. I have to act upon it. I feel I found the purpose in life.
I feel I need to run back to The One Who gave me life, The One Who will cause me to die, The One Who will resurrect me, and punish or reward me accordingly.
I need to run back to Allah alone.
So do you.
Be objective. Be sincere. Be open minded. I’m sure you’ll feel something too.
Oh Allaah the One Who changes the hearts, keep my heart firm upon Your religion! Guide us to preserve on Your straight path forever. Allahumma salli wasallim alaa nabiyinaa Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wasallam. Ameen.
In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful.
Islam Explained post 3
Ever wondered what the five pillars of Islam are? Why do Muslims have to pray? Do you really stop eating for 30 days in Ramadan? What’s the Hajj?
Look no further for the answer:
The last messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
‘ “Islam is built upon five [pillars]: the testimony that there is no god but Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah; establishing regular prayer (salaah); paying the zakaah; Hajj (pilgrimage) and fasting Ramadaan.”
These are the five important matters and acts of worship which every Muslim must perform, (see further for more details):
1-Testimony of faith- Muslims must testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone without partners and associates, and that Muhammad peace be upon him is the final servant and messenger of Allah.
This must be internalised, and uttered and adhered to in both word and deed.
2- Salah/establishing regular prayer- There are five compulsory prayers Muslims are obliged to perform each day. Reference for this obligation can be found in numerous verses of the Qur’an (Allah’s final book of revelation to us).
“Verily, As Salaah (the prayer) is enjoined on the believers at fixed hours”
[Qur’an chapter 4:103]
The prayer is the second most important duty after upholding the testimony of faith, such that abandoning it is tantamount to disbelief. Details on the way to perform Salah, and its importance can be found in statements and narrations of the sayings and teachings of Muhammad peace be upon him, Allah’s final prophet.
3-Zakaah- The Obligatory charity- This requires Muslims whose wealth reaches the required threshold, to pay 2.5% of there wealth in charity to individuals eligible for Zakat funds as mentioned in the 9th chapter of the Qur’an (verse 60), each lunar year.
4- Ramadan/Fasting- Muslims are obligated to fast 29 or 30 days of the 9th month of the Islamic lunar calendar. This requires abstinence from food,drink and intimacy from the beginning of dawn to when the sun has set. Those unable due to a valid reason, e.g.travel, are to make up the days before the next Ramadan. There are more rulings regarding fasting which we have posted in previous blog posts.
“O you who believe! Observing As-Sawm (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)”
[Qur’an, 2:183]
5- Hajj/pilgrimage- This is a journey to Makkah and surrounding areas which Muslims undertake, at least once in their lifetime, in submission to the command of Allah. Muslims who are adults, sane, free, physically and financially able, (and for women, have a male family member to accompany them) must undertake this journey of devotion to The Supreme Creator, Allah.
“And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka‘bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allaah, those who can afford the expenses (for one’s conveyance, provision and residence); and whoever disbelieves [i.e. denies Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah), then he is a disbeliever of Allaah], then Allaah stands not in need of any of the ‘Aalameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists)”
In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful.
Peace be upon you respected readers!
So, you’ve been watching the news, and hearing things, and seeing things, and subsequently believing things.
And sure enough, Islam and Muslims are, once again, under the spotlight.
Now, irrespective of who you are, I’d like to thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope you will approach this objectively, with an open mind, and a willingness to genuinely ascertain the truth.
I sympathise with you, that in this day and age, we are constantly being told, this, that and the other, and the result is, we don’t know who to believe. We’re confused, frustrated, perhaps even angry and resentful.
As a Muslim, I want you to know that Islam is not what many sections of the media and certain individuals are portraying it be to the masses. Islam is NOT about unjustly killing people!
If you believe that it does advocate unjust killing and oppression, then I am afraid you have fallen prey to the slander and lies of the ignorant and hate-mongerers.
It’s about time, we stopped being so naive, and believing everything we’re told, by some stranger on TV.
It’s about time, we thought twice before accepting the deductions made by columnists and editors of various newspapers.
It’s about time, we open our eyes, get back our dignity and start to do some research for ourselves, and stop believing everything we’re told without valid proof!
As a Muslim, I believe I have a right to tell you what Islam is really about, since I follow it.
Firstly, I need you to forget everything you’ve been told about Islam, any judgements, stereotypes and preconceptions you may have. Just cast them aside for a moment.
Now, any intelligent person would agree with me, that if you want to know about a matter, you start with its basic principles, the foundations, its building blocks. So let’s go back to square one.
Islam means, submission to the will of the Almighty, Supreme, uncreated Creator of the universe and all within it, Whom you may know as The Lord or God.
A Muslim is one who submits to the Supreme Creator. Muslims worship The One True God, referred to in Arabic as ‘Allah‘.
The most important principle in Islam is to uphold Islamic Monotheism, that is to attribute complete Oneness to Allah as He deserves, in His Lordship, His names and attributes and His right to be worshipped exclusively and alone. Allah has no partners, no rivals, no children, no son. He is Self-Sufficient, The All-Powerful, The Ever-Living, The One Who sustains all that exists, The Lord of all creation. There is no similitude to Allah.
This is the purity of the message of Islam.
Please do not be diverted from it by what you see, hear and read on the TV, or the Radio or the newspapers.
We appreciate your willingness to engage in a positive dialogue, as it’s about time we broke those barriers.
Please do check out the following pages for a better understanding:
Previously, we discussed that the fundamental principle in Islam is to affirm the Oneness of Allah, in His Lordship, His names and attributes and His right to be worshipped exclusively. We also discussed belief in the prophets and messengers of God (Allah) , the last of whom was prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), as well as the scriptures of the past, and the final revealed book, The Noble Qur’an.
Here follows some more enlightening facts about our Islamic beliefs and principles:
7. Unseen Creation- Muslims believe in the unseen creation, such as the angels and jinns.The angels always obey Allah. Regarding the jinn, there are believers and disbelievers among the them. Satan (man’s biggest enemy) is from among the Jinn creation.
8.Heaven and hell- Muslims believe that there is judgement and an afterlife following this ephemeral worldly existence. We will be held accountable for our actions on the Day of Judgement. We strive to reach paradise, the abode of eternal pleasure, by obediently doing what Allah loves and is pleased with, and by striving to avoid what He forbids and is displeased with.
9.Divine decree and predestination- Allah has absolute control over the universe and there is no power nor strength except with Him. His Wisdom is great. His justice is perfect. And He is All-Knowing, All-Observant and All-aware, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful. He wants good for His servants. He knows exactly why everything that occurs in the universe does so, because He decreed it with infinite wisdom. He knows the past, the present, the future, i.e. what has happened, what is happening and what will happen. We have choice to do good or bad, yet this does not operate outside the comprehensive decree and irresistible will of Allah, The Irresistible, The Mighty Compeller. Good and bad things happen to us in this world, as a test of our faith in God. If we turn to God (Allah) always and have faith, trust, repent and bear patiently, we will get through the trials successfully.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, The Most Merciful
Welcome dear curious reader. We’ll be giving you a brief introduction to Islam.
Whether you’re a Muslim or not, it is anticipated that you will learn much from this endeavour.
Sadly, Islam is still largely misunderstood by much of the population.
Thus, we took the initiative to tell you the TRUTH about Islam.
Let’s begin!
1.Allah-The Supreme Creator and Lord of all creation. The One True God worthy of worship. Allah is the Eternal, uncreated Creator. He is One, Self-sufficient, independent from and separate from His creation. Allah does not have any partners or children. There is nothing like Allah. Allah is the All-Knowing, All-Seeing, All-Hearing, Provider, Cherisher, Sustainer and Originator of the universe. It is essential to affirm the Oneness of Allah in His Lordship, His names and attributes and His exclusive right to be worshipped without partners or associates.
You can find a superb description of Allah in chapter 112 of the Qur’an:
2.Islam– Means submission to the will of the One Supreme Creator of the universe known as ‘Allah’ or The One True God.
3.Muslim- One who submits his/her will to the Will of Allah. The purpose in life is to worship Allah, not because He needs us (remember He is Self-Sufficient, Self-Subsisting) but because we need Him. It is in everyone’s natural disposition to recognise Allah’s Lordship and His right to be worshipped exclusively.
4.Messengers and prophets– Allah did not leave creation without guidance. He sent prophets and messengers, who were human beings, to warn their nations and remind them to worship Allah alone. We believe in Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus among others, peace be upon them all. Incidentally, we believe Jesus was born from the virgin Mary, miraculously without a father. Jesus is not the son of God, because God (Allah) is One, without partners, associates or children. Humans and created beings have children, and God is unlike His creation! Therefore, we respect and believe in Jesus peace be upon him as a messenger of God who never claimed divinity, but rather, he called to the worship of The One True God (Allah) alone without partners.
5. Scriptures and revealed books– Allah sent the messengers with scriptures to guide the people to come back to the worship of One True God alone. We believe in the original scriptures, such as the Torah, Psalms and Gospel (the current day versions have been altered by man over time and are thus no longer in the original form). All the messengers and prophets (peace be upon them all) professed Islamic Monotheism. The previous messengers were sent with revelations for their people at their times. Thereafter, Allah sent a final messenger to guide,remind and warn us.
6. The Final prophet and messenger and final book of revelation– Allah sent the final prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as the last messenger after whom no new messenger will be sent to mankind. Allah revealed the final book of revelation,The Qur’an, to the prophet Muhammad, who conveyed this to his people. The Qur’an is the verbatim words of Allah.
The miracle is that the Qur’an has been preserved from change since its revelation over 1400 years ago, as Allah guaranteed to guard it from corruption.
Verily, We, it is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Qur’an) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption) .
[Qur’an, 15:9- English interpretation]
The message Muhammad was sent with and the final revealed book (The Qur’an) abrogates all other books and laws before it. Muhammad peace be upon him also called to the Oneness of God and called people to worship Allah alone without partners (Islamic Monotheism), the same message of the previous prophets. The prophet Muhammad came with Islam, and the Qur’an, and this is the message all nations after him are to follow, as commanded by Allah. Indeed, it is through obeying God (Allah) that we hope to attain eternal bliss in the afterlife.
Thurrock Muslim Community 