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Question:

What do Muslims think of Jesus? (Peace be upon him)


Answer:

Muslims think highly of Jesus (Peace be upon him) and his worthy mother, Mary. The Quran tells us that Jesus was born of a miraculous birth without a father. "Lo! The likeness of Jesus with Allah is the likeness of Adam. He created him of dust, and then He said unto him: Be and he is" (Quran 3.59). He was given many miracles as a prophet. These include speaking soon after his birth in defense of his mother's piety. God's other gifts to him included healing the blind and the sick, reviving the dead, making a bird out of clay and most importantly, the message he was carrying. These miracles were given to him by God to establish him as a prophet. According to the Quran, he was not crucified but was raised into Heaven. (Quran, Chapter Maryam).


Question:

Is Islam Intolerant of other religious minorities?


Answer:

Islam recognizes the rights of the minority. To ensure their welfare and safety, Muslim rulers initiated a tax (Jazia) on them. Prophet Muhammad (P) forbade Muslim armies to destroy churches and synagogues. Caliph Umer did not even allow them to pray inside a church. Jews were welcomed and flourished in Muslim Spain even when they were persecuted in the rest of Europe. They consider that part of their history as the Golden Era. In Muslim countries, Christians live in prosperity, hold government positions and attend their church. Christian missionaries are allowed to establish and operate their schools and hospitals. However, the same religious tolerance is not always available to Muslim minorities as seen in the past during Spanish inquisition and the crusades, or as seen now by the events in Bosnia, Israel and India. Muslims do recognize that sometimes the actions of a ruler do not reflect the teachings of his religion.


Question:

What are the pillars of Islam?


Answer:

There are five major pillars of Islam which are the articles of faith. These pillars are 1) the belief (Iman) in one God and that Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is His messenger, 2) prayer (Salat) which are prescribed five times a day, 3) fasting (Siyam) which is required in the month of Ramadan, 4) charity (Zakat) which is the poor-due on the wealth of the rich and 5) hajj which is the pilgrimage to Mecca once in a lifetime if one can afford it physically and financially. All the pillars should be of equal height and strength in a building in order to give the building its due shape and proportions. It is not possible that one would do hajj without observing fasting or without practicing regular prayers. Now think of a building which has pillars only. It would not be called a building. In order to make it a building, it has to have a roof, it has to have walls, it has to have doors and windows. These things in Islam are the moral codes of Islam such as honesty, truthfulness, steadfastness and many other human moral qualities. Thus in order to be a Muslim, one should not only be practicing the pillars of Islam but should also have the highest possible attribute for being a good human being. Only then the building is completed and looks beautiful.


Question:

What is the purpose of worship in Islam?


Answer:

The purpose of worship in Islam is to be God conscious. Thus the worship, whether it is prayer, fasting, or charity, is a means to achieve God consciousness so that when one becomes conscious of God, in thought and in action, he is in a better position to receive His bounties both in this world and the hereafter.


Question:

Do Muslims believe in the hereafter?


Answer:

God is Just and manifest His justice; He established the system of accountability. Those who do good will be rewarded and those who do wrong will be punished accordingly. Thus, He created Heaven and Hell and there are admission criteria for both. Muslims believe that the present life is a temporary one. It is a test and if we pass the test, we will be given a life of permanent pleasure in the company of good people in Heaven.


Question:

Will the good actions of the non-believers be wasted?


Answer:

No. The Quran clearly says that, "anyone who has an atom's worth of goodness will see it and anyone who has done an atom's worth of evil will also see it" (Quran 99:7-8). By that it is meant that those who are non- believers but have done good will be rewarded in this world for their good deed. On the other hand, those who do good if they are Muslims, they will be rewarded not only in this world but also in the world hereafter. However, the final Judgment is up to God himself. (Quran 2:62).


Question:

What is the dress code for Muslims?


Answer:

Islam emphasizes modesty. No person should be perceived as a sex object. There are certain guidelines both for men and women that their dress should neither be too thin nor too tight to reveal body forms. For men, they must at least cover the area from the knee to navel and for women; their dress should cover all areas except the hands and face. The veil is not essential.


Question:

What are the dietary prohibitions in Islam?


Answer:

Muslims are told in the Quran not to eat pork or pork products, meat of the animals who died before being slaughtered or the carnivorous animals (as they eat dead animals), nor drink blood or intoxicants such as wine or use any illicit drugs.


Question:

What is the Islamic Year?


Answer:

The Islamic year started from the migration (Hijra) of Prophet Muhammad (P) from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD. It is a lunar year of 354 days. The first month is called Muharram. 1996 AD is in Islamic year 1416 AH.


Question:

What is "Islamic Fundamentalism"?


Answer:

There is no concept of "Fundamentalism" in Islam. The western media has coined this term to brand those Muslims who wish to return to the basic fundamental principles of Islam and mould their lives accordingly. Islam is a religion of moderation and a practicing God fearing Muslim can neither be a fanatic nor an extremist.


Question:

Does Islam oppress women?


Answer:

No. On the contrary, Islam elevated the status of women 1,400 years ago by giving them the right to divorce, the right to have financial independence and support and the right to be identified as dignified women (Hijab) when in the rest of the world, including Europe, women had no such rights. Women are equal to men in all acts of piety (Quran 33:32). Islam allows women to keep their maiden name after marriage, their earned money and spend it as they wish, and ask men to be their protector as women on the street can be molested. Prophet Muhammad (P) told Muslim men, "the best among you is the one who is best to his family." Not Islam, but some Muslim men, does oppress women today. This is because of their cultural habits or their ignorance about their religion. Female Genital Mutilations has nothing to do with Islam. It is a pre Islamic African Custom, practiced by non Muslims including coptic Christians as well.


Question:

What are the Islamic festivals?


Answer:

Idul Fitre, marks the end of fasting in the month of Ramadan and is celebrated with public prayers, feasts and exchange of gifts. Idul Adha marks the end of the Hajj or the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. After the public prayers, those who can afford, sacrifice a lamb or a goat to signify Prophet Abraham's obedience to God, shown by his readiness to sacrifice his son Ishmael. Idul Fitre, marks the end of fasting in the month of Ramadan and is celebrated with public prayers, feasts and exchange of gifts. Idul Adha marks the end of the Hajj or the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. After the public prayers, those who can afford, sacrifice a lamb or a goat to signify Prophet Abraham's obedience to God, shown by his readiness to sacrifice his son Ishmael.


Question:

What are the Teachings of Islam?


Answer:

The foundation of the Islamic faith is belief in the Unity of God. This means to believe that there is only one Creator and Sustainer of everything in the Universe, and that nothing is divine or worthy of being worshipped except for Him. Truly believing in the Unity of God means much more than simply believing that there is "One God" - as opposed to two, three or four. There are a number of religions that claim belief in "One God" and believe that ultimately there is only one Creator and Sustainer of the Universe. Islam, however, not only insists on this, but also rejects using such words as "Lord" and "Savior" for anyone besides Almighty God. Islam also rejects the use of all intermediaries between God and Man, and insists that people approach God directly and reserve all worship for Him alone. Muslims believe that Almighty God is Compassionate, Loving and Merciful. The essence of falsehood is the claim that God cannot deal with and forgive His creatures directly. By over-emphasizing the burden of sin, as well as claiming that God cannot forgive you directly, false religions seek to get people to despair of the Mercy of God. Once they are convinced that they cannot approach God directly, people can be mislead into turning to false gods for help. These "false gods" can take various forms, such as saints, angels, or someone who is believed to be the "Son of God" or "God Incarnate". In almost all cases, people who worship, pray to or seek help from a false god don't consider it to be, or call it, a "god". They claim belief in One Supreme God, but claim that they pray to and worship others beside God only to get closer to Him. In Islam, there is a clear distinction between the Creator and the created. There is no ambiguity in divinity - anything that is created is not deserving of worship and only the Creator is worthy of being worshipped. Some religions falsely believe that God has become part of His creation, and this has led people to believe that they can worship something created in order to reach their Creator. Muslims believe that even though God is Unique and beyond comprehension - He has no "Son", partners or associates. According to Muslim belief, Almighty God "does not beget nor was He begotten" - neither literally, allegorically, metaphorically, physically or metaphysically - He is Absolutely Unique and Eternal. He is in control of everything and is perfectly capable of bestowing His infinite Mercy and Forgiveness to whomever He chooses. That is why is called the All-Powerful and Most-Merciful. Almighty God has created the Universe for man, and as such wants the best for all human beings. Muslims see everything in the Universe as a sign of the Creatorship and Benevolence of Almighty God. Also, the belief in the Unity of God is not merely a metaphysical concept. It is a dynamic belief that affects ones view of humanity, society and all aspects of life. As a logical corollary to the Islamic belief in the Oneness of God, is its belief in the oneness of mankind and humanity.


Question:

What is the Quran?


Answer:

It is the final revelation of the will of Almighty God's to all of mankind, which was conveyed through the Angel Gabriel, in Arabic, to the Prophet Muhammad in its sounds, words and meanings. The Quran, sometimes spelled Koran, was relayed to the Prophet's companions, which they memorized verbatim, and which has been publicly and continually recited by them and their successors until the present day. In short, the Quran is the book of guidance from God par excellence. The Quran is still memorized and taught by millions of people. The language of the Quran, Arabic, is still a living language to millions of people, so unlike the scriptures of other religions, the Quran is still read in its original language by countless millions of people. The Quran is a living miracle in the Arabic language; and is know to be inimitable in its style, form and spiritual impact. God's final revelation to mankind, the Quran, was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad over a period of 23 years. The Quran, in contrast to many other religious books, was always thought to be the Word of God by those who believed in it, i.e. it wasn't something decreed by a religious council many years after being written. Also, the Quran was recited publicly in front of both the Muslim and non-Muslim communities during the life of the Prophet Muhammad. The entire Quran was also completely written down in lifetime of the Prophet, and numerous companions of the Prophet memorized the entire Quran word-for-word as it was revealed. So unlike other scriptures, the Quran was always in the hands of the common believers, it was always thought to be God's word and, due to wide-spread memorization, it was perfectly preserved. In regards to the teachings of the Quran - it is a universal scripture, and it is addressed to all of mankind, and not to a particular tribe or "chosen people". The message that it brings is nothing new, but the same message of all of the prophets - submit to Almighty God and worship Him alone. As such, God's revelation in the Quran focuses on teaching human beings the importance of believing in the Unity of God and framing their lives around the guidance which He has sent. Additionally, the Quran contains the stories of the previous prophets, such as Abraham, Noah, Moses and Jesus; as well as many commands and prohibitions from God. In modern times in which so many people are caught up in doubt, spiritual despair and "political correctness", the Quranic teachings offer solutions to the emptiness of our lives and the turmoil that is gripping the world today.


Question:

What Is The Spirit?


Answer:

By Mohamed Hussein Ibrahim

Before talking about the end of the world, we should display the beginning in a summary form to understand how Allah has provided man with the evidences. These evidences make man believe in Allah Who has put the human beings on equal footing. The unlearned and learned understand the evidences.

Allah created Adam from the earth elements. The recent scientific analysis has proved that the body of man contains 18 elements. These elements are the same as the earth elements. Consequently, we observe that science had discovered what the gracious Qur'an showed fourteen centuries ago.

Allah created Adam himself. He ensured Adam from His soul and granted life to his body, then created Eve from his rib. Man consists of spirit and body. Allah permitted man to discover the laws of the physical body throughout the ages according to his knowledge but He made the spirit unsolved mystery. All researchers tried to discover what is spirit but in vain because the spirit cannot be analyzed scientifically. You can't analyze the spirit in the laboratory not carry out experiments on the spirit to know its laws.

Man Tried to know information about the spirit and he is still trying. Swiss scientist carried out an experiment putting a dying man on a bed with an accurate pair of scales attached. He had found out that man loses a tiny amount of his weight at the moment of his death, i.e. during the coming out of the spirit from the body. After these experiments, Swiss scientist said that the spirit has a tiny weight less than one part of hundred of gram. He claimed that the spirit has a tiny weight and tried to prove that the spirit is a material mass with a tiny weight but was not able to prove it.

There are scientists who disclaim the existence of the spirit and claimed that it is mainly time or nature. Some scientists resorted to philosophy and said it is spirit that grants life to the body. Allah says in His perfect Book.

They asking thee concerning The spirit (of inspiration) Say: "The spirit cometh By command of my Lord: Of knowledge it is only A little that is communicated To you o man

(Sura: Isra') (Verse: 85)

We should realize that there is spirit, body and soul. Soul is the meeting of spirit and material, i.e. mixture of spirit and body. The command of Allah is not applied to spirit only or the spiritless body but it is applied to the mixture of spirit and body, as said by Allah.

By the soul, And the proportion and order Given to it; And its enlightenment As to its wrong And it's right Truly he succeeds That purifies it, And he fails, that corrupts it

We observe that the soul, which is the point at which spirit and material meet, carried out the commandment of Allah. Torture and bliss in Hereafter are for the soul too. Allah restores creation and restore the bodies which meet the spirit to be ready for judgment. We notice that the verses of Qur'an, which refer to the hereafter, don't refer to spirit only nor the body only but they refer to the soul. Allah says:

Then shall every soul Receive its due, Whatever it earned, And non-shall be Dealt with unjustly And there will come forth Every soul with each Will be an (angel) to drive And an (angel) to Bear witness (Sura: Qaf) (Verse: 21)

Then guard yourself against a day, When one soul shall not avail, another (Sura: Al-Baqara) (Verse: 48)

We observe that the commandment of Allah, whether torture or bliss, is for the soul because it is the mixture of spirit and body, i.e. meeting the spirit and material

What is the spirit?

If we want to know what the spirit is, we should declare that it is the divine secret, which grants life to material. In other words, the spirit is Allah's will for us to live or die. Death is considered the beginning of a new stage, which has its laws, and no one knows but Allah.

We have showed that man changes instantly from one state to another. When he puts his head on a pillow to sleep and lays his body on bed, he will change to another state and when he gets up, he changes instantly to another state. In other words, he will move from the law of sleeping to the law of waking, which are different.

The Messenger of Allah (Muhammad) peace and blessings be upon him) showed us that life in this world is short if compared to the journey of the greatest life. The Messenger of Allah (Muhammad) peace and blessings be upon him) has described this world like a traveler who spent some time in the shade of a tree before his departure. Thus showing us how short it is. The Messenger of Allah (Muhammad) peace and blessings be upon him says:

"I am not eager for life in this world, I live in this world like the rider who sat in the shade of a tree before his departure".

Man knows nothing about spirit. The Jews asked the Messenger of Allah about spirit and how it grants life to the body. They thought that the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad) Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) will allege an answer depending on himself and thus they can contest his statement and would not believe in his message. Then Allah revealed this???

They ask thee concerning, The spirit (of inspiration), Say: "the spirit cometh, y command of my Lord:, Of knowledge it is only, A little that is communicated, To you O man, (Sura: Isra') (Verse: 85)

This means that spirit is still one of Allah's secrets. We can not solve this secret until the Day of Judgment. The spirit, which is an unsolved secret, is considered an evidence that serves the cause faith. This unsolved secret which makes us pay attention to the ability of Allah, leads us to the way of faith and belief in the existence of Allah the Founder of being and the Creator of the universe.

Although the spirit lies in the body, man knows nothing about it. He does not know how spirit entered or existed. He does not know its place in the human body. Does spirit lie in the brain, which transmits signals to the body in order to move? Does it lie in the heart, which beats when man has been fetus in the mother womb? This heart beats in voluntarily until life ends. Does it lie in the arms, which hit? Does it lie in he legs, which walk? Does it lie in the eyes, which see? Does it lie in the ears, which hear? Does it lie in the tongue, which speaks? Where is the spirit?


Question:

How Do Muslims View the Nature of Man, the Purpose of Life and the Life Hereafter?


Answer:

In the Holy Quran, God teaches human beings that they were created in order to worship Him, and that the basis of all true worship is God-consciousness. Since the teachings of Islamic encompass all aspects of life and ethics, God-consciousness is encouraged in all human affairs. Islam makes it clear that all human acts are acts of worship if they are done for God alone and in accordance to His Divine Law. As such, worship in Islam is not limited to religious rituals. The teachings of Islam act as a mercy and a healing for the human soul, and such qualities as humility, sincerity, patience and charity are strongly encouraged. Additionally, Islam condemns pride and self-righteousness, since Almighty God is the only judge of human righteousness. The Islamic view of the nature of man is also realistic and well-balanced. Human beings are not believed to be inherently sinful, but are seen as equally capable of both good and evil. Islam also teaches that faith and action go hand-in-hand. God has given people free-will, and the measure of one's faith is one's deeds and actions. However, human beings have also been created weak and regularly fall into sin. This is the nature of the human being as created by God in His Wisdom, and it is not inherently "corrupt" or in need of repair. This is because the avenues of repentance of always open to all human beings, and Almighty God loves the repentant sinner more than one who does not sin at all. The true balance of an Islamic life is established by having a healthy fear of God as well as a sincere belief in His infinite Mercy. A life without fear of God leads to sin and disobedience, while believing that we have sinned so much that God will not possibly forgive us only leads to despair. In light of this, Islam teaches that: only the misguided despair of the Mercy of their Lord. Additionally, the Holy Quran, which was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, contains a great deal of teachings about the life hereafter and the Day of Judgment. Due to this, Muslims believe that all human beings will ultimately be judged by God for their beliefs and actions in their earthly lives. In judging human beings, Almighty God will be both Merciful and Just, and people will only be judged for what they were capable of. Suffice it to say that Islam teaches that life is a test, and that all human beings will be accountable before God. A sincere belief in the life hereafter is key to leading a well-balanced life and moral. Otherwise, life is viewed as an end in itself, which causes human beings to become more selfish, materialistic and immoral..


Question:

What is the Islamic view on Dating?


Answer:

Islam does not approve of intimate mixing of the sexes, and forbids premarital or extramarital sex. Islam encourages marriage as a shield to such temptations and as a means of having mutual love, mercy and peace.


Question:

What is the Islamic view on Abortion?


Answer:

Islam considers abortion as murder and does not permit it.


Question:

What is the Islamic view on Homosexuality and AIDs?


Answer:

Islam categorically opposes homosexuality and considers it a sin. However, Muslim physicians are advised to care for AIDs patients with compassion just as they would for other patients.


Question:

What is the Islamic view on Euthanasia and Suicide?


Answer:

Islam is opposed to both suicide and euthanasia. Muslims do not believe in heroic measures to prolong the misery in a terminally ill patient.


Question:

What is the Islamic view on Organ Transplantation?


Answer:

Islam stresses upon saving lives (Quran 5:32); thus, transplantation in general would be considered permissible provided a donor consent is available. The sale of the organ is not allowed.



What do Muslims think of Jesus? (Peace be upon him)

Muslims think highly of Jesus (Peace be upon him) and his worthy mother, Mary. The Quran tells us that Jesus was born of a miraculous birth without a father. "Lo! The likeness of Jesus with Allah is the likeness of Adam. He created him of dust, and then He said unto him: Be and he is" (Quran 3.59). He was given many miracles as a prophet. These include speaking soon after his birth in defense of his mother's piety. God's other gifts to him included healing the blind and the sick, reviving the dead, making a bird out of clay and most importantly, the message he was carrying. These miracles were given to him by God to establish him as a prophet. According to the Quran, he was not crucified but was raised into Heaven. (Quran, Chapter Maryam).



Is Islam Intolerant of other religious minorities?

Islam recognizes the rights of the minority. To ensure their welfare and safety, Muslim rulers initiated a tax (Jazia) on them. Prophet Muhammad (P) forbade Muslim armies to destroy churches and synagogues. Caliph Umer did not even allow them to pray inside a church. Jews were welcomed and flourished in Muslim Spain even when they were persecuted in the rest of Europe. They consider that part of their history as the Golden Era. In Muslim countries, Christians live in prosperity, hold government positions and attend their church. Christian missionaries are allowed to establish and operate their schools and hospitals. However, the same religious tolerance is not always available to Muslim minorities as seen in the past during Spanish inquisition and the crusades, or as seen now by the events in Bosnia, Israel and India. Muslims do recognize that sometimes the actions of a ruler do not reflect the teachings of his religion.



What are the pillars of Islam?

There are five major pillars of Islam which are the articles of faith. These pillars are 1) the belief (Iman) in one God and that Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is His messenger, 2) prayer (Salat) which are prescribed five times a day, 3) fasting (Siyam) which is required in the month of Ramadan, 4) charity (Zakat) which is the poor-due on the wealth of the rich and 5) hajj which is the pilgrimage to Mecca once in a lifetime if one can afford it physically and financially. All the pillars should be of equal height and strength in a building in order to give the building its due shape and proportions. It is not possible that one would do hajj without observing fasting or without practicing regular prayers. Now think of a building which has pillars only. It would not be called a building. In order to make it a building, it has to have a roof, it has to have walls, it has to have doors and windows. These things in Islam are the moral codes of Islam such as honesty, truthfulness, steadfastness and many other human moral qualities. Thus in order to be a Muslim, one should not only be practicing the pillars of Islam but should also have the highest possible attribute for being a good human being. Only then the building is completed and looks beautiful.



What is the purpose of worship in Islam?

The purpose of worship in Islam is to be God conscious. Thus the worship, whether it is prayer, fasting, or charity, is a means to achieve God consciousness so that when one becomes conscious of God, in thought and in action, he is in a better position to receive His bounties both in this world and the hereafter.



Do Muslims believe in the hereafter?

God is Just and manifest His justice; He established the system of accountability. Those who do good will be rewarded and those who do wrong will be punished accordingly. Thus, He created Heaven and Hell and there are admission criteria for both. Muslims believe that the present life is a temporary one. It is a test and if we pass the test, we will be given a life of permanent pleasure in the company of good people in Heaven.



Will the good actions of the non-believers be wasted?

No. The Quran clearly says that, "anyone who has an atom's worth of goodness will see it and anyone who has done an atom's worth of evil will also see it" (Quran 99:7-8). By that it is meant that those who are non- believers but have done good will be rewarded in this world for their good deed. On the other hand, those who do good if they are Muslims, they will be rewarded not only in this world but also in the world hereafter. However, the final Judgment is up to God himself. (Quran 2:62).




What is the dress code for Muslims?

Islam emphasizes modesty. No person should be perceived as a sex object. There are certain guidelines both for men and women that their dress should neither be too thin nor too tight to reveal body forms. For men, they must at least cover the area from the knee to navel and for women; their dress should cover all areas except the hands and face. The veil is not essential.




What are the dietary prohibitions in Islam?

Muslims are told in the Quran not to eat pork or pork products, meat of the animals who died before being slaughtered or the carnivorous animals (as they eat dead animals), nor drink blood or intoxicants such as wine or use any illicit drugs.



Back to the top


What is the Islamic Year?

The Islamic year started from the migration (Hijra) of Prophet Muhammad (P) from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD. It is a lunar year of 354 days. The first month is called Muharram. 1996 AD is in Islamic year 1416 AH.




What is "Islamic Fundamentalism"?

There is no concept of "Fundamentalism" in Islam. The western media has coined this term to brand those Muslims who wish to return to the basic fundamental principles of Islam and mould their lives accordingly. Islam is a religion of moderation and a practicing God fearing Muslim can neither be a fanatic nor an extremist.



Does Islam oppress women?

Does Islam oppress women? No. On the contrary, Islam elevated the status of women 1,400 years ago by giving them the right to divorce, the right to have financial independence and support and the right to be identified as dignified women (Hijab) when in the rest of the world, including Europe, women had no such rights. Women are equal to men in all acts of piety (Quran 33:32). Islam allows women to keep their maiden name after marriage, their earned money and spend it as they wish, and ask men to be their protector as women on the street can be molested. Prophet Muhammad (P) told Muslim men, "the best among you is the one who is best to his family." Not Islam, but some Muslim men, does oppress women today. This is because of their cultural habits or their ignorance about their religion. Female Genital Mutilations has nothing to do with Islam. It is a pre Islamic African Custom, practiced by non Muslims including coptic Christians as well. 



What are the Islamic festivals?

Idul Fitre, marks the end of fasting in the month of Ramadan and is celebrated with public prayers, feasts and exchange of gifts. Idul Adha marks the end of the Hajj or the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. After the public prayers, those who can afford, sacrifice a lamb or a goat to signify Prophet Abraham's obedience to God, shown by his readiness to sacrifice his son Ishmael. Idul Fitre, marks the end of fasting in the month of Ramadan and is celebrated with public prayers, feasts and exchange of gifts. Idul Adha marks the end of the Hajj or the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. After the public prayers, those who can afford, sacrifice a lamb or a goat to signify Prophet Abraham's obedience to God, shown by his readiness to sacrifice his son Ishmael.




What are the Teachings of Islam?

The foundation of the Islamic faith is belief in the Unity of God. This means to believe that there is only one Creator and Sustainer of everything in the Universe, and that nothing is divine or worthy of being worshipped except for Him. Truly believing in the Unity of God means much more than simply believing that there is "One God" - as opposed to two, three or four. There are a number of religions that claim belief in "One God" and believe that ultimately there is only one Creator and Sustainer of the Universe. Islam, however, not only insists on this, but also rejects using such words as "Lord" and "Savior" for anyone besides Almighty God. Islam also rejects the use of all intermediaries between God and Man, and insists that people approach God directly and reserve all worship for Him alone. Muslims believe that Almighty God is Compassionate, Loving and Merciful. The essence of falsehood is the claim that God cannot deal with and forgive His creatures directly. By over-emphasizing the burden of sin, as well as claiming that God cannot forgive you directly, false religions seek to get people to despair of the Mercy of God. Once they are convinced that they cannot approach God directly, people can be mislead into turning to false gods for help. These "false gods" can take various forms, such as saints, angels, or someone who is believed to be the "Son of God" or "God Incarnate". In almost all cases, people who worship, pray to or seek help from a false god don't consider it to be, or call it, a "god". They claim belief in One Supreme God, but claim that they pray to and worship others beside God only to get closer to Him. In Islam, there is a clear distinction between the Creator and the created. There is no ambiguity in divinity - anything that is created is not deserving of worship and only the Creator is worthy of being worshipped. Some religions falsely believe that God has become part of His creation, and this has led people to believe that they can worship something created in order to reach their Creator. Muslims believe that even though God is Unique and beyond comprehension - He has no "Son", partners or associates. According to Muslim belief, Almighty God "does not beget nor was He begotten" - neither literally, allegorically, metaphorically, physically or metaphysically - He is Absolutely Unique and Eternal. He is in control of everything and is perfectly capable of bestowing His infinite Mercy and Forgiveness to whomever He chooses. That is why is called the All-Powerful and Most-Merciful. Almighty God has created the Universe for man, and as such wants the best for all human beings. Muslims see everything in the Universe as a sign of the Creatorship and Benevolence of Almighty God. Also, the belief in the Unity of God is not merely a metaphysical concept. It is a dynamic belief that affects ones view of humanity, society and all aspects of life. As a logical corollary to the Islamic belief in the Oneness of God, is its belief in the oneness of mankind and humanity.



What is the Quran?

It is the final revelation of the will of Almighty God's to all of mankind, which was conveyed through the Angel Gabriel, in Arabic, to the Prophet Muhammad in its sounds, words and meanings. The Quran, sometimes spelled Koran, was relayed to the Prophet's companions, which they memorized verbatim, and which has been publicly and continually recited by them and their successors until the present day. In short, the Quran is the book of guidance from God par excellence. The Quran is still memorized and taught by millions of people. The language of the Quran, Arabic, is still a living language to millions of people, so unlike the scriptures of other religions, the Quran is still read in its original language by countless millions of people. The Quran is a living miracle in the Arabic language; and is know to be inimitable in its style, form and spiritual impact. God's final revelation to mankind, the Quran, was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad over a period of 23 years. The Quran, in contrast to many other religious books, was always thought to be the Word of God by those who believed in it, i.e. it wasn't something decreed by a religious council many years after being written. Also, the Quran was recited publicly in front of both the Muslim and non-Muslim communities during the life of the Prophet Muhammad. The entire Quran was also completely written down in lifetime of the Prophet, and numerous companions of the Prophet memorized the entire Quran word-for-word as it was revealed. So unlike other scriptures, the Quran was always in the hands of the common believers, it was always thought to be God's word and, due to wide-spread memorization, it was perfectly preserved. In regards to the teachings of the Quran - it is a universal scripture, and it is addressed to all of mankind, and not to a particular tribe or "chosen people". The message that it brings is nothing new, but the same message of all of the prophets - submit to Almighty God and worship Him alone. As such, God's revelation in the Quran focuses on teaching human beings the importance of believing in the Unity of God and framing their lives around the guidance which He has sent. Additionally, the Quran contains the stories of the previous prophets, such as Abraham, Noah, Moses and Jesus; as well as many commands and prohibitions from God. In modern times in which so many people are caught up in doubt, spiritual despair and "political correctness", the Quranic teachings offer solutions to the emptiness of our lives and the turmoil that is gripping the world today.



What Is The Spirit

By Mohamed Hussein Ibrahim

Before talking about the end of the world, we should display the beginning in a summary form to understand how Allah has provided man with the evidences. These evidences make man believe in Allah Who has put the human beings on equal footing. The unlearned and learned understand the evidences.

Allah created Adam from the earth elements. The recent scientific analysis has proved that the body of man contains 18 elements. These elements are the same as the earth elements. Consequently, we observe that science had discovered what the gracious Qur'an showed fourteen centuries ago.

Allah created Adam himself. He ensured Adam from His soul and granted life to his body, then created Eve from his rib. Man consists of spirit and body. Allah permitted man to discover the laws of the physical body throughout the ages according to his knowledge but He made the spirit unsolved mystery. All researchers tried to discover what is spirit but in vain because the spirit cannot be analyzed scientifically. You can't analyze the spirit in the laboratory not carry out experiments on the spirit to know its laws.

Man Tried to know information about the spirit and he is still trying. Swiss scientist carried out an experiment putting a dying man on a bed with an accurate pair of scales attached. He had found out that man loses a tiny amount of his weight at the moment of his death, i.e. during the coming out of the spirit from the body. After these experiments, Swiss scientist said that the spirit has a tiny weight less than one part of hundred of gram. He claimed that the spirit has a tiny weight and tried to prove that the spirit is a material mass with a tiny weight but was not able to prove it.

There are scientists who disclaim the existence of the spirit and claimed that it is mainly time or nature. Some scientists resorted to philosophy and said it is spirit that grants life to the body. Allah says in His perfect Book.

They asking thee concerning The spirit (of inspiration) Say: "The spirit cometh By command of my Lord: Of knowledge it is only A little that is communicated To you o man

(Sura: Isra') (Verse: 85)

We should realize that there is spirit, body and soul. Soul is the meeting of spirit and material, i.e. mixture of spirit and body. The command of Allah is not applied to spirit only or the spiritless body but it is applied to the mixture of spirit and body, as said by Allah.

By the soul, And the proportion and order Given to it; And its enlightenment As to its wrong And it's right Truly he succeeds That purifies it, And he fails, that corrupts it

We observe that the soul, which is the point at which spirit and material meet, carried out the commandment of Allah. Torture and bliss in Hereafter are for the soul too. Allah restores creation and restore the bodies which meet the spirit to be ready for judgment. We notice that the verses of Qur'an, which refer to the hereafter, don't refer to spirit only nor the body only but they refer to the soul. Allah says:

Then shall every soul Receive its due, Whatever it earned, And non-shall be Dealt with unjustly And there will come forth Every soul with each Will be an (angel) to drive And an (angel) to Bear witness (Sura: Qaf) (Verse: 21)

Then guard yourself against a day, When one soul shall not avail, another (Sura: Al-Baqara) (Verse: 48)

We observe that the commandment of Allah, whether torture or bliss, is for the soul because it is the mixture of spirit and body, i.e. meeting the spirit and material

What is the spirit?

If we want to know what the spirit is, we should declare that it is the divine secret, which grants life to material. In other words, the spirit is Allah's will for us to live or die. Death is considered the beginning of a new stage, which has its laws, and no one knows but Allah.

We have showed that man changes instantly from one state to another. When he puts his head on a pillow to sleep and lays his body on bed, he will change to another state and when he gets up, he changes instantly to another state. In other words, he will move from the law of sleeping to the law of waking, which are different.

The Messenger of Allah (Muhammad) peace and blessings be upon him) showed us that life in this world is short if compared to the journey of the greatest life. The Messenger of Allah (Muhammad) peace and blessings be upon him) has described this world like a traveler who spent some time in the shade of a tree before his departure. Thus showing us how short it is. The Messenger of Allah (Muhammad) peace and blessings be upon him says:

"I am not eager for life in this world, I live in this world like the rider who sat in the shade of a tree before his departure".

Man knows nothing about spirit. The Jews asked the Messenger of Allah about spirit and how it grants life to the body. They thought that the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad) Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) will allege an answer depending on himself and thus they can contest his statement and would not believe in his message. Then Allah revealed this???

They ask thee concerning, The spirit (of inspiration), Say: "the spirit cometh, y command of my Lord:, Of knowledge it is only, A little that is communicated, To you O man, (Sura: Isra') (Verse: 85)

This means that spirit is still one of Allah's secrets. We can not solve this secret until the Day of Judgment. The spirit, which is an unsolved secret, is considered an evidence that serves the cause faith. This unsolved secret which makes us pay attention to the ability of Allah, leads us to the way of faith and belief in the existence of Allah the Founder of being and the Creator of the universe.

Although the spirit lies in the body, man knows nothing about it. He does not know how spirit entered or existed. He does not know its place in the human body. Does spirit lie in the brain, which transmits signals to the body in order to move? Does it lie in the heart, which beats when man has been fetus in the mother womb? This heart beats in voluntarily until life ends. Does it lie in the arms, which hit? Does it lie in he legs, which walk? Does it lie in the eyes, which see? Does it lie in the ears, which hear? Does it lie in the tongue, which speaks? Where is the spirit?



How Do Muslims View the Nature of Man, the Purpose of Life and the Life Hereafter?

In the Holy Quran, God teaches human beings that they were created in order to worship Him, and that the basis of all true worship is God-consciousness. Since the teachings of Islamic encompass all aspects of life and ethics, God-consciousness is encouraged in all human affairs. Islam makes it clear that all human acts are acts of worship if they are done for God alone and in accordance to His Divine Law. As such, worship in Islam is not limited to religious rituals. The teachings of Islam act as a mercy and a healing for the human soul, and such qualities as humility, sincerity, patience and charity are strongly encouraged. Additionally, Islam condemns pride and self-righteousness, since Almighty God is the only judge of human righteousness. The Islamic view of the nature of man is also realistic and well-balanced. Human beings are not believed to be inherently sinful, but are seen as equally capable of both good and evil. Islam also teaches that faith and action go hand-in-hand. God has given people free-will, and the measure of one's faith is one's deeds and actions. However, human beings have also been created weak and regularly fall into sin. This is the nature of the human being as created by God in His Wisdom, and it is not inherently "corrupt" or in need of repair. This is because the avenues of repentance of always open to all human beings, and Almighty God loves the repentant sinner more than one who does not sin at all. The true balance of an Islamic life is established by having a healthy fear of God as well as a sincere belief in His infinite Mercy. A life without fear of God leads to sin and disobedience, while believing that we have sinned so much that God will not possibly forgive us only leads to despair. In light of this, Islam teaches that: only the misguided despair of the Mercy of their Lord. Additionally, the Holy Quran, which was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, contains a great deal of teachings about the life hereafter and the Day of Judgment. Due to this, Muslims believe that all human beings will ultimately be judged by God for their beliefs and actions in their earthly lives. In judging human beings, Almighty God will be both Merciful and Just, and people will only be judged for what they were capable of. Suffice it to say that Islam teaches that life is a test, and that all human beings will be accountable before God. A sincere belief in the life hereafter is key to leading a well-balanced life and moral. Otherwise, life is viewed as an end in itself, which causes human beings to become more selfish, materialistic and immoral..



What is the Islamic view on

Dating?

Islam does not approve of intimate mixing of the sexes, and forbids premarital or extramarital sex. Islam encourages marriage as a shield to such temptations and as a means of having mutual love, mercy and peace.




What is the Islamic view on

Abortion?

Islam considers abortion as murder and does not permit it.





What is the Islamic view on

Homosexuality and Aids?

Islam categorically opposes homosexuality and considers it a sin. However, Muslim physicians are advised to care for AIDS patients with compassion just as they would for other patients.





What is the Islamic view on

Euthanasia and Suicide?

Islam is opposed to both suicide and euthanasia. Muslims do not believe in heroic measures to prolong the misery in a terminally ill patient.





What is the Islamic view on

Organ Transplantation?

Islam stresses upon saving lives (Quran 5:32); thus, transplantation in general would be considered permissible provided a donor consent is available. The sale of the organ is not allowed.




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