What is Islam?
Muslims believe that Islam is God's final and complete message to humanity. It was revealed by God to the Prophet Mohammad (Peace and Blessings be upon him/PBUH) from 610-632 AD in order to unite all human beings under a peaceful and beneficent way of life.
Islam centers on belief in only One, Unique, Incomparable God (Allah is the Arabic word for God); in the Angels created by him; in the Prophets through whom His revelations were brought to mankind; in God's complete authority of human destiny; and in life after death.
Muslims must bear witness that there are no other Gods besides the God of Abraham, and that Mohammad (PBUH)is one of the messengers of God. Muslims must also pray five times a day, give to charity, fast during the holy month of Ramadan, and perform the pilgrimage to Mecca if they are able to do so.
Islam is not a new religion. In fact, Muslims believe it is the same message sent by such prophets as Moses, Jesus, Noah, and Abraham (Peace and Blessings be upon all of them): To submit themselves to the one and only God, and to follow a God-conscious way of life that is conducive to a progressive and peaceful society. The main distinction between Islam and the previous messages brought by these prophets, however, is that Islam is the preserved message of God, whereas other revelations (such as those given to Moses, Jesus, Abraham, and David, PBUT) have either been lost or distorted from their original forms, and consequently, have not been as well preserved as the message of Islam.
The message of Islam is preserved in the Qur'an. The Qur'an is the record of the exact words revealed by God through the Angel Gabriel to the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). It was memorized by the Prophet Mohammad and then dictated to his companions, many of whom also memorized and wrote the verses of the Qur'an. The text of the Qur'an was crosschecked during the life of the Prophet. The 114 chapters of the Qur'an have remained unchanged throughout the centuries.
Islam is the world's largest and fastest growing religion. There are over 1.2 billion Muslims around the world. Although usually associated with the Arabs of the Middle East, less than 10 % of Muslims are in fact Arab.
What are the "Five Pillars" of Islam?
1) The Declaration of Faith - This consists of the two sentence declaration described above.
2) Prayer - Muslims perform five obligatory prayers each day. Islamic prayers are a direct link between the worshiper and God. Islam has no hierarchical authority or priesthood. A learned Muslim chosen by each congregation leads the prayers.
3) Zakat - One of the most important principles of Islam is that all things belong to God and that wealth is held in trust by human beings. Zakat, or charitable giving, "purifies" wealth by setting aside a portion for those in need. This payment is usually two and a half percent of one's capital.
4) Fasting - Every year in the Islamic lunar month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from first light until sunset. The fast is another method of self-purification.
5) Pilgrimage - A pilgrimage to Mecca, or Hajj, is an obligation for those who are physically or financially able.
What about the American Muslim community?
There are an estimated 7 million Muslims in America. The Muslim community in America is made up of people from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds and national origins. There are almost 2,000 mosques, Islamic schools and Islamic centers in America. Muslims are active in all walks of life. Islam is one of the fastest growing religions in this country and around the world.
What about Muslim women?
Under Islamic law, women have always had the right to own property, receive an education and otherwise take part in community life. Men and women are to be respected equally. The Islamic rules for modest dress apply to both women and men equally. (Men cannot expose certain parts of their bodies, wear gold or silk, etc.) If a particular society oppresses women, it does so in spite of Islam, not because of it.
What is Jihad?
"Jihad" does not mean "holy war." Literally, jihad means to strive, struggle and exert effort. It is a central and broad Islamic concept that includes struggle against evil inclinations within oneself, struggle to improve the quality of life in society, struggle in the battlefield for self-defense (e.g., - having a standing army for national defense), or fighting against tyranny or oppression.
