An Introduction to Islam
“Discover Islam”: http://www.discoverislam.com/
WHAT IS ISLAM AND WHO ARE MUSLIMS
Based on its linguistic origin, the Arabic word 'Islam' means to achieve peace--peace with God, peace within oneself, and peace with the creations of God through submission to God and commitment to His guidance.
Islam is not a new religion but the final culmination and fulfillment of the same basic truth that God revealed through all His prophets to every people. For a fifth of the world's population, Islam is not just a personal religion but a complete way of living.
Over a billion people from all races, nationalities and cultures across the globe are Muslim--from the rice farms of Indonesia to the deserts in the heart of Africa; from the skyscrapers of New York to the Bedouin tents in Arabia.
Only 18% of Muslims live in the Arab world; a fifth are found in Sub-Saharan Africa; and the world's largest Muslim community is in Indonesia. Substantial parts of Asia are Muslim, while significant minorities are to be found in the Central Asian republics, India, China, North and South America, Eastern and Western Europe.
WHAT DO MUSLIMS BELIEVE IN?
Muslims believe in the One, Unique, Incomparable, Merciful God--the Sole Creator, Sustainer and Cherisher of the Universe; in the Angels created by Him; in the Prophets through whom His revelations were brought to humankind; in the Day of Judgment and in individual accountability for actions; in God's complete authority over destiny, be it good or bad; and in life after death.
Muslims believe that God sent his messengers and prophets to all people beginning with Adam (Adam) and including Noah (Nuh), Abraham (Ibrahim), Lot (Lut), Ishmael (Isma'il), Isaac (Ishaq), Jacob (Ya'qub), Joseph (Yusuf), Job (Ayb), Moses (Musa), Aaron (Harun), David (Dawud), Solomon (Sulayman), Elias (Ilyas), Jonah (Yunus), John the Baptist (Yahya), and Jesus ('Isa); peace be upon them all.
God's final message to humanity, a reconfirmation of the eternal message and a summing up of all that has gone before, was revealed to the Last Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through the Archangel Gabriel.
One becomes a Muslim by believing and proclaiming that "There is none worthy of worship except God, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of God." By this declaration the believer announces his or her faith in all God's messengers, and the Scriptures (in their pristine original form) that these messengers brought
WHAT IS THE QU’RAN?
The Qur'an is the very word of God, Almighty. A complete record of the exact words revealed by God through the Angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad.
The Qur'an was memorized by Muhammad and his followers, dictated to his companions, and written down by scribes, who cross-checked it during the Prophet's lifetime. Not one word of its 114 surahs (parts or chapters) has been changed over the centuries. The Qur'an is in every detail the same unique and miraculous text that was revealed to Muhammad fourteen centuries ago.
The Qur'an is the principal source of every Muslim's faith and practice. It deals with all subjects that concern us as human beings, including wisdom, doctrine, worship and law; but its basic theme is the relationship between God and His creatures. At the same time, the Qur'an provides guidelines for a just society, proper human conduct and equitable economic principles.
APART FROM THE QU’RAN ARE THERE OTHER SACRED TEXTS?
Yes, the sunnah, sometimes referred to as the hadi-th, the practice and example of the Prophet, is the second source of inspiration and instruction for Muslims. Belief in the sunnah is part of the Islamic faith.
A few examples of the Prophet's sayings (Hadith):
"God has no mercy on one who has no mercy for others."
"None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself."
"He who eats his fill while his neighbor goes without food is not a believer."
"God does not judge you according to your bodies and appearances but He looks into your hearts and observes your deeds."
"One Muslim should do six acts of kindness to another: he should greet him when he meets him; accept his invitation when he gives one; say 'God have mercy on you' when he sneezes; visit him when he is ill; follow his bier when he dies; and like for him what he likes for himself."
"A man walking along a path felt very thirsty. Reaching a well he descended into it, drank his fill and came up. Then he saw a dog with its tongue hanging out, trying to lick up mud to quench its thirst. The man saw that the dog was feeling the same thirst as he had felt, so he went down into the well again and filled his shoe with water and gave the dog a drink. God forgave his sins for this action. The Prophet was asked: 'Messenger of God, are we rewarded for kindness towards animals?' He said, 'There is a reward for kindness to every living being.'"
"O People, listen to me in earnest, worship God, perform your five daily prayers (Salah), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakah. Perform Hajj if you can afford to. Know that every Muslim is the brother of another Muslim. You are all equal. Nobody has superiority over others except by piety and good action." (from The Prophet's Last Sermon).
WHAT ARE THE FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM?
The 'Five Pillars' of Islam are the foundation of Muslim life:
Iman or Faith
"There is none worthy of worship except God and Muhammad is the messenger of God." This declaration of faith is called the shahadah, a simple formula that all the faithful pronounce. The significance of this declaration is the belief that the only purpose of life is to serve and obey God, and this is achieved through the teachings and practices of the Last Prophet, Muhammad.
Addendum (JHR)
"Jihad" means struggle. For the vast majority of Muslims, this is an inner struggle to be a good Muslim. For a few modern fundamentalists, this is an armed struggle against unbelievers.