What is Islam?

Prophet Mohammed founded Islam. He was born in 570 A.D. in Mecca in Arabia. After his death in 632 A.D. his successors spread his religious message in several parts of West Asia and Africa. Brotherhood of man, oneness of god and the surrender of man to god's will are the gist of Islamic doctrines.

It is said that one day Mohammed was meditating in a cave, when an angel came and told him, "Mohammed! God has sent me to you. He has selected you as His messenger. You give the knowledge and salvation to the sufferers". After that Mohammed started offering knowledge and preaching.

Qur'an the most sacred scripture of Islam contains the infallible Islamic doctrines. It was dictated by Mohammed. Qur'an is considered to be the message of the God communicated to Muhammed through the Angel Gabriel. Therefore, any action or behavior that contradicts Qur'an is seriously tormentable. Qur'an comprises of 114 chapters, arranged from the longest to the shortest. It deals with social, moral, financial and religious matters. According to Qur'an Muslims are required to pray five times a day at the specified times; the male in the mosque in congregation and the female at home. Children at the age of seven should also start offering prayer. But if they are found not praying regularly at the age of ten then they should be beaten by their parents.

In their prayers Muslims are required to say: "Allahu Akbar! Allah! La ilaha illa Huwa.... (Allah is Great! None has the right to be worshiped but Allah.....)".

ARTICLES OF FAITH:

Muslims are expected to believe the following five articles of faiths:

1. Allah: Allah is the creator of the universe. He is the One and the Only True God. He had neither a wife nor a son.
2. Angels: Allah has assigned two angels to record the actions of each man on the earth. One of them records the good deeds and the other records the bad deeds.
3. Scripture: Torat, Zabur, Injil and Qur'an are considered to be the four revelations in Islam. But all except Qur'an is corrupted by Jews and Christians.
4. Prophets: Muhammed was the greatest and the last among the six greatest messengers (Adam, Noah, Abraham, Jesus and Mohammed) sent by the God to humans.
5. Last days: During the time of resurrection and judgment those who follow Islam and Mohammed will go to Paradise and the others to Fire (Hell).

PILLARS OF FAITH:

Muslims are required to observe their duties by respecting the following five pillars of faith.

1. Kalima (Creed): One must say "Allah is the One and the Only God and Mohammed the Prophet of Allah" to become a Muslim.

2. Salat (Prayer): A Muslim must pray five times a day (after rising, at noon, at mid-afternoon, at sunset and before going to bed).

3. Zakat (Almsgiving): Muslims should give one-fourth of their income to the needy.

4. Ramadan (Fasting): In order to develop self-control and devotion to Allah; Muslims must fast from sunrise to sunset during the month of Ramadan.

5. Hajj (Pilgrimage): Muslims should make Pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime.

Jihad (Holy War) is considered to be the sixth pillar of faith. It requires Muslims to go to war to defend and spread Islam if the situation warrants. If one is killed during Jihad he is guaranteed a happy eternal living in Paradise.