Islamic Identity

Islamic Identity

A Good Muslim is a Good Human Being:

Islamic identity is your utmost possession. It is the only identification that matters on the Day of Judgment. It is your faith, your religion, your moral values, and your whole life. This identity is the one that makes you recognize Allah as the One and Only God of this Universe. 

This identity is the one that makes you wake up before sunrise and pray to Allah. This identity is the one that makes you kind, sincere, responsible, and thoughtful when you deal with people. This identity is the one that forbids you to lie, cheat, steal, gamble, and engage in any immoral behavior. This identity is the one that makes you realize and understand that Islam is a way of life. This identity is the one that makes you good human being, because good Muslim is a good human being.

First, it is necessary to define what is meant by the term "Islamic identity.� Is it fulfilling the five pillars of Islam? It is limited to clothes? Is it growing beard or wearing of hijab? Is it learning the Arabic language? Is it studying only Islam? Is it a tangible, visible feature or an internal construct? Indeed, there is so much more to the Islamic identity we should be seeking to develop as proud Muslims.

The Islamic Identity is taken to mean the way of life of the Muslim, a comprehensive set of beliefs, practices and ideologies as derived from the Quran and the example of Muhammad (PBUH). Islamic identity is that which separates us from non Muslims. Robust Islamic Identity is also what separates between strong and shaky Muslims.

There is no contradiction between Islamic Identity and Nationality. If your nationality is American, then USA is your home, and you follow the rule of the land. There is no contradiction because the rule of the land does not force you to commit sins, cheat, lie, or use interest. This rule of the land does not obstruct your right to carry out your religious obligations, nor prevent you from being a good Muslim. 

Many people have different paper identifications. They have identifications, called passports, when they travel from one country to another. They have identifications, called driver licenses, when they drive. They have identifications, called voting registrations, when they vote in an election. They have identifications, called citizenships, when they acquire nationality of countries, and so on. These identifications are paper identifications. Islamic identity does not have paper identification, but it has action identification.

There is an urgent need to have a support system in schools and colleges. This can be in the form of Muslim student associations in schools and colleges. And if that is not feasible, small group of Muslim youth can form a group among themselves to support each other with the objective of becoming strong proud Muslims.

There are many other young Muslims in the West and, regrettably, in Muslim countries who are dissolved in Western Pop Culture. They don't realize that their Islamic Identity is their most valuable possession.

I was visiting a Christian friend who is very close to converting to Islam. He prays with me, but did not say Shahada yet. He talked to me about corruption of religions. He said"

 The Jews, by modifying and omitting texts from the Torah, corrupted it. The same thing have happened with the New Testament. Early Christians followed the The Ecumenical Councils of Church which changed Christianity from Monotheistic to polytheistic religion. Muslims could not corrupt the Quran, so they corrupt themselves. 

They seem to believe that because Quran states that Islam is the Only religion of God, they can do as they please - such as tyrant dictators oppressing people, something that is completely wrong and will be punished by Allah."

We all need Islamic Youth Awakening and we all you need to build a strong Islamic Identity, if we want success in this life and in the hereafter.

Education:

The education system is typically where the learning process starts, under the parent�s direction. Children are sent by their parents to schools with good intentions of an education and a chance for a better life. The children are placed in an environment where mixing of sexes is the norm through the placement of children in multi-gender classes and sporting teams. In the absence of parental Islamic guidance, these children grow up to believe such behavior is normal. This leads, in many cases, to considering the Islamic requirement of segregated sexes as 'old fashioned' or 'backward'. After years in such an environment, it is no surprise that we see so many young Muslims with 'boyfriends', and 'girlfriends'.

As early as in elementary schools in the West, boys and girls drink alcohol, use drugs, and practice sex. Muslim countries are no more a safe haven. Some boys and girls go to the bathrooms together, with no supervision from school administration. Most schools have no agenda for Hifz Quran to kids. Islamic schools are attacked in the west and been called "Madrasah" to indicate that these schools are graduating "terrorists."

In Sexual Education in the West, children are being taught that being promiscuous is a 'natural part of growing up'. They are supplied with contraceptive devices, giving them their tacit approval to commit adultery. These same classes teach that homosexuality is something in the genes and as such is a perfectly 'normal' kind of behavior.

In History, we see a Western view of the world in which the Christians are viewed as the only people worthy of any respect or any admiration. It is rare that mention is ever made of the great contribution made to the Western world from Muslims. It is even rarer that the names of the great Muslim scientists are mentioned. It is no wonder that many Muslim children end up with a sense of shame in being Muslim. This shame is often shown in their refusal to use their 'Muslim names', e.g. suddenly Muhammad becomes known as 'Mike'.

Proper Islamic education should counter the lies and the corruption fed to the children in school. It should be presented in such a way as to engender a feeling of pride in Islam. Furthermore, it should cover Islamic history to offset the lies taught in History, Islamic law to offset the lies taught in legal studies. Parents must take responsibility for arming their students with correct belief and sound knowledge to defend themselves from the decline of the Islamic identity.

Next, how many parents encourage their kids to memorize the Quran? Being Hafiz is an important part of the Islamic Identity. Islamic schools, used to teach Quran in many Muslim countries for kids in preschool, were cancelled. Not because of the current Western allegation of Madrasah, but long before that by secular governments. In the West you see many non-Arab Hafiz children, and in rare occasions you may see an Arab kid Hafiz.

I honestly believe that investing time with children to get them to memorize Quran and teach them Islamic education at home should pay off in the long run, avoiding terrible family crises in the future.

Peer Pressure:
Peer pressure is strong in all levels of schools and colleges. There are positive and negative peer pressures. Positive peer pressure is the influence of good Muslim friends who help strengthen our Iman (faith) and protect from committing sins.

 Peer pressure is a two way street. Someone may try to encourage you to a bad manner, and you counter back by positive peer pressure to resist getting evolved in bad or evil behavior, and encourage good Islamic behavior. Negative Peer pressure is responsible to a large extent for smoking cigarettes, going to nightclubs, using drugs or alcohol. For the most part, this article deals with negative peer pressure.

As early as junior high school, the pressure is on to attend the school dances. OK, dancing is fairly clear-cut. It is not permitted in Islam. But what about going to the football game and then going out to Pizza Hut afterwards with a bunch of friends? Innocent as this sort of evening sounds? 

Here you have to remember that the devil is a full-time worker. Peer pressure is at the core of what it means to exist among a group of friends. With non-Muslim friends (and regrettably even some Muslim friends), the pressure may come in the form or a simple offer to drive to the mall with several other boys and girls in one car, or to pair up in conversation

with some one of the opposite gender, or to just try a sip of beer. With Muslim friends, the pressure may come in the form of sneaking out to movies, attending parties as a group as �long as we don�t drink,� wasting time at the mall. Not to mention the tremendous burden of freedom that comes with living on campus during the college years.

Peer pressure and Iman are inversely related. The more we give into peer pressure, the weaker our Iman becomes. Think about that for a minute. A Muslim�s Iman is strong as long as he seeks the pleasure of Allah in everything he does. So we could either stay alone or keep good friends. Staying alone, we would have no one to blame but the evil whispering of our own souls.

 But the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) teaches us that in being alone we are like sheep, easy prey for hungry wolves. Instead, we are encouraged to develop brotherhood and sisterhood, and most of all, to be surrounded by those who submit wholeheartedly to Allah (swt). We are reminded by Allah, �O ye who believe! Be careful of your duty to Allah, and be with the truthful.� (Sura At-Tawba, 9:119).

While dealing with peer pressure is not easy, it is also not impossible. First, take a moment to reflect on your friends and their personalities. Do you ever feel uncomfortable because of their habits? Their character? Their suggestions? Their outlook on life? I am not asking you to judge your friends, I am simply asking you to gauge the level of influence they have on you.

You must teach yourself how to minimize the negative effects of peer pressure. Don�t ever feel that you are missing out or living a boring life just because you don�t give in to peer pressure. Study the Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). 

Learn what behavior is pleasing to Allah, and what kind of lifestyle is discouraged in Islam. If you are not armed with knowledge about the halaal and haraam aspects of daily life, you can never fully resist the temptation of peer pressure. Through knowledge, you will develop a better understanding of Islam, and through pious and righteous friends, you will strengthen your Iman.

Entertainment: 

what is the purpose of entertainment? Some may say it is a source of amusement, others may say it helps people rest and relax, and yet others may say it is a source of distraction from the worrisome routine of daily life. A commonly expected outcome of being entertained is for the heart to find some rest. And yet, the way for the heart to find rest is clearly given in the Quran, when Allah states, Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.� (Sura Ra�d, 13:28).

So what about TV, movies, and music? On the most part, the language, the images, the lyrics, the rhythms are all reflective of an outlook on life that is diametrically opposed to Islamic teachings.

Not only does the television serve as a window to the outside world, but for many parents it also serves as a full time baby-sitter for kids. Parents subject kids to scenes with violence, indecent acts or straight out fantasies just to get their kids off their back. TV shows Kids that fun is always associated with sins. The moral bankruptcy of most shows on TV is evident and Muslims should use their understanding of Islam as a benchmark for determining the truth from falsehood.

TV serves to convince the Muslim viewer that what they are seeing is the social norm. A good example is the so-called love scene that forms such a crucial element in movie or TV show. They paint the picture that somehow in some sort of sick way that sex equates with love and is a natural behavior. It is only to be expected that after years of constant brain washing with this message that the initial disgust a Muslim feels subsides to acceptance.

Many shows also focus heavily on parental-child conflict and often attempt to paint this sort of behavior as a 'normal' part of growing up. Typically, the solution to this conflict is either to fight back or to run away. In either case it teaches the children an Islamically inappropriate response to any conflict.

TV shows us how others live, or how others behave. It defines a standard for success, what qualities we see as admirable, what behavior we see as normal. Take for example the so-called lifestyle shows that feature so prominently on TV. We see expensive houses, lavishly decorated with all the accessories of this world and this is pushed onto us as the success ideal. If we are not strong in Islam then these TV-generated standards get adopted as our own.

 We will start to equate success with owning an expensive car or living in a big house. We will start to think that beauty is dependent on how we look. We will start to forget about the paradise that Allah has promised those that believe, and we will start trying to create a 'paradise' right here in this world. This is one of the major threats to our Islamic identity.

Movies and music have a lasting effect on our minds. Even after the images are gone, the words are finished and the rhythms have faded away, the influence lingers on. We can no longer justify our actions by saying that we will turn away from a sexually explicit scene or fast forward the tape during a violence scene. Neither can we blame the American movies and music as unIslamic

 and yet take the liberty of exposing ourselves and our families to the equally unIslamic ethnic entertainment such as Arabic movies, Indian songs, or Pakistani dramas. Yes, they may be some good in all of them, but the inevitable questions remain. Do any of the movies and songs help you to remember Allah? Do you increase your Islamic knowledge through these movies or the music?

Islamic Identity:

Perhaps the most critical challenge facing Muslim youth is the development of strong Islamic identity. While there are so many beautiful young brothers and sisters who are living according to Islam, this question of an Islamic identity has not received its due attention.

Our role model, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has left for us powerful teachings and yet we surrender to compromising and acting as if we have no criteria to guide us! Look back at your life, your family, your community and ask yourself how often we all have acted first and then referred our actions to the Quran and the Sunnah. We can no longer afford to use this backward approach to Islam.

Older generation never successfully grappled with the notion of an Islamic identity. Rather than developing programs, activities, and camps that could teach youth HOW to be Muslims, most of the time seems to have been spent on the DO�s and DON�Ts of Islam.

But the challenges for Muslim youth still remain: How can they develop, maintain and model their Islamic identity? How will they bring Islam to the non-Muslims unless they are confident of its teachings? Why will the non-Muslims give up their lifestyle and beliefs if Muslim youth present themselves as backward, unorganized, confused and most of all, unaware and uncomfortable of and with their own beliefs.

If the young generation remains steadfast to the Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), I have no doubt that the whole world will come to respect and admire us. Yes, there will be discrimination, prejudice and even racism along the way, but our perseverance and not our compromise will be rewarded by Allah. The emerging Islamic identity will not only be consistent with the teachings of Islam, but it will also send a strong signal to non-Muslims that we prosper because and not in spite of our beliefs in Islam.

We are witnessing a revival of Islam in its pure, pristine form. Void of cultural and national barriers, our identity is developing along paths more in line with the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). This is indeed a mercy from Allah.

Thriving as a Muslim youth must not be a passive ambition but rather an active goal. Peer pressure, movies, music, and many other challenges will seem overwhelming at first. So let us make du�a that Allah protects our Iman and guides us all to develop a strong Islamic identity.

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HISTORY OF ISLAM

HISTORY OF ISLAM

Islam: 7th century
In the 7th century Arabia becomes the cradle of the world's third great monotheistic religion. All three have begun within a small area of southwest Asia. First Judaism, somewhere in the region stretching up from the Red Sea to Palestine; then Christianity at the northern end of this area; and finally Islam to the south, in Mecca, close to the Red Sea.

Each of the later arrivals in this close family of religions claims to build upon the message of its predecessors, bringing a better and more up-to-date version of the truth about the one God - in this case as revealed to the Messenger of God, Muhammad. Islam means 'surrender' (to God), and from the same root anyone who follows Islam is a Muslim.


It is on Mount Hira, according to tradition, that the archangel Gabriel appears to Muhammad. He describes later how he seemed to be grasped by the throat by a luminous being, who commanded him to repeat the words of God. On other occasions Muhammad often has similar experiences (though there are barren times, and periods of self doubt, when he is sustained only by his wife Khadija's unswerving faith in him).

From about 613 Muhammad preaches in Mecca the message which he has received.


Muhammad's message is essentially the existence of one God, all-powerful but also merciful, and he freely acknowledges that other prophets - in particular Abraham, Moses and Jesus - have preached the same truth in the past.

But monotheism is not a popular creed with those whose livelihood depends on idols. Muhammad, once he begins to win converts to the new creed, makes enemies among the traders of Mecca. In 622 there is a plot to assassinate him. He escapes to the town of Yathrib, about 300 kilometres to the north.


Muhammad and the Muslim era: from622

The people of Yathrib, a prosperous oasis, welcome Muhammad and his followers. As a result, the move from Mecca in 622 comes to seem the beginning of Islam.

The Muslim era dates from the Hegira - Arabic for 'emigration', meaning Muhammad's departure from Mecca. In the Muslim calendar this event marks the beginning of year 1.


Yathrib is renamed Madinat al Nabi, the 'city of the prophet', and thus becomes known as Medina. Here Muhammad steadily acquires a stronger following. He is now essentially a religious, political and even military leader rather than a merchant (Khadija has died in 619).

He continues to preach and recite the words which God reveals to him. It is these passages, together with the earlier revelations at Mecca, which are written down in the Arabic script by his followers and are collected to become the Qur'an - a word (often transliterated as Koran) with its roots in the idea of 'recital', reflecting the oral origin of the text. The final and definitive text of the Qur'an is established under the third caliph, Othman, in about 650.


The Muslims and Mecca: 624-630
Relations with Mecca deteriorate to the point of pitched battles between the two sides, with Muhammad leading his troops in the field. But in the end it is his diplomacy which wins the day.

He persuades the Meccans to allow his followers back into the city, in 629, to make a pilgrimage to the Ka'ba and the Black Stone.


On this first Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, Muhammad's followers impress the local citizens both by their show of strength and by their self-control, departing peacefully after the agreed three days. But the following year the Meccans break a truce, provoking the Muslims to march on the city.

They take Mecca almost without resistance. The inhabitants accept Islam. And Muhammad sweeps the idols out of the Ka'ba, leaving only the sacred Black Stone.

An important element in Mecca's peaceful acceptance of the change has been Muhammad's promise that pilgrimage to the Ka'ba will remain a central feature of the new religion.

So Mecca becomes, as it has remained ever since, the holy city of Islam. But Medina is by now where Muhammad and his most trusted followers live. And for the next few decades Medina will be the political centre of the developing Muslim state.

Muhammad lives only two years after the peaceful reconciliation with Mecca. He has no son. His only surviving children are daughters by Khadija, though since her death he has married several younger women, among whom his favourite is A'isha.

Muhammad and the caliphate: from632-656
There is no clear successor to Muhammad among his followers. The likely candidates include Abu Bakr (the father of Muhammad's wife A'isha) and Ali (a cousin of Muhammad and the husband of Muhammad's daughter Fatima). Abu Bakr is elected, and takes the title 'khalifat rasul-Allah'.

The Arabic phrase means 'successor of the Messenger of God'. It will introduce a new word, caliph, to the other languages of the world.

Abu Bakr, the first caliph, lives no more than two years after the death of Muhammad. Even so, within this brief time Muslim armies have begun their astonishing expansion, subduing the whole of Arabia and striking as far north as Palestine.

Abu Bakr is succeeded in 634 by Omar (another father-in-law of Muhammad), who in 638 captures Jerusalem. Six years later Omar is stabbed and killed in the mosque at Medina - for personal reasons, it seems, by a Persian craftsman living in Kufa.

Othman, chosen as the third caliph, is a son-in-law of Muhammad. By the end of his reign, in 656, Arabs have conquered as far afield as north Africa, Turkey and Afghanistan.

Othman, like his predecessor, is assassinated - but this time by rebellious Muslims. They choose ali, another son-in-law of Muhammad, as the fourth caliph. For the first time within the Muslim community the selected caliph is the choice of just one faction. Ali's caliphate eventually provokes the only major sectarian split in the history of Islam, between Sunni and Shi'a (see The Shi'as).

Raised to the position of caliph by rebels, Ali spends most of his reign in conflict with other Muslims. He wins the first battle, near Basra in 656, against an army fighting in support of Muhammad's widow, A'isha. She is herself in the fray, riding a camel, with the result that the event is remembered as the 'battle of the camel'.

But it is Ali's last success. The governor of Syria, Mu'awiya, wages a prolonged campaign against him to avenge the murder of the caliph Othman, his kinsman. Other opponents succeed in assassinating Ali, in 661, outside the mosque in Kufa - a Muslim garrison town to which he has moved the capital from Medina.

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The Prophet Muhammad and the Origins of Islam

The rise of Islam is intrinsically linked with the Prophet Muhammad, believed by Muslims to be the last in a long line of prophets that includes Moses and Jesus. Because Muhammad was the chosen recipient and messenger of the word of God through the divine revelations, Muslims from all walks of life strive to follow his example. After the holy Qur'an, the sayings of the Prophet (hadith) and descriptions of his way of life (sunna) are the most important Muslim texts.

Early LifeMuhammad was born into the most powerful tribe in Mecca, the Quraish, around 570 A.D. The power of the Quraish derived from their role as successful merchants. Several trade routes intersected at Mecca, allowing the Quraish to control trade along the west coast of Arabia, north to Syria, and south to Yemen.

Mecca was home to two widely venerated polytheistic cults whose gods were thought to protect its lucrative trade. After working for several years as a merchant, Muhammad was hired by Khadija, a wealthy widow, to ensure the safe passage of her caravans to Syria. They eventually married.

Divine RevelationsWhen he was roughly forty, Muhammad began having visions and hearing voices. Searching for clarity, he would sometimes meditate at Mount Hira, near Mecca. On one of these occasions, the Archangel Gabriel (Jibra'il in Arabic) appeared to him and instructed him to recite "in the name of [your] lord." 

This was the first of many revelations that became the basis of the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam. These early revelations pointed to the existence of a single God, contradicting the polytheistic beliefs of the pre-Islamic Arabian Peninsula.

Initially overwhelmed by the significance of what was being revealed to him, Muhammad found unflinching support in his wife and slowly began to attract followers. His strong monotheistic message angered many of the Meccan merchants.

They were afraid that trade, which they believed was protected by the pagan gods, would suffer. From that point forward, Muhammad was ostracized in Mecca. For a time, the influence and status of his wife and his uncle, Abu Talib, the chief of the clan, protected Muhammad from persecution. After they died, however, Muhammad's situation in Mecca became dire.

The HijraEmigration became the only hope for Muhammad and his followers' survival. In 622, they headed to Medina, another oasis town, where they were promised freedom to practice their religion. The move from Mecca to Medina is known as the hijra—the flight—and marks year 1 of the Islamic, or hijri, calendar.

Spreading the Message of IslamIn Medina, Muhammad continued to receive divine revelations and built an ever-expanding community around the new faith. The conflict with the Quraish continued, but after several years of violent clashes, Mecca surrendered. Muhammad and his followers soon returned and took over the city, destroying all its pagan idols and spreading their belief in one God.

The Night Journey and Ascension of the ProphetAccounts of the ascension (mi'raj ) of Muhammad have captured the imaginations of writers and painters for centuries. One night, while the Prophet was sleeping, the Archangel Gabriel came and led him on a journey. Mounted on the heavenly steed Buraq, Muhammad traveled from the Ka'ba in Mecca to the "Farthest Mosque," which Muslims believe to be the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

There he prayed with other prophets such as Moses, Abraham, and Jesus, and ascended to the skies, where he was led by Gabriel through Paradise and Hell, and finally came face to face with God. He then returned to earth to continue spreading the message of Islam. According to Islamic belief, Muhammad was the only person to see Heaven and Hell while still alive.

After the Prophet's Death: Emergence of Shi'i and Sunni Sects of IslamWhen Muhammad died in 632, he had not named a successor. One faction, the Shi'a, believed that only individuals with direct lineage to the Prophet could guide the Muslim community righteously. They thought that 'Ali, Muhammad's closest surviving blood male relative, should be their next leader (caliph).

The other faction, the Sunnis, believed that the Prophet's successor should be determined by consensus and successively elected three of his most trusted companions, commonly referred to as the Rightly Guided Caliphs (Abu Bakr, 'Umar, and 'Uthman), as leaders of the Muslim community; 'Ali succeeded them as the fourth caliph.

Today the Islamic community remains divided into Sunni and Shi'i branches. Sunnis revere all four caliphs, while Shi'is regard 'Ali as the first spiritual leader. The rift between these two factions has resulted in differences in worship as well as political and religious views. Sunnis are in the majority and occupy most of the Muslim world, while Shi'i populations are concentrated in Iran and Iraq, with sizeable numbers in Bahrain, Lebanon, Kuwait, Turkey, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

Depictions of the Prophet MuhammadFeatured in this unit are several depictions of the Prophet Muhammad. These portrayals, while somewhat rare, are not unheard of as there were (and still are) many different attitudes toward depicting the Prophet,

and humans in general, in the Islamic world. These attitudes varied dramatically from region to region and throughout history; the societies that produced the works discussed here are among those that allowed the depiction of the Prophet.

 Commissioned by Muslims for Muslims, these images appear in biographies of the Prophet and his family, world and local histories, and accounts of Muhammad's celestial journey (mi'raj), as well as in literary texts. In each context, they serve a distinct purpose. They illustrate a narrative in biographies and histories, 

while in literary texts they serve as visual analogues to written praises of the Prophet. An image of the Prophet Muhammad at the beginning of a book endows the volume with the highest form of blessing and sanctity. Thus, illustration of him was a common practice, particularly in the eastern regions of the Islamic world (see also Frequently

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Islam and Muslims

Islam and Muslims

The Arabic word ‘Islam’ means ‘submission’, and is derived from a word meaning ‘peace’.  As such, the religion of Islam teaches that in order to achieve true peace of mind and surety of heart, one must submit to God and live according to His Divinely revealed Law.

Islam is not a new religion because ‘submission to the will of God’, i.e. Islam, has always been the only acceptable religion in the sight of God.  For this reason, Islam is the true ‘natural religion’, and it is the same eternal message revealed through the ages to all of God’s prophets and messengers. 

The main message of all the prophets has always been that there is only One True God and He alone is to be worshipped.  These prophets start with Adam and include Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon, John the Baptist, and Jesus, peace be upon them all.  God says in the Holy Quran:

“We did not send before you (O Muhammad) any messenger but We revealed to him: ‘none has the right to be worshipped except I, therefore worship Me.’” (Quran 21:25)

However, the true message of these prophets was either lost or got corrupted over time.  Even the most recent books, the Torah and the Gospel were adulterated and hence they lost their credibility to guide the people to the right path.

Therefore 600 years after Jesus, God revived the lost message of previous prophets by sending the Prophet Muhammad with His final revelation, the Holy Quran, to all of mankind.  Since the Prophet Muhammad was the final prophet, God Himself has promised to preserve His last revealed words so that it is a source of guidance for all humanity till the Last Day.  It is now imperative for everyone to believe and follow this final message from God.  God Almighty says in the Quran:

“We have not sent you (O Muhammad) but to all mankind as a giver of good news and as a warner, but most people do not know.” (Quran 34:28)

 “Whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.” (Quran 3:85)

The word “Muslim” means one who submits to the will of God, regardless of his/her race, nationality or ethnic background.  Hence, any person who is ready to submit to the will of God is eligible to become a Muslim.

Benefits of Converting to Islam

There are many benefits of converting to Islam.  Some of them are:

•      One forms a personal and direct relationship with God by worshipping Him alone, without the need of intermediaries.  One feels this personal relationship and is aware that God knows everything and is there to assist him/her.

•      A person realizes the true purpose of his or her life, which is to recognize God and follow His commandments.

•      A person is provided with a light, which guides him/her through life.  The religion of Islam has answers to all situations, and one will always know the right steps to take in all aspects of life.

•      One finds true happiness, tranquility, and inner peace.

•      Upon converting to Islam, all of one’s previous sins are forgiven, and one starts a new life of piety and righteousness.  And as a Muslim, when one makes a mistake thereafter, he/she can always repent to God who forgives the sins of those who repent to Him sincerely.  There are no intermediaries or created beings to make confessions to.

•      One achieves salvation from Hellfire, which all prophets have warned against.

•      The greatest benefit is that a Muslim is promised by God the reward of eternal Paradise (Heaven).  Those who are blessed with Paradise, will live eternally in bliss without any sort of sickness, pain or sadness.

God will be pleased with them and they will be pleased with Him.  Even the lowest in rank among the dwellers of Paradise will have ten times the like of this world, and they will have whatever they desire. 

In fact, in Paradise there are pleasures that no eye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard, and no mind has ever thought of.  It will be a very real life, not spiritual only, but physical as well.

To know more about some of the benefits in converting to Islam, you may read this article “The Benefits of Converting to Islam (3 parts)”.

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Islam Facts

Islam Facts

• The word “Islam” means “submission to the will of God.”
• Followers of Islam are called Muslims.
• Muslims are monotheistic and worship one, all-knowing God, who in Arabic is known as Allah.
• Followers of Islam aim to live a life of complete submission to Allah. They believe that nothing can happen without Allah’s permission, but humans have free will.
• Islam teaches that Allah’s word was revealed to the prophet Muhammad through the angel Gabriel.
• Muslims believe several prophets were sent to teach Allah’s law. They respect some of the same prophets as Jews and Christians, including Abraham, Moses, Noah and Jesus. Muslims contend that Muhammad was the final prophet.
• Mosques are places where Muslims worship.
• Some important Islamic holy places include the Kaaba shrine in Mecca, the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, and the Prophet Muhammad’s mosque in Medina.
• The Quran (or Koran) is the major holy text of Islam. The Hadith is another important book. Muslims also revere some material found in the Judeo-Christian Bible.
• Followers worship Allah by praying and reciting the Quran. They believe there will be a day of judgment, and life after death.
• A central idea in Islam is “jihad,” which means “struggle.” While the term has been used negatively in mainstream culture, Muslims believe it refers to internal and external efforts to defend their faith. Although rare, this can include military jihad if a “just war” is needed.

Muhammad

The prophet Muhammad, sometimes spelled Mohammed or Mohammad, was born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in 570 A.D. Muslims believe he was the final prophet sent by God to reveal their faith to mankind.

According to Islamic texts and tradition, an angel named Gabriel visited Muhammad in 610 A.D. while he was meditating in a cave. The angel ordered Muhammad to recite the words of Allah.

Muslims believe that Muhammad continued to receive revelations from Allah throughout the rest of his life.

Starting in about 613, Muhammad began preaching throughout Mecca the messages he received. He taught that there was no other God but Allah and that Muslims should devote their lives to this God.

Hijra

In 622, Muhammad traveled from Mecca to Medina with his supporters. This journey became known as the Hijra (also spelled Hegira or Hijrah), and marks the beginning of Islamic calendar. 

Some seven years later, Muhammad and his many followers returned to Mecca and conquered the region. He continued to preach until his death in 632.

Abu Bakr

After Muhammad’s passing, Islam began to spread rapidly.  A series of leaders, known as caliphs, became successors to Muhammad. This system of leadership, which was run by a Muslim ruler, became known as a caliphate.

The first caliph was Abu Bakr, Muhammad’s father-in-law and close friend.

Abu Bakr died about two years after he was elected and was succeeded in 634 by Caliph Umar, another father-in-law of Muhammad.

Caliphate System

When Umar was assassinated six years after being named caliph, Uthman, Muhammad’s son-in-law, took the role.

Uthman was also killed, and Ali, Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law, was selected as the next caliph.

During the reign of the first four caliphs, Arab Muslims conquered large regions in the Middle East, including Syria, Palestine, Iran and Iraq. Islam also spread throughout areas in Europe, Africa, and Asia.

The caliphate system lasted for centuries and eventually evolved into the Ottoman Empire, which controlled large regions in the Middle East from about 1517 until 1917, when World War I ended the Ottoman reign.

Sunnis and Shiites

When Muhammad died, there was debate over who should replace him as leader. This led to a schism in Islam, and two major sects emerged: the Sunnis and the Shiites.

Sunnis make up nearly 90 percent of Muslims worldwide. They accept that the first four caliphs were the true successors to Muhammad.

Shiite Muslims believe that only the caliph Ali and his descendants are the real successors to Muhammad. They deny the legitimacy of the first three caliphs. Today, Shiite Muslims have a considerable presence in Iran, Iraq and Syria.

Other Types of Islam

Other, smaller Muslim denominations within the Sunni and Shiite groups exist. Some of these include;

• Wahhabi: This Sunni sect, made up of members of the Tameem tribe in Saudi Arabia, was founded in the 18th century. Followers observe an extremely strict interpretation of Islam that was taught by Muhammad bin Abd al-Wahhab.
• Alawite: This Shiite form of Islam is prevalent in Syria. Followers hold similar beliefs about the caliph Ali but also observe some Christian and Zoroastrian holidays.
• Nation of Islam: This mostly African-American, Sunni sect was founded in the 1930s in Detroit, Michigan.
• Kharijites: This sect broke from the Shiites after disagreeing over how to select a new leader. They are known for radical fundamentalism, and today are called Ibadis.

Quran

The Quran (sometimes spelled Qur’an or Koran) is considered the most important holy book among Muslims.

It contains some basic information that is found in the Hebrew Bible as well as revelations that were given to Muhammad. The text is considered the sacred word of God and supercedes any previous writings.

Most Muslims believe that Muhammad’s scribes wrote down his words, which became the Quran. (Muhammad himself was never taught to read or write.)

The book is written with Allah as the first person, speaking through Gabriel to Muhammad. It contains 114 chapters, which are called surahs.

Scholars believe the Quran was compiled shortly after Muhammad’s death, under the guidance of Caliph Abu Bakr.

READ MORE: Why the Quran Was a Bestseller Among Christians in 18th Century America

Islamic Calendar

The Islamic calendar, also called the Hijra calendar, is a lunar calendar used in Islamic religious worship. The calendar began in the year 622 A.D., celebrating the journey of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina.

The Islamic calendar indicates the proper days of Islamic holidays and celebrations, including the period of fasting and prayer known as Ramadan, which occurs during the ninth month of the calendar.

Islam Symbols

As in many religions, there is no single image or symbol of Islam that is universally accepted by all Muslims worldwide.

The crescent moon and star has been adopted in some predominantly Muslim countries as a symbol of Islam, though the crescent moon and star image is believed to pre-date Islam and was originally a symbol of the Ottoman Empire.  

In some other applications, such as the International Red Cross and Red Crescent humanitarian aid movement, a red crescent indicates that followers of Islam are respected and treated accordingly.

The color green is also sometimes associated with Islam, as it was reportedly a favorite color of Muhammad's and is often featured prominently in the flags of predominantly Muslim countries.

Five Pillars of Islam

Muslims follow five basic pillars that are essential to their faith. These include:

• Shahada: to declare one’s faith in God and belief in Muhammad
• Salat: to pray five times a day (at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening)
• Zakat: to give to those in need
• Sawm: to fast during Ramadan
• Hajj: to make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once during a person’s lifetime if the person is able

Sharia Law

Islam’s legal system is known as Sharia Law. This faith-based code of conduct directs Muslims on how they should live in nearly every aspect of their lives.

Sharia law requires men and women to dress modestly. It also outlines marriage guidelines and other moral principles for Muslims.

If crimes are committed, Sharia law is known for its harsh punishments. For example, the punishment for theft is amputating a person’s hand. Adultery can carry the penalty of death by stoning. However, many Muslims do not support such extreme measures

Muslim Prayer

The prophet Muhammad is credited with building the first mosque in the courtyard of his house in Medina. Mosques today follow some of the same principles he established in 622 A.D.

Muslim prayer is often conducted in a mosque's large open space or outdoor courtyard. A mihrab is a decorative feature or niche in the mosque that indicates the direction to Mecca, and therefore the direction to face during prayer.

Men and women pray separately, and Muslims may visit a mosque five times a day for each of the prayer sessions. In addition to hosting prayers, mosques often function as public gathering places and social centers. 

Muslim Holidays

The two major Muslim holidays are:

Eid al-Adha: celebrates the Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son for Allah.

Eid al-Fitr: marks the end of Ramadan—the Islamic holy month of fasting.

Muslims also celebrate other holidays, such as the Islamic New Year and the birth of Muhammad.

Islam Today

In recent years, Islam’s supposed association with terrorism and mass murder has sparked a political debate in many countries. The controversial term “radical Islam” has become a well-known label to describe the religion’s connection to acts of violence.

While some Muslims use their faith to justify terrorism, the vast majority do not. In fact, Muslims are frequently victims of violence themselves.

Recent surveys have found that in countries with high Muslim populations, the majority of Muslims have overwhelmingly negative views of terrorist groups like ISIS.

While Muslims aim to clear up misconceptions about their faith, the religion continues to spread rapidly. Today, Islam is the world’s fastest growing religion. Experts predict Islam will surpass Christianity as the largest religion by the end of the century.

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