ISLAM and MUSLIMS

Islam and Muslims ISLAM means Submission - derived from ‘Silm’ or ‘Salam’ meaning PEACE. MUSLIM – a person who submits to One GOD: Allah the Lord of the Universe. Islam is a total system of living and a Muslim is supposed to live in Peace with the Creator, with oneself, with other people and with the environment.

Muslims and Arabs An Arab is a person who adopts the Arabic language. An Arab could be a Muslim, a Christian, a Jew or an Atheist. Muslims try to learn Arabic as it is the language of the Qur’an. Arab Muslims constitute only about 18% of the Muslim population of the world.

MUHAMMAD (peace be upon him) The last Prophet of GOD to Mankind Chosen by GOD to deliver HIS message of Peace, namely ISLAM Born in 570 in Makkah, Arabia At the age of 40 years he was entrusted with the “Message” through Revelations Summation and Culmination of all the Prophets that came before him.

Some Islamic Principles (cont’d) Innocence of Man at birth: People are born free of sin but after the age of puberty they are to be charged for their mistakes. Nobody can bear the responsibility for the sins of others. Angels and the Day of Judgment: Angels are created by GOD to serve and obey HIM. The day of Judgment is a day of reward and punishment State and Religion: Islam encompasses all aspects of life. Economic and social transactions, education and politics are not separate from religion.

Practices of Islam Creed or SHAHADA Prayers or SALAT Fasting or SAUM Obligatory Charity or ZAKAH Pilgrimage or HAJJ

Other Related Aspects Calendar: Lunar Celebrations: Eid – EID UL FITR Festival of Fast Breaking –Celebrated after the Holy Month of Ramadan – EID UL ADHA Festival of the Sacrifice –Celebrated during the time of Hajj

Other Related Aspects Diets: Everything good for health – Restrictions: Pork and its by-products, alcohol, and any narcotic or addictive drug. Place of Worship: Anywhere in the world. – Three Sacred Places: Mosque of Kaaba in Makkah, Mosque of the Prophet in Madinah and, Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem

Sources of Islam Legal Sources – Qur’an and Hadith – Qur’an: Exact words of God; its authenticity, originality and totality are intact. – Hadith: Report of the sayings, deeds, approvals and disapprovals (Sunnah) of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). – Seerah: The writings of the followers of Muhammad (pbuh) about his life.

Some Islamic Principles Oneness of GOD: HE is the one and only one. He has no son or daughter. – “HE begetteth not, nor is HE begotten” (Surah 112:3) Oneness of Mankind: People are created equal in front of the law of God Oneness of Messengers and the Message: All Messengers came with the same teachings. It was the people who misinterpreted and distorted them.

Masjid Al Haram, Makkah

The Holy Mosque of The Prophet, Al-Madinah

The Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem

The Al Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem( ) Originally built in 715, the mosque was reconstructed and enlarged at least six times.

Prophets Messengers chosen by GOD who taught that: God alone should be worshipped Human beings should strive to live righteously

QUR’AN “ The Recitation” Revealed to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) over a span of twenty-three years – Read in the name of your Lord who created, created man from clots of congealed blood. (Qur’an 96:1)

Jihad StruggleVS. Holy War Outer Self Inner Self

Human Rights Right of Faith: – To choose religion – To practice freely “Let there be no compulsion in Religion” Surah Baqara 2:256 Right to Life: – Regardless of belief, every soul has the right to life. No one should take another’s life. If you kill one soul, you kill all mankind, If you save one soul, you save all mankind Surah Al Maida 5:32

Human Rights Right of Property: – Whatever you earn in a legal and lawful way is yours – No gambling, usery, pornography, stealing or robbery Allah is pure and HE loves the Pure – Anyone who is killed while protecting their property is a martyr Hadith Right of our body: – Intellect, protect our brain – Drugs and Alcohol are forbidden because it affects our brain.

Human Rights Protection of Family: – Islam brought dignity to women – Islam forbade any relationship outside of marriage Surah Al Nur 24:2 Family  Community  Nation: – A strong healthy nation stems from a solid family consisting of a father, mother, sister, daughter, brother, son and an extended family. – This is how ISLAM is established.

PRAYER Prayer is meant to rescue person from her routine labors and set her free to turn her face and heart towards her Lord in remembrance, and gratitude, and in order to seek more of His help and guidance. Such remembrance of God, and such seeking of His guidance and help, is the very heart and essence of the Muslim way of life.