(The above image is the Arabic word for "Allah")
Islam
What is Islam and who is a Muslim?
Islam means total submission to Allah. And a Muslim is one who totally submits to the will of Allah. In the modern world you will hear people commonly referring to it as a religion. While this is true, it is more-so a way of life. It's the way people accept and choose to live.
Who is Allah?
For whatever reason, many people seem to believe that Muslims worship a God different from Christians and Jews. However, this is the furthest thing from the truth. Muslims believe that the same God that Christians and Jews worship is also the same God that Muslims worship. Unfortunately due to human intervention over the centuries, many people are unfamiliar with this information. Simply put, Allah is the Arabic word for 'God'. He is the creator of all things, He knows all things, He is the most merciful.
Allah describes himself to us in the Holy Qur'an (The words of Allah, Islamic Holy Book) in many chapters and verses. Below is the first chapter from the Qur'an translated from !rabic to English:
Chapter 1 - Surah Al-Fatiha(The Opening)
1) In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy! 2) Praise belongs to God, Lord of the Worlds, 3) the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy, 4) Master of the Day of Judgment. 5) It is You we worship; it is You we ask for help. 6) Guide us to the straight path: 7) the path of those who You have blessed, those who incur no anger and who have not gone astray.
Who was Muhammad?
Throughout the history of mankind, Allah (God) has sent us many prophets to help guide us to the straight path. The straight path is the righteous path, the path the God wants us to follow. Among the prophets sent to mankind were Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, peace be upon them all. Muhammad pbuh (peace be upon him) just happened to be the last and final messenger of Allah, but also the very best. Throughout his life time, Muhammad pbuh was known by the people of Mecca and Medina to be truthful, trustworthy. He was the most humble, kindest, and most fair person to ever walk the face of the earth. So much so that a list compiled by Michael H. Hart, an astrophysicist and author, which ranked the top 100 most influential persons, ranked Muhammad pbuh as the #1 most influential person in history. It is important to note that Michael H. Hart is not a Muslim.
It is important to note that Muslims do not worship Muhammad pbuh, we only worship Allah because he is the only Being worthy of being worshiped. Muhammad pbuh was a human being just like any of us. He just happened to be chosen by God to be the best example for us so that we can learn how to properly conduct ourselves as human beings.
5 Pillars of Islam
- Shahadah (Faith) - The Shahadah is the first and most important pillar of Islam. It is the profession of faith for Muslims. In order to be a -uslim. you must say and believe that "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his Messenger" In this statement one is acknowledging that there is only one true God with no partners. And Muhammad is his last and final messenger From an Islamic prospective, it is important to note that by acknowledging Muhammad pbuh, you are also acknowledging all the other prophets and messengers of Allah.
- Salat (Prayer) - The second most important pillar in Islam happens to be the most important action that a Muslim. can take, which is performing the 5 daily prayers. The prayer connects us directly to our creater and it is the most beloved action by our creater. With that being said, the 5 prayers are absolutely mandatory for all Muslims. The only exception is for a woman when she is on her cycle.
- Zakat (Alms-Giving) - Giving a portion of your annual earnings to the poor or less fortunate is the third pillar of Islam.
- Sawm (Fasting) - During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims. are expected to fast from dawn to dusk when healthy and able. There are some exceptions for the sick, the elderly, and pregnant women. But not eating or drinking during the day is merely one aspect of fasting. It is a spiritual cleanse for the mind, body, and soul.
- Hajj (Pilgrimage) - Lastly, if financially and physically able, a Muslim. is expected to make a pilgrimage to Mecca, the holiest place for Muslims. and the birthplace of Islam at least once in their life time. During the pilgrimage a Muslim. is supposed to visit the Kabah "The House of God", built by Abraham pbuh and Ishmael pbuh.