Religions in the world
Religions in the world
 |
The Muslim population of the world is more than one billion. 30% of Muslims live in the Indian subcontinent, 20% in Sub-Saharan Africa, 17% in Southeast Asia, 18% in the Arab world. 10% in the Soviet Union and China. Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan comprise 10% of the non-Arab Middle East. Although there are Muslim minorities in almost every area, including Latin America and Australia, they are most numerous in the former Soviet Union, India, and central Africa. There are over 5 million Muslims in the United States. |
through Gabriel.4. How does someone become a Muslim?
Simply by saying:
"There is no god apart from Allah, and
Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah". By this
declaration the believer announces his or her
faith in all God's messengers, and the scriptures they
brought.
rather
than God.) He is
God the One God, the Everlasting Refuge, who has not
begotten, nor has been begotten, and equal to Him is not
anyone. (112) (PBUH) from the eldest, Ishmael, Moses and
Jesus from Isaac (PBUH). Abraham established the
settlement which today is the city of Makkah, and built
the Ka'ba towards which all Muslims turn when they pray.? (PBUH) was born in
Makkah in the year 570, at a time when Christianity was
not yet fully established in Europe. Since his father
died before his birth, and his mother shortly afterwards,
he was raised by his uncle from the respected tribe of
Quraysh. As he grew up, he became known for his
truthfulness, generosity and sincerity, so that he was
sought after for his ability to arbitrate in disputes.
The historians describe his as calm and meditative.
Muhammad (PBUH) was of a deeply religious nature, and
had long detested the decadence of his society. It became
his habit to meditate from time to time in the Cave of
Hira near the summit of Jabal al-Nur, the 'Mountain of
Light' near Makkah. (PBUH) received his
first revelation from god through the Angel Gabriel. This
revelation, which continued for twenty-three years, is
known as the Quran. As soon as he began to recite the
words he heard from Gabriel, and to preach the truth
which God had revealed to him, he and his small group of
followers suffered bitter persecution, which grew so
fierce that in the year 622 God gave them the command to
emigrate. This event, the Hijra, 'migration', in which
they left Makkah for the city of Madinah some 260 miles
to the north, marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar.
After several years, the Prophet (PBUH)
and his followers were able to return to Makkah, where
they forgave their enemies and established Islam
definitively. Before the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
died at the age of 63, the greater part of Arabia was
Muslim, and within a century of his death Islam had
spread to Spain in the West and as far east as China
12. How did the spread of Islam affect the world?
Within a few years, great civilisations and universities were flourishing, for according to the Prophet (PBUH), 'seeking knowledge is an obligation for every Muslim man and woman'. The synthesis of Eastern and Western ideas and of new thoughts with old, brought about great advances in medicine, mathematics, physics, astronomy, geography, architecture, art, literature, and history. Many crucial systems such as algebra, the Arabic numerals, and also the concept of the zero (vital to the advancement of mathematics), were transmitted to medieval Europe from Islam.
Sophisticated instruments which were to make possible the European voyages of discovery were developed, including the astrolabe, the quadrant and good navigation maps.
(PBUH). It was memorized by Muhammad (PBUH)
and then dictated to his companions, and written down by
scribes, who cross-checked it during his lifetime. Not
one word of its 114 chapters, Suras, has been changed
over the centuries, so that the Quran is in every detail
the unique and miraculous text which was revealed to
Muhammad fourteen centuries ago.15. Are there any other sacred sources?
16. Examples from the Prophet's (PBUH) sayings
'None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.' 'He who eats his fill while his neighbour goes without food is not a believer.'
'Powerful is not he who knocks the other down, indeed powerful is he who controls himself in a fit of anger.'
'God does not judge according to your bodies and appearances but He scans your hearts and looks into your deeds.'
'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 thing.' (From the hadith collections of Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi and Bayhaqi)
17. What are the 'Five Pillars' of Islam?
1- Faith There is no god
worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad is His
messenger. This declaration of faith is called the
Shahada, a simple formula which all the faithful
pronounce. In Arabic, the first part is La'Ilaha 'there
is no god except Allah'; (God) can refer to anything
which we may be tempted to put in place of God - wealth,
power, and the like. Then comes Illa'Llah: 'except
Allah', the source of all creation. The second part of
the Shahada is Muhammad an rasalu 'Llah:
Muhammad is the messenger of Allah'. A message of
guidance has come through a man like ourselves.
2- Prayer Salat is the name for the obligatory prayers which are performed five times a day, and are a direct link between the worshipper and God. There is no hierarchical authority in Islam, and no priests, so the prayers are led by a learned person who knows the Quran, chosen by the congregation. These five prayers contain verses from the Quran, and are said in Arabic, the language of the Revelation, but personal supplication can be offered in one's own language. Prayers are said at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and nightfall, and thus determine the rhythm of the entire day. Although it is preferable to worship together in a mosque, a Muslim may pray almost anywhere, such as in fields, offices, factories and universities. Visitors to the Muslim world are struck by the centrality of prayers in daily life.
3- The 'Zakat' One of the most important principles of Islam is that all things belong to God, and that wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. The word zakat means both 'purification' and 'growth'. Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need, and, like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth. Each Muslim calculates his or her own zakat individually. For most purposes this involves the payment each year of two and a half percent of one's capital. A pious person may also give as much as he or she pleases as sadaqa, and does so preferably in secret. Although this word can be translated as 'voluntary charity' it has wider meaning. The Prophet (PBUH) said 'even meeting your brother with a cheerful face is charity.' The Prophet (PBUH) said 'Charity is a necessity for every Muslim.' He was asked: 'What if a person has nothing?' The Prophet (PBUH) replied: 'He should work with his own hands for his benefit and then give something out of such earnings in charity.' The Companions asked: 'What if he is not able to work?' The Prophet (PBUH) said: 'He should urge others to do good.' The Companions said: 'What if he lacks that also?' The Prophet (PBUH) said: 'He should check himself from doing evil. That is also charity.'
4- The Fast Every year in the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from first light until sundown, abstaining from food, drink and sexual relations. Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are pregnant or nursing are permitted to break the fast and make up an equal number of days later in the year. If they are physically unable to do this, they must feed a needy person for every day missed. Children begin to fast (and to observe the prayer) from puberty, although many start earlier. Although the fast is most beneficial to the health, it is regarded principally as a method of self-purification. By cutting oneself off from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person gains true sympathy with those who go hungry as well as growth in one's spiritual life.
5- Pilgrimage (Hajj) The annual pilgrimage to Makkah (the Hajj) is an obligation only for those who are physically and financially able to perform it. Nevertheless, about two million people go to Makkah each year from every corner of the globe providing a unique opportunity for those of different nations to meet one another. Although Makkah is always filled with visitors, the annual Hajj begins in the twelfth month of the Islamic
The Quran describes the Annunciation as follows: 'Behold' The Angel said, God has chosen you, and purified you, and chosen you above the women of all nations. O Mary, God gives you good news of a word from Him, whose name shall be the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, honoured in this world and the Hereafter, and one of those brought near to God. He shall speak to the people from his cradle and in maturity, and shall be the righteous.'
She said: 'O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has touched me?' He said: 'Even so; God creates what He will. When he decrees a thing, he says to it, "Be!" and it is.' (Quran, 3:42-47)
Jesus (PBUH) was born miraculously through the same power which had brought Adam (PBUH) into being without a father: 'Truly, the likeness of Jesus with God is as the likeness of Adam. He created him of dust, and then said to him, 'Be!' and he was. (3:59)
During His prophetic mission Jesus (PBUH) performed many miracles. The Quran tells us that he said: 'I have come to you with a sign from your Lord: I make for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breathe into it and it becomes a bird by God's leave. And I heal the blind, and the lepers, and I raise the dead by God's leave.' (3.49)
Neither Muhammad (PBUH)
nor Jesus (PBUH) came to change the basic doctrine of the
belief in One God, brought by earlier prophets, but to
confirm and renew it. In the Quran Jesus (PBUH) is
reported as saying that he came: "To attest the law
which was before me. And to make lawful to you part of
what was forbidden you: I have come to you with a sign
from your Lord, so fear God and obey Me.'
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
said: 'Whoever believes there is no god but God, alone
without partner, that Muhammad (PBUH) is His
messenger, that Jesus is the servant and messenger of
God, His word breathed into Mary and a spirit emanating
from Him, and that Paradise and Hell are true, shall be
received by God into Heaven.' (Hadith from Bukhari)
Both men and women are expected to dress in a way which is modest and dignified; the traditions of female dress found in some Muslim countries are often the expression of local customs.
The Messenger of God (PBUH) said: 'The most perfect in faith amongst believers is he who is best in manner and kindest to his wife.'
Circumstances may warrant the taking of another wife but the right is granted according to the Quran, God says: If ye fear that ye cannot do justice (to so many) then one (only)'. (3:3)
According to Islam, no Muslim girl can be forced to marry against her will: her parents will simply suggest young men they think may be suitable.
The Quran says: 'Your Lord has commanded that you worship none but Him, and be kind to parents. If either or both of them reach old age with you, do not say 'uff' to them or chide them, but speak to them in terms of honour and kindness. Treat them with humility, and say, 'My Lord! Have mercy on them, for they did care for me when I was little'. (17:23-24)
The Quran says: 'Fight in the cause of God against those who fight you, but do not transgress limits. God does not love transgressors.' (2:190) 'If they seek peace, then seek you peace. And trust in god for He is the One that heareth and knoweth all things.' (8.61)
War, therefore, is the last resort, and is subject to the rigorous conditions laid down by the sacred law.
The term "Jihad" literally means 'struggle', and Muslims believe that there are two kinds of Jihad. The other 'Jihad' is the inner struggle which everyone wages against egotistic desires, for the sake of attaining inner peace.
29. How does Islam guarantee Human Rights?
'O mankind! We created you from a single soul, male and female, and made you into nations and tribes, so that you may come to know one another. Truly, the most honoured of you in God's sight is the greatest of you in piety. God is All-Knowing, All-Aware.' (49:13)
| The Muslim Beliefs | Introduction
to Islam |
Understanding Islam |
The Holly Qur'aan |
| Islamic Laws |
News Concerning Muslims |
Top of the
Page |
Back to Islam Page
If you have any questions or comments, Please E-mail me.
