SHAYKH AL ISLAM

DISCOVER ISLAM 

 

In the name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.

All praise be to God, Lord of the Universe; the Compassionate, the Merciful.
Sovereign of the Day of Judgement! You alone we worship;
and to You alone we turn for help. Guide us to the straight path;
the path of those whom You have favoured; not of those
who have incurred Your wrath, nor of those who have gone astray.
Endless Blessings and Peace upon Allahs Most Beloved Messenger & Prophet
Hadrat Muhammad Mustafa (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam) Ameen.



New : Introduction to Islam Video

Introduction   What do Muslims Believe ?

Why is Islam sometimes misunderstood

Do Islam, Christianity and Judaism have differrent origins ?


Who is Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) ?

How did Muhammad become a Beloved Prophet
and a Messenger of a God ?

How did the spread of Islam affect the World ?

What is the Qur'an al-Kareem ?

Apart from Al-Qur'an are there any other sacred sources ?

The Five Pillars of Islam 

Faith - Shahadah   Prayer - Salaat   Charity - Zakaah

Fast - Ramadan   Pilgrimage - Hajj


Is Islam tolerant of other beliefs ?

What do Muslims think about Jesus ?


Why is the family so important to Muslims ?

How does Islam elevate the status of women ?

What about the elderly, death and afterlife ?

What does Islam say about War ?

How does Islam gaurantee human rights ?

Where can you get more information about Islam ?

Spirituality   Regain your Honour

Miscellaneous

The name of the religion is Islam, which comes from an Arabic root word eaning "peace" and "submission."  Islam teaches that one can only find peace in one's life by submitting to Almighty God (Allah) in heart, soul and deed.  The same Arabic root word gives us "Asalaamu Alaykum, ("Peace be with you"), the universal Muslim greeting.

Who is a Muslim?

A person who believes in and consciously follows Islam is called a Muslim, also from the same root word.  So, the religion is called Islam, and a person who follows it is a Muslim.

How Many and Where?

Islam is a major world religion, with over 1 billion followers worldwide (1/4  of the world population).  It is considered one of the Abrahamic, monotheistic faiths, along with Judaism and Christianity.  Although usually associated with the Arabs of the Middle East, less than 10% of Muslims are in fact Arab.  Muslims are found all over the world, of every nation, color and race.  Muslim majorities are found throughout the Middle East, North Africa, East Asia and the Pacific Islands.  Large numbers are also found in Western Europe, the former Soviet Union, and North America.

What is Islam ?

                   Islam is the fastest growing religion in the World ! 

 
            Some Facts           

Quick glance Basics :

	Islam is the second largest religion in the world after Christianity, with more than 1.2 billion followers.
	Followers of Islam are called Muslims.
	Although many people believe that most Muslims come from the Middle East, only 20 percent of the world's Muslims reside there.
	Most Muslims live in South and Southeast Asia, in nations like Malaysia, China, Japan, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh,and Pakistan.
	An estimated 6 million Muslims call America home, making it the fastest growing religion in the country.
	One in every four people on Earth is Muslim.
	"Islam" translates as "surrender," and is derived from the Arabic word for "peace."
	"Allah" in Arabic means "God," the same God that Christians and Jews worship.

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Muslims believe in the One, Unique, Incomparable, Merciful God--the Sole Creator, Sustainer and Cherisher of the Universe; in the Angels created by Him; in the Prophets through whom His revelations were brought to humankind; in the Day of Judgment and in individual accountability for actions; in God's complete authority over destiny, be it good or bad; and in life after death.

Muslims believe that God sent his messengers and prophets to all people beginning with Adam (Adam) and including Noah (Nuh), Abraham (Ibrahim), Lot (Lut), Ishmael (Isma'il), Isaac (Ishaq), Jacob (Ya'qub), Joseph (Yusuf), Job (Ayb), Moses (Musa), Aaron (Harun), David (Dawud), Solomon (Sulayman), Elias (Ilyas), Jonah (Yunus), John the Baptist (Yahya), and Jesus ('Isa); (alaihi as-salaam) peace be upon them all.

God's final message to humanity, a reconfirmation of the eternal message and a summing up of all that has gone before, was revealed to the Last Beloved Prophet Muhammad (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) through the Archangel Jibraeel (Gabriel).

One becomes a Muslim by believing and proclaiming that "There is none worthy of worship except God, and that Muhammad (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) is the Beloved Messenger of God." By this declaration the believer announces his or her faith in all God's messengers, and the Scriptures (in their pristine original form) that these messengers brought.

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Islam is frequently misunderstood and may even seem exotic in some parts of today's world. Perhaps this is because religion no longer dominates everyday life in Western society; whereas, for Muslims, Islam is life. Muslims make no artificial division between the secular and the sacred.

For quite some time Islam was thought of as some "Eastern" religion, but with the increasing number of Muslims living in the West, Islam is gradually being perceived as a global faith. Muslims are not thought of as strangers with unusual practices, but are being welcomed as part of the mosaic of life in the West. In many cases, Islam is not just viewed as an acceptable religion, but as a desired way of living.

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Do Islam, Christianity and Judaism have different origins ? 

No.  The original, unchanged revelations given to Abrahamic and other Prophets reaching back to Adam all came from the One True God. This common origin explains their similarities in many beliefs and values.

Abraham is mentioned in the Qur'an al-Kareem as one of the great Prophets and was honored with the title, "Friend of God." Abraham and his eldest son, Ishmael, were commanded by God to build a place of worship, the Ka'aba, in what is today the city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

The Ka'aba is a simple stone construction erected as a sanctuary for the worship of the One God. The Qur'an al-kareem states that God commanded Abraham to summon all humankind to visit this place, and when pilgrims go there today they say "At your service, O Lord," in response to Abraham's call. The Ka'aba is the central place of worship toward which all Muslims face in prayer to God, Almighty.

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Who is Muhammad  (Salla Allahu alayhi wa Sallam) ?

The Beloved Prophet Muhammad (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) was born in Makkah in the year 570 CE, during the period of history Europeans call the Middle Ages. Muhammad (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) was the son of 'Abd Allah, a noble from the tribe of the Quraysh. Muhammad's (Salla Allahu ya'ala alayhi wa Sallam) father died before Muhammad's (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) birth, and his mother, Aminah died shortly afterwards. Muhammad (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam)was raised by his uncle, Abu Talib.

As he grew up, Muhammad (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) became known for his truthfulness, generosity and sincerity, earning the title of 'al Amin,' the trustworthy one. Muhammad (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) was frequently called upon to arbitrate disputes and counsel his fellow Makkans.

Muhammad (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) was of a contemplative 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.

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How did Muhammad (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) become a Beloved Prophet and a Messenger of God ?

At the age of 40, while engaged in a meditative retreat, the beloved Muhammad (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) received his first revelation from God through the Archangel Gabriel. This revelation, which continued for twenty-three years, is known as the Qur'an al-kareem .

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) began to recite the words he heard from Gabriel and to preach the truth which God had revealed to him. The people of Makkah were steeped in their ways of ignorance and opposed Prophet Muhammad (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) and his small group of followers in every way. These early Muslims suffered bitter persecution.

In the year 622 CE, God gave the Muslim community the command to emigrate. This event, the hijrah or migration, in which they left Makkah for the city of Madinah, some 260 miles to the North, marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar.

Madinah provided the beloved Prophet Muhammad (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) and the Muslims the safe and nurturing haven in which the Muslim community grew. After several years, the Beloved Prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) and his followers returned to Makkah, where they forgave their enemies and dedicated the Ka'bah to the worship of the One God. Before the Beloved Prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) 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. 

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How did the spread of Islam affect the World ?

The Muslim community expanded rapidly after the Beloved Prophet's (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) death. Within a few decades, the territory under Muslim rule had extended onto three continents--Asia, Africa and Europe. Over the next few centuries this Empire continued to expand and Islam gradually became the chosen faith of the majority of its inhabitants. Among the reasons for the rapid and peaceful spread of Islam was the simplicity of its doctrine--Islam calls for faith in only One God worthy of worship. Islam also repeatedly instructs human beings to use their powers of intelligence and observation.

As Muslim civilization developed, it absorbed the heritage of ancient civilizations like Egypt, Persia and Greece, whose learning was preserved in the libraries and with the scholars of its cities. Some Muslim scholars turned their attention to these centers of learning and sought to acquaint themselves with the knowledge taught and cultivated in them. They, therefore, set about with a concerted effort to translate the philosophical and scientific works available to them, not only from the Greek and Syriac languages (the languages of eastern Christian scholars), but also from Pahlavi, the scholarly language of pre-Islamic Persia, and even from Sanskrit, an ancient Indian language.

Most of the important philosophical and scientific works of Aristotle; much of Plato and the Pythagorean school; and the major works of Greek astronomy, mathematics and medicine such as the Almagest of Ptolemy, the Elements of Euclid, and the works of Hippocrates and Galen, were all rendered into Arabic. Furthermore, important works of astronomy, mathematics and medicine were translated from Pahlavi and Sanskrit. As a result, Arabic became the most important scientific language of the world for many centuries and the depository of much of the wisdom and the sciences of antiquity.

The achievement of scholars working in the Islamic tradition went far beyond translation and preservation of ancient learning. These scholars built upon and developed the ancient heritage before passing it on to the West.

Muslims excelled in art, architecture, astronomy, geography, history, language, literature, medicine, mathematics, and physics. Many crucial systems such as algebra, the Arabic numerals, and the very concept of the zero (vital to the advancement of mathematics), were formulated by Muslim scholars and shared with medieval Europe. Sophisticated instruments that would make possible the later European voyages of discovery were invented or developed, including the astrolabe, the quadrant and navigational charts and maps.

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What is the Qur'an al-kareem

The faith of Islam began to take shape when Allah (God) spoke to the Beloved Prophet Muhammad Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam (blessings and peace be upon him) in the year 610. Allah's messages to the Most Beloved Prophet Muhammad Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam were collected and became the Qur'an al-kareem, the Sacred Book of Islam. Abraham, Moses and Jesus are all recognized as Prophets of Allah. All Muslims follow what are called the Five Pillars of Islam. 

The Noble Qur'an al-kareem is the very word of God, Almighty. A complete record of the exact words revealed by God through the Angel Gabriel to the Most Beloved Prophet Muhammad (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) 

The Qur'an al-kareem is the principal source of every Muslim's faith and practice. It deals with all subjects that concern us as human beings, including wisdom, doctrine, worship and law; but its basic theme is the relationship between God and His creatures. At the same time, the Qur'an al-kareem provides guidelines for a just society, proper human conduct and equitable economic principles.

Also visit our separate and more detailed pages on the sacred book of Islam Al-Qur'an and Kanz al-Iman.

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Apart from the Qur'an al-kareem are there any other sacred sources ?

Yes, the Sunnah, sometimes referred to as the Hadith, the practice and example of the beloved Prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam)  is the second source of inspiration and instruction for Muslims. Belief in the Sunnah is part of the Islamic faith.

A few examples of the Beloved Prophet's (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) sayings (Hadith):

"God has no mercy on one who has no mercy for others."

"None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself."

"He who eats his fill while his neighbor goes without food is not a believer."

"God does not judge you according to your bodies and appearances but He looks into your hearts and observes your deeds."

"One Muslim should do six acts of kindness to another: he should greet him when he meets him; accept his invitation when he gives one; say 'God have mercy on you' when he sneezes; visit him when he is ill; follow his bier when he dies; and like for him what he likes for himself."

"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 (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) was asked: 'Messenger of God, are we rewarded for kindness towards animals?' He said, 'There is a reward for kindness to every living being.'"

"O People, listen to me in earnest, worship God, perform your five daily prayers (Salaah), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakaah. Perform Hajj if you can afford to. Know that every Muslim is the brother of another Muslim. You are all equal. Nobody has superiority over others except by piety and good action." (from The Prophet's (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) Last Sermon).

The Five Pillars of Islam

A Muslim's life, his talk and his activities must represent his beliefs. They are summarized below:

1. There is only one God, and Muhammad Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam is his Most Beloved Messenger. (Faith)
2. Prayer five times a day. (Salat)
3. Charitable giving. (Zakaat)
4. Fasting during daylight hours of Ramadan, which is the holy month. (Fast)
5. Pilgrimage to Makkah and Madinah, in Saudi Arabia, the holiest place on Earth for Muslims, at least once in your lifetime. (Hajj)
   

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What are the Five Pillars of Islam ?  FAITH

The 'Five Pillars' of Islam are the foundation of Muslim life:

• Faith or belief in the Oneness of God and the finality of the Prophethood of Muhammad (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam)
• Establishment of the daily prayers;
• Concern for and almsgiving to the needy;
• Self-purification through fasting; and
• The pilgrimage to Makkah for those who are able.

Iman or Faith (Shahadah)

"There is God but Allah and Muhammad (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) is the Messenger of Allah." This declaration of faith is called the 'Shahadah', a simple formula that all the faithful pronounce. The significance of this declaration is the belief that the only purpose of life is to serve and obey God, and this is achieved through the teachings and practices of the Last Beloved Prophet, Sayyadina Muhammad Mustafa (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) .

What are the Five Pillars of Islam ?  SALAAT

Salaat is the name for the obligatory prayers that are performed five times a day, and are a direct link between the worshipper and God. There is no hierarchical authority in Islam and there are no priests. Prayers are led by a learned person who knows the Qur'an al-kareem and is generally chosen by the congregation.

Prayers are said at dawn, mid-day, late-afternoon, sunset and nightfall, and thus determine the rhythm of the entire day. These five prescribed prayers contain verses from the Qur'an al-kareem, and are said in Arabic, the language of the Revelation. Personal supplications, however, can be offered in one's own language and at any time.

Although it is preferable to worship together in a Mosque, a Muslim may pray almost anywhere, such as in fields, offices, factories and universities. Oftentimes visitors to the Muslim world are struck by the centrality of prayers in daily life.

A translation of the 'Adhaan' or Call to Prayer is:

God is Great.
God is Great.
God is Great.
God is Great.
I testify that there is none worthy of worship except God.
I testify that there is none worthy of worship except God.
I testify that Muhammad (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) is the Messenger of God.
I testify that Muhammad (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) is the Messenger of God.
Come to prayer!
Come to prayer!
Come to success!
Come to success!
God is Great!
God is Great!
There is none worthy of worship except God.

What are the Five Pillars of Islam ?  ZAKAAT

Zakaat. The financial obligation upon Muslims.

An important principle of Islam is that everything belongs to God, and that wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. The word Zakaat means both "purification" and "growth." Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need and for the society in general. Like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth.

Each Muslim calculates his or her own Zakaat individually. This involves the annual payment of a fortieth of one's capital, excluding such items as primary residence, car and professional tools.

An individual may also give as much as he or she pleases as Sadaqah, and does so preferably in secret. Although this word can be translated as "voluntary charity" it has a wider meaning.

The Most Beloved Prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Even meeting your brother with a cheerful face is an act of charity." The Prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) also said: "Charity is a necessity for every Muslim." He was asked: "What if a person has nothing?" The Prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) replied: "He should work with his own hands for his benefit and then give something out of such earnings in charity." The Companions of the Prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) asked: "What if he is not able to work?" The Prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) said: "He should help the poor and needy." The Companions further asked: "What if he cannot do even that?" The Prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) said: "He should urge others to do good." The Companions said: "What if he lacks that also?" The Most Beloved Prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) said: "He should check himself from doing evil. That is also an act of charity."

What are the Five Pillars of Islam ?  FAST

Sawm or Fasting

Every year in the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from dawn until sundown--abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations with their spouses.

Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are menstruating, pregnant or nursing, are permitted to break the fast and make up an equal number of days later in the year if they are healthy and able. Children begin to fast (and to observe prayers) from puberty, although many start earlier.

Although fasting is beneficial to health, it is mainly a method of self-purification and self-restraint. By cutting oneself from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person focuses on his or her purpose in life by constantly being aware of the presence of God.

Allah states in the Qur'an al-kareem:
"O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed to those before you that you may learn self-restraint." (al-Qur'an 2:183)

What are the Five Pillars of Islam ?  Hajj

Hajj or Pilgrimage

The pilgrimage to Makkah (the Hajj) is an obligation only for those who are physically and financially able to do so. Nevertheless, over five 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.

The annual Hajj begins in the twelfth month of the Islamic year (which is lunar, not solar, so that Hajj and Ramadan fall sometimes in summer, sometimes in winter). Pilgrims wear special clothes: simple garments that strip away distinctions of class and culture, so that all stand equal before God.

The rites of the Hajj, which are of Abrahamic origin, include going around the Ka'aba seven times, and going seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa as did Hagar (Hajir, Abraham's wife) during her search for water. The pilgrims later stand together on the wide plains of 'Arafat (a large expanse of desert outside Makkah) and join in prayer for God's forgiveness, in what is often thought as a preview of the Day of Judgement.

The close of the Hajj is marked by a festival, the 'Id al Adha, which is celebrated with prayers and the exchange of gifts in Muslim communities everywhere. This and the 'Id al Fitr, a festive day celebrating the end of Ramadan, are the two holidays of the Islamic calendar. The third and historically traditional 'Id is the the celebration of the creation of the Beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him and His Family) the Mawlid or Eid Milad an-Nabi.

Is Islam tolerant of other beliefs ?

Yes.  The Qur'an al-kareem states unequivocally:
"There is no compulsion in religion." (Al-Qur'an 2:256)

Protection of the rights of non-Muslims to worship is an intrinsic part of Islamic law. It is also stated in the  Qur'an al-kareem:
"God does not forbid you, with regard to those who do not fight you for (your) faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them; for God loves those who are just." (Al-Qur'an 60:8)

This is why non-Muslim societies and religious places of worship have flourished all over the Islamic world. History provides many examples of Muslims' tolerance towards other faiths. For instance, prior to the Spanish Inquisition, Jews and Christians lived and prosperred in Andalus (Spain) for centuries under Muslim rule.

Islamic law also permits non-Muslims to set up their own courts and implement family and personal laws administered by their chosen religious authorities.

What do Muslims think about Jesus (peace be upon him) ?

Muslims respect and revere Jesus (peace be upon him - commonly known to Muslims as Hadrat Isa alaihi salam). They consider him one of the greatest of God's Prophets and Messengers to humankind. A Muslim never refers to him simply as "Jesus" (pbuh), but always adds the phrase "upon him be peace." The Qur'an al-kareem confirms his virgin birth, and a special Surah of the Noble Qur'an al-kareem is entitled Maryam "Mary." The Qur'an al-kareem describes the Annunciation as follows:

"'Behold (O Mary!)' 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 Anointed (Masih or Messiah), Jesus (pbuh) son of Mary, honored in this world and in 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 of 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 wills. When He decrees a thing, He says to it, "Be!" and it is.'" (Al-Qur'an 3:42-7)

Jesus (pbuh) was born miraculously through the same power that had brought Adam into being without a father: "Truly the likeness of Jesus (pbuh)  with God is as the likeness of Adam. He created him of dust and then said to him, 'Be!' and he was." (Al-Qur'an 3:59)

During his Prophetic mission, Jesus (pbuh) performed many miracles. The Glorious Qur'an al-kareem 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, a 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." (Al-Qur'an 3:49)

Neither the Beloved Prophet Muhammad (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) 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 Qur'an al-kareem, Jesus (p.b.u.h) 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 to you; I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, so fear God and obey me." (Al-Qur'an 3:50)

The Most Beloved Prophet Muhammad (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) said:
"Whoever believes that there is none worthy of worship but God, alone without partner, that Muhammad (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) is His Most Beloved Messenger, that Jesus (pbuh) is the servant and Messenger of God, His word which He bestowed on Mary and a spirit proceeding from Him, and that Paradise and Hell are true, shall be received by God into Heaven." (A Hadith from the collections of al Bukhari)

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Why is the family so important to Muslims ?

The family is the foundation of Islamic society. The peace and security offered by a stable family unit is greatly valued and seen as essential for the spiritual growth of its members. A harmonious social order is created by the existence of extended families; children are treasured and rarely leave home until the time they marry.

Parents are greatly respected in the Islamic tradition. Mothers are particularly honored: the Qur'an al-kareem teaches that since mothers suffer during pregnancy, childbirth, and child rearing, they deserve a special consideration and kindness.

It is stated in the Glorious Qur'an al-kareem:
"And we have enjoined upon man (to be good) to his parents. With difficulty upon difficulty did his mother bear him and wean him for two years. Show gratitude to Me and to your parents; to Me is your final goal." (Al-Qur'an 31:14)

A Muslim marriage is both a sacred act and a legal agreement, in which either partner is free to include legitimate conditions. As a result, divorce, although uncommon, is permitted only as a last resort. Marriage customs vary widely from country to country.

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How does Islam elevate the status of women ?

According to the Qur'an al-kareem, men and women are equal before God; women are not blamed for violating the "forbidden tree," nor is their suffering in pregnancy and childbirth a punishment for that act.

Islam sees a woman, whether single or married, as an individual in her own right, with the right to own and dispose of her property and earnings. A marital gift is given by the groom to the bride for her own personal use, and she may keep her own family name rather than adopting her husband's. Roles of men and women are complementary and collaborative. Rights and responsibilities of both sexes are equitable and balanced in their totality.

Both men and women are expected to dress in a way that is simple, modest and dignified; specific traditions of female dress found in some Muslim countries are often the expression of local customs rather than religious principle. Likewise, treatment of women in some areas of the Muslim world sometimes reflects cultural practices which may be inconsistent, if not contrary, to authentic Islamic teachings.

The Beloved Messenger (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him and His Family) of God said:
"The most perfect in faith amongst believers is he who is best in manner and kindest to his wife."

How do Muslims view the elderly, death, and the Afterlife ?

Institutional homes for the elderly are virtually unknown in the Muslim world. The strain of caring for one's parents during this most difficult time of their lives is considered an honor and a blessing.

In Islam, serving one's parents is a duty second only to worshipping and it is the parents' right to expect it. It is considered despicable to express any irritation when, through no fault of their own, the old become difficult to handle.

It is written in the Qur'an al-kareem: "Your Lord has commanded that you worship none but Him, and be kind to your 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 honor and kindness. Treat them with humility, and say, 'My Lord! Have mercy on them, for they did care for me when I was little.'" (Al-Qur'an 17:23-4)

Muslims believe that the present life is only a trial preparation for the next realm of existence. Basic articles of faith include: the Day of Judgment, Resurrection, Heaven and Hell.

When a Muslim dies, he or she is washed, usually by a family member, wrapped in a clean white cloth, and buried with a simple prayer, preferably the same day. Muslims consider this one of the final services they can do for their relatives, and an opportunity to remember their own brief existence here on earth.

What does Islam say about war ?

Like Christianity, Islam permits fighting in self-defense, in defense of religion, or on the part of those who have been expelled forcibly from their homes. It lays down strict rules of combat that include prohibitions against harming civilians and against destroying crops, trees and livestock. As Muslims see it, injustice would be triumphant in the world if good people were not prepared to risk their lives in a righteous cause.

One reads in the Qur'an al-kareem: "Fight in the cause of God against those who fight you, but do not transgress limits. God does not love transgressors." (Al-Qur'an 2:190)

"And fight them until persecution is no more, and religion is for God. But if they desist, then let there be no hostility except against wrongdoers." (Al-Qur'an 2:193)

"If they seek peace, then you seek peace. And trust in God for He is the One that hears and knows all things." (Al-Qur'an 8:61)

War is therefore the last resort, and is subject to the rigorous conditions laid down by the sacred law. The often misunderstood and overused term jihad literally means "struggle" and not "holy war" (a term not found anywhere in the Qur'an al-kareem). Jihad, as an Islamic concept, can be on a personal level--inner struggle against evil within oneself; struggle for decency and goodness on the social level; and struggle on the battlefield, if and when necessary.

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How does Islam guarantee human rights ?

Freedom of conscience is laid down by the Qur'an al-kareem itself: "There is no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clearly from falsehood; whoever rejects evil and believes in God has grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold that never breaks. And God is All-Hearing and All-Knowing." (Al-Qur'an 2:256)

The life, honor and property of all citizens in a Muslim society are considered sacred whether the person is Muslim or not. Racism and sexism are incomprehensible to Muslims, for the Qur'an al-kareem speaks of human equality in the following terms:

"O mankind! We created you from a single soul, male and female, and made you into peoples and tribes, so that you may come to know one another. Truly, the most honored of you in God's sight is the greatest of you in piety. God is All-Knowing, All-Aware." (Al-Qur'an 49:13)

Where can you get more Information about Islam ?

Further information about Islam and Muslims can easily be obtained by contacting your local Sunni (Ahl as- Sunnah w'al Jama'ah) Mosque, this website, or by contacting the Imam (Scholar) by asking him a question directly here.

Some Muslims have, naturally enough, concentrated more on developing ways and means of purifying the inner self and of strengthening the relationship between man and Allah (Subhana wa Ta'ala). Islamic scholars have worked out a science of analysing the states of the heart, and the methods of bringing it into a condition of soundness. In the fullness of time, this science acquired the name Tasawwuf, often referred to as Sufism in English.

Many of the great scholars of Islam have been Sufis, and throughout Islamic history Tasawwuf and Sufis have played a significant role in shaping Islamic movements and spreading the message of Islam throughout the world.

Tasawwuf

The Tariqah or Spiritual Path which is usually known as Tasawwuf or Sufism is the inner and esoteric dimension of Islam and like the Shari'ah has its roots in the Qur'an and prophetic practice.

Being the heart of the Islamic message it, like the physical heart, is hidden from external view, although again like the heart it is the inner source of life and the centre which coordinates inwardly the whole religious organism of Islam. 

The Tariqah is the most subtle and difficult aspect of Islam to understand at the same time that its external effect is to be seen in many manifestations of Islamic society and civilization. Without participation in the Shari'ah the life of the Tariqah would be impossible and in fact the latter is interwoven in its practices and attitudes with the practices prescribed by the Shari'ah.

The Tariqah, which exists in many different forms corresponding to different spiritual temperaments and needs of men, is the radius which connects each point to the Centre. It is only by virtue of standing on the circumference, that is, accepting the Shari'ah, that man can discover before him a radius that leads to the Centre. Only in following the Shari'ah does the possibility of having the door of the spiritual life open become realized. At the Centre there is the Haqiqah or Truth which is the source of both Tariqah and Shari'ah. To participate in the Shari'ah is to live in the reflection of the Centre or Unity, for the circumference is the reflection of the Centre. 

There are always those whose inner constitution is such that they cannot only live in the reflection of the Centre but must seek to reach It. Their Islam is to walk upon the Path towards the Centre. For them the Tariqah is providentially the means whereby they can attain that final End or Goal, that Haqiqah which is the Origin of all things, from which the integral tradition comprising the Law and the Way or the circumference and radii originate.

For the vast majority of orthodox Muslims, the Sufi remains a devout Muslim who is respected for the depth of his religious life even if all that he does and practices is not known or understood by the rest of the community at large.

Islam in its totality, however, has been able to preserve this balance between the exoteric and esoteric or tafsir and ta'wil as far as the Qur'anic interpretation is concerned. The larger orthodoxy of the Muslim community has always been able to prevail and prevent either the Law from stifling the Way or the Way from breaking the mold of the Law and thereby destroying the equilibrium of Islamic society. 

The religious and spiritual vitality of Islam has come from the presence of both these dimensions over the ages which together have constituted an integral religious tradition capable of creating a religious society and the norms of the inner spiritual life.

According to the well known Sufi symbol Islam is like a walnut of which the shell is like the Shari'ah, the kernel like the Tariqah and the oil which is invisible yet everywhere present, the Haqiqah. 

A walnut without a shell could not grow in the world of nature and without a kernel would have no end and purpose. The Shari'ah without the Tariqah would be like a body without a soul, and the Tariqah without the Shari'ah would be devoid of an external support and simply could not subsist and manifest itself in this world. For the totality of the tradition the one like the other is absolutely necessary.

Today there are many who live without a religious form and mistake the transcending of forms from above with a falling below the forms. The Tariqah cannot be reached save through the Shari'ah and the apparent negation of the Path is not of the Shari'ah itself but the limiting of the Truth to the external forms alone.

The freedom which the Tariqah provides through the acceptance and subsequent transcending of the forms of the Divine Law is the anitpode of the quantitative 'freedom' of rejecting the Divine Law altogether. One resembles the other only in the sense that Satan is the ape of God. Only a simple soul or one who does not want to understand can mistake one freedom from the other.

No better proof is needed of the inner connection between the Tariqah and the Shari'ah than the fact that in many regions of the world Islam spread through Sufism. It is the inner link between the Law and the Way that has made possible the spread of Islam in many areas through the Sufi masters and saints who have provided a living example of Islamic spirituality.

The Tariqah is the Way of Sanctity in Islam and it is the Tariqah that has produced saints over the centuries to the present day, saints who keep society together and rejuvenate its religious life by vitalizing it with the spiritual forces which have brought the religion itself into being. The perfume of Islamic spirituality is never divorced from the life of those who walk upon the Way or the Tariqah and who realize that supreme state of spiritual perfection which is man's end and the final purpose of his existence.

Quran Research Tool   Research and Learn every Ayat                           

Kanz Al- Iman            Urdu Translation/Recital - play/listen                      

                           
The Qur'an al-kareem  Select a Surah, listen and recite Quran Majid  

 Performing Prayers - Salat/Namaaz

Introduction                             The Importance of Salat 

Ablution/Wudu                         Preparing / Wudu / Ghusul

Prayer Times and Rakat's        The number of Salat's

Call to Prayer                           Adhaan, Dua and Iqamaah 

How to Pray                             How to perform Salat 

Postures for Women                Illustrations  

Short Surah's                           Easy memorisation 

Glossary of Arabic Terms          Relating to Salat

Online Arabic Course         Learn the basic with real player

Arabic Dictionary               English / Arabic Dictionary A-Z 
 
Ajeeb Dictionary                English/Arabic with meaning 

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