Can anyone tell me about being Muslim?

Question

My dad recently became Muslin and I realized that I know nothing about what that means. I'd just like to learn about some of the customs, traditions, and beliefs.

Answer 1

Sure, as a fellow Muslim, I can! Islam means submission to Allah. It is a peaceful religion. The five pillars of Islam are:

1) To fast. Because in Islam, fasting deals with more than not eating food. It's supposed to cleanse our heart, and allow us to focus on God. We are supposed to abstain from many other things than just food (i.e...derogatory music/movies, cussing..things of that nature). It also give us a truer sense of how impoverished people feel. You don't really get a true sense of their hunger by cutting down on food, but by abstaining from food from dawn to dusk. Also, fasting in Islam is to teach us self-control. After we break our fast, we should not gorge down on food, but remember why we fast in the first place. Fasting also allows us to feed our hungry fellow Muslims. At the Mosque, someone usually prepares Iftar, which is food for breaking the fast and we believe that person receives many blessings because they are feeding the hungry. See, there are many reasons we fast in Ramadhan.

2)To Make Hajj, which is a pilgrimage to Mecca. Any able-bodied Muslims who can afford to do so is oblijed to make Hajj. It provides an opportunity for Muslims with diverse racial, ethnic and geographical heritage to exchange views, get acquainted and feel unified as ONE "Ummah" (community) on a global level. "He who performs (Hajj) with no obscenity or evil practices will come out as a newly born baby free from all sins."

3)To give Zakat. Zakat is charity to the poor. Islam prescribes a system of Zakaat (obligatory annual charity). If every rich person in the world gave Zakaat sincerely, poverty will be eradicated from this world. Not a single human being would die of hunger. Furthermore, Quran encourages rich people in several places. to spend their wealth on poor peoples other than the compulsory 2.5 % amount.
“And establish the Prayer and pay the Due-alms and bow with those who bow“
(Quran 2:43)
" The alms are only for the poor and the needy, and those who collect them, and those whose hearts are to be reconciled, and to free the captives and the debtors, and for the cause of Allah, and (for) the wayfarers; a duty imposed by Allah. Allah is knower, Wise."
(The Holy Qur'an 9:60).

4) To Pray 5 Times a Day. This is a direct link between a Muslim 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.

5) To say Shahada which is "There is no God but Allah and Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessing be upon him) is his Messenger." In Arabic, the first part is la ilaha illa Llah - 'there is no god except God'; ilaha (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 God', the source of all Creation. The second part of the Shahada is Muhammadun rasulu'Llah: 'Muhammad is the messenger of God.' A message of guidance has come through a man like ourselves.

Also Muslim women should wear the Hijab. The Hijab is not a sign of oppression for women. It also does not symbolize weakness. The Hijab represents our faith. It represents our strength. We don't conform to what society wants us to do. Imagine the number of stares Muslim women get and they still wear it. Muslim women are aware of the negative connotation surrounding the Hijab but they understand the meaning behind it and still wear it. It takes a strong women to do that. Also, the Hijab puts Muslim women on a pedastal. The Quran tells Men to lower their gaze. It allows Men to focus on our faith, our personality, and who we are rather than our beauty or lack thereof. It prevents us from sexual desires with people we do not know. It is like women are precius gems that should not be touched. I am a Muslim woman and I thank Allah that I am.

And here are some verses from the Quran that forbids anger and preaches patience:
125. Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance.
126. And if ye do catch them out, catch them out no worse than they catch you out: But if ye show patience, that is indeed the best (course) for those who are patient.
127. And do thou be patient, for thy patience is but from Allah. nor grieve over them: and distress not thyself because of their plots.
128. For Allah is with those who restrain themselves, and those who do good.

I'm sure your father is a nice, intelligent person and he wouldn't have converted if it was a violent religion...

Answer 2

This is what some Muslims do!

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/79522/8_year_old_caught_stealing/

Testimony from an Ex- Muslim

Dear fellow human,

Today humanity is being challenged. Unthinkable
atrocities take place on daily basis. There is an evil
force at work that aims to destroy us. The agents of
this evil respect nothing; not even the lives of
children. Every day there are bombings, every day
innocent people are targeted and murdered. It seems as
if we are helpless. But we are not!

The ancient Chinese sage Sun Zi said, "Know your enemy
and you won't be defeated". Do we know our enemy? If
we don't, then we are doomed.

Terrorism is not an ideology, it is a tool; but the
terrorists kill for an ideology. They call that
ideology Islam.

The entire world, both Muslims and non-Muslims claim
that the terrorists have hijacked "the religion of
peace" and Islam does not condone violence.

Who is right? Do the terrorists understand Islam
better, or do those who decry them? The answer to this
question is the key to our victory, and failure to
find that key will result in our loss and death will
be upon us. The key is in the Quran and the history of
Islam.

Those of us, who know Islam, know that the
understanding of the terrorists of Islam is correct.
They are doing nothing that their prophet did not do
and did not encourage his followers to do. Murder,
rape, assassination, beheading, massacre and sacrilege
of the dead "to delight the hearts of the believers"
were all practiced by Muhammad, were taught by him and
were observed by Muslims throughout their history.

If truth has ever mattered, it matters most now! This
is the time that we have to call a spade a spade. This
is the time that we have to find the root of the
problem and eradicate it. The root of Islamic
terrorism is Islam. The proof of that is the Quran.

We are a group of ex-Muslims who have seen the face of
the evil and have risen to warn the world. No matter
how painful the truth may be, only truth can set us
free. Why this much denial? Why so much obstinacy? How
many more innocent lives should be lost before YOU
open your eyes? A nuclear disaster is upon us. This
will happen. It is not a question of "if" but "when".
Oblivious of that, the world is digging its head
deeper in the sand.

We urge the Muslims to leave Islam. Stop with excuses,
justifications and rationalizations. Stop dividing
mankind into "us" vs. "them" and Muslims vs. Kafirs.
We are One people, One mankind! Muhammad was not a
messenger of God. It is time that we end this insanity
and face the truth. The terrorists take their moral
support and the validation for their actions from you.
Your very adherence to their cult of death is a nod of
approval for their crimes against humanity.

We also urge the non-Muslims to stop being politically
correct lest they hurt the sensitivities of the
Muslims. To Hell with their sensitivities! Let us save
their lives, and the lives of millions of innocent
people.

Millions, if not billions of lives will be lost if we
do nothing. Time is running out! "All it takes for
evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing." Do
something! Send this message to everyone in your
address book and ask them to do the same. Defeat Islam
and stop terrorism. This is your world, save it.

The ex-Muslim Movement

http://www.faithfreedom.org/index.htm

Verses from the Quran

http://www.prophetofdoom.net/quotes.aspx?g=405

http://www.geocities.com/AntiJihad/mo_pedo.html

Answer 3

There are many satisfactory folks a few of the fans of Islam, however the concerns you record are few and a ways among -- you heard the chief of Iran say to our information folks that homosexuality does now not exist in Islam - puhleeze! There had been many upgrades in ;medication as many pupils have come to the west to gain knowledge of to train modern day clinical technology - however the regular availablity of care is eons in the back of. There is not any peace external Allah - so till all are changed - no peace - then of direction if you're shia, you have got to kill the entire muslims who aren't, and vice versa - the clever folks have moved to the states and to Europe and take a look at to slot in with the intention to have a tight lives - I have had pupils who've been undergraduates greater than 11 years - and their households are happy to maintain them clear of the detrimental place of origin so long as viable. The management then again??????

Answer 4

First let me clear to the poster sweetthang, that Jesus (pbuh) is a Prophet of Islam. In no way is he "not a true Prophet".

On to the main Question:
I'd like to congratulate your father on his reversion. May Allah (swt) guide him, bless him, and ease his journey.

Here are site that could help you:

http://www.beconvinced.com/en/main.php

http://www.islam-online.net/english/discover/discover.shtml


peace unto you

p.s. it's simply pathetic how intimidated some of you posters are of Islam. I suggest you visit the links I provided too. Learn about Islam from sources where practicing Muslims learn about their faith. Nor can an ex-Muslim, a terrorist, anti-Muslim books-sites- ...etc. teach you about true Islam. Would you learn about the holocaust from a Nazis?

Answer 5

Islam is final massage that sent by god to human beings

Muslims believe in all the prophets that sent by god to people and all the older religions (Christian & Jewish)

The holly Qur'an is the last book that carries the law of god to earth & god sent it when people didn’t stick to his orders in the previous religions & the men of there religions
Changed the books & made people know wrong things about god like that he was living between people & that he suffered to forgive all people & that are not logic.

How come that god suffers & he owns the earth & heavens & all the creatures he created.

Islam based on the logic that god created in this world who will work hard & do good in life gains good result & who doesn’t gains bad result & that there is no differences between people to god but the way they behave in this world.

Islam based on justice & to be useful to people every one is responsible about the people around him. Every one should be effective

& to love & respect & fear god & all what we do should get us closer to him

We don’t drink or gamble or men live with women without marriage & the result is children who can’t find a family.

I’ll be glad if u ask me about anything u want to know

And I advice u to get closer to your father to know from him what he learns about islam.

Answer 6

All I know is that a lot of Muslims have been going out with a "bang"... make sure to call the ATF if you think your dad is getting all towlie-ban and radical and stuff.

Answer 7

I'd look on wikipedia. They read the Koran and believe Jesus lived but he was not the true prophet. They believe that the prophet was Muhammad.

Answer 8

you dont have to go to suicide missions as macho-man said.
Islam is a religion of peace, and indeed the right way of life

Answer 9

ever seen an old Muslim ? they blow themselves up young so they get their 72 virgins before there all gone.

Answer 10

Learn about it, but don't join.

Answer 11

dont dude, go jesus' way. Jesus once said " i am the way, the truth and the life"