Wanting to know about Islam?

Question

Recently, I have talked to others about thier religions, and why they followed it. I have talked to many of different religions, but not Islam.

I do know bits about it, but most of it, not all, is prejudice bits, that I was raised on. I want to know the truth now. What are their beliefs, why they follow the religion. Etc.

Answer 1

THANK YOU FOR ASKING ABOUT ISLAM.

Islam believes on one True God without any partner. we muslims call HIm by "Allah"

A person can call Allah by any name but it should be the most beautiful name. for example, Most merciful, Most gracious. Etc

"Say: ‘Call upon Allah, or call upon Rahman: by whatever name ye call upon Him, (it is well): for to Him belong the Most Beautiful Names....‘"[Al-Qur’an chapter 17:verse 110]

The most concise definition of God in Islam is given in the four verses of Chapter 112 of the Qur’an:

"Say: He is Allah, The One and Only. "Allah, the Eternal, Absolute.
"He begets not, nor is He begotten. And there is none like unto Him."
[Al-Qur’an chapter 112: verse 1-4]

Islam comes from the root word salam, which means peace. It also means submitting your will to the will of God almighty. In short Islam means peace acquired by submitting your will to the will of God almighty. Anyone who submits his will to almighty God is a Muslim.

Islam states that Allah sent messengers and prophets throughout the ages with the message of oneness of God, and accountability in the Hereafter. Islam thus makes it an article of faith to believe in all the prophets, starting with Adam, and continuing with Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, John and Jesus, Muhammad amongst many others (may peace be on them all). If any Muslim rejects faith in any of these messengers he ceases to be a Muslim.

"Say: we believe in God and in what has been revealed to us, and what was revealed to Abraham, Isma'il: Isaac, Jacob and The Tribes, and in (the Books) given to Moses, Jesus and the Prophets, from their Lord: We make no distinction between one and another, among them, and to God do we bow our will (in Islam)."
(Quran, 3:84 & 2:136)

There are six beliefs in Islam.

Believe in oneness of God
Believe in His angels,
Believe in prophets of God,
Believes in books (i.e. the revelations of God almighty),
Believe in the day of resurrection,
Believe in divine destiny i.e. Qadar

There are five pillars of islam

1. Testimony of faith i.e. There is no god worthy of being worshipped except Allah, and Mohammad is His Messenger.

Prayers i.e. Salaah
Charity i.e. Zakaah
Fasting in the whole month of Ramadan i.e. Saum
Pilgrimage i.e. Hajj



Many people have the misconception that Islam is the new religion and Prophet Muhammad pbuh founded Islam. Prophet Muhammad is not the founder of Islam but he is the last and final messenger of Allah. Islam is there since Man sets foot on Earth. In fact, the first man on earth i.e. Adam pbuh was first messenger of Allah.



The messengers before Prophet Muhammad pbuh were only sent for a particular group of people at a particular time period, and their complete message was not sent for the whole of humanity but was only send for a specific group of people at that time period. Prophet Muhammad pbuh was sent for the whole of humanity.

Qur’an, is the word of God revealed to His last and final prophet, Mohammed (peace be upon him). The Qur’an is the Last and Final Revelation. All previous Revelations before Qur'an were only sent for a particular group of people and for a particular time period. The Qur’an was Revealed for the Whole of Mankind.

Qur'an 14:52 Here is a Message for mankind: Let them take warning therefrom, and let them know that He is (no other than) One Allah. let men of understanding take heed.

Answer 2

Yes, moderate muslims, who like christians of today, pick and choose the best bits out of the quran, and ignore muhammeds own life, and end up with a peace loving religion, with the focus on worshipping and being subservient to god.

However, I too did as you did, wanted to learn more about Islam. When I read the quran however I was shocked at the message repeated throughout, that believers of the abrahamic faiths may be ok, but unbelievers and polytheists are very heavily frowned upon, either demanding 'protection money' (illegal) or calling out right for their death - and muslims certainly shouldn't be their friends.

So I think that 'bad' islam does have a basis in the quran and hadiths, but fortunately the masses of Muslims round the world tend to outright ignore or fanatise away the negative parts of the quran. I like most muslims I meet, my view on their holy books doesn't change my opinion on individual people.

Answer 3

Like what others hav said Islam means peace which does not encourage war. However what had happen in Iraq n Palestine is that people force them to do so. I'm apologise if i m bein rude or any sort but US has blockade the food to the Palestine n make them surfer those time in Saddam era. So ppl around the globe tend to blame Saddam 4 it but actually it's supposed to be the US. Saddam couldnt do much when ppl who has big power controlling n blocking his country.

Quran does not teach us to hate other religion (for who really read n understand quran). Even when prophet Muhammad s.a.w. open an Islamic country he didnt force ppl to follow Islam, those who's christian, Jew etc remain as wht there r. In Islam we were taught to respect others never ever condemning them.

It just nowadays ppl tend to be more x-treme then they should be. This goes to any religions, there r christian who is x-treme n there r others who r not.

Know us then u will know that we r not terrorist but we r the one who r being victimise by others.

If ppl said we killed innocent ppl what about the Israel?? didnt they killed innocent ppl too?? And why still ppl never condemn n call them terrorist??

Answer 4

I'm christian but i know a little bit about muslims. they believe in the teachings of the prophet Muhammed, the Q'ran is what they follow. There are many types of muslims, some are extremists for example (woman wear the burqa(black dress with face cover and hands and legs) and some wear the hijab (the women only cover their hair) some don't wear anything, but they do dress modestly. They pray five times a day, and they fast during the month of ramadan. Hope this helps :)

Answer 5

Try to read the Koran (there are many online versions). Find some muslims who you know to be peace loving and simple in their lifestyles - don't get drawn towards impersonable personalities who may warp and distort the true message of islam - i.e. submission to God

Submission means living simply and leaving the rest to God, not carrying out massacres and jihads etc.

If you truly want to find a religious system which is completely wholesome and peaceful then try:

www.iskcon.com
www.iskcon.org

Good Luck.

Answer 6

Since the Christian world seems hell bent on going to war with the Islamic world (and will almost certainly blame the Islamic world for it, citing 9/11 as the reason), I recently went on a similar quest.
I would highly commend "Islam for Dummies" which is available on Amazon.
I love the "For Dummies" series of books. They seem to cover every topic you can think of, and they cover each topic really well, and to a depth that leaves you feeling that you do understand the subject reasonably well.
While you are there, (in Amazon), check out also, "The Koran for Dummies" and "Buddhism for Dummies".

Answer 7

I just took a class on world religions from a teacher that Notre Dame and Boston college have both been recruiting, so you know it's a good class. With that said, I can tell you pretty much anything you want to know about Islam, but it would take me a lot of time to type everything up. Feel free to email me and I will answer anything you want to know about their religion.

Answer 8

Islam means peace
A muslim is person who acquires peace by submitting his will to Almighty God
Islam is not the name of some unique religion presented for the first time by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) who should, on that account be called the founder of Islam.
The Qur’an states that Islam – the complete submission of man before his one and only Unique Creator – is the one and only faith and way of life consistently revealed by God to humankind from the very beginning. Noah, Solomon, David, Abraham, Moses, Isaac and Jesus – prophets who appeared at different times and places – all propagated the same faith and conveyed the same message of Tawheed (Oneness of God), Risaalat (Prophethood) and Aakhirah (the Hereafter). These prophets of God were not founders of different religions to be named after them. They were each reiterating the message and faith of their predecessors.
However, Muhammad (pbuh) was the last Prophet of God. God revived through him the same genuine faith which had been conveyed by all His Prophets. This original message was earlier corrupted and split into various religions by people of different ages, who indulged in interpolations and admixture. These alien elements were eliminated by God, and Islam – in its pure and original form – was transmitted to humankind through Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
Since there was to be no messenger after Muhammad (pbuh), the Book revealed to him (i.e. the Qur’an) was preserved word for word so that it should be a source of guidance for all times.

Answer 9

According to quran Allah sent Messengers for a time, tribe and place he also mentions that he completes Islam as the final religion for the universe so until the end of day we should follow only Islam.

So what's special about islam ? if you spend some time reading about Islam and the things it teaches us, you will be amazed at the depth of things it analyses it is the only religion which encourages us to think, study and research, the first word which was revealed to prophet was 'Ikra" study.

Allah mentions his messages were carried by a messenger to the humans it is a must for muslims to beleive that Jesus, Moses, David are prophets and the last of them is Muhammed.

Islam bases its faith in five practise's which are below

1. Kalima "Beleiving in one god Allah and his last messenger Muhammed"
2. Praying 5 times a day (early morning, midday, evening, fall of night, night)
3. Fasting (about 30 das of fasting from sunrise to sunset)
4. Zakat (Giving in charity a portion of your earning)
5. Hajj (Pilgrimage to Makkah if you are wealthy enough)

These are mandatory practise we need to adhere, So is this all we need to do to become a muslim ? the difference in islam is that like other religions it does not stop by prescribing a practise it also teaches us how to do it for example christians are also praying how do they pray (some sing in the church, some kneel and pray in silence, some clap and dance, etc) so ther is no unique system of prayer BUT islam teaches man how to pray by way of prophet he shows us in practise how we should pray if you go anywhere in the world a muslims prayer will be the same. ( I know a person who became a muslims amazed by only this)

So islam has shown a unique way of doing anything from spitting to sleeping it has the instructions and the practise of prophet how to do it so I think its fair to call it a "complete way of life"

I welcome you to learn about islam argue about it and its beleifs and if you get convinced become a muslim !!

Refer to below sites for good information about Islam
(any speling error sorry)

Answer 10

Islam is a religion based on beleiveing in One God and one God alone, who has no other equal to him. We beleive in Prophets, as in Moses, Jesus and Prophet Mohammad (pbuh).

Islam is a religon based on peace and harmony. It teaches you about modesty and patience. Although the widely known stereotypes show Islam as a violent and hating religion, Islam is very much a down to earth, how to live your life according to Gods way, religion.

Answer 11

initially, Alhamdulillah, welcome to Islam :) a million) say "l. a. ILAAHA ILLALLAH MOHAMMADUR RASULALLAH ' -there is not any God yet Allah, and The prophet Muhammad(pbuh) is his messenger... and mean it :) 2) then you could desire to to talk to fellow Muslims (somebody in authority could desire to coach you ie. Sheik, Imam, Hafiz ) to get some common information 3) study the Quran 4) training Islam, because it is greater beneficial than a faith, yet a lifestyle :) Insha-allah this permits.. :)