What are the basic beliefs of the Muslim religion?

Answer 1

Five pillars of Islam:
1. To believe in one God (Allah)
2. To pray 5 times a day
3. To give charity (zakat)
4. To fast during the month of Ramadaan
5. To go on pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj) at least once in a lifetime

DRESS-CODE
Women in public should wearing loose-fitting clothing which covers their bodies except for face, hands and feet - although there's a bit of debate around this (i went to Egypt last year and saw women wearing gloves and socks despite it being unbearably hot). Men should dress modestly too (although they can wear clothing that doesn't have to cover their legs from the knee downwards).

While in the comfort of your own home, you can wear whatever you want. When you go outside, it's a different ballgame.

INTERACTION BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN
A fundamental rule is that men and women cannot speak to people of the opposite sex who are unrelated to them (i.e. a person eligible for them to marry). Times are a bit different now and this rule has been bent because of cultural and economic factors (i.e. more women in the workplace so interaction between the sexes is necessary - from my understanding, this is for work-related purposes and therefore okay). Interaction between the sexes varies from country to country as cultural norms are not the same (i.e. If you go to the Middle East, a man will not speak to a woman - he could get arrested). Women should always be accompanied by a "guardian" in public (even if it is a young son).

As far as dating goes, it's forbidden by Islamic law (Shariah). But this has changed in many societies and now become acceptable to a degree (especially in the West).

GUARDIANSHIP OF WOMEN
Generally, women (and their honour) are supposed to be protected and this is usually achieved by them being under the protection of a "guardian" (often called a "wakeel"). By default, your wakeel would be your father (and if he's dead, it's your brother). If you don't have a brother and your father is dead, then your wakeel would be one of your father's immediate male relatives.

If a man dies, his sons will inherit more than what his wife and daughters will inherit. The primary reason for this is so that the son/s can look after his mother and sister/s as he will be their wakeel after his father's passing.

ISLAM AS A WAY OF LIFE
The qu'ran is a holy book which prescribes the code of conduct for all Muslims. Ideally, all Muslims should strive towards leading lives according to the qu'ran and the actions of prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him). Among the rules, Muslims should:
* Not consume alcohol (except for medicinal purposes)
* Not consume meat of pigs
* Eat only halaal (permitted) meat. That is, where the animal has been slaughtered according to Muslim rites (similar to what the Jews call "kosher"). If halaal meat (or any food) comes into contact with haraam (forbidden) meat or alcohol, it becomes tainted and cannot be consumed by Muslims.
* Not take part in gambling (i.e. wage money on a game/action that is purely based on chance in order to gain something, this includes playing the lottery)

Be aware that EVERY rule set out for Muslims can be traced back to a particular rationale (i.e. these rules aren't there to make you struggle). For example:
* Eating halaal meat - this is to ensure that the animal is killed in the most humane way (praying and then slitting the throat to make it swift). A prayer is always said because this animal's life is being sacrificed to sustain yours.
* Drinking alcohol clouds your judgement and can become addictive and can potentially ruin families (generally, ANYTHING that is addictive is forbidden as Islam aims to prevent slavery of the body and mind).
* Gambling is addictive and a social evil that ruins families
* Dressing modestly in public helps to protect your honour and reputation (a basic reason i hear from a lot of muslims are "why should i show off my body to absolute strangers in the street?").

What i've written above is only a glimpse into Islam, hope it helps. Please bear in mind that a lot of terrible things reportedly get done in the name of Islam - this is misconception where people confuse CULTURE and RELIGION.

I would like to believe that all muslims around the world have the same practices, but they don't - there a a number of sects which allow/forbid certain acts and there is a lot of debate and tension around these issues (e.g. the Sunni muslims vs the Shia's). An example would be "sex outside of marriage" or "pleasure/temporary marriages". There is a minority of muslims who condone this while the majority agree that it is strictly forbidden in Islam.

Answer 2

That God spoke to Muhammed through an Angel and gave him the Quran, their holy book.

That Jesus was just a prophet.

They cannot pay or charge interest on loans.

They cannot drink alcohol.

Men can have up to 4 wives, and can also sleep with their servants, and divorce on demand. I have never found out why Muhammed himself could have 15 wives, 9 at one time and his "favorite" he slept with when she was only 9 years old.

Women can have only one husband and he dictates who she associates with, she cannot leave the house without being covered up.

It is considered bad if a Muslim woman marries a non-Muslim man, but Muslim men are encouraged to marry non-Muslim women.

The punishment for Adultery is Stoning to death, men are to be buried to their waist, while women are buried to their neck. If they escape they are supposed to be free.

Very few men are killed for Adultery, because there is little "Proof" if a woman is accused, she gets "inspected" by 4 women for signs of "activity".

Most do not believe in a seperation of Church and State.

There is no central Islamic leadership that is why you find so many very different lifestyles from very peacefull to very violent, that depends on which religous scholar the group follows.

In many areas women are not allowed in the Mosque, if they are they have to sit in the back, or out of view, and they cannot fully participate in most areas.

The Pray 5 times a day.

They cannot eat Pork.

Basically they hold to the dietary rules of the Old Testament, and to the punishments as well.


Hope this helps!

Peace!

Answer 3

Since some people seem incapable of providing an informative, objective answer to this question....let me give it a shot....

Islam is a monotheistic faith, believing in one god, Allah. Allah is the same god as the god of Judaism and Christianity. Muslims believe that biblical figures like Abraham and Jesus were prophets, and Muhammed is the central prophet of the religion, as it is he who received the teachings of the Quran from the angel Gabriel. They do not believe that Jesus is the literal Son of God, as they view this to be contrary to the notion of only one god.

There are five central parts to Muslim practice, known as the Five Pillars of Islam. The first is the "shahadah," which is proclaiming the belief that "there is no god but God, and Muhammed is the messenger of God".

The second pillar is "salat," the five daily prayers that all Muslims are to perform. They are said throughout the day, starting at dawn and ending at nightfall. Muslims face toward Mecca (the center of Islam) and perform a series of movements and prayers.

"Zakat" is the third pillar, which is the obligation of Muslims to contribute a portion of their wealth to charity. This is similar to the Christian concept of tithing.

During the month of Ramadan, the "sawm," or ritual fasting, is performed. As an act of self-purification, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations.

The final pillar is the "hajj." This is the pilgrimage that Muslims take to Mecca at least once during their lifetime (unless they are physically or financially unable to do so). During the hajj, many different rituals are performed.

Answer 4

Nice question. The foundation of Islam is Tawheed, the pure monotheism, the belief in the absolute Oneness of GOD. He is Unique in His Attributes and there is nothing comparable to Him. He is the Source of all things and has power over all things.

When a person accepts this logical and beautiful idea, he becomes closer to GOD and devotes his life to serving GOD.

Answer 5

Mohamed spent a lot of time with the Jews and Christians before he wrote (dictated) it. It is an extension of the Judeo-Christian religion twisted to fit his needs. It also gave him special privileges in places. It did keep some of the rituals of the polytheistic religion that preceded it in the area.

Answer 6

They basically believe they hijack 10 more planes at a Airport and devastate the world again.

This is mild compared to whatever they have planned for August 22 2006.

All of this, out of Peace & Love, of course.

Answer 7

Islam rejects the divinity of Jesus Christ. As a Christian I am not good with rejecting the Lord of lords and King of kings.

Answer 8

1. God is one. Meaning Islam is a strictly monotheistic faith.
2. The Prophet Muhammad is the messenger of God. Meaning he's greater than all other prophets before him.

Please visit:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam

Answer 9

that there is no God but Allah n Muhammad(Peace be upon him) is the messenger of Allah .. n we believe in all the holy books (quran,torah, bible n zaboor).. n that Jesus(peace be upon him) was the MESSENGER of Allah n NOT the son of god...
n we believe in the Angels, heaven n hell etc....
n that all the prophets of Allah eg. adam, noah , abraham, isaac, ischmael, jacob, joseph, moses, aaron,john, jesus,muhammad (peace be upon all of them) were the Messengers of Allah n that they brougth the same message n we give them equal respect n love
n we follow what is written in the Quran n the sunnah n ahadith!!!!

Answer 10

These are the basic tenets of Islam

Background

The Quran is the book of guidance as revealed to the prophet Muhammad. It is the main source of guidance for Muslims. The word Quran means that which should be read. It was revealed in Arabic. It has been translated into many languages, but is still read in Arabic to retain its true meaning.

The Hadith are the collection of the prophet Muhammad's sayings. These are the second source of guidance for Muslims. The word Hadith means saying. The prophet Muhammad was the living example of Islam, so what he said is very important for Muslims.

The 5 Pillars of Islam

1. Shahadah

The statement of belief that "There is no god except Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah".

2. Salah

Prayer, worship of Allah. Muslims must perform salah 5 times a day. Before Salah, Muslims prepare themselves by performing Wudu (Ablution) which involves cleaning the hands, face, arms, head and feet.

Why Muslims pray five times a day. (Salat Time)
Salat-ul-FajrBetween the first light of dawn and sunrise
Salat-ul-ZuhrAfter Midday
Salat-ul-AsrMid-afternoon
Salat-ul-MaghribSunset
Salat-ul-IshaFrom one and a half hours after sunset

3. Sawm

Fasting from sunrise to sunset during the month of Ramadan. The Quran was revealed during this month. Any days of fasting missed, because of health etc, should be made up after. Muslims can fast during other days in the year, if they want to, but those are optional. The only days when Muslims are not allowed to fast are the days of Id ul-Fitr and Id ul-Adha.

The fast in invalidated by :
1. Deliberate eating or drinking
2. Anything entering throught the nose or mouth.
3. Having any conjugal relations (The festival of Id ul-Fitr follows the month of fasting.)

4. Zakah
Making payment of 2.5% welfare tax on wealth.

5. Hajj
Going, at least once in lifetime, on the pilgrimage to Makkah, if money and health permits. Performed during the period 8th-13th Dhu'l Hijjah.

The Hajj involves the following rituals :

1. Putting on Ihram.
2. Going round Al-Kaabah seven times.
3. A fast walk between As-Safa and Al-Marwah.
4. Visiting and staying at Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah.
5. Throwing pebbles at three fixed points in Mina.
6. Shaving or trimming hair.
7. Sacrificing an animal (camel, cow, goat or sheep).

The following restrictions are placed on the Muslims while wearing Ihram :

Restriction and Purpose

1. Can't use perfume - To help forget enjoyment of ordinary daily life
2. Can't kill or harm animals- To feel that everything belongs to Allah
3. Can't break or uproot plants - To suppress urge for aggression and feel love of nature
4. Can't hunt - To develop mercy
5. Can't marry or take part in a wedding - To forget normal life and think of the creator
6. Can't do be dishonest or arrogant - To behave like a servant of Allah
7. Can't carry arms - To give up aggressive attitude
8. Can't have conjugal relations - To forget worldly pleasures.

Too bad Muslim’s only act this ways when they wear Ihram!!! World peace would be the result! ---- Praise the Lord.

The festival of Id ul-Adha follows the Hajj.

THE TEACHING OF THEIR BOOK QUR'AN

You might find contradiction against the tenets of Islam base on this revelation, but I urge you to conduct a personal study about the things, their is an English Arabic Translation of Qur'an, and I would advice you to check it out, if what is written here is the truth or lies.

Here is the teaching:

• "Fight and slay the pagans [Christians] wherever ye find them and seize them, confine them, and lie in wait for them in every place of ambush" (Surah 9:5)

• "Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the last day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and his apostle nor acknowledge the religion of truth of the people of the Book (the Jews and the Christians) until they pay the Jizya [tax on non-Muslims] with willing submission and feel themselves subdued." (Surah 9:29)

• "Those who follow Muhammad are merciless for the unbelievers but kind to each other." (Qur'an 48:29)

• "Enmity and hatred will reign between us until ye believe in Allah alone." (Qur'an 60:4)

• Say to the Unbelievers, if (now) they desist (from Unbelief), their past would be forgiven them; but if they persist, the punishment of those before them is already (a matter of warning for them). And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in God altogether and everywhere; but if they cease, verily God doth see all that they do. (Qur'an 8:37-39)

• And fight them on until there is no more Tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in God; but if they cease, Let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression. (Qur'an 2:193)

• "Fight the unbelievers in your surroundings, and let them find harshness in you." (Qur'an 9:123)

• "For he who believes in the Trinity, "the Fire will be his abode … a grievous penalty will befall the blasphemer." Qur'an (5:72-73)
Notice the teaching from the Hadith:

• "You (the Jews) should know that the earth belongs to Allah and His Apostle and I wish to expel you from this land (Arabia) (Hadith, 4363)

• "I will expel the Jews and Christians from the Arabian Peninsula and will not leave any but Muslims." (Hadith Sahih 4366)