Please could you explain a little about Islam?

Question

I have no desire to cause a net slanging match so anyone who fells like saying mean things to cause upset please do not answer.

I have read a little of the qu'ran and a few other things but i want information from real people, i would also like to know how muslims in Britian feel at the moment and i would like to be more informed about the religion.

okay sorry for being so vague!

1-i am interested in the basic principles of Islam...what are the main beliefs?

2-What are the principle differences between the factions of Islam?

3-take me through a typical prayer session in a mosque...what happens? What are you expected to do? please.

4-how does the burkah make you feel? It is a choice so why do those who wear it choose to? and those who don't choose not to?

Answer 1

Email me and I can answer all of your questions. I love learning about and teaching Islam to others and would be more than happy to correspond with you. My link is in my profile. I promise not to be rude or condescending in any way, shape, or form. I will answer your questions honestly with proof from both the Quran and hadiths to back my answers up.

Answer 2

Sorry but its not as simple as that, I agree it would be nice to be able to wrap it up in a nut shell and say "This is Islam"!
Let me try to condense it a little bit, Muslims believe there is only one God, they call this God Allah, you call this God, God!
Some Muslims believe that the Prophet Mohamed should not have been the next in line for his job, that's just a family inheritance thing, pretty serious in their eyes though!
They go to the Mosque to pray to God, to give thanks etc etc, just the same as almost any other religion only, the praying towards Mecca etc is not really relevant to your question.
Glad you read the Koran, I've been reading it for years, it wont really help your understanding, it hasn't helped mine, but basically it is a message from God (Allah) given directly to the Prophet Mohamed , who is believed to be the last Prophet
Muslims , both male and female believe that a woman should guard her private parts , in other words 'be modest' hence the clothes.
Your final bit (I think)? was How do Muslims feel about living in the Western world, I cant answer that, I am not Muslim, I am in fact atheist, so I can only surmise how they fel and if I did that I would be generalising , but sod it I'll even have a go at that!
I have worked in many Muslim countries in the world, and the first was Saudi Arabia I felt as if I had arrived on another planet, but I did conform as best I could and finally having got to know some of the Arabs I settled in a bit. I would imagine that Muslims feel abot the same here.
Yes I do accept the fact that they have some fanatics but so do Christians and every other religion.
But I do commend you for reading up on the subjectof religion, maybe when you have spent a few more ears at it you will reach my conclusion it should all be banned, believe in God if you really need to, but you dont need a religion to do that or leaders and teachers to tell you that your religion is the only 'true' one!
And you eally expected an anser to your questions in a few words??
Hope this helps a little bit??

Answer 3

"The messenger of Allah said: "Islam is to testify that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, to perform the prayers, to pay the zakat, to fast in Ramadhan, and to make the pilgrimage to the House if you are able to do so." He said: " You have spoken rightly", Jebreel (Gabriel) from Number 2 of "Al-Nawawi's Forty Hadiths."

If you are in London, You can visit London Central Mosque near at Bakers Street Station (Regent Park).

Burkah is a kind of traditional things which is normally used in different parts of Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. You don't need to worry about it. The main thing is to understand the true sense of Islam.

Islam is not just a religion but a complete code for life. One needs to have firm and absolute belief in the Unity of Allah and Muhammad (peace and blessings be on him) as his Servant and Messenger before one can begin to think about becoming a Muslim. The feeling has to come from within. Indeed it happens when Allah puts the truth in one’s heart. We sincerely hope you have a genuine spiritual experience.

For further information you can consult any sister(s) in the mosque.

Answer 4

Well, I was raised a muslim and I live in the U.S.

A lot of the things that are in the media are played up and made to seem worse than they really are.

Some of the things you'll have to get used to as a women is just covering your body.

In the Qu'ran it tells you how you are suppose to cover yourself, and its nothing more than being modest.

Look into the prayer. There a mandatory Five times a day, at specific times. If you miss the time, its ok, you just have to make it up, before the next one. If you travel you can shorten the prayer.

Before prayer, is the cleaning, face, hands, arms and feet. Its pretty simple. If your menstrating you cant pray.

The best thing you should do is visit a masjid in your area. and talk to some of the other muslims. they can give you helpful insight, maybe give you some educational books that break down the Qu'ran.

Just remember, everyones interpretation of the Qu'ran is different.So once you get everyones opinion, read it and form your own.

Good Luck on your religious quest

Answer 5

<1-i am interested in the basic principles of Islam...what are the main beliefs?>

Islams tennets are as follows:

1. Belief in God
2. His prophets
3. His angels
4. His books
5. Fate, whether good or bad from him.

In order to be muslim you have 5 compulsory practices:

1. Speak your belief in God and His last prophet by uttering the Shahaada.
2. Prayer 5 times aday.
3. Giving alms to the poor (known as Zakaat)
4. Fasting in Ramadan
5. Going to Hajj for those who are mentally, physically and financially capable.

<2-What are the principle differences between the factions of Islam?>

There are two so called 'factions' in Islam who have seperate interpretations of the Quranic verses and the life of the prophet. These are Shiiaa and Sunnis. The main tennets are the same but the compulsory practice is a tad different.

<3-take me through a typical prayer session in a mosque...what happens? What are you expected to do? please.>

Prayer in a masjid (I chose to say masjid) is initiated by the call of the prayer called: azaan. People then come to the masjid and do ablution, cleanse up, sit around start reading a few quran, pray the sunna prayers and wait for the imaam to get the prayer started. After the imaam stands infront of the congregation he starts the prayer and everyone then make the intention to pray with the imaam and then follow him in prayer.

<4-how does the burkah make you feel? It is a choice so why do those who wear it choose to? and those who don't choose not to?>

I dont use the burkay but I have used it many times in different places in the world for safety reasons and it made me feel very safe because no one could see my face and I felt like men couldnt undress me with their eyes if they wanted to, and no one could look at my face and make silly judgements about me or my beauty. I dont use it because I dont believe the religion necessitates it. I believe coverng your head is the necessity. not your face. but I use my common sense in most of these interpretations. if I am in a part of the world where the men are simply staring too much, Id rather cover my face and feel better about it.

Answer 6

Islam is a Semitic religion, which has over one billion adherents all over the world. Islam means "submission to the will of God". Muslims accept the Qur’an, as the word of God revealed to His last and final prophet, Mohammed (peace be upon him). Islam states that Allah sent messengers and prophets throughout the ages with the message of Unity of God, and accountability in the Hereafter. Islam thus makes it an article of faith to believe in all the earlier prophets, starting with Adam, and continuing with Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, John and Jesus amongst many others (may peace be on them all).

Answer 7

If you ask more specific questions, we may help. Anyway to give you a brief explanation ;
Islam is a religion born in Arabia. Seeing the irrational religious traits of paganism Prophet Mohammed used to leave Meccah and meditate in Hira mountain. One day he received the message of Allah from Gabriel the angel. He first invited his family to accept Allah the one God that created all. His message was not welcome by some Arabs as they believed in idols and there has always been a conflict between the tribes based on hierarchy. Allah's message was clear. There is no superiority between any people accept their degree of faith. Allah also says that Islam is the true religion and the complementary of other religions born from Abraham's religion.

Answer 8

Depending on what you want to know about the belief, my suggestion would be to finish the Qu'ran first, to build a basis for understanding it. There are several websites about the religion as well that could help.

Answer 9

Give an example of something specific you would like to know about and we'll be more than happy to help.

And as a Muslim in America, I feel ashamed at the bad name that all the Sunni and Shi'a are creating for us.

As-Salamu Alaykum - Peace be upon you

Answer 10

You are not going to change him. He locks the door for a reason. You will only cause him to distrust you. If you love ur brother accept him and let him have his privacy. If you speak to him about this he will only resent you and possible grow to hate your interference in his private actions.