2007-05-30 06:05:17 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Misconception 1
Islam is `the religion of peace' because:
the Arabic word Islam is derived from the Arabic word "Al-Salaam" which means peace.
It might seem strange to think of this as a misconception, but in fact it is. The root word of Islam is "al-silm" which means "submission" or "surrender." It is understood to mean "submission to Allah." In spite of whatever noble intention has caused many a Muslim to claim that Islam is derived primarily from peace, this is not true. Allah says in the Qur'an (translated):
[2:136] Say (O Muslims): We believe in Allah and that which is revealed to us and that which was revealed to Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, and that which Moses and Jesus received, and that which the prophets received from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have surrendered. [Arabic "Muslimoon"]
A secondary root of Islam may be "Al-Salaam" (peace), however the text of the Qur'an makes it clear that Allah has clearly intended the focus of this way of life to be submission to Him. This entails submission to Him at all times, in times of peace, war, ease, or difficulty.
The foundation of Islamic teaching begins with God, whom Muslims call 'Allah'. The name Allah comes from the Arabic language and literally means the one and only God, as opposed to any old god with a small 'g'.
The Qur'an itself declares that Allah is the same God that spoke to the Jews and Christians. Therefore, when Muslims speak about God, they have in mind that it is the God of Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad. Even Arab Christians, who speak the Arabic language, say 'Allah' when they talk about God. (the Spanish word for God is Dios, yet nobody makes the claim that it is a different God!)
The Qur'an states in this way:
"Tell (the Jews and Christians), 'We believe in the revelation which has come down to us {the Qur'an} and in that which came down to you {the Torah and Gospel}; Our God and your God is one; and it's to Him we surrender" (Qur'an 29:46)
Muslims prefer to use the name 'Allah' no matter what language is being spoken. This is because the proper name for the supreme deity cannot be made plural or altered in any way grammatically in Arabic.
The 5 Pillars of Islam
Islam has a system of ritual designed to translate our religious beliefs into concrete reality. This serves to keep us constantly aware of our duty to Allah and helps us avoid the temptation and complacency. The system is called the Arkan al Islami or Pillars of Islam. In order, they are:
SHAHADAH - A declaration of faith, declaring belief in the one true God and declaring that Muhammad is the Messenger of God. The wording of the basic Shahadah is: Ashahadu an la ilaha il Allah wa Ashahadu anna Muhammadur Rasoolullah (I testify that there is no god but Allah and I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah)
When one has uttered the Shahadah with true sincerity and truly believes in it, then that person is a Muslim. But being a Muslim is not just about uttering a declaration of faith..... this must be followed up with supporting actions of faith.
SALAT - Salat is the Arabic word for prayer. There are 5 obligatory prayers that a Muslim must perform throughout the day, every day. There are also many recommended and voluntary prayers that can be performed.
ZAKAT - Zakat is an annual form of charity that a Muslim is obliged to give. It is equal to 2.5% of our average annual wealth. The word Zakat literally means to purify. How is charity related to purity? Quite simply, the material world has the potential to distract us from our primary mission: to surrender ourselves to Allah. Therefore, when we are made to let go of some of our worldly possessions, we force ourselves to let go of some of our greed.
SAUM - Saum is translated as fasting. During the Islamic holy month of Ramadhan, Muslims fast from dawn til dusk. Every Muslim over the age of puberty, who is sane and healty enough must observe the fast, Temporary exemption is given to women who may be in there menses, giving birth, or in a post partum state. The fast isn't just about not eating and drinking, there is a strict discipline involved, including not smoking or having sexual relations and to abstain from any undesirable behaviour such as cursing, fighting, lying, gossiping and the like.
HAJJ - The Hajj is an annual pilgrimage to Mecca. It is a spiritual journey that every sane, adult Muslim should strive to undertke at least once in a lifetime if they can afford it and are physically able. The purpose of Hajj is to worship Allah, renew one's faith, to honour the prophet Muhammad and to look at one's life from a spiritual perspective rather than a material perspective.
Recommended Sources: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WELCOME-2-ISLAM/
http://www.searchtruth.com
http://www.muttaqun.com
http://www.spubs.com
2007-05-30 06:12:06 · answer #1 · answered by Muslimsister_2001@yahoo.co.uk 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
The meaning of the word Islam, is submission to the will of Allah (which is God in Arabic). I It is about living your life with the remebrance of God at all times (which is why Muslims pray five times a day), through acts of zakat (charity), and prayer. It is a somber religion that believes that this life is temporary and that the hereafter is the reward for a life well-lived and in service to Allah and others. We(Muslims) believe that there is only one God, that he has no sons or daughters and we believe in heaven and hell. We believe that Jesus was a prophet (a very importatnt prophet), Prophet Mohammad was the last and most important prophet because he spread the word of Islam the farthest and Allah chose him to use as the vessel to write the Q'uaran. We believe that the Q'uaran is not the word of man, but the word of God, given to man. I find it interesting how many people answered this question with a bigoted remark. It shows how ignorant some people are. Thank you for asking the question without adding any preconceived notiuons about the religion. I am a proud Muslim and an American woman as well. I feel that my religion has been hijacked by terrorists. It is used as an excuse to create havoc and do terrible atrocities. Most of these so-called "Muslims" have never read the Q'uaran. If they had, their arguments for killing innocent people would be completely invalidated. It expresssly states in the Q'uaran that the killing of innocents on either side of a war is considered the highest atrocity. If you are intersted in learning more about the religion I suggest buying a Q'uaran and reading it. It is the true testimony of what Islam is and will explain better than any person ever could.
2007-05-30 06:29:33 · answer #2 · answered by ameerah m 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Islam is yet another attempt for man to reach God, instead of allowing God to reach man.
Much like was attempted with the Tower of Babel in the Bible,
Islam is a man-made religion based upon the moon god of the ancient middle east, and a false prophet named Muhammad. Though adherents to Islam proclaim it is a religion of peace, history shows that it has been spread through violence in every country where it has blossomed and grown.
Muslim also proclaim the Allah is the God of the Bible. If that were true, why are Islams teachings so different from the Bible's?
2007-05-30 06:15:25 · answer #3 · answered by Bobby Jim 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
whats with that persecution complex? i routinely step in sometimes simply because there are no voices in support of islam in that particular section of the internet, that said, islam has many violent adherants and to absolve responsibility of the thousands of people encouraged by islam to take up violence is quite weak. if the truth suffered, cancerous children must know everything. 911 isnt the only attack thats been perpetuated recently.
2016-05-17 05:13:39 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Islam means to submit to the will of God.
Islam is a monotheistic religion. It is the fastest growning religion in the world. There are five pillars in Islam:
Shahada - declaration of faith:
'ašhadu 'al-lā ilāha illā-llāhu wa 'ašhadu 'anna muħammadan rasūlu-llāh", or "I testify that there is no god but Allah, and I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah".
Salaah - praying 5 times daily at fixed times.
Zakat - alms giving, helping poor and needy.
Fasting - during the holy month of Ramandan.
Hajj - make Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah at least once during a person's lifetime, if one can afford and is in good health.
For more info try these sites:
http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0oGkyTVsF1G51UAnPtXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTB2cGpkMDBiBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDOARjb2xvA3cEdnRpZAMEbANXUzE-/SIG=12nudc43p/EXP=1180631637/**http%3a//users.aol.com/_ht_a/iftkhar1398/html/body_what_is_islam.html
http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0oGkyTVsF1G51UAh_tXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTB2aG9tbXJmBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMQRjb2xvA3cEdnRpZAMEbANXUzE-/SIG=1229h8iin/EXP=1180631637/**http%3a//www.truthnet.org/islam/whatisislam.html
http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0oGkj34sl1GTqQAnAJXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEwbDdmbTkyBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMTEEY29sbwN3BHZ0aWQDBGwDV1Mx/SIG=11tvc83m3/EXP=1180632184/**http%3a//www.islamreligion.com/category/49/
IMASIS2 and all the others who think they are funny - Don't bother attempting to answer a question on a subject that u obviously don't have a clue about, it will only make u look stupid
2007-05-30 06:23:31 · answer #5 · answered by ¸.•*´`*•.¸ ℓανєη∂єr ¸.•*´`*•.¸ 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Islam. I slam the door. That's it I slam the door on Islam.
2007-05-30 06:09:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
The arabian word for "green, malodorous purulence leaking out of an abscess on your spongy body".
2007-05-30 06:11:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
A belief system that encourages people to kill by flying planes into buildings with thousands of innocent people in them.
They also encourage young people to blow themselves up in the name of Allah. They also encourage women to live in fear, subservience and covered from head to toe.
2007-05-30 06:11:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
The belief in Allah, whose supposed disciple, Mohammed, wrote the Kuran with the aid of his follower.
2007-05-30 06:08:55 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Submission of Will to do as God desires which he deems is best for humans to make a society of Peace, Justice and Truth through hard work and love!
2007-05-30 06:07:55 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 3⤋
islam is forcing your will upon others through terrorism and murder
2007-05-30 06:08:54 · answer #11 · answered by blackroserequiem 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋