Sunday, August 16, 2009
Pillars
1) FAITHThere is no god worthy of worship except God and Muhammad is His messenger. This declaration of faith is called the Shahada, a simple formula which all the faithful pronounce. 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.
2) PRAYER ( Prayer Performance )
Salat is the name for the obligatory prayers which are performed five times a day, and are a direct link between the worshipper 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.
A translation of the Call to Prayer is:
Allah is most great. Allah is most great.
Allah is most great. Allah is most great.
I testify that there is no god except Allah.
I testify that there is no god except Allah.
I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.
I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.
Come to prayer! Come to prayer!
Come to success (in this life and the Hereafter)!
Come to success!
Allah is most great.Allah is most great.
There is no god except Allah.
3) THE 'ZAKAT' ( Zakat Information Center )
One of the most important principles of Islam is that all things belong to God, and that wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. The word zakat means both 'purification' and 'growth'. Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need, and, like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth.
Each Muslim calculates his or her own zakat individually. For most purposes this involves the payment each year of two and a half percent of one's capital.
A pious person may also give as much as he or she pleases as sadaqa, and does so preferably in secret. Although this word can be translated as 'voluntary charity' it has a wider meaning. The Prophet said 'even meeting your brother with a cheerful face is charity.'
The Prophet said: 'Charity is a necessity for every Muslim. ' He was asked: 'What if a person has nothing?' The Prophet replied: 'He should work with his own hands for his benefit and then give something out of such earnings in charity.' The Companions asked: 'What if he is not able to work?' The Prophet said: 'He should help poor and needy persons.' The Companions further asked 'What if he cannot do even that?' The Prophet said 'He should urge others to do good.' The Companions said 'What if he lacks that also?' The Prophet said 'He should check himself from doing evil. That is also charity.'
4) THE FAST ( Ramadan Information Center )
Every year in the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from first light until sundown, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations. Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are pregnant or nursing are permitted to break the fast and make up an equal number of days later in the year. If they are physically unable to do this, they must feed a needy person for every day missed. Children begin to fast (and to observe the prayer) from puberty, although many start earlier.
Although the fast is most beneficial to the health, it is regarded principally as a method of self purification. By cutting oneself off from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person gains true sympathy with those who go hungry as well as growth in one's spiritual life.
5) PILGRIMAGE (HAJJ) ( Hajj Information Center )
The annual pilgrimage to Makkah - the Hajj - is an obligation only for those who are physically and financially able to perform it. Nevertheless, about two million people go to Makkah each year from every corner of the globe providing a unique opportunity for those of different nations to meet one another. Although Makkah is always filled with visitors, the annual Hajj begins in the twelfth month of the Islamic year (which is lunar, not solar, so that Hajj and Ramadan fall sometimes in summer, sometimes in winter). Pilgrims wear special clothes: simple garments which strip away distinctions of class and culture, so that all stand equal before God.
The rites of the Hajj, which are of Abrahamic origin, include circling the Ka'ba seven times, and going seven times between the mountains of Safa and Marwa as did Hagar during her search for water. Then the pilgrims stand together on the wide plain of Arafa and join in prayers for God's forgiveness, in what is often thought of as a preview of the Last Judgment.
In previous centuries the Hajj was an arduous undertaking. Today, however, Saudi Arabia provides millions of people with water, modern transport, and the most up-to-date health facilities.
The close of the Hajj is marked by a festival, the Eid al-Adha, which is celebrated with prayers and the exchange of gifts in Muslim communities everywhere. This, and the Eid al-Fitr, a feast-day commemorating the end of Ramadan, are the main festivals of the Muslim calendar.
Non Muslims
Welcome to our non-Muslim visitors. We realize that some of the names for MyIslamWeb.com sections are in Arabic, and while familiar to Muslims, they may not be so to our non-Muslim guests.
Also, non-Muslim visitors may want to gain a more basic understanding of the Islamic religion. There may also be others who have shown interest in Islaam and are looking for additional information or have a particular question.
What we’d like to explain here is why Muslims follow Islaam, and some of the rationale behind their adherence to their religion. Unfortunately, Islaam is an oft-misunderstood religion andIslamic beliefs are so frequently distorted. We hope this will help correct some misconceptions and increase understanding of this fast-growing religion which is followed by over 1.2 billion people. Muslims believe that there is an absolute truth and that we do not necessarily act on "imperfect knowledge", as some believe. Our logic necessitates that one of the following options must be correct:
1. There is only one god, or
2. There are many gods, or
3. There is no god.
We likely believe that one of these three views must be correct, and the other two necessarily false. This could be a logical explanation why Muslims are of the view that not all systems of belief are correct. While Islaam teaches that "there is no compulsion in religion" (the meaning of a verse in the Qur'an, 2:256), it also teaches that the Truth is distinct from errors. The Qur'an, a Scripture revealed to the final Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, in many verses invites people to reason and critically analyze its teachings, so that they may believe that such a Book is a Revelation, and that it could not have been produced by someone who had never read or written (since Muhammad, peace be upon him, was illiterate).
The Qur'an says that "Whosoever wills let him believe, and whosoever wills let him disbelieve" [18:29], as one's believing or not believing does not benefit or harm the Creator of the universe in any way. One's belief is for one's own benefit. That belief should be based on knowledge and clear proofs, rather than on blind faith and it should also not contradict our reasoning, for why would God create reason and religion that fundamentally contradict each other?
One could ask, are there really any rational criteria at our disposal, based on which we can judge various claims of knowing the Truth?
There are certainly rational criteria at our disposal, and one's emotional commitment to religion should be preceded by an intellectual commitment to it. Reason, in fact, is our primary means for finding the Truth.
We can put any religion or system of beliefs to test by examining whether it is rational, universal, applicable at all times, in all places, and by people of all colors and languages, and whether the religion's Scripture is free of alteration, internal and external inconsistencies. A scripture is internally inconsistent if it contains discrepancies and contradictions within its text, and externally inconsistent if it contradicts facts (not theories) from science and nature as we know them. For it is impossible that God does not know His creation or that which He creates.
We say "He", but it should be noted that Muslims believe that God is distinct from His creation and there is nothing like unto Him. We humans cannot describe and attain to the utmost of His greatness, which is as He described Himself in the Qur'an. Muslims believe in pure monotheism and they reject views of those who give human characteristics of weakness and imperfection to the Divine (for example, the belief of some that God wrestled with a human, or that He was in a woman's womb for nine months, that he ate food, fulfilled his needs, was dead for a period of time, or has partners - we say, far above is God from such imperfections), or those who attribute Divine characteristics of perfection to humans or to any of God's creation.
Muslims also believe that this world neither created itself, nor that it came from nothing - and we believe that it is a product of Intelligence, rather than chance. We also believe in all prophets sent from God, including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad, peace be upon them all. We believe that all of them called to the same religion, submission to the Creator, alone with no partner.
Our experience tells us that a few minutes of reasoning can usually leave us persuaded in the truth of God's absolute Oneness and Uniqueness, so what remains to be studied is which religion is truly monotheistic in its nature. One of the major criteria for distinguishing the Truth from errors, that we would like to stress, is the authenticity of the religious scripture. In reality, Muslims are the only ones who even claim to have an authentic scripture from God, in its original form, of which not a single letter has been changed. We say Muslims are the only ones because, for example, many Jewish and Christian scholars dispute the authenticity of their books. Most other religions admit that their scriptures are in fact human writings. And if we say that there is a Truth and God, we are likely to believe that God wants us to do certain things and abstain from others. Muslims believe that God communicates with His creation through His chosen Prophets. If we are of the view that God would not leave us without a reliable Revelation, then the mere fact that Muslims are the only ones who even claim to have an authentic revelation could attest to the truthfulness of their claim. However, as mentioned earlier, the Qur'an invites us to reason and to accept faith based on knowledge, rather than the blind following of our traditions.
"Do they not then consider the Qur’an carefully? Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found therein much contradiction." [4:82]
This is only an introduction in which we wanted to raise a few issues regarding the criteria for knowing the Truth. We have by no means given an exhaustive list (of these criteria), and we encourage you to visit the following links to gain more knowledge and a better understanding of Islaam.
Also, non-Muslim visitors may want to gain a more basic understanding of the Islamic religion. There may also be others who have shown interest in Islaam and are looking for additional information or have a particular question.
What we’d like to explain here is why Muslims follow Islaam, and some of the rationale behind their adherence to their religion. Unfortunately, Islaam is an oft-misunderstood religion andIslamic beliefs are so frequently distorted. We hope this will help correct some misconceptions and increase understanding of this fast-growing religion which is followed by over 1.2 billion people. Muslims believe that there is an absolute truth and that we do not necessarily act on "imperfect knowledge", as some believe. Our logic necessitates that one of the following options must be correct:
1. There is only one god, or
2. There are many gods, or
3. There is no god.
We likely believe that one of these three views must be correct, and the other two necessarily false. This could be a logical explanation why Muslims are of the view that not all systems of belief are correct. While Islaam teaches that "there is no compulsion in religion" (the meaning of a verse in the Qur'an, 2:256), it also teaches that the Truth is distinct from errors. The Qur'an, a Scripture revealed to the final Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, in many verses invites people to reason and critically analyze its teachings, so that they may believe that such a Book is a Revelation, and that it could not have been produced by someone who had never read or written (since Muhammad, peace be upon him, was illiterate).
The Qur'an says that "Whosoever wills let him believe, and whosoever wills let him disbelieve" [18:29], as one's believing or not believing does not benefit or harm the Creator of the universe in any way. One's belief is for one's own benefit. That belief should be based on knowledge and clear proofs, rather than on blind faith and it should also not contradict our reasoning, for why would God create reason and religion that fundamentally contradict each other?
One could ask, are there really any rational criteria at our disposal, based on which we can judge various claims of knowing the Truth?
There are certainly rational criteria at our disposal, and one's emotional commitment to religion should be preceded by an intellectual commitment to it. Reason, in fact, is our primary means for finding the Truth.
We can put any religion or system of beliefs to test by examining whether it is rational, universal, applicable at all times, in all places, and by people of all colors and languages, and whether the religion's Scripture is free of alteration, internal and external inconsistencies. A scripture is internally inconsistent if it contains discrepancies and contradictions within its text, and externally inconsistent if it contradicts facts (not theories) from science and nature as we know them. For it is impossible that God does not know His creation or that which He creates.
We say "He", but it should be noted that Muslims believe that God is distinct from His creation and there is nothing like unto Him. We humans cannot describe and attain to the utmost of His greatness, which is as He described Himself in the Qur'an. Muslims believe in pure monotheism and they reject views of those who give human characteristics of weakness and imperfection to the Divine (for example, the belief of some that God wrestled with a human, or that He was in a woman's womb for nine months, that he ate food, fulfilled his needs, was dead for a period of time, or has partners - we say, far above is God from such imperfections), or those who attribute Divine characteristics of perfection to humans or to any of God's creation.
Muslims also believe that this world neither created itself, nor that it came from nothing - and we believe that it is a product of Intelligence, rather than chance. We also believe in all prophets sent from God, including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad, peace be upon them all. We believe that all of them called to the same religion, submission to the Creator, alone with no partner.
Our experience tells us that a few minutes of reasoning can usually leave us persuaded in the truth of God's absolute Oneness and Uniqueness, so what remains to be studied is which religion is truly monotheistic in its nature. One of the major criteria for distinguishing the Truth from errors, that we would like to stress, is the authenticity of the religious scripture. In reality, Muslims are the only ones who even claim to have an authentic scripture from God, in its original form, of which not a single letter has been changed. We say Muslims are the only ones because, for example, many Jewish and Christian scholars dispute the authenticity of their books. Most other religions admit that their scriptures are in fact human writings. And if we say that there is a Truth and God, we are likely to believe that God wants us to do certain things and abstain from others. Muslims believe that God communicates with His creation through His chosen Prophets. If we are of the view that God would not leave us without a reliable Revelation, then the mere fact that Muslims are the only ones who even claim to have an authentic revelation could attest to the truthfulness of their claim. However, as mentioned earlier, the Qur'an invites us to reason and to accept faith based on knowledge, rather than the blind following of our traditions.
"Do they not then consider the Qur’an carefully? Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found therein much contradiction." [4:82]
This is only an introduction in which we wanted to raise a few issues regarding the criteria for knowing the Truth. We have by no means given an exhaustive list (of these criteria), and we encourage you to visit the following links to gain more knowledge and a better understanding of Islaam.
YOU MUST KNOW THIS MAN!
You may be an atheist or an agnostic or you may belong to any of the religious denominations that exist in the world today. You may have been a Communist or a believer in democracy and freedom. No matter what you are, and no matter what your religious and political beliefs, personal and social habits happen to be— YOU STILL MUST KNOW THIS MAN!He was by far the most remarkable man that ever set foot on this earth. He preached a religion, founded a state, built a nation, laid down a moral code, initiated numberless social and political reforms, established a dynamic and powerful society to practice and represent his teachings, and he revolutionized the worlds of human thought and human action for all time.
His name was Muhammad (peace and blessings of Almighty Creator be upon him)—and he accomplished all these wonders in the unbelievably short span of twenty-three years.
Muhammad (pbuh) was born in Arabia in 570 CE, and when he died at the age of 63, the whole of the Arabian Peninsula had changes from paganism and idol worship to the worship of One God; from tribal quarrels and wars to national solidarity and cohesion; from drunkenness and debauchery to sobriety and piety; from lawlessness and anarchy to disciplined living; from utter moral bankruptcy to the highest standards of moral excellence.
Human history has never known such a complete transformation of a people or a place before or since.
The Encyclopedia Britannica calls him "the most successful of all religious personalities of the world." Bernard Shaw said, "if Muhammad (pbuh) were alive today, he would succeed in solving all those problems which threaten to destroy human civilization in our times." Thomas Carlysle was amazed as to how one man, single-handedly, could weld warring tribes and wandering Bedouins into a most powerful and civilized nation in less than two decades. Napoleon and Gandhi never tired of dreaming of a society along the lines established by this man in Arabia fourteen centuries ago.
Indeed no other human being ever accomplished so much, in such diverse fields of human thought and behavior, in so limited a space of time, as did Muhammad (pbuh). He was a religious teacher, a social reformer, a moral guide, a political thinker, a military genius, an administrative colossus, a faithful friend, a wonderful companion, a devoted husband, a loving father—all in one. No other man in history ever excelled or equaled him in any of these difficult departments of life.
The world has had its share of great personalities. But these were one-sided figures who distinguished themselves in but one or two fields, such as religious thought or military leadership. None of the other great leaders of the world ever combined within himself so many different qualities to such an amazing level of perfection as did Muhammad (pbuh).
The lives and teachings of other great personalities of the world are shrouded in the mist of time. There is so much speculation about the time and the place of their birth, the mode and style of their life, the nature and detail of their teachings and the degree and measure of their success or failure that it is impossible for humanity today to reconstruct accurately and precisely the lives and teachings of those men.
Not so this man Muhammad (pbuh). Not only was he born in the fullest blaze of recorded history, but every detail of his private and public life, of his actions and utterances, has been accurately documented and faithfully preserved to our day. The authenticity of the information so preserved is vouched for not only by faithful followers but also by unbiased critics and open-minded scholars.
At the level of ideas there is no system of thought and belief—secular or religious, social or political —which could surpass or equal ISLAM—the system which Muhammad (pbuh) propounded. In a fast-changing world, while other systems have undergone profound transformations, Islam alone has remained above all change and mutation, and retained its original form for the past 1400 years. What is more, the positive changes that are taking place in the world of human thought and behavior truly and consistently reflect the healthy influence of Islam in these areas. It is not given to the best of thinkers to put their ideas completely into practice, and to see the seeds of their labors grow and bear fruit in their own lifetime. Except of course, Muhammad (pbuh), who not only preached the most wonderful ideas but also successfully translated each one of them into practice. At the time of his death his teachings were not mere precepts and ideas straining for fulfillment. They had become the very core of the life of tens of thousands of perfectly trained individuals. At what other time or place and in relation to what other political, social, religious system, philosophy or ideology—did the world ever witness such a perfectly amazing phenomenon? Except of course, ISLAM, which was established as a complete way of life by Muhammad (pbuh)himself. History bears testimony to this fact and the greatest skeptics have no option but to concede this point.
In spite of the phenomenal success which crowned his efforts, he did not for a moment claim to be God or God's incarnation or Son —but only a human being who was chosen and ordained by the Creator to be a teacher of truth to mankind and a complete model and pattern for their actions.
He was a man with a noble and exalted mission —and his unique mission was to unite humanity in the worship of the One and only God and to teach them the way to honest and upright living in accordance with the laws and commands of God. He always described himself as a Messenger and servant of God, as indeed every single action and movement of his proclaimed him to be.
A world which has not hesitated to raise to Divinity individuals whose very lives and missions have been lost in legend and who, historically speaking, did not accomplish half as much—or even one tenth—as was accomplished by Muhammad (pbuh), should stop to take serious note of this remarkable man's claim to be God's messenger to mankind.
Today, after the lapse of some 1400 years, the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), have survived without the slightest loss, alteration or interpolation. Today they offer the same undying hope for treating mankind's many ills which they did when Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was alive. This is our honest claim and this is the inescapable conclusion forced upon us by a critical and unbiased study of history.
The least YOU should do as a thinking, sensitive, concerned human being is to stop for one brief moment and ask yourself: Could it be that these statements, extraordinary and revolutionary as they sound, are really true? Supposing they really are true, and you did not know this man Muhammad (pbuh) or hear about his teachings? Or did not know him well and intimately enough to be able to benefit from his guidance and example? Is it not time you responded to this tremendous challenge and made some effort to know him? It will not cost you anything but it may well prove to be the beginning of a completely new era in your life.
Come, let us make a new discovery, the life of this wonderful man Muhammad (pbuh), the like of whom never walked on this earth, and whose example and teachings can change YOUR life and OUR world for the better. May God shower His choicest blessings upon him!
Letter of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) to Ommani People
Letter of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) to Ommani People
Letter of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) to Emp0rer
Letter of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) to Ruler of Bahrain
Letter of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) to Emp0rer
Letter of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) to Ruler of Bahrain
Shirt of Hazrat Fatima (RA)
Lovely Daughter Of Hazrat Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him!
Shirt of Hazrat Fatima (RA)
Shirt of Hazrat Fatima (RA)
GHAR-E-HIRA MACCA
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