Introduction Of Islam As A Religion

Most of the people in the world including some Muslims think that Islam is relatively new religion introduced by Muhammad (PBUH). However, the truth is that God had chosen this very religion for humankind when He decided to create human beings. Therefore, it is a fact that all the prophets from Adam to Muhammad (PBUH) propagated the religion of Islam to their respective nations.

The definition of Islam:

Islam is not only the name of a set of religious beliefs and traditions but it is a complete code of life. The literal meanings of world “Islam” are peace and submission. Muslims as a whole follow a religion that promotes mercy, peace, and forgiveness. Muslims are those who submit themselves to the will of Allah were Allah is the Arabic word for God. Therefore, overwhelming majority of Muslims have nothing to do with terrible and unlawful acts that biased Western Media have associated with them.

The definition of Muslims:

Any person who believes that Allah is the only master of this universe, the Muhammad (PBUH) is the last of the prophets, and there will be no prophet after Him is called as a Muslim. Currently, more than 1 billion Muslims live in almost all parts of the world. However, Majority of these Muslims live in Arabia, Indonesia, Asia, and Northern Africa like Egypt and Morocco. On the other hand, significant number of Muslims is also living in China, Russia, Europe, and North America as a minority.

The basic beliefs of Muslims:

Muslims believe that God is incomparable, unique and one, in the Angels created by God, in all the prophets sent by Allah to his people, the accountability of humans on the Day of Judgment, in God’s full authority over destiny and live after death. Furthermore, Muslims also sternly believe that final message of God was revealed on Holy Prophet (PBUH) that sums up the teachings and instructions of previous apostles like Adam, Noah, Abraham, David, Moses and Jesus.

Why Islam appear exotic in to the West?

There might be only one reason behind this trend and that is the people in the West have totally denounced religion from their lives and religious faiths do not dominate their societies. On the contrary, Muslims give extreme importance to religion and make no decision whether personal or social that is contradictory to Islam. They take religious laws that is Shariah quite seriously and that is why Islam looks quite strange to the west.

The origins of Islam and Christianity are not different:

If people try to understand Islam and Quran through any means like online Quran study or through any learned Islamic scholar, they will find that all three divine religions have common roots. Their ancestor is the same that is the great prophet of Allah Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S.), commonly known as Abraham in the Christian world. Furthermore, all three Prophets for these religions directly descended from him. Muhammad (PBUH) descended from the eldest son Ishmael. Moses and Jesus descended from the younger son Isaac. Abraham established the city of Makkah and rebuilt Ka’aba where Muslims turn their faces while praying.

The spread of Islam and effects on the world:

Muhammad (PBUH) propagated Islam for 23 years and managed to subjugate the entire Arab Peninsula to Islam during his life. After him, his pious and nobles successors conquered the lands as far as Khurasan (Afghanistan) in the east to Morocco in the west. The Islam had such a fantastic effects on these areas that majority of people embraced Islam within very short span of time. The message of Islam was very simple and easy for these people to comprehend. Islam helped these people to get rid of atrocities of rulers and so called religious preachers and gave equal rights to all the people and promoted justice for all.

The teachings and instructions of Islam were so attractive especially to deprived classes that Islam spread rapidly and within few years, a mighty and powerful Muslim empire came into being.

What is Holy Quran?

The Noble Quran is the collection of exact words that Allah revealed on Muhammad (PBUH) through Gabriel. Muhammad (PBUH) explained each verse of Quran through his sayings and actions. Allah promised to protect the Quran Himself and therefore, Quran is present in its perfect shape that is a miracle in itself. Muhammad (PBUH) himself was the first Quran tutor to early Muslims. As far as current Muslims are concerned, they can learn Quran through academies offering online Holy Quran tutoring or through Islamic centers.

The Holy Quran is the basic and primary source of faith for Muslims and covers almost all the factors that a Muslim can come across in his or her life. However, the basic aim of the Quran is to elaborate the relationship of humankind with their Creator.

Other source of Allah:

Apart from Quran, the other major source of law for Muslims is the life of their Prophet (PBUH). Muslims believe that whatever he did or say is a kind of law for them that they have to abide by.

Conclusion:

Thus, Islam is the religion of mercy and compassion and supports equality, basic human rights for everyone and reconciliation among nations and countries.

About Author:

Bilal Abbasi writes on the misconceptions the Western world about Islam and also on how to eliminate these delusions. She works for Quranreading.com, an online academy that offers general online Quran study and Holy Quran online tutoring.

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The word Funeral prayers in Islam is also called Janazah in Arabic. These prayers are preceded in a very simple way and according to the sharia of Islamic religious laws. This prayer is only performed when a Muslim is expired. The person who reads these prayers should be in the state of ablution. It is recommended that the person who has expired should be buried in front of the imam.

These prayers are read in accordance with the Islamic laws. Some of them are discussed below:

1. To stand in front of the Qibla with your chest.

2. To recite Allah o Akbar with the intention for praying for the dead Muslim.

3. Recite surah fatihah before saying Allah o Akbar.

4. Recite the whole Salatul-Ibrahimiyyah, and then say Allah o Akbar.

The method to read these kinds of prayers would take a long time to explain but a brief description can be discussed here. Only men are allowed to read these prayers for the dead body. Women are not allowed to be included in this prayer. As Allah says, the heart of the woman is very soft so she cannot bear the pain, but men are bold enough, and that’s why Allah has ordered every Muslim man to pray these prayers for a dead body.

The performance of the funeral prayers over a Muslim dead body is known as Salat–ul-Janazah. It is a communal obligation – fard kifaayah. Allah has mentioned its importance in the Quran and the method of its performance is described in the Quran. If a Muslim is buried without performing these prayers, the whole community incurs a sin, and it is a big sin because Allah has made some rules and regulations which are important to follow; otherwise, their place is not in Allah’s home. They all will be thrown to hell. In the light of hadith of Aishah who has explained and said:

“The Prophet’s son Ibrahim died when he was 18 months old, and the Prophet (S.W.A) did not make funeral salat for him.” As it is not obligatory in this case. As he was the Prophet of Allah and it is recommended by the prophet on other occasions.

Funeral prayers are also observed for those Muslims who are killed in the battlefield; these Muslims directly go to Allah’s home (heaven). However, these prayers may be performed for martyrs, as Prophet (S.W.A) did perform it for those who died in the battle.

These prayers should also be observed for those who are known to be corrupt, such as drug addicts, alcoholics, and adulterers. The scholars and the pious do not take part in the funeral prayer as a punishment for those Muslims. It is the practice of the prophet (S.W.A) not to pray for those Muslims who committed major sins and to not allow other Muslims to take part in it.

As Allah says:

You shall not observe the funeral prayer for any of them when he dies, nor shall you stand at his grave. They have disbelieved in GOD and His messenger, and died in a state of wickedness.

About the author

Osama

I am 20 years old from Karachi, Pakistan. I am doing graduation from Karachi University. Right now, doing freelance writing for Muslim Academy.

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Heaven and hell hold a great importance in Islam. Allah has discussed the concept of both heaven and hell everywhere in the Quran so that the Muslims lead their life accordingly. According to the teachings of Allah, heaven is for those people who have spent their life with simplicity, loyalty, and according to the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah. Hell is for those people who are infidels, hypocrites and for sinful and wicked people who are preparing themselves to go to hell by doing bad deeds in their life .

According to the teachings of Islam, Jannah (paradise or heaven) is a very large and beautiful place. Its structure and walls is made of gold, silver and its cement is made of musk. It is the belief of Muslims that although heaven is a beautiful place but no one has witnessed the beauty of heaven. It is the home of Allah and Muslims cannot imagine its beauty. In heaven many beautiful places that are made by Allah can be witnessed , which includes various types of fruits, milk, honey, wine(sweet smelling without alcoholic) and different types of delicious food. It is an ideal place which no one can ever dream off.

The Quran speaks about heaven:

Verily, the dwellers of the Paradise, that Day, will be busy in joyful things. They and their wives will be in pleasant shade, reclining on thrones. They will have therein fruits (of all kinds) and all that they ask for. (It will be said to them): Salamun (Peace Be On You), a Word from the Lord (Allah), and Most Merciful. Quran 36: 55-58A.

As our Prophet (S.W.A) says:

(O Muhammad SAW) “Is that (torment) better or the Paradise of Eternity promised to the Muttaqun (pious and righteous persons – see V.2:2)?” It will be theirs as a reward and as a final destination. For them there will be therein all that they desire, and they will abide (there forever). It is a promise binding upon your Lord that must be fulfilled. Quran 2:25

On the other hand, jahannam (hell) is for munafiq Muslims who not believe in Allah and do not follow the teaching of the Quran and Sunnah. Allah has made hell as a punishment for every Muslim who does not believe in Allah. This is the place which is filled with complete darkness. There is a strong fire in hell which is very dangerous for a human being. It is believed that all the non-Muslims will be dropped into his this fire and they shall dwell in there forever.

As it is mentioned in the Quran about Hell:

“Those who have disbelieved in our signs – We will burn them in fire. As often as their skins are roasted through, we will exchange them for other skins so that they may taste the punishment. Indeed, Allah is exalted in Power, Wise.”[Surah an-Nisa, 4: 56]

About the author

Osama

I am 20 years old from Karachi, Pakistan. I am doing graduation from Karachi University. Right now, doing freelance writing for Muslim Academy.

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In some religions, polygamy is considered as a backward act and for some it’s a reason for violation of women rights. But Polygamy in Islam is not set on Muslims by any western thought but by a divine revelation on Hazrat Mohammad (P.B.U.H). Islam did not introduce polygamy but Polygamy was a usual practice in many ancient religions without any restrictions on the number of wives such as Hindus, Babylonians, and Assyrians. Islam has in fact given due rights to women by limiting the number of wives and prescribing its responsibility to a man. Polygamy was practiced by Prophets of Islam like Abraham, Moses Jacob, David and Solomon. Marriage in Islam is considered as a legal contract between a man and women with some responsibilities on each spouse. Children born in wedlock are also called as legitimate and have share in their parent’s wealth also.

Quran has limited the number of wives. It is considered as obligatory for a polygamous man to treat his wives equally. Also marriage and Polygamy in Islam is a mutual consent, nobody can force a woman to marry a married man. A woman can also stipulate in her prenuptial contract that her husband may not marry a second woman in her life. Islam does not consider polygamy as a sign of women’s degradation but by requiring a man to treat all his wives equally is a responsibility which is very hard to fulfill now days. The primary purpose of marriage in Islam is to regulate the sexual desires of a man and women within Islamic limitations and creating an atmosphere for the continuity and extension of life with legitimacy.

 Polygamy in Islam is permitted due to a number of reasons. Islam obligates a man to marry a widow woman who has orphan children for the purpose that all her financial problems could be solved. Next, the problems of prostitution and having illegitimate extra marital affairs could be solved through polygamy. The number of women exceeds men as daily hundreds of men are dying due to war and violent crimes in many parts of world. In this situation Polygamy is the only solution to this predicament.

Some women who are not financially maintained by their husbands become prostitutes to earn their livelihood which further increases social imbalances in the society. Polygamy in Islam is permitted as it can be an alternative for marital problems. In case of divorcing a sick or infertile wife a man could marry another woman. Besides, it is a universal accepted truth that men and women differ in their sexual desires; man always wants more sexual partners than women do. By Polygamy in Islam is also permitted to provide solution to this ingrained desire in man legally. Institutional polygamy also controls the spread of many sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS and Herpes.

There are many benefits of permitting polygamy in Islam. Due to modern restrictions placed on polygamy there are many societies who remain untreated but one must realize the truth behind the Islamic facts keeping an open heart and mind.

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What is Islam?

Islam is regarded to be a peaceful religion, and it only believes in peacefulness and worship to only one creator. We Muslims name him the almighty Allah, and we truly believe him for all this creations and we have been devoting ourselves to get his blessings, and ask forgiveness for all our sins. To be Muslim, it is must to believe that, there is nothing but Allah who rules this universe. In Islam, it is believed that, there have been reasons for all creations that Allah made. Besides, we have been come to know on how all of our prophets had to reveal these truths to mankind, and let people to understand the true features of living lives, and the universe. Islam makes us believe that, peace and mercy can only be achieved if we can lead ourselves to the path of Allah has already given.

One fifth of the population in this world follows Islam religion. Islam is that special religion from where people can understand the right way of living their lives. Islamic culture enforces peace and Islam also let us knows on what we should do and what we should not do during lifetime. Islam also reveals the true reason of living our lives which is to dedicate ourselves for worshipping to the almighty Allah to receive blessings, and forgiveness for all sins in our lifetimes. If we can realize the virtues of Islam, we will be able to understand all important aspects of our lives. Islam also teaches on how one Muslim needs to spend his life with peace, and the necessity of having a nature where one can forgive another and shows mercy to others. It also let us know the true reasons of being to kind to others, and shows the right ways of approaching to our parents, sisters, brothers, and relatives. Islam also has emphasized the responsibility of every Muslim to take care of their parents, and all other duties to brothers, sisters, and relatives. Islam does not believe in hating people, or inspire anyone to do any wrong activity or harm anyone. Islam only believes in truth, and all logical approaches that can only help people. Islam always warns Muslims not to get into wrong pathways, and the religion described the outcomes that may occur if someone falls into bad activities.

How can we be sure that Islam is correct and true?

There are several ways of proving that, Islam is the one and only religion which can show the right logics for anything. There have been certain possible ways from which we can easily represent that Islam is the true religion:

1. It is known to be only religion where it is believed that, there was, is and will be one creator. The creator is the most powerful and unique in this whole universe.
2. It is also regarded to be the only religion where its believers (Muslims) worship to their creator, and there is or will be no one who will be able to replace his position.
3. The holy of Book of Islam, the Al Quran is not having any kind of negation.
4. The holy Al Quran contains several scientific solutions, and all of these solutions had been written thousands of years before. Some of the scientific researchers have recently been revealed which had been discovered almost 1400 years before.

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In this Episode, Chris and Caitlin speak with Walaa about the basics of the Arabic Language. Not a language instructional podcast, they talk about the history of Arabic, the importance of Modern Standard Arabic, as well as some basic differences in sounds.

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In this Episode, Chris speaks with Walaa about the basics of Islamic prayers. He asks her the number of times, the reasons for prayer, praying in mosques, and some of the movements performed in Muslim prayer.

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Every person who believes in God would also accept that fact that he would give those means to recognize the truth and gave them the understanding that will enable them to follow the truth. Based on this each human being is really one of two: a person who recognizes the truth and then follows the truth, and a person who recognizes the truth and rejects it.  Literally there is no person who actually cannot understand the truth, although they may have problems when trying to learn Islam.

People generally get doubts about the truth after they initially reject the Message of God. But inevitably at one point in every person’s life, he is confronted with this truth and then they will either accept it may be gradually to a certain extent in the beginning then continue to grow and learn more or they will accept all at once, as you may have seen in your life or  they might reject it although you know you have delivered the message and you have clarified it.

When we learn Islam, we come to know that the Arabic word Tawheed has a large meaning, but to summarize it then it basically means the oneness and the uniqueness of God, i.e. Allah. Everything and everyone understands Tawheed but people will either accept it or people will reject it. Tawheed is really the essence of the message of every Prophet and Messenger of God.

This concept of Tawheed is what every Prophet and Messenger called his people to. Allah (‘azza wa jall) quoted them in the Qur’an. For example Noah (may Allah be pleased with him), he said, “Verily We have sent Noah to his people that warn them, you shall warn them before a severe punishment comes upon them. So he turned around  and said O my people verily I am to you a clear messenger a Prophet a Warner that you shall worship Allaah and have Taqwa of Him and that you shall obey me.”

A similar incident was also reported for the Prophets Ibrahim, Musa, Yahya, Zakariyyah (peace be on them all). Every Prophet and Messenger came with the very message that,“O our people worship Allah you have no other God worthy of worship but He.”

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