Islam - a brief guide
by Ejaz Sarvar

WHAT IS ISLAM ?
Islam is a complete way of life. It tells man about the purpose of his
creation and existence, his ultimate destiny, his place among other creatures
and, more importantly, it provides him with Guidance to lead a balanced and
purposeful life which will enable him to avoid the Hell-fire and be rewarded
with a place in Paradise in the life after death.
The Arabic word 'Islam' means voluntary surrender to the will of Allah and
obedience to His commands. Allah, also an Arabic word, is the proper name of
God. Muslims prefer to use Allah rather than God. The Islamic way of life is
based on total obedience to Allah. This is the way to obtain peace both here
and in the hereafter; hence, Islam also means peace.




MUSLIM
A person who freely and consciously accepts the Islamic way of life, and
sincerely practices it, is called a Muslim.




BASIC BELIEFS
The three fundamental Islamic beliefs are:
Tawhid - the oneness of Allah;
Risalah - prophethood;
Akhirah - life after death.

TAWHID is the most important Islamic belief. It implies that everything in
existence originates from the one and only Creator, who is also the Sustainer
and the sole Source of Guidance. This belief should govern all aspects of
human life. Recognition of this fundamental truth results in a unified view of
existence which rejects any divisions of life into religious and secular.

Allah is sole source of Power and Authority, and therefore entitled to
worship and obedience from mankind. There is no scope for any partnership with
the Creator. Tawhid is pure monotheism. It tells man that Allah is not born,
nor is anyone born of Him. He has no son or daughter. Human beings are His
subjects. He is the Real and the Ever-lasting; He is the First and the Last;
and He is Allah, the One.

Belief in Tawhid brings a total change in a Muslim's life. This belief makes
him bow down only to Allah, Who is ever-watchful over all of his actors. He
must work to establish the laws of the Creator in all areas of his life, in
order to gain the pleasure of Allah.

RISALAH means prophethood and messengership. Allah has not left man without
Guidance (Hidayah) for the conduct of his life.Since the creation of the
first man, Allah has revealed His guidance to mankind through His prophets.
The prophets who received books from Allah are called messengers. The message
of all the prophets and messengers is one and the same; they urged the people
of their time to obey and worship Allah alone and none other. Whenever the
teachings of a prophet were distorted by people Allah sent another prophet to
bring human beings back to the Straight Path (Siratul Mustaqim). The chain of
Risalah began with Adam, included Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Lot, Jacob,
Joseph, Moses, and Jesus, and ended with Muhammad (peace be upon them all).
Muhammad is the final messenger of Allah to mankind.

The revealed books from Allah are: the Torah (Tawrat), the Psalms (Zabur),
the Gospel (Injil) and the Qur'an. The Qur'an, which was revealed to Prophet
Muhammad (peace be upon him), is the final book of Guidance.

AKHIRAH means life after death. Belief in Akhirah has a profound impact on the
life of a believer. We are a/ accountable to Allah on the Day of Judgement,
when we will be judged according to how we lived our lives. A person who
obeys and worships Allah will be rewarded with a permanent place of happiness
in Paradise (Jannah); the person who does not will be sent to Hell
(Jahannam), a place of punishment and suffering.

Allah knows man's every thought and inner-most intention, and angels are
recording all his actions; if he always keeps in mind that he will be judged
on his actions, he will try to make sure that he acts according to the Will
of Allah. Many of today's problems would disappear if man had this awareness
and acted accordingly.




FIVE BASIC DUTIES OF ISLAM
Islam has five basic cubes, often called the 'pillars of Islam'. Performed
regularly, correctly and sincerely these duties will transform a Muslim's
life, bringing it into line with the wishes of the Creator. Faithful practice
of these duties should inspire him to work towards the establishment of
justice, equality and righteousness (Ma'ruf') in society, and the eradication
of injustice, falsehood and evil (Munkar).
1. SHAHADAH, the first of the five basic duties, is the declaration,
knowingly and voluntarily, of:


La ilaha illal lahu Muhammadur rasulul lah
There is no God except Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
This declaration contains the two basic concepts of Tawhid and Risalah. This
is the basis of all actions in Islam, and the four other basic duties follow
this affirmation.

2. SALAH (compulsory prayer) is offered five times a day, either individually
or in congregation. It is a practical demonstration of faith, and keeps a
believer in constant touch with his Creator. The benefits of Salah are
far-reaching, long-lasting and immeasurable. Salah prepares a Muslim to work
towards the establishment of true order in society, and the removal of
falsehood, evil and indecency. It develops in a believer the qualities of
self-discipline, steadfastness and obedience to the Truth, leading him to be
patient, honest and truthful in the affairs of his life.

Five times a day, Salah provides a wonderful opportunity for a Muslim to
improve his life. It is a system of spiritual, moral and physical training
which makes him truly obedient to his Creator.

The five daily prayers are:

FAJR - between dawn and sunrise
ZUHR - between midday and mid-afternoon
ASR - between mid-aftemoon and sunset
MAGHRIB - just after sunset
ISHA - between nightfall and daybreak

3. ZAKAH (welfare contribution) is a compulsory payment from a Muslim's
annual savings. It literally means purification, and is an annual payment of
2.5% on the value of cash, jewelry and precious metals; a separate rate
applies to animals, crops and mineral wealth. Zakah is neither a charity nor
a tax: charity is optional, whilst taxes can be used for any of the needs of
society. Zakah, however, can only be spent on helping the poor and needy, the
disabled, the oppressed, debtors and other welfare purposes, as defined in
the Qur'an and Sunnah.

Zakah is an act of worship. It is one of the fundamental principles of an
Islamic economy, which ensures an equitable society where everybody has a
right to contribute and share. Zakah should be paid with the conscious belief
that our wealth and our property belong to Allah, and we merely act as
trustees.

4. SAWM is the annual obligatory fast during the month of Ramadan, the ninth
month in the Islamic calendar. From dawn to sunset every day of this month a
Muslim refrains from eating, drinking, smoking and from sex with his marital
partner, seeking only the pleasure of Allah. Sawm develops a believers moral
and spiritual standards, and keeps him away from selfishness, greed,
extravagance and other vices. Sawm is an annual training program which
increases a Muslim's determination to fulfil his obligations to the Creator
and Sustainer.

5. HAJJ (pilgrimage to the House of Allah) is an annual event, obligatory on
those Muslims who can afford to undertake it at least once in their lifetime.
It is a journey to the House of Allah (Al Ka'bah)in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, in
the month of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar. Hajj
symbolizes the unity of mankind; Muslims from every race and nationality
assemble, together in equality and humility to worship their Lord. The
pilgrim, in the ritual clothing of Ihram, has the unique feeling of being in
the presence of his Creator, to Whom he belongs, and to Whom he must return
after death.




THE QUR'AN
The Qur'an is the sacred book of Muslims, and the final book of guidance from
Allah, sent down to Muhammad (pbuh) through the angel Gabriel (Jibraiil).
Every word of the Quran is the word of Allah. It was revealed over a period
of 23 years in the Arabic language, and contains 114 chapters (Surahs) and
6236 verses. Muslims learn to read it in Arabic and many memorize it
completely. Muslims are expected to try their best to understand the Qur'an
and practice its teachings.
The Quran is unrivalled in its recording and preservation. The astonishing
fact about this book of Allah is that it has remained unchanged even to a
letter for over fourteen centuries.

The Qur'an deals with man and his ultimate goal in life. Its teachings cover
all aspects of this life and the life after death. It contains principles,
doctrines and directions for every sphere of human activity. The theme of the
Qur'an broadly consists of three fundamental concepts: Tawhid, Risalah and
Akhirah. The success of human beings on this earth and in the life hereafter
depends on obedience to the Quranic teachings.




THE SUNNAH
The Sunnah is the example of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). It is contained in the
books of Hadith, which are collections of his sayings and actions and those
actions done with his approval. The Hadith show how to put the Guidance of
the Quran into practice. The Hadith were recorded meticulously by the
Prophet's companions after his death. Six particular collections have become
prominent and are regarded as the most authentic: Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi
Abu Dawud, Nasa'i and Ibn-i-Majah.

PROPHET MUHAMMAD (pbuh)
Muhammad (pbuh), the final messenger of Allah and the best of creation, was
born in Makkah, Arabia, in the year 571 CE (Christian Era). His father,
Abdullah, died before his birth and his mother, Aminah, died when he was only
six. He married Khadijah, a noble lady of Makkah, when he was twenty-five.
He began to receive revelation from Allah at the age of forty, marking the
beginning of his work as the messenger of Allah.

The people of Makkah at that time worshipped idols. The Prophet (pbuh) invited
them to Islam. Some responded favorably and became Muslim, while others
rebuked him and turned against him. Undaunted, he continued to preach the
message of Allah and, gradually, the number of his followers increased. He
and the early Muslims underwent terrible suffering and faced stiff opposition
from the idolaters.

In the twelfth year of his prophethood, in 622 CE, Muhammad (pbuh) migrated
from Makkah to Madinah. The people of Madinah accepted him as their leader
and he established the first Islamic state there. The Islamic calendar begins
from the day of the migration (Hijrah) of the Prophet (pbuh).

The Prophet (pbuh) organized the early Muslims and preached the message of
Allah with unmatched patience and wisdom. Eventually Islam was established in
the whole of the Arabian peninsula, and was set to make a tremendous
contribution to the history and civilization of the world. Within a very
short time, the message of Islam spread from Arabia to most parts of the
known world. Over a billion Muslims of the present day still bear testimony
to the success of that message.

Islam, completed at the time of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), can solve all human
problems, and Is the only hope for the present as well as the future. The
need is to practice It faithfully.

Prophet Muhammad (described in the Qur'an as the "blessing for the universe'
and the "perfect example to follow') died in 632 CE at the age of sixty-three.
He left behind the Qur'an and his Sunnah as the sources of guidance for all
generations to come.




FESTIVALS
These celebrations are observed to seek the pleasure of Allah. There is no
concept of a festival for pleasure's own sake in Islam; but there are
occasions of Joy and happiness. The happiest occasion of a Muslim's life is
to see the laws of Allah established in their totality on the earth. IDUL
FITR and IDUL ADHA are the two major festivals in Islam.
IDUL FITR is observed on the first day after the month of Ramadan. On this
day, after a month of fasting, Muslims express their joy and happiness by
offering a congregational prayer, preferably in an open field. They express
their gratitude to Allah for enabling them to observe the fast. Special food
is prepared, and it is customary to visit friends and relatives and to give
presents to children to make the occasion lively and special for them.

IDUL ADHA begins on the 10th day of the month of DHUL HIJJAH and continues
until the 12th. This celebration is observed to commemorate the willingness
of Abraham when he was asked to sacrifice his own son, Ishmael. Abraham
showed his readiness and Allah was very pleased. A lamb was sacrificed
instead of Ishmael on Allah's command. Muslims offer congregational prayer on
the day, and afterwards they sacrifice animals such as sheep, goats, cows and
camels to seek the pleasure of Allah. The meat of the sacrificed animal is
shared amongst relatives, neighbors and the poor.

Some other occasion to remember include the beginning of the HIJRAH
(migration of the Prophet), LAILATUL MIRAJ (Night of the Ascension) and dates
of Islamic battles fought by Muhammad (pbuh). There is a night of special
significance in Ramadan known as LAILATUL QADR (Night of Power). It occurs in
one of the odd numbered nights of the last ten days of the month of Ramadan.
The Qur'an mentions it as a night better than a thousand months.

Islamic festivals are observed according to the Islamic Calendar, which is
based on lunar months. The lunar year is about 10 days shorter than the solar
year. Festival dates are determined by the appearance of the moon.




MARRIAGE AND FAMILY LIFE
Marriage is the basis of family life in Islam. It is a solemn and yet simple
contract between a man and woman. Muslim marriages are generally arranged by
parents, but must be with the consent of the son and daughter, as required by
Islamic law (SHARIAH). Marriages are performed in a simple ceremony in the
presence of relatives, friends and neighbors.
Islam does not allow free mixing of men and women; nor does it allow sex
before marriage. Extra-marital sex is severely punished. No discrimination is
made on the basis of sex. Husband and wife are equal partners of the family
and play their part in their respective fields. Divorce is permitted but is
regarded as the action most displeasing to Allah.




DIET
Muslims are encouraged in the Qur'an to eat what is good and wholesome for
them, and are specifically forbidden to eat certain foods. A Muslim is not
allowed b eat:
animals which died of natural causes or of a disease
animals slaughtered without invoking the name of Allah
animals strangled to death
pigs
carnivorous animals
animals devoured by wild beasts
the blood of animals

Fish and vegetables are permitted. Islamic law requires an animal to be
slaughtered by a sharp knife penetrating the inner part of the animal's neck,
to allow maximum drainage of blood. Invoking the name of Allah is obligatory
at the time of slaughter. All varieties of alcoholic drinks, such as beer,
wines and spirits are prohibited. These rules aim at rooting out the evil
effects of food and drink in society.




DRESS
Muslims must cover their bodies properly and decently. No particular = dress
is recommended. Outlines for guidance include:
For men, covering from the navel to the knees is a must.

For women, covering the whole body except the face and hands is compulsory,
and according to some Jurists women above the age of puberty should cover the
face when going out or meeting strangers. A woman must not wear a dress which
arouses man's basic feelings, e.g. transparent, skin-tight or half-naked
dress. Pure silk and gold are not allowed for men.

Prohibition of women's clothes for men and vice versa. Symbolic dress from
other religions is not allowed.

Simplicity and modesty are encouraged. Dress expressing arrogance is
disliked. The style of dress depends on local customs and climate.




SOCIAL MANNERS
Islam teaches decency, humility and good manners. A Muslim greets another
Muslim by saying:

As-salamu 'Alaikum
(peace be upon you)
and the reply is:
Wa'alaikam As-salam
(peace be on you too).
Keeping promises, truthfulness, Justice, fair play, helping the poor and
needy, respect for parents, teachers and elders, love for children and good
relations with neighbors are the most valued deeds of a Muslim. Islam
condemns enmity, back-biting, slander, blasphemy, ridicule, use of offensive
names, suspicion and arrogance. Muslims must not adopt these bad habits.




MUSLIM COUNTRIES AND POPULATION
The total population of Muslim is more than a billion and GROWING , praise be
to Allah.