Islam
The fastest growing religion in the world.
Shahadah
To firmly believe in the heart and declare 'There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah'.
Salah
To pray five times a day - perform Salah. Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha
Zakat
To pay Zakat or Almsgiving, approximately 2.5% of ones wealth each year.
Sawm
To fast for approximately 30 days, from dusk till dawn, during the month of Ramadan
Hajj
To go on Hajj (pilgrimage) to Makkah once in a lifetime if one can afford it.
What is Islam?
Islam is an Arabic word which means 'surrender'. This means to accept the power of Allah, and follow His Commands. Happiness in this life and success in the life after death can only be obtained by obeying Allah. Islam is not just a religion, but a complete way of life. This means that it shows us how to live all aspects of our lives in the best possible way.
There are 5 pillars on which Islam stands, they are:
A person who accepts Islam is called a Muslim. It means 'one who surrenders.' A Muslim is
required to do all that Allah and His Messenger (pbuh) have asked of them, and to keep away from
doing things which Allah and His Messenger (pbuh) have told not to do.
Allah and His Messenger (pbuh) have told us to do good deeds, like being dutiful to our parents,
helping others who are less fortunate and to be kind to animals.
(Truly, the religion with Allah, is Islam - Al-Imran, 3:19)
Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him)
Muhammad,(PBUH) THE LAST PROPHET, was born in Makkah in the year 570, at a time when
Christianity was not yet fully established in Europe. Since his father died before his birth, and his
mother shortly afterwards, he was raised by his uncle from the respected tribe of Quraysh. As he
grew up, he became known for his truthfulness, generosity and sincerity, so that he was sought
after for his ability to arbitrate in disputes. The historians describe him as calm and meditative.
Muhammad was of a deeply religious nature, and had long detested the decadence of his society.
It became his habit to meditate from time to time in the Cave of Hira near the summit of Jabal alNur, the 'Mountain of Light' near Makkah.
At the age of 40, while engaged in a meditative retreat, Muhammad received his first revelation
from God through the Angel Gabriel. This revelation, which continued for twenty-three years, is
known as the Quran.
As soon as he began to recite the words he heard from Gabriel, and to preach the truth which God
had revealed to him, he and his small group of followers suffered bitter persecution, which grew so
fierce that in the year 622 God gave them the command to emigrate. This event, the Hijra,
'migration', in which they left Makkah for the city of Madinah some 260 miles to the north, marks the
beginning of the Muslim calendar.
After several years, the Prophet and his followers were able to return to Makkah, where they
forgave their enemies and established Islam definitively. Before the Prophet died at the age of 63,
the greater part of Arabia was Muslim, and within a century of his death Islam had spread to Spain
in the West and as far East as China.
Who is Allah?
Allah is the proper name for Almighty God, and is often translated merely as “God.” Allah has other
names that are used to describe His characteristics: the Creator, the Merciful,the Sustainer etc.Muslims believe that since Allah alone is the Creator, it is He alone that deserves our devout
love and worship
Beliefs of Muslims
Faith in the unity of God
Faith in angels
Faith in prophets
Faith in books of revelation
Faith in an afterlife
Faith in destiny/divine decree
A Muslim's Daily Life...
While often seen as a radical or extreme religion, Muslims consider Islam to be the middle road.
Muslims do not live life with complete disregard for God or religious matters, but nor do they
neglect the world to devote themselves solely to worship and prayer.
Muslims strike a balance by fulfilling the obligations of and enjoying this life, while always mindful of
their duties to Allah and to others.
-Morals and manners
-Business ethics
-Modesty in dress and Behaviour
-Dietary rules
-Marriage
-Care of children and elderly
-Racism and prejudice
-Relations with non- Muslims
