Islam Is...
Islam is considered as a comprehensive way of life rather than a religion. The central philosophy of Islam revolves around the belief in ...
- The Supreme Being, the Absolute, called Allah in Arabic.
- Prophets who came throughout history to guide humanity, including prophets Abraham, Joseph, David, Moses, John and Jesus; culminating in the prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon them).
- The Qur'an as the final revelation from God. It was preceded by numerous revelations such as the Zabur (Psalms of David), Torah, Injil (Bible).
- Accountability for our actions. Life is considered a test of deeds while salvation lies in Ihsaan (manifestation of goodness). There is a belief in life after death and a Day of Reckoning where each individual will be requited for their deeds according to the intentions that motivated them.
- We have been granted abilities and innate potential that needs to be developed in a manner beneficial to ourselves and to the animate and inanimate world around us. Though our abilities are circumscribed by laws of nature, we must utilize our talents and the resources of nature at our disposal in the most efficient manner.
The 5 pillars of the Islamic Faith are ...
- Tawhid and Risaalah - Belief in the Oneness of God and the Mission of Prophets who were sent as guides.
- Salaah - Daily prayer 5 times a day. Salaah has spiritual, moral, religious and ideological implications. In essence, it is the pursuance of spiritual welfare
- Zakaah - Mandatory tax on wealth for the benefit of the poor, needy and destitute. It is in pursuance of social welfare.
- Sawm - Fasting from dawn to dusk during Ramadaan, the ninth month of the lunar calendar. A month of high intensity discipline and ethical training. Fasting is in pursuance of the highest jihad, jihad -un-nafs (striving for moral excellence)
- Hajj - The annual pilgrimage to Makkah to be performed once in a lifetime where 3-5 million pilgrims from all over the world gather from 8th-13th of the twelfth month of the lunar calendar (Zul-Hijjah) wearing the same clothes, being at the same place and doing the same activities at the same time in the very environment where Abraham, Hagar, Ishmael and (later) Muhammad lived (pbut). Hajj is an expression of the united nations of Islam and is considered the largest annual convention of Faith