WHAT IS ISLAM? By Ibrahim Poncardas Romas Leaflet # 01 xsdaevan@gmail.com
If someone will question, “what is your DEEN (religion),” we say: Islam. Islam means the total submission to the Will of God, literally means peace. In Islam there is no separation between the state and the church. A male or female that submits himself/herself really to God is called Muslim, regardless of race and nationality. For broader understanding of (the essence of) the whole creation of God, all things that exist, whether visible or invisible, are called Muslims.
The perfect and complex system of the universe and all the marvels of nature are under God’s Will and all they submit: except most of human beings and Jinns. All the prophets of God were submitting themselves to the Will of God. Allaah orders us to make no distinction between prophets for they were all Muslims (Muslimoon).—Qur’aan (Baqarah) 2:136.
EQUALITY IN ISLAM Allaah will not judge human being according to his wealth, power, occupation, strength, knowledge, education, beauty, color, ….In the sight of Allaah we are all the same: except those who have had “AT-TAQWA” (who abstains from all kinds of evil deeds that God has forbidden and performs all kinds of excellent deeds which He has ordained)__Qur’aan (Al-Hujurat) 49:13, (Al-Baqarah) 2:2.
Islam is the fastest growing religion in the West. Islamic government had been existing in the Arab world before the discovery of the American Territory by Amerigo Vespucci (1454-1512) and Christopher Columbus (1451-1506).
A RIGHT RELIGION SHOULD PASS THESE THREE CRITERIA:
1)GOD HIMSELF HAS MENTIONED IT IN HIS BOOK
2 )IT IS THE SAME RELIGION PRACTICED BY ALL THE PROPHETS OF GOD
3) IT DOES NOT DEPEND ON THE WORSHIPPERS FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT.
THE FIRST CRITERION: God Himself mentions it in the Qur’aan: When God has asserted His religion for His creation, no one has the right to do the same. “Truly, the religion with God is Islam”–Qur’aan (Al-Imraan) 3:19. “If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to God) never will it be accepted of him; and in the hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost”–Qur’aan (Al-Imran) 3:85.
THE SECOND CRITERION: The prophets of God have practiced Islam. The Muslims called Ibrahim (Abraham) as the father of the Prophets (Abul Anbiyya). While the Christians have called him the “FATHER OF FAITH.” God said; “The same did Abraham enjoin upon his sons, and also Jacob, (saying): Oh my sons! Lo! God hath chosen for you the (right) religion; therefore die not, save as men who have surrendered (unto Him)”–Qur’aan (Al-Baqarah) 2:132.
THE THIRD CRITERION: Not dependent on worshippers for financial support: When Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) brought the Israelites from the house of bondage with so many miracles, he never questioned a penny or a piece of silver or gold. When Eisa Al-Maseh (pbuh) healed the sick, the lepers, the lame, and gave life to the dead by God’s permission, no penny was questioned for in return.
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) healed the sick. Along the desert when they ran out of water and bread, God granted him miracles by which all his companions were satisfied. Afterwards, he never demanded even a penny. That is the right religion. Making the members to be the source of living is contrary to Islam.
There is no exploitation of the poor, rather, God commands a person who possesses some wealth to give the poor due, not to collect from them: “… KEEPING RELIGION PURE FOR HIM, … AND TO ESTABLISH WORSHIP AND TO PAY THE POOR DUE. THAT IS RIGHT RELIGION.” Qur’aan (Al-Baiyina) 98:5.
Islam is the only way of life (religion) on earth today that has not depended on its followers or on other people for the source of living. Islam does not need human help, but human beings need Islam. God is rich; He does not need anything, and is the Most Powerful-He does not need our help.
To convey divine messages, and to be helpful to all other creation-that is our duty and obligation entrusted by God to us. Truth may hurt, but like medicine, which hurts, but we are bound to accept it. “Seek the truth, and it shall make you free.” NO ORIGINAL SIN Islam does not teach the doctrine of original sin. Qur’aan categorically mentions that both Adam and Eve (pbut) did sin against God’s command: His order not to eat from the tree in Paradise (Garden).
But through His Mercy, He guided them how to question forgiveness. They repented of their sins that they committed and begged for forgiveness-God forgave them. “Then Adam received from his Lord words {Qur’aan (Al-Araf ) 7:23}. And his Lord pardoned him (accepted his repentance) Verily He is the One Who forgives, the Most Merciful.” Qur’aan (Baqarah) 2:37. “NO PERSON EARNS ANY (SIN) EXCEPT AGAINST HIMSELF (ONLY), AND NO BEARER OF BURDENS SHALL BEAR THE BURDEN OF ANOTHER. THEN UNTO YOUR LORD IS YOUR RETURN…”Qur’aan (Al-An’aam) 6:164.
THE FIVE ARKANUL (PILLARS) ISLAM)
1. Shahadatayn__To testify that God is absolutely One and Only. Then Muhammad is the last Prophet and Messenger of God.
2. As-Salaat (Obligatory prayer five times a day as the difference between the Muslims and non-Muslims)
3. Zakah (the obligatory poor due)
4. Hajj (pilgrimage) to the first Masjeed built by Ibrahim and Ismail:
5. Saum (Fasting in the Days of Ramadhan). A total abstinence from food, drinks and legal sexual intercourse.
THE SIX ARKANUL IMAN FIL ISLAM (PILLARS OF FAITH IN ISLAM)
1. God (The Eternal, The All-Knowing, Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful; He has No Gender, No Similitude, No Mother, No Wife or Son).
2. Angels (creature with no gender and made from light)
3. God’s Prophets and Messengers
4. The Books which He revealed to the Prophets and Messengers.
5. The Day of Resurrection, on which all deeds, whether excellent or terrible, will be brought to account.
6. Qadar: By His knowledge all things are written. To say “Divine Destiny,” “Predestination,” “Divine Measure” is not exactly the same with the meaning of the word “Qadar” in Arabic. Qadar means things that Allaah has written that human being has no choice but to follow: But, men are not accountable to it on the Day of Judgement. On the other hand, there are things that Allaah has written the outcome of human actions and beliefs in which men are accountable on the Day of Judgement.
Allaah has written all those things because of His knowledge. Allaah is All-Knowing the Most Wise. Allaah does not push us to Hell, nor Allaah will pull us to Paradise: He gives us freedom and intellect. He sent books and prophets for us to follow His Guidance. He has shown us the two paths: one is going to Paradise, and the other is going to Hell.
And it’s up to us to choose. THE OPPRESSED Allaah obliges a person to fight against oppression. Allaah commanded human beings to fight against the friends of Satan and to those who do evil, whether they are killer or get victory. Allaah will give them fantastic reward either, for those fighters.Qur’aan 4:74,76
“And why should ye not fight in the cause of Allah and of those who being weak are ill-treated (and oppressed)? Men women and children whose weep is: ‘Our Lord! rescue us from this town whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from Thee one who will protect; and raise for us from Thee one who will help!’”Qur’aan 4:75
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