What is Islam and who are Muslims?
What is Islam and who are Muslims?
Written by (Aboo Mohammad) Jamal Dookhy.
December 2004.
Introduction.
I Can imagine some people ,who , while reading this article, saying we already know what is Islam and Who are Muslims. It is the religion that beheads people, kills innocent civilians, terrorists that force people with the gun (or sword) to accept their religion. I don’t blame you after seeing in the media about Muslim terrorists and Killers like Saddam Hussein, Osama Bin laden, Che Guevara and Mc Veigh.(Oops, Sorry! The last two are not Muslims terrorists).
Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Aboo Mohammad, born and bred in London, UK, but currently living and working in Qatar in the Arabian Gulf. I am a Muslim Since I am a student of Religion and have a bit of knowledge of Islam and other religions namely: Christianity, Judaism, and Hinduism and so on, I will attempt to the best of my ability to acquaint with the basics of this religion. I will start first with the first part “What is Islam”.
What is Islam
The name Islam is derived from the Arabic root word SALAMA, which means Peace, submission, surrender, among many definitions. Islam is the total submission to the will of the one and only GOD Allah and obedience to his laws. The achievement of real peace of mind and body only through the total submission and obedience to the one GOD. Islam is not a new religion, but the same truth that God revealed through all His prophets to every people. For a fifth of the world's population, Islam is both a religion and a complete way of life. Muslims follow a religion of peace, mercy, and forgiveness, and the majority have nothing to do with the extremely grave events which have come to be associated with their faith .Unlike other religions Islam is not just a religion but a way of life. The basic message of Islam would be the same for all messengers:
“God is one! Worship Him alone!” Islam is based upon 5 pillars which are the fundamentals of the religion. These five pillars are:
Testimony of Faith (shahada)
Prayers.
Fasting.
Zakah( Almsgiving)
Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca)
Testimony of Faith
The first of the pillars (testimony of faith) known in Arabic as Eeman. The full conviction that there is only one GOD and that his messenger is Mohamed (peace be upon him).the Muslims Belief the, Eeman is based upon the Testimony that “There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and Mohammed (peace be upon him) is the messenger of Allah”. This means that we ascribe no partners to Allah, that he is alone and the only one to be worshipped. A person in order to become a Muslim just has to recite this, but it has to be in the heart too.
Allah mentions in the Quran (the book of the Muslims as revealed to the prophet Mohamed (peace be upon him):
The Noble Quran
Chapter 112
1. Say (O Muhammad ): "He is Allâh, (the) One.
2. "Allâh-us-Samad (The Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, He neither eats nor drinks).
3. "He begets not, nor was He begotten;
4. "And there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him."
This concept of the oneness of Allah is the cornerstone of Islam, the essence of the Islamic teachings. This means that Allah is the Creator; he is the omnipotent sustainer of the universe.
This oneness of Allah is known in Arabic as the Tawheed.
There 6 prerequisites which accompany this pillar of faith.
1. Belief in Allah.
2. Belief in Angels.
3. Belief in the Books (sent by Allah with other prophets).
4. Belief (n All the other) prophets.
5. Belief in the Day of Judgment (also referred to as the hour).
6. Belief in fate (good and bad come form Allah).
A Muslim must believe in these pillars and these pre- requisites.
Prayers (Worship)
The second pillar of Islam is Prayers (worship) called Salaat in Arabic. Muslims pray five times daily, obligatory prayers in congregation in a mosque (called Masjid in Arabic), however prayers can be held anywhere, In a school, at work, out in the field, led by an imam, one who is well versed in the reading of the Quran. The Imam recites verse from the Quran in the original language of Arabic. Supplication (individual prayers to Allah) can be made in any language. Prayers are said at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and nightfall. However, although women are allowed to pray in mosques and the fact that there are millions of mosques that have space for women to pray, it is not incumbent on her to pray with the congregation in the mosque. Nevertheless the 5 times prayers are still obligatory for her too.
Worship too plays an important part in the life of a Muslim as Allah stated in the Quran the reason why he created man:
Chapter 51:56 I created the jinn and humankind only that they might WORSHIP ME. (The Noble Quran)
Below is are examples of some Masjids in various countries (most Muslims do no like the name mosque as it has other connotations)
This the exterior of a masjid
They all have different designs (PIC) (Washington DC Masjid USA)PIC) Birmingham Central Mosque UK(PIC)
(Singapore)(PIC) Inside of the masjid in SingaporePIC The direction Muslims face when they prayPIC (Birmingham)
This is an example of the interior of masjids, as you can see there are no Idols or Objects of worship since Muslims pray directly to Allah.
All masjids have, what is known as a pulpit (Mimbar in Arabic) from where the imam addresses his congregation. Inscriptions on the wall are verses from the Holy Quran.
Fasting
The Third pillar of Islam is Fasting .Fasting is defined as the refraining from food, drink, smoking and sexual intercourse from sunrise to sunset in the holy month of Ramadhan. Although this is the literal meaning we cannot restrict it to that alone. Fasting in Ramadhan has more spiritual meaning than that. By fasting one develops more love and closeness to Allah because he is fasting for love of Allah, It increases ones piety and righteousness Allah says in the Holy Quran [2:183]
183. O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious - see V.2:2).
Fasting instills endurance and patience and develops affection towards the poor since one is experiencing how it feels to be hungry. Fasting also humbles a person's character and helps one control one’s desires as eating and drinking are restrained and so too is sexual intercourse during the day. It is also very healthy since it helps one to refrain on overindulging
It is obligatory on those:
1. Who are of mental and physical ability i.e. those who are fit and sane.
2. Mature at the age of Puberty. In Islam that prescribed from about 9-10 years of age.
3. Who Are not too old or sick or under constant medication that is for a serious condition. A Quran(PICTURE)
4. Who is fixed (resident in one location and not traveling long distances)
The rewards for Fasting In the month of Ramadhan and voluntary fasts outside of Ramadhan is incomparable as fasting In Ramadhan expiates all previous sins. In Ramadhan, Muslims believe that the doors of hell are locked and the doors of Paradise and that Allah frees people from the fire of hell until Ramadhan ends. The purpose of Ramadhan is to fast by day and worship by night. There are congregational prayers held in the nights of ramadhan (called Tarawih in Arabic) where the Quran is recited and during the whole month the recital of the whole Quran is done by people who have committed the Quran to memory. Ramadhan is there fore to commemorate the revelation of the Whole Quran.
The waking up and eating food at sunrise is called Sahoor in Arabic and the breaking of the fast at sunset is called the Fatoor or (iftar) in Arabic. Ramadhan is usually a month of sharing too when friends, neighbors and relatives share food they will break the fast with. Very often it is the opportunity to gather and get together to break the fast. Many community centres and masjids and charities organised collective gatherings for breaking the fast in Ramadhan. After the fasting in the month of Ramadhan there is the celebration called the Eid. That too is a moment of Sharing presents, get togethers and since the fast ends there then Muslims rejoice with food and drink and new clothes.
Children in the masjid, in the US breaking fast. Dates are of usual preference for breaking fast. Muslims in the Middle East, breaking fast.
Breaking fast In Riyadh Saudi Arabia, offered by a Medical charity. Canadian Muslims in Ottawa, breaking fast in Ramadhan.
Zakaah (obligatory charity)
The fourth fundamental pillar of Islam. There is no equivalent of this word Zakaa in any other language, It is an annual duty enjoined by Allah upon those Muslims who own property or any wealth for the interest of the society,
"The meaning of Zakat is to increase and to become pure. Because the Payment of Zakaa leads to an increase in wealth and considered to be a reason for its cleansing. This obligation has been named Zakaa (Zakat ) by the Shari'a (Islamic law). Zakaa was declared an obligation in the 2 years(hijri) {Islamic calendar year} Prior to the ruling concerning fasting. ( Bulugh al Maram, By Ismail al Sanani, Book of Zakat page 206)
It purifies ones wealth since Allah has ordained for Muslims in order to give in charity so he will increase their sustenance. Zakat is obligatory on the rich among the Muslims to provide financial assistance to poor Muslims and it is understood that Zakaa Originating from a certain city should be distributed to the poor of the same city itself. It also lightens the burden of a Muslim who owes money since it helps him to pay his debts.
The Muslims have agreed indisputably that Zakaa is obligatory, whoever denies it after knowing this is a (disbeliever) out of the fold of Islam. And whosoever is miserly , withholding some or all of it , then he is an unjust oppressor befitting of punishment.( The Pillars of Islam and Iman and whatever every Muslim must know about his religion by Muhammad Bin Jamil Zeno, Zakaa and its importance, page 159)
Allah states in the Holy Quran:
Chapter 2:
43. And perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât), and give Zakât, and Irka' (i.e. bow down or submit yourselves with obedience to Allâh) along with Ar¬Raki'ûn.
110. And perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât), and give Zakât, and whatever of good (deeds that Allâh loves) you send forth for yourselves before you, you shall find it with Allâh. Certainly, Allâh is All-Seer of what you do.
Zakaa is mandatory on four things.
1.The produce of the earth of grains and fruit.
Chapter 6:
141. And it is He Who produces gardens trellised and untrellised, and date palms, and crops of different shape and taste (its fruits and its seeds) and olives, and pomegranates, similar (in kind) and different (in taste). Eat of their fruit when they ripen, but pay the due thereof (it’s Zakât, according to Allâh's Orders 1/10th or 1/20th) on the day of its harvest, and waste not by extravagance. Verily, He likes not Al-Musrifûn (those who waste by extravagance), (Holy Quran)
2. Gold silver and Money.
Chapter 9:
34 And those who hoard up gold and silver [Al-Kanz: the money, the Zakât of which has not been paid], and spend it not in the Way of Allâh, -announce unto them a painful torment.
3. Business or Merchandise for sale
4. Livestock. There are certain amount of animals possessed on which a certain amount has to be given in Zakaa.
It is all clear laid down and made mandatory and it all has to be deposited into a fund, the Zakaa fund. It should be distributed to the destitute who possesses half his minimum needs or less. Also to the poor but better of than the destitute who possesses 70or 80% of his needs and to free slaves.
It is authentically reported that there were times in the History of Islamic administration when there were no person eligible to receive Zakaa; (Bullion Bar and main) Pic
every subject, Muslim, Christian and Jew of the vast Islamic empire had enough to satisfy his need, and the rulers had to deposit the Zakaa collections in the public treasury. This shows that when the zakaa law is enacted properly it minimizes the needs of the citizens and enriches the Public treasury to an extent that there will be no needy or poor and that enormous surpluses are available ( Islam in focus by Hammudah Abd al 'Ati page 95) Gold coinsPic
Mariner Bracelet pic Gold ringpic Money transferpic
Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca)
The last but not least pillar of Islam is the Hajj( Pilgrimage to Mecca) is obligatory, at least once in a lifetime for the Muslim, male or female who has the means and can afford it, are sane and physically fit and has reached the age of puberty in Islam. By being financially able here means to be able to cover one's own expenses, and those left behind (dependents) and having paid all of one's debts off and earns a legal earning. Allah explains this in the Holy Quran:
Chapter 3:
97 And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka'bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allâh, those who can afford the expenses (for one's conveyance, provision and residence); and whoever disbelieves [i.e. denies Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah), then he is a disbeliever of Allâh], then Allâh stands not in need of any of the 'Alamîn (mankind and jinns).
The one who performs Hajj properly is said to be rewarded with all his sins forgiven as if he has just been born sin in Islam every child is born sinless.
The Hajj is the rite of spiritual enrichment and it is largest annual Muslim gathering denoting the universality of Islam. It purifies the soul and nurtures noble qualities such as generosity and modesty. The pilgrimage is to commemorate the divine rituals observed by Prophets Abraham and Ishmael, who are known to have been the first pilgrims to the first house of GOD on earth .i.e. the Kaaba at Mecca (Islam in focus, By Hammuda Abd al Ati, page 98)
The Kaaba made by the prophet Abraham and his son Ismael as a house of GOD which was commanded to him by Allah in the Holy Quran it says:
Chapter 2:
127 And remember abraham and Isma'il raised the foundations of the House (With this prayer): "Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us: For Thou art the All-Hearing, the All-knowing.
125 Remember We made the House a place of assembly for men and a place of safety; and take ye the station of abraham as a place of prayer; and We covenanted with abraham and Isma'il, that they should sanctify My House for those who compass it round, or use it as a retreat, or bow, or prostrate themselves (therein in prayer).
Chapter 22:
26 Behold! We gave the site, to Abraham, of the (Sacred) House, (saying): "Associate not anything (in worship) with me; and sanctify My House for those who compass it round, or stand up, or bow, or prostrate themselves (therein in prayer).
The Kaaba is the sacred house in the Middle of the Mosque the first time it was built was by the angels then it was rebuilt by Prophet Adam where by it was jus a stone. Below is an illustration of how it would have looked at that time, the next is an illustration of when it was built by Prophet Abraham.
The first and second time at the time of Adam At the time of prophet Abraham and Ismail( that square in the Middle there
Pre adam Pic Abraham 1pic
According to Islam when the prophet Ismael was born to Hajar (Hagar) (may peace be upon them), Sarah became intensely Jealous of here and asked Ibrahim (Abraham) to take here away from her. Allah revealed to Ibrahim to take her and her son to Makkah, so prophet Ibrahim took here and her child and traveled until he left them in a place where Makkah (Mecca) stands today.
After leaving hajar and her son there, he used to visit and keep check on them. On one of his visits he found Ismael sharpening an arrow beneath a tree, close to Zamzam( a natural spring that Allah provided that is sill there today). When Ismael saw him he stood up and they greeted one another as father and son do. The Ibrahim said "O, Ismael Allah has ordered me to do something “Ismael said “Do what your lord has commanded you to do”, Ibrahim said “will you help me?” He said” I will help you.” He said “Allah has commanded me to build a house here,”____ he pointed to the Small rise in the land that was higher than the land around it (See the first Drawing above).So they laid the foundations of the house, the Ismael started to bring the stones and Abraham started to build. Then when the structure got higher he brought this stone (Al Maqam)* and put it down for him. Ibrahim stood on the stone and carried on the building work with Ismael handing the stones to him, and they were both saying while they were going around the House. (History of Makka, by Safiur-Rahman Mubarakpuri pages 31-32)
Chapter2
127 Our lord !accept (this service) from us. Verily you are the all Hearer, the all Knower (Holy Quran)
MAQAM PIC The Maqam (The Station of Ibrahim) this is the stone the prophet Ibrahim stood one to build the Kaaba. This stone was made soft by Allah in order to save the footprints of prophet Ibrahim because this action was very dear to Allah and Allah preserved it as a reminder for the believers and others. This is where it has been preserved near the Kaaba for people to see in a glass cabinet. At the time of the prophet Ibrahin it was attached to the kaaba but was later moved and put in the cabinet because people were touching it.
Abraham 2 PIC=====This is how it looked after it was constructed by the prophet Abraham and Ismael (Peace be upon them) which remained like this until it was rebuilt by the (Quraish) the clan that lived in the area before the mission of the prophet Mohamed (peace be upon him).The treasures which they were hiding inside had been stolen so the Quraish ( who were Pagans at that time , before the advent of Islam) wanted to rebuild it.
This is how it looked at the time of the Quraish before the prophet Mohamed’s prophet hood and after it had been rebuilt.=== PRE MOHAMED.PIC
To note that Mecca was the birth place of the prophet Mohamed (peace be upon him) where he lived for 53 years approximately. At the age of 40 he was given his prophet hood and spent the next 13 years in Mecca before migrating to Medina.
The structure had been rebuilt several times after due to damage and floods etc. I would like to remind you that Muslims do not worship the Kaaba nor the Black stone which is on there. It is only a direction where Muslims all over the world have to face in order to pray. After over 1400 years since the Advent of Islam and the Muslim calendar the Kaaba which is in the Middle of the Grand Masjid in Mecca (Known as the Haram) looks like this.
Mecca1 PIC===this is one view of the Haram in
Mecca where Millions of Muslims gather each year to perform the Hajj
Pilgrimage, as you can see it is full of people performing the (Tawaf ) which is the circumambulating of the Kaaba. This is one of the rituals of hajj. All the men are dressed in white 2 piece garment called the Ihram this is only for the men. The women are usually in Islamic dress they feel comfortable in. Most of them wear black or white
This one is a bird’s eye view of the Haram Masjid in Mecca ===== Mecca Aerial PIC
In this picture you can see at the top end a long corridor type. This is the distance between two mountains that used to be there called mount Safa and mount Marwa. This is the place between which Hajar crossed in search of water for her son Ismael. This is when Allah provided them with spring of Zamzam.
The Hajj involves much more than this and there are other places I haven’t mentioned which are as important, but I suppose we can cross that bridge some other time HAram INSIDE PIC. Let us take a look at a few more pictures of the inside of the Haram Masjid in Mecca. In the picture on the left we can see the interior of the gigantic haram Masjid in Mecca, this picture is of a time when it is empty otherwise throughout the year it is always full of people. In the picture on the right we can see the pilgrims performing the ritual of what did, she walked from one mountain to another seven times looking for water. Inside Mount Safa PIC=
Medina Also in Saudi Arabia was the place the prophet Mohamed and his people migrated to after a lot of Persecution in Mecca there he built a mosque which stands today as the second holy place of the muslims. The third being Al Aqsa masjid in Jerusalem. ====MEDINA1PIC MEDINANIGHT PIC=
Here are a few pictures of the Haram in Medina where the prophet Mohamed(peace be upon him) also lived and his companions too bearing in mind it wasn’t that size originally but as years went long it was added to due to demand as more people performed the Hajj. This is the outside and the second picture too The prophet Mohammed lived the rest of his life, he died and was buried in Madina. The picture below shows the area inside the Masjid in Madina where the prophet Mohamed (peace be upon him) and 2 other companions who took over after him Abu Bakr and Umar. After his death no other prophet came .Those who took over were leaders (Amirs). As part of the hajj or the lesser pilgrimage a Muslim has to pay visit to the Prophet’s masjid in Medina and pay tribute to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions.
Prophet Mohamed GravePIC
Common Misconceptions in Islam.
Islam today is a religion that is highly misunderstood, highly misinterpreted and highly misrepresented especially by the western media. There are many issues today that dwell in the minds of people who seek to know the real truth about Islam, yet the avenues that depict Islam give them a very bad impression of this way of life. Let us embark on a quest to share the truth of many of these misconceptions that are in the back of the minds of many people from all parts of the Globe.
1.All muslims are Arabs
The Muslim population around the world is approximately 1.4 billion and it is still growing since Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world. Muslims range from Black in Africa, to Chinese, to Arabs and Asians from the Indian subcontinent, actually from all over the world. Only 18% of the Muslims are Arabs. The largest Muslim community is in Indonesia. There are 30% in the Indian subcontinent,20% in Africa, 18% in the Arab world, 17% in South East Asia, 10% in Russia and China. There are 8 million Muslims in the US alone. So we see that Muslims are not all Arab, far from it.
2. All muslims marry 4 wives.
Most definitely not. Most Muslims have only one wife only a tiny percentage of Muslims worldwide practice polygamy. Islam did not bring about polygamy, more rather, it regulated it. Before Islam Men had as many women as they wanted and there were no laws as to how they were treated they were considered “property”. If we look back in history according to the Bible Abraham had three wives Sarah, Hagar and Keturah. Some can call them concubines if they wish but they were married to them. Jacob had 2 wives and David and Solomon had hundreds. Islam Just brought the rules on how to go about it, that a limit of 4 was set and conditions of fair treatment of each one. It is not a free for all, it is only the permission given to have more than one wife not necessarily 4 but as long as he can guarantee to be fair to each one. The permission was given in order to make a better society to help widows and orphans. Since there are more women than men and as the world goes due to wars more men are getting killed .Islam brings about a solution to the problem. Which is better? A second or third wife that is treated fairly and equitably or mistresses without any rights and children who are illegitimate.
3. Muslims are violent, Extremists and terrorists.
This is the biggest misconception that is a result of the Media’s Islam bashing. When Catholics of Northern Ireland bombed tube stations in Britain, or gunmen attacked mosques in the name of Judaism or Serbs killed and raped innocent Bosnian women and children. These acts were not attributed to the Christian religion. But in the case when a Muslim does the same act we hear a “Muslim fundamentalist or extremist”. Many actions are perpetrated by Muslims in the name of Islam for political or personal gain, which have nothing to do with Islam or its teachings. Islam condemns the killing of civilians and in the Quran permission is given to fight in self defense, or to drive out those oppressors who have driven you out of your land. Allah says in the Quran:
Chapter 2
190. And fight in the Way of Allâh those who fight you, but transgress not the limits. Truly, Allâh likes not the transgressors. [This Verse is the first one that was revealed in connection with Jihâd, but it was supplemented by another (V.9:36)].
191. And kill them wherever you find them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out. And Al-Fitnah is worse than killing. And fight not with them at Al-Masjid-al-Harâm (the sanctuary at Makkah), unless they (first) fight you there. But if they attack you, then kill them. Such is the recompense of the disbelievers.
It is not a license to kill every one but strict rules are attached to combat in Islam. One has no right to cut down trees, to kill old people, women and children. Allah says clearly above in the Quran that he does not like transgressors. The other misconception attached to this is the misunderstanding that because Islam is the Religion of peace then Muslims should not fight back when being attacked but rather turn the other cheek. All over the world Muslims who are being attacked and resist are in turn called terrorist and a vow is made to exterminate them. In all fairness any nation that is attacked will defend itself from oppression and occupation, but Muslims are expected to give in and not resist and hand over the keys. The term jihad is highly misunderstood, a jihad is a struggle and can take shape of a military struggle or a struggle in owns self. Muslims standing firm on their faith is a big struggle too.
4. Islam oppresses women.
One of the first things shown to women in the west is that Islam oppresses them, by forcing them to wear the veil. What is not perceived is that Islam in covering women protects them from the evils of the society, since in Islam a woman is treated with utmost respect. I am sure one cannot disrespect the womb that bore him. Islam treats women with gentleness that needs to be protected. This veil is protecting her (married or unmarried) from the evils of man. Islam actually gives rights to women, when a woman marries in the west she becomes her husband’s property. She takes her husbands name and loses her family name. Her property is passed on to her husband. Whereas in Islam the woman retains her maiden name and her property is hers to do what she pleases. Obviously she would do best to take her husband’s advice on the matter. Woman in Islam is the full equal partner for man as Allah says in the Quran that the spouse is a garment for one another, because they are supposed to be a comfort for each other
Chapter 2:
187 Permitted to you, on the night of the fasts, is the approach to your wives. They are your Garments and ye are their Garments
Chapter 7
189 It is He Who has created you from a single person (Adam), and (then) He has created from him his wife [Hawwa (Eve)], in order that he might enjoy the pleasure of living with her.
The prophet Mohamed (peace be upon him) taught that “the best amongst the men are those who are best to their wives.” There are if not thousands, but tens of thousands of Muslim men who help their wives, who cook and clean and nurse their wives when they are sick. If Islam oppressed women, we should as ourselves why mainly women are coming to Islam. Well educated women not uneducated ones. The dress code in Islam is modest for both men and women. In Islam a girl has the right to refuse a marriage proposal.
5. Muslims don’t believe in GOD or worship a different GOD.
Allah is the name for GOD in Arabic. So even an Arab Christian would say Allah when he is referring to GOD. Allah for the Muslims is the only one GOD who has no partners, no sons and daughters and wives unlike the ancient pagan GODS. He is neither born nor does he give birth. Allah is exactly the same word which the Jews in Hebrew use Eloha. Islam, Christianity and Judaism worship the same GOD, and the prophets they believe in are the same too. The same messengers brought the same messages at different time to different people. Islam believes in Jesus and Moses and all other prophets. Islam reveres Jesus as one of the greatest Porphet sent to mankind and his mother Mary is revered too. More than a whole chapter of the Quran is devoted to Mary and Prophet Jesus (peace be upon them all).
6. Islam was spread by the sword and is intolerant of other faiths.
The usual picture of a Muslim shown to people especially in the west is an image of a Muslim with a sword or a gun in one hand and a Quran in the other. Conquering and forcibly converting nation after nation. This is a total distortion of the truth. Islam has always respected and given freedom to all faiths. Non muslim nations have lived together with Muslims in Muslim countries in harmony for centuries. Allah says in the holy Quran:
Chapter 60:
8. Allâh does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion and did not drive you out of your homes. Verily, Allâh loves those who deal with equity.
9. It is only as regards those who fought against you on account of religion, and have driven you out of your homes, and helped to drive you out, that Allâh forbids you to befriend them. And whosoever will befriend them, then such are the Zâlimûn (wrong-doers those who disobey Allâh).
I think this is fair in all accounts that one who is at peace with you, that you be at peace with them too and those who attack you, and yours and kill you and help others or support others who do so then they cannot be friends.
Islam is tolerant of other religions too since in the Quran Allah says:
Chapter 2
256. There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in Tâghût and believes in Allâh, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allâh is All-Hearer, All-Knower.
There are thousands if not millions of non Muslims working and living very comfortable lives in Muslim lands, earning very good wages and living in harmony with Muslims and are not forced to come to Islam. Non Muslims in Muslims are shown Islam in order that they understand it but in under no circumstances are they forced to accept the faith. In countries like The United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Palestine, Syria and Lebanon just to name a few, non Muslims are free to practice their faith and even have churches. Racism is not part of Islam in the Quran Allah says how he made all man equal:
Chapter 49
13. O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable of you with Allâh is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa [i.e. one of the Muttaqûn (pious - see V.2:2)]. Verily, Allâh is All-Knowing, All-Aware.
There are many other misconceptions and distortions about Islam that may be we can look at them on another occasion.
Who are Muslims.
Muslims are those who worship the one GOD. Those who submit themselves totally to the will of GOD. Muslims have to follow the above Pillars and pre requisites. Muslims all over the world share one brotherhood and as Malcolm X AKA Malik Shabbaz said about Islam after he returned from the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca:
Every one of the thousands at the airport, about to leave for Jeddah, was dressed this way. You could be a king or a peasant and no one would know. Some powerful personnages, who were discreetly pointed out to me, had on the same thing I had on. Once thus dressed, we all had begun intermittently calling out "Labbayka! (Allahumma) Labbayka!" (Here I come, O Lord!) Packed in the plane were white, black, brown, red, and yellow people, blue eyes and blond hair, and my kinky red hair -- all together, brothers! All honoring the same God, all in turn giving equal honor to each other. . . .
There were tens of thousands of pilgrims, from all over the world. They were of all colors, from blue-eyed blonds to black-skinned Africans. But we were all participating in the same ritual displaying a spirit of unity and brotherhood that my experiences in America had led me to believe never could exist between the white and the non-white...America needs to understand Islam, because this is the one religion that erases from its society the race problem. Throughout my travels in the Muslim world, I have met, talked to, and even eaten with people who in America would have been considered white -- but the "white" attitude was removed from their minds by the religion of Islam. I have never before seen sincere and true brotherhood practiced by all colors together, irrespecitve of their color. (Malcolm X, a muslim perspective as told by Alex Haley) (http://www.islamicity.com/Mosque/My...y/Malcolm_X.htm )
Below is a picture of a Nigerian Muslim praying in Nigeria. Muslims bow down 5 times a day facing Mecca. There are also some photos of Muslims men and women, falling on their faces and praying. All prophets including the Prophets Jesus prayed the same way.
Ge 17:3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,
Le 9:24 And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.
Nu 14:5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel.
Jos 5:14 And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? {captain: or, prince}
Jud 13:20 For it came to pass, when the flame went up toward heaven from off the altar, that the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame of the altar. And Manoah and his wife looked on it, and fell on their faces to the ground.
Ru 2:10 Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?
1Sa 20:41 And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.
2Sa 9:6 Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant! {Mephibosheth: also called Meribbaal}
2Sa 14:4 And when the woman of Tekoah spake to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, and did obeisance, and said, Help, O king. {Help: Heb. Save}
1Ki 18:7 And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Art thou that my lord Elijah?
1Ki 18:39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.
2Ki 1:13 And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight. {fell: Heb. bowed}
Mt 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
Mr 14:35 And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
NiGerian PIC BOY Prostrating PIC Man PROSTRTING PIC Woman PROSTRATING PIC
Muslims all over the world follow the same concept of GOD, Mohamed (peace be upon him) was just a messenger of GOD who like other prophets brought a message to the people. Muslims do not worship the prophet Mohamed (peace be upon him).
Below are some more pictures of some more Muslims just to show the Universality of Islam. There were lords of The British Empire who chose Islam as their faith
Sir Archibald Hamilton:
A distinguished convert buried in Brookwood is Sir Abdullah Archibald Hamilton, baronet, a relation of the English royal family. He is pictured here with his wife. He died in March 1939.
"Sir Archibald, fifth baronet of the first (1776) creation and third baronet of the second creation (1819), succeeded to these baronetcies on the death of his father, the late Sir Charles Edward Hamilton, in 1915.
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Deputy Inspector General Charles William Buchanan-Hamilton (Royal Navy):
PIC ====
Lady Buchanan-Hamilton: A woman convert, also buried at Brookwood, is Lady Khalida Buchanan-Hamilton, President of the British Muslim Society of the time. She was the wife of Deputy Inspector General Charles William Buchanan-Hamilton, referred to above.
For more details and pictures of these lords and their comments go to
http://www.radwan.cwc.net/britishmuslims.html
Jessie Davidson (Ameenah) Geo tyler
Also you will find the famous Lord Headley pictured here who was a staunch Muslim
Here he is in the two piece garment for the Hajj Here in Arab head dress. Lord headley again
Lord headley hajj
More British elite on here http://www.radwan.cwc.net/mrbritmuslims.html and also on here http://www.radwan.cwc.net/morephotos.html
Here we have some Modern day Muslims
Jermain Jackson (Michael’s brother) Yvonne Ridley (award winning British Journalist) Malcom X (Malik Shabbaz )
Was captured by Taliban in Afghanistan Praying in a masjid Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens ) Ex rock star
Conclusion
To the best of My ability I have tried to give you the proper picture of Islam, which I hope has been informative and beneficial to you. I hope it has cleared any misconceptions you had in your minds about Islam and Muslims.
From all the information gathered above will it be fair to say that all the prophets sent to Mankind, even Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) were Muslims. I leave it up to you to decide.
Until we meet again I greet you with the greeting of the prophets.
Peace be with you
Aboo Mohammad
Muslim Apologist blogger, Author.