Foremost, Islam is a religion of peace. Allah has provided
us with a complete code of law and guidance. In this post, which will be my
first post, I will write about the basic beliefs and teachings. If you are
familiar with Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, you will notice that some parts of
this post are curled from that community. This is because I am trying to become
a better Muslim too through research and posts on this blog. Now, to today's
topic.
The very basic principles, the Articles of Faith, and the pillars
of Islam are briefly described
THE ARTICLES OF FAITH
1. Unity of Allah (TAUHEED)
Acknowledgement of the Oneness of Allah is the most
important principle of Islam. The most emphasized aspect of Allah in Islam is
His Unity. LA ILAHA ILALLAHO MUHAMMADDUR RASOOLALLAH (There is no God but
Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger. To associate partners with Allah (Shirk)
is the gravest sin in Islam. Sura Al-Ikhlas is devoted exclusively to Allah's
Oneness
2. Angels (Malai'kah)
Angels are spiritual beings created by Allah to obey Him and
carry out His commandments. Indeed, amongst their tasks are: to bring divine
revelations to the prophets; bring punishment on the prophets' enemies; pray
for and give glad tidings to believers; glorify Allah with His praise; and keep
records of man's deeds.
3. Books (Kutub)
Allah has revealed laws to the Muslim ummah through some of
his prophets which all Muslims should believe in. These are the Torah of Moses
(Musa) (pbuh), the Psalms of David (Da'ud) (pbuh) and the Gospel (Injeel) of
Jesus (I'esa) (pbuh).All Holy Scriptures were perfected in the Holy Qur'an.
4. Prophets (Anbiya)
Allah sent prophets among the people of every nation. As in
a verse of the Qur'an "... and there is no people to whom a Warner has not
been sent." Qur'an chapter 35 verse 25.
However, just as Muslims believe that the Holy Qur'an was
sent to all mankind, encompassing the teachings of earlier scriptures, so also
Muslims believe that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the greatest and the
Seal of all the prophets, having been sent not to just one nation but to all
nations and thus to all mankind.
5. The day of judgement (Yaumideen)
As a Muslim, there is belief that the physical death is not
the end of man's existence as man will be resurrected on judgement day.
Everybody's deeds will be judged and we will all be rewarded accordingly.
NOTE: According to Ahmadiyya Muslim Community where I read
from, Hell is said to be a temporary condition but as it is clearly stated in
the Qur'an:
"They (the disbelievers) will long to get out of the
Fire, but never will they get out therefrom, and theirs will be a lasting
torment" Qur'an chapter 5 verse 37
"And those who followed will say: "if only we had
one more chance to return (to the worldly life), we would disown (declare
ourselves innocent from) them as they have disowned (declared themselves
innocent from) us." Thus Allah will show them their deeds as regrets for
them.
And they will never get out of the Fire." Qur'an
chapter 2 verse 167.
There are some parts of the Qur'an which some scholars use
to explain to us Hell is temporary. "And on the Day when He will gather
them (all) together (and say): "O
ye ASSEMBLY OF JINNS! Many did you mislead of men," and their
Auliya'(friends and helpers) amongst men will say: "Our Lord! We benefited one from the other, but now we have reached our appointed term which
You did appoint for us." He will say:"The Fire be your dwelling-place,
you will dwell therein forever, except as
Allah may will. Certainly your Lord All-wise, All-knowing." Qur'an
chapter 6 verse 128. (Note: I believe this verse is directed at the Jinns)
"They will dwell therein for all the time that the
heavens and the earth endure, except as your Lord wills. Verily, your Lord is
the doer of what He wills". Qur'an chapter 11 verse 107.
6. Divine decree (Taqdir)
This means "the absolute decree of good and bad by
God". This means that God has pre ordained all our acts and choices.
THE FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM
These are the principal acts of worship which are required
to practice the faith.
1. Declaration of Faith (Kalimah Shahadah)
This is the main pillar of Islam as it signifies the believers’
belief in monotheism. This statement is: "Ash-hado an-la ilaha ilAllaho wa
ash-hado anna Muhammadan abdohu wa rasoolohu"
2. Prayer
Prayer is the most important means by which man communicates
with Allah. Its importance cannot be emphasized enough.
"You shall recite what is revealed to you of the book
and observe the Salat, for the Salat prohibits vice and evil and the remembrance
of God is the most important. God knows what you do" Qur'an chapter 29
verse 45.
I am God, there is no god but Me, therefore you shall
worship Me and observe the Salat to commemorate Me. Qur'an chapter 20 verse 14.
There are several other verses in the Qur'an which shows
that Salat is very important as it protects the believers from evil and vice,
strengthens our belief and attain certainty and along with charity, they are
the best investment in the Hereafter.
Allah also assures believers that prayers are heard.
"When My servants ask thee concerning Me, say: I am near. I answer the
prayer of the supplicant when he prays to Me. So they should hearken to Me and
have believe in Me, that they may follow the right way." Qur'an chapter 2
verse 187.
3. Fasting during Ramadan (Saum)
Fasting is to abstain from food, drink, smoking and conjugal
relations from dawn to sunset by all able adult believers. The Holy Qur'an
allows exemption from fasting to the elderly, the chronically sick and
children. They may make up for fasting by feeding the poor. Temporary exemption is permitted to those traveling,
the sick, pregnant and nursing women and menstruating women. They are expected
to make up the fasts at a later time.
4. Tax on Wealth (Zakaat)
This is the purification of wealth. It is a kind of tax
which requires a Muslim to give up a certain amount of his possessions (2% rate
on a yearly basis) for the upkeep of the poor and those who have no earning
capacity; for the destitute; for travelers in need; for those serving in the
way of Islam, for those fighting in the way of Allah; for slaves to buy their
freedom; and for benevolent works.
5. Hajj (Holy pilgrimage)
This is the pilgrimage to Mecca which a Muslim who is able
bodied and has the means is required to perform at least once in his lifetime.
It is performed in Mecca and other holy sites and extends over several days.
Verily, Allah does as He pleases. If there is anything you wish to add or complain about please leave your comments. May God be with us All.
