What Is Islam

<LI>What is Islam ?

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.

A Moroccan in prayer Muslims praying in Jerusalem outside the Dome of the Rock <LI>Who are the Muslims?

One billion people from a vast range of races* nationalities and cultures across the globe - from the southern Philippines to Nigeria - are united by their common Islamic faith. About 18% live in the Arab world; the world's largest Muslim community is in Indonesia; substantial parts of Asia and most of Africa are Muslim* while significant minorities are to be found in the Soviet Union* China* North and South America* and Europe.
<LI>What do Muslims believe?

Muslims believe in One* Unique* Incomparable God; in the Angels created by Him; in the prophets through whom His revelations were brought to mankind; in the Day of Judgement and individual accountability for actions; in God's complete authority over human destiny and in life after death. Muslims believe in a chain of prophets starting with Adam and including Noah* Abraham* Ishmael* Isaac* Jacob* Joseph* Job* Moses* Aaron* David* Solomon* Elias* Jonah* John the Baptist* and Jesus* peace be upon them. But God's final message to man* a reconfirmation of the eternal message and a summing-up of all that has gone before was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad through Gabriel.
<LI>How does someone become a Muslim?

Simply by saying 'there is no god apart from God* and Muhammad is the Messenger of God.' By this declaration the believer announces his or her faith in all God's messengers* and the scriptures they brought.
<LI>What does 'Islam' mean?

The Arabic word 'Islam' simply means 'submission'* and derives from a word meaning 'peace'. In a religious context it means complete submission to the will of God. 'Mohammedanism' is thus a misnomer because it suggests that Muslims worship Muhammad rather than God. 'Allah' is the Arabic name for God* which is used by Arab Muslims and Christians alike.
<LI>Why does Islam often seem strange?

Islam may seem exotic or even extreme in the modern world. Perhaps this is because religion does not dominate everyday life in the West today* whereas Muslims have religion always uppermost in their minds* and make no division between secular and sacred. They believe that the Divine Law* the Shari'a* should be taken very seriously* which is why issues related to religion are still so important.
<LI>Do Islam and Christianity have different origins?

No. Together with Judaism* they go back to the prophet and patriarch Abraham* and their three prophets are directly descended from his sons Muhammad from the eldest* Ishmael* and Moses and Jesus from Isaac. Abraham established the settlement which today is the city of Makkah* and built the Ka'ba towards which all Muslims turn when they pray.
<LI>What is the Ka'ba?

The Ka'ba is the place of worship which God commanded Abraham and Ishmael to build over four thousand years ago. The building was constructed of stone on what many believe was the original site of a sanctuary established by Adam. God commanded Abraham to summon all mankind to visit this place* and when pilgrims go there today they say 'At Thy service* O Lord'* in response to Abraham's summons.

The Mountain of Lightwhere Gabriel came toProphet Muhammad. 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.

FPRIVATE "TYPE=PICT;ALT="
Taj Mahal* India. Hui Shen Mosque* China* Built in the 7th Century.
Within a few years* great civilizations and universities were flourishing* for according to the Prophet* 'seeking knowledge is an obligation for every Muslim man and woman'. The synthesis of Eastern and Western ideas and of new thought with old* brought about great advances in medicine* mathematics* physics* astronomy* geography* architecture* art* literature* and history. Many crucial systems such as algebra* the Arabic numerals* and also the concept of the zero (vital to the advancement of mathematics)* were transmitted to medieval Europe from Islam. Sophisticated instruments which were to make possible the European voyages of discovery were developed* including the astrolabe* the quadrant and good navigational maps.