Core Values of Islam - The Religion of Islam Core Values of Islam Font size: Description: The article will present the most important aspects of Islam: core beliefs, religious practices, Quran, teachings of Prophet Muhammad, and the Shariah.� A simple article that synthesizes Islam in a nutshell.

Category: By Imam Kamil Mufti (� 2013 IslamReligion.com) Published on 27 May 2013 Last modified on 04 Jan 2015 Printed: 831 Viewed: 265314 (daily average: 201) Rating: 4 out of 5 Rated by: 45 Best Rate it It is difficult to limit all of Islam into a few core values.� Nevertheless, the most important beliefs and religious practices were identified by Prophet Muhammad himself.� Thus, there is general agreement on them among all Muslims.� It provides an interesting comparison since modern Jews and Christians do not have similar uniformity in their belief systems.� Christians, for example, have numerous creeds [1] and Jews do not have any agreed upon beliefs.� Modern Jews mostly agree over the 613 commandments that Maimonides, a Jewish rabbi from Muslim Spain, recorded and classified in the 12th century.

Additionally, Muslim scholars, past and present, have also identified and in certain cases agreed on the core teachings of the Quran, of Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, and the �essentials� of Islamic Law (Shariah). Core Islamic Beliefs: Six Articles of Faith More than a billion Muslims share a common set of fundamental beliefs that are described as "Articles of Faith." These articles of faith form the foundation of Islamic belief system. 1.� Belief in One God: The most important teaching of Islam is that only God is to be served and worshipped.� Also, the biggest sin in Islam is to worship other beings with God.� In fact, Muslims believe that it is the only sin that God does not forgive if a person dies before repenting from it. 2.� Belief in Angels: God created unseen beings called angels who work tirelessly to administer His kingdom in full obedience.� The angels surround us at all times, each has a duty; some record our words and deeds.

3.��� Belief in Prophets of God: Muslims believe that God communicates His guidance through human prophets sent to every nation.� These prophets start with Adam and include Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad, peace be upon them.� The main message of all the prophets has always been that there is only One true God and He alone is worthy of being supplicated to and worshipped. 4.��� Belief in Revealed Books of God: Muslims believe that God revealed His wisdom and instructions through �books� to some of the prophets like the Psalms, Torah, and the Gospel.� Over time, however, the original teachings of these books got distorted or lost.� Muslims believe the Quran is God�s final revelation revealed to Prophet Muhammad and has been fully preserved.

5.��� Belief in Day of Judgment: The life of this world and all that is in it will come to an end on an appointed day.� At that time, every person will be raised from the dead.� God will judge each person individually, according to his faith and his good and bad actions.� God will show mercy and fairness in judgment.� According to Islamic teachings, those who believe in God and perform good deeds will be eternally rewarded in Heaven.� Those who reject faith in God will be eternally punished in the fire of Hell. 6.��� Belief in Destiny and Divine Decree: Muslims believe that since God is the Sustainer of all life, nothing happens except by His Will and with His full knowledge.� This belief does not contradict the idea of free will.� God does not force us, our choices are known to God beforehand because His knowledge is complete.� This recognition helps the believer through difficulties and hardships.

Core Religious Practice of Islam: The Five "Pillars" of Islam In Islam, worship is part of daily life and is not limited to mere rituals.� The formal acts of worship are known as the five "pillars" of Islam.� The five pillars of Islam are the declaration of faith, prayer, fasting, charity, and pilgrimage. 1.��� Declaration of Faith: The "Declaration of Faith" is the statement, "La ilaha illa Allah wa Muhammad Rasul-ullah", meaning "There is no deity worthy of being worship except God (Allah), and Muhammad is the Messenger (Prophet) of God").� The Declaration of Faith is more than just a statement; it must be shown with one's actions.� To convert to the faith of Islam, a person has to say this statement.

2.��� Daily Prayer: Prayer is a method by which a Muslim connects to God and gathers spiritual strength and peace of mind.� Muslims perform five formal prayers a day.� 3.��� Zakah: A type of charity.� Muslims recognize that all wealth is a blessing from God, and certain responsibilities are required in return.� In Islam, it is the duty of the wealthy to help the poor and needy.� 4.��� Fast of Ramadan: Once each year, Muslims are commanded to fast for an entire month from dawn to sunset.� The period of intense spiritual devotion is known as the fast of Ramadan in which no food, drink and sex is allowed during the fast.� After sunset one can enjoy these things.� During this month Muslims practice self-control and focus on prayers and devotion.� During the fast, Muslims learn to sympathize with those in the world who have little to eat. 5.��� The Hajj Pilgrimage to Mecca: Every Muslim strives to make once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage to the sacred sites in Mecca, in present-day Saudi Arabia.� It is the most intense spiritual experience for a Muslim.� Typically, 2-3 million perform hajj every year.

Core of the Quran: Surah (Chapter) al-Fatihah Scholars consider Surah al-Fatihah, the first chapter of the Quran, to be the core of the Quran.� It is recited in every formal prayer in the Arabic language.� The translation follows: "I begin with the name of God, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.� �All praise and thanks are for God, the Lord of the worlds.� The Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. Sovereign of the Day of Recompense.� You alone we worship and You alone we ask for help.� Guide us to the Straight Path (of Islam), the path of those You have blessed, not the path of those who have incurred Your wrath nor of those who have gone astray." To listen the recitation of Surah al-Fatiha click here Core Teachings of Prophet Muhammad Classical scholars of Islam have condensed the teachings of Prophet Muhammad into a few statements.� These comprehensive statements touch every aspect of our lives.� Some of them are: 1) Actions are judged by the intention behind them. 2) God is Pure and does not accept anything unless it is pure and God has commanded the faithful with what He commanded the prophets.

3) Part of a person�s good observance of Islam is to leave aside what does not concern him. 4) A person cannot be a complete believer unless he loves for his brother what he loves for himself. 5) One should not harm himself or others. 6) Don�t let your focus in this life be to amass worldly gain and God will love you.� Don�t be concerned with what people have, and they will love you. Core of Islamic Law or Shariah The core of Islamic Law is preservation of: 1) Religion Islam Beliefs and Practices Download this Newsletter Issue in pdf (3.24 MB) Islam Beliefs and Practices Traditions Interfering with Islam Meaning of Islam Islam means to submit freely to The Commandments and Will of The One and Only God (Allah). This submission should come from within, from sound belief in and conviction to Allah, with no doubt. It should also come from love, trust, and affection. Allah is not a special god for Muslims, but Allah is The Creator of all creatures, including mankind. The Prophet Muhammad (Peace on him) is the Messenger of Allah.

The Prophet Muhammad (Peace on him) received The Word of Allah (revelation), through the archangel Gabriel (The Holy Spirit). This revelation comprises the Religion of Islam. The Qur'an is the authentic collection of this revelation recorded in book form. It is the exact, unchanged Word of Allah to all mankind. A Muslim is any male or female person who believes in Allah and the Prophet Muhammad (Peace on him) as His Messenger who then testifies to that belief to witnesses announcing his/her acceptance of Islam as his/her religion. "Muslim' should not be confused with "Arab"; A Muslim is a person who follows the religion of Islam and s/he can be of any race while Arab refers to a race of people. An Arab can choose to be of any religion or belief system be it Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, atheism, or any faith. Arabs make up less than 18% of the Muslim population of the world today, which is estimated to be over one-fifth of the world's population, or more than a billion people. Islam is a simple and practical religion. It has established, clear, and easily understandable beliefs and laws that any follower or student of the religion can easily understand.

Islam affirms belief in a decent, civilized society. Islam also does not demand impossible goodness of its followers, but it recognizes that all human beings make mistakes and sin. No one is exempt. Islam preaches peace, mercy, justice, tolerance, equality, love, truth, forgiveness, patience, morality, sincerity and righteousness. Islam is the religion that preaches the Oneness of God, the Oneness of mankind and the Oneness of the Message. Basic Beliefs in Islam Oneness of God: "Tawheed" Muslims believe that there is ONLY One supreme God (Allah). In Islam to believe in Allah is not only to believe in Allah's existence but also to believe in all Allah's attributions, to worship Allah alone, and to obey all Allah's commands. Tawheed includes the oneness of the Lordship, oneness of Worship and oneness of Names and Attributes: A) Oneness of Lordship: To believe that Allah is The ONLY Creator, Provider, and The Commander. B) Oneness of Worship: To believe that Allah is the ONLY God who should be worshipped, and obeyed as Allah prescribed.

C) Oneness of Allah's Names and Attributes: To believe that Allah Is Perfect and His Names and Attributes are Perfect according to what Allah tells us about Himself in the Quran, believing that those Names and Attributes, in their perfection, belong only to Allah. ◊ Muslims believe that NO one shares Allah's divinity that is neither angel nor human. Allah says: "And Allah makes none to share in His decision and His rule." (Holy Quran 18:26) ◊ Muslims do not believe that Allah sleeps, gets tired, or dies. Those attributes are only for Allah's creations. Allah has neither Weakness nor Weariness. ◊ Muslims do not believe that human beings are created in the image of Allah. ◊ Muslims believe that there is no intermediary who will take any one nearer to Allah or plead on anyone's behalf. They believe that any individual can directly supplicate to Allah and ask for anything he/she wants. Oneness of Mankind ◊ People are created equal in the sight of Allah. There is no superiority of one over another for any reason except piety and righteousness. Muslims are required to respect the dignity of mankind, regardless of religion, race, nationality, or place of birth, all of mankind are honored.

◊ People are not to be judged on factors that they had no choice over, such as gender, color, size, race, health, etc. Islam teaches that human diversity is a sign of the richness of Allah's mercy and the beauty of His creation. Prophet Muhammad said: "Surely Allah does not look at your faces or your bodies, but looks at your hearts and your deeds". ◊ In Islam there are no priests, priesthood or holy men, and no one has special access to sacraments, there are however, scholars who are knowledgeable of Islam, and their duty is to truthfully explain Islam to others. THEY ARE JUST ADVISORS. ◊ Islam teaches people to be moderate in their life. Muslims should not give up totally this life for the hereafter, nor give up the work for the hereafter totally for this life only. Oneness of The Message Muslims believe that Allah Sent Messengers to each nation hroughout the history of humankind. Messengers came with the same message: to worship the One Supreme God and to obey His Commands. Innocence of mankind at Birth. Muslims believe that people are born free of any sin and bear no responsibility for other's faults and sins.

It is only after they reach the age of puberty, and they knowingly commit sins that they will be held responsible for their actions in this life and the hereafter. There is no original sin in Islam. Muslims believe that both Adam and Eve were equally tempted, both sinned, and were both responsible for disobedying Allah. Both were remorseful and repented, and Allah forgave both of them. Muslims believe that no soul is responsible for the sins and faults of others, even if they are their parents, children, wives or husbands. Muslims believe that forgiveness is always available through repentance. Muslims pray for repentance directly to Allah, without any intermediary. Salvation in Islam is only through belief and practice. both go together, side-by-side, to be granted salvation. Pillars of Islam There are five pillars of Islam: 1. Shahada (Testify) 5. Hajj (Pilgrimage) Shahada (Creed) The verbal commitment and pledge that there is no deity but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. See Shahada Video for correct pronunciation.

Salah (Mandatory Worship [Prayer]) It is the duty of every Muslim, male and female, after reaching the age of puberty, to perform five Salats (Prayers) at specific times during the day and night. These five specific times are: - Dawn, Noon, Afternoon, Sunset, and Night. A ritual called Wudu (Cleaning several parts of the body with water) is a prerequisite to Salah. The above picture is one "rak'a", i.e, one set of standing, bowing, prostrating and sitting. Each Salah consists of several Rak'a. Muslims are strongly encouraged to pray in the masjid, but if that is beyond their ability, they can pray anywhere that is clean; Muslims do not make Salah in a bathroom. Siyam (Fasting) Fasting during the month of Ramadan (the ninth month of the lunar calendar) is from sun up to sun down only and is an obligation on every adult healthy Muslim, male or female. Fasting is total abstinence from eating, drinking, smoking, gum chewing, intimate relations, and taking anything into the body. If a person is ill and needs to take medication, s/he cannot fast.

Fasting is also a time to discipline one's self from bad behaviors, such as arguing and saying mean things. Those who are ill or unable to fast for health or reasons of age are exempt from fasting. However, they should feed the poor one meal for every day they miss of fasting. Women who are pregnant, menstruating, or nursing, or any who are traveling, are also exempt from fasting. However, when their situation changes, they make up the days of fasting or feed the poor one meal for each day of fasting they missed. Zakah (Charity) Zakat is an annual obligatory charity on every Muslim, male or female, who possesses over the last year money or property that exceeds their minimum needs. The requirement is 2.5% of one's excess wealth. It is also called a tax because it supports the government workers who are not free to make money elsewhere. Hajj (Pilgrimage) The performance of the pilgrimage to Makkah, Saudi Arabia is required once in a lifetime of every Muslim, if financially able, as well as physically able.

Hajj begins every year during the month of Dul Hejja; Dul Hejja is the 12th month of the Islamic (lunar) calendar year. The Hajj is a spiritual journey where a Muslim forgets all worldly things and devotes his\her attention and time to Allah alone. Pillars of Faith In Islam, there are six pillars of faith: Belief in Allah, His angels, His books to mankind, His Prophets and Messengers, the Day of Judgment, and Destiny. 1. Belief in God (Allah) Islam teaches that there is one Unique God (Allah) who should be worshipped and obeyed. 2. Belief in Mala-eka (Angels) Muslims believe that Allah created unseen creatures such as Angels. Muslims believe in their existence, their names, their tasks, and descriptions as explained in the Quran and in the Sunnah (Teachings of the Prophet). 3. Belief in the Books of Allah Muslims believe that Allah from time to time revealed books to mankind through His Prophets. These books originated from the same divine source; they are all divine revelations. Muslims believe in the original text of these books when they were revealed.

The five prominent divine books are: 1) Abraham's Scrolls; 2) Zabur (Psalms) revealed to Prophet David; 3) Tawrah (Torah) revealed to Prophet Moses; 4) Injil (Gospel) revealed to Prophet Jesus; 5) Quran revealed to Prophet Muhammad. 4. Belief in the Prophets of Allah Muslims believe that Allah sent Prophets to all mankind as messengers for their guidance. Muslims believe in their existence, their names, and their messages, as Allah and His Prophet informed about them. Prophets are void of divinity because divinity is exclusive only to Allah (God) the Almighty. They are all righteous, truthful, and pious men chosen by Allah to be models to all mankind, both their words and deeds being in accordance with the divine commandments. 5. Belief in Yawm al-Qiyama (Day of Judgement) Muslims believe that the life of this world and all that is in it will come to an end on one appointed day, when everything will be annihilated.

This day will resurrect all the dead; Allah will judge with perfect justice each person individually according to his good or bad actions that he did during his life, and every victim will have his/ her rights. Allah will reward those who lead a righteous life and did good deeds by sending them to Paradise (Jannah). Allah forgives whom He pleases of those who disobeyed His Command, or punish them in the Hellfire (Jahannam). 6. Qada wal-Qada (Destiny, Divine Decree) Muslims believe that since the whole universe is entirely under the direction and control of Allah, then everything that is or that happens in this universe, from the smallest to the greatest event is governed by Allah. Muslims put their trust in Allah only. They are required, however, to make a sincere effort to strive and do their best, and not simply sit back and let things take their course in blind resignation. Such belief gives a person a tremendous degree of inner certainty, confidence and peace of heart, especially in the face of afflictions. Moreover, he lives with the assurance that whatever is to come to any individual, including death, cannot fail to come at its appointed time.

• The Islamic Shariah (Laws of Islam) Shariah is the divine code of practice which guides a Muslim in all affairs of his/her life, it is divided into two categories: Ebadat (system of worship), and Muamalat (system of dealing). The main source that governs all the laws of Islam is Allah through two channels; the first is the Quran, the book of Allah, and the second is the Sunnah, which is the authentic recording of the sayings, traditions of the Prophet and whatever his companion said or did to which he showed no objection. • The Lawful and the Unlawful in Islam The basic rule governing the issue of the lawful and the unlawful is that things are lawful unless one of the sources of the Islamic laws specifies that they are unlawful. In Islam it is prohibited to drink alcohol, use drugs, use interest, and all immoral conducts. It is also prohibited to eat the meat of pork, predators (animals and birds) and all dead animals. • War War is not an objective of Islam nor is it the normal course of Muslims; it is only the last resort and is used under the most extraordinary circumstances, when all other attempts at just and peaceful solutions to the dispute fail.

In Islam, every being is entitled to enjoy a free and peaceful life, regardless of religious, geographical or racial considerations. If non-Muslims are living peacefully or even indifferently with the Muslims, there can be no grounds or justification to declare war on them or to begin hostilities, embark on any act of aggression, or violate their rights. • Jihad In Islam Jihad does not mean "Holy war". And is not a declaration of war against other religions and certainly not against Christians and Jews, as some people want it to be perceived. Jihad literally means "striving, struggling or exerting more effort than usual for the betterment of one's self and the community at large." It has an internal, societal and combative dimension. - The internal dimension of Jihad encompasses the struggle against the evil inclinations of the self; it involves every Muslim's earnest, moral efforts to resist all internal or external inclination towards sin of all kinds. This includes the struggle to overcome problems, difficulties, tasks, and temptations. - The social dimension includes struggling against social injustice and creating a communal identity based on charity, respect and equality. Also it takes the form of calling people with the community to enjoin good and forbid evil.

- Finally, the combative aspect of jihad is in the form of a just war to be used against aggression or to fight forces of tyranny and evil oppression, and, even then, to observe the strict limits of conduct prescribed by Islam that preserves the life of innocents and the sanctity of the environment. - Islam rejects all forms of terrorism, extremism, fanatism and fundamentalism. The religion of Islam guarantees the sanctity of life (the life of a non-Muslim is considered as sacred as that of a Muslim), honor, property, and freedom to embrace and practice any religion they freely choose, and all other conducts as long as those conducts do not hurt others. To terrorize people or spread fear in any society or hurt others; all are considered major sins in Islam; Allah prescribed severe punishments for those who are involved in such actions. • Women in Islam Islam looks at the woman as an equal, mature and capable partner of a man, without whom a family cannot exist and teaches that men and women are all the creation of Allah, existing on a level of equal worth and value. In some societies women are treated according to ancestral customs and tribal tradition, but in Islam they are treated with full respect and honor.

Islam preserves women's honor and dignity, and requires that she must be treated with respect and honor. Her femininity should not be exploited in any way, rather she is to be regarded and treated as human individual whose sexuality does not enter into her relationship with any person other than her husband. In Islam marriage cannot take place unless the female freely agrees to it and a dowry is given to her. Islam puts priorities for the husbands and wives. The responsibility for providing for the family is on the husband, while the responsibility to care for the house and raising the children is on the wife. These are the main priorities, but cooperation between the husband and the wife is required and highly recommended. • Dress For both males and females, Islam requires that they wear proper, decent, modest, and clean clothes. Muslim women also are instructed by Allah in the Quran to wear as a minimum Hijab (head covering). At home, with her immediate family like her husband children, brothers, uncles, grandfathers and other males (family members who are forbidden to them to marry her), and with other women, a Muslim woman may take her outer garments off, and be free to beautify herself as she wants.

Unlawful clothing and adornment: -Tight clothing, transparent clothing, clothes that expose those parts of the body which are sexually attractive, extravagant clothes, swim suits, makeup or perfume in public, wigs and hairpieces. Gold and silk are prohibited to Men only, but lawful for Women. Generally in Islam, women's beauty and sexual attributes are not for public display. • Traditions Interfering with Islam The adherence to Islam (as with other religions) varies with the strength of the beliefs of the people. Sometimes culture and traditions interfere with religion, or even overshadow the religion. Some people claim that something in their culture or tradition is part of the religion, when it is not. Or do things that have no justification in Islam and are prohibited; yet that gets portrayed by others as the tenets of the religion of Islam. Also the beliefs and practices of Muslims should not be judged according to the beliefs and the laws of other religions since some lawful practices of one religion can be portrayed by other religion as unlawful or even wrong. Sometimes a conduct of certain people can be offensive to others and vice versa in spite of the fact that this conduct is not meant to offend others.

For example Islam commands Muslims to lower their eyes when they are talking to people of opposite gender out of respect and honor for the others. This can be offending to other cultures where eye contact is very important when communication. To live in peace and harmony in this world, one should realize that people were created differently and vary in the colors of their skin, their languages, and in their religions, cultures, and traditions. Some people may be different, but it does not mean that they are bad or evil. The Islamic Bulletin Five Pillars of Islam Five Pillars of Islam The 'Five Pillars' of Islam are the foundation of Muslim life: Faith or belief in the Oneness of God and the finality of the prophethood of Muhammad; Establishment of the daily prayers; Concern for and almsgiving to the needy; Self-purification through fasting; and The pilgrimage to Makkah for those who are able. Iman or Faith "There is none worthy of worship except God and Muhammad is the messenger of God." This declaration of faith is called the Shahadah, a simple formula that all the faithful pronounce.

The significance of this declaration is the belief that the only purpose of life is to serve and obey God, and this is achieved through the teachings and practices of the Last Prophet, Muhammad. Salah or Prayer Salah is the name for the obligatory prayers that are performed five times a day, and are a direct link between the worshipper and God. There is no hierarchical authority in Islam and there are no priests. Prayers are led by a learned person who knows the Qur'an and is generally chosen by the congregation. Prayers are said at dawn, mid-day, late-afternoon, sunset and nightfall, and thus determine the rhythm of the entire day. These five prescribed prayers contain verses from the Qur'an, and are said in Arabic, the language of the Revelation. Personal supplications, however, can be offered in one's own language and at any time. Although it is preferable to worship together in a mosque, a Muslim may pray almost anywhere, such as in fields, offices, factories and universities. Oftentimes visitors to the Muslim world are struck by the centrality of prayers in daily life. A translation of the Adan or Call to Prayer is: God is Great. There is none worthy of worship except God. Zakah The financial obligation upon Muslims.

An important principle of Islam is that everything belongs to God, and that wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. The word zakah means both "purification" and "growth." Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need and for the society in general. Like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth. Each Muslim calculates his or her own zakah individually. This involves the annual payment of a fortieth of one's capital, excluding such items as primary residence, car and professional tools. An individual may also give as much as he or she pleases as sadaqa-h, and does so preferably in secret. Although this word can be translated as "voluntary charity" it has a wider meaning.

The Prophet said, "Even meeting your brother with a cheerful face is an act of charity." The Prophet also said: "Charity is a necessity for every Muslim." He was asked: "What if a person has nothing?" The Prophet replied: "He should work with his own hands for his benefit and then give something out of such earnings in charity." The Companions of the Prophet asked: "What if he is not able to work?" The Prophet said: "He should help the poor and needy." The Companions further asked: "What if he cannot do even that?" The Prophet said: "He should urge others to do good." The Companions said: "What if he lacks that also?" The Prophet said: "He should check himself from doing evil. That is also an act of charity." Sawm or Fasting Every year in the month of Ramada-n, all Muslims fast from dawn until sundown--abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations with their spouses. Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are menstruating, pregnant or nursing, are permitted to break the fast and make up an equal number of days later in the year if they are healthy and able.

Children begin to fast (and to observe prayers) from puberty, although many start earlier. Although fasting is beneficial to health, it is mainly a method of self-purification and self-restraint. By cutting oneself from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person focuses on his or her purpose in life by constantly being aware of the presence of God. God states in the Qur'an: "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed to those before you that you may learn self-restraint." (Qur'an 2:183) Hajj or Pilgrimage The pilgrimage to Makkah (the hajj) is an obligation only for those who are physically and financially able to do so. Nevertheless, over two million people go to Makkah each year from every corner of the globe providing a unique opportunity for those of different nations to meet one another. The annual hajj begins in the twelfth month of the Islamic year (which is lunar, not solar, so that hajj and Ramada-n fall sometimes in summer, sometimes in winter). Pilgrims wear special clothes: simple garments that strip away distinctions of class and culture, so that all stand equal before God.

The rites of the hajj, which are of Abrahamic origin, include going around the Ka'bah seven times, and going seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa as did Hagar (Hajir, Abraham's wife) during her search for water. The pilgrims later stand together on the wide plains of 'Arafat (a large expanse of desert outside Makkah) and join in prayer for God's forgiveness, in what is often thought as a preview of the Day of Judgment. The close of the hajj is marked by a festival, the 'Id al Adha, which is celebrated with prayers and the exchange of gifts in Muslim communities everywhere. This and the 'Id al Fitr, a festive day celebrating the end of Ramada-n, are the two holidays of the Islamic calendar. Faqs - What Muslims Believe | Muslims | FRONTLINE | PBS WATCH SCHEDULE TOPICS ABOUT FRONTLINE SHOP TEACHER CENTER Basic Tenets of the Islamic Faith There are five fundamental practices that are generally common to Muslims worldwide. These are commonly known as the Five Pillars of Islam.

They include: Declaration of Faith - This is what people say to become Muslim, and it is repeated during prayer, in the call to prayer, and at other times during the day. This declaration of faith, called the shahada, states, "There is no god but God and Muhammad is his messenger." Prayer - Muslims are supposed to make five daily ritual prayers -- one at dawn, one at noon, another in the afternoon, at sunset, and before bed. These prayers may be performed alone or in a group. Friday is the Muslim Sabbath, so people may gather in a mosque for the noon prayer. This is called juma'a. Giving charity - Muslims are required to give of their bounty to those who have less. This is called zakat, which literally mean "purification." It is a tax of 2.5% of one's annual savings. Fasting during the month of Ramadan- Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims fast from dawn until dusk. They abstain from food, water, sex, cigarettes, gossip, anger, backbiting, and other negative behaviors. The fast is designed to encourage self-discipline and sympathy. Ramadan is the month when the first revelation was given to the prophet.

Pilgrimage, or hajj - If they are financially and physically able, Muslims are required to make a pilgrimage, or hajj, to Mecca once during their lives. Mecca is in Saudi Arabia, and is the site of the Kaaba, the building Muslims believe was the first house of worship dedicated to the one God. Several rituals are performed during hajj: circling the Kaaba; running between the hills of Safa and Marwa (echoing Hagar's search for water for her son, Ishmael); traveling to the plain of Arafat, outside of Mecca; and throwing stones at pillars that symbolize the devil. Basic Beliefs of the Islamic Faith Muslims share certain beliefs, including: The oneness of God (Allah) - For Muslims, there is no entity worthy of worship but Allah. Allah has no partners, no progeny and no gender. Belief in God's prophets - Muslims believe that Allah's message was given to numerous prophets, including Noah, Abraham, Moses, Elijah, and Jesus, and other prophets common to Christianity and Judaism, as well as Muhammad.

Muslims believe that Muhammad is the last prophet, in part because he had the most success instituting God's word in his lifetime. Belief in angels - Muslims believe in spiritual beings who do the will of God. Belief in sacred books - These include the Torah, the Psalms, the Gospel, and the Quran. The day of judgment and resurrection - Muslims believe that human beings are accountable for their behavior during their lifetimes. At death, that behavior is part of what determines how the person will be judged. The Five Pillars of Islam | CARM Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry The Five Pillars of Islam by Matt Slick The Five Pillars of Islam are core beliefs that shape Muslim thought, deed, and society. A Muslim who fulfills the Five Pillars of Islam, remains in the faith of Islam, and sincerely repents of his sins will make it to Jannah (paradise). If he performs the Five Pillars but does not remain in the faith, he will not be saved.

Shahada The Shahada is the Islamic proclamation that "There is no true God except Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah." This is the confession that Allah is the one and only true God, that Allah alone is worthy of worship, and that Allah alone is the sovereign lord who does what he wills with whoever he wills. It means that all his rules and laws found in the Koran are to be followed. It means that the Christian doctrine of God as a Trinity is false--as are all other belief systems including pantheism. Muhammad is the true and greatest prophet of Allah, and recognition of Muhammad as the Prophet of God is required. It was through Muhammad that Allah conveyed the last and final revelation. Prayer (Salat) Prayer involves confession of sins, which begins with the purification of the body and ends with the purification of the soul. Prayer is performed five times a day. The first prayer is at dawn and the last at sunset. The names of the prayers are Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha. The Maghrib prayer is the sunset prayer. Isha is the prayer that is said after sunset.

There is also a prayer that is said right after Fajr known as Shurooq. Fasting (Saum) The month of Ramadan is the month of fasting in Islam. It is an act of worship where the faithful follower denies his own needs and seeks Allah. Usually, this fasting entails no drinking, eating, or sexual relations during the daylight hours for the entire month of Ramadan. Alms-giving or charity (Zakat) This is about charity given to the poor. It benefits the poor and helps the giver by moving him towards more holiness and submission to Allah. Alms-giving is considered a form of worship to God. Pilgrimage (Hajj) This is the pilgrimage to Mecca. All Muslims, if they are able, are to make a pilgrimage to Mecca. It involves financial sacrifice and is an act of worship. Muslims must make the pilgrimage the first half of the last month of the lunar year. This article is available in: Português What is Islam? (part 1 of 4): The Core of Islam - The Religion of Islam What is Islam? (part 1 of 4): The Core of Islam What is Islam?

(part 1 of 4): The Core of Islam Rating: Font size: Description: The main message of Islam is the same basic message in all revealed religions, as they are all are from the same source, and the reasons for disparity found between religions. Category: By M.

Abdulsalam (� 2006 IslamReligion.com) Published on 30 Jan 2006 Last modified on 18 Mar 2014 Printed: 5338 Viewed: 370016 (daily average: 92) Rating: 4.2 out of 5 Rated by: 129 Best Rate it Among the blessings and favors that God has bestowed upon humanity is that He endowed them with an innate ability to recognize and acknowledge His existence.� He placed this awareness deep in their hearts as a natural disposition that has not changed since human beings were first created.� Furthermore, He reinforced this natural disposition with the signs that he placed in creation that testify to His existence.� However, since it is not possible for human beings to have a detailed knowledge of God except through revelation from Himself, God sent His Messengers to teach the people about their Creator Who they must worship.� These Messengers also brought with them the details of how to worship God, because such details cannot be known except by way of revelation.� These two fundamentals were the most important things that the Messengers of all the divine revelations brought with them from God.� On this basis, all the divine revelations have had the

 same lofty objectives, which are: 1.��� To affirm the Oneness of God - the praised and glorified Creator � in His essence and His attributes.

2.��� To affirm that God alone should be worshipped and that no other being should be worshipped along with Him or instead of Him. 3.��� To safeguard human welfare and oppose corruption and evil.� Thus, everything that safeguards faith, life, reason, wealth and lineage are part of this human welfare that religion protects.� On the other hand, anything that endangers these five universal needs is a form of corruption that religion opposes and prohibits. 4.��� To invite the people to the highest level of virtue, moral values, and noble customs. The ultimate goal of every Divine Message has always been the same: to guide the people to God, to make them aware of Him, and to have them worship Him alone.� Each Divine Message came to strengthen this meaning, and the following words were repeated on the tongues of all the Messengers: �Worship God, you have no god other than Him.� This message was conveyed to humanity by prophets and messengers which God sent to every nation.� All of these messengers came with this same message, the message of Islam.

All the Divine Messages came to bring the life of the people into willing submission to God.� For this reason, they all share the name of �Islam�, or �submission� derived from the same word as �Salam�, or �peace�, in Arabic.� Islam, in this sense, was the religion of all the prophets, but why does one see different variations of the religion of God if they all emanated from the same source? �The answer is twofold.� � The first reason is that as a result of the passage of time, and due to the fact that previous religions were not under the Divine protection of God, they underwent much change and variation.� As a result, we see that the fundamental truths which were brought by all messengers now differ from one religion to another, the most apparent being the strict tenet of the belief and worship of God and God alone.

The second reason for this variation is that God, in His infinite Wisdom and eternal Will, decreed that all the divine missions prior to the final message of Islam brought by Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, be limited to a specific time frame.� As a result, their laws and methodologies dealt with the specific conditions of the people whom they had been sent to address. Humanity has passed through numerous periods of guidance, misguidance, integrity, and deviation, from the most primitive age to the heights of civilization.� Divine guidance accompanied humanity through all of this, always providing the appropriate solutions and remedies.

This was the essence of the disparity that existed between the different religions.� This disagreement never went beyond the particulars of the Divine Law.� Each manifestation of the Law addressed the particular problems of the people it was meant for.� However, the areas of agreement were significant and many, such as fundamentals of faith; the basic principles and objectives of the Divine Law, such as protecting faith, life, reason, wealth, and lineage and establishing justice in the land; and certain fundamental prohibitions, some of the most important of these being idolatry, fornication, murder, theft, and giving false witness.� Moreover, they also agreed upon moral virtues like honesty, justice, charity, kindness, chastity, righteousness, and mercy.� These principles as well as others are permanent and lasting; they are the essence of all the Divine Messages and bind them all together. Ash Australia 22 Jun 2009 03:48 AM I liked this article because it gives you a breif description on what is Islam and how they use abd do things in there day to day life and how there God alowed them to see him and his existance.

Thankyou for giving me this plesure of reading this fantastic article but my rating was one star off being the best i've read so far, Bye from A.S.H liezl macayana Philippines 21 Jul 2013 01:54 AM thank you for giving me views about Islam...by reading this article..I used to read articles about Islam before and im happy to know that I found all knowledge through this website... May Allah give you more blessings to continue spreading His message. Peace be upon Him (Allah). Thank you. Add a comment Other Articles in the Same Category Category: Muhammad and the Faith of Islam [ushistory.org] 4i. Muhammad and the Faith of Islam courtesy Muslim Students Association, University of Southern California This verse from the Qur'an, originally written in Arabic, translates "Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah" (Qur'an 48:29) A man meditating alone in a cave near Mecca received a religious vision. This vision laid the foundations for a new religion. The year was 610 and the man's name was Muhammad.

And the belief system that arose from Muhammad's ideas became the basis of one of the world's most widely practiced religions: Islam. Muhammad was born around 570 in the city of Mecca, located on the Arabian Peninsula. Both of his parents died before Muhammad was six and he was raised by his grandfather and uncle. His family belonged to a poor clan that was active in Mecca politics. Following the traditions of wealthy families, he spent part of his childhood living with a Bedouin family. Bedouins led fairly isolated lives as nomadic herders in the harsh Arabian desert. Muhammad's experiences among these people most likely had a strong influence on the development of Islam. In his twenties, Muhammad began working as a merchant and soon married his employer, a rich woman named Khadijah. Over the next 20 years he became a wealthy and respected trader, traveling throughout the Middle East. He and his wife had six children — two boys (who did not live into adulthood) and four girls. By the time he was 40, he began having religious visions that would change his life. This is prophet Muhammad's mosque in Medina. A Revelation of Faith While meditating in a cave on Mount Hira, Muhammad had a revelation.

He came to believe that he was called on by God to be a prophet and teacher of a new faith, Islam, which means literally "submission." This new faith incorporated aspects of Judaism and Christianity. It respected the holy books of these religions and its great leaders and prophets — Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and others. Muhammad called Abraham "Khalil" ("God's friend") and identified him as Islam's ancient patriarch. Islam traces its heritage through Abraham's son Ishmael. Muhammad believed that he himself was God's final prophet. Central to Islamic beliefs are the Five Pillars of Faith, which all followers of Islam — called Muslims — must follow:: There is only one universal God: Allah. Followers of Islam (Muslims) are expected to pray five times each day while facing Mecca. All Muslims are expected to pay a yearly tax that is mostly intended to help the poor and needy. For the entire month of Ramadan, Muslims must not eat, smoke, drink, or have sexual relations from sunrise to sunset. All able Muslims must make a pilgrimage (hajj) to Mecca at least once in their lifetimes.

The Kaaba Mecca houses Islam's holiest site, the Kaaba, which was believed to have been built for Yahweh by Abraham and his son Ishmael. Islam spread at almost Internet-like speed, encompassing much of the former territories of the ancient Near East, North Africa, and Spain. Muhammad's message was especially well received by the poor and slaves. But many people were opposed to his message. This opposition only seemed to make him more determined. After years of publicly promoting his ideas, he became so disliked that some began plotting his murder. From Mecca to Medina and Back In 622, fearing for his life, Muhammad fled to the town of Medina. This flight from Mecca to Medina became known as the Hegira, Arabic for "flight." The Muslim calendar begins on this year. In Medina, the local people welcomed Muhammad and his followers. There, Muhammad built the first mosque, or Islamic temple, and began to work to separate Islam from Judaism and Christianity, which had originally influenced him. Whereas his followers had originally prayed while facing toward Jerusalem, he now had them face toward Mecca. Muhammad continued to have revelations from Allah.

The ideas from these revelations formed the basis of a poetic text called the Koran, which contains the fundamental ideas of Islam. Muhammad fought a number of battles against the people of Mecca. In 629, Muhammad returned to Mecca with an army of 1500 converts to Islam and entered the city unopposed and without bloodshed. Before his death two years later, he forcefully converted most of the Arabian Peninsula to his new faith and built a small empire. Jihad Belief in jihad is a common thread to many Islamic sects. Although the exact meaning of the Arabic is difficult to express in English, jihad is most accurately translated as "struggle." For most Muslims, jihad is a personal struggle against evil. The holy battles of this spiritual struggle are fought inside Muslims' minds and souls. Sometimes, the struggle can take the form of a physical war against non-believers. Although this kind of jihad is referred to in English as a "holy war," most Muslims believe there is nothing holy about war and that wars should only be fought against oppressors and aggressors. A minority of Muslims, however, places great importance on holy war jihads. This minority feels that Muslims must wage war against all nonbelievers.

It is this conception of jihad that inspires Islamic extremist terrorism. Unfortunately, due to media coverage, this is the interpretation of jihad that most Westerners are familiar with. It should be reiterated that mainstream Islam is peaceful and rejects the idea of unprovoked war. Although the concept of jihad is widespread, it has not been accepted by the general Islamic community as one of the Pillars of Islam. Unfortunately, Muhammad had not designated a successor. The struggle over leadership that followed his death has divided Muslims to this day, creating a division in Islam between the Sunnis and Shiites. Despite these problems, a vast Islamic empire was created over the next 12 centuries that would build a base of worshipers unrivaled by any other religion. Teachers Guide - Muslims | Teacher Center | FRONTLINE | PBS Islam teaches the importance of both belief and practice; one is insufficient without the other (except for some Sufis). The following six beliefs are those that are commonly held by Muslims, as laid out in the Quran and hadith. Six Major Beliefs Belief in the Oneness of God: Muslims believe that God is the creator of all things, and that God is all-powerful and all-knowing.

God has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life. Belief in the Angels of God: Muslims believe in angels, unseen beings who worship God and carry out God's orders throughout the universe. The angel Gabriel brought the divine revelation to the prophets. Belief in the Books of God: Muslims believe that God revealed holy books or scriptures to a number of God's messengers. These include the Quran (given to Muhammad), the Torah (given to Moses), the Gospel (given to Jesus), the Psalms (given to David), and the Scrolls (given to Abraham). Muslims believe that these earlier scriptures in their original form were divinely revealed, but that only the Quran remains as it was first revealed to the prophet Muhammad. Belief in the Prophets or Messengers of God: Muslims believe that God's guidance has been revealed to humankind through specially appointed messengers, or prophets, throughout history, beginning with the first man, Adam, who is considered the first prophet. Twenty-five of these prophets are mentioned by name in the Quran, including Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.

Muslims believe that Muhammad is the last in this line of prophets, sent for all humankind with the message of Islam. Belief in the Day of Judgment: Muslims believe that on the Day of Judgment, humans will be judged for their actions in this life; those who followed God's guidance will be rewarded with paradise; those who rejected God's guidance will be punished with hell. Belief in the Divine Decree: This article of faith addresses the question of God's will. It can be expressed as the belief that everything is governed by divine decree, namely that whatever happens in one's life is preordained, and that believers should respond to the good or bad that befalls them with thankfulness or patience. This concept does not negate the concept of "free will;" since humans do not have prior knowledge of God's decree, they do have freedom of choice. Muslims are asked to put their beliefs into practice by performing certain acts of worship. As in all faiths, since adherence to religious obligations and practices is a matter of individual choice, some people are very strict in performing these duties, while others are not.

The five pillars or acts of worship in Islam The Declaration of Faith (shahada): The first act of worship is the declaration that "There is no deity except God and Muhammad is the messenger of God." Muslims repeat this statement many times a day during their prayers. If someone wants to become a Muslim, he or she makes this profession of faith as an entry into Islam. Prayer (salat): Islam prescribes a brief prayer or ritual worship five times a day: at dawn, noon, late afternoon, sunset and night. Muslims perform ablution before prayer -- a brief prescribed washing of the hands, mouth, nose, face, arms and feet. One may pray alone or in a group in any clean location, including a mosque. The Friday noon prayer is special to Muslims and is done in a mosque if possible. Muslims face in the direction of Mecca when they pray. Charity (zakat): Muslims are required to give to the poor and needy. Islam prescribes an obligatory charity, known as zakat, based on two and a half percent of one's income and wealth. In addition to this prescribed charity, Muslims are encouraged to give as much as they can in voluntary charity throughout the year.

Fasting (sawm): Muslims are required to fast from dawn to sunset during the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the lunar calendar. People gather in the evenings for a festive breaking of the fast. When fasting, Muslims refrain from food, liquid, and sexual activity. During Ramadan, Muslims are also supposed to abstain from negative behaviors such as lying, gossip, petty arguments, and negative thoughts or behaviors, including getting angry. Muslims are required to start fasting when they reach puberty, although some younger children may also fast. People who are sick, traveling, menstruating, and pregnant or nursing may break their fast, but may make up the days later in the year. The elderly and people with disabilities are excused from fasting. Ramadan was the month in which the revelation of the Quran to Muhammad began. Therefore Muslims are encouraged to read the Quran during this month and often gather in the evenings in mosques to listen to recitations from the Quran. Eid al-Fitr (eed' al fi'-ter), or the "Festival of the Fast-Breaking," one of the major Muslim holidays, celebrates the completion of the Ramadan fast and occurs on the first day of the month after Ramadan.

This is a day of celebration, prayers, feasts and gift giving. Pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj): Every Muslim is required to make the pilgrimage to Mecca, located in Saudi Arabia, once in their lifetime if financially and physically able. Mecca is home to the first house of worship of God, the Kaaba, said to have been built by the prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael. Muslims all over the world face towards the Kaaba when they pray. All outward symbols of rank and wealth are erased during the pilgrimage, as Muslim from every part of the globe come together for the purpose of worshipping God. Muslims who complete the pilgrimage are referred to as "Hajji" and greeted with great celebration and respect in their communities when they return. Eid al-Adha (eed' al ad'-ha), or the "Festival of the Sacrifice," is the second major holiday in Islam. It falls on the tenth day of the month at the conclusion of the pilgrimage, and is celebrated by all Muslims with special prayers, feasts, gifts and the sacrifice of an animal (usually a lamb or goat). The meat is distributed to relatives, friends and the needy.

Islam contains many rules for daily life and human relationships. The first source of these rules is the Quran and the second is the hadith or reports of the prophet Muhammad's words or actions. Prohibitions: In Islam, everything considered harmful either to the body, mind, soul or society is prohibited (haram), while whatever is beneficial is permissible (halal). Islam prohibits Muslims from consuming pork, alcohol or mind-altering drugs. Muslims are required to eat meat that is butchered and blessed in an Islamic way. This meat is called "halal." Muslims are also prohibited from gambling, taking interest, fortune-telling, killing, lying, stealing, cheating, oppressing or abusing others, being greedy or stingy, engaging in sex outside of marriage, disrespecting parents, and mistreating relatives, orphans or neighbors. Role of clergy: There is no hierarchy of clergy in Islam, nor do Muslim religious leaders have the power to forgive people of their sins. Every individual has a direct relationship with God without any intermediary. There are religious leaders or scholars, called ulema, who have studied and are experts in different aspects of Islam, such as Sharia, hadith, or Quranic recitation.

It is also important to note that there is not one Islamic authority; so there are differences among Muslim scholars. Conversion to Islam: Muslims are encouraged to share their faith with others. However, Muslims are told not to attack others' beliefs or engage in conflicts or debates about matters of religion. There is no formal ceremony for conversion. People must merely believe in and recite the shahada to convert to Islam. Contrary to how popular culture portrays Muslim women's rights and privileges, Islam gives women many rights, including the right to inherit, to work outside the home, and to be educated. As in all cultures and communities, these rights are often violated. This is the result of the intersection of Islam with existing cultural norms, which may reflect male-dominated societies. In Muslim communities, women often have a strong influence in the family, the workplace, the religion and society in general. This section provides an overview of women's roles and rights in several areas. Marriage: Since men and women are not supposed to date, parents arrange marriages in some Muslim countries. However, the ultimate decision lies with the prospective couple.

In Western countries, prospective spouses usually meet in a family setting or a public place, and often choose their partner on their own, although they still seek the approval of their parents. Marriage in Islam is a mutual contract between a man and a woman to live together according to the teachings of Islam and to bring up their children in their faith. According to Islamic law, the man is completely responsible for taking care of his wife's and children's financial needs. A woman's earnings are hers to spend as she chooses, although she may contribute to the expenses of the household if she wishes. Although Islam permits men to practice polygamy, it is an exception, not the norm, and carries the condition that a man must treat his wives equally. Since the Quran says that no man can treat more than one wife equally, many Muslims consider polygamy forbidden. Family Life: The family is considered extremely important in Islam. The Muslim family encompasses the entire circle of familial relationships, including in-laws. Obligations to parents and other relatives are strongly stressed. Extended family often live in the same house or neighborhood, and even when they do not, the family is quite close emotionally.

Public Life: Muslim women are permitted to participate in all walks of life as long as their modesty is not affected. Muslim women have the right to be educated, work outside the home, and contribute to society. Because of the influence of mothers on their children, it becomes even more important that women be educated. Modesty: Both men and women are expected to present themselves in a manner that emphasizes modesty. Hijab or covering, for example, is so that women's sexuality will not become a source of temptation or enter into their interactions with men. Many Muslim women view hijab as liberating them from the male gaze. Men are also required to behave and dress modestly. The dress varies for women and men from culture to culture, and according to individual beliefs. Relations between Men and Women: Islam requires that Muslim men and women observe modesty in their interactions. Muslim men and women should relate as brothers and sisters, and avoid any interaction that might lead to sexual or romantic activity prior to marriage. Although this prohibition is often affected by Westernized ideas, Islam requires that both men and women remain chaste until marriage.

Question: The core rules of the Muslim faith are known as the "... (how many) Pillars of Islam"?
Answer: 5