What is Islam?

Based on its linguistic origin, the Arabic word "Islam" means to achieve peace with God, peace within oneself, and peace with the creations of God through submission to God and commitment to His guidance. Islam is not a new religion but the final culmination and fulfillment of the same basic truth that God revealed through all His prophets to every people. For a fifth of the world's population, Islam is not just a personal religion but a complete way of living.

Over a billion people from all races, nationalities and cultures across the globe are Muslim, from the rice farms of Indonesia to the deserts in the heart of Africa, from the skyscrapers of New York to the Bedouin tents in Arabia. Only 18% of Muslims live in the Arab world; a fifth are found in Sub-Saharan Africa; and the world's largest Muslim community is in Indonesia. Substantial parts of Asia are Muslim, while significant minorities are to be found in the Central Asian republics, India, China, North and South America, Eastern and Western Europe. Islam is the fastest growing religion in America and in the world.

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Core Values

Mercy that is eternal, universal, and unlimited, "And We have sent you as a mercy to all the worlds." (21:107)

Justice that does not tilt or swerve, "O you who have attained to faith be ever steadfast in upholding equity, bearing witness to the truth for the sake of God, even if it is against your own selves or your ancestors and kinsfolk. Whether the person concerned is rich or poor, God’s claim takes precedence over either of them. Do not then follow your own desires lest you swerve from justice. And if you distort [the truth] God is indeed aware of all that you do." (4:135)

Respect and Dignity is bestowed on the entire human race without discrimination. "Indeed, We have conferred dignity on the children of Adam, and borne them over land and sea, and provided for them sustenance out of the good things of life and favored them above all of Our creation." (17:70)

Freedom from tyranny, compulsion or intimidation. "There shall be no coercion in matters of faith. The right guidance has been made clear from error. So whoever rejects the powers of evil and believes in God has indeed taken hold of the most secure of support. And God is all-hearing and all knowing." (2:256)

Peace is the normal and basic foundation of human relations. Peace should not be violated unless the alternative will be tyranny and oppression that cannot be stopped by other means. "As for those who do not fight against you on account of your faith, and do not drive you away from your homes, God does not forbid you to show them kindness and to behave towards them with full equity for verily, God loves those who act equitably." (60:8) "And if they incline toward peace, then you too should incline toward it and place your trust in God for verily He alone is all-hearing, all-knowing." (8:61)

Participation and accountability. "And those who respond to their Sustainer and uphold prayers and their matters are handled through mutual consultation among themselves." (42:38). According to the Prophetic tradition, "Each of you is a Shepard and is accountable for your flock." And according to the precedence that was set by our master, Abu Bakr, upon succeeding the Prophet as the leader of the Muslim community, he made it absolutely clear in his first public statement to the people that he was accountable to the community and that they were to correct him if he ever fell into error.

Service to humanity. "Verily, those who have attained to faith, as well as those who follow the Jewish faith, and the Christians, and the Sabians-all who believe in God and the Last Day and do righteous deeds-shall have their reward with their Sustainer; and no fear shall they have and neither shall they grieve." (2:62) "And in whose wealth there is a rightful share for those in need and those who are deprived." (51:19)

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5 Pillars of Islam

1. Faith: The declaration of faith or shahadah, is a simple formula which all the faithful pronounce.
2. Prayer: Performed five times a day, Salat (or prayer) is a direct link between the worshipper and God .
3. Fasting: The fact of abstaining from food, drink (including water), and sexual relations, each day from dawn until sunset, during the month of Ramadhan.
4. Zakat: Giving a proportion of one's wealth for those in need.
5. Hajj: The annual pilgrimage to Makkah.

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Beliefs

Muslims believe in the One, Unique, Incomparable, Merciful God—the Sole Creator, Sustainer and Cherisher of the Universe; in the Angels created by Him; in the Prophets through whom His revelations were brought to humankind; in the Day of Judgment and in individual accountability for actions; in God's complete authority over destiny, be it good or bad; and in life after death.

Muslims believe that God sent his messengers and prophets to all people beginning with Adam (Adam) and including Noah (Nuh), Abraham (Ibrahim), Lot (Lut), Ishmael (Isma'il), Isaac (Ishaq), Jacob (Ya'qub), Joseph (Yusuf), Job (Ayb), Moses (Musa), Aaron (Harun), David (Dawud), Solomon (Sulayman), Elias (Ilyas), Jonah (Yunus), John the Baptist (Yahya), and Jesus ('Isa); peace be upon them all.

God's final message to humanity, a reconfirmation of the eternal message and a summing up of all that has gone before, was revealed to the Last Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through the Archangel Gabriel.

One becomes a Muslim by believing and proclaiming that "There is none worthy of worship except God, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of God." By this declaration the believer announces his or her faith in all God's messengers, and the Scriptures (in their pristine original form) that these messengers brought.

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How to embrace Islam

Simply by saying with conviction: "La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadur rasoolu Allah", one embraces Islam and becomes a Muslim .This saying means There is no true god but God (Allah), and Muhammad is the Messenger (Prophet) of God. The first part, "There is no true god but God", means that none has the right to be worshipped but God alone, and that God has neither partner nor son.

To be a Muslim, one should also:

• Believe that the Holy Quran is the literal word of God, revealed by Him.
• Believe that the Day of Judgment (the Day of Resurrection) is true and will come, as God promised in the Quran.
• Accept Islam as his or her religion.
• Not worship anything nor anyone except ALLAH.

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Ramadan

Ramadan is a special month of the year for Muslims throughout the world. It is the 9th month of the Islamic (lunar) calendar. Because the lunar calendar is about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, the start of the month of Ramadan moves each year.

For more than a billion Muslims around the world, including some 8 million in North America, Ramadan is a "month of blessing" marked by prayer, fasting, and charity.

Muslims believe that during the month of Ramadan, Allah revealed the first verses of the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam. Around 610 A.D., a caravan trader named Muhammad took to wandering the desert near Mecca (in today's Saudi Arabia) while thinking about his faith. One night a voice called to him from the night sky. It was the angel Gabriel, who told Muhammad he had been chosen to receive the word of Allah. In the days that followed, Muhammad found himself speaking the verses that would be transcribed as the Qur'an.

Fasting is the third "pillar" or religious obligation of Islam. Muslims practice fasting, for the entire month of Ramadan. This means that they may eat or drink nothing, including water, from dawn to sunset.

Some families get up early for for suhoor (a meal eaten before dawn). After the sun sets, the fast is broken with a meal known as iftar. Iftar usually begins with dates and sweet drinks that provide a quick energy boost.

Fasting serves many purposes. While they are hungry and thirsty, Muslims are reminded of the suffering of the poor. Fasting is also an opportunity to practice self-control and to cleanse the body and mind. And in this most sacred month, fasting helps Muslims feel the peace that comes from spiritual devotion as well as kinship with fellow believers.

The end of the month is marked by the celebration of Eid-al-Fitr. Eid al-Fitr is one of the two most important Islamic celebrations (the other occurs after the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca). At Eid al-Fitr people dress in their finest clothes, adorn their homes with lights and decorations, give treats to children, and enjoy visits with friends and family. A sense of generosity and gratitude colors these festivities. Although charity and good deeds are always important in Islam, they have special significance at the end of Ramadan. As the month draws to a close, Muslims are obligated to share their blessings by feeding the poor and making contributions to mosques.