"Say: O My Lord! Increase me in
knowledge".
The Holy Quran, chapter 20: verse 114
Truth is not for the
complacent who makes no efforts, it is for the seeker who questions and
separates facts from myth
Introduction to Islam
What is Islam and who are Muslims?
Islam (Islaam) is a religion (faith) that is based
upon the surrender to God, who is One. The very name of the religion, AL ISLAM
is an Arabic word that means submission, which means submission to God's
will and commandments. Islam therefore considers itself not to be an innovation
but a reassertion of the one universal truth of all the previous revelations
since God has done the same through the ages. By sending Messengers with
commandments and expected the people to "submit" to His
commandments.
Muslims (Moslems) is an Arabic word that means "Those
who are in submission". 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 Judgment 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).
Just like every religion, where they have those who hold wrong beliefs,
those whom we call extremists, Islam does too.
ALLAH (Allaah or Alah): Just like in any other language
there is a different word for "God", for example in the French
language it is Dieu, in Spanish it is Dios, also in the Arabic
language it is ALLAH -Ilah or Elah depending on the accent and the
grammar. Allah is the equivalent to the word Elohim in Hebrew; it is also
the equivalent to Eloi, or Eli in Aramaic, the language spoken
during the time of Jesus Christ (peace be upon him). As the French would use the word Dieu,
and the Spanish the word Dios in their own language to refer to God, all
Arabic speaking Christians and Jews use the same word "Allah" to
refer to God.
Muslims usually
prefer the word "Allah" because the word "Allah" is the
proper "Name" of God in Arabic. It is a unique term that has no
plural form, like (gods), and it is the noun that God chose to use in all of
His scriptures.
o
In many palaces in the Quran, God refers to Himself as "We",
this is not to indicate any form of plurality. The word "We" in the English
dictionary, as well as many other languages, could be used for "I"
when the speaker is a king, an emperor or a president. Also, an author who is
speaking of his publication can use the word "we".
Muhammad
(Mohammed) (peace be upon
him) was the last of this long line of messengers, and Islam (Accepting
God and His commandments in submission) is the final expression of the
Abrahamic faith and teachings. Islam shares with the other religions their
original ethical teachings such as living in peace, helping the elders, loving
the neighbor, doing right and forbidding evil, sharing with the poor, other
basic laws as well and above all, the belief in the One God.
Muhammad (pbuh) is not considered to be divine, but a human being,
chosen by Allah to reveal His Word. Muslims don't pray to Muhammad or through
him. Rather, they pray directly to Allah.
Muhammad (pbuh) was born in 570 A.D. in one of the most powerful tribes
in the Arabia at that time, for it had guardianship over the Ka'bah in Makkah
(or Mecca). As an orphan, he was brought up by his grandfather and then later
by his uncle. The young Muhammad displayed exceptional virtue as a trustworthy
individual whom members of his as well as those of neighboring tribes would
invite to act as an arbitrator in their disputes
Arabs present only about 18 % of the world Muslim
population, the rest (about
82%) are all colors and races. By calling and visiting your local Islamic
Center, you should be able to see Muslims and new converts to Islam from all
walks of life, race and color, many of them were originally born and raised
under other religions.
Acknowledging and Identifying God
We can
not see God, smell Him nor touch Him. The only thing left to recognize and
identify God with is our minds. Our minds are equipped to identify Him, We may
call that: "The God Identification System" or "The God part of
the brain". The Book of Islam -the Quran- teaches that when
oone looks to or thinks of things around us wisely, one should be able to see
the signs of the Creator. It teaches that each one has the recognition of
"God" -in some expression- imprinted on his soul, a part of
the very "nature in which Allah has made mankind" (Quran,
chapter 30: verse 30). This "undeniable" inner nature is
called in Arabic "Fitrah". An example of "fitrah" is our
perfect agreement with many of what God forbade us from doing, like killing and
stealing. No matter who we are, which culture or education we may have, all of
us still agree that killing and stealing -as examples- are wrong.
In the
Quran chapter 2 verse 164: "Behold; in the creation of the heavens and the
earth, in the alternation of the night and the day, in the sailing of the ships
through the ocean for the profit of mankind. In the rain which Allah sends down
from the skies, and the life that He gives therewith to an earth that is dead,
in the beasts of all kinds that He scatters through the earth. In the change of
the winds, and the clouds which they trail like their slaves between the sky
and the earth; (Here) indeed are signs for a people that are wise".
We can
see that when somebody is honestly searching for God, and that sometimes
through his quest, when God is being presented to him or her in a way that does
not suit nor fit God, that the person easily rejects that weak image of God. In
another situation, when God is being presented in a very good and positive way
we find that the same person will say: "I like that (image) of God"
Or: "I accept that God."
Once one
concludes that there is a God, some kind of a guide or a manual to go by to
know what is right and what is wrong according to Him is needed. Which is
another "Identification" system that we are equipped with. Each and
every one of us know about right and wrong, we also know that following the
right will definitely make us better people, communities and world. This way
when we find out that God commands us to do good and forbid evil, it will be
easy for us to accept, because we are already "prepared" or
"made to" Identify the right, the wrong and …God.
We have
most likely run into somebody who says; "I believe that there is a God, I
believe in the right and wrong, but I just can't accept any of these
religions". It is clear that such a person did acknowledge God even though
the "image" of God presented to him -so far- was so fade or so weak.
This is a proof that his or her "God Consciousness" exists and that
it is working and that God did give us a way to identify Him with.
Since God
has chosen the way to communicate with all of us, which is the revealed
scripture, and since we are suppose to find and recognize God with our minds.
It should expect that the way that He has chose for us to communicate him with
(The Scriptures) have to make sense to our minds. Otherwise, our minds can't
"acknowledge" Him or "see" Him.
Which
scriptures are the true scriptures? As we briefly explore the Quran, we will share some suggestions about
how to identify the true scriptures, and talk about faith and blind Faith as
well.
Quran, the Holy Book of Islam
About Quran (Qoran, Koran or Kuran)
To Muslims,
or followers of Islam, the Quran is the actual Word of God, it is the verbal
revelation to His Messenger, and it was written down as it was revealed to him.
While was still alive, Muhammad (pbuh), as instructed and commanded by God,
arranged and organized Quran in chapters and verses in the same way we find it
today.
Throughout
history, there has never been an area in the whole world that has been
colonized by a foreign power like the Middle East. Yet neither colonization nor
people could change even one word in the original Arabic text since it was originally
written. Nothing has been taken out and nothing has been added to it. It is
obvious that we can not say that the Quran stayed intact -without a single
change- all these years because of Muslims, people, presidents or kings, and
most certainly not by the foreign invaders, rather, because of its holiness and
by the power of ALLAH.
The Quran
we have today anywhere in the world in any language, is the same1400 years old
Quran, which you will find in the early hand written originals in the museum in
Saudi Arabia. It has 114 chapters with the same number of verses.
Quran and modern science
In many
places the Quran states that (this Quran) is for those who think, understand
and reflect. The Quran emphasizes the significance of learning and that of
acquiring knowledge. Not only about God's laws and religious injunctions, but
also in a language rich in its varied terminology, to the importance of seeing,
contemplating, and reasoning about the world of creation and its diverse
phenomena.
"Scientific
knowledge would seem, in spite of what people may say, to be highly conducive
to reflection on the existence of God". Wrote Dr. Maurice Bucaille, an
eminent medical scientist and a member of the French Academy of Medicine. One
of the pioneer western scientists who examined the Quran and wrote about what
he found, only to be followed by a long line of scientists and casual readers,
who were interested in the truth about the "Maker and the Knower of all
things". Here is some of what many wrote.
Embryology in the Quran amazes a university
of Toronto Professor
Determining the baby's sex. How could the man from Arabia have known this?
The sensor characteristics of the skin
The Quran on Seas and Rivers. The water cycle as
explained in the Quran almost 1500 years ago
The Quran on Deep Seas and Internal Waves
The Quran on Clouds. How does wind effect clouds and the water cycle
The sky and the sun above us. The sky as a
protecting roof the Ozone layer and how sky is made to fit life’s needs on
earth for humans, animals and the vegetation.
Fruit in the Quran. What does the
Quran teach about fruit?
Islam,
the Quran, the Big Bang and Evolution: Articles by Harun Yahya, more interesting articles;
The Creation of the universe An interesting book about how the creation has taken place according to
the Quran
The Evolution misconception Analytical study to evolution and its difficulties that was admitted by
Charles Darwin himself in his book "The Origin Of Species" in
a chapter entitled: difficulties on the theory.
Why science in Islam and in the Quran?
What do scientists say about the science
found in the Quran?
Science in Islam and in the Quran, how did
Muhammad know? An
objective look to answer: Who is the true author of the Quran or who really wrote
the Quran, and was it really a revelation from God?
Islam; Towards a better understanding
Hadith (Hadeeth) and Sunah (Sunna or
Sunnah)
Though,
some may think that the Quran is the record of Muhammad's life, the Quran is
not that at all, actually the name 'Muhammad' occurs in the Quran only five
times.
Mohammed's
life and the way he did things, after being chosen by God as a Messenger, was
built on every thing that was revealed to him, in Arabic, this is called "Sunna".
Things that he said when he was asked a specific Question or in a certain
situation is called "Hadith". Since the best one to interpret
the meaning of the scriptures, no doubt, has to be the one who received them
first hand from God, Muhammad (pbuh) used to interpret the Quran in his
"Hadith" too. Both Hadith and Sunna are "divine
inspiration" from God. This "divine inspiration" is necessary so
that we may exactly understand the intended " interpretation or meaning
" of the "Quran", otherwise the interpretation would be "unguided".
The teachings of Islam
The
teaching of any religion is what gives it its integrity, shape and
characteristics. It is not what some people do in the name of any religion, is
what the religion really is. For example, when we see that a religious
institute teaches "color supremacy", instead of accepting that this
is really what all that religion is all about, we all should ask what are the
"real teachings" concerning color of that religion?
This way,
when we see a Christian, a Jew, a Muslim or any other person from any other
religion doing something wrong, we shouldn't say "Ha, so that's what that
religion is all about".
On the
other hand we should think about the teachings themselves; Will they make us
go to Heaven?
There
are many religions that teach very similar teachings to those of Islam, but will following or not following these
teachings effect the result in the Day of Judgment? Will one be
justified according to what he does in this world? Are these teachings just
O.K to live by, yet they are worthless at the end?
In Islam,
the "meaning" of the teachings comes to mind when we understand that
when one willingly obeys them he will be rewarded in this world and the
next. And if one willingly brakes them, he will have to pay for that
wrongdoing.
Examples of General teachings from the Quran: What does the Quran teach about God, last
day and what do Muslims believe, plus more of the basic questions answered.
Examples of the teachings of the Messenger of
Islam, Muhammed
(pbuh) as found the books of Hadith.
Teachings about neighbors. What does Islam teach Muslims regarding
their neighbors? Should they honor them and treat them with respect? Will it
make a difference what religion the neighbors belong to?
Teachings about animals and other creatures
Teachings about the body and soul
Prayers and worshipping in Islam (Salah or
Salat)
Why do Muslims pray that way? Take a brief introduction to Muslims’ way of
worshipping and learn more about praying and worshipping in Islam and for the
meaning of the word Mosque (Muslims worshipping place).
Muslims and people of other faiths: Who won
the bet? An objective
study to share with you some answers such as: What does Islam really teach
about people of other faiths? Does it really teach Muslims to kill the
infidels, the Jews and the Christians or people of other faiths? If yes, then
why? If no, then what is all that we hear and read about Islam? Does it teach
Muslims not to be friends with them or to treat them with disrespect? How come
some non-Muslims convert to Islam? Were they welcomed as friends before they
have accepted Islam? If yes, then why? If no, then what is all that we hear and
read about Islam? Was Islam really spread by the force? Or by using the sward?
Is Islam tolerant to other religions? Does teach tolerance towards others? Does
it teach Muslims to deal peacefully with others? Does it grant peace to other
religions? Are there any facts about the true teachings of Islam?
Who named this religion "Islam"? As every religion or faith carries a name
that identifies it, it might be worth a while to try to find out who gave any
religion its name. Whether the name was given by God or not might prove
fruitful too.
The Holy month of Ramadan (Ramadhan) and
fasting and the lunar
calendar in Islam
Human rights in Islam and human rights in an
Islamic state
The way to Heaven according to Islam; Does Islam teach of salvation, atonement or
a savior that one depends on to go to heaven without worrying about anything?
Biographical sketch of the Muhammad (pbuh)
The Revelation of the Quran, how did it start?
Diet in Islam ; What are Muslims allowed to eat and what are
they not allowed to eat or drink? What is Halal (allowed) food and what is Haram (forbidden) food in
Islam?
Jesus (peace be upon him) in Islam
Who was Jesus (peace be up on him)?
Muslims believe in Jesus (peace be up on him)
·
·
Do you know how did Jesus
Christ (peace be up on him) pray and worshipped God? Read this article and take
a brief introduction to Muslims’ way of worshipping and learn more about
praying and worshipping in Islam and for the meaning of the word Mosque (Muslims
worshipping place). Why do Muslims pray that way?
Women in Islam
The Distorted Image of Muslim Women: An Article by a woman who was born and
raised as non-Muslim. She decided to find the truth about the negative image of
Muslim women in the non-Muslim world. By the grace of God, after finding the
truth, she has accepted Islam and became a Muslim.
Woman's rights in Islam: Find out for yourself what Islam teaches
about women's rights. Be the judge yourself and compare the women's rights
given to women by Islam versus those given by other religions.
Woman's dress code in Islam: Learn what Islam teaches about equality
between men and women and what does Islam teach about women’s dress code and
why? Does Islam really force women to cover their bodies?
Hijab (Veil) and Muslim Women: An article by a Canadian Muslim woman, who
is a graduated from the University of Toronto.
The question of hijab (the head cover):
suppression or liberation?
Women’s Liberation Through Islam
Islam and the question of polygamy
An article from London, England...About women
in Islam.
Eve's fault?
Who to blame for the first "mistake" done in paradise, Adam or Eve?
With the negative image in the non-Islamic world about women in Islam, whom do
you expect Islam to blame?
To work or not to work: Are women forbidden from work in Islam? What does Islam teach about
women and their right to work and hold a job?
Miscellaneous
JIHAD (JEHAD OR JEEHAD) IN ISLAM
Muslims, people of other faiths and the infidels,
who won the bet? An
objective study to share with you some answers such as: What does Islam really
teach about people of other faiths? Does it really teach Muslims to kill the
infidels, the Jews and the Christians or people of other faiths? If yes, then
why? If no, then what is all that we hear and read about Islam? Does it teach
Muslims not to be friends with them or to treat them with disrespect? How come
some non-Muslims convert to Islam? Were they welcomed as friends before they
have accepted Islam? If yes, then why? If no, then what is all that we hear and
read about Islam? Was Islam really spread by the force? Or by using the sward?
Is Islam tolerant to other religions? Does teach tolerance towards others? Are
there any facts about the true teachings of Islam?
U.S.
MUSLIM RELIGIOUS COUNCIL ISSUES FATWA AGAINST TERRORISM
SHORT ARTICLES ABOUT JIHAD:
Understanding Muhammad: An interesting article published by The
Christian Science Monitor, on 12/9/02. Authored by; Alexander Kronemer, a
graduate of Harvard Divinity School, a co-producer of the PBS documentary
'Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet.' who has become well acquainted with the story
of Muhammad
The Holy Quran and killing the innocent
Bad guys…aren't they everywhere?
OTHER MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES
Denominations, sects and cults in Islam
Bad Muslims and that TV show: Many Muslims do bad things, but is it
because Islam is a bad religion? How could Islam be good if many Muslims are
bad?
Exposing Islam? How do you they expose Islam? What is the
truth and what is myth?
Cultures and religions: A short article to discuss the ideas of:
Islamic culture or Christian culture, an Islamic government or a Christian
government.
WE HOPE YOU HAVE HAD THE CHANCE TO READ A FEW OF OUR ARTICLES
ABOVE. NOW, OUR REQUEST IS;
LET’S TRY TO REASON THINGS OUT
The
conclusion is yours. Here are some thoughts:
As every
religion upholds its scriptures, it is only reasonable to wonder;
which scriptures are the true scriptures?
While it
is not a surprise that each and every one of them assures us that they have the
true scriptures, will it make sense that all of them are right?
Especially, when we consider the simple fact that some of them hold beliefs
that are opposing to each other, some of these differences in beliefs cannot be
ignored. It is unimaginable that God will consider everybody who upheld any of
these beliefs to be simply… right.
Should
one consider any scripture to be the true ones because his father,
mother or somebody has always told him so? Certainly that may work if we are
still kids. However, one finds it impossible to believe that with our free
will, and with the tool to recognize God with -our minds, that later we would
be asked qquestions such as: what did our parents believe?
Will the
great number of people holding a certain belief mean that they are always
right? History proved to us many times that this is not necessarily the case.
You probably know some examples yourself.
Having
faith in somebody or something is different from having a blind faith.
Blind faith does not even work when we buy a gallon of milk. Typically, we
would not have blind faith in any gallon of milk; we check the date to make
sure that it is still good. If we have just one doubt, like if
the date on it is good, but it looks like this gallon has been opened. If
its color is not right or the milk inside looks lumpy, we will want -for sure-
another gallon of milk. This is only common sense, logic and a natural thing to
do. If we typically don’t bet the price of a gallon of milk blindly,
could we -really- offer to bet our eternity?
Some of
us hold a belief just because; "This is just what I believe".
Please remember, there are many of us who hold beliefs -sometimes with no
proofs- that are realistically unacceptable, like of the superiority of a
certain color or a race, could all of those who uphold "This is just
what I believe" be right?
"This
is just what I believe" is irrelevant before any judge in
any court here on earth if it is not what the law says. Just
think of a traffic violation ticket, could anyone tell the Judge: "But,
what I believed was…"
Would
"This is just what I believe" really work before God?
Trying to
be objective, every religion is based solely on its own teachings or its own
scriptures. If the scriptures prove to have been revealed from a higher
authority than the Messenger himself, and if we are confident that they
were delivered only through or by the authority of that Messenger,
then every thing they -the scriptures- teach is true. On the other hand, if the
scriptures talk negatively about God or we doubt as to whom exactly they
were delivered through, should we accept any scriptures without knowing
to whom exactly they were revealed? If somebody came later and freely
edited or modified them, should we still consider such modified
scriptures to be the authentic ones?
If we use
the same careful nature we use when buying a gallon of milk, by avoiding
that which has doubts, we should have no problem identifying the true
authentic scriptures from the inauthentic ones.
What
should we look for in any scriptures to identify the true ones?
Here are
some suggestions for the criteria of the
true scriptures. I'm sure
you can add some more to the list, please check for yourself to see if the
Quran -or any other scriptures- will qualify for it:
1.
A very
realistic characteristic to the true revelation is that its origin and
integrity are traceable, remain untouchable, non-revisable or unchangeable
by anybody after the Messenger who received them.
Dear
friend:
Translations
that are available in your local public library and bookstores testify that no
matter where in the whole wide world we may go, in whichever language, or even
when, in time, there has always been only one Quran. Which has 114 chapters
with the same number of verses each, with traceable hand written originals.
The Quran
has abundance of proofs -scientific and otherwise- that it had to have come
from the Maker and the Knower of all things as stated in this verse (25:6):
"Say:
(The Quran) was sent down by Him who knows the mystery (that is) in the Heavens
and the Earth."
The
teachings about going to Heaven, doing good and forbidding evil, agree with our
given nature and can only better any person and any community. Avoiding them
however, by saying for example that they are O.K but you don't even have to
follow them, can -and do- cause serious corruption to any community.
Having to
follow them whenever there is a choice means an agreement that they are the
"Way to Heaven".
The Quran
provides answers to even more questions than what we have seen so far, it does
not teach blind faith, rather, it encourages our ability of reasoning so that
we may accept God with conviction and devotion
How much
careful one must be about his choice for the eternity? Could we just have
blind faith? Should we accept any scriptures? Which scriptures have
proofs that the Maker and the Knower of all things have revealed them? Which scriptures
were put together and arranged by the Messenger himself not by somebody
else later? Which scriptures match exactly the "authentic
originals", no more or less?
Finally,
we pray for you:
"May
your intellectual journey towards the truth be a pleasant one… Ameen".
Find an Islamic center, a Mosque, a Masjid
(Masjed- Masged) a Muslim temple, worshipping place or an Islamic organization
in your area:
First site: www.islamicfinder.org/
Second site: http://islamicity.com/orgs/
Enrich your knowledge even more
Do
more readings on line, order books and enjoy reading them at your leisure or
take a look at our long list of the most common questions asked about Islam,
Quran and Muhammad (pbuh) and read the answers.
Brief introduction and links to read the Holy
Quran (Koran or Kuran)
Suggested books to order on line
Suggested books and articles to read on line
New section to our site: Frequently asked
questions:
We hope
you have had the chance to read our articles posted above, they cover most
subjects of Islam. If your question still not answered, then visit one of these
pages regarding the most common questions asked about Islam, Quran and Muhammad
(pbuh). There is an excellent chance you will find answers for some of your
questions. If you don’t, you could post your question by e-mailing it to us and
we will try to answer to the best of our knowledge. Our e-mail address is: introducingislam@yahoo.com
Choose a
section of the common questions about Islam:
Questions about Jihad and terrorism
Questions about women or woman in Islam
Questions about The Mosque (worshipping
place) and prayers in Islam
Questions about Muhammad, Mohammad, or
Muhamet peace be upon him.
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Our Sincere gratitude is to all those who
helped whether directly or indirectly with this web site. May Allah accept all
of our efforts and make us to be of those who hear and obey His command:
"Help ye one another in righteousness and piety"
The Holy Quran, chapter 5: verse 2
Ameen