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Written by Administrator
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Saturday, 17 October 2009 18:07 |
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ISLAM IN A NUTSHELL
What does Islam teach? What are the Islamic beliefs?
Islam is the name for the divinely ordained and complete way of life founded on the principle that there is only one God, and that He alone is worthy of our worship, adoration and servitude. The fact that it is a complete way of life means that it contains guidance in all affairs, whether spiritual, social, communal, financial, environmental, political, etc. Islam literally means submission to God and the Muslim is one who submits to God. This entails acceptance of and adherence to the revealed laws. Through dedication to God, the Muslim comes closer to Him and acquires inner peace and tranquility.
Islam calls on humanity to acknowledge that there is only one God, to believe in Him and to worship Him alone. Human beings are to utilize their God-given faculties of reason and logic to come to the realization that they have not arisen by coincidence out of insentience and chaos, but are rather subject to the definite order of a single supreme Omniscient Lord. He has not created human beings in sport but has placed them on earth with a precise purpose, to enjoin righteousness and forbid evil. Through one's struggle to spread virtue and righteousness one acquires a deeper understanding and a stronger relationship with God. The righteous will be rewarded in the next life with paradise while the evil-doers will be punished with Hell.
Noble as the human purpose is, human beings tend to fall short and many tend to deviate from the pure and pristine servitude of the One God into man-made doctrines and sins. Hence, God has continually appointed Prophets from every nation to call their people away from sin and vice and back to the noble position of worshiping God and performing righteous deeds, abiding by His laws. Each prophet communicated God's revelation to their respective nations and warned them against persisting in evil and disbelief. Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, Solomon, John and Jesus are some of the prophets sent by God. Muhammad is God's final prophet, sent to all humanity to call them back to the truth before the coming of the Day of Resurrection where every human being will stand to be judged before their Lord for that which they did in their life.
All the Prophets brought the same message and shared the same call. Those who accepted that message and submitted to the way of God are called Muslims. Thus, in the time of Prophet Moses, the Muslims were those who answered his call and followed him, submitting to the laws of God. Similarly, in the time of Prophet Jesus, the Muslims were those who followed and accepted his call. Now, after the coming of the Prophet Muhammad, one must believe in him and accept his call.
Despite the fact that previous prophets shared the same call, their people deviated from the path and the revelations brought by their Prophets were either lost or corrupted. The Qur'an is God's last message to mankind, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. Unlike the previous revelations whose preservation was entrusted to its nation, God has promised to preserve the Qur'an Himself and the duty entrusted to Muslims is its propagation since the Qur'an is for all mankind.
In addition to God's revelation, the Qur'an, the Islamic way of life is based on the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, known as the Sunnah. Together, these two sources are the guiding lanterns in the life of every Muslim, illuminating the path to God, the path of righteousness.
FURTHER RESOURCES
To get in touch with Muslims for more info about Islam and Muslims, feel free to contact MacMSA's
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. (Dawah refers to inviting people to learn about Islam). There is a weekly information booth in the McMaster Student Centre every WEDNESDAY, and frequent lectures and seminars!
Also, check out the following resources:
Why Islam?
What do Muslims Believe?
The Five Pillars of Islam
Belief in God
Who was Prophet Muhammad?
Meet the Prophet Muhammad
Belief in Angels
Belief in Scriptures
Belief in Prophets
Belief in Life after Death
Belief in Divine Decree
Short video on proof for Islam
How to accept Islam and become Muslim
Videos - stories of new Muslims
Comprehensive websites with excellent introductory articles on all topics in Islam:
Islam Religion.com
Discover Islam - IslamToday.com
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Last Updated on Saturday, 17 October 2009 20:22 |
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