Can we find an explanation of the
great universe? Is there any convincing interpretation of the secret
of existence? We realize that no family can function properly
without a responsible head, that no city can prosperously exist
without sound administration, and that no state can survive without
a leader of some kind. We also realize that nothing comes into being
on its own. Moreover, we observe that the universe exists and
functions in the most orderly manner, and that it has survived for
hundreds of thousands of years. Can we, then, say that all this is
accidental and haphazard? Can we attribute the existence of man and
the whole world to mere chance?
Man represents only a very small
portion of the great universe. And if he can make plans and
appreciate the merits of planning, then his own existence and the
survival of the universe must also be based on a planned policy.
This means that there is a Designing
Will behind our material existence, and that there is an extra
ordinary power to bring things in to being and keep them moving in
order. In the world there must be a Great Force in action to keep
everything in order. In the beautiful nature there must be a Great
Creator who creates the most charming pieces of art and produces
everything for a special purpose in life. The deeply enlightened
people recognize this creator and call him Allah 'God'. He is not a
man because no man can create or make another man. He is not an
animal, nor is He a plant. He is neither an idol nor He is a statue
of any kind because none of these things can make itself or create
anything else. He is different from all these things, because He is
the maker and keeper of them all. The maker of anything must be
different from and greater than the things which he makes.
There are various ways to know
'ALLAH' God, and there are many things to tell about Him. The great
wonders and impressive marvels of the world are like open books in
which we can read about ALLAH Besides, Allah Himself comes to our
aid through the many messengers and revelations He has sent down to
man. These messengers and revelations tell us everything we need to
know about ALLAH.
The complete acceptance of the
teachings and guidance of 'ALLAH' as revealed to His messenger
Muhammad {PBUH} is the religion of Islam. Islam enjoins faith in the
oneness and sovereignity of Allah, which makes man aware of the
meaningfulness of the Universe and of his place in it. This belief
frees him from all fears and superstitions by making him conscious
of the presence of the Almighty Allah and of man's obligations
towards Him. This faith must be expressed and tested in action.
Faith alone is not enough. Belief in one Allah requires that we look
upon all humanity as one family under the universal Omnipotence of
Allah the Creator and Nourisher of all. Islam rejects the idea of
chosen people. Making belief in Allah and doing righteous deeds is
the only way to heaven. Thus, a direct relationship is established
with Allah, without any intercessor.
Islam is not a new religion. It is,
in essence, the same message and guidance which Allah revealed to
all prophets. Adam, Noah, Abraham, Ismael, Isaac, David, Moses,
Jesus {PBUT}. But the message which was revealed to prophet Muhammad
{PBUH} is Islam in its comprehensive, complete and final.
The Quran is the last revealed word
of Allah and the basic source of Islamic teachings and laws. The
Quran deals with the basis of creeds, morality, history and
humanity, worship, knowledge, wisdom, god-man relationship, and
human relationship in all aspects. Comprehensive teaching on which,
can be built sound systems of social justice, economics, politics,
legislation, jurisprudence, law and international relations, are
important contents of the Quran Hadith, the teachings, sayings and
actions of prophet Muhammad {PBUH}, meticulously reported and
collected by his devoted companions, explain and elaborated the
Quranic verses.
THE FUNDAMENTAL ARTICLES OF
FAITH IN ISLAM
The true faithful Muslim believes in
the following Principal articles of faith:
1. He believes in One God ' Allah',
Supreme and Eternal, Infinite and Mighty, Merciful and
Compassionate, Creator and Provider.
2. He believes in all messengers of
Allah without any discrimination among them. Every known nation had
a warner or messenger from Allah. They were chosen by Allah to teach
mankind and deliver His Divine message. The Quran mentions the name
of twenty-five of them. Muhammad stands as the last messenger and
the crowning glory of the foundation of prophethood.
3. Muslim believes in all the
scriptures and revelations of Allah. They were the guiding light
which the messengers received to show their respective people the
Right Path of Allah. In the Quran a special reference is made to the
books of Abraham, Moses, David, and Jesus. But long before the
revelation of the Quran to Muhammad {PBUH} some of those books and
revelations has been lost or corrupted. The only authentic and
complete book of Allah {God} in existence today is the Quran.
4. The true Muslim believes in the
angels of Allah. They were purely spiritual and splendid beings
whose nature requires no food or drink or sleep. They spend their
days and nights in the worship of Allah. They are honoured servants,
assigned certain functions, they do not speak before Allah does, and
they act only by His command.
5. Muslim believes in the Day of
judgement. This world will come to an end someday, and the dead will
rise to stand for their final and fair trial. People with good
records will be generously rewarded and warmly welcomed to the
Heaven of Allah, and those with bad records will be punished and
cast into Hell.
6. Muslim believes Fate, whether good
or bad, which Allah, has measured and ordained for all creatures
according to his previous knowledge and as deemed suitable by his
wisdom, and in the timeless knowledge of Allah and in His power to
plan and execute His plans and nothing could happen in His Kingdom
against his Will. His knowledge and power are in action at all times
command over His creation. He is wise and merciful, and whatever He
does must have a meaningful purpose. If this is established in our
minds and hearts, we should accept with good Faith all that He does,
although we may fail to understand it fully, or think it is bad.
THE FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM
Faith without action and practice is
a dead end, as far as Islam is concerned. Faith by nature is very
sensitive and can be most effective. When it is out of practice or
out of use, it quickly loses its liveliness and motivation power.
There are five Pillars of Islam:
1. Shahadatain: To bear witness that
there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad {PBUH}
is His messenger to all human beings till the Day of judgement. The
prophethood of Muhammad {PBUH} obliges the Muslims to follow his
exemplary life as a model.
2. Salah: Daily prayers are offered
five times a day as a duty towards Allah. They strengthen and
enliven the belief in Allah and inspire man to a higher morality.
They purify the heart and prevent temptation towards wrong-doings
and evils.
They are:
- Salatu-l-Fajr {the early morning prayer}.
- Salatu-l-Duhr {the noon prayer}
- Salatu-l-Asr {the afternoon prayer}
- Salatu-l-Maghrib {the sunset prayer}
- Salatu-l-Isha {the evening prayer}
3. Zakah: the literal and simple
meaning of Zakah is purity. The technical meaning of this word
designates the annual amount in kind or cash which a Muslim with
means must distribute among the rightful beneficiaries. But the
religious and spiritual significance of Zakah is much deeper and
more lively. So it is humanitarian and socio-political value.
4. Sawm: The Muslims during the month
of Ramadan not only abstain from food, drink and sexual intercourse
from dawn to sunset but also they are required to abstain from evil
intentions and desires throughout the whole months of the year in
general, and during the month of Ramadan in particular. It develops
a sound social conscience, patience, unselfishness and will-power.
5. Hajj: {Pilgrimage to Makkah} It is
to be performed once in a lifetime, if one can afford it financially
and physically. It is the largest annual convention of Faith where
Muslims meet to know one another, study their common affairs and
promote their general welfare. It is a wholesome demonstration of
the universality of Islam and the brotherhood and equality of
Muslims.
"Every child is born in a state of
Islam, then, his parents make him a Jew, a Christian or a Magian".
ALL THOSE WHO EMBRACE ISLAM ACTUALLY
"REVERT" TO THEIR ORIGINAL RELIGION {ISLAM}. |
