10 Things to know about Islam:
1.What is Islam?
Islam is an Abrahamic religion which believes in only one GOD. Islam means “submission”. It is submission to the will of Allah. Islam is a comprehensive religion for all aspects of life. Islam is the religion of God – the Almighty-which He accepted for mankind until the Day of Judgement, Islam is belief in Allah as God and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as his final messenger to humanity
Islam is meant for all people regardless of race, nationality, cultural or religious background.
Read – Islam Meaning
2. Who are Muslims?
Muslims are someone who practices Islam. All the prophets of God, from Adam to Muhammad, and those who believed and followed each of them during the period of his Prophethood were called “Muslims.” But since Prophet Muhammad was the last of God’s messengers to mankind, a “Muslim” can now only be defined as one who accepts and complies with the final, completed message conveyed by God through him. For rationally, the most recently revised legislation always supersedes and invalidates whatever came before it.
3. Prophet Muhammad in Islam
A Muslim testifies that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the messenger of Allah. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the final messenger of Allah. There were many prophets before him but there will be no Prophet after him.
Allah says,
“And We have not sent you except comprehensively to mankind, as a bringer of good tidings and a warner, but most of the people do not know.”[Quran 34:28]
4. What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is a sacred month in which Muslim fast from sunrise to sunset. It is theninth month in the Islamic calendar.
Fasting During the Month of Ramadhan is Fardh (obligatory ) on Every Muslim.EveryaccountableMuslimis obligated to fast the month ofRamadan.For one to be obligated to fast, one must be ofsound mind. Fasting is not obligatory on the insane person. Fasting is not obligatory on a person whose body cannottolerate fasting, either due to old age or severe illness.
Fasting is not Like other Fasts and It hastremendous health benefittoo.
5. What is Quran
The Quran is the speech of Allah and a revelation that came directly to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) from Allah via the angel Gabriel. The Quran was revealed piece by piece over a period of twenty three years. It guided the early Muslim community along every step it took. It thus completely transformed that community into a pious generation.
6. What is Sunnah
Sunnah is the sayings, actions and tacit approval of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. It is another source of Islamic Laws, rules and regulations,and rankssecond after the Quran.Sunnah is recorded in books of Hadith (narrations) and is important in understanding the meaning of the Quranic text, exploring the principles outlined in the Quran and showing how to understand and practice them.
In the Quran, Allah makes it clear that if someone loves Allah and wishes that Allah should love him in return, the key is to follow the way of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Allah says,“Say (O Muhammad to humankind), ‘If you (truly) love Allah then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you of your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful’” (3:31).
The Quran says about the Prophet, “Indeed in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much” (33:21).The Prophet was, in a way, a “living Quran.” When the Prophet’s wife Aishah was asked about his character and behavior, she replied, “His character was the Quran.”
7. What is Zakat?
It is Fardh(Obligatory ) on Every Muslims to give 2.5 % of their wealth annually as a Charity.This includes cash in hand, bank savings, bonds, and other objects of monetary value.you must be wondering Why did Allah Enjoined Zakat on Muslims?Zakat is a nullifier of Sins.It is one of five Pillars of Islam. To be precise, it is the third pillar after the Shahadah (Testimony of Faith) and Salat (Obligatory Prayer)
- The literal meaning of Zakat is purification. Here, to give Zakat implies purifying your wealth and soul by giving a portion of your wealth to those in need.
- The word Zakat appears in the Holy Quran a total of 32 times.
- Allah (S.W.T) has made Zakat compulsory on all Muslims instructing them to perform Salat and pay Zakat many times in the Holy Quran.
- This message is explicitly clear in Surat Al-Muzammil:
“And establish regular prayers and give regular charity; and loan to God a beautiful loan. And whatever good ye send forth for your souls, ye shall find it in God’s presence, Yea, better and greater in reward and seek ye the grace of God: for God is most forgiving, Most Merciful.”
8. What is Hajj and Umrah?
It is Pilgrimage to Mecca-the Holy Ka’aba or the House of Allah can be Performed at any time of the year.This Pilgrimage is called”the Lesser Pilgrimage” or “Umrah”.When Pilgrimage is Performed during a Particular time of the year in the month of Dhul al hujja it is called as Hajj .Hajj coincides with Eid-ul Adha.Hajj is Obligatory on every able bodied Muslim who can afford it.
9. How do Muslim Pray?
It is fadh(Obligatory on Muslims to Pray 5 times a Day.If you are New to Islam and you do not know to Pray,You can go to Masjid and Participate in jam’aat-the Prayer Muslim pray in Conjugation.The beauty about the jm’at is that you are not required to recite the Verses and you get the rewards 25 times more than Individual Salah.
Both Men and Women are required to do Wudu before Salah. Wudu is Purification and Cancel’s out One’s Sin.
Read detail article on how does a Muslim pray
10. What is Hadith?
Hadith:The words, actions and tacit consent of the Blessed Messenger are known as hadith. These are captured in texts.
Sunnah:The lived, practised and established way of the Blessed Messenger, not necessarily captured in the text.
Allah says in Quran,
And whoever opposes the Messenger after guidance has become clear to him and follows other than the way of the believers – We will give him what he has taken and drive him into Hell, and evil it is as a destination.(Quran 4:115)
