Understanding Religion In A Better Perspective – Part 4 What Is Islam? Who Is A Muslim?

Islam is probably the most chastised religion in the world today, being tagged as a violent and terrorist religion. Many across the globe especially the Western world, including the media and even Muslim hypocrites have taken the Islamic religion to the ransom; scourging, condemning, sentencing and slaying innocent Islamic scholars. Yet, research indicates that, Islam is the fastest growing religion in the planet earth.

The big question is, if a religion is so violent and terrorist, why should well meaning people across the globe accepting Islam? What is the basis of concluding that Islam is a terrorist faith? Let’s explore the Islamic religion further.

In fact, Islam started since the creation of heaven and earth. God wanted to be worshiped that is why He created the universe. Just as man made the car to carry him, same, even of more importance that God created the man and jinn to submit solely to Him.

Both scientific and rational conclusion point to the fact that Islam is the natural religion of God. All living things submit to God’s command. The trees and plants bow down to worship God. All kinds of animals live according to God’s command. The sun and moon, day and night, all obeys God’s command. Man must therefore submit himself according to the commands of God. So right from Adam’s era, through all the prophets till the last and final messenger Muhammad (pbuh), all practised Islam.

So basically, Islam is simply the worship of only the true Creator (God) of heaven and earth and accepting and obeying His commands. Therefore, Islamic religion is the acceptance and submission of oneself in worship of only one God and observing and practicing the teachings of God. Islam can also be explained as peacefully and willingly submitting oneself to the will of God and living according to His commands. This was the faith of all the Prophets and Messengers of God including Jesus Christ and Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon them all) as well as the believers. Islam is a religion of mercy and peace to all humanity.

The Islamic Religion is base on:
1^st Believing that there is not deity but only one true God and He alone must be worshipped. God said in Qur’an 112:1 - 4, “Say: He is God, the One. God, to Whom the creatures turn for their needs. He begets not, nor was He begotten and there is none like Him”.

2^nd Believe in the existence of heavenly angels who worship God alone and among the angels who brought the Qur’an down to Mohammad (pbuh) from God is Angel Gabriel;

3^rd Believe in God’s books revealed to the prophets and messengers – the Ten Commandments to Moses, the Psalms to David, the Gospel to Christ and the Qur’an to Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon them all;

4^th Believe in the Prophets and messengers of God, starting with Adam, including Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, Joseph, Joshua, and Jesus Christ (peace be upon them all). But, God last and final message to mankind, a reconfirmation of the eternal life was revealed to Prophet Mohammad (pbuh). God said, “Muhammad is not the father of any one of your men, but he is the Messenger of God and the last of the prophets...” (Qur’an 33:40)

5^th Belief in the Day of Judgement, that is, the Day of Resurrection when all people will be accountable to God according their belief and deeds.

6^th Believe in divine predestination, that is, God has given human being the freewill to choose right and wrong and that mankind will be responsible for his own choices. Also, God knows everything. Before anything happens, God knows of it and without His will, nothing can happen.

A Muslim is one who holds these beliefs firmly. In believing in these tenets, there are five basic pillars that Muslims must practice and hold fast to.

1^st Declaration of faith, La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadur rasoolu Allah, that is, “There is no true god (deity) but God (Allah) and Muhammad in the Messenger of God.

2^nd Observing the five compulsory daily prayers. Prayer in Islam is the direct link between the worshipper and God. There should be no intermediaries between you the worshipper and God. The prayers are performed at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and night.

3^rd Giving in charity that is, Zakat. Helping and assisting the needy and poor people in society is key pillar in Islam. In Islam, you do not need to have money to perform zakat. Ordinarily using your energy and physical strength to help the weak and helpless people are part of alms giving.

4^th Every Muslim must fast between twenty-nine and thirty days in the month of Ramadan. Fasting is prescribed for those who are physically, and mentally strong. This period, one have to abstain from food, drink, sexual activity, or any form of bodily inducement from dawn until sunset.

5^th The last pillar is making a journey to Makkah to see and worship in the House of God (Ka’aba) which was built by Abraham and Ishmael. This pilgrimage is only prescribed for those who are physically, mentally and financially strong to make it to the city of Makkah.

God has said: “Your Lord has commanded that you worship none but Him and that you be kind to your parents......” (Qur’an 17:23-14). And God has said’ “Did you then think that We created you in jest (without any purpose), and that you would not be returned to Us (in the Hereafter)? So, God is exalted, the True King. None has the right to be worshipped but Him...” (Qur’an 23-115-116).

In conclusion, God says in Qur’an 4:57, “But those who believe and do good deeds, We will admit them to gardens (Paradise) in which rivers flow, lasting in them forever...” And God has said, “And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will not be accepted from him and he will be one of the losers in the Hereafter” (Qur’an 3:85).

Writer’s email: [email protected]