Allah is the Arabic word for God, and is the supreme being Who alone created entire Universe and everything which a human can think of and beyond Human thinking. Allah is the one and only true God, who is all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-merciful. Allah revealed his will to humanity through the prophets, particularly through the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, who is the last and final messenger of Allah. Allah is the source of all guidance, and that his will is expressed in the Quran, the holy scripture of Islam. Muslims believe that by submitting to Allah and following his guidance, they can attain eternal paradise in the afterlife.
Who is ALLAH?
Allah is the Arabic word for God, and is the supreme being Who alone created entire Universe and everything which a human can think of and beyond Human thinking. Allah is the one and only true God, who is all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-merciful. Allah revealed his will to humanity through the prophets, particularly through the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, who is the last and final messenger of Allah. Allah is the source of all guidance, and that his will is expressed in the Quran, the holy scripture of Islam. Muslims believe that by submitting to Allah and following his guidance, they can attain eternal paradise in the afterlife.
Who is Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him)?
Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is the last and final messenger of Allah according to Islamic belief. He was born in Mecca in 570 CE and received his first revelation from Allah at the age of 40 while meditating in a cave. The revelations continued for the rest of his life and were recorded in the holy book of Islam, the Quran.
Prophet Muhammad is known for his exemplary character, kindness, and generosity, and he was respected by both Muslims and non-Muslims in his community. He preached the message of Islam to his people and invited them to worship only one God, Allah. Despite facing opposition and persecution, he remained steadfast in his mission and eventually succeeded in spreading Islam throughout Arabia. According to Islamic doctrine, he is a prophet divinely inspired to preach and confirm the monotheistic teachings of Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and other prophets.
Prophet Muhammad also established the first Muslim community in Medina and developed a comprehensive system of governance that emphasized justice, equality, and compassion. He left this World in 632 CE in Medina, but his teachings and legacy continue to inspire billions of Human Beings around the world.
What is Islam?
The word Islam means submission to God, Allah. Islam is a monotheistic religion that revived in the Arabian Peninsula in the 7th century CE though being World's first and only most ancient religion. It is based on the belief in one God, Allah, and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, as recorded in the Quran and the Hadith (the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad).
The central belief of Islam is that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad is his last and final messenger. Muslims believe in the oneness of Allah, the prophets, the angels, the Day of Judgment, and predestination. They also believe in the importance of performing the Five Pillars of Islam, which are the declaration of faith (Shahada), prayer (Salah), fasting (Sawm), giving to charity (Zakat), and making a pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) if one is able to do so.
Islam teaches that human beings were created by Allah to worship him and to live in accordance with his will, as revealed in the Quran and the Hadith. Muslims strive to live their lives in submission to Allah's will and to follow the example of the Prophet Muhammad in all aspects of their lives, including personal behavior, family life, and social interaction.
Islam is the second-largest religion in the world, with over 2 billion followers, and it has had a profound impact on the history, culture, and development of many regions around the world, particularly in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia.
What are 5 pillars of Islam?
The Five Pillars of Islam are the basic acts of worship and religious practice that are considered mandatory for all Muslims. They are: Shahadah: This is the declaration of faith that all Muslims must make, which affirms their belief in the oneness of Allah and the prophethood of Muhammad. The Shahada is the most important pillar of Islam, and it is recited daily in prayer and on other occasions.
Salah: This refers to the mandatory five daily prayers that Muslims must perform. These prayers are performed facing the Kaaba in Mecca, and they serve as a reminder of Allah's presence and a means of seeking his guidance and forgiveness.
Zakat: This is the obligation to give a portion of one's wealth to charity, specifically to support those in need within the Muslim community. It is considered a means of purifying one's wealth and ensuring that it is used to benefit others.
Sawm: This refers to the practice of fasting during the month of Ramadan, which is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs during the daylight hours, in order to develop self-discipline and focus on spiritual pursuits.
Hajj: This is the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca that Muslims are required to make at least once in their lifetime, if they are physically and financially able to do so. It is a communal gathering of Muslims from all over the world, and it serves as a reminder of the unity of the Muslim community and the importance of spiritual renewal.
What is Quran?
The Quran is the holy book of Islam and is considered the primary source of guidance and inspiration for Muslims. It was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, over a period of 23 years through the angel Gabriel.
The Quran consists of 114 chapters or surahs, which are organized in a specific order. Each surah contains verses or ayat, which are written in Arabic and are considered to be the literal word of Allah. The Quran covers a wide range of topics, including faith, morality, spirituality, history, and law, and it provides guidance on how to live a righteous and fulfilling life in accordance with Allah's will.
The Quran is considered the most important and authoritative source of Islamic teachings, and it is recited and studied by Muslims all over the world. It is believed to have been preserved in its original form without any changes or alterations, and it is regarded as a miraculous and sacred text by Muslims.
What is Hadith?
Hadith refers to the collection of sayings, actions, and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, as narrated by his companions and passed down through generations. The Hadith provides a valuable source of guidance and wisdom for Muslims and offers insights into the practical application of the teachings of Islam in daily life.
The Hadith was compiled and recorded by Muslim scholars in the centuries following the death of the Prophet Muhammad, and it includes thousands of reports that describe his words, actions, and behavior. The Hadith covers a wide range of topics, including faith, ethics, social behavior, personal hygiene, and more.
Muslim scholars have spent centuries studying and analyzing the Hadith, and they have developed a system of grading and classifying the reports based on their authenticity and reliability. The most authentic and reliable Hadith are those that are considered Sahih, which means "sound" or "authentic." Together with the Quran, the Hadith forms the basis of Islamic teachings and provides Muslims with a comprehensive and practical framework for living a life in accordance with Allah's will.
What is Sunni in Islam?
Sunni Islam is the largest branch of Islam, comprising approximately 85-90% of the global Muslim population. Sunni Muslims are those who follow the Sunnah (customs and practices) of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as well as the teachings of the Quran, which is the holy book of Islam. The term "Sunni" comes from the Arabic word "Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah," which means "the people of the Sunnah and the community."
Sunni Islam emerged after the death of Prophet Muhammad in 632 CE, and its adherents believe that the first four caliphs (successors) of Islam were rightfully guided leaders. They also believe in the importance of consensus (ijma) in Islamic decision-making, and the use of analogical reasoning (qiyas) to interpret Islamic law.
Sunni Muslims recognize the authority of religious scholars and leaders, but reject the idea of a centralized religious hierarchy or priesthood. Sunni Islam emphasizes the individual's relationship with God and the importance of personal responsibility in practicing and following the faith. Sunni Muslims also place a strong emphasis on the practice of the Five Pillars of Islam, which include the declaration of faith, prayer, fasting, giving of alms, and pilgrimage to Mecca.
Who are 4 Imams in Islam?
The four imams in Islam refer to the founders of the four Sunni schools of Islamic jurisprudence, which are also known as madhhabs. They are:
1. Imam Abu Hanifa (d. 767 CE): He was the founder of the Hanafi school, which is the largest and most widely followed school of Islamic jurisprudence in the world today. It is followed mainly in South Asia, Turkey, the Balkans, and Central Asia.
2. Imam Malik (d. 795 CE): He was the founder of the Maliki school, which is followed mainly in North and West Africa, as well as in some parts of Egypt, Sudan, and the Gulf countries.
3. Imam Shafi'i (d. 820 CE): He was the founder of the Shafi'i school, which is followed mainly in Southeast Asia, Egypt, Yemen, and East Africa.
4. Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (d. 855 CE): He was the founder of the Hanbali school, which is followed mainly in Saudi Arabia and some parts of the Gulf countries.
These four imams were all great scholars of Islamic jurisprudence and their schools are considered authoritative in Sunni Islam. They developed their schools of thought based on their understanding of the Quran, the Hadith (sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad), and the practices of the early Muslim community.
Does Islam Allow Racism?
Islam does not recognize or permit caste-based distinctions or hierarchies among its followers. In fact, one of the fundamental principles of Islam is the equality of all human beings before God, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or social status.
In Islamic teachings, all Muslims are considered equal and are required to treat one another with respect and compassion. Muslims are encouraged to marry based on compatibility, faith, and character rather than social status or lineage.
In summary, Islam strongly rejects any form of caste-based discrimination or prejudice and emphasizes the importance of equality, justice, and respect for all individuals regardless of their social or economic status.
What is the Status of Women in Islam?
The status of women in Islam has been a topic of much discussion and debate. Islam recognizes the equality of men and women in terms of their human worth and dignity. The Qur'an states that men and women are equal in their spiritual essence and that their ultimate accountability is to God.
Islam grants women certain rights that were not granted to them in pre-Islamic Arabia or other societies at the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). For example, women have the right to inherit property, and they have the right to consent to marriage. In addition, women have the right to own property, to work, and to receive an education.
It's important to note that cultural practices and societal norms can differ from Islamic teachings, and it's crucial to distinguish between the two. Islamic teachings promote gender equality and respect for women's rights, and it's essential to work towards implementing these teachings in Muslims.
What does Islam say about Interest Based Banking?
Interest-based banking is not permissible in Islam. In Islamic finance, the charging or paying of interest (riba) is prohibited, as it is considered exploitative and unjust. This prohibition is based on the Qur'an, which prohibits usury and exploitation in financial transactions.
Islamic finance offers alternative modes of finance that are based on profit and loss sharing (Mudarabah and Musharakah) or asset-backed financing (Murabaha, Ijarah, and Sukuk). These modes of finance allow for investment and financing without charging or paying interest, and they are designed to promote risk-sharing and encourage investment in the real economy.
Islamic finance has gained global popularity in recent years, and many non-Muslim countries and institutions have also started to offer Islamic finance products and services. Some people are interested in Islamic finance because it offers a socially responsible and ethical approach to finance, while others may be drawn to its potential for stability and sustainability.
