Islam – A Religion of Peace for All

 

Muslimkaffah - In recent years, Islam has been portrayed as a religion that promotes terrorism and warfare. Nothing could be further from the truth! If you take some time to look at the actual foundations of Islam, you’ll see that it actually promotes peace and tolerance among people of all walks of life and religions. In fact, many claim that Islam was originally spread by means of peaceful dialogue and community outreach – not through violence and bloodshed as some would have you believe. If you’re looking to learn more about this misunderstood religion, check out these 5 key things about Islam!

Monotheism

The word 'Islam' comes from the Arabic word 'Salam' which means peace. Monotheism in Islam is rooted in the belief that there is only one God and that Muhammad (pbuh) was His messenger. Muslims also believe that Allah, or God, revealed his messages to Muhammad through the angel Gabriel and then transmitted them to mankind. Monotheism encompasses a religious belief system and an ethical way of life or religion at the same time. It is essentially about having a personal relationship with Allah by following what has been decreed by Him. For example, it's about praying five times a day, fasting during Ramadan and donating to charity when possible.

Daily prayers

Muslims are not required to pray at specific times, but prayer must be performed every day. Prayer is known as Salah. The most popular form every day is Adhaan, which lasts 2 minutes and consists of praising Allah and asking him to bless the Prophet Muhammad. This praise lasts from 5-6 times a day and then transitions into formal prayers that take about 20 minutes depending on the level of ablution (washing before prayer). In Islamic practice there are many steps that go into washing before prayer. These steps include bathing or showering thoroughly, cleaning one's teeth with a toothbrush, brushing one's hair with a comb or rubbing it clean with water until every bit of dirt is gone, and then purifying oneself by pouring clean water over all exposed parts.

Alms giving

In Islam, alms giving is one of the five pillars and a religious obligation that every Muslim must fulfill. The Arabic word Zakat translates to purification which refers to both one's own purification as well as the purification of society.

 Zakat is considered to be a sacred obligation upon Muslims and it is not merely a form of charity. It is an act meant to purify one's income and also help eradicate inequality in society.

Fasting

Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset during the month of Ramadan, abstaining from all food and drink. In this time, Muslims spend more time with family and friends, enjoy nighttime meals with sweets (and Iftar), pray more often, and try to be as selfless as possible.

 Muslims believe that fasting is beneficial to their health, as well as a chance to repent and reflect on their lives. Not only is it physically good for you, but Muslims say that a fast reminds them what life is like without food, water, and shelter. It’s also supposed to help them appreciate those blessings more during Ramadan than at any other time of year.

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Pilgrimage

In order to go on pilgrimage, Muslims must go to Mecca, the birthplace of Muhammad and first home of Islam. The journey is called Hajj in Arabic and can be done at any time except during the month of Ramadan. Men usually wear two pieces: Ihram cloths and a head cover or hijab.

 Women go on pilgrimage, called Hajj as well, but they wear simple clothes and no covering over their heads. Men and women together can also do another kind of pilgrimage called Umrah, which is performed outside of Hajj time. It consists only of visiting sacred sites in Mecca during a set time. This can be done throughout all year except when major holidays occur.

Do not harm others

The Quran, one of the primary Islamic texts, strictly forbids violence against civilians. In a 60 Minutes interview on December 15th 2015, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said that violence is terrorism and terrorism is indiscriminate. Osama bin Laden also warned Al Qaeda members against attacking residential areas: I advise you to fear Allah, who created you from a noble human being. I urge you to fear Allah and avoid killing women and children.

Women rights

The focus on a woman's responsibilities in Islam is often misconstrued as slavery or oppression. Women are afforded many rights, privileges and responsibilities which can be found throughout the Quran and Sunnah. As important partners in society, Muslim women have an equally important role to play both at home and within society; one which must be fulfilled with knowledge, strength and compassion. Allah said: He

Freedom of belief and conscience

The Qur'an, Islam's holy book, instructs Muslims to respect the freedom of conscience. Islam is the second largest and fastest-growing religion in the world. With over 1.6 billion followers worldwide, it encompasses a wide variety of cultures, languages and ethnicities, spanning a diverse geography from Europe to North Africa to Southeast Asia.

wallohua'lam.