The History of Islam
The angel Gabriel visited Muhammad. The angel Gabriel revealed the words of Allah too Muhammad, for about 23 years until Muhammad’s death. Allah is the Arabic word for “God” used by the Muslims.
These revelations are known as the Qur’an, Islam’s holy book.
These dictated revelations compose the Qur'an, Islam's holy book. Islam means “submission,” deriving from a root word that means “peace.” The word Muslim means “one who submits to Allah.”
It shows respect when Muslims put “peace be upon him” or “sallallahu alayhi wasallam” when mentioning Muhammad.
The Doctrine of Islam
Muslims summarize their doctrine in six articles of faith:
Belief in one Allah: Muslims believe Allah is one, eternal, creator, and sovereign.
Belief in the angels.
Belief in the prophets which include the biblical prophets. Muhammad is the last prophet.
Belief in the revelations of Allah: Muslims accept certain portions of the Bible, such as the Torah and the Gospels. They believe the Qur'an is the pre-existent, perfect word of Allah.
Belief in the “last day of judgment”, and the “hereafter”: Everyone will be resurrected for judgment into either paradise or hell.
Belief in predestination: Muslims believe Allah has decreed everything that will happen. Muslims testify to Allah’s sovereignty with their frequent phrase, inshallah, meaning, “if God wills.”
The Five Pillars of Islam
These five tenets compose the framework of obedience for Muslims:
1. The testimony of faith - there is only one God
2. Prayer (salat): Five ritual prayers must be performed every day.
3. Giving (zakat): This almsgiving is a certain percentage given once a year.
4. Fasting (sawm): Muslims fast during Ramadan in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
3. Giving (zakat): This almsgiving is a certain percentage given once a year.
4. Fasting (sawm): Muslims fast during Ramadan in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
They must not eat or drink from dawn until sunset.
5. Pilgrimage (hajj): If physically and financially possible, a Muslim must make the pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia at least once. The hajj is performed in the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar.
A Muslim's entrance into paradise hinges on obedience to these Five Pillars. Still, Allah may reject them. Even Muhammad was not sure whether Allah would admit him to paradise (Surah 46:9; Hadith 5.266).
5. Pilgrimage (hajj): If physically and financially possible, a Muslim must make the pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia at least once. The hajj is performed in the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar.
A Muslim's entrance into paradise hinges on obedience to these Five Pillars. Still, Allah may reject them. Even Muhammad was not sure whether Allah would admit him to paradise (Surah 46:9; Hadith 5.266).
The Testimony of Faith
The testimony of faith (shahada): “la ilaha illa allah. Muhammad rasul Allah.” This means, “There
is no deity but Allah. Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.” A person can convert to Islam by stating this creed. The shahada shows that a Muslim believes in Allah alone as deity and believes
that Muhammad reveals Allah. This is the first pillar.
Prayers
The saying of prayer is obligatory upon every Muslim, male or
female, who has attained to the age of discretion. It is said five times a day
as follows:
1. Salat al-Fajr, or the morning prayer, is said after dawn and before sunrise.
2. Salat al-Zuhr, or the early afternoon prayer, is said when the sun begins to decline, and its
time extends till the next prayer. On Fridays, the Friday service takes the place of this prayer.
3. Salat al-`Asr, or the late afternoon prayer, is said when the sun is about midway on its course
3. Salat al-`Asr, or the late afternoon prayer, is said when the sun is about midway on its course
to setting, and its time extends to a little before it actually sets.
4. Salat al-Maghhrib, or the sunset prayer, is said immediately after the sun sets.
5. Salat al-`Isha, or the early night prayer, is said when the red glow in the west disappears, and its time extends to midnight. But it must be said before going to bed. This is the second pillar.
4. Salat al-Maghhrib, or the sunset prayer, is said immediately after the sun sets.
5. Salat al-`Isha, or the early night prayer, is said when the red glow in the west disappears, and its time extends to midnight. But it must be said before going to bed. This is the second pillar.
Compulsory Charity - Zakat
Charity is not just recommended by Islam, it is required of every financially
stable Muslim. Giving charity to those who deserve it is part of Muslim
character. Zakat is
viewed as "compulsory charity"; it is an obligation for those who have received
their wealth from God to respond to those members of the community in need.
Devoid of sentiments of universal love, some people know only to hoard wealth
and to add to it by lending it out on interest. Islam’s teachings are the very
antithesis of this attitude. Islam encourages the sharing of wealth with others
and helps people to stand on their own and become productive members of the
society
In Arabic it is known as zakat which literally means "purification",
because zakat is considered to purify one’s heart of greed. This is the third pillar.
Ramadan
Ramadan in 2016 will start on Monday, the 6th of June and will
continue for 30 days until Tuesday, the 5th of July. Note that in the Muslim calender, a holiday begins on the sunset of the
previous day, so observing Muslims will celebrate Ramadan on the sunset of
Sunday, the 5th of June
What is Ramadan
Muslims all over the world abstain from all food, drink, and other physical needs during the daylight hours (such as smoking or sex). Ramadan is much more than just not eating and drinking; it is a time to purify the soul, refocus attention on God, and practice self-discipline and sacrifice.
Muslims are called upon to use this month to re-evaluate their lives in light of Islamic guidance. We are to make peace with those who have wronged us, strengthen ties with family and friends, do away with bad habits -- essentially to clean up our lives, our thoughts, and our feelings. The Arabic word for "fasting" (sawm) literally means "to refrain" - and it means not only refraining from food and drink, but from evil actions, thoughts, and words. Ramadan is one of the fourth pillars of Islam.
Pilgrimage
Hajj - Pilgrimage To Mecca
The fifth pillar of Islam is to make a pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, at least once in one's lifetime. This pillar is obligatory for every Muslim, male or female, provided that he/she is physically and financially able to do so.
Prerequisites for performing the Hajj are to be a Muslim, to be free, to be an adult or mature enough, to be of sound mind, and to have the ability to afford the journey and maintain one's dependents back home for the duration. The reward for the Hajj is nothing less than Paradise.
The Hajj is the ultimate form of worship, as it involves the spirit of all the other rituals and demands of the believer great sacrifice. On this unique occasion, nearly two million Muslims from all over the globe meet one another in a given year. Regardless of the season, pilgrims wear special clothes (Ihram) - two, very simple, unsown white garments - which strips away all distinctions of wealth, status, class and culture; all stand together and equal before Allah (God).
The rites of Hajj, which go back to the time of Prophet Abraham who built the Ka'bah, are observed over five or six days, beginning on the eighth day of the last month of the year, named Dhul-Hijjah (pilgrimage). These rites include circumambulating the Ka'bah (Tawaf), and going between the mountains of Safa and Marwah, as Hajar (Abraham's wife) did during her search for water for her son Isma'il. Then the pilgrims stand together on the wide plain of Arafah and join in prayers for God's forgiveness, in what is often thought of as a preview of the Last Judgment. The pilgrims also cast stones at a stone pillar which represents Satan. The pilgrimage ends with a festival, called Eid Al-Adha, which is celebrated with prayers, the sacrifice of an animal, and the exchange of greetings and gifts in Muslim communities everywhere
Because of this requirement one can never be sure in advance precisely when the month of Ramadan will begin and one should start fasting. Because of this, although the Islamic lunar year has 12 months, it has only 354 days on an average. The Qur'an (9:36-37) forbids the periodic insertion of a 13th month to keep it in line with the solar year. Hence, the Islamic calendar travels backward through the solar calendar about 11 days per year, returning to the same solar time in about 33 lunar years. Thus, 33 lunar years equal 32 solar years.
The names of the Islamic months in numerical order are:
1 - Muharram
2 - Safar
3 - 1st Rabi`
4 - 2nd Rabi`
5 - 1st Jamadi
6 - 2nd Jamad
7 - Rajabi
8 - Sha`ban
9 - Ramadan (Fast month)
10 - Shawwal
11 - Dhul-Qu`da
12 - Dhul-Hijja (Pilgrimage month)
Friday noon is the one time in the week Muslims must worship together at the mosque, but Friday is not a day of rest. In recent years, however, many Muslim countries have adopted the Western practice of closing offices one day in seven, and some have opted for Friday instead of Sunday
An Evaluation of Islam
Compared to Christianity, Islam has some similarities but significant differences. Like Christianity, Islam is monotheistic. However, Muslims reject the Trinity—that God has revealed Himself as one in three Persons: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Muslims claim that Jesus was one of the most important prophets—not God’s Son. Islam asserts that Jesus, though born of a virgin, was created like Adam. Muslims do not believe Jesus died on the cross. They do not understand why Allah would allow His prophet Isa (the Islamic word for "Jesus") to die a torturous death. Yet the Bible shows how the death of the perfect Son of God was essential to pay for the sins of believers (Isaiah 53:5-6; John 3:16; 14:6; 1 Peter 2:24).
Islam teaches that the Qur'an is the final authority and the last revelation of Allah. The Bible, however, was completed in the first century with the Book of Revelation. The Bible warns against anyone adding to or subtracting from God’s Word (Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:6; Galatians 1:6-12; Revelation 22:18). The Qur’an, as a claimed addition to God’s Word, directly disobeys God’s command.
Muslims believe that paradise can be earned through keeping the Five Pillars. The Bible, in contrast, reveals that sinful man can never measure up to the holy God (Romans 3:23; 6:23). Only by God’s grace may sinners be saved through repentant faith in Jesus (Acts 20:21; Ephesians 2:8-9).
Because of these essential differences and contradictions, Islam and Christianity cannot both be true. The Bible and Qur’an cannot both be God’s Word. The truth has eternal consequences.
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world” (1 John 4:1-4; see also John 3:35-36).
What is Ramadan
Muslims all over the world abstain from all food, drink, and other physical needs during the daylight hours (such as smoking or sex). Ramadan is much more than just not eating and drinking; it is a time to purify the soul, refocus attention on God, and practice self-discipline and sacrifice.
Muslims are called upon to use this month to re-evaluate their lives in light of Islamic guidance. We are to make peace with those who have wronged us, strengthen ties with family and friends, do away with bad habits -- essentially to clean up our lives, our thoughts, and our feelings. The Arabic word for "fasting" (sawm) literally means "to refrain" - and it means not only refraining from food and drink, but from evil actions, thoughts, and words. Ramadan is one of the fourth pillars of Islam.
Hajj - Pilgrimage To Mecca
The fifth pillar of Islam is to make a pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, at least once in one's lifetime. This pillar is obligatory for every Muslim, male or female, provided that he/she is physically and financially able to do so.
Prerequisites for performing the Hajj are to be a Muslim, to be free, to be an adult or mature enough, to be of sound mind, and to have the ability to afford the journey and maintain one's dependents back home for the duration. The reward for the Hajj is nothing less than Paradise.
The Hajj is the ultimate form of worship, as it involves the spirit of all the other rituals and demands of the believer great sacrifice. On this unique occasion, nearly two million Muslims from all over the globe meet one another in a given year. Regardless of the season, pilgrims wear special clothes (Ihram) - two, very simple, unsown white garments - which strips away all distinctions of wealth, status, class and culture; all stand together and equal before Allah (God).
The rites of Hajj, which go back to the time of Prophet Abraham who built the Ka'bah, are observed over five or six days, beginning on the eighth day of the last month of the year, named Dhul-Hijjah (pilgrimage). These rites include circumambulating the Ka'bah (Tawaf), and going between the mountains of Safa and Marwah, as Hajar (Abraham's wife) did during her search for water for her son Isma'il. Then the pilgrims stand together on the wide plain of Arafah and join in prayers for God's forgiveness, in what is often thought of as a preview of the Last Judgment. The pilgrims also cast stones at a stone pillar which represents Satan. The pilgrimage ends with a festival, called Eid Al-Adha, which is celebrated with prayers, the sacrifice of an animal, and the exchange of greetings and gifts in Muslim communities everywhere
Eid-al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) in Qatar
Eid-al-Fitr (Eid al-Fitr, Eid ul-Fitr, Id-Ul-Fitr, Eid) is the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal. It marks the end of Ramadan, which is a month of fasting and prayer. Many Muslims attend communal prayers, listen to a khutba (sermon) and give zakat al-fitr (charity in the form of food) during Eid al-Fitr.
Many Muslims attend communal prayers and listen to a khutba or
sermon on the first day of the month of Shawwal. These prayers are held outside
or in large venues, such as sports arenas, in some places. Many Muslims may
travel far to participate in these activities. Some communities organize
different festivities, such as communal meals or events for children, on this
day.
If a Muslim has not given zakat al-fitr during Ramadan, he or she can give this on Eid-al-Fitr. Zakat al-fitr is a form of charity consisting of a quantity of food, such as barley, dates, raisins or wheat flour, or its monetary equivalent given to the poor. Many Muslims may also prepare festive meals to share, wear new clothes, visit relatives and give presents or candy to children. Cards can also be sent, often featuring the words “Eid Mubbarak” (blessed Eid).
The Islamic Calender
The Islamic calendar is quite different from the one we use in the West. It begins, not with the birth of Christ, but with the Hijra, the day Muhammad "emigrated" from Mecca to Medina to set up his new social order. Muslims date everything from that event, usually considered to correspond to September 20th, 622 in the Gregorian calendar.
Then, the Hijri calendar is lunar, and not solar like the Gregorian calendar. The Qur'an stipulates (10:5) that the new moon be used to mark the first day of each month. Since the average interval between new moons is 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes and 3 seconds, the lunar months alternate between 29 and 30 days in length. Any given month will have 29 days some years and 30 days in others. The new moon must also be visually sighted for the new month to start; mathematical calculation is not valid.
If a Muslim has not given zakat al-fitr during Ramadan, he or she can give this on Eid-al-Fitr. Zakat al-fitr is a form of charity consisting of a quantity of food, such as barley, dates, raisins or wheat flour, or its monetary equivalent given to the poor. Many Muslims may also prepare festive meals to share, wear new clothes, visit relatives and give presents or candy to children. Cards can also be sent, often featuring the words “Eid Mubbarak” (blessed Eid).
The Islamic Calender
The Islamic calendar is quite different from the one we use in the West. It begins, not with the birth of Christ, but with the Hijra, the day Muhammad "emigrated" from Mecca to Medina to set up his new social order. Muslims date everything from that event, usually considered to correspond to September 20th, 622 in the Gregorian calendar.
Then, the Hijri calendar is lunar, and not solar like the Gregorian calendar. The Qur'an stipulates (10:5) that the new moon be used to mark the first day of each month. Since the average interval between new moons is 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes and 3 seconds, the lunar months alternate between 29 and 30 days in length. Any given month will have 29 days some years and 30 days in others. The new moon must also be visually sighted for the new month to start; mathematical calculation is not valid.
Because of this requirement one can never be sure in advance precisely when the month of Ramadan will begin and one should start fasting. Because of this, although the Islamic lunar year has 12 months, it has only 354 days on an average. The Qur'an (9:36-37) forbids the periodic insertion of a 13th month to keep it in line with the solar year. Hence, the Islamic calendar travels backward through the solar calendar about 11 days per year, returning to the same solar time in about 33 lunar years. Thus, 33 lunar years equal 32 solar years.
The names of the Islamic months in numerical order are:
1 - Muharram
2 - Safar
3 - 1st Rabi`
4 - 2nd Rabi`
5 - 1st Jamadi
6 - 2nd Jamad
7 - Rajabi
8 - Sha`ban
9 - Ramadan (Fast month)
10 - Shawwal
11 - Dhul-Qu`da
12 - Dhul-Hijja (Pilgrimage month)
Friday noon is the one time in the week Muslims must worship together at the mosque, but Friday is not a day of rest. In recent years, however, many Muslim countries have adopted the Western practice of closing offices one day in seven, and some have opted for Friday instead of Sunday
An Evaluation of Islam
Compared to Christianity, Islam has some similarities but significant differences. Like Christianity, Islam is monotheistic. However, Muslims reject the Trinity—that God has revealed Himself as one in three Persons: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Muslims claim that Jesus was one of the most important prophets—not God’s Son. Islam asserts that Jesus, though born of a virgin, was created like Adam. Muslims do not believe Jesus died on the cross. They do not understand why Allah would allow His prophet Isa (the Islamic word for "Jesus") to die a torturous death. Yet the Bible shows how the death of the perfect Son of God was essential to pay for the sins of believers (Isaiah 53:5-6; John 3:16; 14:6; 1 Peter 2:24).
Islam teaches that the Qur'an is the final authority and the last revelation of Allah. The Bible, however, was completed in the first century with the Book of Revelation. The Bible warns against anyone adding to or subtracting from God’s Word (Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:6; Galatians 1:6-12; Revelation 22:18). The Qur’an, as a claimed addition to God’s Word, directly disobeys God’s command.
Muslims believe that paradise can be earned through keeping the Five Pillars. The Bible, in contrast, reveals that sinful man can never measure up to the holy God (Romans 3:23; 6:23). Only by God’s grace may sinners be saved through repentant faith in Jesus (Acts 20:21; Ephesians 2:8-9).
Because of these essential differences and contradictions, Islam and Christianity cannot both be true. The Bible and Qur’an cannot both be God’s Word. The truth has eternal consequences.
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world” (1 John 4:1-4; see also John 3:35-36).
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