Islam is a monotheistic religion. Followers of Islam are called Muslims. They worship Allah (or God and same God worshiped in Christianity and Judaism) as the one and only one God with no partner, no son, no father, no companion, no associate, and no equivalence. Refer to questions below for more related information.
Islam is the heavenly religion-like Judaism and Christianity- preached by all the Prophets (May peace be upon them all). If some one wants to know Islam, he should study the holy Qur'an that has been translated into many languages of the world. It is the world of Almighty Allah (God). It preaches ONENESS of Almighty Allah. The basic teachings of Islam are:
Doctrine of Islam about the creation of Man:
Allah Almighty created Hazrat Adam (AS) and Harat Eve (Hawa). All human beings are the off-spring of this first couple. All human are brethren and equal in the eyes of Almighty Allah. As He is the creator, Cherisher, Provider, and Ruler of the worlds, only He deserves worship, and none else whatsoever.
Who is Almighty Allah (God in English-henceforth will be referred to as Allah)
We must know Who Allah is and how we should believe in Him.
In a reply to the question posed by the Non-believers of Makka (Mecca), Allah Almighty revealed a Sura Ikhlas (112) in the Qur'an telling the people Who the Creator is: Translation from Arabic language:
"Say (O Prophet): He is Allah, the One and Only, Allah is Eternal and Absolute, He begets none, nor is He begotten, and there is No One like Him." The in-detail study of the holy Qur'an reveals to us the facts about Him. He is the Sole Creator, Sustainer, Provider, and Ruler of all the worlds He has created. He has No Son, No Off-spring, No Parents, No Associate whatsoever. He enjoys Absolute Authority over all creatures. He is Most Merciful, Oft-Forgiving, All-Knowing, All Listening, Omni-Present, Omni-Potent. He shall never forgive a person who associates anybody else with Him in His Absolute Authority.
ShirK means that you know that there is a Supreme Being Who has created universe. But along with that Supreme Being (Allah-God) some one attributes the powers to others-Idols, priests, holy men etc.- which only Allah Almighty enjoys. That is associating Partners, Son, or somebody else to Almighty Allah. If somebody prays to, begs from, takes somebody his beneficient, or thinks him to be capable of doing harm without the Wish of Almighty Allah, he commits Shirk.
Basic Beliefs of the Muslims:
Basic Beliefs of the Muslims:
1. Belief in Almighty Allah (God) Sura Baqra -2. Aya 163: And your Allah is ONE Allah, There is no god but He.
2. Belief in Angels
3. Belief in all heavenly books, including Tora, Zaboor, the Bible, the last one being the Qur'an.
4. Belief in all the Messengers of Almighty Allah- No distinction among them. Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) being the last Prophet of Islam. NO Prophet after him.
5. Belief in the Day of Judgment. Almighty Allah Karim is the Sole Ruler/Master of that Day. He enjoys the absoluute authority to send peole to Heaven or Hell.
6. Good and bad Destiny being in the Hands of Almighty Allah. No One can change his destiny.
7. Life hereafter
8. Hell and Heaven (Paradise)
These may be further elaborated in the light of the holy Qur'an and the Sahih Hadith.
Five Pillars of Islam:
1. Shahadat [testimony that there is no god except Allah (God) the One and Only One, having No Partner whatsoever. And Muhammad is His servant and Messenger],
2. Salah (praying five times a day)
3. Zakah (specific compulsory charity-2,5% of annual savings),
4. Saum (fasting during Ramadan)
5. Hajj (pilgrimage) for those who can afford it.
Tolerance in Islam:
Al-Imra'an 3: Aya 134: Those who spend whether in prosperity or in adversity, who restrain anger and pardon all men, for Allah loves those who do good.
Allah Almighty says in sura 109 Kafiroon:
Say unto those who reject Faith. "I worship not that you worship
Nor you will worship that which I worship
I am not going to worship that which you worship
Nor will you worship that which I worship. (so) To you is your way (Din) and to me is mine (Din)."
Baqra: 190; Fight in the cause of Allah against those who fight you, --But do not transgress limits. For Allah does not love transgressors.
Jihad: Sacred Struggle, Fight:
Al-Baqra-2: Aya-193: And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah, but if they cease, let there be no hostility except to those who are oppressors.
Charity: Baqra-2: Aya: 215: They ask you what to spend in charity. Say (to them) Whatever you spend is good, is for parents and kindred and orphans and those in want and for wayfarers and whatever you do is good, Allah knows it well.
Justice: Ana'am-6: Aya: 152; Give measure and weight with full justice
Al-Nisa-4: 45; We ordained therein for them, "Life for Life, eye for eye, nose for nose, ear for ear, tooth for tooth, and wounds equal for equal." Allah likes forgiveness.
Justice: Al-Nahl 16: Aya 90: Allah commands justice, the doing of good, and liberality to kith and kin, and He forbids all shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion, He instructs you, that you may receive admonition.
179: In the Law of Equality there is (saving of) life to you, o ye men of understanding! That ye may restrain yourselves.
Islam lays great importance on deeds of kindness and compassion.
Usury: 275: Those who devour usury will not stand except as him who stands whom the Evil One has touched and driven to madness, that is because they say: "Trade is like usury," But Allah has permitted trade and forbidden usury.
Oppression: Al-Maida 5: Aya 32: W ordained for the children of Israel that if anyone slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land, it would be as if he slew whole people:
And if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of whole people
Trade: Al-Nisa-4: O ye who believe eat not up your property among yourselves in vanity
But let there be among you traffic and trade by mutual good-will: Nor kill (or destry0 yourselves: for verily Allah has been to you most Merciful
Manners to be observed by Muslims:
Ridicule, taunts, and biting words should be avoided in presence or in absence, suspicion and spying are unworthy of men who believe. All humans are descended from one pair. Their honor depends not on race, but on righteousness. Faith is not a matter of words, but of accepting Allah's pleasure, and striving in His cause.
Al-Hujraat -49: 11: O you who believe! Let not some men amongst you laugh at others, it may be that the (latter) are better than the former: Nor let some women laugh at others, may be that the latter are better than the former.
Nor defame nor be sarcastic to each other, nor call each other by (offensive) nicknames, Ill-seeming is a name connoting wickedness (to be used of one) after he has belied. And those who do not desist are indeed doing wrong.
12: O Ye who believe: avoid suspicion as much as possible: for suspicion in some cases is sin:
And spy not on each other, and nor speak ill of each other behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay you would abhor it. But fear Allah: For Allah is Oft-Returning, most Merciful.
No, Nation of Islam is quite different than true Islam. See related question below for more information.
No, Islam is a religion. Muslims arte the followers of Islam religion. Refer to questions below for more information.
If she believes in Islam and performs Islam obligations, then she is Muslim. Refer to questions below for more information.
Islam is the official religion of Muslims. Refer to questions below for more information.
Islam is based on the teachings of Muhammad.
To my information it is Malcolm X. This is not treated at all with the mainstream Islam religion. refer to question below for more information on Nation of Islam.
The religion is Islam. see related question for more information.
A person will be out of Islam if he denies intentionally and on purpose any one of the Islam known 5 pillars.see related questions for more information on Islam 5 pillars.-ELO-
Muslim is the religion. It can also be called Islam.
Yes, Islam forbids the eating of any pig products. refer to related question for more information.
Islam was started by God (Allah in Arabic) by start of universe creation. Refer to question below for more information.
It is from God (Allah in Arabic). Refer to question below for more information.