What are the key beliefs and characteristics of Islam?

Answer 1

The major beliefs on which the Muslim traditions are based are:

Eemaan Mujmal: Translation: I believe in Almighty Allah, as are His beautiful Names and Attributes, I accept all His Commands, I declare from my tongue, and testify by my heart.

Eeman Mufassal: Translation: I believe in Almighty Allah. The Angels, all heavenly Books, all Prophets, in the Day of Judgment, and this that Good or Bad Destiny is from Him, and that there will be life after death and then No death (Eternal life in heaven or hell).

1. Belief in Almighty Allah (God): God- Allah is ONE Allah. There is no god but He. He and He alone deserves worship. He is All-Knowing, All-Seeing. All power lies in His Hands. He will punish the sinners and reward the Good. He is Eternal, Unique, and incorporeal. There is nothing like Him.

2. Belief in Angels Created by Almighty God- Allah Karim from light. They are obedient to Allah Karim. Carry out His commands. The Jews and Christians also believe in the Angels.

3. The Muslims believe in all heavenly books, including Tora, Zaboor, The Bible, the last one being the Qur'an. .

4. The Muslims believe in all the Messengers (Prophets May peace be upon them all) of Almighty Allah- No distinction among them. Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) being the last Prophet of Islam. NO Prophet after him.

5. The Muslims believe in the life after death, resurrection and the Day of Judgment. Almighty Allah Karim is the Sole Ruler/Master of that Day. He enjoys the absolute authority to send people to Heaven or Hell. .

6. The Muslims believe that good and bad Destiny being in the Hands of Almighty Allah. No One can change his destiny.

7. Life hereafter: All the dead will be raised again and judged according to their good or bad deeds. There will be no death to them.

8. Hell and Heaven (Paradise)

9. The Muslims believe that Nobody can take the responsibility of some other person's deeds.

10. All thehirk.

What is shirk? Why is it wrong?

Let us first decide what shirk is:

Shirk means to associate Partners with Almighty Allah (God). It is of two kinds

1. Shirk in Person. To say that there are two or more gods along with Almighty Allah. These gods also deserve worship. They enjoy equal powers to Almighty Allah.

2. Shirk in the Attributes (Qualities/capabilities) of Allah. To accept that there only One Almighty Allah, yet there are some pious people/peers/aulias/ deities/ who can work in the scheme of universe and can exercise their powers to give benefit or to do harm to people against the Will of Almighty Allah. People call upon these personalities (dead or alive) for help. This is also Shirk.

The opposite of Shirk is Tauheed. To believe that there is no god except ONE and ONLY Almighty Allah. He has no Son, No Parents, No Partner and No Associate what so ever. He and He alone deserves Worship.

Shirk is wrong for many reasons. As Almighty Allah is the Sole Creator, Sustainer, Provider, and Ruler of all worlds, Only He deserves worship. It is the most hateful Injustice to associate Partners, Off-spring, Parents etc. to Him. He may forgive any other sin, but He shall NEVER forgive Shirk, it's the Greatest Injustice.

All that has been declared illegal (Haram) by Almighty Allah in the holy Qur'an or by Prophet (SAW) in his doings or sayings. For example:

1. Attributing any Partner or Associate whatsoever with Almighty Allah.

2. Killing any innocent human (irrespective of his caste, creed, color, country, religion)

3. 3. Even halal animals or birds attributed to any idol, holy man, any Deity.

4. Worshiping anything else than Almighty Allah.

5. Adultery

6. Usury

7. Usurping the property/belongings of others

8. Backbiting, theft, robbery/rebellion etc.

9. Disrespect of any of the Prophets (May peace be upon them all)

10. Falsehood, fraud, cheating, defaming others

11. Eating flesh of dead animals/birds. Eating flesh of animals/birds declared Haram.

12. Performing any act of prayers against the teachings of the Holy Prophet (SAW)

13. (Bida'at) Inventing or adding any act of prayer not mentioned by the holy Prophet or Khulafai Rashidoon

14. (Bida'at) Deleting/subtracting any act of worship from the actions of the Holy Prophet (SAW).