Islamic Invitation Centre

 

Quick FAQ on Islam

 

Introduction to FAQ

The following FAQ has been developed to give people a one-stop page covering a broad range of questions pertaining to Islam. It is not required of non-muslims to know the answers to these questions before they enter into Islam, rather it provides a quick reference to the many questions people may have about Islam.

• Basic

  1. What is Islam?
  2. Who is Allah?
  3. What does the name "Islam" mean? What is the islam religion?
  4. Is Islam a cult?
  5. What is al islam? Is there a difference between islam and al-islam?
  6. What is the purpose of Islam?
  7. What are the pillars of Islam? The five pillar of islam?
  8. Is it true that the religion of Islam is called Muhammadanism?
  9. Is it true that Muslims are called Muhammadans?
  10. What is a muslim?
  11. What is an Islamicist? What is an Islamists? Who are Islamics?
  12. What are the required worship practices in Islam?
  13. What is the Quran?
  14. Do Muslims believe in Heaven and Hell?
  15. Who was the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)?
  16. Where, when and how did Islam originate?
  17. What is "Islamic Fundamentalism"?
  18. Is Islam for arabs only?
  19. Is Islam the fastest growing religion?
  20. Is there an Islamic calender? What are the months?
  21. What are the Muslim holy days?
  22. What are the Muslim holy sites?
  23. In what way is Al-Masjid al-Aqsa (in Jerusalem) significant to Muslims?
  24. What is a Khalifah{Caliph}?
  25. Do we have free will?
  26. Did Allah create Evil?
  27. Do muslims believe in Satan?
  28. What is the worst sin in Islam?
  29. Do bad things happen to the believers (good people)?
  30. But how can breaking a leg be good for a believer?
  31. Do Muslims believe in an afterlife?
  32. Do Muslims believe in reincarnation?
  33. Do Muslims believe in angels?
  34. Do Muslims believe in Predestination?
  35. What are Jinn?
  36. I do not to harm anyone and to try to be a good person, so why do I need to follow a religion, like Islam?
  37. How Do Muslims Treat the Elderly?
  38. Why are there so many rules in Islam?
  39. How do we know Islam is the truth?

• Worship
  1. Do muslims worship Muhammad (pbuh) ?
  2. What is the Kaaba?
  3. Is the Kaaba mentioned in the Bible?
  4. What is the black stone?
  5. Do muslims worship the black stone?
  6. What is the house of worship for Muslims called?
  7. Is there a difference between masjid and mosque?
  8. Can muslims only pray in a masjid?
  9. What objects are found in a common masjid? What do they symbolize and why are they important?
  10. Can muslims worship anything else apart from Allah?
  11. Is there a trinity in Islam?
  12. What is it that keeps us from entering Heaven?
  13. Why do Muslims have to pray towards Ka'aba in Makkah?
  14. Why do muslims pray?
  15. Do all muslims have to pray?
  16. What are the 5 daily prayers?
  17. Why is prayer important in Islam?
  18. Why do muslims fast?
  19. Why do muslims go on pilgrimage?
  20. Iraq is in the news alot, and there are alot of pilgrims to Iraq? Is that part of Islam?
• Allah

1. What do Muslims believe about Allah?
2. Where is Allah?
3. Does Allah look like us?
4. Can we see Allah?
5. Does Allah see us?
6. What are the attributes given to Allah, in Islam?
7. What does it mean to believe in Allah?
8. Does Allah answer my prayers?
9. When does Allah not answer our prayers?
10. Is Allah male or female?
11. Can Allah create a big stone too heavy for him to move?
12. Do muslims call their God, Father?
13. Does Allah speak?
14. Were we, the human race, created in the Image of God?
15. Can people talk to God?
16. Can people see God?
17. Has God ever come down to this World?
18. Will we ever see God?
19. Does God live in the clouds?
20. Is God an old man, as depicted in the Bible?
21. Does God regret, as depicted in the Bible?
22. Does God forget, as depicted in the Bible?

• Qur'an
  1. How many different versions of the Qur'an are there?
  2. Has the Qur'an Changed since the time of Muhammad(pbuh)?
  3. What is the purpose of the Qur'an?
  4. Are translations authentic copies of the Quran?
  5. How was the Quran preserved?
  6. What are some of the scientific miracles of the Quran
  7. How is the Qu'ran different from other holy texts?
  8. Why should I read the Qur'an?
  9. Is there a guide to the English translations of the Qur'an?
  10. Where can I read the Qur'an translation online?

• Muhammad (pbuh) & other prophets

1. What does pbuh mean?
2. Do muslims believe only in Muhammad (pbuh) as their Prophet?
3. Is Muhammad a prophet or a messiah?
4. Who is Mahound?
5. Do prophets sin?
6. But Adam sinned?
7. How many Prophets were there?
8. Where were all these prophets sent?
9. Did the Prophets have knowledge of the unseen?
10. Were any of these prophets semi-gods, demi-gods?

• Muslims

1. What is the difference between Moslems and Muslims?
2. What do Muslims believe?
3. How many Muslims are there?
4. Do muslims sin?
5. Are muslims fatalists?
6. How do you know if you're a true Believer or not?
7. Why do muslim men have beards?
8. Are muslims anti-semitic?
9. What does the greeting of muslims "as-salaamu `alaikum" mean?
10. How to become a Muslim?

• Paradise and Hell

1. What will Paradise be like?
2. Wha will Hell be like?
3. Who will go to Paradise?
4. Who will go to Hell?
5. Is Paradise spiritual or physical?
6. Is Paradise and Hell eternal?
7. Where is Paradise?
8. Where is Hell?
9. Are muslims guaranteed paradise?
10. Do only martyrs get virgins in Paradise?
11. Describe the virgins of Paradise.
12. Did all prophets talk about Paradise and Hell?
13. Do Christians and Jews go to Paradise?
14. Will muslims go to Hell?
15. Will there be intoxicants in Paradise, even though muslims are forbidden intoxicants?

• Women

  1. Does Islam teach that women are inferior to men?
  2. Does Islam oppress women?
  3. Why do Muslim women wear the veil?
  4. Can a woman be a Imam, Khalifah, or scholar?
  5. Are Women inferior to men, because one male witness is equal to two female witnesses?
  6. Why do men inherit twice the amount as women. Is it because women are inferior?
  7. Is beating of women permitted in Islam?
  8. Why do women walk behind men?
  9. Why do women pray behind men?
  10. Are women allowed to lead prayers?
  11. Education is only for men in Islam. Why?
  12. Is it allowed in Islam, for women to play sports, so long as no men can see them?

• Marriage

1. What is an Islamic marriage?
2. Why are muslim women forced into marriages?
3. Is marriage compulsory on muslims?
4. Are interracial marriages allowed in Islam?
5. Why can men marry more than one wife?
6. Why can't women have more than one husband?
7. Does Islam promote polygamy?
8. Is an Islamic marriage like a Christian marriage?
9. Is divorce allowed in Islam?
10. What about Registration marriage?
11. Is birth control allowed in Islam?
12. Can muslims marry Christians and Jews?
13. In Islam can a husband forces his wife to live with his family without her will ?
14. In Islam what are the duties of a womon towards her in-laws?
15. Is sex a taboo subject in Islam?
16. Are there any sexual restrictions in Islam between a husband and wife?
17. Is sex for the satisfaction of only the husband in Islam?
18. In Islam, is sex only for procreation?
19. What is the Agama Islam Jabatan Selangor (Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor)?
20. Is there honor killing (honour killing) in Islam?

• Diet
  1. What can muslims eat?
  2. Why is alcohol forbidden in Islam?
  3. Why is pork prohibited in Islam?
  4. Are drugs allowed in Islam?
  5. Is there any relationship between the characteristics of foodstuffs and the nature of the person who eats them?
  6. Can muslims eat the meat of the Christian or Jew?
  7. Can a muslim be a vegetarian?
  8. Why do Muslims slaughter the animal in a ruthless manner by torturing it and slowly and painfully killing it?
• War

  1. Does Islam promote terrorism?
  2. Does Islam promote wars?
  3. What is "Jihad"?
  4. Was Islam spread by the sword?
  5. But Ali Sina, the famous anti-Islamic marauder, claims there was forced conversion in India?
  6. Is Jihad only defensive, or can it be offensive as well?
  7. How are prisoners treated?
  8. Are the muslims who live in Iraq, Chechnya, Kashmir, Afghanistan, Palestine, Bosnia, Kosovo also human?
  9. Are muslims allowed to rape, as the Christian Serbs systematically raped 200,000 muslim women?

• Sufism
  1. What are Sufism, Sufis and Sufi Orders? What is Tasawwuf?
  2. Is there Mysticism in Islam?
• Jesus

1. Who is Jesus to us?
2. Who is Eesaa (pbuh)?
3. Who were Jesus's parents?
4. Does Jesus have a role in Islam?
5. Do muslims believe Jesus was the "Son" of God?
6. Do muslims believe Jesus was God?
7. Do muslims believe Jesus was part of the Trinity?
8. Do muslims believe Jesus was crucified?
9. You claim to believe in Jesus, but reject the "book of Jesus"?
10. Was Jesus a Christian, Jew, or muslim?
11. Did Jesus pray?
12. Did Jesus fast?
13. What language did he speak?
14. But Jesus was God because he says so in the Bible?
15. But Jesus is God because he raised the dead?
16. Jesus said "I am" so he must be God?
17. But people "worshipped"Jesus and he did not object?
18. Because he was the "Messiah"?
19. Because Jesus had no father?
20. Because he had the power to forgive and only God can forgive?
21. What about the Shroud of Turin, is it real?
22. Does Jesus love me?

• Non-Muslims

1. Does Islam teach that all non-Muslims will go to Hell?
2. Will the good actions of the non-believers be wasted?
3. What is the relation of Islam to Judaism and Christianity?
4. Why do muslims hate Christians?
5. Why do muslims hate Jews?
6. Why do muslims call non-muslims Infidels?

• Converts to Islam

1. How to become a Muslim?
2. Why should I revert to Islam?
3. What does Islam have to offer me?
4. Is Islam suited to a particular race or colour, or is islam universal and suitable for all colours and races?
5. What will I lose after accepting Islam?
6. Can I delay my conversion?
7. How do I know the right time to convert?
8. Do I tell my parents and family I've become a Muslim?
9. Do I need to go to the masjid/mosque in order to officially pronounce my conversion?
10. Is there a ritual like baptism needed to convert?
11. Do I have to change my name? Do I need an Islamic name?
12. Do I have to reject my country, its culture and tradition?
13. Why do you say "revert" to Islam?
14. Now that I have converted, is it ok to acquire all islamic knowledge from books?
15. Is it all right for him to say his prayers in English?
16. How important is it for me to learn arabic?
17. How will I acquire knowledge on Islam? There is alot of information on Islam online, is that enough?
18. Is Circumcision obligatory after conversion?
19. Jews/Christians have a special place in Islam, do they have to 'convert' to acquire salvation?
20. Can converts attend the funeral of their non-muslim relatives?
21. I am a white middle-class Englishman, will Islam accept me?
22. I am a white American, given that muslims hate America, will the muslims accept me into their community?
23. What is my relationship with my parents and family?
24. Can I attend christmas festivals and other non-Islamic festivals?
25. Can I bring non-muslims into the masjid?
26. If the husband converts, does the wife have to?
27. If the wife converts, does the husband have to?
28. Are there any famous converts?

• Groups in Islam

1. What is the Nation of Islam?
2. What is the difference between sunni and shia?
3. Are there any other groups and sects in Islam?
4. What is the parti islam semalaysia?

• Dress

1. Why do the men wear funny clothes?
2. Is it compulsory for a woman to cover herself?
3. The female's dress is restricted, is the males?
4. Do women have to wear black or dark colours?
5. Is nudity allowed in Islam?
6. Why do muslims have beards?
7. Is the wearing of Shalwar Kamis required?

• Political System

1. Can Islam separate religion from the state?
2. Is Islam against democracy?
3. Is Islam against patriotism?
4. Is Islam against nationalism?
5. Is Islam against ALL "isms"?

• Penal System

1. Islamic law is barbaric and outdated?
2. Do all theives have their hands chopped?
3. Why are women stoned to death for adultery, but not men?

• Economic System

1. Does Islam have an Economic System?
2. Is usury allowed in Islam?
3. Are pension schemes allowed in Islam?
4. Is Insurance allowed in Islam?
5. Is Islam against Capitalism?
6. How will Islam resolve the economic problems of the world?

• Social System

1. Does Islam have a Social System?
2. There is an alcohol culture in the West, will islam resolve it?
3. There is a drug culture in the West, will islam resolve it?
4. There is a culture of promiscuity in the West, will islam resolve it?
5. Pornography is one of the biggest industry in the West, will Islam resolve it?

• Sharia

1. What is Sharia?
2. Is free mixing of the sexes allowed in Islam?
3. Is music allowed in Islam?
4. Is dancing allowed in Islam?
5. Is television allowed in Islam?
6. Is usury allowed in Islam?
7. Is prostitution allowed in Islam?
8. Is pornography allowed in Islam?
9. Is gambling allowed in Islam?
10. Is alcohol allowed in Islam?
11. Are drugs allowed in Islam?
12. Is masturbation allowed in Islam?
13. Does black magic exist?
14. Is black magic allowed in Islam?
15. What does Islam say about ghost, demons etc?
16. Are there exorcisms in Islam?
17. What is Islam's view on astrology?

• Cultural

1. Is female circumcision part of Islam?
2. Was female circumcision introduced by islam?
3. What is the Islamic ruling on sports?
4. What does Islam say about blood sports?
5. What does Islam say about numerology? What is 786?

• Animals

1. Does Islam allow cats as pets?
2. Does Islam allow dogs as pets?
3. Does Islam allow other pets?
4. Are zoos allowed in Islam?

• Contemporary

1. What about Dating and Premarital sex?
2. What about Abortion?
3. What about Homosexuality and AIDS?
4. Can a muslim be homosexual?
5. Does Islam consider homosexuality to be a choice or genetically inherited?
6. What about Euthanasia and Suicide?
7. What about Organ transplantation?
8. What about the lottery?
9. What about Adoption?
10. Sept 11 was perpetuated by Muslim Terrorist. Hence Islam is Evil, right?
11. Well, Usama Bin Laden carried out the attacks, he even said so. right?
12. Do muslims acknowledge that Israel belongs to the Jews?
13. Is the war between Jews and Palestinians based on creed?
14. What is a Muslim fundamentalist?
15. Are Muslim fundamentalists good muslims?
16. Is anti-Americanism due to envy?
17. Do fundamentalist muslims really hate "our freedoms"?
18. Why do muslims get so upset when the Qur'an is desecrated?
19. Is the War of Terrorism a War against Islam?
20. Were the London bombings Islamically acceptable?
21. Is there any evidence that these Suicide Bombings are being carried out by Intelligent Agencies, and not by muslims?
22. Is there any evidence that this War on Terrorism is phony and the real perpretators is Mossad?

• Christianity

1. What can Islam give that Christianity can't?
2. As a Christian, I love Jesus, would I have to give that up, if I accept Islam?
3. Christians/Jews believe God created man in his image. Do muslims believe it also?
4. What does Islam say about original sin?
5. Jews have their Sabbath on Saturday. Christians have their holiday on Sunday. Why do Muslims have their holiday on Friday?
6. In Christianity, we have to believe in Jesus as our personal Savior to enter Paradise. What does Islam say about Salvation?
7. During Christmas, I realized that Muslims don't celebrate this festivity. Since Muslims do believe in Jesus, why then they don't celebrate Christmas?
8. When you read the Bible account of Mary's miraculous birth, the reader is confused, did she have some sort of relationship with God? Or the Holy Spirit?
9. Do Muslims believe in the Bible?
10. Does the Qur'an not mention the Bible?
11. Why did Allah allow corruption of previous messages of the prophets?
12. OK, so Christianity makes no sense, but Islam makes no sense either?
13. In Christianity babies are considered sinful. What does Islam say?
14. Why did GOD end His revelations with Muhammad and not with Jesus?
15. So, does the Qur'an say that the bible has been corrupted?
16. Is the Torah mentioned in the Qur'an, the Old Testament?
17. Is the Injil (gospel) mentioned in the Qur'an, the New Testament?
18. What is the Gospel of Barnabas?
19. Do muslims believe in the Gospel of Barnabas?
20. What are the Dead Sea Scrolls
21. Do muslims believe in the Dead Sea Scrolls?
22. What does Islam say about the successful exorcisms in Christianity?
23. What does Islam say about the successful healing of the sick, when done in the name of Jesus, in Christianity?
24. What is the Holy Spirit?
25. Do muslims believe in a "God of Love"?
26. Does Islam guarantee me paradise?
27. Are there any true analogies of the Trinity?
28. But either Jesus was lieing or telling the truth when he said he was God?

• Misconceptions

1. Is Allah the moon God worshipped by pagan arabs?
2. So, why are the star and crescent religious symbols and icons of Islam? Are there Islam symbols? Is there an Islam symbol?
3. Is the Qur'an copied from the bible?
4. Did Muhammad write the Qur'an?
5. What about those who say there are errors/mistakes in Quran?
6. Are muslims terrorists?
7. Does Islam promote violence and terrorism?
8. Was Muhammad a murderer?
9. Did Muhammad murder a whole tribe of Jews?
10. Is it true Muhammad waged war against his enemies as soon as he had the means?
11. What are the proofs that wars were imposed upon Muhammad and his followers?
12. Was Muhammad a lustful man pursuing his lusts and sensuous pleasures?
13. Why did the Prophet (pbuh) marriy ‘Aa’ishah despite the age difference?
14. Is Islam tolerant of other faiths?
15. Is Islam spreading only because muslims breed like rabbits?
16. Does Islam promote slavery?
17. Are Christians and Jews, under an Islamic Government, treated as second-class citizens?
18. Do muslims force conversion upon non-muslims?
19. Does Islam breed suicide bombers?
20. Christian missionaries say that muslims will have homosexuality in Paradise. Is this true?