Islamic Invitation Centre
Basic
A: Islam is the universal religion of all the prophets of Allah (God) culminating in Muhammad (pbuh).
A: Allah is the personal name of God, in arabic and aramaic (the language of Jesus). It cannot take plural/feminine form, whereas, the word "God" is a title, not a name, and can take plural/feminine forms.
In fact, Islam is the only religion which teaches the existence of a PERFECT God. A perfect God means that there is no sharer in His Nature and His Attributes.
For more information, go to [Who is Allah?]
Q: What does the name "Islam" mean? What is the islam religion?
A: The literal meaning of the arabic word "Islam", means peace. Islam is a religion that is universal for each and every human being. For more information, go to [What is Islam?]
A: Islam is not a cult. Its followers number over 1.5 billion worldwide. Along with Judaism and Christianity, it is considered to be one of the three Abrahamic faiths.
Q: What is al islam? Is there a difference between islam and al-islam?
A: There is no difference. People forget, Islam is an arabic word, and "al", in arabic means "The"
Q: What is the purpose of Islam?
A: Islam, is purely and simply the implementation of the Qur’an. And by doing so, you will have guidance. Islam gives purpose and meaning to life. It gives the Muslim an identity and an awareness of his or her position in this vast universe. To know that everything you think, do, and say is serving a purpose, fulfilling an obligation, and pleasing your Creator and Sustainer is greatest feeling that one can have in this life!Q: What are the pillars of Islam? The 5 pillar of islam?
A: Yes, there are five pillars of Islam. They are:- Shahada - To declare{in front of witnesses} and to believe in one"s heart that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger
- Salat - To perform the obligatory prayers five times a day within the prescribed time frames.
- Zakat - To practice regular charity.
- Siyam - To fast during the month of Ramadan.
- Hajj - To make the journey or pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in one's lifetime.
Q: Is it true that the religion of Islam is called Muhammadanism?
A: No! If anyone, who wants to insult a Muslim, he would state that Muhammadanism is the religion of Islam. Anyone who wants to submit willingly in peace to the One God (Allah), he or she is called a Muslim, and the religion is Islam. It is the religion of peace, harmony, concord and happiness with serenity.
Q: Is it true that Muslims are called Muhammadans?
A: No! The followers of the religion of Islam are called Muslims. They worship the Only One Creator, namely Allah. Muslims do not worship Muhammad, and the founder of Islam is Allah. Muhammad is not divine, the divinity belongs to Allah alone. Muhammad is not an immortal being. Allah alone is immortal. Therefore, Muslims are those individuals who submit to Allah willingly in peace. They are the ones who make their Pledge of Allegiance daily to Allah.
A: A muslim is one who accepts the religion of Islam. For more information, go to [What is a muslim?]
Q: What is an Islamicist? What is an Islamist? Who are Islamics?
A: Although these terms are branded about, no such things exist from an Islamic point of view, that is, in Islam there is a religion, a way if life, called Islam, and there are followers of Islam, muslim.
Today's modern dictionaries and media rantings define them as:
Islamicist : a person who advocates the religion of Islam.
Islamist : "Islamic fundamentalist"
They are used synonimously, and have become a favorite term of condemnation to be used against any Muslim that needs to be politically destroyed. More and more, one hears this being used by the "experts" that get on cable talk shows as they rant about Muslims.
Islamics is another erroneous term used for muslims.
Q: What are the required worship practices in Islam?
A: There are the five obligatory pillars of worship. these are:
- The testimony of faith
- Ritual prayer five times a day
- Giving to charity
- Fasting during Ramadan
- Pilgrimage to Mecca
A: The Qur'an is The FINAL Message from Allah to ALL humanity. For more information, go to [What is the Qur'an?]
Q: Do Muslims believe in Heaven and Hell?
A: Yes.
Q: Who was the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)?
A: The final prophet of Allah, for ALL humanity. For more information, go to [Who was the Prophet Muhammad?]
Q: Where, when and how did Islam originate?
A: Islam is the religion which was given to Adam, the first man and the first prophet of Allah, and it was the religion of all the prophets sent by Allah to mankind. Hence, it was not a new religion brought by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) I in Arabia in the seventh century, but only the true religion of Allah re-expressed in its final form. For more information, go to [The True Religion]
Q: What is "Islamic Fundamentalism"?
A: There is no concept of "Fundamentalism" in Islam. The western media has coined this term to brand those Muslims who wish to return to the basic fundamental principles of Islam and mould their lives accordingly. Islam is a religion of moderation and a practicing God fearing Muslim can neither be a fanatic nor an extremist.
A: No! Islam is a universal religion which was revealed for the whole of humankind since the Holy Quran was not meant to be confined to one race or a particular nation.
Q: Is Islam the fastest growing religion?
A: Islam is the fastest growing religion, and estimates suggest that they will outnumber Christians sometime around the year 2020. For more information. see [Islam the Fastest growing religion].
Q: Is there an Islamic calender? What are the months?
A: . The Islamic calendar (or Hijri calendar) is a purely lunar calendar. It contains 12 months that are based on the motion of the moon, and because 12 synodic months is only 12 x 29.53=354.36 days, the Islamic calendar is consistently shorter than a typical year, and therefore it shifts with respect to the Christian calendar.The calendar is based on the Qur'an (Sura IX, 36-37) and its proper observance is a sacred duty for Muslims.
The Islamic calendar is the official calendar in countries around the Gulf, especially Saudi Arabia. But other Muslim countries use the Gregorian calendar for civil purposes and only turn to the Islamic calendar for religious purposes.
The Islamic twelve months are:
- Muharram
- Safar
- Rabi' al-awwal (Rabi' I)
- Rabi' al-thani (Rabi' II)
- Jumada al-awwal (Jumada I)
- Jumada al-thani (Jumada II)
- Rajab
- Sha'ban
- Ramadan
- Shawwal
- Dhu al-Qi'dah
- Dhu al-Hijjah
Q: What are the Muslim holy days?
A: The main holy days are: the month of Ramadhan (when muslims fast), and two days of celebration, Eid Al-Adhha (This holy day is the "feast of sacrifice" and is celebrated from the tenth through the thirteenth days of Zul-Hijjah) and Eid Al-Fitr(the first day after the month of Ramadhan finishes).
Q: What are the Muslim holy sites?
A: The three holy sites are : The Kaabah(in Maccah), The masjid of the prophet(in Medina) and Al-Aqsa (in Jerusalem).
Q: In what way is Al-Masjid al-Aqsa (in Jerusalem) significant to Muslims?
A: To Muslims, Jerusalem houses one of the holiest Mosques, the Masjid-al-Aqsa and represents a place of greatest religious significance. For more information go to [The Centrality of Masjid al Aqsa in Islam].Q: What is a Khalifah{Caliph}?
A: An arabic word that means '' to leave behind.'' Also a successor, viceroy, or deputy. Historically, the caliph [or Khalipha] is the Muslim leader or ruler.
A: Yes, of course. Allah does not punish us for something we did not do on our own. But at the same time, our will is not inspire of Allah's will. We cannot do anything if Allah will not allow it. In other words nothing goes on in Allah's kingdom without His will.
A: Yes, Allah created the good, and the bad. Whatever bad happens to us is due to our sins. We sin and Allah pardons much of what we do; however, when something bad happens to us it is our fault, and we are to blame. Bad things that happen to a person are a chance for that person to reflect, and ask: "Why is this happening to me?". A chance for a person to return from his sin, and obey, and worship Allah.
Q: Do muslims believe in Satan?
A: Yes. The Satan is a Jinn who was raised with the Angels and lived with them. His name is Iblis.
Q: What is the worst sin in Islam?
A: Worship of anyone other than Allah is the greatest sin. It is called shirk, and this is not forgiven except through repentance.
Q: Do bad things happen to the believers (good people)?
A: Yes, they do. But they appear bad to the believers cause they are things people don't like. Who likes breaking a leg? However, when a bad thing happens to a believer this believer is patient. He praises Allah in all circumstances. He knows Allah does not decree something unless it is for his own good.
Q: But how can breaking a leg be good for a believer?
A: Because it is a chance for the believer to think about what he did wrong.
Also because Allah forgives much of what we do, but those things we are not forgiven, they are forgiven due to our patience when we are struck by a calamity. Allah gives us better reward when a problem strikes us on earth if we are patient. This reward can be on earth, and it can be in Heaven.
Narrated Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri and Abu Huraira: The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, "No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that."
Q: Do Muslims believe in an afterlife?
A: Muslims believe that after death, we will be resurrected and held accountable for our deeds.
Q: Do Muslims believe in reincarnation?
A: No.Q: Do Muslims believe in angels?
A: Muslims do believe in angels. They are made of light. They are invisible to us and are neither male nor female. Angels are spiritual beings (not possessing physical bodies) and are sinless. They never disobey Allah in what He commands them, and act as they are commanded. They neither eat, nor drink; neither pain nor disease ever comes upon them; nor does old age or decrepitude. Their food and drink consists of glorification and sanctification of Allah.
There are millions of angels. The number of angels is known to Allah only.
Q: Do Muslims believe in Predestination?
A: Yes. Muslims believe in Predestination and Free-will.
A: Allah created Jinn from the smokeless flame of a fire. Jinn, like angels, are unseen creatures. Unlike angels, however, Jinn are not sinless and have the potential to disobey Allah. The first Jinn recorded to have disobeyed Allah was Iblis. He was then called Shaytan, and any Jinn who is disobedient to Allah is referred to, in general as a shaytan (satan).
Q: 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?
A: "God provides us with the purpose of our existence and if we seek to do good it is the same as seeking to do the will of God. Your belief in God only has value in so far as you live your life according to His purpose for you.How then do we know what is the will of God? That is where religion comes in. Allah has revealed His will through prophets. To find out what this is you need to study the revelation.
In Islam the core source of that revelation is the Qur'an - I recommend you read it." - Lamaan Ball
Lamaan Ball's website gives answers to several tricky questions at Investigating Islam.
Q: How Do Muslims Treat the Elderly?
A: In the Islamic world, one rarely finds “old people’s homes.” The strain of caring for one’s parents in this most difficult time of their lives is considered an honor and a blessing and an opportunity for great spiritual growth. In Islam, it is not enough that we only pray for our parents, but we should act with limitless compassion, remembering that when we were helpless children, they preferred us to themselves. Mothers are particularly honored. When Muslim parents reach old age, they are treated mercifully, with kindness and selflessness.In Islam, serving one’s parents is a duty second to prayer, and it is their right to expect it. It is considered despicable to express any irritation when, through no fault of their own, the old become difficult.
Allah has said:
" Your Lord has commanded that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to your parents. If one of them or both of them reach old age with you, do not say to them a word of disrespect, or scold them, but say a generous word to them. And act humbly to them in mercy, and say, “My Lord, have mercy on them, since they cared for me when I was small.” (Quran, 17:23-24)
Q: Why are there so many rules in Islam?
A: Islam is a complete way of life. The guidelines laid down in the Qur’an and life example of Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) are for the betterment of ourselves individually and humanity as a whole. Once we realize this, the rules seem easy and pleasantly rewarding.
In fact, most of the rules and regulations are in line with common sense! Hence, muslims do not consider the rules to be a burden on them.
Q: How do we know Islam is the truth?
A: It is the only religion that:
- Hold Allah as One, Unique, and Perfect.
- A lonly worship of Allah, not Jesus, not an idol, and not an angel only Allah.
- The Qur'an does not contain contradictions.
- The Qur'an contains scientific facts, which are 1300 years ahead of their time. The Koran while revealed 1400 years ago contains scientific facts, which are only now being discovered. It is not in contradiction to science.
- Allah challenges the world to produce the like of the Koran. And He says they won't be able to.
- Prophet Mohammed was the most influential man in History. Even a non-Muslim wrote a book called the 100 most influential men in History, and Prophet Mohammed was #1. Prophet Jesus was #3. Note even Prophet Jesus was a prophet sent by Allah. Would Allah allow a false prophet to be so successful? No. Even the Bible says this in Deuteronomy 18:19. A false prophet would die!!! Yet Prophet Mohammed did not die till he completely conveyed, and taught Allah's religion.
- He had many prophecies, and all of his prophecies have come true, or are still coming true.
- When one looks at the belief of Islam it becomes so logical and obvious. It is logical to believe that there is only One God.
- When one looks at the belief of Islam it becomes so pure. It is common sense to believe that God would never have a preference of a race over another.