The 20 Most Frequently Asked Questions about Islam

he 20 Most Frequently Asked Questions about Islam
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

The word "Islam" means peace and submission to the Will of the only God worthy of being worshipped. This peace is contentment with yourself and your surroundings that could only be achieved by willfully submitting to God, obeying what He commands and abstaining from what He forbids.


WHO IS ALLAAH?

Allaah is the name in Arabic for the "One God". Allaah is the Creator, Sustainer, Planner and Organizer. He is the only deity that has the right to be worshipped (i.e. praying, supplicating, fasting, etc.). In Islam, the belief in the One God cannot be separated from the acts of worshipping the One God. In other words, it is not enough to simply think you believe in the Oneness of the Creator but that belief must be affirmed by your statement and actions. Example, it would negate ones belief in the Oneness of the Creator if he directs his worship to a man (or any of the other created things).

WHO IS A PROPHET?

A Prophet is a person who is appointed by God to call the people to the worship and believe in the One God. All Prophets were given miracles by Allaah to prove that they were Prophets. For example, Moses was given the miracles to free the Children of Israel, Jesus was given the ability to heal the sick and raise the dead by Allaah's’ leave and Muhammad was given the Qur’an which is the everlasting and literal speech of Allaah. May Allaah send His peace and blessings on all the Prophets. Ameen!

WHAT IS THE QUR’AN?

The Qur’an is the Last Revelation from your Lord. It was revealed in the pure Arabic language to the Prophet Muhammad and has been kept preserved and unchanged, in its original form. The English interpretation of the Qur’an will be used as reference in this brochure. It is not Allaah's' Word rather, it is a general interpretation of the meaning of the Qur’an. The Qur’an confirms the truth in the Torah, Psalms and the Gospel.

WHO WAS MUHAMMAD?

Muhammad is the Final Prophet and Messenger. He was born into the tribe of Quarish in the year 570 AD. His ancestry goes back to the Prophet Ishmael, the son of Prophet Abraham. His father died before his birth and his mother died before he was six. As a young man he was known as Al-Ameen (the trustworthy). He would retreat to a cave outside of Mecca where, he would ponder and reflect about the immoral practices and customs of the Pagan Arabs. He received revelation from the Creator at the age of 40 through the Angel Gabriel. Subsequently, the Revelations came over the period of 23 years and are collectively in the Qur’an.

WHAT ARE THE PILLARS OF ISLAM?

Islam has 5 Pillars.

1) (Iman) Belief that no deity is worthy of worship except Allaah and Muhammad is His Last Prophet and Messenger.

2) (Salat) Prayers, which are performed 5 times a day.

3) (Siyam) Fasting in the month of Ramadaan. Abstaining from food, drink and sexual relations with spouses from sunrise to sunset.

4) (Zakat) Charity is the requirement of 2.5% of a Muslims' saved earnings given to the poor once a year as purification of his wealth.

5) (Hajj) Pilgrimage is a journey to the Kab'ah in the sacred city of Mecca. Muslims are required to do this at least once in a lifetime if they are physically and financially able.

WHAT ARE THE FUNDAMENTALS OF FAITH?

1) Belief in Allaah, His Oneness and ascribing no partners to Him.

2) Belief in the Angels (Gabriel, Michael, Israfil, etc.).

3) Belief in the revealed scriptures (Torah, Psalms, Gospel) in their original form, not as they exist today.

4) Belief in Allaah’s Messengers (Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad etc.)

5) Belief in the Day of Resurrection.

6) Belief in Pre-Ordainment. The good or bad of it.

WHO IS A MUSLIM?

One who practices the 5 pillars of Islam and believes in the fundamentals of faith. One can become a Muslim by saying:

"Ashadhu An Laa ilaha illa Allaah, wa ashadhu anna Muhammad ar-rasulullah."

This means, " I bear witness that no deity has the right to be worshipped except Allaah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Final Messenger."

All Prophets preceding Muhammad were Muslims. This includes Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and Jesus. Is there a doubt that these Prophets did not submit their will to the Creator? Allaah says in the Qur’an:

"Abraham was neither a Jew or a Christian, but he was a true Muslim and he was not of the idolaters." (Qur’an 3:67)

It is important to note that other religions are derived from the name of a place or a person. Examples of this are: Judaism is derived from the tribe of Judah, Hinduism is from the Indus River, Buddhism is from Goutam Buddha and Christianity is from Jesus Christ. Islam is the only revealed religion and way of life that directly attaches its worshippers to the servitude of the Creator.

IS ISLAM THE ONLY RELIGION ACCEPTABLE TO THE CREATOR?

Yes! As explained in the introduction, Islam means peace through the submission to the Will of Allaah. One who does this is called a Muslim. Therefore, the only thing acceptable to the Creator is submission to Him. Allaah says:

"Do they seek other than the Religion of Allaah (Islam)? While to Him submit all other creatures in the heavens and the Earth, willingly or unwillingly. And to Him they shall all be returned. Say, ‘We believe in Allaah and what was sent down to us, and what was sent down to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob and the tribes, and what was revealed to Moses, Jesus, and the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between them, and to Him (Allaah) we have submitted (in Islam)."And whosoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the hereafter he will be of the losers (in the hellfire)." (Qur’an 3:83-85)

WILL THE ACTIONS OF NON-BELIEVERS BE WASTED?

Yes! Allaah says:

"Say, 'Shall We tell you the greatest losers in respect of their deeds? Those whose efforts have been wasted in this life while they thought that they were acquiring good by their deeds. They are those who deny the revelation of their Lord and the meeting with Him (in the Hereafter). So their works are in vain and on the Day of Resurrection, We shall not give them any weight. That shall be their recompense, Hell; because disbelieved and took My revelations and My Messengers by way of jest and mockery. Verily, those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah-Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds shall have the Garden of Paradise for their entertainment." (Qur’an 18:103-107)

WHAT IS THE HEREAFTER?

The "Hereafter" is the final destiny of all worldly existence starting at the time of death. The day mankind will be resurrected from their graves then they shall be brought to account for their deeds whether good or evil. Allaah says:

"I (Allah) swear by the Day of Resurrection, and I (Allaah) swear by self-reproaching person. Does Man think that We shall not assemble his bones? Yes, We are able to put together in perfect order the tips of his fingers. Nay! (Man denies Resurrection and Reckoning. So) he desires to continue committing sins. He asks, ‘When will be this Day of Resurrection?’ So, when the sight shall be dazed, and the moon will eclipsed, and the sun and the moon will be joined together. On that day man will say, ‘ Where is the place that I can flee to?' No! There is no refuge! Unto that your Lord (Alone) will be the place of rest that day. On that day men will be informed of what he sent forward ( of evil or good deeds), and what he left behind (of his good or evil practices). Nay! Man will be a witness against himself." (Qur’an 35:1-4)

DO MUSLIMS WORSHIP MUHAMMAD?

No! Muslims do not worship Muhammad nor do they worship any other Prophets, Saints, or created things. It is not permissible for a Muslim to pray, supplicate, or direct any type of worship to any created thing in rivalry to the Lord of all that exists. Allaah says:

"Say (to them Muhammad), ‘I am only a man like you. It has been inspired to me that your God is One God. So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the Worship of his Lord.' " (Qur’an 18:110)

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF OUR CREATION?

As we examine Allaah’s creation, we will inevitably conclude that all things have a purpose. If we look at the delicate balance of our universe, as vast as it is, orchestrated in perfect synchronization. The human body and its various different processes like thought, movement, vision and its ability to heal itself. The earth and its countless number of life forms, various plants, vegetables and animals. The weather system, the seasons and the water cycle. Surely, these things have some purpose, more so for human beings. Allaah says:

"And We (Allaah) created not the spirits and men, except that they should worship Me (alone)." (Qur'an 51:56)

As the verse states in point #8, all things are in a state of submission to the Creator by following the natural laws that they have been created for. We were born in a state of submission, not in a state of sin as we had no choice in the matter and we will die in submission. Between these two time spans, man has been given the rational ability to choose to submit to his Creator. Know for surety that we will all die and none of us knows when we’re going to die. Isn’t it time you submitted to your Lord?

WHAT IS THE TRUTH ABOUT JESUS?

Jesus, the son of Mary is a servant and Messenger of Allaah. Allaah says in the Qur’an that Jesus was born of a miraculous birth:

"Verily, the likeness of Jesus before Allaah is the likeness of Adam. He created him from dust, then (He) said unto him: ‘Be’ and he was." (Qur’an 3:59).

He performed many miracles as a Prophet by Allaah’s permission such as resurrecting the dead, healing the blind and sick, making a living bird out of clay and speaking as new born infant. Jesus brought the same message as the other Prophets. He is not to be worshipped as the "Son of God!" Jesus was raised alive up to Allaah from where he will return to re-establish the Law of Allaah on earth.

WHAT IS THE TRUTH ABOUT THE "SON OF GOD", "TRINITY" AND MARY?

Your Creator says:

"Surely, they have disbelieved who say: ‘Allaah is the Messiah (Jesus).’; But the Messiah said, ‘O Children of Israel! Worship Allaah, my Lord and your Lord.’ Verily, whosoever sets up partners in worship with Allaah, then Allaah has forbidden Paradise for him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the polytheists there are no helpers. Surely, the disbelievers are those who said, ‘Allaah is a third of the three (in a trinity).’ But there is no god but the One God. And if they cease not from what they say, verily, a painful torment will befall the disbelievers among them. Will they not repent to Allaah and ask for His Forgiveness? For Allaah is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful. The Messiah, son of Mary is no more than a Messenger. Many were the Messengers that passed away before him. His mother was a truthful woman. They both used to eat food (As other human beings, while Allaah does not eat). Look how Allaah makes the revelations clear to them, yet look how they are deluded away (from the truth)." (Qur’an 5:72-75)

DOES ISLAM OPPRESS WOMEN?

No. On the contrary, 1400 years ago Islam liberated women. At that time in Europe, Christian scholars were debating whether women had souls, if yes, did they have animal souls or human souls? Until recently women were stripped of their last names to illustrate that they were the property of their husbands. As for Islam, women are equal to men in all acts of piety, they keep their last names, they are allowed to keep their own money, choose who they want to marry, have the right to seek a divorce, have the right to inheritance and have the right to be protected and maintained by their husbands. They have been dignified and exonerated by the Hijab (Islamic covering). In the West, women are portrayed as sex objects to be used and discarded. We see them being used to sell cars, alcohol and even bubble gum. In Islam, women have been elevated to a stature that surpasses the roles placed upon them by any religion or culture. Women are not to be abused or oppressed but they are to be respected and cared for. As a result, Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world amongst women.

IS POLYGYNY PERMISSIBLE?

Yes! Islam regulated matrimony in that men are permitted to marry up to four wives provided they treat them fairly and equally. The man must first be financially capable to take another wife, provide different residences and be able to divide his time equally amongst them. In the western society many men who are married to only one wife usually have extramarital affairs. Thus a survey was published in the USA Today (April 4, 1988; Section D) which asked 4700 mistresses, what would they like their status to be (mistress or second wife). They said, "I prefer being a second wife rather than the other woman". The reasons for this are that they didn’t have any legal rights, nor did they have the financial equality of the legally married wives and it appeared that these men were using them. Islam is clearly against extra or premarital affairs (fornication) as this leads to corruption in the society and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Don’t people feel bad when they have children out of wedlock? These children have the right to grow up knowing that they have parents who are responsible enough to have planned to bring them into the world. No one would like to be told that they were an accident. As for those against polygyny, statistics show that because of wars there are more women in the world than there are men. Other reasons are, most married men engage in extramarital affairs and there is an increase in homosexuality amongst men, thus causing an excess amount of women to men. The Islamic solution of polygyny is the best solution to the seemingly difficult problems that plague our society in our man to woman relationships. Additionally, it is a permissible act, with conditions, legislated by the Creator. Wheras, the concept of monogomy is a neo-christian concept with no textual evidence from any of the revelations, a practice not used by the prophets and messengers.

DOES ISLAM PROMOTE TERRORISM?

Absolutely Not. Islam condemns all acts of oppression. Necessary force is permissible only when one is defending oneself, family, and right to practice his/her religion or fighting tyranny and oppression. Muslims who blow up buildings and kill innocent people are not acting in accordance with what Islam teaches.

IS THERE RACISM IN ISLAM?

No. Muslims are found in every country, whether they are European, African, Asian or American. 1 in every 5 people on the earth is a Muslim, Which means there are 1.2 billion Muslims in the world. Islam promotes racial harmony and tolerance. Allaah says:

" O mankind! We have created you from a male and female, and made you into nations and tribes that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable of you in the Sight of Allaah is the believer who has the most piety. Verily, Allaah is All Knowing, All Aware." (Qur’an 49:13)

This is in opposition to Louis Farrakhan’s disbelieving lies against Islam, in saying that, ‘Allaah appeared in the person of Master W. Fard Muhammad’, or ‘We the original (black) nation of the earth’. The Believers seek refuge with Allaah from such lies against Allaah. Ameen!

HAS THE QUR’AN PREDICTED THE NEW DISCOVERIES OF MODERN SCIENCE?

Yes! Since the Qur’an came from the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, it is only befitting that science would later confirm what is in the Qur’an. Examples of this are, the expansion of the universe as stated in the Qur’an:

"With power did We construct the heaven. Verily, We expand the vastness of space." (Qur’an 51:47)

Every living thing is created from water:

"Do not those who disbelieve know that the heavens and the earth were joined together as one united piece, then We parted them? And We have made from water every living thing. Will they then not believe?" (Qur’an 21:30)

The trimester:

"…He (Allaah) created you in the wombs of your mothers, creation after creation in three veils of darkness, such is Allaah your Lord. How then are you turned away (from the truth)?" (Qur’an 39:7)

There are several other examples proving that the Qur’an is from your Lord. Allaah says:

"Do they not consider the Qur’an carefully? Had it been from other than Allaah, they would have found therein much contradictions." (Qur’an 4: 82)

SHOULD YOU BECOME A MUSLIM RIGHT NOW?

Absolutely! If you believe in what you have read in this brochure, we strongly suggest that you don’t delay. You are now accountable for what you know about Islam. For many people Islam has balanced their lives, created a form of discipline, given them respect and dignity and given them peace and tranquility in a society that has been ravaged by mental illnesses, excessive materialism, substance abuse, increase in crime and an all time decline in human morality. Allaah warns us in the Qur’an:

"O you who believe! Fear Allaah as He should be feared. And die not except in a state of Islam (as Muslims)." (Qur’an 3:102)

If you wish to become a Muslim, refer to point #7 and/or view our contact page for more assistance.

We invite you to become a Muslim.


Author: The Reign of Islamic Da'wah Centre