In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful.
All praise be to God, Lord of the Universe; the Compassion-ate, the Merciful. Sovereign of the Day of Judgement! You alone we worship; and to You alone we turn for help. Guide us to the straight path; the path of those whom You have favoured; not of those who have incurred Your wrath, nor of those who have gone astray. Ameen.
Questions
- What is Islam?
- Who are Muslims?
- What do Muslims believe?
- Do Islam, Judaism and Christianity have different origins?
- What is the Quran?
- How does one become a Muslim?
Answers
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What is Islam?
Islam is the final culmination and fulfillment of the same basic truth that God revealed through all His prophets to every people. For a fifth of the world's population, Islam is both a religion and a complete way of life. The Arabic word 'Islam' means to achieve peace, and thus Muslims seek to achieve peace with God, peace within themselves, and peace with the creations of God through submission to God and commitment to His guidance. [up]
Who are the Muslims?
One billion people from a vast range of races, nationalities, and cultures across the globe are united by their common Islamic faith. About eighteen percent live in the Arab world, and Indonesia is home to the world's largest population of Muslims. Extensive Muslim communities also exist throughout Asia and Africa, while smaller communities live in the United States, Western Europe, and elsewhere. [up]
What do Muslims believe?
Muslims believe in One, Unique, Incomparable God; in the Angels created by Him; in the prophets through whom His revelations were brought to mankind; in the Day of Judgment and individual accountability for actions; in God's complete authority over human destiny and in life after death. Muslims believe in a chain of prophets starting with Adam and including Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Elias, Jonah, John the Baptist, and Jesus, peace be upon them. But God's final message to man, a reconfirmation of the eternal message, was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through Gabriel. [up]
Do Islam, Christianity, and Judaism have different origins?
No. The original, unchanged revelations given to Abrahamic and other prophets reaching back to Adam all came from the One True God. This common origin explains their similarities in many beliefs and values. Abraham is mentioned in the Qur'an as one of the great prophets and was honored with the title, "Friend of God." Abraham and his eldest son, Ishmael, were commanded by God to build a place of worship, the Ka'bah, in what is today the city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The Ka'bah is the central place of worship toward which all Muslims face in prayer to God, Almighty. [up]
What is the Qur'an?
The Qur'an is a complete record of the exact words revealed by God through the Angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad . The Qur'an was memorized by Muhammad and his followers, dictated to his companions, and written down by scribes, who cross-checked it during the Prophet's lifetime. Not one word has been changed over the centuries. The Qur'an is the principal source of every Muslim's faith and practice. It deals with all subjects that concern us as human beings, including wisdom, doctrine, worship and law; but its basic theme is the relationship between God and His creatures. At the same time, the Qur'an provides guidelines for a just society, proper human conduct, and equitable economic principles. [up]
How does one become a Muslim?
By saying 'There is no god apart from God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God,' one announces his or her faith in all God's messengers, and the scriptures they brought. [up]
Source: www.discoverislam.com
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