In the Name of Allah, The Most Gracious, Most Merciful

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

مرحبا بكم في مدونتي للتعريف بدين الإسلام.

We call you to Islam and its message of truth:

There is no God but *Allah (He has no partners) and Muhammad (*PBUH) is the Final Messenger of Allah.

Say: He is Allah the One and Only; Allah the Eternal Absolute; He begetteth not nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him. Holy Quran; Surah 112; Verses 1-4

Islam 101

Prepared and Edited by: Christopher Khalil Moore

What is Islam and who are the Muslims?

Islam is not a new faith. It is that same truth which God revealed through all His prophets to every people since the dawn of humanity. Islam is a religion of mercy, tolerance, generosity of spirit, inner peace, and outer tranquility. For a fifth of the world’s current population, Islam is both a personal religion as well as a complete way of life.

Muslims come from all walks of life, and comprise all the races, nationalities, and cultures of the globe. They have varied languages, foods, styles of dress, and customs; even the way they actually practice Islam may slightly differ, yet they all consider themselves to be Muslim and all bow to the same God.

Islam is a qualitative term—the quality of accepting God’s supreme authority above ones own. Being a Muslim does not mean that one has to give up their regional culture or family traditions; rather to be Muslim means adopting the clear and logical principles of Islam to better ones life and to attain to peace. Islam is not the name of a tribe, or of a particular historical figure, but is a word that literally means submission, which is further derived from the Arabic root word meaning peace and security.

Islam is a religion for all, and always has been. The world’s largest Muslim community is now found in Indonesia. Contrary to popular belief, less than 15% of Muslims live in the Arab world. A fifth of the Muslim population is found in Sub-Saharan Africa. Substantial parts of Asia, and almost all the Central Asian republics, are Muslim as well. Significant Muslim minorities are also to be found in China, India, Russia, Europe, and North and South America.
What do Muslims Believe?

Muslims believe in the One, Unique, Incomparable, and Merciful God—the Sole Creator, Sustainer, and Cherisher of the Universe; in the Angels created by Him; in the prophets through whom His revelations were brought to humanity; 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 that God sent His prophets and messengers to all people throughout history. Some of the familiar Biblical prophets that are also mentioned in the Quran include: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Lot, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Elias, Jonah, Zechariah, John the Baptist, and Jesus; may God’s peace and blessings be upon them all. God’s final message to humanity was revealed to the last prophet, Muhammad (peace be upon him), through the agency of the Archangel Gabriel. This message confirmed and finalized all previous revelations that were sent through God’s messengers and it established the final covenant between the Creator of existence and humanity. No elaborate or burdensome rituals are required for one to accept the faith of Islam. One becomes a Muslim by simply believing and then proclaiming that, “There is no deity except God, and Muhammad is the messenger of God.” By this declaration the believer announces his or her faith in the One God and in all of God’s messengers, as well as in the original scriptures that were revealed to them.
Who is Allah?

Allah is the proper name for God in the Arabic; both a sacred and Semitic language. Muslims believe in and worship the same One God that Jews, Christians, and other faith groups aspire to worship. Allah says in the Quran: And do not debate with the People of the Book, unless in the best of manners, except those who are unjust, and say: “We believe in the Revelation that has come down to us and in that which has come down to you; Our God and your God is One, and to Him do we wholly give ourselves.” (Quran 29:46) The word Allah is a unique term in that it has no plural and it does not carry any gender signification. This divine utterance, Allah, even predates the advent of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) himself and is still used today by both Jewish and Christian Arabs to signify the same one and only God. He is God, the one whom there is no deity but He; the Knower of the unseen and the apparent; He is the Benevolent, the Merciful. He is God, the one whom there is no deity but He; the King, the Holy, the Source of All Peace, the Guardian of Faith, the Preserver, the Mighty, the Compeller, the Majestic; Glory be to God, beyond their associations (of partners with Him)! He is God, the Creator, the Maker, the Fashioner. To Him belong the most beautiful names. All that is in the heavens and the earth magnifies Him, and He is the Mighty, the Wise. (Quran 59:22-24)
Do Islam, Judaism, and Christianity have different origins?

No. Muslims believe that the original, unchanged message given to Muhammad, Jesus, Moses and all other prophets came from the one and same God. This common origin explains their many similarities in aspects of belief, values, and even in some practices. Say: “We Believe in God and what has been revealed to us; and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the tribe; and what was given to Moses and Jesus and to the prophets from their Lord; we do not make any distinction between any of them, and to Him (God) do we wholly give ourselves.” (Quran 3:84) Muslims, Jews, and Christians all consider Abraham as their Patriarch. Abraham is mentioned in the Quran and is one of the greatest prophets ever. He was blessed by God to be the father of many nations. From his second son, Isaac, descended the tribes of Israel, and through them, the noble prophets Moses and Jesus; and from the lineage of his first son, Ishmael, came the final prophet and messenger Muhammad (may God’s peace and blessings be upon them all). Abraham was commanded by God to rebuild the place of worship that Adam had originally established—the Ka’bah, which resides in the holy city of Makkah (Mecca). The Ka’bah, or Ancient House, is a simple stone structure erected as a sanctuary for the worship of the One God. Muslims do not worship the Ka’bah, rather, the cubical building is a unified direction toward which all Muslims face in their daily prayers to God, the Almighty.
Who is Muhammad (Peace and blessings upon him)?

Muhammad (may God bless him and grant him peace) was born in Makkah in the year 570 CE, during the period of history that was known in Europe as the Middle Ages, a time in which Christianity had yet to be fully established there. Muhammad was the son of Amenah and ‘Abdullah, and was from the respected and noble Makkan tribe of Quraysh. He was a direct descendant of Ishmael, the eldest son of Prophet Abraham. Muhammad’s father died just before he was born, and his mother passed away when he was only six. He was raised as an orphan by his grandfather, who was the chief of Makkah, and upon his grandfather’s death, Muhammad came under the care of his paternal uncle, Abu Talib. Muhammad was a shepherd in his youth. As he grew up, he became known for his truthfulness, generosity, and sincerity; earning the title of al-Amin, literally, the trustworthy one. Muhammad was frequently called upon to arbitrate disputes and counsel his fellow Makkans. At age 25, Muhammad married Khadijah, an honorable and successful Makkan businesswoman. They were blessed with two sons and four daughters. It was an ideal marriage and they lived a happy family life. Muhammad was of a contemplative nature and had long detested the decadence of his society. Early on it became his habit to meditate from time to time in the cave of Hira’ near the summit of Jabal an-Nur, the “Mountain of Light”, on the outskirts of Makkah.
How did he become a Prophet and Messenger of God?

At the age of 40, while engaged in a meditative retreat, Muhammad received his first revelation from God through the Archangel Gabriel. This revelation, which continued to descend over a period of twenty-three years, is known as the Quran. Muhammad began to share the revelations he received from God with the people of Makkah. Being idol worshippers, the general populace rejected Muhammad’s call to worship only one God. They opposed him and his small group of followers in every way possible, some suffering bitter forms of persecution and even torture. In 622 CE, God gave the community of believers the command to emigrate. This event, known as the hijrah, or migration, in which they left Makkah for the blessed city of Madinah (some 260 miles to the north), marks the beginning of the official Muslim calendar. The city of Madinah provided the new community of Muslims a safe and nurturing abode in which they could practice their faith without the spite of persecution. After several years, the Prophet and his followers returned to Makkah, peacefully claiming the city and forgiving their enemies. Then, turning their attention to the Ka’bah (the sanctuary that Prophet Abraham had previously built), they removed the idols and rededicated the sanctuary to the worship of the One God. By the time of the Prophet’s passing, at the age of 63 (may God bless him and grant him peace), most of the people of Arabia had embraced the Prophet’s message, and in less than a century thereafter, Islam rapidly spread to Spain in the west, and as far as China in the east.
How did the spread of Islam affect the World?

The Muslim community continued to grow after Prophet Muhammad’s passing (may God bless him and grant him peace). Within a few decades, vast numbers of people across three continents—Africa, Asia, and Europe—had already chosen Islam as their way of life. One of the reasons for the rapid and peaceful spread of Islam was the beauty and simplicity of its doctrine—Islam calls to faith in only one God and to belief and acceptance of all God’s messengers. This, coupled with the Islamic concepts of equality, justice, and freedom, resulted in the formation of a united and tranquil community. People were free to travel from Spain to China without fear, and without crossing any manmade borders. As millions of people embraced Islam, they brought with them the heritage of ancient civilizations from lands such as Egypt, Greece, India, Persia, and Rome. Muslims cherished these cultures, their sciences, and the collective knowledge that they had to offer, and they took great pains to preserve their libraries and to honor the scholars residing in their cities. Many Muslim scholars traveled to these cities seeking knowledge. They translated volumes upon volumes of philosophical and scientific works into Arabic from Greek and Syriac languages (the languages of Eastern Christian scholars), from Pahlavi (the scholarly language of Pre-Islamic Persia), and from Sanskrit (an ancient Indian language). As a result, Arabic soon became the world language of scholarship, and people from all over the world migrated to study in Muslim universities. For centuries to come, Arabic remained the most important scientific language and was the repository of much of the wisdom and sciences of antiquity. The achievement of scholars working in the Islamic tradition went far beyond mere translation and the preservation of ancient learning. These Muslim scholars built upon the knowledge of the ancients, all the while forwarding their own scientific endeavors. These very advancements were a direct cause of the European Renaissance. Muslims excelled in art, architecture, astronomy, geography, history, language, literature, medicine, mathematics, and physics. Many crucial systems such as algebra, the Arabic numeral system, and the very concept of the zero (vital to the advancement of mathematics itself), were formulated by Muslim scholars and thereafter shared with medieval Europe. Muslims invented sophisticated instruments that made the European voyages of discovery possible, including the astrolabe and the quadrant, as well as detailed navigational maps and charts.
What is the Qur'an?

Muslims believe that the Quran is a complete record of the exact words revealed by God through the Archangel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad (may God bless him and grant him peace). It was memorized in its entirety by many of his followers, and throughout his prophetic mission it was continuously dictated to his companions and was written down by scribes who also cross-checked it during his very lifetime. Not one word of its 114 surahs (chapters) has been changed over the centuries. In summary, the Quran is in every detail the same unique and miraculous text that was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) over fourteen centuries ago. The Quran is the principle source of every Muslim’s faith and practice. It deals with everything that may be of concern to the human being, including profound spiritual wisdom; religious doctrine and ethics; and worship and law; but its basic theme is the intimate relationship between God and His creatures and the lessons that can be learned from this relationship throughout history. At the same time, the Quran provides guidelines for a just and good society, proper human conduct, and equitable economic practices. He (God) has sent down to you the Book (the Quran) with truth, confirming what was revealed aforetime; and He sent down the Torah (of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus) before this as a guide to humankind; and He sent down the Criterion (the Quran). (Quran 3:3-4)
Are there any other sacred sources in Islam?

Yes. The sunnah is the practice and example of the Prophet Muhammad (may God bless him and grant him peace) and is the second source of inspiration and guidance for Muslims. The Prophet’s sayings and actions were meticulously documented, both orally and textually, by his contemporaries and are known as hadith. Here are a few examples of hadith from the Prophet Muhammad (may God bless him and grant him peace): “None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.” “He who eats his fill, while his neighbor goes without food, is not a true believer.” “God does not judge you according to your physical bodies and outward appearances, but He looks into your hearts and observes your deeds.” “Whoever does not express his gratitude to people shall never be truly grateful to God.” “Show mercy to those on earth, and the One in Heaven will show mercy to you.” “God is gentle and He loves gentleness.” “The world is green and beautiful and God has appointed you as His guardians over it.” “Forgive him who wrongs you; join him who cuts you off; be good to him who does you evil; and speak the truth even if it be against yourself.” “A man traveling along a path fell thirsty. Reaching a well he descended into it, drank his fill and came up. Upon this he saw a dog with its tongue hanging out, licking up the mud to quench its thirst. Realizing that the dog was feeling the same thirst that he had just felt, he went down into the well again and filled his shoe with water and gave the dog a drink. God forgave this man’s sins for this one action.” The Prophet was asked: “Messenger of God, are we rewarded for kindness shown toward animals?” He said, “There is a reward for kindness to every living being.”
What are the 5 Pillars of Islam?

1. TESTIMONY OF FAITH (Shahadah) The five pillars of Islam are the basis of Muslim life and are the foundation upon which the faith itself stands. The Prophet Muhammad said: “Islam is founded on five pillars; to testify that ‘there is no deity except God, and Muhammad is the messenger of God;’ to establish the ritual prayers; to give charity (to the needy); to perform the pilgrimage to the House (in Makkah); and to fast during the month of Ramadan.” A practicing Muslim’s life is centered upon these five pillars, the first and foremost of which is the testimony: “There is no deity except God; Muhammad is the messenger of God.” This simple declaration of faith is required of all those who wish to accept Islam as their chosen way of life. These words are to be uttered with sincerity and out of personal conviction, as there is no coercion in Islam. The significance of this testimony is that the only purpose of life is to serve and obey God, such being achieved through following the beautiful and noble example of the Prophet Muhammad (may God bless him and grant him peace). Muslims believe that God sent messengers, at different points in history, to guide humanity to the ways peace and guidance. The foundation of their message was always the testimony, “There is no deity except God”. The first commandment found in the Bible is: “I am the Lord, thy God; thou shalt not have other gods before Me.” This belief in the Oneness of God is central to Islam and permeates all of Muslim life.

2. PRAYER (Salah) Another key element of Muslim life is the daily ritual prayers, or Salah. These prayers are performed five times a day, everyday, and are a direct link between the worshipper and God. This very personal relationship with the Creator allows one to fully depend upon, trust in, and love God; and to truly achieve inner peace and harmony, regardless of the trails of life that one faces. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Indeed, when one of you prays, he communes privately with his Lord.” The prayers are performed at dawn, mid-day, late-afternoon, sunset, and nightfall; reminding one of God throughout the day. Regular prayer helps prevent destructive deeds and gives one the opportunity to seek God’s pardon for any misgivings that occur in the course of ones daily activities. The Prophet once asked his companions: “Think of a river by ones door and bathing in it five times a day; would there remain any dirt on such a person?” The Prophet’s companions answered in the negative. The Prophet, peace be upon him, then said: “Such it is with the five (daily) prayers; through them God washes away your sins.” Friday is the main day of week in which Muslims congregate. The mid-day prayer on Friday is different from all other prayers in that it includes a sermon. Prayers at other times are relatively simple; they include the recitation of verses from the Quran, specific movements and invocations, and they take only a few minutes to complete. Muslims are greatly encouraged to perform their five daily prayers in a group—in the mosque if possible. A mosque, in its most basic form, is simply a clean area designated for the daily prayers. Mosques throughout the world take on various architectural forms, typically reflecting local cultures and their aesthetic tastes. They range from detached pavilions in China to elaborate courtyards in India; from massive domes in Turkey to glass and steel structures in the United States. The Call to Prayer: God is Greater, God is GreaterGod is Greater, God is Greater I testify that there is no deity except GodI testify that there is no deity except God I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of GodI testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God Come to prayer! Come to prayer! Come to success! Come to success! God is Greater, God is Greater There is no deity except God.

3. CHARITY (Zakah) An important principle of Islam is that everything belongs to God; wealth is therefore held the human being as a trust. Zakah, or obligatory charity, is a word that linguistically signifies both purification and growth. Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need and for the society in general. Like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth. Each Muslim calculates his or her own zakah individually. This involves an annual payment calculated at 2.5% of ones assets, excluding such items as primary residence, car, and professional tools, to be given to those in need. Zakah is a unique concept, compared to other forms of giving, in that it redistributes the wealth of society, and when applied correctly, it could effectively eliminate deject poverty and world hunger all together. God places great emphasis on taking care of the needy; He says in the Quran: Those who spend of their wealth (in charity) by night and by day, in secret and in public, have their reward with their Lord; on them there shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. (Quran 2:274) Giving beyond the obligatory charity is expected of every Muslim and may take many forms. The Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace) said, “Even meeting your brother with a warm smile is an act of charity.” The Prophet further said that, when one has nothing to give, staying away from evil is considered a form of charity as well.

4. FASTING (Siyam) Fasting in the month of Ramadan is an essential part of being a Muslim. Muslims fast from dawn until sunset—abstaining from food and drink, as well as from marital relations. During this blessed month, the Muslim should be even more vigilant about the destructive qualities of character, speech, and behavior. Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, as well as women who are pregnant or nursing, are permitted to break the fast and make up an equal number of days later in the year (unless chronically ill). Children must begin fasting and the performance of ritual prayers at the age of puberty, although most children start much earlier on their own. God states in the Quran: O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed to those before you, in hopes that you may achieve greater awareness (of God). (Quran 2:183) Fasting is not only beneficial to ones health, but it also engenders empathy for those less fortunate. However, fasting is mainly a method of self-purification, spiritual discipline, and self-restraint. By withholding oneself from certain worldly comforts, even if for only a short time, the fasting person is able to focus on his or her purpose in this life by constantly being aware of God, thereby becoming more cognizant of the meaning of what occurs to them in this earthly abode and realizing the great importance of their final destination after life. Ramadan is a special time for Muslims everywhere; a time for clearer reflection and heightened spirituality. The end of Ramadan is ushered in by a holiday called Eid al-Fitr. On this day Muslims all over the world celebrate with prayers, friendly and family gatherings, and in many cases, a joyous exchange of gifts and the giving of sweets to children.

5. PILGRIMAGE (Hajj) The pilgrimage, or Hajj, to Makkah is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for those who are physically and financially able. Over two million people, from all corners of the globe, go for Hajj each year making it the largest gathering for peace, worship, and unity known to humankind. Hajj also provides a unique opportunity for people of different nations and cultures to meet one another. The annual Hajj begins in the twelfth month of the Islamic year. The Islamic year is lunar; consequently Hajj occurs throughout all the seasons of the year during ones lifetime. Pilgrims enter a state of sacredness where arguing, fighting, and even cutting a plant or harming a fly is prohibited. They are required to wear simple and similar garments, thereby stripping away any cultural distinctions and class considerations; all stand equal before God. The rites of the Hajj go back to Prophet Abraham and his family. They include visiting the Ka’bah and standing together on the vast plain of ‘Arafat (a desert expanse just outside of Makkah). It is here that pilgrims pray for God’s forgiveness and put forth all of their needs, in what is often considered a preview of the Day of Judgment. The Hajj provides an ideal occasion for the Muslim to reflect on his or her life, to refocus on God, and to return to their homes and their families spiritually rejuvenated. The close of the Hajj is marked by the second major Muslim holiday, the Festival of Sacrifice, Eid al-Adha. Pilgrims, if able, sacrifice a sheep or goat, commemorating Prophet Abraham’s readiness to sacrifice his own son, a story that is known to both Jews and Christians as well. This sacrificial meat is then distributed to the needy and is not to be squandered in any way. Muslims around the world celebrate this day with prayers, ritual sacrifice, and an exchange of gifts.
Is Islam respectful of other beliefs?

Yes. The Quran states unequivocally: There is no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clearly from falsehood… (Quran 2:256) Freedom of conscience is an essential tenant of Islam. Truth can only be seen if it is not clouded by coercion. Protection of the rights of non-Muslims is an intrinsic part of Islamic sacred law. The Prophet Muhammad (may God bless him and grant him peace) is reported to have said: “He who hurts a non-Muslim citizen of the Muslim State—I am his adversary and I shall be his adversary on the Day of Judgment.” “Beware on the Day of Judgment; I myself shall be the accuser against him who wrongs a non-Muslim citizen or lays on him a responsibility greater than he can bear, or deprives him of anything that rightfully belongs to him.” History provides many examples of Muslim respect towards other faiths. Prior to the Spanish Inquisition, Jews and Christians lived and prospered in Spain for centuries under Muslim rule. Another well-known example is when ‘Umar, the second successor to Prophet Muhammad, entered Jerusalem. He refused to pray inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher for he was concerned that some overzealous Muslims in the future might destroy the Church and build a Mosque there in his honor.
How did Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings upon him) interact with Christians?

The earliest interfaith dialogue between Christians and Muslims occurred near the beginning of the Prophet Muhammad’s mission. The Prophet and his companions were greatly oppressed by the polytheists of Makkah. Concerned for their wellbeing, he sent some of his followers to seek refuge with the Negus of Abyssinia—a righteous and just Christian king. He listened attentively to the Prophet’s emissary with great respect and awe, especially the Quranic description of Mary and Jesus. This description led the king and his subjects to affirm that this indeed was a revelation from God and they graciously granted the Muslims the asylum they sought. The Prophet recognized Christians as one of the “People of the Book.” He treated them with respect and kindness, contracted treaties with various tribes amongst them, and he assured them the freedom to practice their faith and to determine their own affairs while living under Islamic law. One noteworthy example is when a large delegation of Christians from Najran visited the Prophet in Madinah. He received them with great hospitality, and they stayed at the Prophet’s Mosque. When they wanted to leave the Mosque and go outside to perform their church services, the Prophet surprised them by offering the use of his Mosque. Although they did not reach an agreement on all matters of faith, they left Madinah with a treaty of peace and cooperation given to them by the Prophet. This, and similar incidents, are the examples that Muslims and Christians should emulate in the pursuit of better interfaith relations.
How do Muslims view Prophet Jesus?

Muslims love and respect Prophet Jesus. They consider him one of the greatest of God’s prophets and messengers ever sent to humankind. A Muslim never refers to him simply as “Jesus,” but always adds the phrase “may the peace and blessing of God be upon him,” or a similar phrase of respect and honor. The Quran confirms his virgin birth, and a special chapter of the Quran is entitled “Mary,” in remembrance and honor of his mother. The Quran describes the Annunciation as follows: The angels said, “O Mary! God has chosen you, and purified you, and chosen you above the women of all nations…” The angels said, “O Mary, God gives you good news of a word from Him, whose name is the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, honored in this world and in the Hereafter, and one of those brought near to God. He shall speak to the people in infancy and in old age, and shall be of the righteous.” She said: “O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has touched me?” He said: “Even so; God creates what he wills. When He decrees a thing, he says to it, ‘Be!’ and it is.” (Quran 3:42, 45-7) Just as God created Adam without a mother or a father, He so caused Jesus to be conceived without a father: Truly the example of Jesus in relation to God is as the example of Adam. He created him from dust and then said to him, “Be!” and he was. (Quran 3:59) During his prophetic mission, Jesus performed many miracles. The Quran tells us that he said: “I have come to you with a sign from your Lord: I make for you out of clay, as it was, a figure of a bird, and breathe into it and it becomes a bird by God’s leave. And I heal the blind, and the lepers, and I raise the dead by God’s leave.” (Quran 3:49) Jesus, like Muhammad, came to confirm and renew the basic doctrine of the belief in One God brought by earlier prophets. In the Quran, Jesus is reported as saying that he came: “To attest the Torah that was before me. And to make lawful to you part of what was forbidden to you; I have come to you with a sign from your Lord; so be conscious of God and obey me.” (Quran 3:50) The Prophet Muhammad said: “Whoever believes that there is no deity except God, alone without partner, that Muhammad is His messenger, that Jesus is the servant and messenger of God—His word which he bestowed on Mary and a spirit proceeding from Him—and that Paradise and Hell are true, shall be received by God into Heaven.”
Why is Islam often misunderstood?

In today’s turbulent world, Islam is often on the front page and on every TV set—mostly for the wrong reasons. Islam comes from a root word that means peace; yet some have taken this peaceful way of life and hijacked it, thereby attempting to make it into a way of violence and hatred. Seeing the rich and beautiful Islamic faith merely through explosive world events, and then further judging it by the actions of a misguided few, are the primary reasons why Islam is often misunderstood in this current age.
What does Islam say about war?

Islam permits fighting in self-defense, in defense of ones faith, or on the part of those whose basic rights have been violated. It lays down strict rules of engagement, which include prohibitions against harming civilians and against destroying crops, trees, and livestock. The reality is that injustice and oppression would be rampant in the world if good people were not prepared to fight for a righteous cause. God says in the Quran: Permission (to defend) has been granted to those who are being fought against; that they have been oppressed. Verily, God has the power to help them. Those who were unjustly expelled from their homes for no other reason than their saying: “God is our Lord.” If God were not to repel some human beings through others, monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, wherein the name of God is mentioned, would have certainly been destroyed. God will definitely help those who help Him. Verily, God is Powerful, Mighty. (Quran 22:39-40) War is the last resort, and is subject to the rigorous conditions laid down by the sacred law. The often misunderstood and overused term jihad literally means “struggle” and not “holy war” (a term not found anywhere in the Quran). Jihad, as Islamic concept, can be on a personal level—inner struggle against evil within oneself; struggle for decency and goodness on the social level; and struggle on the battlefield, if and when necessary, and in the manner deemed appropriate by Islam itself.
How does Islam guarantee Human rights?

According to the Quran, God has created all of humankind equal, and has given each the right to pursue their own destiny. The life, honor, and property of all people in a Muslim society are considered sacred, whether the person is Muslim or not. Racism and prejudice of any sort are unacceptable in Islam. The Quran speaks of human equality in the following terms: O humankind! We created you from a male and female, and made you into nations and tribes, so that you may come to know one another. Truly, the most honored of you in God’s sight is the greatest of you in piety. God is All-Knowing, All-Aware. (Quran 49:13) The right to life is the most basic of human rights; the Quran equates the unjust killing of a single person to the killing of all humankind: And whoever kills a soul… it is as though he has killed all of humanity. (Quran 5:32) Dealing equitably and protecting the rights of every individual is the cornerstone of Muslim society. God further states in the Quran: O you who believe! Stand up firmly for God, as witnesses to fair dealings, and let not hatred of a people invite you to act inequitably; act justly, for that is nearer to piety, and be conscious of (your duty to) God, surely God is aware of all that you do.(Quran 5:8)
Why is the family so important to Muslims?

A healthy family structure is the foundation of any truly healthy society, and such is the Islamic ideal. The peace and security offered by a stable family unit is greatly valued by Muslims and is seen as essential for the spiritual growth of its members. It is quite common in the Muslim community to find large, extended families living together, thereby providing comfort, security and support to one another. Parents are greatly respected in the Islamic tradition. Mothers, in particular are especially honored. God says in the Quran: And we have enjoined upon man to be good to his parents. With difficulty upon difficultly did his mother bear him, and his weaning was for two years. Show gratitude to Me and to your parents; to Me is your final goal! (Quran 31:14) Marrying and establishing a family is very strongly encouraged in Islam: And among His signs is that He created for you mates from among yourselves; that you may find peace with them. And He put between you love and compassion. Surely in this are signs for a people who reflect. (Quran 30:21) A Muslim marriage is both a sacred act and a legal agreement, in which either the groom or the bride is free to include legitimate conditions. Marriage customs vary widely from country to country but the sacred law in Islam has clearly laid down the central requirements and procedures. Prophet Muhammad (may God bless him and grant him peace) is reported to have said: “When a servant of God marries, he completes half his faith.”
How does Islam elevate the status of Women?

According to the Quran, men and women are equal before God; both created for the sole purpose of knowing, loving, and worshipping God through faith and good deeds. O humankind! Be conscious of your Lord Who created you from a single soul, and out of it created its mate, and out of the two spread countless men and women. Be conscious of your Lord through Whom you demand your mutual rights, and honor the wombs; God is ever watchful over you. (Quran 4:1) Islam recognizes women as individuals with specific rights. Among these are: the right to life, the right to learn; the right to earn, own and dispose of property; the right to choose a husband; the right, as a wife, to her pre-marriage standard of living; the right to be treated equally; and the right to inherit. Women, like men, are rewarded by God for a righteously led life. Muslim women dress in a way that is modest and dignified. The purpose of clothing is not only to protect oneself from the physical elements, but also to protect oneself from immorality and vain pride. Some traditions of dress, and more generally, the treatment of women in some Muslim countries and societies, are often a reflection of culture. In some cases this may be inconsistent and even contrary to teachings of Islam. Prophet Muhammad said: “The most perfect in faith among the believers is he who is best in manner and kindest to his wife.”
How do Muslims view the elderly?

Muslims, as a matter of principle and faith, are to respect and care for the elderly. It is quite common to find children, parents, grandparents and sometimes even great grandparents all living together in the same home. In the Islamic world there are no such things as old people’s homes. If the elderly are in need of special and specific medical attention, which cannot be provided by the family or at the house, then appropriate arrangements are made, otherwise, the family remains close together as best as possible. In Islam, serving one’s parents is a duty second only to worshipping God. It is considered despicable to express any irritation when, through no fault of their own, the elderly become difficult to attend to. God says in the Quran: Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and be kind to your parents. If either or both of them reach old age with you, do not even say ‘uff’ to them or rebuff them, but speak to them in terms of honor and kindness. Lower to them the wing of humility, and say, “My Lord! Have mercy on them, for they did care for me when I was young.” (Quran 17:23-4) Mothers are particularly honored in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (may God bless him and grant him peace) taught that “Paradise lies at the feet of mothers.” Through this, and other prophetic narrations, the Prophet greatly emphasized that mothers deserve our merciful and loving companionship.
How do Muslims view Death and the Afterlife?

Muslims, as do Jews, Christians, and other faith groups, believe that this life is a temporal realm, to be viewed as a preparation ground for what is to come after. The afterlife comprises of resurrection, the Day of Judgment and then either a blissful paradise or a blazing hell. When a Muslim dies, he or she is washed, usually be a family member, wrapped in a clean white cloth, and buried after a special funeral prayer is performed, preferably all on the same day. God says in the Quran: Every soul shall taste death. And you will be given your dues on the Day of Judgment. Only the one who is removed from the brink of Hellfire and admitted into Paradise has achieved ultimate success; and the life of this world is nothing but a material illusion. (Quran 3:185) The Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace), taught that three things can continue to benefit a person even after their death: charity given toward ongoing works; knowledge that is of benefit; and prayers and supplication made on behalf of pious children.

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Welcome to the Call to Islaam website, buzzing with information and articles on Islaam, insha-Allaah (if God wills). I have included articles on a range of topics many of which, I think, will go some way to providing clear and accurate information about Islaam and clearing a few popular misconceptions about what is, afterall, the fastest growing major religion in the world. All of the articles are easy to read and easy to understand. Don't forget to visit the links at the bottom of this page.
New Articles

The Existence of God	What is Tawheed?	A Mercy to Mankind
Do you know this Book?	A History of Hajj	Shirk: the ultimate crime
Islam: the modern alternative	The World of the Jinn	Racism: is there a solution?

Audio

	What do you know about Islaam and the purpose of Life? by Khalid Yaseen -A speech given to an audience of non-Muslims in S. Arabia
	Why you should be a Muslim by Dawood Adeeb -A speech given in New Jersey, USA
	Quranic Recitation and other Audio

Qur'an

	The Noble Qur'an - An English translation accurate to the meaning of the verses of the Qur'an in Arabic
	The Meaning of the Glorious Qur'an - An English translation by Marmaduke Pickthall in a classical English style

Articles

	Who is Allaah? -by Abu Iman 'Abd ar-Rahman Robert Squires
	The True Religion -by Abu Ameenah Bilal Phillips
	A brief introduction to Islaam -from Islamic Awareness, Kuwait
	What they say about Islaam -Quotes from Famous Non-Muslims about Islaam, the Qur'an and the Prophet Muhammad
	Islaam, a religion of Terror? -Does Islaam condone suicide bombing or the killing of innocent people
	How a person becomes a Muslim -one who submits to the Will of God
	Death, the Destroyer of Desires -A discussion of this unstoppable reality which must face every one of us
	D.E.A.T.H. -a blood curdling description of death. How long have you to live?
	The Qur'aan and modern Science -excellent!
	Some authentic sayings of the Prophet Muhammad -and notes on the science of hadeeth verification
	The Amazing Qur'aan - by Gary Miller. -good
	Purification through Tawheed (true monotheistic belief), Mankinds greatest need -excellent!
	The true narrative of Jesus the son of Mary, as revealed in the Qur'aan -unique!
	Glimpses from the life of Malcolm X -from Nation of Islam to True Islaam -astounding!
	Distorted Image of Muslim Women -by Sister Naasira bint Ellison
	Women in Islaam, versus women in Judaeo-Christian Tradition, The Myth and the Reality -excellent!
	Why British women are coming to Islaam -an excellent article from The Times newspaper, London.
	A World where Womanhood Reigns Supreme -by Mary Walker, production coordinator on the BBC series 'living Islam' -profound!
	A Woman on a Mission -an amazing article from The Guardian newspaper, London.
	The reality of Hijaab -an excellent article on the Muslim Woman's Dress.
	Converts in Kuwait, from Skirts to Abayas by Sarah McBride -an article from the Kuwait Times -excellent!
	The Future is for Islaam -by Shaykh Naasir-ud-Deen Al-Albani
	>The true nature of the Islamic Call, a detailed discussion< -a call which produced an empire which was so powerful and advanced that it cast the rest of the world into the 'Dark ages' and is once again on the rise despite the efforts of the western Media to belittle it
	A Return to Excellence -excellent!
	The State of the Ummah by Shaykh Saleem al-Hilaalee -Industrial Strength Prophetic Guidance in regards to the Current Situation of the Muslim Ummah -excellent!
	Tarbiyah (Cultivation upon the Prophetic Way) by Shaykh Alee Hasan al-Halabee -the means of Success for the Muslim Ummah -excellent!
	Let the Sunnah go Forth -The importance of implementing in our lives the lifestyle, manners, orders and prohibitions of the Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
	Notes on the evils of Innovations in the Religion -an article exposing the fallacy of editing or adding to Islaam that which does not belong to it and the results. -excellent!
	>> Why we Chose Islaam << -articles from people who willing adopted the faith of Islaam and their account of the peace and tranquillity they achieved by it (about 30 articles, insha-Alaah). -astounding!

Links:-

An excellent website for detailed Islamic Info:>	http://www.salafipublications.com
A large and comprehensive website dealing with issues of Islam and its relation to Christianity, a must-read for all Christians:>	http://www.muslim-answers.org
A whole website dedicated to scientific proofs for the authenticity of the Qur'aan, well designed with lots of 'gory' and 'delightful' pictures:>	http://www.it-is-truth.org
An excellent website dealing with Questions and Answers on Islaam, very informative:>	http://www.islam-qa.com
The Muslim Woman, a very informative website dedicated to Women's Issues:>	http://members.aol.com/trueisone
A nice website by Abu Jameel (a bro' I studied with at Uni):>	http://www.bigfoot.com/~abujameel

D a r - u s - S a l a m O n l i n e I s l a m i c B o o k s t o r e
Publishers of the Noble Qur'an, Sahih Al-Bukhari, The Islamic Library and many other Authentic Islamic Books. Order any of their books over the Internet or Find out about their new books from their well-designed website. Always worth a regular visit!
http://www.dar-us-salam.com

This website was last updated on the 14th of June 1999.

e-mail: SurfrazAhmed@yahoo.com

Introduction to Islam

Preface

Basics of Islamic Belief

The Six Articles of Faith

The Five Pillars

Controversial Issues Regarding Islam

Preface

The purpose of this page is to provide a brief introduction to Islam and its beliefs.

To any non-Muslims who are visiting this page, I encourage you to take the time to learn more about Islam. Talk to Muslims and read what they have written. There are more than 1.2 billion Muslims in the world, and as many as 6-7 million Muslims in the United States. Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the United States and in the world. There must be something about it that is appealing to a lot of people, and satisfying to a lot of people! Don't just take the word of the media on it, read and learn for yourself and make your own decision.

Note 1: Also check out Islam FAQ, if you're looking for answers fast.

Note 2: To learn more about the 1.2 billion Muslims around the world, visit my World of Islam page.

Note 3: To see a different kind of example of Islam's diversity, check out my Links About Latino Muslims; learn about Latinos who are converting to Islam.

Note 4: Learn why The Nation of Islam is Not Islam. The name may be the same, but the beliefs are totally different.

For many years I was an agnostic and whenever I read anything about religion written from a Christian perspective, it didn't reach anything in me. I thought that because I didn't believe in the Christian concept of God I might not believe in God at all. It was as I studied and learned about Islam that I saw how wrong I was. What is most appealing about Islam to me is its purity, its simplicity, and its common sense. You don't have to be a theologian or a learned scholar to understand its basic doctrines: what could be easier to grasp than "There is no god except God"?

Basics of Islamic Belief

The Quran teaches us that monotheism is part of the "fitra", an Arabic word which means "the way God has created us" (see Surah ar-Rum verse 30). About this, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and the blessings of God be upon him) said, "Every child is born according to the fitra then its parents make it a Jew, a Christian, or a Zoroastrian". Today we could add "or a Hindu, a Buddhist, an atheist, etc". Recognition of God's oneness is part of our innate human nature, it is just that we clutter it up with doctrines and ideas we have created.

The Quran also teaches us that we have only to look at the world around us to see the signs of God's handiwork. In literally hundreds of verses, it points to some feature of the natural world and says "these are signs for those who think" or a similar phrase. When we look at a beautiful work of art, do we imagine that it came into being randomly and by chance, or do we know that there must be an artist behind it who designed it and created it? We know that there must be an artist, of course! So how is it that we look at our beautiful world, which is beautiful on the largest scale (solar systems, galaxies, etc) and the smallest scale (cells, atoms, etc), and which we as humans could not even begin to replicate no matter how we tried, and we think that it came into being randomly and by chance? If you said that about a painting or another work of art, people would think you were irrational, even mad. So why is it that when it is said about the universe we live in, it is called "scientific"? Surely the beauty and design of the world we live in point to One who desinged and created it.

So Islam teaches us that monotheism, faith in God alone, is something that is innate to us as human beings, something we know instinctively, and it is also something that we can easily rediscover by looking at the world around us. What is more simple or natural? Islam also teaches us that the fundamental error of human beings is forgetfulness or heedlessness. Even though we have been given this knowledge as part of our inborn make-up and even though it is easy to re-affirm through looking at the created world, we are still easily distracted by our own fancies and the caprices of our minds into forgetting.

It is in order to counter-act this tendency towards heedlessness that God sends prophets, messengers from Him, with a reminder to us. The Quran tells us that God has sent a messenger to every nation of humankind. He would not leave anybody without His guidance! Unfortunately, our heedlessness is so great that we have forgotten or corrupted the messages that were sent to us. It is for this reason that God has also sent a Scripture for us to keep by us and to read in order to remember. This Scripture is the Quran. It is a message for all the world, teaching us about God, about the world that He has created, and about how He wants us to live.

If you didn't know that Islamic beliefs are like this, then you definitely owe it to yourself to study and learn more. How can you say that you reject Islam, when you don't even know what it's about?

The Six Articles of Faith

Islam does not have a complicated theology like Christianity does (3=1?, 100% human and 100% divine at the same time?), although some of the most sophisticated thinking on theological issues has been done by Muslims. There are only six articles of faith, which are as follows:

1) God. There is no god except God. God is ONE. He has no parents, no children, no associates, no partners. Nothing is like Him. The famous "99 names" are names of His qualities. These include The Real (al-Haqq), The Alive (al-Hayy), The Powerful (al-Qawiyy), and The Good (al-Barr). Everything we have we owe to God: our existence, our life, our ability, our goodness. If He ever stopped sustaining us, we would vanish into non-existence at that instant. If a person provided you with everything that you have, your shelter, food, clothing, money, etc, wouldn't you be utterly thankful to that person? Wouldn't you want to do whatever you could to give back to him for it? Wouldn't you feel that if he asked you to do something, you should try to your utmost to do it, just because he deserves it from you? So why is it that when God has given us far more than any human being ever could, we scorn Him and act ungratefully to Him, and refuse to do what He asks of us?

Note: The name Allah is just the Arabic word for God and is used in the Arabic Bible

Aside: Please see An Introduction to Islamic Monotheism to learn a bit more about how Muslims think about God.

2) Angels. We're not talking about those syrupy New Age angels people seem to be so enamored of these days, nor of cute little babies with wings and bows and arrows (?), nor of pale, sighing maidens with wings. These are God's messengers. Certainly there is Gabriel, the angel who brought the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.). There are also the two angels assigned to each human being to record his or her deeds (see Surah al-Infitar verses 10-12 and Surah at-Tariq verse 4); the angels who question each soul in the grave (mentioned by the Prophet Muhammad); the angel of death (Surah as-Sajda verse 11); an angel who is the gate-keeper of Paradise; angels placed in charge of meting out the punishments of Hell (Surah at-Tahrim verse 6); and angels of battle (Surah al-Anfal verse 12). This is just a brief summary. The angels will descend in ranks on the Last Day of this world as a sign of the imminence of the Judgment (see Surah al-An'aam verse 8 and Surah al-Furqan verses 25-26). The angels are God's chosen way of sending His commands into the world, and of taking reports on the fulfilment of these commands. Thus it is obligatory for every Muslim to have faith in angels as part of having faith in God and His ways.

3) Prophets. Notice the plural. The testimony of faith one makes to become a Muslim includes in its second part "And Muhammad is a Messenger of God". But in fact, it is obligatory for a Muslim to have faith in all of God's prophets. Those the Quran has named include Adam, Noah, Abraham, Lot, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Elijah, Job, Jonah, Zachariah, John (the Baptist), and Jesus, plus of course Muhammad (peace be upon them all). The reason for God's sending so many of His messengers has been discussed above. It is also important to understand that the Quran confirms certain details of the history that is told in the Bible (although it makes certain corrections to that history.) In short, the first stage of God's plan was to send messengers to every nation. The second stage was to send a scripture to a single nation who would show the way. This nation was the Children of Israel and the scripture was the Torah. But this was not the end of the story. Nor was the universal religion that God established to replace Judaism meant to be Christianity, much less in its modern, Trinitarian form. No! Jesus was a human being only, and a prophet and messenger of God sent to the Children of Israel to prepare them for the coming of the last prophet. The third stage of God's plan is the revelation of the Quran, a scripture for all humankind. Thus Islam has a similar but rival vision to Christianity. It is not some weird "cult" believing in some strange god named "Allah" (Allah is just the Arabic word for "the one God", even as the French call Him "Dieu", the Germans "Gott", etc. Arabic-speaking Jews and Christians use Allah when they talk about God). It is the culmination and perfection of the same religious tradition that for Jews and Christians began when God singled out Abraham (p.b.u.h.) and his descendants. If there is any one thing that I hope people come away from reading this with, it is the understanding that Islam's history is familiar not foreign.

4) Scriptures. Notice again the plural. Muslims of course believe in the Quran, but we also believe that God revealed the Torah to Moses (p.b.u.h), the Psalms to David (p.b.u.h.), and the Gospel to Jesus (p.b.u.h.). Are the Torah, the Psalms, and the Gospel that are known today the ones that were originally revealed? Even Christian and Jewish scholars don't seem to think so anymore. Here's another interesting fact: Did you know that the coming of a prophet like Moses (p.b.u.h.) with a new scripture is promised by the Torah? Read Deuteronomy 18:15-20. Not only was this prophecy delivered by Moses, but the Children of Israel are specifically commanded to obey the new prophet. And did you know that Jesus (p.b.u.h.) promised a prophet to come after him, with the explanation of all things? Read the Gospel of John especially 16:7-15. Not only was this prophecy delivered by Jesus, but the Christians are specifically commanded to obey the new prophet. The only prophet who has come who is like Moses and brings a scripture like the Torah is Muhammad, with the Quran. The only prophet who has come at all after Jesus is Muhammad. So why do not the Jews obey their own scripture and accept the prophethood of Muhammad, and why do not the Christians obey their own scripture and accept the prophethood of Muhammad? The fact of the matter is, if you truly obey every commandment in the Torah, you have to accept the prophethood of Muhammad, and if you truly obey every commandment given by Jesus, you have to accept the prophethood of Muhammad. Read these passages without any preconceived notions. If possible, read what it says in the original language (Hebrew for Deuteronomy, Greek for the Gospel of John) so that you are not instead reading the interpretation of the translator. You will find that these passages are quite clear and unambiguous.

Note: To check out some resources for learning more about the Quran, visit my Quran Page.

5) The measuring out. This is from the Arabic phrase "al-qada wa al-qadar" which is usually translated to mean "the divine decree and the predestination". But qadar actually means "to measure out". God has measured out every thing. He has measured out the sustenance in the world, and He also measures out what He has given us, the span of our life, the amount of our goodness and our evil, the things that happen to us. The question of predestination versus free will is a challenge in any religion and is certainly beyond the scope of this simple introduction. Rather than get into it, I will simply mention two of the most frequently used phrases of Muslims. One is "inshallah" which means "if God wills". It is used whenever a statement about the future is made. For instance, "Next I am going to discuss Judgment Day, if God wills". We all know that very often things do not go as planned. I could be interrupted by anything from a telephone call to an earthquake and never get back to writing my introduction. What we have willed does not always happen. What God has willed does. The second phrase is "mashallah" which means "what God has willed". This is used in two ways. One is a statement of acceptance of whatever happens, e.g., "I didn't get the job. What God has willed". The other is as a compliment of something good. In this sense it might be interpreted as "What a good thing God has willed". For instance, "What a beautiful flower that is! What a good thing God has willed". By the use of this phrase, we acknowledge that all things, both bad and good, happen according to God's will. I think the two phrases "inshallah" and "mashallah" provide a simple, practical demonstration of how Muslims think about "the measuring out".

6) The Last Day. This refers to the last day of this world, aka Judgment Day, aka The Day of Resurrection. The Day of Judgment and the Hereafter are essential beliefs. Muslim thinkers sometimes talk about three "roots" of belief, which are monotheism, prophecy, and the judgment. Monotheism and prophecy have already been discussed in the essay above and in the articles of faith devoted to them. Judgment Day and the Hereafter are crucial too. They are a necessary aspect of God's justice. Judgment Day isn't for God to discover our good and our evil. He already knows it. He is delivering His judgment to us, so that we can know it. Now, we all know that things happen in this world that aren't fair. Innocent people suffer. Evil seems to go unpunished. These are the results of our free will, and through them God tests us. Will we still remember Him when times are rough? How would it be a fair test for us if He stepped in every time somebody did something wrong? Think about it. Religion's answer to the question of the existence of evil has usually been that it is a result of God's justice regarding our free will. But at the same time, it is also an essential component of His justice that the good will be rewarded and the evil punished. The Hereafter is necessary because it is there that the reward and punishment will come. Moreover, as the Quran says, the Hereafter is "better and more abiding" than this world. The suffering we may undergo now will seem as fleeting as a nightmare when we look back at it. So will the pleasures and joys of the things of this world. But the pain of Hell will last forever for those whom God condemns to it, and the joy of Paradise will last forever for those whom God admits to it. In this way, the reward of the good truly is a just recompense for what they worked, and the punishment of the evil likewise. This is part of God's design and plan for us and belief in it is an essential part of having faith in Him and His ways.

The Five Pillars

Above, I have given a very brief introduction to the six articles of faith of Islam. These are what define a belief as Islamic rather than being of some other religion. There are also five practices which define the Islamic religion. These are known as the "five pillars" because they support the foundation of Islam just as pillars support a building.

1) The Shahadah. Shahadah is an Arabic word meaning "testimony" or "bearing witness". The Shahadah is therefore the testimony of faith that every Muslim must make. It is the necessary ritual for conversion to Islam. It consists of the following statement in Arabic, "Ashhadu an laa ilaha ill'Allah wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan rasul Allah". This translates as, "I testify that there is no god except God, and I testify that Muhammad is a messenger of God". The Shahadah is repeated in the daily prayers (see below) and therefore is said many times a day by observant Muslims. It may be said that any person who recites the Shahadah is a Muslim; however if he or she does nothing else they are a lapsed Muslim. We can also say that by bearing witness that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is a messenger of God, it necessarily means that we are bearing witness that the Quran is a message from God - a messenger is defined by the message he brings. And since everything we have is due to God, we should necessarily desire to obey what He tells us. Therefore, by bearing witness that the Quran is a message from God, we are also stating our willingness to obey the Quran to the best of our ability. It is in this way that obedience to the Quran becomes obligatory on Muslims even though it is not one of the five pillars. Rather, the five pillars are the forms of worship that have been prescribed for Muslims.

2) The salat. Salat is an Arabic word meaning "prayer" or "blessing". It refers to the prayer service through which Muslims praise God. The salat is to be offered in a fixed form, at fixed times during the day. Muslims also offer spontaneous prayers for their needs. This is called du'a which means "calling (on God)". However, the ritual prayer, or salat, is an essential part of Islamic observance. The five prayer times are dawn, mid-day, mid-afternoon, sunset, and nightfall. Being able to complete the salat at its appointed time is very important to observant Muslims, and is often a concern on the job. The salat must be offered in a state of ritual purity and facing towards Mecca. It involves standing, bowing, prostrating, and sitting, and recitation from the Quran and praise and glorification of God, as well as the recitation of various other ritual phrases. Although many people may feel that ritual, fixed-time prayer must be a burden or joyless, most Muslims feel that it is a good "time-out" from a busy day to get in touch with what is really important, and that it is easier when the form is fixed so that you don't have to decide on the words each time. To learn a bit about the salat, see Manner of Performing Salat.

3) The zakat. Zakat is an Arabic word whose root meaning is "purification". It refers specifically to purifying one's wealth by giving a portion of it to help those who are less fortunate. The zakat is due on that wealth which is "hoarded" for one year; that is, on money that is not spent towards meeting one's needs. There is a sort of "standard exemption"; what this means is that if your income equals your expenses so that you have no money "hoarded" then no zakat is due, and if your income exceeds your expenses by this "standard exemption" or less than it then no zakat is due. It is only on your surplus wealth above the "standard exemption" that the zakat is due. For cash (including precious metals and the like) the rate of the zakat is 2.5%, or 1/40 of the surplus. Besides the zakat, spontaneous giving to the needy is strongly recommended; it is called sadaqa.

4) The Ramadan fast. Ramadan is a month in the Islamic calendar. The Islamic calendar is purely lunar and each month begins at the sighting of the new crescent moon. It thus lasts for 354 or 355 days, while a solar calendar (such as the Gregorian calendar used in the West) is 365 or 366 days long. Because the lunar calendar is shorter, a given date, such as the first of Ramadan, will fall 10 or 11 days earlier according to the Gregorian calendar each successive year. Over a period of 33 years, it will cycle through all the seasons and come back to where it started. The lunar month is 29 or 30 days. Observance of the Ramadan fast entails refraining from any kind of food or drink, and (if you are married) from sexual relations between dawn and sunset. Especially in northern latitudes, the fast may be relatively short when it falls in winter, and quite long when it falls in summer. Over a lifetime, therefore, a Muslim experiences both easy fasts and difficult fasts and it balances out. For the year 2001, Ramadan is predicted to start on November 17. The fast is a marvelously spiritual experience. It requires discipline to maintain the fast when you are aware that only God will know if you keep it or if you cheat. It is often the most difficult at about the three-week point, then becomes easier near the end. I have also found that there is a wonderful sense of community to know that Muslims all over the world are observing the fast at the same time.

Aside: I have a section on my site devoted to Ramadan, which includes some articles for non-Muslims.

5) The hajj. Hajj is an Arabic word meaning "pilgrimage". It refers to the pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. This is obligatory on each Muslim once in a lifetime, but only if one is financially capable of the journey. I have not yet made the hajj. The most interesting thing about the hajj is that the rituals are not about the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) or events in his life, but instead they commemorate events in the life of the patriach and prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) and his family. The hajj takes place in the Islamic month of Dhu'l-Hijja, during the eighth to twelfth days. Millions of Muslims from all over the world gather each year. Read the impressions of Malcolm X about the hajj.

Controversial Issues Regarding Islam

So far I have attempted to provide a brief, simple introduction to Islamic beliefs and worship practices. God willing, this should refute some of the more outlandish ideas that are sometimes put forth about Islam, such as that it is not a "real religion" or that it is a "cult" about the foreign god "Allah". However, there are some serious concerns that many people may have with Islam and that a sincere Muslim must address. In two words, these are terrorism and women. I would like to say a few words about each in turn, God willing.

Terrorism

In the wake of the horrific terrorist attacks on America on September 11, 2001, I have posted several special links.

It is especially difficult in the wake of the attacks to write about the issue of Islam and terrorism, yet it is perhaps even more necessary than before. What these people did IS NOT ISLAM. No sane person could ever believe that God has allowed much less "commanded" such an abhorrent act. Whoever did this must be deranged, psychotic. Please do not rush to judgment or condemn all Muslims, or Islam, because of this act. I have provided some links above showing what Islamic sources and what individual Muslims really have to say about what happened.

But we need to look at the larger issue. Why do some Muslim individuals commit violent acts? And why is there such a pervasive idea that violence and terrorism are somehow Islamic? These questions are worth your careful reading and serious and thoughtful consideration. Each is discussed in turn.

1) Muslim groups are not the only ones who commit violent acts. Equally notorious, at least to their own people, are the IRA (Irish Republican Army) in Ulster, the ETA Basque separatists in Spain, the Shining Path guerrillas of Peru, and the Tamil Tigers of Sri Lanka, to name just four. The conflict in Northern Ireland is specifically defined by the religion of the two sides, Catholics versus Protestants. Yet we do not attribute the acts of these groups to Christianity. Instead, we recognize that those who give the name of Christianity to it are distorting their claims, and that they have political motivations instead. We cannot have a double standard that assumes that all violent actions committed by Muslims or even given the name of Islam are in fact commanded by Islam, and that ignores any political motivations that these Muslims may have. The Palestinians, the Chechens, and the Kashmiris are all engaged in political struggles against what they perceive as oppression by, respectively, Israel, Russia, and India. This is just the same as the IRA, who perceive oppression by Great Britian, and the ETA, who perceive oppression by Spain. The very least we can do is give the Palestinians, Chechens, and Kashmiris the same thoughtful consideration that we do the causes of the IRA and the ETA. Don't just go by what you read or see in the mass media. See what human rights groups such as Amnesty International have said about the conduct of Israel, Russia, and India. Are all Muslims terrorists - or may some be freedom fighters?

Aside 1: Read Understanding Terrorism, by John M. Gates, a military analyst. This article discusses what the proper definition of "terrorism" is, whether some "terrorist groups" are actually national liberation movements, and whether states can inflict terrorism on their own citizens. Also see The Politics of Terrorism, by William Pfaff.

Aside 2: View official statistics on global terrorism against the U.S. by region and on domestic terrorism in the U.S. by group. The Middle East and Muslims are not as high on the list as you would think.

Aside 3: Another good place to start your education is to learn more about Palestine than what you are fed by the mass media. See Western Journalists in Support of Palestine. The articles I have linked to there are not by Muslims, or by Arabs, or by Palestinians but by Western journalists. Also, look at what some Israelis and Jews themselves have to say, and at some Human Rights Reports on Israel. As well, check out my Anti-Zionist Jews Photo Gallery. You might be surprised at what you learn.

Aside 4: And you can learn more about Chechnya at Western Journalists in Support of Chechnya. Once again, these are articles by Western journalists not Chechens or Muslims.

Aside 5: As well, learn more about Kashmir at Western Journlists in Support of Kashmir. These are articles by Western journalists not Kashmiris or Muslims.

2) Some violent acts committed by militant Muslim groups cannot be justified even by their struggle against what they perceive as oppression (such as the horror that occured on September 11). These acts are committed against people not involved in their situation, or against innocent civilians including children. There can be no excuse for these acts (read my Condemnation of the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001) and no moral Muslim could ever make such an excuse. Are you aware of criticism by Muslim leaders of terrorist acts? (visit my Muslims Condemn Terrorist Attacks page) Have you read what they say and what sources they quote to assert that such actions are not permissible under Islamic Law, and are certainly not commanded by it? (read my articles Some Quranic Verses on Jihad and What Islam Really Says About Killing the Innocent) There are over 1.2 billion Muslims in the world. The number of terrorists is an infinitesimal fraction of this. More than 99% of all Muslims have no connection whatsoever to terrorism and have never taken any sort of violent action as part of a political struggle. If asked, most of them would roundly condemn terrorism. Those who have the knowledge could cite the sources of Islamic law to prove that all such terroristic acts are forbidden in Islam. Why are such voices not sought out? Why this relentless focus on the 0.001% of Muslims who are engaged in terrorism and depiction of them as typical without any consideration of the lives and beliefs of the other 99.999%?

Aside 1: I have written A Field Guide to Islamic Activists, which provides a brief survey and history of contemporary Islamic movements and how "militant Islam" fits in. I encourage you to read this and to learn more about the context of the Taliban and Osama Bin Laden.

Aside 2: Read some interesting perspectives by Western journalists on the September 11 terrorist attacks and what political motives might have led to them.

Terrorism by Muslims is indeed a problem. So is the way it is all too often depicted in the West. In this depiction, all Muslims and indeed Islam itself are tarred with the actions of an very tiny minority of extremists. No attempt is made to determine if the actions of these extremists are in fact motivated by politics rather than religion and it is just that they think religion makes a good-sounding rationale for their actions. This double standard has to end. You have never met me and you do not know anything about what I have done, and of my beliefs you know only the little that I have written here. If you think that I must be a "fundamentalist" or that I advocate violence just because I have told you I am a Muslim that is prejudice. You have pre-judged me, because of my religious belief. There can be no fair and productive discussion of terrorism until there is an end to the prejudice that assumes that Islam is by its nature terroristic or that all Muslims advocate violence. To learn more about anti-Islam prejudice, visit my page of links on stereotyping of Arabs and Muslims. Worst of all, this kind of prejudice can all too easily lead to violence taken against innocent Muslims. See A Month of Backlash for reports on the backlash against Muslim and Arab-Americans in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Also: Read Faith and Terror, by Robert Malley. Is it "Islamic terrorism", or "terrorists who happen to be Muslims"?

Another good article is America’s New Crisis: Understanding the Muslim World, by John L. Esposito. The author is a noted scholar of Islam.

Also, for comparison, read about Jewish and Hindu fundamentalism. These have a very real effect on the policies of, respectively, Israel and India. Are they a "threat" too?

Women

Almost as pervasive as the association of Islam with terrorism is the idea that Islam is a religion that is uniquely oppressive of women. Again, it would be folly to deny that some men and some societies injure women and give the name of Islam to it. However, there are again some issues that are worth your thought and consideration.

1) More or less all Muslim countries are part of the developing world. When we look at the situation of women in Muslim countries, we should compare it to other developing countries, not to the wealthy, developed West. What is the status of women in China, or India, or sub-Saharan Africa, or Central and South America? Are some women in these countries abused by their fathers and husbands? Are they subjected to cruel or oppressive practices that are called "traditional"? And what is this due to? Their religion? Or their hopeless poverty? There is another double standard at work here, and again it attributes everything to Islam and negates the idea that there could be any other motivations for the actions of Muslims. Given that women in desperately poor families and desperately poor societies are frequently oppressed and abused, why are the oppression and abuse in Muslim countries uniquely attributed to Islam, and the socio-economic factors are ignored?

2) Sometimes also the ways of a conservative religion are treated as "oppressive". If you want to see sexism, look at the status of women in Orthodox Judaism, or traditional Christianity. In the former, men pray every day, "Blessed is God...who has not made me a woman" (see a discussion by a Jewish feminist of this at The Role of Women in the Synagogue) while in the latter women are unequivocally declared subordinate to all men (1 Corinthians 11:3) and to have been created for the benefit of men (1 Corinthians 11:9). You owe it to yourself to study both the Bible and the writings of traditional Jews and Christians. You will find that Islam is far from alone in conservative ideas about women.

Note 1: To read an interesting study of the place of women in traditional Judaism and Christianity and how it compares to the place of women in Islam, read Women in Islam Versus Women in the Judeo-Christian Tradition.

Note 2: Also, you can read an interesting comparison of Islam and Judaism at Maidens and Warriors, by Israel Shamir. The author is an Israeli Jew.

Despite the points I have made above, some aspects of Islam are treated as uniquely oppressive, such as polygyny (i.e., the taking of multiple wives, more commonly known as polygamy) and the hijab or modest dress.

Concerning polygyny, a few points should be made. First, the sex ratio is the same in Muslim countries as in the rest of the world, i.e., one man to one woman. This fact alone means that polygyny must necessarily be limited - there aren't enough women to go around for it to be very common! The vast, overwhelming majority of Muslim men have a single wife. Second, Islamic law requires a man to treat his wives equally in terms of his money and his time (see Surah an-Nisa verse 3 and also verse 129 of the same surah). Only a wealthy man can afford to support more than one wife even if there were a surplus of women. It should also be noted that Muslim men are limited to four wives even if a given man could support many more than that. The Quran also warns men "You will not be able to be entirely just among your wives, even if you are vigilant" (Surah an-Nisa verse 129) and says "if you fear that you will not be just [to two, three, or four wives], then a single one only" (Surah an-Nisa verse 3). In short, polygyny is a concession to human nature and is limited both in practice and under the law, rather than being something that is commanded or even encouraged for all men or that has no restrictions on it. It must also be noted that polygyny is mentioned in the Bible. It was practiced by Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David, and Solomon, among others. It is specifically legislated for (Deuteronomy 21:18-17). Jesus mentions a wedding of a man with ten women without any condemnation (Gospel of Matthew 25:1-13 - read it!) while Paul places restrictions on polygyny only for priests and bishops (see for example 1 Timothy 3:12). Clearly, Islam did not "establish" polygyny, which was already well-known, but instead regulates it.

Note: To read about polygyny and Christianity, see my page on Polygyny in Christianity.

Then there is the hijab. Feminists in the West decry the treatment of women as sexual objects and the use of scantily clad women to sell products or the expectation in our culture that a woman must look like an actress or a model. Yet when a Muslim woman decides to take her sexuality out of the picture, somehow this is seen as a great oppression. Another thing that we value in our culture is individuality and standing up for what you believe. Yet when a Muslim woman goes against the tide by wearing her hijab, and does it to stand for what she believes, this is again seen as some kind of great oppression on her. In a culture where primary school girls are starting to dress like Britney Spears (see Britney Brigade from Time Magazine) and a woman's cleavage seems to jump out from every other ad, for a woman to cover all of her body except her face and hands takes a lot of strength and self-confidence. The sheer amount of attention that is given to the hijab suggests that women are still very much judged by how they dress. Last thing: a man in his business suit covers everything but his head and his hands, and his hair is short and plain in style. Isn't a Muslim woman who covers all of her body, and who makes sure that her hair is not a decoration, doing the same thing? Why not encourage women to be equal to men in their business dress?

Note 1: Read my message to non-Muslims about anti-hijab discrimination. This vilification of hijab needs to stop.

Note 2: Is there such a thing as "Christian hijab"? Read my article on The Veil in Christianity to learn more about this forgotten commandment of the Bible.

Note 3: Read my response to the question "Why Do You Dress Like That?" to learn more about the rules governing hijab.

Note 4: To learn more about the issue of hijab and its place in Islam, read On Veiling...

Note 5: Read about young Muslim women and why they choose hijab at Hijab: This Is My Struggle. This is a great article and gives a real feel for why Muslim women love hijab.

Note 6: The rules and restrictions that the Taliban impose on women are not only not part of Islam, they are actually anti-Islamic. In an interesting article, The Social Degradation of Women is a Crime and a Libel on Islam, written in 1927, the British convert and Islamic scholar Mohammad Marmaduke Pickthall discusses very similar rules that were being imposed in India. This article still reads well today. Pickthall discusses why the total seclusion of women and the preventing them from obtaining an education are contrary to Islamic teachings.

As a final comment on the issue of Islam and women, I would like to draw to your attention the fact that Islam has some surprisingly positive things to say about women. I have compiled a list of Quran verses that describe the value of women in God's sight, the reward that women can expect in the world and the Hereafter for their actions, and the responsibility of women under the law, all as they compare to the value, reward, and responsibility of men. Check it out. You might be surprised at what it says. You can find it at: Men and Women in the Quran

Note 1: Also learn about the exalted position of mothers in Islam at Mothers in Islamic Teaching. Did you know that the person with the greatest right over a Muslim man is his mother?

Note 2: Is "Islamic feminism" a contradiction in terms? Not according to many Muslim reformers. To see some examples of Muslims who seek to advance women's rights while remaining true to Islam, visit Muslim Women's League, Karamah, and Kamilat. Also, here are some good articles written from a similar perspective:

Afterword

Read some non-Muslims' opinions on why people should seek to learn more about Islam at:

Also, Republicans can read Muslims: Natural Conservatives by Grover Norquist of Americans for Tax Reform.

Some other resources

1) Visit my page of Books about Islam for Non-Muslims.

2) See some sites on Islam created by ordinary Muslims.

3) Interested in becoming a Muslim? Visit my converts page.

Learn more about Islam:

Islam

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Responsibilities of a Muslim by Dr. Israr Ahmad
The long standing political and moral decline of the Muslim Ummah has resulted, among other things, in a serious distortion of our very concept of Islam itself. Can we as Muslims fulfill our responsibilities today? Do we know what they are?

The Obligations the Muslims owe to the Quran by Dr. Israr Ahmad
The pathetic and disastrous condition of the Muslim Ummah throughout the world is due to the abandoning of the Holy Quran by the Muslims. The attitude of indifference that we constantly show towards the last of the Allah's Revelations, along with our hypocritical lip-service, is tantamount to ridiculing it.

Islamic Renaissance - The Real Task Ahead by Dr. Israr Ahmad
The present age can rightly be described as the age of the predominance of Western philosophical thought and learning. Having taken shape roughly two hundred years ago, these ideas are continuously affirmed and reinforced by theorists and philosophers. Though politically the present-day world may be divided into number of blocs, one single philosophical point of view prevails throughout.

The 100 - A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History - Muhammad (*PBUH) No 1
by Sheikh Ahmad Deedat
In his landmark work "The 100" Michael Hart rates Muhammad (*PBUH) as number one. He concludes the biography with the words "It is this unparalleled combination of secular and religious influence which I feel entitles Muhammad to be considered the most influential single figure in human history."
The Objective and Goal of Muhammad's Prophethood (*PBUH) by Dr. Israr Ahmad
We Muslims believe that the best of all human beings — Muhammad, may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him — was much more than just one of the many prophets, as he was Khatam al-nabiyyeen (seal of the prophets).

The Quran and World Peace by Dr. Israr Ahmad
Many of the best minds devoted to burning questions such as ecological problems, pollution, feeding of mankind, conquest of disease, bridging the gap between rich and poor and, in particular, world peace, have been inspired by the faith and tenets of Islam. The Quran provides us with a common platform to work together in Islam (peace).
Understanding Jihad - "Striving in the Cause of Allah" by Dr. Israr Ahmad
Only those are Believers who have believed in Allah and His Apostle and have never since doubted but have striven with their belongings and their persons in the Cause of Allah: Such are the sincere ones. (Holy Quran; Surah 49; Verse 15)
The Status of Woman in Islam by Dr. Jamal A. Badawi
In the midst of the darkness that engulfed the world, the divine revelation echoed in the wide desert of Arabia with a fresh, noble, and universal message to humanity: "O Mankind, keep your duty to your Lord who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate (of same kind) and from them twain has spread a multitude of men and women" (Holy Quran; Surah 04: Verse 1).

The Muslim Woman's Dress by Dr. Jamal A. Badawi
This essay provides adequate Quranic references on the topic of Hijab, Purdah and the Muslim Woman's dress code as appointed by Allah Almighty and Prophet Muhammad (*PBUH)

Islam and Comparative Religion

Is it Important for me to read articles on Islam and Christianity?

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Bridge Building between Christians and Muslims by Dr. Jamal A. Badawi
"The People of the Book" is a special term accorded to Jews and Christians in the Quran. Why "People of the Book"? Because the Muslim makes a clear distinction between a polytheist or an atheist and those who follow the prophets who originally received revelations from Allah.

Christ In Islam by Sheikh Ahmad Deedat
A detailed description of Prophet Eesa; Jesus Christ (*PBUH) in Islam. This article discusses Jesus Christ's (*PBUH) life, his miraculous birth and his status in Islam.

Jesus in the Quran and Bible - Quick Reference by Dr. Jamal A. Badawi
Comparison of Jesus' (PBUH) representation as in the Quran and the Bible. References are provided both from the Quran and Bible to discuss major conflicts and beliefs.
'Atnatu' - A Novel Concept of God also titled 'What is His Name?' by Sheikh Ahmad Deedat
The aborigine of South Australia calls his God "Atnatu" because some philosopher, poet or prophet had programmed him, that the Father in Heaven is absolutely free from all needs; He is independent; He needs no food nor drink.

What Does the Bible Say about Muhammad? (*PBUH) by Sheikh Ahmad Deedat
The Bible is a book of prophecies. The Old Testament has hundreds of prophecies of the coming of Jesus Christ. But do you think the Bible is silent about one of the biggest benefactor of humanity, Prophet Muhammad (*PBUH)!

Muhammad in the Bible! by Dr. Jamal A. Badawi
Habakkuk 3:3 speaks of God (God's help) coming from Te'man (an Oasis North of Medina according to J. Hasting's Dictionary of the Bible), and the holy one (coming) from Paran. That holy one who under persecution migrated from Paran (Mecca) to be received enthusiastically in Medina was none but prophet Muhammad.

The God That Never Was by Sheikh Ahmad Deedat
Deals with the idea of 'Jesus is God' as in Christian theology. Various quotations from the Authorized KJV Bible that prove Jesus was only a messenger of God and not God or Son of God himself.

What was the Sign of Jonah? by Sheikh Ahmad Deedat
Is it possible that for the past two thousand years the whole Christian world celebrated 'Good Friday' instead of 'Good Wednesday'?. Are 1,200,000,000 Christians of the world ignorant of the correct day of the so called crucifixion of Jesus Christ(*PBUH)?

Who moved the Stone? by Sheikh Ahmad Deedat
or who ROLLED away the stone? (Mark 16.3) is a question which has worried theologians for the past two thousand years. Mr. Frank Morison, a prominent Bible scholar, tried to nail down this ghost(s) in a book bearing the same title as this tract. Through all his 192 pages of conjectures he failed to answer ,"WHO MOVED THE STONE?" (Faber and Faber, London).

Resurrection or Resuscitation? by Sheikh Ahmad Deedat
Clears the misconception about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus (*PBUH) was not resurrected or spiritualized. Jesus himself acclaims 'Handle me and see, for a spirit has no flesh and bones as you see me have.' (Luke 24:39)

The Satanic Verses Unexpurgated! by Sheikh Ahmad Deedat
A reply to 'The Satanic Verses' a book written by Salman Rushdie. In his bitterness with the Muslim, Salman has fired many guns off target!
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Learn more about these eminent scholars of Islam:

Sheikh Ahmad Deedat

Dr. Jamal Badawi

Dr. Zakir Naik

Dr. Israr Ahmad

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* PBUH: Stands for 'Peace be upon Him'. May Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon All of His Prophets. Ameen

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Websites:

http://islamfuture.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/khilafah-flagge.jpg?w=413&h=549

Future Islam → The Future For Islam

Presenting Islam in the English Language: Islam Question And Answer
http://futureislam.wordpress.com/

* Islamhouse.com Website for spreading Islam in the different world’s languages: Holy Quran, Books, Audio, Articles, Fatawa, Video.

http://www.islamhouse.com/
- Presenting Islam in Different Languages:

* The Words Of Allah (SWT)
http://www.kalamullah.com/
- Lectures:

- Videos:

* The Deen Show: It’s a way of life. The Deen Show is a Muslim film company that strives to provide the correct information about Islam to Muslims and non-Muslims alike from authentic sources which include the Quran and the Sunnah. They are not affiliated with any particular movement, sect, group, etc. They absolutely condemn in the strongest terms terrorism and any extremism done in the name of Islam and they refuse to associate themselves with those who practice and condone such behavior and thoughts. They are American Muslims living in the United States and it is their pleasure and privilege to help educate and share the true message of pure Islam without cultural, traditional or nationalistic prejudices and corruption.

http://www.thedeenshow.com/
* Arabic Islamic Website: طريق الإسلام
http://www.islamway.com/
* The Religion Of Islam
http://www.islamreligion.com/
* Muhammad The Prophet Of Islam : موقع نصره الحبيب سيدنا محمد رسول الله
http://www.rasoulallah.net/

* QuranExplorer.com where you can Listen to the Quran Recitation and Translation online in Arabic, English, Urdu and More…

http://www.quranexplorer.com/
* Islam Basics: Online Islamic Library
http://www.islambasics.com/

* The Prophet Of Mercy: Global Center For Introducing The Messenger (PBUH)

http://www.mercyprophet.org/
* Dar-us-Salam Publications – Islamic Books, Multimedia, Gifts and More…
http://www.dar-us-salam.com/
* Madinaharabic.com - Free Arabic Language Course
http://www.madinaharabic.com/
* Quran Audio Library
http://www.mp3quran.net/eng/
* Islamic Thinkers Society
http://www.islamicthinkers.com/
* Islamic Invitation: Web site center bank for free islam book
http://www.islamic-invitation.com/
* Islam: Question & Answer Website
http://www.islamqa.com/
* Islam: Resources and Information
http://www.al-islam.com/eng/
* Al-Ghurabaa: In Pursuit of Allah’s Pleasure
http://www.alghurabaa.org/
* Quran Sunnah Educational Programs
http://www.qsep.com/

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