Islamic Faith
- Islam is a monotheistic religion that professes the belief in one incomparable God, known as "Allah," and acknowledges Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) as the final messenger of God. Muslims hold deep respect for all prophets, including Jesus (PBUH), Moses (PBUH), Noah (PBUH), and others who preceded Muhammad (PBUH).
- With over 1.7 billion followers worldwide, Islam is the world's second-largest religion and continues to be the fastest-growing major religion. Muslims believe in the mercy, omnipotence, and uniqueness of God, who has guided humanity through revealed scriptures, natural signs, and a line of prophets culminating with Muhammad (PBUH). The primary scriptures of Islam are the Quran, regarded as the literal word of God, and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), known as the "sunnah," which include his sayings and actions (collected in "hadith").
- Islam asserts itself as the original, complete, and universal expression of a primordial faith revealed through prophets like Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus (Peace Be Upon Them). The Quran, unaltered and final, is considered the ultimate revelation of God.
Five Pillars
Shahada (Faith)
Professing belief in the oneness of God and Muhammad as his messenger.
Salat (Prayer)
Performing five daily prayers facing the Kaaba in Mecca, accompanied by ritual purification.
Zakat (Charity)
Giving a portion of accumulated wealth to those in need, fostering balance and growth in society.
Sawm (Fasting)
Observing fasting during the month of Ramadan, abstaining from food, drink, and other worldly pleasures from dawn till dusk.
Hajj (Pilgrimage)
Undertaking a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime for those physically and financially capable, to perform specific rituals symbolizing unity and submission to God.
Quran's Revelation
- The Quran, the holy book of Islam, is believed to be the literal word of God revealed to Muhammad (PBUH) through the archangel Gabriel (Jibril). It consists of 114 chapters (suras) and 6,236 verses (ayat), addressing ethical, spiritual, and societal issues. Muslims consider the Quran in its original Arabic as the primary scripture, while translations serve as interpretations.
- Islam, which originated in 7th-century Mecca, spread rapidly across the Arabian Peninsula and beyond by the 8th century. Today, it is the predominant religion in the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Asia, with significant Muslim populations across the globe.
- The word "Islam" derives from the Arabic root "s-l-m," connoting submission, surrender, and peace. A Muslim, meaning "one who submits," actively seeks to surrender to the will of God and embody principles of peace and submission in daily life.