Islam
Islam is popularly known as the religion started by the
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) at the beginning of the
revelation of the Qur'an in 610 AD. In fact the Mohammedan message is the final
comprehensive phase that completed the primordial religion of God which is within our
soul. This universal religion is called Islam in the Qur'an and includes the Jewish,
Christian, and Mohammedan traditions.
The word Islam means Turning To God. The Arabic verb aslama
is used in the Qur'an in sentences meaning turned his face to God or simply turned to God
[Qur'an 2:112, 3:20, 4:125]. Muslims turn to God at least 5 times daily during the ritual
prayers (Salat).
Turning to God implies trusting God with your life and going
with the flow. This frees the Muslim from the suffering and limitations of life on earth
[Qur'an 90:4].
The Qur'an refers to Adam and the prophets from Noah to Jesus
as Muslims [Qur'an 2:132] who practiced the universal monotheistic religion of God.
Different phases of the religion emerged to return people, who changed the word of God or
worshipped idols or intermediaries, to the original religion.
Muslims are advised to practice only with conviction after
considering all the evidence [Qur'an 2:171]. They should balance the needs of the Body And
Soul, the material versus the spiritual, the here versus the hereafter. Islam is the
Golden Mean.
God does not change people's condition until they change
themselves [Qur'an 13:11]. People will see only what they seek. Life and death were
created by God to show who acted more properly [Qur'an 67:2]. Good and evil are challenges
to test our faith [Qur'an 21:35].
Our freedom of choice was challenged by trusting us with the
earth, putting us at different levels, and giving us different blessings [Qur'an 6:165].
However, we are challenged only according to our ability to handle the challenge [Qur'an
2:286]. With every difficulty comes relief [Qur'an 94:5,6]
The Qur'an indicates that humans are created in the spiritual
form and then lowered in the material form [Qur'an 95:4] to experience the temptation of
the flesh and exercise their freedom of choice. God desires to ease our lives not to make
them hard [Qur'an 2:185].
God breathed into us of His spirit. We are not created in
jest and we will return to God [Qur'an 23:115]. We are blessed with countless blessings
[Qur'an14:34]. We are not the product of Original Sin and do not need an intermediary in
the form of a savior, prophet, saint, or clergy to reach God [Qur'an 2:255]. Nobody is
responsible for someone else's sin [Qur'an 31:33]. God is fair to everyone[Qur'an 18:49].
We are not sinners or angels by nature and we are capable of
redeeming ourselves by making amends for our mistakes. Nobody is punished while atoning
for past sins. Punishment is also waived if Muslims are forced to perform acts that are
contrary to their beliefs because they have no other choice [Qur'an 2:173].
Some Muslim scholars consider financial dealings that include
interest acceptable if no other choice is available to Muslims.
God's punishment does not always: follow the offense but
comes at a predetermined time; sometimes when the offenders least expect it [Qur'an
29:53]. This frees people to act according to their true beliefs and not out of fear of
immediate and certain punishment.
The Qur'an affirmed that God is most gracious and most
merciful [Qur'an 1:1], is singular [Qur'an 112:1], is alive, never sleeps, always watching
over His servants [Qur'an 2:255], and that He is near, answering the prayers of those who
pray. There is nothing like God [Qur'an 42:11] who transcends human attempts to describe
Him in terms of human or animal qualities.
Muslims are required to be kind, polite, and merciful toward
their parents especially when they grow old. Muslims are also required to pray for God's
mercy on their parents who raised them when they were little [Qur'an 17:23-24].
Muslims are not to go near adultery [Qur'an 19:32], gambling,
or alcohol. Both murder and suicide are forbidden [Qur'an 19:33]. Punishment must fit the
crime, however, forgiveness is preferred [Qur'an 16:126]. This affirms Islam's balanced
approach to law.
Orphans' property must be handled with the best intentions
and promises must be fulfilled [Qur'an 19:34, 2:177]. Promises are not considered to be by
an individual to others but by the individual to God who witnesses all transactions.
Pride and conceit are not Muslim traits. Muslims should
consider their insignificance compared to the universe [Qur'an 19:37-38]. The great
achievements are merely blessings from God requiring gratitude toward God and charity
toward the needy.
One must return others' greetings with equal or better
greetings [Qur'an 4:86] and practice patience and endurance during good and bad times
[Qur'an 2:177].
Seeking ephemeral achievements, such as wealth and children,
makes this life glitter. Doing what is right, earns better rewards from God and is a
better goal.
Islam has more than 1 billion followers including 8 million
in the US and is the fastest growing religion in the world today. Islam is spreading today
for the same reasons it spread rapidly in the past. Islam presents the seeker with a
universal, natural, sound, logical, believable, practical, simple, and balanced belief and
practice system. Islam does not contradict modern science. The Qur'an anticipated many of
the modern scientific discoveries which were beyond human imagination 14
centuries ago.
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