One of the three so-called Abrahamic religions (along with Judaism and Christianity), Islam is founded on the belief in a unique, absolutely transcendent God – Allah – Creator and Sustainer of the Universe, whose Word was revealed through His angel Gabriel to His prophet Muhammad. Born in about 570 CE into a trading family in Mecca, in what is currently Saudi Arabia, Muhammad began in 610 to experience visions and ultimately to receive the word of God which he faithfully recorded in what was to become the sacred books of the Qu’ran or Koran. Muslims – as the followers of Islam are called – believe that God established a covenant with the Children of Adam and sent prophets, including Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad, to provide example and guidance humanity. According to their belief, Muhammad is the last in a continuing chain of great prophets sent by God to restore the "true religion" in the final stage of evolution. Islam is characterized by the inclusiveness. All humankind are the children of Allah, as revealed to Muhammad, and recorded in the words of the Koran.Muslims strive to organize their lives in accordance with these commandments and endeavor to realize a just social order on earth. As the sole arbiter of human actions, God will requite each human being on the Day of Judgement for deeds performed in this life. The five pillars, or fundamental duties of each adherent to Islam are: Witness, Worship, Charity, Fasting and Pilgrimage.
The creation of the two great divisions of Islam, Sunni and Shi’ite occurred through a schism occurring approximately a half century after the death of Muhammad. Sunnis emphasize the authority of the Qu’ran and the sayings of the Prophet. Shi’ite Muslims hold allegiance to the family of the prophet Muhammad and the 7 - 12 Imams directly descending from that family. These Imams possess spiritual, civic and political power to govern the daily lives of practitioners. They also believe in the necessary return to a perfect Islamic national state to stand against the corrupt, unjust world.
The esoteric tradition in Islam is expressed primarily in Sufism, which stresses an inner mystical life that defies the legalistic, rational aspects of other Muslim practices, and has produced great poetry, music and dance. A growing Islamic community is to be found among African-Americans, who have adopted the religion of much of Northern Africa in part as an expression of separation from white, Christian oppression.
Today Islam is found throughout the world, on every continent and represents over one billion adherents, or about 18% of global population.
.The Holy Qur`an
The Holy Qur`an is the final word of allah, given to his last Prophet Muhammad {peace and blessings of allah be upon him}. It is a book of Hidayah, that is, guidance for all people looking for allah and moral perfection. The Holy Qur`an is called "al-Furquan", or the Distinguisher. It is also known as the word of allah, The Book and Light. Some of these other names are mentioned in the Holy Qur`an and Some were given it later. The Holy Qur'an was revealed in parts, as necessity demanded, over a period of 23 years. It has 30 sections and contains 114 Suras, or chapters, of varying length. The word "Qur'an" comes from the Arabic word "kara'a", meaning to read or recite. The style of the Holy Qur'an is unique. It is fluent and concise with great force of expression. When describing the majesty of Allah, encouraging warriors or seekers of truth, the style is really magnificent. Although the sentences generally rhyme, the Holy Qur'an is not written in the form of poetry. Words are, However, carefully chosen and placed and each Sura, or chapter, has its own rhymes. The Holy Qur'an contains many original ideas, particularly in connection with the one-ness and the existence of Allah. It also gives us civil and criminal laws and moral regulations. It describes social reform and gives us directions on how to carry out certain rituals. The Holy Qur'an contains criticism of hypocrites who claimed to follow Islam but in fact worked against it. There are descriptions of past prophets and events illustrating basic Islamic principles. The Holy Qur'an is considered to be the ever lasting miracle of Islam.
العرض العادي
