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Introduction to Islam1. Meaning of Islam2. Belief in God & Islam since man’s
creation3. Islam & other religions4. Development of Islam5. Contact for follow up
By Diallo M A, September 2012
I. Meaning of Islam1. Linguistic meaning of Islam:The word Islam comes from the root word SalamaFrom Salama derives: A. Istislam = submissionB. Salama = purityC. Salam = peace2. Idiomatically, Islam is a combination of the 3
above altogether. Islam then means, complete obedience and surrender to the orders and commands of Almighty God (ALLAH) which will ultimately bring inner peace.
II. Points to noteMuslims make up to 1.6 billion of the world
population.Muslims are in all countries and are from different
backgrounds.Muslims believe that every human being is born
pure and clean by nature, ready to submit to Almighty God.
Muslims believe that every human being is born without any inherited sin.
Almighty God created human beings to worship Him alone on His terms & conditions, He made everything else subservient to human beings.
II. Points to note (cont.)The belief in Almighty God imprinted in the inner
soul of all children of Adam (i.e. all mankind).Muslims believe that every human being is free to
chose his/her faith without any compulsion, Islam being an action of the heart.
Muslims believe that all human beings are equal in the sight of God; there is no supremacy whatsoever based on gender, color, social or economical status.
It is a duty upon every Muslim to seek knowledge.
II. Points to note (cont.)Muslims believe that God created human beings
and gave them the free will to chose between right and wrong without influencing our choices.
Muslims believe that justice should be established, even if one has to struggle to achieve it.
Muslims believe that all sins can be forgiven except the worship of created beings instead of the Supreme Creator – Purpose of our existence.
Muslim believe that salvation is attained through a combination of faith & good deeds.
II. Belief in God &Islam since man’s creationWho Is Allah (Almighty God)?Allah is the proper name of Almighty God in
the Semitic languages (mother tongues of Moses, Jesus & Muhammad, peace be upon them all).
The word “Allah” is an attribute of Almighty God that means peace, it has neither gender nor number; it is unique. It is unlike the western word “God” which can change to “god”, “godfather”, “goddess”, etc.
II. Belief in God &Islam since man’s creation (Cont.)Almighty God is The Supreme Being, Master of the
universe, Creator of everything that exist, He has no partner, no son, no daughter, etc. He is distinct and unlike His creation.
Allah is Unique, omnipotent, Omniscient, Absolute, Eternal, etc. He has 99 such attributes that only fit Him and no physical description fits Him.
Islam is the religion taught by all Prophets of Allah: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, etc. (peace be upon them all). Muslims believe in the teachings of all of these prophets & messengers.
III. Islam & other religionsThe basic message of Islam is to call to the
Oneness of Almighty God and to direct all worship to Him alone. Allah and His creation are different entities, therefore human beings has the obligation to worship Him and avoid worship of His creation directly or indirectly.
Islam focuses all act of worship to the Originator of everything while other religions direct worship to intermediary beings or objects.
Other religions as practiced today are developed by their followers themselves not as divinely revealed by Almighty God.
III. Islam & other religions (cont.)Islam is not named after any individual which
makes it stand alone, unlike Budhism (G Budha), Judaism (Judah), Hinduism (Hindus), Christianity (J. Christ), Confucianism (Confucius), etc.
Almighty God sent messengers at each age to preach the same message but this message was distorted and finally lost over time.
God finally sent prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to reinstate His message and make it unchangeable till the day of judgment.
The 6 Islamic beliefs (or 6 Pillars of faith)1. Belief in Almighty God (Allah)2. Belief in the Messengers of God3. Belief in the revealed books4. Belief in the Angels5. Belief in the Day of Judgment6. Belief in the divine destiny
Five deeds also known as “5 Pillars of Islam”1. Declaration of faith (or Shahada)2. The 5 daily obligatory prayers (or Salat)3. Fasting the 9th Lunar Calendar (Saum
Ramadan)4. Financial obligation on the rich (Zakat)5. Pilgrimage to Makkah (Hajj)
IV. Development of IslamIslam is practiced today in all corners of the
earth. It started its development at the time of the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) when he wrote letters and sent envoys to different Kings, rulers and head of States of his time calling them to surrender to the commands of Allah.
The massage of Islam revealed itself so appealing it touches the hearts and minds of all those who came into contact with it, so it growth was inevitable.
IV. Development of Islam (cont.)The exemplary behavior of the early
Muslims and through trade and the spread of knowledge, Islam rapidly reached territories beyond the Arabian Peninsula to all other geographical locations.
It is unanimously agreed that Islam is now the fastest growing religion in the world and is going beyond all boundaries.
For further clarification and follow up, please contact:Kowloon Masjid Dawah Committee <
[email protected]>Diallo M A: [email protected] websites:www.islamreligion.comwww. irf.netwww.kowloonmosque.com
