What is Islam? Essay

Submitted By taqvihadi
Words: 947
Pages: 4
Open Document
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Kind

What is Islam?

Islam means the active submission to the one God. Its followers are called Muslims.
1-Faith
Faith is called the ‘Root of religion’. The roots of Islam are five:
1. Tawhid (Unity of God)
This is the foundation of Islam. “He (God) is One, God is Eternal; He has neither begotten, nor has He been begotten; and there is no one equal to Him.” (Holy Quran: 112) He is most powerful, all knowing, most forgiving and merciful. He does not incarnate, because incarnation requires the body and space.
By teaching that there is only One God for all humans, Islam promotes the sense of brotherhood and equality in human society--all are equally related to God in the same way.
2. Adl (Justice of God)
Allah is never unjust in the least degree (holy Quran: 5:40)
It is not Allah Who injures (or oppresses) them:” They injure (and oppress) their own souls. (Quran: 29:40) Then shall anyone who has done an atom’s weight of good, see it! And anyone who has done an atom’s weight of evil, shall see it. (Quran: 99:7-8)
3. NUBUWAH (PROPHETHOOD)
Muslims believe in 1,2400 messengers sent by Allah throughout human history including Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and Jesus and Muhammad. He is the last messenger of the final version of God’s religion called Islam. He was born in Mecca (in Saudi Arabia) in the year 570 A.D. Muhammad was a very truthful and honest person. He was the first person on the list of “The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential persons in History” a famous book by Michael H. Hart. Hart asserted that Muhammad was “supremely successful” in both the religious and secular realms. Muslims believe in the infallibility of all messengers, they make no distinction between any of them.
4. IMAMAH (Devine Leadership)
Prophet Muhammad before his demise by the command of Allah appointed his twelve successors to preserve Islam and lead the Muslim nation one after another. These persons were also men of purity, excellence, most knowledgeable and equally sinless. First of them is Ali and last one is Mahdi, peace be upon them.
5. QIYAMAH (DAY OF JUDGMENT)
According to Islam at the end of time, all human beings will be resurrected and will be held accountable for their worldly life. The life in the hereafter will be an eternal life. However, whether it will be blissful or full of sorrow depends on how we spend our present life. This belief makes our life meaningful.
2-Practices
They are called branches of Islam. First of them is Salat, the five daily prayers and special prayer on Fridays and on Eid (Islamic festival) days and some other occasions. Some benefits of them when performed properly: 1.The joy of being in Allah’s presence, meditation which guarantees one being righteous and pious.2.The friendship, and reinforcement of the bonds of brotherhood. Second is Fasting during Ramadan. Third is hajj,’ that is a special spiritual pilgrimage to Mecca once in a lifetime. Fourth is ‘zakat’ , giving for the pleasure of Allah a portion of gold, silver, cattle and farm produce. Fifth is `khums,’ that is giving 20% of the net income of the year after deducting the lawful expenses of the year. Sixth is striving for the sake of God, defending human rights and Islamic and humanitarian values that are the Islamic Jihaad. Seventh is enjoining good. And the eighth is forbidding bad deeds and evil doings. Ninth is to love the Holy Prophet, his daughter Fatima, the Twelve Imams and all other good doers and support them. Tenth is to remain aloof from oppressors and tyrants and condemn them and if it is not possible at least not
Show More

Related Documents: What is Islam? Essay

What Is Islam Essay

What is Islam? The most complete way of life is found in the religion of Islam. The word Islam means, “surrender” to the will of God (Allah in Arabic). Since there is only one God and mankind is one species, the religion that God has ordained for human beings is one. So why the different religions? God in His mercy had sent messengers to convey His message, to different peoples, in different times. Each prophet came with guidance and miracles that were relevant for his time, and for his people…

Words 746 - Pages 3

Jewish: Islam and Material Islam Worksheet Essay

University of Phoenix Material Islam Worksheet When studying Islam, it is important to understand the essential elements of the faith, how they are practiced, and the distinctions among the three branches: Shiite Islam, Sunni Islam, and Sufism. Write a 1- to 2-paragraph response for each of the following directives and note where there are differences among the three branches of Islam. 1. Explain the meaning of the name, Islam. Islam is derived from the Arabic root "Salema": peace…

Words 636 - Pages 3

Islam Worksheet Essay

University of Phoenix Material Islam Worksheet When studying Islam, it is important to understand the essential elements of the faith, how they are practiced, and the distinctions among the three branches: Shiite Islam, Sunni Islam, and Sufism. Write a 1- to 2-paragraph response for each of the following directives and note where there are differences among the three branches of Islam. 1. Explain the meaning of the name, Islam. In Arabic, the word “Islam” means submission. This word was…

Words 765 - Pages 4

WHAP Review Essay

empire are that the decline of a civilization, whether temporary or permanent is not simply the result of attack by outside invaders How did Islam and Hinduism differ? Islam stressed the egalitarianism of all believers, while Hinduism embraced a caste based social system What was the nature of Islamic religion that developed in Southeast Asia? Because Islam came to Southeast Asia from Indian was spread by Sufi holy men, it developed a mystical nature that incorporated much of indigenous religion…

Words 972 - Pages 4

Islam and Mass Media Islam Essay

Evil from the Middle East – Does the media portray Islamic people negatively? 1. What is your nationality? - Australian - Lebanese/Middle Eastern - Vietnamese/Chinese - Other, Please specify 2. Do you find that there is more positive or negative media coverage on Islamic people? - More positive - More negative - About the same - I don’t know If more positive, skip to question 4. If more negative, continue to question 3. 3. If more negative, has the media’s portrayal of…

Words 5816 - Pages 24

Essay about Islam: Islam and Cultural Diversity

writing this paper I want to learn more about the Islam religion through their teachings and beliefs, because I only know about what the media portrays of the Islam religion. I also want to compare their religions with other religions to see how similar and different they are. I also want to learn about the Islam religion in the different regions in the world, including in the United States, the Middle East and even India. I also want to learn how the Islam religion adds to cultural diversity within the…

Words 403 - Pages 2

Islamic Religion Essay

Islam The monotheistic religious tradition, Islam, developed in the 7th century C.E in the Middle East. Islam literally means “surrender” or “submission” was found on the teaching of the Prophet Muhammad as an expression of surrender to the will of Allah, the creator of the World. Abraham is who the Arab people claim their descent from. They do this through his handmaid Hagar, who fled to the Becca Valley with Ishmael their son. Muslims believe that their prophet is Muhammad and that 14 hundred…

Words 1332 - Pages 6

Story Of Islam Research Paper

idea of God or the “other”. Islam reflects the contemporary human ideas and concepts of Muhammad for followers of the Islam faith in Australia today. This is clear through the smarts dimensions of Narrative, Ritual and Ethical Dimensions of the Islam faith. As a follower of the faith of Islam it is vital to understand the rituals and practices that Muslims experience. A vital part of the rituals of Islam is Prayer, Holiday and Mosque Attendance. The followers of the Islam faith are expected to attend…

Words 764 - Pages 4

Ali-Karamali's The Muslim Next Door

explain what she believes to be the reality of Islam in the world. She describes the five pillars within the context of everyday life. There are multiple stories from her life particularly when she was an adolescent which illustrates the difficulty that can come from being the minority. It seems important that she show her religion as the lifestyle it is meant to be rather than the mysterious religious beliefs of the other. In order to bridge the divide of Western Christianity and Islam, Ali-Karamali…

Words 900 - Pages 4

The History Of Islam

What is Islam? The ability to understand Islam cannot be grounded in the belief of a God only. It also cannot be just be a sense of community or a choice in what people eat and drink. The first few words of the text book, The Oxford History of Islam, capture the attention of those that read it by showing the wide extent of Islam. “Islam is a religion and civilization made its entry onto the world stage with the life and career of Prophet Muhammad ibn Abd Allah in western Arabia” (Donner, n.d.). The…

Words 765 - Pages 4