What Is Islam

Islam is the world's most followed religion. It began in its present form 1400 years ago in Arabia, but swiftly become a world faith, and now has around 1,200 million adherents. There are between 1.2 and 2.6 million Muslims in the UK, about 600,000 of whom are active in the faith. Those who are not active still regard being a muslim as an important part of their identity. "Islam" is an Arabic word which means surrendering oneself to the will of God, and achieving peace and security by doing so. A person surrenders to the will of Allah by living and thinking in the way Allah has instructed. Islam is more than a system of belief. The faith provides a social and legal system and governs things like family life, law and order, ethics, dress, and cleanliness, as well as religious ritual and observance.

Basic Islam

There is only one God, called "Allah". Allah's last prophet was Muhammad (pbuh). Muhammad (pbuh) was not a god, he was a man through whom God revealed his will. Although Muslims revere Muhammad (pbuh) they do not worship him. Everything and everyone depends on Allah, All Muslims, of whatever race, are members of one community; the "ummah". Muslims are guided to follow Allah's will by The holy book, the Qur'an, which Muslims regard as the unaltered word of God. The example set by Muhammad's (pbuh) life. Every Muslim must perform the duties known as the Five Pillars of Islam The Muslim place of worship is called a mosque. The word comes from the Arabic for "place of prostration". Muslims believe that they have one life, after which they are judged. Islam seeks and welcomes converts. Ramadan: For one month each year Muslims the world over fast as part of a special time for prayer and self-examination. 'Eid Al Fitr': This religious festival of marks the breaking of the fast and the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Congregational prayers are held, gifts exchanged, delicious food prepared and new clothes are worn.

The Beginning Of Islam

The present form of Islam began in Arabia in 622 CE (the year zero of the Islamic calendar). It is based on the ministry of a man named Muhammad (peace be upon him), and on the words that Allah gave to the world through Muhammad (pbuh). (NB. Muhammad is so esteemed by Muslims that it is usual to utter the blessing "peace be upon him" after his name. This is often abbreviated to "pbuh" and should be inferred throughout this site.) Muhammad did not found Islam. Islam was created by Allah at the beginning of time, and in fact Muslims regard Adam as the first Muslim. Muhammad was the final messenger through whom Allah revealed the faith to the world. There had been earlier messengers, among them Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus. Muhammad was not only a religious leader, but a political leader as well. This established a close relationship between religion and "politics" and helped to ensure the rapid spread of the faith, and its influence on the complete way of life in many countries. In his final sermon Muhammad summarised the heart of Islam: Belief in One God (Allah) without images or symbols, Equality of all the Believers without distinction of race or class, the superiority of individuals being based solely on piety; Sanctity of life, property and honour; Abolition of interest, and of vendettas and private justice; Better treatment of women; Obligatory inheritance and distribution of the property of deceased persons among near relatives of both sexes, and removal of the possibility of the accumulation of wealth in the hands of the few."