ANSWERS: 19
  • 1 - belief in god's presence and accepting that god has no peers. 2 - belief in Quran 3 - belief in angels 4 - belief in god's prophets 5 - belief in that all that exists and had existed in universe are under god's will (it is possible that I couldn't express correctly what the original arabic sentence told in this last one).
  • The fundamental beliefs of Islam are: Firstly, the 5 Pillars of Islam 1. To bear witness that there is none worthy of worship save Allah and that Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is the Messenger of Allah. This verse is the declaration of faith in Islam 2. To observe 5 time Prayer (Salat). 3. To pay Zakat (Alms giving) 4. To perform the Pilgrimage to the House of Allah (Hajj). 5. To observe fasting during Ramadhan." The literal meaning of Islam is peace; surrender of one’s will i.e. losing oneself for the sake of God and surrendering one’s own pleasure for the pleasure of God. The message of Islam was revealed to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings on him) 1, 400 years ago. It was revealed through angel Gabriel (on whom be peace) and was thus preserved in the Holy Quran. The Holy Quran carries a Divine guarantee of safeguard from interpolation and it claims that it combines the best features of the earlier scriptures. The prime message of Islam is the Unity of God, that the Creator of the world is One and He alone is worthy of worship and that Muhammad (peace and blessings on him) is His Messenger and Servant. The follower of this belief is thus a Muslim - a Muslim’s other beliefs are: God’s angels, previously revealed Books of God, all the prophets, from Adam to Jesus (peace be on them both), the Day of Judgement and indeed the Decree of God. A Muslim has five main duties to perform, namely; bearing witness to the Unity of God and Muhammad (peace and blessings on him) as His Messenger, observing the prescribed prayer, payment of Zakat, keeping the fasts of Ramadhan and performing the pilgrimage to Mecca. Islam believes that each person is born pure. The Holy Quran tells us that God has given human beings a choice between good and evil and to seek God’s pleasure through faith, prayer and charity. Islam believes that God created mankind in His image and by imbuing the attributes of God on a human level mankind can attain His nearness. Islam’s main message is to worship God and to treat all God’s creation with kindness and compassion. Rights of parents in old age, orphans and the needy are clearly stated. Women’s rights were safeguarded 1,400 years ago when the rest of the world was in total darkness about emancipation. Islamic teachings encompass every imaginable situation and its rules and principles are truly universal and have stood the test of time. In Islam virtue does not connote forsaking the bounties of nature that are lawful. On the contrary one is encouraged to lead a healthy, active life with the qualities of kindness, chastity, honesty, mercy, courage patience and politeness. In short, Islam has a perfect and complete code for the guidance of individuals and communities alike. As the entire message of Islam is derived from the Holy Quran and indeed the Sunnah and Hadith (the traditions and practices of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings on him) it is immutable in the face of change in time and place. It may appear rigid to the casual eye, in actual fact it is most certainly an adaptable way of life regardless of human changes. Islam teaches that the path to spiritual development is open to all. Any individual who searches the One Creator can seek nearness to God through sincere and earnest worship; it is central to establishing a relationship with the Almighty. This positive message for humanity fills hearts with hope and courage. At present there are 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide and they form the majority in more than 50 countries of the world. Today Islam is the fastest growing faith in the world - its beautiful message is reaching millions in the far corner of the earth.
  • This answer is the authentic answer to the question about a summary of Islamic beliefs, based on authentic Islamic sources (Qur'an and Sunnah). 1. Allah (=The One True God): He is unique, and is the only worthy of being singled out for worship and submission to, loving, fearing and having hope in. Love of others emanates from love of Him. 2. Angels: creatures of light, which can do nothing but good, and some of which have specific tasks, like sending God's (Allah's) messages to His messengers 3. Allah's Books: Messages that God revealed to humanity through messengers, guiding humanity to the truth (that only He should be worshipped, freeing themselves thus from other false dieties and whatever else is controlling their lives or whom they, willingly or unwillingly, seek to please). Except for the last Book (Al-Qur'an), the messages got corrupted and tampered with by humans. 4. Messengers: which deliver the message (worship none but God, Our Omniscient, Omnipotent, ..., Creator), and implement that message themselves, and their example, thus, should be strictly followed by those who hear about them (if more than one is heard about, follow the last of them chronologically). 5. The Day of Judgement / Accountability / Justice / Resurrection: In which Justice would be done, to good-doers (getting into Paradise - Jannah) and to wrong-doers (getting into Hell - Jahannam) 6. Divine Decree (not predestination): What God has decreed takes place no matter what any others may think/do (to prevent it), and what God decrees won't take place, again no matter what any others may think/do (to make it happen). God has given us (and jinn), however, limited/finite free will, to decide some matters, without Him willing/decreeing them nor dis-willing them (preventing them from happening).
  • http://www.afghanan.net/islam/meaning.htm has very good detail.
  • The verbal noun "’islām" is formed from the verb ’aslama, a derivation of this root which means to accept, surrender, or submit; thus, Islam effectively means submission to and acceptance of Allah. Though the word is a cognate of "shalom" in Hebrew, and does carry the idea of peace, it is more of a cessation of struggle, a giving in or giving up , rather than a friendly agreement. Thus Islam's true meaning is to bring the dar-al-harb ("house of war"= the world outside Islamic rule) under the rule of the dar-al-islam ("the world of submission"). Though this can come about by peaceful conversion,the Quran itself and history records that from the outset, warfare was used to bring about "islam". Contrast this with the first 400 years of christianity, where the faith spread as a persecuted one, but thrived and reached the ends of the Roman Empire and beyond, and you will see the difference between the two religions lies in their basic world view. Hope this helps
  • "Islam (Arabic: الإسلام; al-'islām (help·info)) is a monotheistic religion originating with the teachings of Muhammad, a 7th-century Arab religious and political figure. The word Islam means "submission", or the total surrender of oneself to God (Arabic: الله, Allāh). An adherent of Islam is known as a Muslim, meaning "one who submits (to God)". There are between 1 billion to 1.8 billion Muslims on the basis of self-identification, making Islam the second-largest religion in the world, after Christianity. Muslims believe that God revealed the Qur'an to Muhammad, God's final prophet, and regard the Qur'an and the Sunnah (words and deeds of Muhammad) as the fundamental sources of Islam. They do not regard Muhammad as the founder of a new religion, but as the restorer of the original monotheistic faith of Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and other prophets. Islamic tradition holds that Judaism and Christianity distorted the messages of these prophets over time either in interpretation, in text, or both. Islam includes many religious practices. Adherents are generally required to observe the Five Pillars of Islam, which are five duties that unite Muslims into a community. In addition to the Five Pillars, Islamic law (sharia) has developed a tradition of rulings that touch on virtually all aspects of life and society. This tradition encompasses everything from practical matters like dietary laws and banking to warfare. Almost all Muslims belong to one of two major denominations, the Sunni and Shi'a. The schism developed in the late 7th century following disagreements over the religious and political leadership of the Muslim community. Roughly 85 percent of Muslims are Sunni and 15 percent are Shi'a. Islam is the predominant religion throughout the Middle East, as well as in parts of Africa and Asia. Large communities are also found in China, the Balkan Peninsula in Eastern Europe and Russia. There are also large muslim immigrant communities in wealthier, and more developed parts of the world such as Western Europe and the USA. About 20 percent of Muslims live in Arab countries." Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam
  • I think these people believe that Islam is the only religion and people who don't follow Islam will go to hell, so they might as well just kill us
  • Singwell in her answer said "history records that from the outset, warfare was used to bring about "islam". Contrast this with the first 400 years of christianity, where the faith spread as a persecuted one, but thrived and reached the ends of the Roman Empire and beyond, and you will see the difference between the two religions lies in their basic world view.Hope this helps" . No it doesn't help in objectivity. I can't post a comment to your answer so I am posting it as an answer here: We should try and be a bit more objective in our statements Thomas Carlyle was. In his ‘HEROES AND HEROWORSHIP’ he says "The lies (Western slander) which well-meaning zeal has heaped round this man (Mohammed) are disgraceful to ourselves only." . Another great historical figure, Mahatma Ghandhi, said "I became more than convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for Islam in those days in the scheme of life... It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of the Prophet, the scrupulous regard for his pledges, his intense devotion to his friends and followers, his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in God and in his own mission. These and not the sword carried everything before them and surmounted every obstacle." . As for Christianity, even before the Crusades and the Inquisition, there were,some would say, millions who lost their lives in the early years of the church accused of heresy for refusing to believe in the confusing creeds the church was putting out as the official dogmas.
  • Here are a few fundamental teachings os Islam, "The Day of Resurrection will not arrive until the Moslems make war against the Jews and kill them, and until a Jew hiding behind a rock and tree, and the rock and tree will say: 'Oh Moslem, oh servant of Allah, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him!'" (Sahih Bukhari 004.52.176) "Men take authority over women... As for those who are disobedient, admonish them and send them to beds apart and beat them." (Surah 4:34) "Seek out your enemies relentlessly." (Surah 4:104) "Believers, take neither Jews nor Christians for your friends." (Surah 5:51) "Fight against such as those to whom the Scriptures were given [Jews and Christians]...until they pay tribute out of hand and are utterly subdued." (Surah 9:29) "Of all the creatures in the world will ye approach males". "And leave those whom Allah has created for you to be your mates? Nay ye are a people transgressing (all limits)!" - Holy Quran 26:165-166 "As to the thief, Male or female, cut off his or her hands: a punishment by way of example, from Allah, for their crime: and Allah is Exalted in power." - Quran 5:38
  • Sheriat: From Sheria Salaam: From Shalom Islami cap: From Kipa Prophet Mohamet: Grand-grand-grand... son of Abraham. All of them derived from Judaism. Bless Prof. Mes
  • This is my answer to borasalama's comment: You should be ashamed of yourself, borasalama, for misquoting history as you have. You write “even before the Crusades and the Inquisition, there were,some would say, millions who lost their lives in the early years of the church accused of heresy for refusing to believe in the confusing creeds the church was putting out as the official dogmas.” The early years of Christianity go from AD 33 to c 300AD. During that time, Christianity was a persecuted religion and it was “millions” of Christians who died at the hands of the Roman Emperors. The Christian church had no legal rights to kill anyone and did not. In fact, Arius, against whose teachings the Council of Nicaea was called (right at the end of this period) was not killed, but died of natural causes. Nestorius, the next person to cause doctrinal problems, also was not killed but died at a ripe old age in the monastery he was sent to. And that was well after the “early years” of Christianity. He died in 451, at the age of 65, a very good age for that era. The doctrine he held to was followed by the Churches of the East, who, although under severe persecution from the Persian Empire, managed, peacefully, to take the Gospel along the Silk Road as far as China in the 7th century….not a “shot” was fired, but they were so influential that the Chinese Emperor permitted them, by edict, to flourish and teach. They continued teaching as far as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Korea and Japan, but their centres of learning in Persia (places such as Merv-modern Mery- were destroyed by Islamic forces and they could no longer find successors to the church planters. The chief wife and eldest son of the Mongol Emperor, Kublai Khan, were Nestorians, as were whole Mongol tribes, such as the Keraits. Large numbers of the Uighur were Christians too- their script, still used, was formulated by Christian monks. However, Christianity was stopped when the later Mongol Emperors became Muslim. The Monophysite problem was also after the “early years” of Christianity, turning up in slightly different forms throughout the 5th century, but no “millions” of people died for holding it. The Coptic Church split with the Orthodox, and the Copts continued to worship freely until the arrival of Islam, when they were killed in their "millions", and persecuted, as they still are. So, history proves that no millions of people were killed for heresy in the early years of Christianity. However, slightly past the early years of Christianity, Islam rose. And expanded by the sword. Muslim armies decimated the numbers of Christians in North Africa, then invaded Spain and France, only being turned back by Charles Martel in 732 at the Battle of Tours/Poitiers. That did not stop Islam, however. They invaded Malta and Southern Italy, holding these places for three hundred years before they were pushed out. This was the background to the Crusades. I do not excuse the atrocities caused by the Crusaders. However, I must point out that they did not call themselves Crusaders. The wars were known to contemporary Europe as Armed Pilgrimages. This was because the reason that people in Europe were so upset was that recently Islamic armies had seized Jerusalem and were attacking pilgrims from Europe who wanted to go there. Jerusalem was the Christian version of Mecca, and they were forbidden to enter it. The first reactions of Europe were peaceful. Two large groups of unarmed civilians (known to later Europeans as the People's Crusade and the Children’s Crusade) were hacked to pieces by Muslim forces, and the survivors enslaved. It was only AFTER the Eastern Emperor Alexis Comnenus CALLED for help because he was frightened that Byzantium would fall to Islam, that western troops set out. However, most of the people on that first Armed Pilgrimage were not armed knights, but civilians, who simply wanted the right to pray in Jerusalem, a right that was being denied them. When they arrived, they found that the holy sites of Christianity had been destroyed to the ground by Muslim forces. Who, then were the agressors? As I said, I do not excuse the atrocities committed by so-called Christian armies. But, in the light of their great and reasonable fear of Europe being invaded- as it had been several times already, and in the light of being refused permission to visit our holy city, you can understand something of where they came from. How would you feel if someone denied you entrance to Mecca? Or took it by force and razed the Kaaba to the ground? You would feel a little indignant too, I would imagine. Yet, we have apologized for the atrocities. Islam has not, and still claims Jerusalem as its right. When it never was part of Muslim belief. No where in the Quran does it say that Jerusalem is a holy city to Islam. The whole purpose of Quranic teaching is to deflect importance AWAY FROM Jerusalem and the Jews and onto the Arabs as the Chosen People. Yet, it is always the fault of Christianity….always. Take a look at your history, borasalama. It is not a nice one. Compare your first 300 years with ours. There is a big difference. And then compare the rest of your history. Are there many countries that are now Muslim that did not become so at the point of the sword? Let us look at Persia (now Iran) as a good example. Persia fell to Islam in the middle of the 7th century, less than TWO YEARS after the death of Mohammad. And look at the surviving correspondence between the Caliph Omar and the Persian King Yadzgird III. It should be compulsory reading for all people: Text of the ultimatum from Omar Ibn-Khat'tab the Calif of Islam to the Iranina Sovereign, Yazdgerd III: Bism-ellah Ar'rahman Ar'rhim To the Shah of the Fars I do not foresee a good future for you and your nation save your acceptance of my terms and your submission to me. There was a time when your country ruled half the world, but see how now your sun has set. On all fronts your armies have been defeated and your nation is condemned to extinction. I point out to you the path whereby you might escape this fate. Namely, that you begin worshipping the one god, the unique deity, the only god who created all that is. I bring you his message. Order your nation to cease the false worship of fire and to join us, that they may join the truth. Worship Allah the creator of the world. Worship Allah and accept Islam as the path of salvation. End now your polytheistic ways and become Muslims that you may accept Allah-u-Akbar as your savior. This is the only way of securing your own survival and the peace of your Persians. You will do this if you know what is good for you and for your Persians. Submission is your only option. Allah u Akbar. The Calif of Muslims Omar Ibn-Khat'tab -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Response of the Persian King: In the name of Ahuramazda, the Creator of Life and Wisdom. From the Shahan-Shah of Iran Yazdgerd to Omar Ibn Khat'tab the Arab Calif. In your letter you summon us Iranians to your god whom you call "Allah-u-Akbar"; and because of your barbarity and ignorance, without knowing who we are and Whom we worship, you demand that we seek out your god and become worshippers of "Allah-u-Akbar". How strange that you occupy the seat of the Arab Caliph but are as ignorant as any desert roaming Arab! You admonish me to become monotheistic in faith. Ignorant man, for thousands of years we Aryaee have, in this land of culture and art, been monotheistic and five times a day have we offered prayers to God's Throne of Oneness. While we laid the foundations of philanthropy and righteousness and kindness in this world and held high the ensign of "Good Thoughts, Good Words and Good Deeds", you and your ancestors were desert wanderers who ate snakes and lizards and buried your innocent daughters alive. You Arabs who have no regard for God's creatures, who mercilessly put people to the sword, who mistreat your women and bury you daughters alive, who attack caravans and are highway robbers, who commit murder, who kidnap women and spouses; how dare you presume to teach us, who are above these evils, to worship God? You tell me to cease the worship of fire and to worship God instead! To us Iranians the light of Fire is reminiscent of the Light of God. The radiance and the sun-like warmth of fire exuberates our hearts, and the pleasant warmth of it brings our hearts and spirits closer together, that we may be philanthropic, kind and considerate, that gentleness and forgiveness may become our way of life, and that thereby the Light of God may keep shining in our hearts. Our God is the Great Ahuramazda. Strange is this that you too have now decided to give Him a name, and you call Him by the name of "Allah-u-Akbar". But we are nothing like you. We, in the name of Ahuramazda, practice compassion and love and goodness and righteousness and forgiveness, and care for the dispossessed and the unfortunate; But you, in the name of your "Allah-u-Akbar" commit murder, create misery and subject others to suffering! Tell me truly who is to blame for your misdeeds? Your god who orders genocide, plunder and destruction, or you who do these things in his name? Or both? You, who have spent all your days in brutality and barbarity, have now come out of your desolate deserts resolved to teach, by the blade and by conquest, the worship of God to a people who have for thousands of years been civilized and have relied on culture and knowledge and art as mighty supports. What have you, in the name of your "Allah-u-Akbar", taught these armies of Islam besides destruction and pillage and murder that you now presume to summon others to your god? Today, my people's fortunes have changed. Their armies, who were subjects of Ahuramazada, have now been defeated by the Arab armies of "Allah-u-Akbar". And they are being forced, at the point of the sword, to convert to the god by the name of "Allah-u-Akbar". And are forced to offer him prayers five times a day but now in Arabic; since your "Allah-u-Akbar" only understands Arabic. I advise you to return to your lizard infested deserts. Do not let loose upon our cities your cruel barbarous Arabs who are like rabid animals. Refrain from the murder of my people. Refrain from pillaging my people. Refrain from kidnapping our daughters in the name of your "Allah-u-Akbar". Refrain from these crimes and evils. We Aryaee are a forgiving people, a kind and well-meaning people. Wherever we go, we sow the seeds of goodness, amity and righteousness. And this is why we have the capacity to overlook the crimes and the misdeeds of your Arabs. Stay in your desert with your "Allah-u-Akbar", and do not approach our cities; for horrid is your belief and brutish is your conduct. Yazdgerd Saasaani
  • I didn't read all of the answers. I'm hoping no one was stupid enough to say 'kill whitey'. If they did they must be a Rush listener.
  • Please! How about more muslims getting into religious debates with Christians? Just like my friend in Saudi. He borrowed my Bible, returned it a week later memorized. And I find that common with muslims. You would really cut these Fundamentalist Christians I call al Quaeda Christians down at the knees.
  • Oh that bit about millions of Christians being killed by the Romans for their Christian beliefs was precious. You certainly do inflate things. True Romans were brutal, but they cared diddly about religions. In fact they added more gods very readily. Made more holidays. Christian fundamentalists should really learn their history. Biggest extermination machine of all time was the Christians on the Americas. Depopulated 22 to 28 million on that alone. Think it only Spanish Catholics? Guess again! When Christians took Jerusalem from the muslims. Think it was with open arms? They killed about every Jew and Christian there. The muslims had treated them well. Too funny! Gee, read a historical book sometime and get away from that religious propaganda.
  • Gee. I know nothing of Islam. Guess I should return those 18 semester hours on the subject. Facts were the Qur'an forbids unjust attacks on Christians Jews and Zoroastrians as they are all People of the Book. Ummmm! And I spent 4 years working in Saudi, did archaeological digs in Iraq, Syria and Jordan. Oh! And on the bit about the Byzantine Emperor you are correct. Just you omitted the part how the crusaders then sacked the city and surrounding countryside. No Muslim shrines wiped out. Looks like you missed what Gen Allenby did in Saudi. He wiped a few out. Though not Mecca. He preferred Jiddah. Thankfully bora used quotes calling the US a democracy. We are not, we are a Republic. Well I have a small first hand grudge against Christians. My ancestor in 1137 Denmark had kindly Christians seeking to convert him from the Norse religion. Three days of torture failed so he was skinned alive over the next two days. Yep Christians are really kind and peaceful. Oh, and no this came much earlier than the Inquisition. Absolutely shocking what you say of the Islamitists. I suppose to I should forget all about the nice account how kindly Christians converted the Incan king Manco, then strangled him to death the next day. Yes! Christians are so much better as they have the Bible. And after all god ordered the Jews to kill every man woman and child in the conquered lands. Christians simply followed that directive in the Americas. On slavery, and genital mutilation. That is tribal, not Islam. Well, my real familiarity is Ancient History of the Levant. I am more into Akkad Ur, Babylon and such. Just a Bachelor's in Science. Still it got me on some digs. And I have had some 8 grants for my history research and writings. In fact several libraries have my works and three universities use them in the syllabus. I think your probably wrong that I know nothing about history. Though admittedly I only have those 18 university credits in Islam and Islamic History. So no real credentials. And you? Or is it self study?
  • This is a bitter taste of reality. Tough to watch,but much tougher if ignored. This is the film by Geert Wilders. He's a Dutch writer who is now under protection from the Islamists in the Netherlands. This is the film that has the EU and the muslim world with their pants in a wad. Most websites have removed it, including You Tube. All bowing to threats. Google still has it posted as of today but, will probably bow to pressure soon. It is about 16 minutes long but, worth the time. Can be a little tough to watch in spots. But this is what we are up against. I think we better get REAL serious. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3369102968312745410
  • pray, wash, be clean, live holy, kill infidels, jihad, kill children that stray, kill wives that stray,... love your neighbor...nope thats not one
  • 1 A very agreeable concept of God "Say: He is God, the ONE AND ONLY; God, the Eternal, Absolute; He BEGETTETH NOT, and He is NOT BEGOTTEN; And there is NOTHING COMPARABLE to Him (even remotely)" HQ 112 "And He is the OFT-FORGIVING, Full of LOVING-KINDNESS" HQ 85:14 “When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed CLOSE (to them): I LISTEN to the prayer of every caller when he calleth on Me: Let them also, with a will, Listen to My call, and believe in Me: That they may walk in the right way” HQ 2:186 ie no priests or other intermediaries, everyone has a direct one to one with his/her Creator “See they not that God, Who created the heavens and the earth, and DID NOT GET TIRED by creating them, is able to give life to the dead?” HQ 46:33 “And put thy trust in Him Who lives and DOES NOT DIE; and celebrate His praise” HQ 25:58 2 A summarised formula for a good life both here and in the hereafter “By (the passage of) Time, Verily (all of) mankind is in loss, except those who have FAITH and do GOOD WORKS; and exhort one another to TRUTH (JUSTICE) and exhort one another to PATIENT ENDURANCE.” HQ 103:1-3
  • Death to America

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