With Islam growing so quickly in the Western world it is easy for Americans to be confused as to what Islam is really all about. While some believe only what the media tells them others have no idea. Well, let us start to demystify Islam a little. These are the 8 most important things an American should know about Islam before judging it.
1. Muslims and Arabs... They are not the same thing.
A Muslim is someone who practices and believes in the religion of Islam. An Arab, on the other hand, is a geographic/ethnic/linguistic term. An Arab is a person who speak the Arabic language, resides in the middle east, or is of middle eastern ancestry. It is true that Islam originated among the Arabs, and the Qur'an was written in Arabic. But, some Arabs have historically been part of the ancient orthodox Christian churches, and have been Jewish. On the other hand, Islam spread far beyond the Arab world, and today many Muslims are not Arabs. This includes the Turks, the Kurds, the Iranians, the Pakistanis, Northern Indians, other South Asian Muslims, the Malaysians and the Indonesians, almost all of whom are Muslim but none of whom is Arab.
2. The word "Islam" means surrender.
A Muslim is someone who submits to God. In Arabic, the word "Islam" means submission or surrender – however, it was derived from the root word “salam”. From this root word, you can also derive the words peace and safety. The Islamic conception of who God is , and how he is to be worshiped and served, is based on the teaching of the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa salaam). The Islamic shahada-or profession of faith is,"أشهد أن لا إله إلاَّ الله و أشهد أن محمد رسول الله " or for those who can't read Arabic "Ashadu an la ilaha illa illa-ilah, wa ashadu anna muhammadan rasul ullah". This translates to, "I bear witness that (or I testify that) there is no god but God, and Muhammad is the messenger of God."
3. There are two major secs of Muslims.
The two major secs of Muslims are Sunni and Shi'a. Sunnis are the vast majority, at 85 percent of all Muslims. The split occurred in the first generation after the death of Muhammadh (sallallahu alayhi wa salaam) and was based on a dispute over who should succeed him as leader of the Islamic community.
4. Islam teaches that Jesus was a great prophet.
Islam affirms that Jesus (Îsâ) was born of a virgin, that he lived a sinless life, that he performed mighty miracles, and that he will come again at Judgement Day. However, he is not believed to be the son of God or God himself. He also did not die on the cross, Jesus' visage was imposed on someone else, who was then crucified, and that Jesus was taken up into heaven without tasting death.
5. Islamic practice can be summarized by the Five Pillars of Islam.
These are composed of: Shahada ("...there is no god but God, and Muhammad is the messenger of God.").
Prayer (the ritual prayers said five times a day while facing Mecca) is called Salat. There is no hierarchy in Islam, no priest.
Zakat literally means both purification and growth. One of the most important principals in Islam is that all things belong to God. Possessions are purified by setting aside contributions for those in need.
Fasting during the month of Ramadan. Healthy, adult, non-pregnant Muslims completely fast (no food, drink, or sexual relations) from sunrise until sunset for an entire lunar month. This allows a person to gain sympathy for those who struggle with starvation.
And Hajj or Pilgrimage. Every Muslim who is physically and financially capable is required to make at least one pilgrimage to Mecca during his lifetime during the 12th lunar Islamic month.
7. The vast majority of Muslims are not terrorists.
In fact, Islamic religious law forbids the intentional killing of non-combatants in battle. It also forbids suicide. It's a small minority view that allows these things, and it's a small minority who engage in terrorist activities. With 8 million Muslims world wide... If everyone thought like terrorists... The world would be over by now wouldn't it?
8. Muslims can be some of the friendliest, most hospitable people on earth.
They make great neighbors and great friends. No American should be afraid to build a friendship or acquaintance with a Muslim.
1. Muslims and Arabs... They are not the same thing.
A Muslim is someone who practices and believes in the religion of Islam. An Arab, on the other hand, is a geographic/ethnic/linguistic term. An Arab is a person who speak the Arabic language, resides in the middle east, or is of middle eastern ancestry. It is true that Islam originated among the Arabs, and the Qur'an was written in Arabic. But, some Arabs have historically been part of the ancient orthodox Christian churches, and have been Jewish. On the other hand, Islam spread far beyond the Arab world, and today many Muslims are not Arabs. This includes the Turks, the Kurds, the Iranians, the Pakistanis, Northern Indians, other South Asian Muslims, the Malaysians and the Indonesians, almost all of whom are Muslim but none of whom is Arab.
2. The word "Islam" means surrender.
A Muslim is someone who submits to God. In Arabic, the word "Islam" means submission or surrender – however, it was derived from the root word “salam”. From this root word, you can also derive the words peace and safety. The Islamic conception of who God is , and how he is to be worshiped and served, is based on the teaching of the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa salaam). The Islamic shahada-or profession of faith is,"أشهد أن لا إله إلاَّ الله و أشهد أن محمد رسول الله " or for those who can't read Arabic "Ashadu an la ilaha illa illa-ilah, wa ashadu anna muhammadan rasul ullah". This translates to, "I bear witness that (or I testify that) there is no god but God, and Muhammad is the messenger of God."
3. There are two major secs of Muslims.
The two major secs of Muslims are Sunni and Shi'a. Sunnis are the vast majority, at 85 percent of all Muslims. The split occurred in the first generation after the death of Muhammadh (sallallahu alayhi wa salaam) and was based on a dispute over who should succeed him as leader of the Islamic community.
4. Islam teaches that Jesus was a great prophet.
Islam affirms that Jesus (Îsâ) was born of a virgin, that he lived a sinless life, that he performed mighty miracles, and that he will come again at Judgement Day. However, he is not believed to be the son of God or God himself. He also did not die on the cross, Jesus' visage was imposed on someone else, who was then crucified, and that Jesus was taken up into heaven without tasting death.
5. Islamic practice can be summarized by the Five Pillars of Islam.
These are composed of: Shahada ("...there is no god but God, and Muhammad is the messenger of God.").
Prayer (the ritual prayers said five times a day while facing Mecca) is called Salat. There is no hierarchy in Islam, no priest.
Zakat literally means both purification and growth. One of the most important principals in Islam is that all things belong to God. Possessions are purified by setting aside contributions for those in need.
Fasting during the month of Ramadan. Healthy, adult, non-pregnant Muslims completely fast (no food, drink, or sexual relations) from sunrise until sunset for an entire lunar month. This allows a person to gain sympathy for those who struggle with starvation.
And Hajj or Pilgrimage. Every Muslim who is physically and financially capable is required to make at least one pilgrimage to Mecca during his lifetime during the 12th lunar Islamic month.
7. The vast majority of Muslims are not terrorists.
In fact, Islamic religious law forbids the intentional killing of non-combatants in battle. It also forbids suicide. It's a small minority view that allows these things, and it's a small minority who engage in terrorist activities. With 8 million Muslims world wide... If everyone thought like terrorists... The world would be over by now wouldn't it?
8. Muslims can be some of the friendliest, most hospitable people on earth.
They make great neighbors and great friends. No American should be afraid to build a friendship or acquaintance with a Muslim.
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