Islam: Principles and Practices- God, Confession of faith, five pillers of islam
Principles
Concept of God
Islam is often seen as having the simplest doctrines of the major religions. Its most fundamental concept is a rigorous monotheism, called tawḥīd . God is described in chapter 112 of the Quran as: “Say, He is God, the One and Only; God, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him”. Muslims repudiate polytheism and idolatry, called Shirk, and reject the Christian doctrine of the Trinity and divinity of Jesus. In Islam, God is beyond all comprehension and Muslims are not expected to visualize God. God is described and referred to by certain names or attributes, the most common being Al-Rahmān, meaning “The Compassionate” and Al-Rahīm, meaning “The Merciful”.
Angels
Belief in angels is fundamental to the faith of Islam. The Arabic word for angel means “messenger”, like its counterparts in Hebrew (malʾákh) and Greek (angelos). According to the Quran, angels do not possess free will, and therefore worship and obey God in total obedience. Angels’ duties include communicating revelations from God, glorifying God, recording every person’s actions, and taking a person’s soul at the time of death. Muslims believe that angels are made of Light.
Revelations
The Islamic holy books are the records which most Muslims believe were dictated by God to various prophets. Muslims believe that parts of the previously revealed scriptures, the Tawrat (Torah) and the Injil (Gospel), had become distorted—either in interpretation, in text, or both. The Quran (literally, “Reading” or “Recitation”) is viewed by Muslims as the final revelation and literal word of God and is widely regarded as the finest literary work in the Arabic language.
Prophets and sunnah
Muslims identify the prophets of Islam as those humans chosen by God to be his messengers. According to the Quran, the prophets were instructed by God to bring the “will of God” to the peoples of the nations. Muslims believe that prophets are human and not divine, though some are able to perform miracles to prove their claim. Islamic theology says that all of God’s messengers preached the message of Islam—submission to the will of God. The Quran mentions the names of numerous figures considered prophets in Islam, including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus, among others.
Resurrection and judgment
Belief in the “Day of Resurrection”, Yawm al-Qiyāmah is also crucial for Muslims. They believe the time of Qiyāmah is preordained by God but unknown to man. The trials and tribulations preceding and during the Qiyāmah are described in the Quran and the hadith, and also in the commentaries of scholars. The Quran emphasizes bodily resurrection, a break from the pre-Islamic Arabian understanding of death.
On Yawm al-Qiyāmah, Muslims believe all mankind will be judged on their good and bad deeds and consigned to Jannah (paradise) or Jahannam (hell). The Qurʼan in Surat al-Zalzalah describes this as, “So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it .” The Qurʼan lists several sins that can condemn a person to hell, such as disbelief in God , and dishonesty; however, the Qurʼan makes it clear God will forgive the sins of those who repent if he so wills. Good deeds, such as charity, prayer and compassion towards animals, will be rewarded with entry to heaven. Muslims view heaven as a place of joy and blessings, with Qurʼanic references describing its features and the physical pleasures to come. Mystical traditions in Islam place these heavenly delights in the context of an ecstatic awareness of God. Yawm al-Qiyāmah is also identified in the Quran as Yawm ad-Dīn .
Practices: Five pillers of islam
There are five basic religious acts in Islam, collectively known as ‘The Pillars of Islam’ (arkan al-Islam):
Testimony
Islam is often seen as having the simplest doctrines of the major religions. Its most fundamental concept is a rigorous monotheism, called tawḥīd . God is described in chapter 112 of the Quran as: “Say, He is God, the One and Only; God, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him” . Muslims repudiate polytheism and idolatry, called Shirk, and reject the Christian doctrine of the Trinity and divinity of Jesus. In Islam, God is beyond all comprehension and Muslims are not expected to visualize God. God is described and referred to by certain names or attributes, the most common being Al-Rahmān, meaning “The Compassionate” and Al-Rahīm, meaning “The Merciful”.
Prayer
Ritual prayers are called Ṣalāh or Ṣalāt . Salat is intended to focus the mind on God, and is seen as a personal Communication with him that expresses gratitude and worship. Performing prayers five times a day is compulsory but flexibility in the specifics is allowed depending on circumstances. The prayers are recited in the Arabic language, and consist of verses from the Quran. The prayers are done with the chest in direction of the kaaba though in the early days of Islam, they were done in direction of Jerusalem. The act of supplicating is referred to as dua.
Charity
“Zakāt” is giving a fixed portion of accumulated wealth by those who can afford it to help the poor or needy and for those employed to collect Zakat; also, for bringing hearts together, freeing captives, for those in debt (or bonded labour) and for the (stranded) traveller. It is considered a religious obligation (as opposed to voluntary charity) that the well-off owe to the needy because their wealth is seen as a “trust from God’s bounty”.
Fasting
Fasting from food and drink, among other things, must be performed from dawn to dusk during the month of Ramadan. The fast is to encourage a feeling of nearness to God, and during it Muslims should express their gratitude for and dependence on him, atone for their past sins, and think of the needy. Sawm is not obligatory for several groups for whom it would constitute an undue burden. For others, flexibility is allowed depending on circumstances, but missed fasts usually must be made up quickly.
Pilgrimage
The obligatory Islamic pilgrimage, called the ḥajj , has to be performed during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah in the city of Mecca. Every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it must make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in his or her lifetime.
,
Islam is a monotheistic religion that teaches that there is only one God, Allah, and that Muhammad is his prophet. Islam is the second-largest religion in the world, with over 1.8 billion followers.
The five pillars of Islam are the five obligations that every Muslim must fulfill in order to live a good and responsible life. They are:
- Shahadah: The declaration of faith. This is the first and most important pillar of Islam. It is a declaration of belief in one God and Muhammad as his prophet.
- Salat: The five daily prayers. These prayers are performed at specific times throughout the day. They are a way for Muslims to connect with God and to ask for his guidance and forgiveness.
- Zakat: The giving of alms. This is a form of charity that is given to the poor and needy. It is a way for Muslims to show compassion and to help those who are less fortunate.
- Sawm: Fasting during Ramadan. This is a month of fasting from dawn to dusk. It is a way for Muslims to practice self-discipline and to focus on their relationship with God.
- Hajj: The pilgrimage to Mecca. This is a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage to Mecca, the holiest city in Islam. It is a way for Muslims to show their devotion to God and to connect with their faith.
The principles of Islam are the basic beliefs and teachings of Islam. They include:
- Tawhid: The belief in one God. This is the most important principle of Islam. It is the belief that there is only one God and that he is the creator of the universe.
- Risalah: The belief in the prophethood of Muhammad. This is the belief that Muhammad is the last prophet of God. He was sent to guide humanity and to teach them the true way of life.
- Adl: The belief in Justice. This is the belief that everyone is equal in the eyes of God and that everyone should be treated fairly.
- Ihsan: The belief in doing good deeds. This is the belief that Muslims should do good deeds for the sake of God and not for any other reason.
- Ikhlas: The belief in sincerity. This is the belief that Muslims should be sincere in their worship and in their actions.
Islam is a religion that teaches peace, love, and compassion. It is a religion that promotes Tolerance and understanding. It is a religion that teaches its followers to live a good and responsible life.
If you are interested in Learning more about Islam, I encourage you to visit your local mosque or to talk to a Muslim friend or family member. You can also find many Resources online.
God
- What is the Islamic concept of God?
In Islam, God is the creator and sustainer of the universe. He is unique and has no partners. He is merciful and just.
- What are the names of God?
The most common names of God in Islam are Allah, Ar-Rahman (the Most Merciful), and Ar-Rahim (the Most Compassionate).
- What are the attributes of God?
The attributes of God are infinite, but some of the most important ones include:
* Oneness: God is one and unique. He has no partners or equals.
* Omnipotence: God is all-powerful. He can do anything He wills.
* Omniscience: God is all-knowing. He knows everything that has happened, is happening, and will happen.
* Omnipresence: God is present everywhere. He is not limited by time or space.
* Justice: God is just. He will reward those who do good and punish those who do evil.
* Mercy: God is merciful. He forgives those who repent and turn to Him.
Confession of faith
- What is the Shahadah?
The Shahadah is the Islamic declaration of faith. It is the first pillar of Islam and the most important statement in Islam. It states: “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.”
- What does the Shahadah mean?
The Shahadah means that you believe in one God and that Muhammad is His messenger. It is a declaration of your submission to God and your acceptance of Islam.
- What are the benefits of reciting the Shahadah?
Reciting the Shahadah is a major step in becoming a Muslim. It is a declaration of your faith in God and your acceptance of Islam. It is also a sign of your commitment to following the teachings of Islam.
Five pillars of Islam
- What are the five pillars of Islam?
The five pillars of Islam are the five obligations that every Muslim must fulfill in order to live a good and responsible life according to Islam. They are:
* Shahadah: The declaration of faith.
* Salat: The five daily prayers.
* Zakat: The giving of alms.
* Sawm: Fasting during the month of Ramadan.
* Hajj: The pilgrimage to Mecca, if one is able.
- What are the benefits of following the five pillars of Islam?
Following the five pillars of Islam brings many benefits, both in this life and in the next. Some of the benefits include:
* Peace of mind: Following the five pillars of Islam gives Muslims a sense of peace and purpose in life.
* Good Health: The five pillars of Islam promote good health, both physical and mental.
* Strong relationships: The five pillars of Islam help Muslims to build strong relationships with God, with their family and friends, and with the wider community.
* Forgiveness: Following the five pillars of Islam helps Muslims to seek forgiveness for their sins and to live a life of repentance.
* Paradise: Muslims believe that those who follow the five pillars of Islam will be rewarded with paradise in the next life.
Which of the following is not one of the five pillars of Islam?
(A) Shahadah
(B) Salat
(C) Zakat
(D) Sawm
(E) HajjThe Shahadah is the Islamic declaration of faith. It states that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet.
(A) True
(B) FalseSalat is the Islamic prayer. It is performed five times a day.
(A) True
(B) FalseZakat is the Islamic almsgiving. It is a form of charity that is paid on one’s wealth.
(A) True
(B) FalseSawm is the Islamic fasting. It is observed during the month of Ramadan.
(A) True
(B) FalseHajj is the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca. It is a duty that must be performed at least once in a lifetime by all Muslims who are physically and financially able to do so.
(A) True
(B) FalseThe Quran is the holy book of Islam. It is believed to be the word of God as revealed to the prophet Muhammad.
(A) True
(B) FalseThe Sunnah is the body of teachings and practices that are based on the words and actions of the prophet Muhammad.
(A) True
(B) FalseThe Five Pillars of Islam are the foundation of the Islamic faith. They are the five obligations that all Muslims must fulfill in order to live a good and righteous life.
(A) True
(B) FalseIslam is the second largest religion in the world, with over 1.8 billion followers.
(A) True
(B) False