Introduction to ISLAM Video  

The word Islam means obedience, submission, surrender to the will of Allah. A Muslim is one who has complied to the will of Allah. (Allah is Arabic for God and is the proper name of God), A Muslim is one who sacrifices his ambitions and wishes to obey Allah. All the people from Adam until now who have obeyed the commands of their Creator, as sent down through the Messengers of God, are regarded as Muslims. When one Muslim meets or communicates with another he or she will use the greeting [As-salamu alaykum] this means - 'Peace be upon you' - it indicates to the other that you are my brother or sister in Islam and that they should have no worries from your part.

The greeting of 'As-salam' is significant in that it can be used at any time of day or night. 'As-salam' is one of the attributes of Allah -meaning Peace Giving. the religion of Islam is not a creation of Muhammad (SAW) as the Qur'an was a revelation to him from God. Attempts have been made to introduce the term 'Muhammadan' to replace the word Islam. This was most evident during the British Rule (Raj) in India and Pakistan when terms such as Muhammadan College, Muhammadan Law, Muhammadan Religion were always used to describe or refer to Islamic details. However, Muslim scholars of that time were quite adamant that the term 'Muhammadan' was incorrect when dealing with Islamic references.

The subject matter can be divided into three parts:

The three parts will thus enable those who are newly aware of Islam to have a better grasp of its teachings.

AN INTRODUCTION TO ISLAM

It is perhaps preferable to say that Islam is more than just another religion as it is also a completely comprehensive code leading to the ultimate way of life. When someone accepts Islam they have access to spiritual satisfaction and a guide to their daily way of life. Islam teaches the proper means to earn money. Islam teaches the proper etiquette of eating and drinking, what to eat, how to eat and what not to eat. For sleep, Islam teaches the best manner to adapt to sleep and what to say before sleeping and on awakening. Islam teaches the methods of one's toilet practices that are most beneficial towards well being and hygiene.

Islam teaches how to bring up one's offspring in the best possible way. In fact Islam does not leave man without guidance on any iota of life. Thus Islam is more than just an ideology as it has realism and practicality. One can say that Islam is a type of movement having its own foundations and principles upon which there is no compromising. However, if one refers to Islam as a movement then it must be as a movement of Peace - of mind, peace of heart, peace of society, peace of country. Another meaning of Islam is therefore Peace. Thus Islam can only be described with a combination of words. Unlike Mankind and Jinn's the rest of creation such as stars, planets, animals all obey God's Laws (Natural Laws).

Where the sun arrives and leaves punctually man has been given the choice whether to or not to obey laws beneficial to him. If the sun were not to rise one day then the disorder, disabilities and difficulties due to such a phenomenon will be so intense as to be unbearable. Likewise if a human being does not obey the will of his creator then he will disturb the system of his life as well. Thus it is our own actions that are continually disturbing the peace of the world.

Thus Islam is not a collection or a band of beliefs and customs but is to be lived with in its whole entirety.

ISLAMIC BELIEFS

The Muslim accepts Allah as the ultimate authority and obeys his laws as given in the Qur'an. The concept of God in Islam is that he is Unique, Universal, Eternal, Ingenerate and has no beginning and no end. Having children for God would mean that there are shares in His powers and attributes.

If the act of generation is attributed to God, it destroys the singularity of God. It also ascribes to God corporeality (having an animal body of matter) and passion which are attributes of man and imply that the Almighty is subject to necessity, which He is not. Thus Ingenerate ness is the very essence of Divinity.

A Muslim does not live according to his own will but in a way to please his Creator. Human knowledge, wisdom and the brain are limited. As God created man then he is the only one capable to direct the best method or way of life. Thus heavenly guidance is necessary as our own ways are not always dependable. God has sent his guidance via Prophets and Messengers throughout history since creation. The enology can be made for a tenant in a house. The landlord asks him to obey certain rules and regulations; conditions for the well being of all involved.

Belief in all the Prophets from Adam to the seal of the Prophets, Muhammad (S.A.W.) is necessary and rejection of any would be non-Islamic.

A Muslim must acknowledge belief in the books revealed or sent by God. The main ones are four of many sent.

• Tawrat - (Old Testament) The Law, given to Moses.
• Zaboor - (Psalms), given to David
• Injeel - (New Testament) The Gospel given to Jesus.
• Qur'an - Given to Muhammad (SAW)

Each instructs mankind how to live on this earth along the right path.

THE PRACTICE OF ISLAM

A Muslim must also have faith in the Day of Judgement when everything in creation will rise again to obtain justice. Mankind had been taught right from wrong and was not forced to obey, thus the reckoning for the actions of each individual. Fate, good and bad fortune are from God e. g. someone tries hard to succeed in a business and he fails continually, therefore, there is divine intervention in cases to further test someone in a particular situation.

A Muslim believes in Angels - similarly the Jewish and Christian beliefs.

As for a building with pillars supporting it there are Five main Fundamentals of Islam, Five Pillars, providing shelter in peace and spiritual satisfaction.

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