Islam is an Arabic word which
means guidance and peace. It is a religion which preaches peace and harmony, not
only for its followers, but for the humanity. The people who are righteous and
pious in the eyes of God follow Islam and these followers are called Muslims.
The message of Islam is not new. It is the same message which was conveyed to
the people by other Prophets. Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) and his son Hazrat Ismael (A.S)
conveyed the message of oneness of Allah to the people of their nation, and then
it was conveyed by Hazrat Moosa (A.S), Eesa (A.S) and all the other prophets of
Allah. Their people were bestowed Holy books by Allah for guidance but they made
fun of the prophets and the books. They believed and worshiped the creations of
Allah such as the sun, the moon, fire etc, and the false gods made of wood and
clay. Allah led those people through hardships; they were not able to face His
torments and were destroyed.
When the humanity was about to destroy itself by wrong deeds, Allah sent his
last Prophet, Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) to guide the people of Arab by
spreading a new religion; Islam. The Holy Prophet had to face severe
difficulties and hardships to bring people towards Islam and hospitality. The
people used to kill others for water; they used to bury their newborn daughters
alive. Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) guided the people through his
sayings (Hadith) and the Holy Quran. Allah says in the Qur’ân:
"Say, `We believe in ALLAH and that which has been revealed to us, and that
which was revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes,
and in that which was given to Moses and Jesus and other Prophets from their
Lord. We make no distinction between any of them and to HIM we submit." (Qur’ân
3-85)
ARTICLES OF FAITH IN ISLAM:
There are six articles of faith in Islam:
1. Have belief in the oneness of Allah
2. Have belief in Angels
3. Have belief on Allah’s four books
4. Have belief on His prophets
5. Have belief on The Day of Judgment
6. Have belief in Allah’s superiority
PILLARS OF ISLAM:
A person has to apply and follow the five pillars of Islam sincerely to be
called a Muslim. Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said:
“Islam is based on the following five pillars (principles).”
1. To have faith there is no God other than Allah and the Prophet Mohammed
(Peace Be Upon Him) is His last prophet. (Based on the first Kalima)
2. Observing Namaz.
3. Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.
4. Giving charity to the needy. (Zakaat)
5. Performing Hajj at the Holy Kaaba.
THE HOLY QURAN:
Among the four Holy books of Allah, the Holy Quran is His last book which was
bestowed upon His beloved Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him). The message of
Allah was sent to him by Hazrat Jibrael (A.S), the angel of Allah and these
messages were memorized by the followers of the Prophet and were compiled later
by one of his companions Hazrat Usman Ghani (R.A). These verses were given the
name of the Quran, through which Muslims find the solutions to their questions
about any aspect of their lives.
The holy Quran is written in the Arabic language. It is translated in many
languages around the world. The Holy books, which were bestowed on the other
prophets of Allah, have now lost their originality, as the people of that era
used to make changes in them, but, even after 1400 years, the Holy Quran is
still in its original condition. No one can change it nor regret it, because
Allah has taken the responsibility of its protection. The Holy books which were
bestowed upon the other prophets were only for their own nations and people who
followed them, but the Holy Quran is the book through which not only a Muslim,
but every person in this world of any nation and language can take guidance.
The present situation of the Muslims around the world is due to their
unfamiliarity with their Holy book. They have turned a deaf ear to it. It is
stated in the Holy Quran:
“And how will you disbelieve (now) while you are (fortunate) ones to whom the
Verses of Allah are recited, and the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be
upon him) is (himself) present among you? And whoever holds fast to (the Embrace
of) Allah is most surely guided to the straight path.”
(Sura A’l-Imran 3, verse # 101)
It is very important in the present era that we try to give some time to read
and understand our Holy book, so that we can teach our next generations about
it.
“And indeed We have made the Qur’an easy for direction and guidance, but is
there anyone who will take advice?”
(Sura Al-Qamar 54, verse # 17)
The most incredible thing about it is that if the enemies of Muslims try to burn
every single Quran from this world, then, still it will remain in this world in
the hearts of those who have memorized it.
THE DAY OF JUDGMENT:
Islam is the religion of peace and justice. Equal punishment and equal rewards
are given to those who deserve it. People strive hard to get justice in this
world and same is the mission of Allah; justice and equality for everyone. On
the Day of Judgment, everyone will receive the fruit of his deeds which he has
done in this world. Allah says in the Holy Quran:
“And every soul shall be paid in full what it had done; and He knows best what
they do.”
Allah has stated several times in the Holy Quran that every being of this world
will die. They will be then buried and raised again on the Day of Judgment, on
which, they will be rewarded by their creator for their good and bad deeds. On
hearing the sound of a trumpet (Sur), all the people of the world will rise from
their graves and wake up from their eternal sleep.
“And the Trumpet shall be blown, then shall swoon (i.e., die) whoever is in
heavens and whoever is in the earth, except those whom Allah has willed (to keep
alive on that occasion). Then (the Trumpet) shall be blown again and lo! They
shall stand up awaiting.”
THE RIGHTLY GUIDED CALIPHS:
The caliphs were the people who were given the right to rule and lead the
Muslims after the death of Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him). They had played
a very important role in the spread of Islam. They faced extreme hardships for
the sake of Allah and their religion; Islam and are promised to be rewarded by
Allah for their deeds.
The four main Caliphs of Islam were very close companions of the Prophet
Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him). After his death, his best friend and the first
adult in males to embrace Islam Hazrat Abu Bakra Siddique (R.A) was made the
first Caliph. He governed for two years. After his death Hazrat Umar (R.A) was
made the second Caliph of Islam.
He remained the Caliph of Islam for a decade. Islam spread the most throughout
the world in his rule. His governed over many areas such as Syria, Egypt and the
Persian Empire too. He was the first Muslim ruler to establish a public treasury
and also a financial administration. Many Islamic practices were established in
his rule.
Hazrat Usman Ghani (R.A) was made the third Caliph of Islam. The world of Islam
continued to expand during his twelve years of government. His main contribution
for Islam was to compile and make copies of the Holy Quran, which were sent
throughout the Islamic world.
Hazrat Ali (R.A), who was the cousin and the son-in-law of the Holy Prophet
Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him), was made the fourth Caliph of Islam. He is still
known to this world for his bravery and his servings for Islam.
Hence, the rightly guided Caliphs of Islam are still known and respected by the
Muslims of this world and have a place in their hearts for their deeds.
CONCLUSION:
In the modern era, Islam has its own identity throughout the world. The
believers of this religion are increasing day by day especially in Europe and
America. The Muslims are willing to live in the west to modify their lives but,
at the same time it is their wish not to be dominated by the customs and
traditions of the west. The message of Islam to the people of every religion and
nation is peace and harmony.