SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY'S MUSLIM STUDENT ASSOCIATION
WHAT IS ISLAM?
The Arabic word 'Islam' simply means 'submission', and derives from a word meaning 'peace'. In a religious context it means complete submission to the will of God. It is a religion of peace, mercy, and forgiveness. Islam sometimes seems strange to non-Muslims because it is a religion which impacts every part of life, from eating and sleeping to working and playing. It is not only a personal religion, but also a social one. It is a way of living.
There are six million Muslims living in the United States out of 1.5 billion in the world. Demographers say that Islam is the fastest growing religion in the U.S. (and the world) due to high birth rate, immigration, and high conversion rate. Islam is currently the second largest religion in the world making up 23.2% of the world.
WHAT DO MUSLIMS BELIEVE?
Muslims seek to live in accordance with God's laws. By doing so, they strive to obtain nearness to God and victory over temporary trials and temptations in this world. All aspects of their practice including prayer, fasting, charity, and pilgrimage are intended to help meet this goal. Although strict by secular standards, Islam is not an ascetic religion. Islam requires its followers to be active participants in their communities.
Muslims believe that God is One, indivisible, and they believe in all the prophets of the Christians and Jews including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Elias, Jonah, John the Baptist, and Jesus (peace be upon them). In addition however, Muslims also recognize another prophet named Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) to whom the holy book, the Qur'an, was revealed.
THE QUR'AN
The Qur'an is the holy book of Muslims. It contains many stories that are familiar to Christians and Jews. It was not created by man but was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) through the Angel Gabriel at the command of God. It contains no scientific fallacies or internal contradictions. In fact, it contains much scientific knowledge discovered by scientists only in this century. The Qur'an is an unparalleled Arabic literary masterpiece. Furthermore, it survives in its original revealed form, unlike the Torah and the Gospel.
- taken from Islamic Information & News Network - Islam FAQ
THE FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM
1) Faith
2) Prayer
3) Charity
4) Fasting
