Why are so many people embracing Islam?
- From: "Faris Jawad" <ana_faris_bila_jawad@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 23 Jul 2005 13:27:42 -0400
Why are so many people embracing Islam?
The name "Islam simply means" "self-surrender to the Will of God" It is the
way of life that all prophets throughout history have taught, from those
known in the Western world such as Abraham, Moses and Jesus to those sent to
other parts of the earth like Salih, Shu'ayb and Luqman, the African.
The last and final Guide Was Muhammad, may he be blessed, and who lived in
sixth-century Arabia. A "Muslim", (i.e. a self surrender one,) is a follower
of this faith. Nearly one in every five persons alive today is a Muslim.
What Does Islam Teach?
Islam calls humanity to service of the one, Omnipotent Creator, Who is known
as " Allah", (The Deity) in the Arabic language. It further instructs people
on how they may live together in peace and harmony regardless
of race, class or beliefs. The unity of purpose brought all by previous
religious guides is highlighted as well as traditional morality, the
equality of the sexes before God and the virtues of patience and humbleness.
Where do these teachings come from?
Muslims have two major sources from which derive their religious teachings.
The first is a book known as "the Qur'an," the direct Revelation of God to
His Last Prophet, the blessed Muhammad. The second source is the collected
saying and pronouncement of the Prophet, which are complimentary to the
Revelation. These are known as "the Hadith"
What about Muhammad? Who was he?
Muhammad (pbuh) was born in Arabia in the year 750.His father's name was
Abdullah and his mother's was Aminah. Abdullah died before his son was born
and his mother died when he was yet a small child. He was
placed under the care o his grandfather and later his uncle, who raised his
nephew as his own. As a boy, Muhammad (pbuh), dislike the prevailing custom
of idol worship practiced by his people. How many a night he must have
paused to watch the stars and endless plains, while tending his uncle's
flocks, and wondered at the real Creator of it all. He shunned the mischief
of his fellow youth and soon developed a reputation for honesty, generosity
and compassion.
When he was a young man he took employment in the merchant trade and soon
distinguished himself for his excellent managerial skills, which resulted in
an
offer of marriage from his widowed employer, the noble lady Khadija. He was
25 and she was 40 when they got married. Their marriage was based on love,
friendship and trust.
Thought time and circumstances had changed as he grew older and wiser,
Muhammad (pbuh) still remained restless for the truth and he began to
retreat to the solitude which could only be found outside the city of Mecca.
He often went to a mountain where he would sometimes spend
days thinking and contemplating about God, reality and the Divine way of
life. Then on one glorious day, the Almighty revealed words of inspiration
to him through His angle, Gabriel.
" Read!" the angel commanded him, " Read in the name of your Lord who
created man from clinging embryo..." This was Muhammad (pbuh), for all his
truthfulness, patience, piety and spirit, commissioned as the last and final
prophet of God to humanity. Though many trials, tests and triumphs lay ahead
of him, he always called people to the service of the One God, to shun myths
and idols and to do unto others only what is good and right. He always lived
a frugal life, and even after all Arabia was liberated from darkness of
ignorance, he as the ruler, still slept on the reed mat and mended his own
clothes.
He taught a new standard to people and brought civilization to an area of
the world where it had long ago passed by. His lips moved with the
Revelation of God and his life put its percepts into practice. Though
persecuted by the idols worshipers for thirteen years in Mecca and followed
faithfully by the believing citizens of Madina for ten thereafter, he
remained unto his death a devoted father, husband, leader and Prophet. He
was giving the title of "Mercy to the worlds " by God Himself in the Qur'an
and anyone who has studied the details of his life must necessarily declare
the same. This man Muhammad (pbuh) is truly the hero of his age as well as
an inspiration to ours.
Do Muslims Worship Muhammad Like Christians do Christ?
No. Muhammad (pbuh) was only a man among men who received the special favor
of God. No true Prophet of God taught that any man must be worshipped, as if
any
human body could contain the infinite. God instructs us in the Qur'an about
him thus:" Muhammad is no more than Messenger. Many were the Messengers who
passed away before him..." (3:144 )
Where Do Muslims Live ?
Muslims live in every country and region on earth from Norway to Malaysia
and Morocco to Mexico. Muslims form a large percentage of the population in
Russia, China, India and Eastern Europe. Some Islamic lands are Arabia,
Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Malaysia, Iran
and Nigeria. Arab Muslims form a small minority of the worldwide Muslim
population. There are nearly six million Muslims in North America alone.
That's more than the population of some states such as Alaska, Nevada and
Rhode Island.
How does one become a Muslim?
There are no elaborate rituals or ceremonies to perform to enter Islam
(Self-Surrender to God), for Islam is the faith of reason, and therefore it
takes an exercise of reason to become a Muslim. Simply by declaring and
believing in one's heart the following Phrase: "There is no object of the
devotion save God and Muhammad is the Messenger of God," one thereby is a
believer. As
a consequence of making this statement sincerely, everything an individual
did that was wrong or unethical in his life up to that point, is forgiven by
God, no matter what it was. From that moment onwards, the slate is cleared
and you begin life again as a new person.
If what briefly posted interests you, please contact your local Islamic
centers in your area, they would be honored to share our faith and our
friendship with you for all things must pass away but the presence of our
Lord shall abide forever.
Suggested Reading
The Holy Qur'an: Abdullah Yusuf Al (trans)
Towards Understanding Islam: Abul A'la Maududi
Jesus: A Prophet of Islam
The Bible, the Qur'an and Science: Maurice Bucaille
The Adventures of Ibn Battutta: Ross E. Dunn
MUHAMMAD: Martin Lings
ISLAM: Isma'il al Faruqi
The Road to Mecca: Muhammad Asad
The Muslim Mind: Chris Waddy
OR Visit
http://thetruereligion.org/modules/news/
http://islamonline.net/english/index.shtml
Here a List of Islamic links on the World Wide Web
http://www.jannah.org/mamalist/
.
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