What Is the Status of Women in Islam?

Islam sees a woman, whether single or married,
as an individual in her own right,
with the right to own and dispose of
her property and earnings without
any guardianship over her (whether
that be her father, husband, or anyone
else). She has the right to buy and sell,
give gifts and charity, and may spend her
money as she pleases. A marriage dowry is given by the groom
to the bride for her own personal use, and she keeps her own family
name rather than taking her husband’s.
Islam encourages the husband to treat his wife well, as the
Prophet Muhammad said: { The best among you are those who
are best to their wives. }
Mothers in Islam are highly honored. Islam recommends
treating them in the best way. A man came to the Prophet
Muhammad and said: “O Messenger of God! Who among
the people is the most worthy of my good companionship?”
The Prophet said: { Your mother. } The man said: “Then
who?” The Prophet said: { Then your mother. } The man
further asked: “Then who?” The Prophet said: { Then your
mother. } The man asked again: “Then who?” The Prophet
said: { Then your father. }

Human Rights and Justice in Islam

Islam provides many human rights for the individual. The
following are some of these human rights that Islam protects.
The life and property of all citizens in an Islamic state are
considered sacred, whether a person is Muslim or not. Islam also
protects honor. So, in Islam, insulting others or making fun of
them is not allowed. 

What Does Islam Say about Terrorism?

Islam, a religion of mercy, does not permit terrorism. In the
Qur’an, God has said:
God does not forbid you from showing
kindness and dealing justly with those who
have not fought you about religion and have
not driven you out of your homes. God loves
just dealers. (Qur’an, 60:8)

What Do Muslims Believe about Jesus?

Muslims respect and revere Jesus (peace be upon him).  
      They consider him one of the greatest of God’s messengers to mankind.
The Qur’an confirms his virgin birth, and a chapter of the Qur’an
is entitled ‘Maryam’ (Mary). 

How Did the Spread of Islam Affect the Development of Science?

Islam instructs man to use his
powers of intelligence and observation.
Within a few years of the
spread of Islam, great civilizations
and universities were flourishing.
The synthesis of Eastern and Western
ideas, and of new thought
with old, brought about
great advances in medicine,
mathematics, physics,
astronomy, geography,
architecture, art, literature,
and history.
Many crucial systems,
such as algebra, the Arabic
numerals, and the concept
of zero (vital to the advancement of mathematics), were transmitted to medieval Europe from the Muslim
world. Sophisticated instruments which were to make possible
the European voyages of discovery, such as the astrolabe, the
quadrant, and good navigational maps, were also developed by
Muslims.

Who Is the Prophet Muhammad ?

Muhammad was born in Makkah in the year 570. Since his
father died before his birth and his mother died shortly thereafter,
he was raised by his uncle who was from the respected tribe of
Quraysh. He was raised illiterate, unable to read or write, and
remained so till his death. His people, before his mission as a
prophet, were ignorant of science and most of them were illiterate.
As he grew up, he became known to be truthful, honest, trustworthy,
generous, and sincere. He was so trustworthy that they called
him the Trustworthy.1 Muhammad was very religious, and he
had long detested the decadence and idolatry of his society.
At the age of forty, Muhammad received his first revelation
from God through the Angel Gabriel. The revelations continued
for twenty-three years, and they are collectively known as the
Qur’an.
As soon as he began to recite the Qur’an and to preach the truth
which God had revealed to him, he and his small group of followers
suffered persecution from unbelievers. The persecution grew so
fierce that in the year 622 God gave them the command to emigrate.
This emigration from Makkah to the city of Madinah, some 260
miles to the north, marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar.
After several years, Muhammad and his followers were able
to return to Makkah, where they forgave their enemies. Before
Muhammad died, at the age of sixty-three, the greater part of the
Arabian Peninsula had become Muslim, and within a century of
his death, Islam had spread to Spain in the West and as far East as
China. Among the reasons for the rapid and peaceful spread of
Islam was the truth and clarity of its doctrine. Islam calls for faith
in only one God, Who is the only one worthy of worship.
The Prophet Muhammad was a perfect example of an
honest, just, merciful, compassionate, truthful, and brave human
being. Though he was a man, he was far removed from all evil
characteristics and strove solely for the sake of God and His reward
in the Hereafter. Moreover, in all his actions and dealings, he was
ever mindful and fearful of God.

What Is the Qur’an About?

The Qur’an, the last revealed word of God, is the primary
source of every Muslim’s faith and
practice. It deals with all the subjects
which concern human beings:
wisdom, doctrine, worship,
transactions, law, etc.,
but its basic theme is the relationship
between God and His creatures.
At the same time, it provides guidelines and detailed teachings for
a just society, proper human conduct, and an equitable economic
system.
Note that the Qur’an was revealed to Muhammad in Arabic
only. So, any Qur’anic translation, either in English or any other
language, is neither a Qur’an, nor a version of the Qur’an, but rather
it is only a translation of the meaning of the Qur’an. The Qur’an
exists only in the Arabic in which it was revealed.

How Does Someone Become a Muslim?

Simply by saying with conviction, “La ilaha illa Allah,
Muhammadur rasoolu Allah,” one converts to Islamand becomes
a Muslim. This saying means “There is no true god but God
(Allah),2 and Muhammad is the Messenger (Prophet) of God.”
The first part, “There is no true god but God,” means that none has
the right to be worshipped but God alone, and that God has neither
partner nor son. To be a Muslim, one should also:
Believe that the Holy Qur’an is the literal word of God,
revealed by Him.
Believe that the Day of Judgment (the Day of Resurrection)
is true and will come, as God promised in the Qur’an.
Accept Islam as his or her religion.
Not worship anything nor anyone except God.
The Prophet Muhammad said: { God is more joyful at the
repentance of someone when he turns to Him in repentance
than one of you would be if he were riding his camel in the
wilderness, and it runs away from him, carrying his food and
drink, so that he loses all hope of getting it back. He comes to
a tree and lies down in its shade (awaiting death), for he has
lost all hope of finding his camel. Then, while he is in that state
(of desperation), suddenly it is there before him! So he seizes
its halter and cries out from the depth of his joy: “O God, You
are my servant and I amYour Lord!” His mistake comes from
the intensity of his joy. }1
Thesaying, “There is no true god but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger
(Prophet) of God,” inscribed over an entrance.

What Does Islam Say about the Day of Judgment?

Like Christians, Muslims believe that the present life is only
a trial preparation for the next realm of existence. This life is a test
for each individual for the life after death. A day will come when
the whole universe will be destroyed and the dead will be resurrected
for judgment by God. This day will be the beginning of a
life that will never end. This day is the Day of Judgment. On that
day, all people will be rewarded by God according to their beliefs
and deeds. Those who die while believing that “There is no true
god but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger (Prophet) of
God” and are Muslim will be rewarded on that day and will be
admitted to Paradise forever, as God has said:
And those who believe and do good deeds,

Examples of the Prophet Muhammad’s Sayings

- { The believers, in their love, mercy, and kindness to one
another are like a body: if any part of it is ill, the whole
body shares its sleeplessness and fever. }1
- { The most perfect of the believers in faith are the best of
them in morals. And the best among them are those who
are best to their wives. }2
- { None of you believes (completely) until he loves for his
brother what he loves for himself. }3
- { The merciful are shown mercy by the All-Merciful.
Show mercy to those on earth, and God will show mercy
to you. }4
- { Smiling at your brother is charity... }5
- { A good word is charity. }6

Is There Any Sacred Source Other than the Qur’an?

Yes. The sunnah (what the Prophet Muhammad said, did,
or approved of) is the second source in Islam. The sunnah is
comprised of hadeeths, which are reliably transmitted reports by
the Prophet Muhammad’s companions of what he said, did, or
approved of. Belief in the sunnah is a basic Islamic belief.

Some Basic Islamic Beliefs 2

2) Belief in the Angels:

Muslims believe in the existence of the angels and that they
are honored creatures. The angels worship God alone, obey Him,
and act only by His command. Among the angels is Gabriel, who
brought down the Qur’an to Muhammad .

Some Basic Islamic Beliefs 1

1) Belief in God:

Muslims believe in one, unique, incomparable God, Who has
no son nor partner, and that none has the right to be worshipped
but Him alone. He is the true God, and every other deity is false.
He has the most magnificent names and sublime perfect attributes.
No one shares His divinity, nor His attributes. In the Qur’an, God
describes Himself:
Say: “He is God, the One. God, to Whom
the creatures turn for their needs. He begets
not, nor was He
begotten, and
there is none like
Him.”
(Qur’an, 112:1-4)

What Is Islam?

The religion of Islam is the acceptance of and obedience to
the teachings of God which He revealed to His last prophet,
Muhammad .