http://www.islamictube.net/view_video.php?viewkey=8c39f1cf878ed93fdd5a

by Kit Marsters

 When I think of Islam, my very first thoughts are of some of the kindest people I know. I am honoured to count them amongst my friends and blessed that our paths have crossed.

Sometimes I wonder if everything happens for a reason. I do strongly feel that God places people on my path through life, to walk with me for a while... some for only a brief period of time, some, I hope, will be there until the end. I know that each encounter changes, enriches and teaches me. And a couple of my travel companions have given me a better insight into what is Islam.

I've learned that Islam is a faith that's all too often misunderstood. The media, seemingly eager to spread doom and gloom, is very capable of painting a distorted picture. This is certainly the case when they accentuate the actions of a few. If you truly wish to gain an understanding of anything, including a religion, talk to people who know, who, in this case, live a life according to that religion... get to know them and listen with an open mind.

When I now think of Islam - as I admit that I didn't even have the slightest understanding of this faith in the past - the following values come to mind: integrity, courage, empathy and kindness towards all. Please allow me to explore a few examples:

Integrity

Most of us will have heard of cases where female Muslim students were banned from wearing a headscarf in school. Most of us will have heard of female Muslim students choosing to obey the Quran, and their faith, choosing to wear their headscarf instead of bowing down to bureaucracy. This takes integrity.

Courage

With the state of the world today, it takes courage to openly express any faith. There's such global paranoia, and it's saddening. Despite that, there are many Muslims dressing according to their religion and speaking out, in a respectful manner, about the words in the Quran. If more people were willing to listen, they'd find out that Islam is a peaceful religion, teaching kindness towards others and abhorring violence.

Empathy

I am not Muslim, but despite our different beliefs and ways of life, my Muslim friends have reached out to me, supported me, listened to me and offered me kind words of advice. This was never done in any way to try convert me to their faith. It was one human being reaching out to another human being in their hour of need. I am blessed with the friendships that were formed.

Kindness

My grandmother is wary of anything and everything she doesn't know about. When a family of Muslims moved next door to her, she thus wasn't too sure about it all. Since then, they've developed a wonderful friendship.

When my grandmother was recovering from her second stroke, her neighbours brought her and my uncle - who still lives at home but is not a very good cook - daily meals. When my uncle was away on holiday, they did not hesitate to offer to do the shopping. They didn't hesitate to help out an elderly Christian woman in need, no matter how sceptical she was at first about her new neighbours.

~~~

These small examples may differ from what is shown on the news. The media tend to be too eager to exaggerate and cannot always be relied upon. Even though most journalists will try to offer an unbiased and accurate account of what is going on in the world, some will sensationalise. And if we relied upon a completely straightforward news source, it will still only reveal a fragment of the truth. Because the common tendency is to only show the bigger events that happen in the world. And the vast majority of items shown are rather doomy and gloomy.

We get to see the violence in the world, the accidents, the wars, the corruption... we hardly ever are shown anything nice, the good things that happen. How often do we see on the news someone being kind to their neighbours? How often do we hear about an honest and humble politician or an incorruptible police officer? Not often. But there are many of those out there, people who sincerely care and help others. It's just not seen as news.

It's the same with peaceful, kind and law-abiding Muslims. The vast majority of Muslims are an asset to their communities, work hard and lead law-abiding lives. There's only a few who reach the news for not being very nice, and I think this has affected some people's views on Islam.

Is it fair, though, to base judgement of an entire religion on the actions of a few? Of course it isn't. We are all responsible and accountable for our own actions, and must all be judged as individuals. As I mentioned earlier - if you truly wish to gain an understanding of anything, including a religion, talk to people who know about the topic.

Don't be afraid to get to know people of a different faith. You may be pleasantly surprised, and find that if you have questions about their lives and religion, they will be happy to answer them. Who knows, you may just make a friend who will walk with you for a while...

About the Author

Kit Marsters is an author on http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Writers.

The following hadeeth tells of what a Muslim should study to gain knowledge in Islam:

from Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) who said; When we were one day sitting with the Messenger of Allah, there appeared a man with a very white garment and very black hair. No traces of travelling were visible on him and none of us knew him. He sat down close to the Prophet (Sallallahu’alaihi wasallam) and he rested his knees against his and he placed the palms of his hands on his thighs and he said:

”O Muhammad! Tell me about Islam”

And the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu ‘alaihi wasalam) said:  ”Islam Is that you testify that there is no god except Allah, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and that you perform the prayer, and that you give the zakaat, and that you fast of Ramadhan, and that you perform the pilgrimage to the House, if you did have the means to do so.”

He, (the man), said ”You have spoken truly”

We were astonished at his thus questioning him, (the Messenger), and affirming him as correct.

He, (the man), said: “Tell me about eeman (faith).”

He, (the Messenger), answered: (It is) that you believe in Allah, His angels, and His Books, and His Messenger, and in the last Day, and that you believe in Qadar (fate), its good and its bad.”

He, (the man), said: “You have spoken truly.” Then he said:Tell me About Ihsaan.”

He, (the Messenger), said: ”(It is) that you submit to Allah like as if you see Him, for although you do not see Him, then truly He sees you.”

He, (the man), said: Tell me about the Hour.”

He, (the Messenger), said: “About that, the one questioned knows no more that the questioner.”

He, (the man), Tell me of its signs.”

He, (the Messenger), answered: ”(They are) that the slave girl will deliver her mistress, and naked, the destitute, the herdsmen of the sheep (having great pride) living in high buildings.”

Thereupon, he, (the man), went off.

I waited a while, and then he, (the Messenger), said: O Umar! Do you know who that was?”

I said: “Allah and His Messenger know better!”

He said: And truly he was Jibreel who came to you to teach you your religion.”

-Compiled by Muslim

 

From the above hadeeth, the scholars of Islam have classified Islamic knowledge into three main categories and they are:

Islam: Islam mention the shahaadah (the testimony), the prayers, the zakaat, the fast of the month of Ramadhan, and performance of Hajj for those who have the means. These are explained and taught in detail in a subject called The Islamic Fiqh.

Eeman: Eeman mentions belief or faith in Allah, in His angels, in His Books, in His Messengers, in the last Day and in decreeing of the good and bad. These are taught in detail in detail in a subject called Ilmut Taw-heed or Al-Aqeedah - Islamic Theology.

Ihsaan: Ihsaan mentions spiritual awareness and God-consciousness at all times as a restraint for bad impulses. This is explained and taught in detail in a subject called At-Tasawwuf or Sufism.

Thus, to know Islam, a Muslim has to have a general understanding of the following subject:

1. The Islamic Fiqh - the Jurisprudence/Law of Islam.
2. Ilmut Taw-heed - the Theology of Islam.
3. At-Tasawwuf or Sufism which may , perhaps, be said to be mysticism.

   

The word ‘Islam’ literally means:

1. To surrender or to submit        2. Peace

From the above literal meaning, it is understood that the meaning of the word ‘Islam’ encompasses the act of  surrendering or submitting totally to Allah’s Commands and His Prohibitions, by humbly acknowledging the power and the total authority and control of Allah, the Almighty, the Supreme. Total surrender and submission will occur only after total understanding and realisation of the whys and wherefore of creation.

Through total submission to Allah thus, the Muslim feels secure, happy and content and he thereby gains the afore-mentioned second meaning of the word ‘Islam’ which is, peace-peace within oneself, peace with one’s friends, peace with the world at large.

The word ‘Muslim’ derived from the root word of Islam means exactly that – one who has acquired peace.

What is the religion of Islam?

The religion of Islam is the religion of Allah (subhaanahu wa ta'aalaa). It is a way of life based upon a Code of Law that Allah decreed for mankind whom He created.

This Code of Law contains rules and regulations that encompass what is known today as family law, civil law, the law of torts, criminal laws, constitutional laws, administrative laws, the studies of economics and the very fundamental basics of personal hygiene

All the law are based on morals and a code of ethics with regard to social behavior.

Thus, Islam should not be termed a religion, for it does not seem to conform to the traditional understanding of the term 'religion'. Because of this, it is usually referred as a 'way of life'.

The word "Islam" for this way of life was chosen by Allah, the creator and Originator of man.

Allah says in the Qur-aan, Soorah 3:19.

"Truly the religion in the Presence of Allah is Islam".

The follower of Islam are called Muslims. The word "Muslim" is noun derived from the root word of 'Islam', which is 'salaam'. The followers of Islam cannot be called Mohamadens after the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam). That will be utterly blasphemous and a totally ignorant supposition, for Muslims do not worship Muhammad.

They worship Allah and only Allah.