Wednesday, April 25, 2007

islam


Islam is a religion with more than 1.2 billion believers world wide. It dominates in East- and North Africa, in the larger Middle East, in Central Asia and in Indonesia.The word "Islam" is best translated with "submission", meaning submission under the will and guidance of God. But the word has a deeper meaning, understood through other words with the same Arabic root (s-l-m): "salam," peace, and "salama," safety and security. Hence, the word "Islam" itself explains much of the central core of the religion.
CORE VALUESIn Islam there is only one god, although there are other supernatural beings, like Satan and angels. The religion is defined by the Koran, believed to be the word of God, and a large collection of striptures from the hand of humans. To the latter group belongs especially the hadiths (acts and sayings of Muhammad and other early Muslims), early theological works, law scriptures (Sharia) and commentatory scriptures which are still being produced.Islam is often promoted as a complete religion, which social life is part of the complete religious life of the adherents. Islam is even promoted as a political system. On the personal level, the core of Islam may understood from sura 2:172, in which righteousness is defined, righteousness being the ultimate quality of a true Muslim. It involves a complete belief in God and his prophets (note the plural) and love and caring for all believers, especially the poor and weak.Islam is defined out of the following, known as the 5 pillars:
1. Shahada, the creed stating that "There is no God but God, and Muhammad is his messenger".
2. Salat, the prayer which is to be performed five times a day. This prayer is performed after strict rules: bending and uttering phrases from the Koran, as well as facing the direction towards the ka'bain Mecca.
3. Zakat, alms. This is a prescription which is practiced in very different ways in Islam today.
4. Sawm, fast during the month of ramadan.
5. Hajj, pilgrimage to Mecca. This an obligation for all Muslims in good health and sufficiently good economic situation.

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