The Arabic word Islam means peace, submission and obedience. The religion
of Islam is the complete acceptance of the teachings and guidance of God as
revealed to His Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
A Muslim is one who believes in God and strives for total reorganization of his
life according to His revealed guidance and the sayings ofthe Prophet. Healso
works for building human society on the same basis. 'Muhammadanism' is a
misnomer for Islam and offends its very spirit.
The word 'Allah' is the proper name of God in Arabic. It is a unique term
because it has no plural or feminine gender.
CONTINUITYOFMESSAGE
Islam is not a new religion. It is, in essence, the same message and guidance
which Allah revealed to all Prophets:
Say, we believe in Allah and that which has been revealed to Abraham and
/smael and Isaac andJacob and the tribes and that which was given to Moses
and Jesus and to other Prophets, from their Lord. We make no distinction
between any ofthem, and to him we submit. (Qura'n 3:83).
The message which was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is Islam in
its comprehensive, complete and final form.
THE FIVE PILLARS OFISLAM
There are five pillars of Islam
1. The declaration of faith: To bear witness that there is none worthy of worship
except Allah, and that Muhammad is His Messenser to all human beings
till the Day of judgement. The Prophethood of Muhammad obliges the Muslims
to follow his exemplary life as a model.
2. Prayen: Daily prayers are offered five times a day as a duty towards Allah.
They strengthen and enliven the belief in Allah and inspire man to a higher
morality. The purify the heart and prevent temptation towards wrong-doings
and evils.
3. Fastina the month of Ramadan: The Muslims during the month of Ramadan
not only abstain from food drink and sexual intercourse from dawn to sunset,
but also from evil intentions and desires. It teaches love, sincerity and devotion.
It develops a sound soeial conscience, patience, unselfishness and willpower.
4.Ubt: To pay annually 2.5% ofone's net saving on which a year has passed
as a religious duty and purifying sum to be spent on poorer sections ofthe community.
5. PillrilJlale to Makbh: It is to be performed once in a lifetime, if one can
afford it financially and physically.
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