ISLAMISLAM Frequently Asked Frequently Asked QuestionsQuestions Content by http://Content by http://www.islamfaq.orgwww.islamfaq.org

What is IslamWhat is Islam

AA: : Islam means “submission to the will Islam means “submission to the will of Godof God..” Islam teaches belief in only ” Islam teaches belief in only one God, the Day of Judgment and one God, the Day of Judgment and

individual accountability for actionsindividual accountability for actions. . Islam greatly values peace; in fact the Islam greatly values peace; in fact the

traditional Muslim greeting is traditional Muslim greeting is “Salaam” which means “peace“Salaam” which means “peace”.”.

QQ: : What are the basic teachings What are the basic teachings of Islamof Islam? ?

A: The basic teachings of Islam are similar to those of Christianity and Judaism. Islam teaches the belief in one God, the Angels, the Day of Judgment, Heaven and Hell, Adam and Eve, Prophets, Prayer, and Equality. There are

five Pillars of Islam :Faith: Believe in one God and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as his last messengerPrayer: Pray towards Mecca five times each day to remember God and thank him for his graceCharity: Donate a portion of your wealth to the poorFasting: Go without food and drink from sunrise to sunset during the month of Ramadan to empathize with the poor and learn self-disciplinePilgrimage: Visit Mecca and perform the Hajj once in a lifetime, if you are able and have the means

QQ: : When was Islam startedWhen was Islam started??

AA: : Contrary to popular belief, Islam was not Contrary to popular belief, Islam was not started by Muhammad started by Muhammad ((peace be upon himpeace be upon him) ) in in the 7th centurythe 7th century. . Muslims, the followers of Muslims, the followers of Islam, believe that Islam was first followed by Islam, believe that Islam was first followed by Adam, then by all of the prophets thereafterAdam, then by all of the prophets thereafter. . Muslims believe that the same basic message Muslims believe that the same basic message of belief in one God was communicated of belief in one God was communicated through many prophets including Noah, through many prophets including Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad ((peace be upon thempeace be upon them) ) over timeover time..

QQ: : What is a MuslimWhat is a Muslim??

AA: : A “Muslim” is one who follows Islam and A “Muslim” is one who follows Islam and submits to the will of Godsubmits to the will of God . .

QQ: : How many Muslims are How many Muslims are therethere??

AA: : There are currently 1.2 Billion Muslims There are currently 1.2 Billion Muslims in the world, with 7 million in the United in the world, with 7 million in the United StatesStates. . Contrary to popular perception, Contrary to popular perception, only 20% of Muslims are Arabs and live only 20% of Muslims are Arabs and live in the Middle Eastin the Middle East. . The countries with the The countries with the largest Muslim populations are India and largest Muslim populations are India and Indonesia with about 175 million Muslims Indonesia with about 175 million Muslims eacheach..

Q: Who is “AllahQ: Who is “Allah?”?”

AA: : “Allah” is simply the Arabic word for “Allah” is simply the Arabic word for God, the same God worshiped by God, the same God worshiped by Christians and JewsChristians and Jews. . It is the God of It is the God of Abrahamand Moses, not a different GodAbrahamand Moses, not a different God. . Christian Arabs also refer to God as Christian Arabs also refer to God as “Allah “Allah ”.”.

QQ: : What is the QuranWhat is the Quran//KoranKoran??

AA: : The Quran is the holy book of IslamThe Quran is the holy book of Islam. . Muslims believe that the Quran was Muslims believe that the Quran was divinely revealed and is the last divinely revealed and is the last testament of Godtestament of God. . The Quran is The Quran is preserved in its original Arabic form and preserved in its original Arabic form and has never been changedhas never been changed..

QQ: : Who was MuhammadWho was Muhammad??

AA: : Muslims believe that Muhammad Muslims believe that Muhammad ((peace peace be upon himbe upon him) ) was a prophet and the last was a prophet and the last in a series of messengers of Godin a series of messengers of God. . Muslims believe in many prophets Muslims believe in many prophets including Adam, Noah, Abraham, including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Moses, Jesus and Ishmael, Isaac, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad Muhammad ((Peace be upon themPeace be upon them))..

QQ: : What does Islam say about What does Islam say about Christians and JewsChristians and Jews? ?

AA: : Islam teaches that Christians, Jews and Islam teaches that Christians, Jews and Muslims are all descended from Abraham and Muslims are all descended from Abraham and are “people of the book”are “people of the book”. . By that it means that By that it means that the three religions share the same basic beliefs the three religions share the same basic beliefs articulated through their holy booksarticulated through their holy books. . Muslims Muslims hold Jesus and Moses hold Jesus and Moses ((peace be upon thempeace be upon them) ) in high regard and believe that they were in high regard and believe that they were prophets blessed with the power of miracles to prophets blessed with the power of miracles to show the glory of Godshow the glory of God..

QQ: : What is an Islamic What is an Islamic FundamentalistFundamentalist? ?

AA: : This term has no basis in IslamThis term has no basis in Islam. . This This term is incorrectly used in the media to term is incorrectly used in the media to refer to some Middle Eastern people and refer to some Middle Eastern people and does not represent Muslimsdoes not represent Muslims..

QQ: : How does Islam view How does Islam view terrorismterrorism? ?

AA: : Islam does not support terrorism under Islam does not support terrorism under any condition or circumstancesany condition or circumstances. . Terrorism goes against every principle of Terrorism goes against every principle of IslamIslam. . If a Muslim engages in terrorism If a Muslim engages in terrorism he is not following the religionhe is not following the religion. . He may He may be wrongly using the name of Islam for be wrongly using the name of Islam for political or financial gainpolitical or financial gain..

QQ: : How does Islam view How does Islam view killing innocent peoplekilling innocent people? ?

AA: : Islam does not condone the killing of Islam does not condone the killing of innocent people under any condition or innocent people under any condition or circumstancescircumstances. . It is one of the greatest It is one of the greatest

sins in Islamsins in Islam. .

QQ: : How does Islam view How does Islam view suicidesuicide

AA: : Islam states that life is a gift from God Islam states that life is a gift from God and must be cherishedand must be cherished. . Suicide is a Suicide is a major sin in Islam and not permitted or major sin in Islam and not permitted or justifiable under any circumstancesjustifiable under any circumstances..

QQ: : What is “JihadWhat is “Jihad ””

AA: : Jihad does not mean Jihad does not mean ""holy warholy war". ". Jihad in Jihad in Arabic means to strive, struggle and Arabic means to strive, struggle and exert effortexert effort. . It is a central and broad It is a central and broad Islamic concept that includes struggle Islamic concept that includes struggle against evil inclinations within oneself, against evil inclinations within oneself, struggle to improve the quality of life in struggle to improve the quality of life in society, for selfsociety, for self--defense or fighting defense or fighting against tyranny or oppressionagainst tyranny or oppression..

QQ: : What is a “FatwaWhat is a “Fatwa? ?

AA: : A “Fatwa” is a religious ruling to a A “Fatwa” is a religious ruling to a question based on Islamic law and question based on Islamic law and issued by Islamic scholarsissued by Islamic scholars..

QQ: : How does Islam view How does Islam view womenwomen??

AA: : Islam views women as equal to but Islam views women as equal to but different from mendifferent from men. . Islam teaches that Islam teaches that women must be respected and protectedwomen must be respected and protected. . Islam does not condone oppression of Islam does not condone oppression of women but to the contrary provides many women but to the contrary provides many rights to womenrights to women. . In some Middle Eastern In some Middle Eastern countries women may be limited in countries women may be limited in certain rightscertain rights. . This is not due to Islam but This is not due to Islam but due to the culture of that areadue to the culture of that area..

QQ: : Why do Muslim women Why do Muslim women cover their haircover their hair? ?

AA: : Islam teaches modesty for women and Islam teaches modesty for women and menmen. . Women are required to cover their Women are required to cover their bodies so that their figure is not revealed bodies so that their figure is not revealed and that only their face and hands are and that only their face and hands are shownshown. . This requirement is designed to This requirement is designed to protect women and give them respectprotect women and give them respect. . The dress of Muslim women is very The dress of Muslim women is very similar to that of Christian Nuns who also similar to that of Christian Nuns who also cover their bodies and haircover their bodies and hair..

QQ: : What is a MosqueWhat is a Mosque//MasjidMasjid??

AA: : A Mosque or Masjid is a place of A Mosque or Masjid is a place of worship for Muslimsworship for Muslims. . Muslims pray in a Muslims pray in a mosque in the same way that Christians mosque in the same way that Christians

pray in a churchpray in a church. .

QQ: : Where can I learn more Where can I learn more about Islamabout Islam? ?

AA: : One way to learn about Islam is to read an One way to learn about Islam is to read an authentic translation of the Quranauthentic translation of the Quran. . Most Most libraries carry an English translation by libraries carry an English translation by Abdullah Yusuf AliAbdullah Yusuf Ali. . You can also visit the Islam You can also visit the Islam FAQ website for more answers and informationFAQ website for more answers and information

http://www.islamfaq.orghttp://www.islamfaq.org