| The prime message of
Islam is the Unity of God, that the Creator of the world is One and He
alone is worthy of worship and that Muhammad (peace and blessings on
him) is His Messenger and Servant. The follower of this belief is thus a
Muslim - a Muslim’s other beliefs are: God’s angels, previously revealed
Books of God, all the prophets, from Adam to Jesus (peace be on them
both), the Day of Judgement and indeed the Decree of God. A Muslim has
five main duties to perform, namely; bearing witness to the Unity of God
and Muhammad (peace and blessings on him) as His Messenger, observing
the prescribed prayer, payment of Zakat, keeping the fasts of Ramadhan
and performing the pilgrimage to Mecca.
Islam believes that each
person is born pure. The Holy Quran tells us that God has given human
beings a choice between good and evil and to seek God’s pleasure through
faith, prayer and charity. Islam believes that God created mankind in
His image and by imbuing the attributes of God on a human level mankind
can attain His nearness. Islam’s main message is to worship God and to
treat all God’s creation with kindness and compassion. Rights of parents
in old age, orphans and the needy are clearly stated. Women’s rights
were safeguarded 1,400 years ago when the rest of the world was in total
darkness about emancipation. Islamic teachings encompass every
imaginable situation and its rules and principles are truly universal
and have stood the test of time.
In Islam virtue does not
connote forsaking the bounties of nature that are lawful. On the
contrary one is encouraged to lead a healthy, active life with the
qualities of kindness, chastity, honesty, mercy, courage patience and
politeness. In short, Islam has a perfect and complete code for the
guidance of individuals and communities alike. As the entire message of
Islam is derived from the Holy Quran and indeed the Sunnah and Hadith
(the traditions and practices of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings
on him) it is immutable in the face of change in time and place. It may
appear rigid to the casual eye, in actual fact it is most certainly an
adaptable way of life regardless of human changes.
Islam teaches that the
path to spiritual development is open to all. Any individual who
searches the One Creator can seek nearness to God through sincere and
earnest worship; it is central to establishing a relationship with the
Almighty. This positive message for humanity fills hearts with hope and
courage.
At present there are 1.5
billion Muslims worldwide and they form the majority in more than 50
countries of the world. Today Islam is the fastest growing faith in the
world - its beautiful message is reaching millions in the far corner of
the earth. |
