Why Three Testaments One God?

 

Posted on July 23, 2011 by Tark

Judaism, Christianity, Islam, These three Testaments contain some similarity but much differences in the teaching and salvation. Yet the followers of each are very convinced that only they possess that one heavenly truth. Amazingly, each one of them accepts what came before as it, to be from God, including Islam which accepts the original Bible to be partly from God.
However, the Jews don’t accept that Christianity is from God, and Christians don’t accept Islam to be from God. Yet they all believe that their divine message is from the creator of the universe who doesn’t lie nor changes his mind, who is All-Powerful and All-Knowledgeable. Such a God need not to to reveal three different messages. Did God reveal one message in different times but man changes made them three?.
At God Revelation Research Centre We search for answers by carrying out in depth research and studies into the original documents only. Such studies are NOT based on any previous research or any history that is not supported by existing physical evidence. Reading the entire site will help you understand why three religions form one God?

1. CHRISTIANITY, THE NEW TESTAMENT

One maybe very shock to learn that Jesus never mention the word “New Covenant or Testament”. So where did it come from? In the Greek New Testament the word (New Covenant-καινὴ διαθήκη) appears only twice in the four Gospels “Matthew 26:28- Luke 22:20. And many times throughout the letters of Apostle Paul, yet nowhere else in the New Testament the word appears. In reality the only original manuscript letter that contain the words is (1st Corinthians 11:25). Other documents are debatable. but Why?
Shockingly the word NEW in Matthew 26:28 and the whole verse of Luke 22:20 is not found in any of the gospel’s manuscripts written within the first four hundred years after Jesus. In other words, no one including Matthew and Luke had heard of this word or verse from the time of Jesus until the fourth century. I ask where did it come from?
It’s a known fact that the Holy Bible was completed by the fourth century to the form that we have today. This is when the scribes start to notice that all four gospels did not mention any New Testament. The only ancient copy from the first century AD that contains the word New Covenant is 1st Corinthians 11:25 which was written by Apostle Paul.
In fact Apostle Paul was not present at the last supper where he said Jesus told his disciples of a New Testament. Yet the disciples whom were present never mentioned anything about Jesus speaking of a New Testament, indeed for this is why the 1952 RSV Bible shows that after the fourth century some scribes copied the verse of: 1st Corinthians 11:25 TO Luke 22:20 and added the word New to the gospel of Matthew 11:25 to make it part of Jesus own words. Can it be Jesus’ own words, or its simply Paul’s and the scribes misquoting Jesus?
Indeed the book Jeremiah 31:31-34 spoke of the coming of a New Testament for the Jewish people only. However, one must not forget that the same God talking to Abraham, about his son Isaac who is the father of the Jewish people, did say “I will establish my covenant with him {Isaac} as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.” Genesis 17:19. Did God change his mind?
Yet, the Bible teaches that “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind.” Numbers 23:19. Is it possible that the creation of the New Testament is only found in Paul’s writings and this scribes errors or editions along !. if Jesus or God intended for a New Covenant to be, how come all the disciples missed it? And only Paul, who never met Jesus in the flesh, knew ?
All scholars of the New Testament Manuscript agree that no two copies are identical out of the 5700 Manuscript copies from the 27 books of the New Testament that we have today.The 1945 discovery of more ancient Manuscript revealed Many additions to the originals. The 1952 RSV is the only English Bible that is based on the most ancient Manuscript. The facts above are taken from the 1952 RSV Bible Read the preface
2. ISLAM, THE LAST TESTAMENT
The Quran states that Islam is the original teaching of all God’s messengers from Adam to Abraham and all the way to Jesus. One may ask, then why three different religions? The Quran estates the following reasons:
1. All the heavenly messages before the Quran revelation was intended for specific people during that time. For that is why such messages was inspired only. Meaning God gave his messengers the General context but left them the choice of words to deliver such context. For that is the reason The scribes failed to preserve such messages through the early prophets, instead they wrote their own and claim it to be God’s.
2. The Arabic Quran was not inspired, yet every word was giving by God to the prophet Mohamed. God promised to preserve the Arabic Quran as the final divine revelation to all mankind by making it very easy to be memorized. In fact the Arabic Quran is memorized by millions today, some of them neither speak or understand Arabic.
3. The Quran has the Solutions to every problem for all mankind for all time and place. The Quran states that Mohammad is mentioned in the Bible, so that the bible believer may accept him to be the seal of prophets.
The Arabic word Islam means acquiring peace by total submission to God (Allah), and the word Quran means word of wisdom. Another name for Quran is Forgan which means the divider between the good and evil.
3. JUDAISM, THE OLD TESTAMENT
All Semitic languages have one word for Covenant or Testament which means “an agreement between God and people”. This is why the Jews tell us Judaism is a covenant between God and the Jewish people only. The word Judaism is not found anywhere in the Old Testament which the Jews accept as the only word of God, starting with the 5 books of Moses (Torah) and the prophets.
All Scholars agree that all original manuscripts are lost, and there are many copies from each book. Nevertheless, no two copies are identical. The Jewish scripture was never called the Old Testament until the creation of the New Testament.

A Brief Introduction to Islam

Islam and Muslims

The word "Islam" is an Arabic word which means "submission to the will of God". This word comes from the same root as the Arabic word "salam", which means "peace". As such, the religion of Islam teaches that in order to achieve true peace of mind and surety of heart, one must submit to God and live according to His Divinely revealed Law. .


The most important truth that God revealed to mankind is that there is nothing divine or worthy of being worshipped except for Almighty God, thus all human beings should submit to Him. The word "Muslim" means one who submits to the will of God, regardless of their race, nationality or ethnic background. Being a Muslim entails willful submission and active obedience to God, and living in accordance with His message. Some people mistakenly believe that Islam is just a religion for Arabs, but nothing could be further from the truth. Not only are there converts to Islam in every corner of the world, especially in England and America, but by taking a look at the Muslim World from Bosnia to Nigeria, and from Indonesia to Morocco, one can clearly see that Muslims come from many various races, ethnic groups and nationalities. It is also interesting to note that in actuality, more than 80% of all Muslims are not Arabs - there are more Muslims in Indonesia than in the whole Arab World! So though even though it is true that most Arabs are Muslims, the large majority of Muslims are not Arabs. However, anyone who submits completely to God and worships Him alone is a Muslim.

Continuity of the Message

Islam is not a new religion because "submission to the will of God", i.e. Islam, has always been the only acceptable religion in the sight of God. For this reason, Islam is the true "natural religion", and it is the same eternal message revealed through the ages to all of God's prophets and messengers. Muslims believe that all of God's prophets, which include Abraham, Noah, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad, brought the same message of Pure Monotheism. For this reason, the Prophet Muhammad was not the founder of a new religion, as many people mistakenly think, but he was the Final Prophet of Islam. By revealing His final message to Muhammad, which is an eternal and universal message for all of mankind, God finally fulfilled the covenant that He made with Abraham, who was one of the earliest and greatest prophets. Suffice it to say that the way of Islam is the same as the way of the prophet Abraham, because both the Bible and the Qur'an portray Abraham as a towering example of someone who submitted himself completely to God and worshipped Him without intermediaries. Once this is realized, it should be clear that Islam has the most continuous and universal message of any religion, because all prophets and messengers were "Muslims", i.e. those who submitted to God's will, and they preached "Islam", i.e. submission to the will of Almighty God.

The Oneness of God

The foundation of the Islamic faith is belief in the Oneness of Almighty God - the God of Abraham, Noah, Moses and Jesus. Islam teaches that a pure belief in One God is intuitive in human beings and thus fulfills the natural inclination of the soul. As such, Islam's concept of God is straightforward, unambiguous and easy to understand. Islam teaches that the hearts, minds and souls of human beings are fitting receptacles for clear divine revelation, and that God's revelations to man are not clouded by self-contradictory mysteries or irrational ideas. As such, Islam teaches that even though God cannot be fully comprehended and grasped by our finite human minds, He also does not expect us to accept absurd or demonstrably false beliefs about Him. According to the teachings of Islam, Almighty God is absolutely One and His Oneness should never be compromised by associating partners with Him - neither in worship nor in belief. Due to this, Muslims are required to maintain a direct relationship with God, and therefore all intermediaries are absolutely forbidden. From the Islamic standpoint, believing in the Oneness of God means to realize that all prayer and worship should be exclusively for God, and that He alone deserves such titles as "Lord" and "Savior". Some religions, even though they believe on "One God", do not make all of their worship and prayers for Him alone. Also, they also give the title of "Lord" to beings that are not All-Knowing, All-Powerful and Un-Changing - even according to their own scriptures. Suffice it to say that according to Islam, it is not enough that people believe that "God is One", but they must actualize this belief by proper conduct. In short, in the Islamic concept of God, which is completely based on Divine Revelation, there is no ambiguity in divinity - God is God and man is man. Since God is the only Creator and continual Sustainer of the Universe, He is transcendent above His creation - the Creator and the creature never mix.

Islam teaches that God has a unique nature and that He is free from gender, human weaknesses and beyond anything which human beings can imagine. The Qur'an teaches that the signs and proofs of God's wisdom, power and existence are evident in the world around us. As such, God calls on man to ponder over the creation in order to build a better understanding of his Creator. Muslims believe that God is Loving, Compassionate and Merciful, and that He is concerned with the daily affairs of human beings. In this, Islam strikes a unique balance between false religious and philosophical extremes. Some religions and philosophies portray God as just an impersonal "Higher Power" who is uninterested, or unaware, of the life of each individual human. Other religions tend to give God human qualities and teach that He is present in His creation, by being incarnate in someone, something - or even everything. In Islam, however, Almighty God has clarified the truth by letting mankind know that He is"Compassionate", "Merciful", "Loving" and the "Answerer of Prayers". But He as also emphasized strongly that "there is nothing like unto Him", and that He is high above time, space and His creation. Finally, it should be mentioned that the God that Muslims worship is the same God that Jews and Christians worship - because there is only one God. It is unfortunate that some people mistakenly believe that Muslims worship a different God than Jews and Christians, and that "Allah" is just the "god of the Arabs". This myth, which has been propagated by the enemies of Islam, is completely false since the word "Allah" is simply the Arabic name for Almighty God. It is the same word for God which is used by Arabic-speaking Jews and Christians. However, it should be clarified that even though Muslims worship the same God as Jews and Christian, their concept of Him differs somewhat from the beliefs of other religions - mainly because it is based completely on Divine Revelation from God. For example, Muslims reject the Christian belief that God is a Trinity, not only because the Qur'an rejects it, but also because if this was God's true nature, He would have clearly revealed it to Abraham, Noah, Jesus and all of the other prophets.

The Qur'an

The Arabic world "Al-Qur'an" literally means "the recitation". When used in regards to Islam, the word Qur'an means God's final message to mankind that was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. The Qu'ran, sometimes spelled Koran, is the literal the word of God - as it clearly says time and time again. Unlike other sacred scriptures, the Qur'an has been perfectly preserved in both its words and meaning in a living language. The Qu'ran is a living miracle in the Arabic language; and is know to be inimitable in its style, form and spiritual impact. God's final revelation to mankind, the Qur'an, was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad over a period of 23 years. The Qur'an, in contrast to many other religious books, was always thought to be the Word of God by those who believed in it, i.e. it wasn't something decreed by a religious council many years after being written. Also, the Qu'ran was recited publicly in front of both the Muslim and non-Muslim communities during the life of the Prophet Muhammad. The entire Qur'an was also completely written down in lifetime of the Prophet, and numerous companions of the Prophet memorized the entire Qur'an word-for-word as it was revealed. So unlike other scriptures, the Qur'an was always in the hands of the common believers, it was always thought to be God's word and, due to wide-spread memorization, it was perfectly preserved. In regards to the teachings of the Qur'an - it is a universal scripture, and it is addressed to all of mankind, and not to a particular tribe or "chosen people". The message that it brings is nothing new, but the same message of all of the prophets - submit to Almighty God and worship Him alone. As such, God's revelation in the Qur'an focuses on teaching human beings the importance of believing in the Unity of God and framing their lives around the guidance which He has sent. Additionally, the Qur'an contains the stories of the previous prophets, such as Abraham, Noah, Moses and Jesus; as well as many commands and prohibitions from God. In modern times in which so many people are caught up in doubt, spiritual despair and "political correctness", the Qur'anic teachings offer solutions to the emptiness of our lives and the turmoil that is gripping the world today. In short, the Qur'an is the book of guidance par excellence.

The Prophet Muhammad

Unlike the founders of many religious, the final prophet of Islam is a real documented and historical figure. He lived in the full light of history, and the most minute details of his life are known. Not only do Muslims have the complete text of God's words that were revealed to Muhammad, but they have also preserved his saying and teachings in what is called "hadeeth" literature. This having been said, it should be understood that Muslims believe that the Prophet Muhammad was only a man chosen by God, and that he is not divine in any way. In order to avoid the misguided wish to deify him, the Prophet Muhammad taught Muslims to refer to him as "God's Messenger and His Slave". The mission of the last and final prophet of God was to simply teach that "there is nothing divine or worthy of being worshipped except for Almighty God", as well as being a living example of God's revelation. In simple terms, God sent the revelation to Muhammad, who in turn taught it , preached it, lived it and put it into practice. In this way, Muhammad was more that just a "prophet" in the sense of many of the Biblical prophets, since he was also a statesman and ruler. He was a man who lived a humble life in the service of God, and established an all-encompassing religion and way of life by showing what it means to be an ideal friend, husband, teacher, ruler, warrior and judge. For this reason, Muslims follow him not for his own sake, but in obedience to God, because Muhammad not only showed us how to deal with our fellow human beings, but more importantly, he showed us how to relate to and worship God, worship Him in the only way pleasing to Him. Like other prophets, Muhammad faced a great deal of opposition and persecution during his mission. However, he was always patient and just, and he treated his enemies well. The results of his mission were very successful, and even though his mission started in one of the most backward and remotes places on earth, within a hundred years of the death of Muhammad, Islam had spread from Spain to China. The Prophet Muhammad was the greatest of all of God's prophets, not because he had new doctrines or greater miracles, but because the results of his mission have brought more human beings into the pure and proper belief in the One True God than any other prophet.

The Islamic Way of Life

In The Holy Qur'an, God teaches human beings that they were created in order to worship Him, and that the basis of all true worship is God-consciousness. Since the teachings of Islamic encompass all aspects of life and ethics, God-consciousness is encouraged in all human affairs. Islam makes it clear that all human acts are acts of worship if they are done for God alone and in accordance to His Divine Law. As such, worship in Islam is not limited to religious rituals. The teachings of Islam act as a mercy and a healing for the human soul, and such qualities as humility, sincerity, patience and charity are strongly encouraged. Additionally, Islam condemns pride and self-righteousness, since Almighty God is the only judge of human righteousness. The Islamic view of the nature of man is also realistic and well-balanced. Human beings are not believed to be inherently sinful, but are seen as equally capable of both good and evil. Islam also teaches that faith and action go hand-in-hand. God has given people free-will, and the measure of one's faith is one's deeds and actions. However, human beings have also been created weak and regularly fall into sin. This is the nature of the human being as created by God in His Wisdom, and it is not inherently "corrupt" or in need of repair. This is because the avenue of repentance of always open to all human beings, and Almighty God loves the repentant sinner more than one who does not sin at all. The true balance of an Islamic life is established by having a healthy fear of God as well as a sincere belief in His infinite Mercy. A life without fear of God leads to sin and disobedience, while believing that we have sinned so much that God will not possibly forgive us only leads to despair. In light of this, Islam teaches that: only the misguided despair of the Mercy of their Lord. Additionally, the Holy Qur'an, which was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, contains a great deal of teachings about the life hereafter and the Day of Judgment. Due to this, Muslims believe that all human beings will ultimately be judged by God for their beliefs and actions in their earthly lives. In judging human beings, Almighty God will be both Merciful and Just, and people will only be judged for what they were capable of. Suffice it to say that Islam teaches that life is a test, and that all human beings will be accountable before God. A sincere belief in the life hereafter is key to leading a well-balanced life and moral. Otherwise, life is viewed as an end in itself, which causes human beings to become more selfish, materialistic and immoral.

Islam for a Better Life

Islam teaches that true happiness can only being obtained by living a life full of God-consciousness and being satisfied with what God has given us. Additionally, true "freedom" is freedom from being controlled by our base human desires and being ruled by man-made ideologies. This stands in stark contrast to the view of many people in the modern world, who consider "freedom" to be the ability to satisfy all of their desires without inhibition. The clear and comprehensive guidance of Islam gives human-beings a well-defined purpose and direction in life. In addition to being members of the human-brotherhood of Islam, its well-balanced and practical teachings are a source of spiritual comfort, guidance and morality. A direct and clear relationship with Almighty God, as well as the sense of purpose and belonging that ones feels as a Muslim, frees a person from the many worries of everyday life. In short, the Islamic way of life is pure and wholesome. It builds self-discipline and self-control thought regular prayer and fasting, and frees human-beings from superstition and all sorts of racial, ethnic and national prejudices. By accepting to live a God-conscious life, and realizing that the only thing that distinguishes people in the sight of God is their consciousness of Him, a person's true human dignity is 

Invitation to Islam

Invitation to Islam

Islam is the world’s fastest growing religion. It is also the most misunderstood. One in five people across the globe today profess Islam, representing every branch of humanity and every walk of life. What is the attraction? What do Muslims believe? What is Islam all about? To go behind the headlines and beyond the hype, read on … Islam is not named after a personality, as is Christianity after Jesus Christ or Buddhism after Buddha, where mortals are deified as man-gods and worshipped alongside or in place or the Creator. Neither is Islam a tribal religion like Hinduism or Judaism (named after the Hindu and Judaic tribes respectively), where salvation is an ethnic birthright and expression of racial supremacy is considered virtuous. Nor does Islam take its name after a political ideology like Marxism or Capitali$m; both of which exploit the poor and vulnerable, rape the Earth of her resources and destroy her environment. ‘Islam’ actually means ‘Submission to the will of Allah (the One True God)’. Anyone who embraces Islam, submitting their will to that of Allah, is a Muslim. ‘Islam’ also implies ‘peace’, ‘security’ and ‘salvation’ – all of which are natural consequences of submitting to God.  This day, I (Allah) have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and I am pleased with Islam as your religion and way of life.(The Holy Quran, Chapter 5, Verse 3)  Islam teaches that Allah sent a succession of prophets to every nation to teach them about Him and His Will. However, later generations became heedless and strayed from the Truth, even changing the revelation with them for worldly gain. So Allah sent His last and greatest prophet,Muhammad, as a universal messenger, along with a universal revelation, the The Holy Quran. Muslims hail the The Holy Quran as God’s Final Literal Word to humanity; immutable, incorruptible and confirming the essential truth of all previously revealed scripture.  O People of the Book (Jews and Christians)! Now has come to you Our (Final) Messenger (Muhammad) explaining to you much of what you used to hide from the Scripture and pass over. Indeed, there has come to you from Allah a light and a Clear Book (this The Holy Quran). (The Holy Quran, Chapter 5, Verse 15)  Hence, while other religions were developed and named by men, Islam is the re-expression of the same religion espoused by all prophets sent throughout the ages to guide humanity. As Allah says in the miraculous The Holy Quran, forever preserved since He revealed it to His Messenger over 1400 years ago:  Allah has ordained for you the same religion which He ordained for Noah; and that which We have inspired to you (O Muhammad), and that which We ordained for Abraham, Moses and Jesus. (The Holy Quran, Chapter 42, Verse 13)  As the highest created intelligence, humans are responsible for their actions and will inevitably be held to account for them.  Every soul shall taste death. And you will be given your dues on the Day of Judgment. (The Holy Quran, Chapter 3, Verse 185)  Our natural urges are not in themselves evil, but need to be expressed within limits so we do not harm ourselves or others.  If any do transgress the limits ordained by Allah, such persons wrong themselves as well as others. (The Holy Qur’an, Chapter 2, Verse 229)  The measure of true faith is obedience to God and is proportional to the balance of one’s deeds: it increases with righteousness and piety, and decreases, or is even nullified, through sin.  Verily, Allah enjoins justice, goodness and helping (one’s) relatives; and He forbids obscenities, wickedness and all kinds of oppression and extremism. Thus does He admonish you, that you may take heed. (The Holy Quran, Chapter 16, Verse 90)  The greatest oppression and, if not repented for, the only unforgivable sin, is to worship, directly or indirectly, any person, place or thing besides Allah. This is because every soul was created with the purpose and inclination to worship its Creator alone, in awe and loving gratitude, and towards good in general.  You (who disbelieve) worship besides Him nothing but names which you and your ancestors have forged (and) for which Allah has sent down no authority. Verily, the command is for none but Allah – He has commanded that you worship none but Him. That is the upright religion, but most people do not know. (The Holy Qur’an, Chapter 12, Verse 40)  So to embrace Islam is to simply revert back to that innocent and natural state of submission to the Creator, Allah. And to affirm that He is One, distinct from and transcendent above His Creation, having neither peer nor partner, neither rival nor relative, is to acknowledge His mastery over the universe and His unique rights over its inhabitants.  Let there be no compulsion in the religion. The right path is distinctly clear from the wrong. So whosoever rejects false worship and believes in Allah: then such have grasped a firm handhold that never breaks. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. (The Holy Quran, Chapter 2, Verse 256)  Life’s test then is to recognize the Truth of the Creator, to lovingly accept His noble purpose for us, and to act upon that; striving as best we can to worship Him alone and serve Him sincerely.  And they were not commanded except that they should worship Allah (alone), being sincere to the upright religion (of Islam). (The Holy Quran, Chapter 98, Verse 5)  Thus, in Islam, salvation is universally attainable and not confined to any people, place or time. Eternal happiness is not obstructed by notions of reincarnation, blind leaps of faith, or the meditation of priests or so-called holy men. Those who deny their Lord, work evil and are unrepentant, will enter Hell: a place of real pain and suffering meant to dissuade man from wrong-doing.  And it will be said to the wrong-doers (on the Day of Resurrection): ‘Taste (you now, the consequences of) what you used to earn!’ (The Holy Quran, Chapter 39, Verse 24)  And for the righteous, Paradise: a place of unimaginable physical beauty and perfection, full of every conceivable (and inconceivable) delight to satisfy all our wholesome desires. Beautified for men is the love of things they covet: women, children, hoards of gold and silver, branded beautiful horses, cattle and well-tilled land. Such is the pleasure of the present life; but with Allah is the excellent return (to Paradise). (The Holy Quran, Chapter 3, Verse 14) Part if the Muslims’ Islamic duty is to work for the betterment of the society within which they live. Muslims are expected to positively affect their surroundings by exhibiting good manners and conducting themselves honourably. Indeed fairness, compassion, gentleness, leniency, truthfulness, moderation, forbearance, humility and neighbourly concern are all cornerstones of the true Islamic character. From the many traditions of the Prophet illustrating this are his sayings:  ‘Forgive the one who wrongs you; join the one who cuts you off; do good to the one who does evil to you; and speak the truth, even if it be against yourself.’ ‘None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.’ ‘Allah does not judge you by your physiques and appearances, but rather He looks into your hearts and observes your deeds.’ ‘Give glad tidings and do not cause others to flee. Facilitate people and do not make things difficult for them.’ ‘Show mercy to those on earth, (and) the One in Heaven will show mercy to you.’ ‘Truly, Allah is kind and gentle, (and) loves kindness and gentleness (from others).’ ‘Whoever eats his fill while his neighbour goes hungry is not a true believer.’ ‘Whoever does not thank the people, does not thank Allah.’  And do not turn your face away from people with pride, nor walk upon the earth with insolence in your stride. Verily, Allah dislikes every arrogant boaster. (The Holy Quran, Chapter 31, Verse 18)  The basic building block of any society is the family unit. Here again, Islam lays down comprehensive morals, enjoining, amongst other virtuous deeds, parental responsibility and a child’s reciprocal dutifulness to its parents.  And treat your parents with kindness. If one or both of them attain old age in your care, never say to them a word (suggesting) disgust, nor reproach them, but address them with reverent speech. And humble yourself out of mercy before them, and pray: ‘My Lord! Be merciful to them for having cared for me in my childhood.’ (The Holy Qur’an, Chapter 17, Verses 23-24)  With such texts, Islam has laid down a solid ethical basis to guide a Muslim’s daily interactions with the material world.  The basis of Muslim spiritual life are the Five Pillars of Islam:  The Witnessing of Faith (shahada) – To bear witness that ‘None is worthy of worship but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger,’ freely and sincerely, affirms a person’s faith in Islam. That faith is then evidenced with one’s limbs by serving and worshipping Allah in the way of His Messenger. Allah bears witness that none is worthy of worship but He, as do the angels and those with knowledge. (The Holy Quran, Chapter 3, Verse 18)  Prayer (salah) – Muslims perform five daily ritual prayers. The prayer ensures that throughout the rhythm of the day – at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, dusk and nightfall – direct link is maintained between the Believer and God. The prayer takes only a few minutes to perform and engages the mind, body and soul of the worshippers as they stand, bow kneel and prostrate before their Lord whilst glorifying and praising Him and asking His pardon, forgiveness and guidance. As Islam has no hierarchy or priesthood, any worthy Muslim nominated by his congregation can lead them in prayer. O you who believe! Seek help in patience and prayer. (The Holy Quran, Chapter 2, Verse 153)  Alms-giving (zakah) – Islam teaches that everything belongs to Allah and wealth is held in trust by humans. Zakah means ‘purity’ and one’s capital savings are purified by setting aside around one fortieth for those in need. This charitable redistribution of wealth effectively eradicated poverty in early Islamic society and, given the opportunity, could do so again. And such of you as believe and spend (in Allah’s Way), theirs will be a great reward.(The Holy Qur’an, Chapter 57, Verse 7)  Fasting (sawm) – Each year, during the Islamic lunar month of Ramadan, Muslims abstain from food, drink and sexual relations from dawn till dusk. Fasting teaches self-restraint and God-consciousness. It also helps Muslims improve their health and empathise with those less fortunate. O you who believe! Fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become pious. (The Holy Qur’an, Chapter 2, Verse 183)  Pilgrimage (Hajj) – Pilgrimage to the K’aba in Mecca is an obligation for those who are physically and financially able. Clad in simple garments that strip away all social distinctions, millions gather in Mecca to perform Hajj rites that go back to Prophet Abraham. The pilgrims return home with their spirits high, their lives refocused, their faith rejuvenated and strengthened, and their past sins forgiven. And Hajj to the House (K’aba) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah – those who are able. (The Holy Quran, Chapter 3, Verse 97)  Worship in Islam is, in fact, any deed, word or feeling that is loved by God. The worshipper draws even closer to Allah by pursuing divine knowledge and applying it; following the inspired example, or Sunna, of the Prophet throughout.  Say (O Muhammad): ‘If you love Allah then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.’(The Holy Quran, Chapter 3, Verse 31)  Obsessing over the highs and lows of this life causes a person to fluctuate between moments of ecstasy and despair, turning them to false gods, drugs and alcohol, and even suicide for release. But the believing Muslim is the one who remains firm, patient, grateful and hopeful in times of both joy and sadness; conscious all the while of God’s presence, and of the transient nature of this present life.  This present life is like the water We send down from the clouds so that the luxuriant herbage sustaining man and beast may grow; until when the Earth adorns it garments and is beautified, and its people believe they are the masters. Down then comes Our scourge upon it by night or in broad day, laying it waste as though it had not flourished the day before. Thus We make plain Our Signs to a thoughtful people. (The Holy Qur’an, Chapter 10, Verse 24-25) This then is a glimpse into Islam, the true Religion of God. Not just a religion, but a truly complete way of life in which the relation of the individual to society and the material to spiritual are balanced in perfect harmony. Islam is simple, rational and practical. For truth seekers of every background, it offers certainty and security of faith – unlike other religions that have to change to stay relevant, to suit popular culture, or are otherwise subject to the designs of man. Thus, only through the guidance of Islam, the The Holy Quran and the Sunna, can humanity be saved today, and till the End of Days.  Righteousness is not that you turn your faces to the east and the west. But righteousness is the one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Scripture and the Prophets; who gives his wealth, in spite of love for it, to kinsfolk, orphans, the poor, the wayfarer, to those who ask, and to set slaves free. And (righteousness are) those who pray, pay alms, honour their agreements, and are patient during conflict. Such are the people of truth. And they are the God-Fearing. (The Holy Quran, Chapter 2, Verse 177) In short, this is an invitation To leave the worship of creation, for worship of the Creator, From the narrowness of this world, to its vastness and the vastness of the world to come, & from the tyranny of man, to the justice of Islam

Qur`an

Qur`an

First of all, the Qur'an makes a claim that it is a divine revelation; that is, it was sent down from The Almighty God to Muhammad (pbuh) through inspiration. Allah says in the Noble Qur'an: {Muhammad is not speaking from himself, his own ideas, his own ambitions, his own emotions or feelings. But this is a revelation (Qur'an) which has been revealed to him} [53:3-4]

Therefore, in order to convince you or anyone else of the authenticity of the Qur'an, there must be evidence that:
1) It was impossible for Muhammad (pbuh) to produce such a book.
2) Authoring the Qur'an is above any human's capability or creativity.

There is a Qur'anic verse that states: {And we created the human beings from a hanging clot that was clinging to the wall of the womb} [23:13]. How did Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) know that the embryo started out as a clot, hanging and clinging to the wall of the uterus of the mother? Did he have a telescope? Did he have a microscope? Did he have some kind of X-ray vision? How did he obtain this knowledge whereas this scientific fact was discovered only 47 years ago? How did he know that the ocean and rivers have a barrier between them to separate the salt and the fresh water? How did he know that? How did he know that the sun and the moon and the planets are all swimming in an orbit that has been ordered for them? How did he know these facts when they have just been discovered 25 or 30 years ago?

Thus, how did Muhammad (pbuh) know these recently discovered scientific facts over fourteen hundred years ago? How could an illiterate shepherd who had been born and raised in the desert find out/present/state such mere scientific facts? How could anyone else living with him, before or after him, produce something that has been only discovered recently? Impossible! How could a man who had never left the Arabian Peninsula, nor did he sail on a ship, give such clear and astounding descriptions that have been discovered recently in the second half of the 20th century?

Another amazing fact about the Qur'an is that that it consists of 114 chapters, over 6000 verses, and there were hundreds of people at the time of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) who had memorized this book entirely. Did they posses any super human quality? How did that happen? Did anyone, at the time of Jesus or after him, memorize any of the gospels? Did anyone at the time of Moses or after him, memorize the Torah? What about the Psalms and the Old and the New Testament, do you know anybody that have ever memorized any of them thoroughly? You would not find anyone memorizing any of them entirely, not even the Pope himself!

However, there are millions of Muslims today, who have memorized their Book, the Qur'an, entirely. This is the ambition of every Muslim. Not some, but every Muslim. How many Christians, have you met in your life, have memorized the Bible? Surely, you have never met any Christian who has memorized the Bible because you have never met a Christian who even knew what words constitute the whole Bible. This is because Christians themselves have over 700 different denominations, and there are around 39 different versions of the Bible, each with different books and different versions, with different amount of verses and different amount of chapters. They don't agree about which one is the true Bible. Accordingly, how could they memorize what they don't even agree about?

The proof of that is simple, if all the Christians of the world, all the churches, all the congregations and all the individuals agreed one day to take all their books and threw them in the oceans, and the Muslims do the same and threw all their copies of the Qur'an in the oceans, the Christians will not be able to produce another Bible because they don't even agree about one unique and genuine version of the Bible. On the contrary, there are millions of Muslims who have memorized the entire Qur'an, so even if we threw all of the copies of the Qur'an, we can bring ten Muslims, who memorize the Qur'an thoroughly and who do not know each other, from ten different countries, they will be able to stand altogether and start reciting the Qur'an from its opening surah ( i.e. chapter ) to its final one. Moreover, number of words, phrases, paragraphs, and then the Qur'an will be right back again. It will be as unique and genuine as the original one.

Finally, this book, the Qur'an, has been universally preserved without the slightest alternation of any kind for over fourteen centuries. Notice that each Muslim of the millions who have memorized the Qur'an have memorized the same words exactly. This is a fact which is testified. When one receives a certificate that s/he has memorized the Qur'an well from any Sheikh, it is written on the certificate that this person memorized from this Sheikh, who memorized from another Sheikh, who memorized from so-and-so, right until the chain of transmission reaches Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) himself. Any certificate that this Sheikh gives to anyone has the same names in the chain that goes back to the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). Actually, what they had memorized corresponds to what it written in all the copies of the Qur'an in the world.

If all of these facts are true, and indeed all of them are true, would you agree that this Book is quite profound and unique? Would you be honest enough to say that? Of course you would, if you are honest.

Islam
The word "Islam" is derived from the root "salama"; it means to be at peace or to have security. Therefore, a Muslim is a person who surrenders, submits himself/herself to and obeys the laws of Almighty God. Through this submission; s/he attains peace and security for himself/herself.

We can immediately see that by such a definition, the Arabic word "Islam" describes the manners and the behaviors of all the well known and respected Prophets and Messengers of Almighty God: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon, Isaac, Ishmael, Jacob, John the Baptist, Jesus the son of Mary and Muhammad (Peace and blessings be on them all). All of these Prophets and Messengers were sent to people by the same Almighty God with the same Message, with the same chain of transmission. They preached ONE thing: "obey God", worship the Almighty God, fulfill the purpose of your life, do good actions so that you will be rewarded with perfect life (in paradise). That's all that they taught people. That's all they conveyed to people, regardless of what language and what time and whom they came to. If you read the scriptures carefully, without your own interpretations or somebody else's additions or fabrications, you will find that this was the simple message of all those Prophets, who confirmed the Message of each other None of those honorable Prophets ever said "I am God; worship me". You don't have to think about that because you will not find it in any of the books that you have, not in the Bible, in the Torah, in the Old and the New Testaments or in the Psalms of David. You will not find it in any book or in any speech of any Prophet. Hence, where did it come from? This is another thing that you have to investigate for yourself.

We can immediately see that by such a definition, the Arabic word "Islam" describes what all the Prophets did. The call came and they submitted themselves to God, surrendered themselves to God, called the people to God, and asked people and insisted upon them to do deeds of righteousness. The Ten Commandments of Moses, what was about? The scrolls of Abraham, what was about? The Psalms of David, what was about? The proverbs of Solomon, what did he say? The Gospel of Jesus Christ, what did he say? What did John the Baptist say? What did Isaac and Ishmael say? What did Muhammad say? They said: "Worship one God"; nothing more than that.

Allah says in the Qur'an {And they were not commanded except to worship Allah [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakkah. And that is the correct religion} [98-5]. This was the original message. Naturally, it will also be appropriate here to consider these Prophets and Messengers as Muslims.

Do not think about the Arabic terminology, do not think about how we are dressed, do not think about Mecca or Saudi Arabia or Egypt etc…, or about the misconceptions that you have about Muslims.

Think about the word "Muslim". It denotes to the one who surrenders oneself to the Almighty God and obeys the laws of the Almighty God. Everything that surrenders to the laws of Almighty God is a Muslim. Hence, when a child comes out of the womb of its mother at the time God has ordered, what is it? It is a Muslim. When the sun goes around in its orbit, what is it? It is a Muslim. When a moon goes around the sun, what is it? It is a Muslim. The law of gravity, what is it? It is a Muslim law. Everything that submits to the Almighty God's law is a Muslim. Therefore, when we obey Almighty God, we are Muslims

What is Islam?

What is Islam ?


Islam is not a new religion, but the same truth that God revealed through all His prophets to every people. For a fifth of the world's population, Islam is both a religion and a complete way of life. Muslims follow a religion of peace, mercy, and forgiveness, and the majority have nothing to do with the extremely grave events which have come to be associated with their faith.

Who are the Muslims?

One billion people from a vast range of races, nationalities and cultures across the globe - from the southern Philippines to Nigeria - are united by their common Islamic faith. About 18% live in the Arab world; the world's largest Muslim community is in Indonesia; substantial parts of Asia and most of Africa are Muslim, while significant minorities are to be found in the Soviet Union, China, North and South America, and Europe.

What do Muslims believe?

Muslims believe in One, Unique, Incomparable God; in the Angels created by Him; in the prophets through whom His revelations were brought to mankind; in the Day of Judgement and individual accountability for actions; in God's complete authority over human destiny and in life after death. Muslims believe in a chain of prophets starting with Adam and including Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Elias, Jonah, John the Baptist, and Jesus, peace be upon them. But God's final message to man, a reconfirmation of the eternal message and a summing-up of all that has gone before was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad through Gabriel.

How does someone become a Muslim?

Simply by saying 'there is no god apart from God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God.' By this declaration the believer announces his or her faith in all God's messengers, and the scriptures they brought.



What does Islam mean?

The Arabic word 'Islam' simply means 'submission', and derives from a word meaning 'peace'. In a religious context it means complete submission to the will of God. 'Mohammedanism' is thus a misnomer because it suggests that Muslims worship Muhammad rather than God. 'Allah' is the Arabic name for God, which is used by Arab Muslims and Christians alike.

Do Islam and Christianity have different origins?

No. Together with Judaism, they go back to the prophet and patriarch Abraham, and their three prophets are directly descended from his sons, Muhammad from the elder son Ishmael, and Moses and Jesus from the younger son Isaac. Abraham established the settlement which today is the city of Makkah, and built the Ka'ba towards which all Muslims turn when they pray.


What is the Ka`ba?

The Ka`ba is the place of worship which God commanded Abraham and Ishmael to build over four thousand years ago. The building was constructed of stone on what many believe was the original site of a sanctuary established by Adam. God commanded Abraham to summon all mankind to visit this place, and when pilgrims go there today they say 'At Thy service, O Lord', in response to Abraham's summons.

Who is Muhammad?

Muhammad, was born in Makkah in the year 570, at a time when Christianity was not yet fully established in Europe. Since his father died before his birth, and his mother shortly afterwards, he was raised by his uncle from the respected tribe of Quraysh. As he grew up, he became known for his truthfulness, generosity and sincerity, so that he was sought after for his ability to arbitrate in disputes. The historians describe him as calm and meditative.

Muhammad was of a deeply religious nature, and had long detested the decadence of his society. It became his habit to meditate from time to time in the Cave of Hira near the summit of Jabal al-Nur, the 'Mountain of Light' near Makkah.

How did Muhammad become a prophet and a messenger of God?

At the age of 40, while engaged in a meditative retreat, Muhammad received his first revelation from God through the Angel Gabriel. This revelation, which continued for twenty-three years, is known as the Quran.
The Mountain of Light where Gabriel came to Prophet Muhammad.
As soon as he began to recite the words he heard from Gabriel, and to preach the truth which God had revealed to him, he and his small group of followers suffered bitter persecution, which grew so fierce that in the year 622 God gave them the command to emigrate. This event, the Hijra, 'migration', in which they left Makkah for the city of Madinah some 260 miles to the north, marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar.

After several years, the Prophet and his followers were able to return to Makkah, where they forgave their enemies and established Islam definitively. Before the Prophet died at the age of 63, the greater part of Arabia was Muslim, and within a century of his death Islam had spread to Spain in the West and as far East as China.


How did the spread of Islam affect the world?

Among the reasons for the rapid and peaceful spread of Islam was the simplicity of its doctrine - Islam calls for faith in only One God worthy of worship. It also repeatedly instructs man to use his powers of intelligence and observation.

Within a few years, great civilizations and universities were flourishing, for according to the Prophet, 'seeking knowledge is an obligation for every Muslim man and woman'. The synthesis of Eastern and Western ideas and of new thought with old, brought about great advances in medicine, mathematics, physics, astronomy, geography, architecture, art, literature, and history. Many crucial systems such as algebra, the Arabic numerals, and also the concept of the zero (vital to the advancement of mathematics), were transmitted to medieval Europe from Islam. Sophisticated instruments which were to make possible the European voyages of discovery were developed, including the astrolabe, the quadrant and good navigational maps


What is the Qur`an?

The Quran is a record of the exact words revealed by God through the Angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad. It was memorized by Muhammad and then dictated to his Companions, and written down by scribes, who cross-checked it during his lifetime. Not one word of its 114 chapters, Suras, has been changed over the centuries, so that the Quran is in every detail the unique and miraculous text which was revealed to Muhammad fourteen centuries ago.

What is the Qur`an about?

The Quran, the last revealed Word of God, is the prime source of every Muslim's faith and practice. It deals with all the subjects which concern us as human beings: wisdom, doctrine, worship, and law, but its basic theme is the relationship between God and His creatures. At the same time it provides guidelines for a just society, proper human conduct and an equitable economic system.


Are there any other sacred sources?

Yes, the sunna, the practice and example of the Prophet, is the second authority for Muslims. A hadith is a reliably transmitted report of what the Prophet said, did, or approved. Belief in the sunna is part of the Islamic faith.


Examples of the Prophet`s sayings

The Prophet said:


What are the Five Pillars of Islam ?

They are the framework of the Muslim life: faith, prayer, concern for the needy, self-purification, and the pilgrimage to Makkah for those who are able.


FAITH

There is no god worthy of worship except God and Muhammad is His messenger. This declaration of faith is called the Shahada, a simple formula which all the faithful pronounce. In Arabic, the first part is la ilaha illa Llah - 'there is no god except God'; ilaha (god) can refer to anything which we may be tempted to put in place of God - wealth, power, and the like. Then comes illa Llah: 'except God', the source of all Creation. The second part of the Shahada is Muhammadun rasulu'Llah: 'Muhammad is the messenger of God.' A message of guidance has come through a man like ourselves.

PRAYER

Salat is the name for the obligatory prayers which are performed five times a day, and are a direct link between the worshipper and God. There is no hierarchical authority in Islam, and no priests, so the prayers are led by a learned person who knows the Quran, chosen by the congregation. These five prayers contain verses from the Quran, and are said in Arabic, the language of the Revelation, but personal supplication can be offered in one's own language.

Prayers are said at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and nightfall, and thus determine the rhythm of the entire day. Although it is preferable to worship together in a mosque, a Muslim may pray almost anywhere, such as in fields, offices, factories and universities. Visitors to the Muslim world are struck by the centrality of prayers in daily life.

A translation of the Call to Prayer is:
There is no god except God.


THE ZAKAT

One of the most important principles of Islam is that all things belong to God, and that wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. The word zakat means both 'purification' and 'growth'. Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need, and, like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth.

Each Muslim calculates his or her own zakat individually. For most purposes this involves the payment each year of two and a half percent of one's capital.
A pious person may also give as much as he or she pleases as sadaqa, and does so preferably in secret. Although this word can be translated as 'voluntary charity' it has a wider meaning. The Prophet said 'even meeting your brother with a cheerful face is charity.'

The Prophet said: 'Charity is a necessity for every Muslim. ' He was asked: 'What if a person has nothing?' The Prophet replied: 'He should work with his own hands for his benefit and then give something out of such earnings in charity.' The Companions asked: 'What if he is not able to work?' The Prophet said: 'He should help poor and needy persons.' The Companions further asked 'What if he cannot do even that?' The Prophet said 'He should urge others to do good.' The Companions said 'What if he lacks that also?' The Prophet said 'He should check himself from doing evil. That is also charity.'



THE FAST

Every year in the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from first light until sundown, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations. Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are pregnant or nursing are permitted to break the fast and make up an equal number of days later in the year. If they are physically unable to do this, they must feed a needy person for every day missed. Children begin to fast (and to observe the prayer) from puberty, although many start earlier.


PILGRIMAGE (Hajj)

The annual pilgrimage to Makkah - the Hajj - is an obligation only for those who are physically and financially able to perform it. Nevertheless, about two million people go to Makkah each year from every corner of the globe providing a unique opportunity for those of different nations to meet one another. Although Makkah is always filled with visitors, the annual Hajj begins in the twelfth month of the Islamic year (which is lunar, not solar, so that Hajj and Ramadan fall sometimes in summer, sometimes in winter). Pilgrims wear special clothes: simple garments which strip away distinctions of class and culture, so that all stand equal before God.
The rites of the Hajj, which are of Abrahamic origin, include circling the Ka'ba seven times, and going seven times
between the mountains of Safa and Marwa as did Hagar during her search for water. Then the pilgrims stand together on the wide plain of Arafa and join in prayers for God's forgiveness, in what is often thought of as a preview of the Last Judgment.

In previous centuries the Hajj was an arduous undertaking. Today, however, Saudi Arabia provides millions of people
with water, modern transport, and the most up-to-date health facilities.



Pilgrims praying at the mosque in Makkah.

The close of the Hajj is marked by a festival, the Eid al-Adha, which is celebrated with prayers and the exchange of gifts in Muslim communities everywhere. This, and the Eid al-Fitr, a feast-day commemorating the end of Ramadan, are the main festivals of the Muslim calendar.



Does Islam tolerate other beliefs?

The Quran says: God forbids you not, with regards to those who fight you not for [your] faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them; for God loveth those who are just. (Quran, 60-8)

It is one function of Islamic law to protect the privileged status of minorities, and this is why non-Muslim places of worship have flourished all over the Islamic world. History provides many examples of Muslim tolerance towards other faiths: when the caliph Omar entered Jerusalem in the year 634, Islam granted freedom of worship to all religious communities in the city.

Islamic law also permits non-Muslim minorities to set up their own courts, which implement family laws drawn up by the minorities themselves.

The Patriarch invited him to pray in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, but he preferred to pray outside its gates, saying that if he accepted, later generations of Muslims might use his action as an excuse to turn it into a mosque. Above is the mosque built on the spot where Omar did pray.


What do Muslims think about Jesus?

Muslims respect and revere Jesus, and await his Second Coming. They consider him one of the greatest of God's messengers to mankind. A Muslim never refers to him simply as 'Jesus', but always adds the phrase 'upon him be peace'. The Quran confirms his virgin birth (a chapter of the Quran is entitled 'Mary'), and Mary is considered the purest woman in all creation. The Quran describes the Annunciation as follows:


Why is the family so important to Muslims?

The family is the foundation of Islamic society. The peace and security offered by a stable family unit is greatly valued, and seen as essential for the spiritual growth of its members. A harmonious social order is created by the existence of extended families; children are treasured, and rarely leave home until the time they marry.

What about Muslim women?

Islam sees a woman, whether single or married, as an individual in her own right, with the right to own and dispose of her property and earnings. A marriage dowry is given by the groom to the bride for her own personal use, and she keeps her own family name rather than taking her husband's.


Can a Muslim have more than one wife?

The religion of Islam was revealed for all societies and all times and so accommodates widely differing social requirements. Circumstances may warrant the taking of another wife but the right is granted, according to the Quran, only on condition that the husband is scrupulously fair.

Is Islamic marriage like Christian marriage?

A Muslim marriage is not a 'sacrament', but a simple, legal agreement in which either partner is free to include conditions. Marriage customs thus vary widely from country to country. As a result, divorce is not common, although it is not forbidden as a last resort. According to Islam, no Muslim girl can be forced to marry against her will: her parents will simply suggest young men they think may be suitable.

How do Muslims treat the elderly?

In the Islamic world there are no old people's homes. The strain of caring for one's parents in this most difficult time of their lives is considered an honor and blessing, and an opportunity for great spiritual growth. God asks that we not only pray for our parents, but act with limitless compassion, remembering that when we were helpless children they preferred us to themselves. Mothers are particularly honored: the Prophet taught that 'Paradise lies at the feet of mothers'. When they reach old age, Muslim parents are treated mercifully, with the same kindness and selflessness.


How do Muslims view death?

Like Jews and Christians, Muslims believe that the present life is only a trial preparation for the next realm of existence. Basic articles of faith include: the Day of Judgment, resurrection, Heaven and Hell. When a Muslim dies, he or she is washed, usually by a family member, wrapped in a clean white cloth, and buried with a simple prayer preferably the same day. Muslims consider this one of the final services they can do for their relatives, and an opportunity to remember their own brief existence here on earth. The Prophet taught that three things can continue to help a person even after death; charity which he had given, knowledge which he had taught and prayers on their behalf by a righteous child.

What does Islam say about war?

Like Christianity, Islam permits fighting in self-defense, in defense of religion, or on the part of those who have been expelled forcibly from their homes. It lays down strict rules of combat which include prohibitions against harming civilians and against destroying crops, trees and livestock. As Muslims see it, injustice would be triumphant in the world if good men were not prepared to risk their lives in a righteous cause. The Quran says:


What about food?

Although much simpler than the dietary law followed by Jews and the early Christians, the code which Muslims observe forbids the consumption of pig meat or any kind of intoxicating drink. The Prophet taught that 'your body has rights over you', and the consumption of wholesome food and the leading of a healthy lifestyle are seen as religious obligations.



How does Islam guarantee human rights?

Freedom of conscience is laid down by the Quran itself: 'There is no compulsion in religion'. (2:256)

The life and property of all citizens in an Islamic state are considered sacred whether a person is Muslim or not.

Racism is incomprehensible to Muslims, for the Quran speaks of human equality in the following terms:

O mankind! We created you from a single soul, male and female, and made you into nations and tribes, so that you may come to know one another. Truly, the most honored of you in God's sight is the greatest of you in piety. God is All-Knowing, All Aware (49-13)

The Muslim World

The Muslim population of the world is around one billion. 30% of Muslims live in the Indian subcontinent, 20% in Sub-Saharan Africa, 17% in Southeast Asia, 18% in the Arab World, 10% in the Soviet Union and China. Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan comprise 10% of the non-Arab Middle East. Although there are Muslim minorities in almost every area, including Latin America and Australia, they are most numerous in the Soviet Union, India, and central Africa. There are 5 million Muslims in the United States