Alaul Hossain
Islam, one of the world’s major monotheistic religions, is founded on the belief in one God (Allah in Arabic) and the prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him) whom Muslims consider the final prophet in a long line of prophets that includes Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, among others. Here’s a basic overview of Islam:
1. Five Pillars of Islam:
Shahada (Declaration of Faith): The belief that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger.
Salah (Prayer): Muslims pray five times a day facing the Kaaba in Mecca: at dawn, midday, afternoon, sunset, and evening.
Zakat (Almsgiving): Muslims are required to give a portion of their wealth to those in need, typically 2.5% of their savings annually.
Sawm (Fasting during Ramadan): Muslims fast from dawn until sunset during the month of Ramadan, abstaining from food, drink, and other physical needs.
Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca): Muslims who are physically and financially able are required to perform the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime.
2. The Quran:
The Quran is the holy book of Islam, believed to be the word of God as revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) over a period of approximately 23 years.
It is written in classical Arabic and consists of 114 chapters (surahs) covering various aspects of faith, morality, guidance for personal conduct, and legal principles.
3. Prophets:
Muslims believe in all the prophets mentioned in the Quran, including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, among others.
Muhammad (peace be upon him) is considered the final prophet; whose message serves as the culmination and completion of prophethood.
4. Beliefs:
Muslims believe in the oneness of God (Tawhid) and the existence of angels, divine books (including the Quran, Torah, Psalms, and Gospel), and the Day of Judgment. They believe in predestination (Qadar), that everything that happens is according to God’s will.
5. Practices and Customs:
Apart from the Five Pillars, Muslims engage in various other religious practices, such as reciting the Quran, engaging in voluntary prayers (Sunna prayers), and observing Islamic etiquette in daily life. Islam promotes values such as compassion, justice, honesty, humility, and charity.
6. Diversity within Islam:
Islam is a diverse religion with different sects and schools of thought, such as Sunni and Shia, each with its own interpretations of religious texts and practices. There are also cultural variations in the ways Islam is practiced around the world. Islam is a rich and multifaceted religion with a deep spiritual and ethical tradition. Its teachings emphasize the importance of worshiping one God, living a righteous life, and treating others with kindness and compassion. While this overview provides a basic understanding of Islam, there is much more to explore within its vast and diverse tradition.