The Truth

The Truth About Islam… Is what you think you know really true?

What is Islam? Islam is a word meaning peace and submission. Peace is put into terms of being at peace with yourself and your surroundings. Submission means submitting to the will of God. Put concisely, Islam means to achieve peace by submitting to the will of God.

Who is Allah? Allah is the Arabic word meaning one God. Thus, Allah is not the God solely of Muslims. He is the God of all people and creations.

Do Muslims believe in Jesus? Muslims believe Jesus and his mother were great people. The Quran tells them that Jesus was born of a miraculous birth without a father. “Lo! The likeness of Jesus with Allah is the likeness of Adam. He created him of dust, and then He said unto him; be and he is.” (Quran 3.59) According the to Quran, Jesus was not crucified, but He was raised into Heaven.

What are the pillars of Islam? 1) The belief in one God and that Muhammad is His messenger 2) Prayer (Salat) which are prescribed five times a day 3) Fasting (Siyam) which is required in the month of Ramadan 4) Charity (Zakat) which is the poor-due on the wealth of the rich 5) Hajj which is the pilgrimage to Mecca once in a lifetime if it is able to be afforded financially and physically

What is Jihad? This is a word meaning struggle or striving in the cause of God. This can be any everyday activity done in the name of God. One of the highest levels of Jihad is to stand up to tyrants and speak a word of truth. Control of the self from wrong doings is also a great Jihad.

What is the Islamic view on Suicide? Islam is opposed to suicide.

Does Islam promote terrorism? No. Islam is a religion of peace and submission and stresses the sanctity of human life. “Anyone who saves one life, it is as he has saved the whole of mankind and anyone who has killed another person (except in lieu of murder or mischief on earth) it is as if he has killed the whole of mankind.” (Quran Chapter 5, verse 32) Anyone who is practicing violence is not practicing the religion. Violence is never okay, even if one is being repressed.

What is “Islamic Fundamentalism?” There is no concept of Fundamentalism in Islam. Islam is a religion of moderation and a practicing God fearing Muslim can neither be a fanatic or an extremist.

It is so important that we realize that the horrific events of Tuesday, September 11th, 2001 were acts of a small group of people. We cannot place blame on any one race, country, or religion.