FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ISLAM
What is Islam?
Islam is a monotheistic religion based on the Holy Quran and the teachings and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). A Muslim is someone that practices Islam and literally means “one who submits to God.” Muslims believe in the oneness of Allah (God), the prophets of Allah including not only Muhammad (PBUH) but Jesus, Moses, Noah and more. Muslims believe in the Day of Judgement and that their actions in this world will be held accountable on the Day of Judgement.
What are the 5 Pillars of Islam?
The 5 pillars are 5 fundamental practices that are the foundation of Muslim life. They are:
1.) Shahadah - Profession of Faith. The declaration states that “There is no God but God, and Muhammad (PBUH) is his messenger.”
2.) Salat – Performing the 5 daily prayers. The 5 prayers are observed at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and evening.
3.) Zakat – Paying the obligatory 2.5% of ones wealth to the poor/needy. Zakat literally means “purification.”
4.) Sawm – Fasting and self-control during the month of Ramadan. Muslims abstain from food, water, anger, backbiting and other negative behaviors while fasting. Muslims start their fast at sunrise and break it at sunset. The Holy Quran was revealed in Ramadan to the Prophet Muhammad.
5.) Hajj – Making the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime if are physically and financially able to. It is a remarkable gathering of millions of Muslims from all over the world. The rituals of the Hajj were established by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) during his last pilgrimage.
Who is Allah?
Allah is the Arabic word for God and used by Muslims to refer to God. There are 99 names of Allah in Islamic tradition. Each of these names evoke a distinct characteristic of Allah. Among the most famous include “the merciful (al-Rahman)” and the compassionate (al-Rahim)”
Who is the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)?
The prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was born in about 570 C.E., on the Arabian peninsula, in the city of Mecca. He grew to be a successful businessman who was known for his trustworthiness and his spiritual searches. Muslims believe that when he was 40 years old, Muhammad (PBUH) was meditating in a cave outside of Mecca when the angel Gabriel appeared to him. In a series of encounters that took place over 22 years, Gabriel began to orally reveal the Quran to the prophet (PBUH). These revelations were memorized and written down as the Quran. Muslims believe that Muhammad (PBUH) is the last line in the line of prophets beginning with Adam, and including Abraham, Noah, Moses, Elijah, and Jesus.
What is the Quran?
The Quran literally means “recite” and is the revelations of Allah to the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) through the angel Gabriel. This holy book has been protected by Allah from distortion and corruption.
What does it mean when a Muslim says Inshallah?
Inshallah means if God willing and most Muslims use it when talking about future events.
How many Muslims are in America?
It is estimated that about five to 12 million Muslims living in the United States. About one third are African-American. Another third are from the Indian Subcontinent, and the last third include Arab, Europeans and Caucasians, and converts. There are more than 2000 Mosques and Islamic centers in the United States.
Islam is a monotheistic religion based on the Holy Quran and the teachings and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). A Muslim is someone that practices Islam and literally means “one who submits to God.” Muslims believe in the oneness of Allah (God), the prophets of Allah including not only Muhammad (PBUH) but Jesus, Moses, Noah and more. Muslims believe in the Day of Judgement and that their actions in this world will be held accountable on the Day of Judgement.
What are the 5 Pillars of Islam?
The 5 pillars are 5 fundamental practices that are the foundation of Muslim life. They are:
1.) Shahadah - Profession of Faith. The declaration states that “There is no God but God, and Muhammad (PBUH) is his messenger.”
2.) Salat – Performing the 5 daily prayers. The 5 prayers are observed at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and evening.
3.) Zakat – Paying the obligatory 2.5% of ones wealth to the poor/needy. Zakat literally means “purification.”
4.) Sawm – Fasting and self-control during the month of Ramadan. Muslims abstain from food, water, anger, backbiting and other negative behaviors while fasting. Muslims start their fast at sunrise and break it at sunset. The Holy Quran was revealed in Ramadan to the Prophet Muhammad.
5.) Hajj – Making the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime if are physically and financially able to. It is a remarkable gathering of millions of Muslims from all over the world. The rituals of the Hajj were established by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) during his last pilgrimage.
Who is Allah?
Allah is the Arabic word for God and used by Muslims to refer to God. There are 99 names of Allah in Islamic tradition. Each of these names evoke a distinct characteristic of Allah. Among the most famous include “the merciful (al-Rahman)” and the compassionate (al-Rahim)”
Who is the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)?
The prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was born in about 570 C.E., on the Arabian peninsula, in the city of Mecca. He grew to be a successful businessman who was known for his trustworthiness and his spiritual searches. Muslims believe that when he was 40 years old, Muhammad (PBUH) was meditating in a cave outside of Mecca when the angel Gabriel appeared to him. In a series of encounters that took place over 22 years, Gabriel began to orally reveal the Quran to the prophet (PBUH). These revelations were memorized and written down as the Quran. Muslims believe that Muhammad (PBUH) is the last line in the line of prophets beginning with Adam, and including Abraham, Noah, Moses, Elijah, and Jesus.
What is the Quran?
The Quran literally means “recite” and is the revelations of Allah to the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) through the angel Gabriel. This holy book has been protected by Allah from distortion and corruption.
What does it mean when a Muslim says Inshallah?
Inshallah means if God willing and most Muslims use it when talking about future events.
How many Muslims are in America?
It is estimated that about five to 12 million Muslims living in the United States. About one third are African-American. Another third are from the Indian Subcontinent, and the last third include Arab, Europeans and Caucasians, and converts. There are more than 2000 Mosques and Islamic centers in the United States.