the principle of islam

BASIC BELIEF
According to Islam you have to believe in Allah, the Angels of Allah (Malaikah), the Books of Allah (Kutubullah), the messengers of Allah, (Rusulullah), the Day of Judgement (Yawmuddin), the Supremacy of the Divine Will (Al-Qadâr ) and life after death (Akhirah).

Allah

Allah is the name of God. Some people ascribe false attributes to Allah. We Muslims have our knowledge of Allah through what He revealed in the Holy Qura’n or through Prophet Muhammad (e , Salalahu Alihi Wasallam. SAW, peace be upon him).

“Allah, there is no god save Him, the Alive, the Eternal, Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him. Into Him belongs what so ever is in the heavens and what so ever is in the earth. Who is he that intercedes with Him save by His leave? he knows that which is in front of them and that which is behind them, while they encompass nothing of His knowledge save that He will. His Throne includes the hwavens and the earth, and He is never weary of preserving them. He is the Sublime, the Tremendous” (Qura’n. 2:255).

“All that is in the heavens and earth glorify Allah and He is the Mighty, the Wise. His is the Sovereignty of the heavens and the earth. He ordains life and death and has power over all things. He is the First and the Last and the Inward and the Outward. He has knowledge of all things” (Qura’n. 57:1-4).

“Everything will perish save His countenance. His is the command and unto Him you will be brought back”(Qura’n. 28:88).

“The Originator of the heavens and the earth, when He will a thing He only says unto it “BE” and it is (Qura’n. 2:117)

“And not an atom’s weight in the earth or in the heavens escapes your Lord’s knowledge; neither is there anything smaller than that or larger, but is recorded in a clear decree” (Qura’n. 10-61).

“He knows what you conceal and what you reveal and God knows well the (secrets) of (all) hearts. (Qura’n. 64:4).

“There is nothing like unto Him” (Qura’n. 42:11).

Angles of Allah

The angels have been created from light, they obey Allah, carryout His will and have no free will, Angel Gibril (Gabriel) for example brought revelations from Allah to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and other prophets. Other angels record our deeds or carryout other functions.

Books of Allah

Allah revealed Books of guidance through his prophets. Muslims believe in all the Original Books of Allah mentioned in the Qura’n, the Tawrat (Turah of Moses), the Zabur (Psalma of David), the Injil (Gospel) and Suhuf Ibrahim (the Scrollsof Abraham). The Qura’n is the only book of Allah which exists unchanged in its original form. The other Books are not in their original languages and are distorted and mixed with human words. The Qura’n was recorded as soon as it was revealed and was memorised by heart by Muslims.

Messengers of Allah

Allah sent prophets and messengers to show people the right path there is no nation to which Allah did not send a prophet as mentioned the Qura’n (35:24). The name of 25 prophets are mentioned in the Qura’n . Example of these prophets are: Adam, Nuh, Ibrahim, Musa, Isa and Muhammad ( Peace be upon them ). All prophets and messengers preached Islam i.e. to surrender to the Will of Allah the One who has no partners. Muhammad (SAW) is the seal of prophets (Qura’n 33:40).

Al Qadar

Allah has given man a free will. He does not force man to obey or disobey. Allah, The fact Allah knows what we are going to do does not mean that we do not have free will, knows whether man will obey or disobey.

Akhirah

Life on earth is meant to be a preparation for the Akhirah (life after death) Life is meaningless if people of good actions are not rewarded and people of bad conduct are not punished at the Day of Judgement. Muslim believers will be rewarded for their good actions by admitting them to Janah (Paradise) Wrong-doers and unbelievers will be punished in Annar ( Hell Fire ).

PILLARS OF ISLAM

In Islam there are five basic duties which Muslims must perform. They are known as the five pillars of Islam (Arkanul Islam). These are: Shahadah, the establishment of prayer (Salah), the payment of Zakah (paying the poor due), the Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah and Sawm Ramadan (fasting the month of Ramadan).

SHAHADA (The First Pillar of Islam)

لا إله إلا الله محمد رسول الله

“La llaha illal-lahu Muhammad resululah“

“There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah“

This declaration is called “Shahadah”.

1. Shahadah means that there is only One Lord, Allah, the Creator, the Organizer, the Planner and the Sustainer of the Universe.
2. Shahadah means that Allah has the most Beautiful Names and Qualities mentioned by the Qur’an or Prophet Muhammad (SAW). ALL names and qualities of Allah are taken without changing their meanings or neglecting them. We should keep in mind that ”Nothing is like unto Allah” (Qura’n 42:11). Therefore, it does not meet with Majesty of Allah to be confined with a time or a place and it is not accepted that Allah existed in any of His creation including Jesus Christ (peace be upon him).
3. Shahadah means that Muhammad (SAW) is the messenger of Allah, Allah Says: “Muhammad is the messenger of Allah and the seal of the prophets” (Qura’n 33:40). “And whatever the messenger (Muhammad) gives you, take it and whatever he forbids you, abstain from it”. (Qura’n 59:1). “Say (O Muhammad) if you love Allah follow me Allah loves you” (Qura’n 3:31).

Therefore, whatever any one says may be taken or rejected as to whether his sayings are in accordance with the Book of Allah (the Qura’n) or with the tradition of prophet Muhammad (SAW) (Sayings and deeds).

In order to become a Muslim, you have to utter “Shahadah” by your tongue and your actions should confirm the meanings of Shahadah.

SALAH (The Second Pillar of Islam)

The second pillar of Islam is performing Salah (prayer). The Muslim is enjoined to perform five obligatory prayers every day to keep himself in relation with his Lord, to invoke and implore Him, and to refrain himself from committing lewdness or indecency. These prayers not only ensure psychological rest to the Muslim in this present life, but they also pave the way to him to gain eternal happiness in the hereafter.

To perform prayer, one should be clean, wearing clean clothes and perform prayer in a clean place.

The Muslim should always cleanse himself by pure water. He should remove all traces of stool, urine, or any other dirt. Before prayer the Muslim should perform Wudu (ablution).

Prayer is the pillar of religion. It succeeds in importance the Shahadah Therefore, it is not only a duty on the Muslim to observe performing prayers from his maturity up to his death, but he should also order his household to perform it. He should also order his children to start practicing it from the time when they are 7 years old so that they may be accustomed to perform it. Allah Says:

" إن الصلاة كانت على المؤمنين كتابا موقوتا " النساء : من آية 103

“enjoined on the believers.” (Qur’an 4:103).Performing prayers at fixed times has been

The prophet (SAW) said: “The obligation which distinguishes betus and the unbelievers is prayer”. Therefore, whosoever resists prayer, becomes unbeliever. Prayer is a duty on the Muslim in all circumstances. Even if he is sick or frightened he should perform his daily prayers, standing, sitting or even lying.

The five obligatory daily prayers are the Morning Prayer (Fajr), the noon prayer (Zuhr), the afternoon prayer (Asr), the evening prayer (Maghrib) and the night prayer (Ishaa).

The time due to Morning Prayer begins at true dawn and extends until the sun rises. It should not be delayed beyond this span of time. The time for noon prayer starts from the Zawal (a little after the sun passes the meridian) and extends till one’s shadow becomes equal to its own length plus the length of its noon- time shadow. The time enjoined for afternoon prayer starts after the end of noon-prayer time and extends until the sun turns yellow. One must hasten to perform it while the sun is still bright. The time for Maghrib prayer begins soon after sunsets and lasts till the disappearance of the twilight. Its performance should not be delayed. The time for Ishaa prayer begins after the disappearance of the twilight and lasts till midnight. If a Muslim delays one of these five prayers, he commits a grievous sin. He should turn to Allah in repentance and refrain himself from recommitting it. The Qura’n warns those who delay their prayers from its fixed times.

"فويل للمصلين الذين هم عن صلاتهم ساهون "سورة الماعون الآية 4-5

“Woe unto those who pray but delay their prayers from its stated fixed time” (Quran 107: 7-4).

Performance of Wudu (Ablution)

Wudu is the act of washing those parts of the body that are generally exposed. The water should be pure clean and fresh with no change in its colour, taste and smell. Wudu is done as follows:

1. Make a full intention of performing the Wudu for offering prayer and recite.

"بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم"

“Bismillahir – rahmanir – rahim“, (in the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Most Merciful).

2. Wash hands up to the wrists three times, passing the fingers in between each other.
3. Rinse your mouth with water three times.
4. Rinse the nostrils with water, sniffing up water and blowing it out.

5. Wash the face from the forehead to the chin bone and from ear to ear three times.
6. Wash the right arm followed by the left up to elbows three times.
7. Brush up the whole head with wet hands.

8. Pass the wet tips of the index fingers inside and the wet tips of the thumbs outside the ears.
9. Wash the feet up to the ankles three times. The right foot is washed first and then the left, taking care to wash in between the toes.

The same Wudu may be used for several prayers. However, if a Muslim urinates, defecates, passes wind or loses his consciousness for any reason after Wudu he should re-perform it again before prayer.

If a Muslim is in a state of major impurity (discharged semen in erotic dreams, or practiced intercourse … etc), he should clean his body by taking a bath. Women also should carry out this cleansing bath to purify themselves after menstruation or childbirth. Allah has disburdened women and exempted them from performing prayer during menstruation and childbirth till blood stops (for a maximum of 40 days according to some scholars or 60 days according to others).

If a Muslim is in a desert area or on a journey and finds no water, or if he fears that using water will harm him (because of sickness), he is permitted to purify himself by using good clean earth or sand instead of water. This is called, Tayammum, (purification with earth). It is done in the following way: you intend by heart to perform it, then you strike the dust (or sand) with your hands and wipe your hands over your face, your right hand by your left hand and your left hand by your right hand. Purification with earth is also permissible to women after the period of menstruation or confinement if water is not available, or if its could harm them.

Adhan (call to prayer)

The person who gives the Adhan is called the mu’azzin (Caller).

While calling for prayer, he stands in the Minaret or in the courtyard of the mosque, facing the Qiblah and raises his hands to his ears and calls out.

الله اكبر (Allahu Akber) (Allah is the Greatest)

الله اكبر (Allahu Akber) (Allah is the Greatest)

الله اكبر (Allahu Akber) (Allah is the Greatest)

الله اكبر (Allahu Akber) (Allah is the Greatest)

أشهد أن لا اله إلا الله (Ashhadu alla ilaha illallah) (I bear witness that there is no god but Allah)

أشهد أن لا اله إلا الله (Ashhadu alla ilaha illallah) (I bear witness that there is no god but Allah)

اشهد أن محمدا رسول الله (Ashhadu anna muhammader rasulllah) (Ibear witness that Muhammad is Allah’s messenger)

اشهد أن محمدا رسول الله (Ashhadu anna muhammader rasulllah) (Ibear witness that Muhammad is Allah’s messenger)

حي على الصلوة (Hayya ala salah) (come to prayer)

حي على الصلوة (Hayya ala salah) (come to prayer)

حي على الفلاح (Hayya ala alfalah) (come to success)

حي على الفلاح (Hayya ala alfalah) (come to success)

الله اكبر (Allahu Akber) (Allah is the Greatest)

الله اكبر (Allahu Akber) (Allah is the Greatest)

لا اله إلا الله (la ilaha illallah) (here is no god but Allah )

During the Adhan for Fajr Salah, the following is added after Hayya alal falah:

الصلوة خير من النوم (Assalatu khairun minan naum) (Salah is better than sleep)

Iqamah

Iqamah is another call to prayer said just before the actual start of Salah. The following is aid (in Arabic language):

0. Allah is great twice.
1. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah once.
2. I bear witness that Muhammad is Allah’s Messenger once.
3. Rush to prayer once.
4. Rush to success once.
5. The prayer has begun twice.
6. Allah great twice.
7. There is no god but Allah once.
8. It is similar to Adhan except that after Hayya alal falah the following added:

قد قامت الصلوة (Qad Qamatis salah) (the prayer has begun)

Performance of Salah

A prayer consists of either two, three or four Raka’at: A Raka’at is performed in the following way:

1. Stand erect, facing the direction of Ka’aba in makkah, and make the Niyyat (the intention) in your mind of what prayer you are about to offer, preferably uttering t to yourself, Raise both hands up to the ears and say:

"الله اكبر "

“Allahu – Akbar”, (Allah is Great).

Bring them down or place the right hand upon the left below the chest and above the navel.

2. Recite the Opening Chapter of the Holy ura’n (the Fatiha):

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم . الحمد لله رب العالمين . الرحمن الرحيم . مالك يوم الدين . إياك نعبد وإياك نستعين . أهدنا الصراط المستقيم . صراط الذين أنعمت عليهم غير لمغضوب عليهم ولا الضالين . ( سورة الفاتحة .

Alhamdu lillahi rabbil aalameen, ar-ahmanir-rahim, maliki yawm-id-deen, iyyaka na’abudu wa iyyaka nasta,een; ihdinas-siratal mustaqeema sirat-alla-zina an,ammta alayhim ghairil magh-doobi alayhim a-lad-daaleen (ameen).

The meaning of this glorious sura can be translated as follows:

“In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Most-Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds The Most–Merciful the Most Compassionate. The Master of the Day of Judgment: You Alone we worship, and you Alone we ask for help. Show us the straight way, the way of those whom you have blessed, who have not incurred your displeasure, nor gone astray.”

These verses of Quran, and all other verses, should be recited in Arabic language.

Then recite a passage from the Holy Qur’an. For this purpose any one of the small chapters may be selected as, for instance, the chapter termed, ‘The Unity,”

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

(( قل هو الله أحد * الله الصمد * لم يلد ولم يولد * ولم يكن له كفوا أحد ))

Bismillahir rahmanir rahim

“Kul Huwallahu ahad, Allahus samad, lam Yalid wa lam yulad, wa lam yakun lahu kufuwan ahad”.

In the Name of Allah the Compassionate, the Most Merciful

“Say: He is Allah, the One, Allah, the eternally besought of all.

He begets not no is He begotten. And there is none comparable

Unto Him“.

3. Say: “Allaho-Akbar” and bow down in Ruk’u and say thrice:

"سبحان ربي العظيم "

Subhan Rabbiyal-azeem (How gloriois my Lord the Great).

4. Assume the standing position, letting the hands remain on the sides and say:

" سمع الله لمن حمده "

Sami’allahu liman hamidah

" ربنا ولك الحمد"

Rahana wa Lakal – hamd

(Allah has listened to him who has praised Him; Our Lord, praise be to you)

5. Saying” Allahu-Akbar” and prostrate to perform the Saidah, saying thrice:

" سبحان ربي الأعلى"

Subhan Rabbiyal-a’la (All glory be to my Lord, the Most High)

6. Raise yourself sitting for a which in a reverential posture, termed Jalsah and say once.

" اللهم اغفر لي و ارحمني"

Allahummaghfirli warhamni. (O Allah ! forgive me and have mercy upon me).

7. Perform the second sajdah exactly in the same way as the first one. This finishes one Raka’at.
8. Say “ Allahu Akbar, stand erct once again, repeat all that done in the perfomance of the first Raka’at.
9. After the second Raka’at second Sajdan is over, say “Allahu-Akbar” and sit down in the reverential posture and recite.

التحيات لله و الصلوات و الطيبات السلام عليك أيها النبي ورحمة الله و بركاته. السلام علينا و علي عباد الله الصالحين . أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله و أشهد أن محمد عبده و رسوله

“At-tahiyyato lillahi wassalawato wat-taiyyibat. Assalamu alaika ayyuhannabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakathu assalamu alaina wa’ala’ibadillah –is saliheen. Ash-hand alla ilaha illalah wa ashhadu anna Muhammadun abdubu wa rasooluh”.

All Worships and praises are for Allah’s peace be upon you, O prophet, his mercy and His blessings too. Peace be on us and on all righteous servants of Allah. I testify that there is no God save Allah and testify that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.

10. If more than two Raka’at are to be performed, say “Allahu Akbar”, stand up again, and complete one two Raka’at as the case may be, sit down in the reverential posture which is also obviously adopted if the prayer consists of two Raka,at only. In that reverential posture, recite in addition to Tashahud, the Salawat

اللهم صل علي محمد وعلي آل محمد كما صليت علي إبراهيم وعبي آل إبراهيم وبارك علي محمد وعلي آل محمد كما باركت علي إبراهيم وعلي آل إبراهيم انك حميد مجيد

“Allahumma salli’ala Muhammadin wa’ala ali Mihammadin kama sallayta ala Ibrahim wa’ala ali Ibrahim, wa barik ala Mihammadin wa’ala ali Muhammadin kamma barakta ala Ibrahim wa’ala ali Ibrahim, innaka hamidun majeed”.

O, Allah have mercy on Muhammad and those related to Muhammad, just as You had mercy on Ibrahim and on those related to Ibrahim. O. Allah bestow Your blessings on Muhammad and on those related to Muhammad as You had bestowed it on Ibrahim and those related to Ibrahim. Surely, You are The Praisworthy, The Great.”

11. Turn your face to the right and say السلام عليكم ورحمة الله Assalamu-alaykum wa rahmatullah (peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah). Then turn it to the let and repeat the same. Here the prayer is complete.

Morning prayer is two rak’ast. Zuhr, Asr and Isha prayers are four rak’ats while maghrib prayer is three rak’ats. All verses of the Qura’n and other verses should be recited in Arabic.

Al-Kawthar (108)

سورة الكوثر

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

أنا أعطيناك الكوثر * فصل لربك وأنحر * إن شانئك هو الأبتر *

Bimillàhir rahmànir

Nnà a’tainakal kawthar.

Fa salli lirabbika wanhar

Inna shàni’aka huwàl abtar.

Maning:

IN the name of Allah, The Compassionat the Most Merciful.

In deed we have given you the Kawther (Abundance or fountain);

So pray to your Lord and make sacrifice.

Surely your hater is the one cut off.



Al-Mà’un (107)

سورة الماعون

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

أرءيت الذي يكذب بالدين * فذلك الذي يدع اليتيم * ولا يحض علي طعام المسكين * فويل للمصلين * الذين هم عن صلاتهم ساهون* الذين هم يراءون * و يمنعون الماعون *

Bismilahir rahmanir rahim

Ara’ aital ladhi yukadhdhibu biddin.

Fadhàlikal ladhi yadu’ul yatim.

Wa làyahuddu ala ta amil miskin.

Fawailul lil mussallin.

Alladhina hum ‘an salàtihim sàhun .

Alladhina hum yurà wùn.

Wayamna ùnal mà ùn.

Meaning:

In the name of Allah, The Compassionate the Most merciful.

Have you seen him who denies religion?

It is he who harshly repels the orphan.

And does not urge others to feed the needy.

Woe to those who pray.

But are heedless of their prayers;

Who put on a show of piety

But refuse to give even the smallest help to others.