Saturday, September 11, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
What is Islam ?
if you are interested to know about Islam
Go to this site and watch the slide show
http://www.whatsislam.com/
Go to this site and watch the slide show
http://www.whatsislam.com/
Christians Discuss "Trinity"
A Discussion Between:
| Dennis [Christian] & George [ex-Christian] |
{REPLY TO DENNIS}
GEORGE: Hi Dennis!
>DENNIS: Actually Jesus death on the cross is one of the best attested events in ancient history.
GEORGE: That is not really true. The history you are talking about was written by Christians so of course "history" is going to reflect their beliefs (the fact that the calendar starts from his birth demonstrates this). From non-Christian historians we know that crucifixion was a common means of punishment in the Ancient World. At best, I have seen one Jewish historian mentioning that a man claiming to be the Messiah was crucified. The historicity of Jesus is tainted with religious bias, just it is for any religious figure. History is at time very selective. >DENNIS: I don't know how you can realistically maintain that Jesus never claimed to be the Son of God. Do you have a record of everything He said? Other than Muhammid's claims to the contrary what evidence is there to support your assertion? The disciples would be in a much better position to know what Jesus taught than either you or Muhammid. It is Muslims' denial of clearly stated facts in the Bible which delegitimizes Islamic exergesis of the Bible and prevents Muslims from benefiting from the truths found in the Bible. [Continue - click here]
GEORGE: - Which are what? - Edited truths found in any Bible? Or rewritten and reworded King James " truths " which were written to better support his position, and legitimize his own failing, and beliefs?
Some idioms and expressions are peculiar to a linguistic group. The term "son of God" was used many times for beings close to God, and not necessarily in exclusivity for Jesus. Most of the early literature on Jesus was written by people who have never met him and had a Hellenized past. Like anything, Jesus' words are subject to intepretation, and the people who lived in the Roman empire certainly interpreted Jesus' statements according to their context. Whether the Bible has been edited or not is not something only Muslims discuss, but it is part of the scholarly discourse amongst many Westerners as well.
>DENNIS: So far I have (seen) little connection between Islam and Judiasm or Christianity. From what I an reading it appears your beliefs are totally based on the writings of one man, Muhammid. For people to allow one individual to control their mind is a real problem for me. GEORGE: Well that is your opinion. Most Orientalists would disagree with you, since they believe that Muhammad borrowed his ideas from Judaism and Christianity. Of course there are differences, just like there are between Christianity and Judaism, but the similarities are there nonetheless.
[Continue - click here]
As for Muhammad and mind control, it seems that you are under some mind control yourself. Your defence of scripture stems from faith in not questioning the Bible as the word of God. The fact that obedience is often blind does not negate that the orders are reasonable and that trained minds can delve into the wisdom of why things are done. You can see this in all walks of life. For instance, let us say that Muslims are like soldiers: each person has his duty, yet there are people above others with greater authority and responsibility, but all of them have to follow their orders and believe in a system of evaluation and promotion. At times, soldiers have to do things that lack compassion, because they do not let emotions oversway their good judgment that orders must be followed. You can apply this to every human circumstance, whether it is a teacher or a worker.
Clearly, some times you might have to fire an individual or make him fail based on his incompetence, just like police men and judges have to do their job. Calling these people heartless and cruel only makes the caller like a drum: full of noise but hollow inside.
>DENNIS: The Bible does use the analogy of a slave at times but ultimately it teaches God is our Father, not a slave master. The only service which is acceptable is that love which is freely offered. Outward performance of "good" deeds don't qualify unless they are motivated by love. GEORGE: The relationship between human beings and God in the Bible is that of servant and Lord. God owns every human being, but He also acts like a father in the sense that he cares, sustains, protects and watches humans grow (all these meanings are included in the Arabic "Rabb", often mistranslated as Lord) >DENNIS: That is a big difference between Christian theology and Islam. In Christian theology it is the motives which determine whether we are doing right or not, not just outward performance. This difference in understanding makes all the difference in how we approach and treat other people. Christians believe God wants truely good people not people who just perform some acts in order to get rewards. [Continue - click here]
GEORGE: Well slow down cowboy! faith without deeds is dead because actions are the proof of faith. God certainly wants action, and the basis for the acceptance is for them to be done with sincerity and done correctly (just like the priestly rituals of the Bible!). Now for your oft-repeated arguments of rewards and altruism: A reward manifest the value imbued to it by God, so that humans may know that some actions are more preferred to God than others Similarly is the case for punishment, because the more severe the penalty, the more severe the crime is for God. Everyone begins with selfish motives, and then moves on to higher levels. You cannot love your neighbor unless you love yourself first. Just like people who get introduced to Christianity because they want eternal life and salvation, and then move on to loving God. The rewards and punishment are meant to change a person's direction, so that he can prioritize his ambitions. However, once he passes that level, he begins to do things simply for God's face as the Qur'an mentions, meaning solely for God's pleasure. Yet, the Qur'an commands the Muslim to fear God's wrath and strive for His good pleasure, so even these actions are done for pleasing God.
Fear of God is the beginning of all wisdom as Solomon said. Thinking that one has a guaranteed place in Heaven or that God is pleased with him will undoubtedly result in a person not fearing God's displeasure, which means that actions can be done that are not pleasing to God while we think they are pleasing.
[Continue - click here]
>DENNIS: There is strong evidence to support the Christian beliefs over Islam, but in religion there is never proof. Ultimately belief and obedience to God is not just a matter of logical persuasion but of spiritual insight. When people come to value God's overwhelming love and our freedom under Him they then will treasure the hristian teachings. I can point out serious flaws in Islam, but logical persuasion alone won't bring you the spiritual renewal necessary to be a Christian. GEORGE: - Well hotdigidee, I certainly don't agree!
Your flaws so far have been emotional appeals and great generalizations. You take your opinion as absolute truths when certainly not even all Christians agree with you! >DENNIS: History is partly based on an interpretation of facts,
>and in some places where the facts are not well
>documented, in questioning the facts themselves.
>There are some facts which are so well attested that
>few seriously question their historicity. Jesus'
>death on the cross is one of those facts. >Whether Muhammid calimed he received his teachings
>from an angel or not makes no difference to me. To
>accept that claim is an act of faith on your part of
>which I am very skeptical. Also faith that the angel
>he talked to was actually sent by God is another
>article of faith which would have to be established by
>evidence. I don't know of any objective reason to
>accept either proposition.
[Continue - click here]
GEORGE: - OK! - So therefore, it is better to accept in blind faith and believe in things which no one can truly attest to because the documentation and proof of the genuine testament doesn't exist, but to not believe that what has been preserved for 1400 years, with true documentation. >DENNIS: I find it difficult to think you really believe in the
>Bible since you maintain beliefs which directly
>contradict the Bible. Based on your posts, it appears
>what you actually believe is an altered version of the
>Bible which is sanctioned by Muhammid. You appear to
>believe what Muhammid claims are Jesus' teachings
>rather than those passed down to us from those who
>actually knew Him. GEORGE: - What I believe is in the final revelation by Muhammad Sallallah wa-layhe a wassellan. And I would follow and teach of Qur'an for the foundation and calling of my life. But, Allah knows best of my testimony. If one does not believe in the Bible as a strong holy book of Allah, it is a great saddness. We know that some of the Bible still holds within it the revelation given to the great profits of the past. [Continue - click here]
>DENNIS: Outword performance of good deed are accepted whether
>>from the love of Allah, or the fear of Allah. What is
>>not accepted are the "good deeds" done to gain in
>>favor of the people. One should not give charity, or
>>do deeds for other people to think you to be generous,
>>or think you to be good, etc. It is only for Allah,
>>that we do these deeds, not for the people.
>
>That is a big difference between Christian theology
>and Islam. In Christian theology it is the motives
>which determine whether we are doing right or not, not
>just outward performance. This difference in
>understanding makes all the difference in how we
>approach and treat other people. Christians believe
>God wants truely good people not people who just
>perform some acts in order to get rewards. GEORGE: - Congradulations - twisting of the words of peoples is a tool often employed by Christian scholars, and you do it so well.
Sir, it is our intentions that are what we are judged on. I said one does good deeds for other people, but NOT so that we can gain the approval of the PEOPLE. We do them for the sake of ALLAH only.
If you give money to charity, it is for Allah, not so that other people will think that you are good because you gave charity. Other people are not even supposed to know that you did.
[Continue - click here]
>DENNIS: There is strong evidence to support the Christian
>beliefs over Islam, but in religion there is never
>proof. Ultimately belief and obedience to God is not
>just a matter of logical persuasion but of spiritual
>insight. When people come to value God's
>overwhelming love and our freedom under Him they then
>will treasure the Christian teachings. I can point
>out serious flaws in Islam, but logical persuasion
>alone won't bring you the spiritual renewal necessary
>to be a Christian. GEORGE: > In Islam there is both, faith and proof. Spiritual insight is given to those Allah would choose to guide. I have experienced more of a lift in my heart through Islam and in comming to Islam than in any other event in my life, including the birth of my son. And I will, Inshallah, live to serve Allah.
GEORGE: > More later!
George
| Dennis [Christian] & George [ex-Christian] |
{REPLY TO DENNIS}
GEORGE: Hi Dennis!
>DENNIS: Actually Jesus death on the cross is one of the best attested events in ancient history.
GEORGE: That is not really true. The history you are talking about was written by Christians so of course "history" is going to reflect their beliefs (the fact that the calendar starts from his birth demonstrates this). From non-Christian historians we know that crucifixion was a common means of punishment in the Ancient World. At best, I have seen one Jewish historian mentioning that a man claiming to be the Messiah was crucified. The historicity of Jesus is tainted with religious bias, just it is for any religious figure. History is at time very selective. >DENNIS: I don't know how you can realistically maintain that Jesus never claimed to be the Son of God. Do you have a record of everything He said? Other than Muhammid's claims to the contrary what evidence is there to support your assertion? The disciples would be in a much better position to know what Jesus taught than either you or Muhammid. It is Muslims' denial of clearly stated facts in the Bible which delegitimizes Islamic exergesis of the Bible and prevents Muslims from benefiting from the truths found in the Bible. [Continue - click here]
GEORGE: - Which are what? - Edited truths found in any Bible? Or rewritten and reworded King James " truths " which were written to better support his position, and legitimize his own failing, and beliefs?
Some idioms and expressions are peculiar to a linguistic group. The term "son of God" was used many times for beings close to God, and not necessarily in exclusivity for Jesus. Most of the early literature on Jesus was written by people who have never met him and had a Hellenized past. Like anything, Jesus' words are subject to intepretation, and the people who lived in the Roman empire certainly interpreted Jesus' statements according to their context. Whether the Bible has been edited or not is not something only Muslims discuss, but it is part of the scholarly discourse amongst many Westerners as well.
>DENNIS: So far I have (seen) little connection between Islam and Judiasm or Christianity. From what I an reading it appears your beliefs are totally based on the writings of one man, Muhammid. For people to allow one individual to control their mind is a real problem for me. GEORGE: Well that is your opinion. Most Orientalists would disagree with you, since they believe that Muhammad borrowed his ideas from Judaism and Christianity. Of course there are differences, just like there are between Christianity and Judaism, but the similarities are there nonetheless.
[Continue - click here]
As for Muhammad and mind control, it seems that you are under some mind control yourself. Your defence of scripture stems from faith in not questioning the Bible as the word of God. The fact that obedience is often blind does not negate that the orders are reasonable and that trained minds can delve into the wisdom of why things are done. You can see this in all walks of life. For instance, let us say that Muslims are like soldiers: each person has his duty, yet there are people above others with greater authority and responsibility, but all of them have to follow their orders and believe in a system of evaluation and promotion. At times, soldiers have to do things that lack compassion, because they do not let emotions oversway their good judgment that orders must be followed. You can apply this to every human circumstance, whether it is a teacher or a worker.
Clearly, some times you might have to fire an individual or make him fail based on his incompetence, just like police men and judges have to do their job. Calling these people heartless and cruel only makes the caller like a drum: full of noise but hollow inside.
>DENNIS: The Bible does use the analogy of a slave at times but ultimately it teaches God is our Father, not a slave master. The only service which is acceptable is that love which is freely offered. Outward performance of "good" deeds don't qualify unless they are motivated by love. GEORGE: The relationship between human beings and God in the Bible is that of servant and Lord. God owns every human being, but He also acts like a father in the sense that he cares, sustains, protects and watches humans grow (all these meanings are included in the Arabic "Rabb", often mistranslated as Lord) >DENNIS: That is a big difference between Christian theology and Islam. In Christian theology it is the motives which determine whether we are doing right or not, not just outward performance. This difference in understanding makes all the difference in how we approach and treat other people. Christians believe God wants truely good people not people who just perform some acts in order to get rewards. [Continue - click here]
GEORGE: Well slow down cowboy! faith without deeds is dead because actions are the proof of faith. God certainly wants action, and the basis for the acceptance is for them to be done with sincerity and done correctly (just like the priestly rituals of the Bible!). Now for your oft-repeated arguments of rewards and altruism: A reward manifest the value imbued to it by God, so that humans may know that some actions are more preferred to God than others Similarly is the case for punishment, because the more severe the penalty, the more severe the crime is for God. Everyone begins with selfish motives, and then moves on to higher levels. You cannot love your neighbor unless you love yourself first. Just like people who get introduced to Christianity because they want eternal life and salvation, and then move on to loving God. The rewards and punishment are meant to change a person's direction, so that he can prioritize his ambitions. However, once he passes that level, he begins to do things simply for God's face as the Qur'an mentions, meaning solely for God's pleasure. Yet, the Qur'an commands the Muslim to fear God's wrath and strive for His good pleasure, so even these actions are done for pleasing God.
Fear of God is the beginning of all wisdom as Solomon said. Thinking that one has a guaranteed place in Heaven or that God is pleased with him will undoubtedly result in a person not fearing God's displeasure, which means that actions can be done that are not pleasing to God while we think they are pleasing.
[Continue - click here]
>DENNIS: There is strong evidence to support the Christian beliefs over Islam, but in religion there is never proof. Ultimately belief and obedience to God is not just a matter of logical persuasion but of spiritual insight. When people come to value God's overwhelming love and our freedom under Him they then will treasure the hristian teachings. I can point out serious flaws in Islam, but logical persuasion alone won't bring you the spiritual renewal necessary to be a Christian. GEORGE: - Well hotdigidee, I certainly don't agree!
Your flaws so far have been emotional appeals and great generalizations. You take your opinion as absolute truths when certainly not even all Christians agree with you! >DENNIS: History is partly based on an interpretation of facts,
>and in some places where the facts are not well
>documented, in questioning the facts themselves.
>There are some facts which are so well attested that
>few seriously question their historicity. Jesus'
>death on the cross is one of those facts. >Whether Muhammid calimed he received his teachings
>from an angel or not makes no difference to me. To
>accept that claim is an act of faith on your part of
>which I am very skeptical. Also faith that the angel
>he talked to was actually sent by God is another
>article of faith which would have to be established by
>evidence. I don't know of any objective reason to
>accept either proposition.
[Continue - click here]
GEORGE: - OK! - So therefore, it is better to accept in blind faith and believe in things which no one can truly attest to because the documentation and proof of the genuine testament doesn't exist, but to not believe that what has been preserved for 1400 years, with true documentation. >DENNIS: I find it difficult to think you really believe in the
>Bible since you maintain beliefs which directly
>contradict the Bible. Based on your posts, it appears
>what you actually believe is an altered version of the
>Bible which is sanctioned by Muhammid. You appear to
>believe what Muhammid claims are Jesus' teachings
>rather than those passed down to us from those who
>actually knew Him. GEORGE: - What I believe is in the final revelation by Muhammad Sallallah wa-layhe a wassellan. And I would follow and teach of Qur'an for the foundation and calling of my life. But, Allah knows best of my testimony. If one does not believe in the Bible as a strong holy book of Allah, it is a great saddness. We know that some of the Bible still holds within it the revelation given to the great profits of the past. [Continue - click here]
>DENNIS: Outword performance of good deed are accepted whether
>>from the love of Allah, or the fear of Allah. What is
>>not accepted are the "good deeds" done to gain in
>>favor of the people. One should not give charity, or
>>do deeds for other people to think you to be generous,
>>or think you to be good, etc. It is only for Allah,
>>that we do these deeds, not for the people.
>
>That is a big difference between Christian theology
>and Islam. In Christian theology it is the motives
>which determine whether we are doing right or not, not
>just outward performance. This difference in
>understanding makes all the difference in how we
>approach and treat other people. Christians believe
>God wants truely good people not people who just
>perform some acts in order to get rewards. GEORGE: - Congradulations - twisting of the words of peoples is a tool often employed by Christian scholars, and you do it so well.
Sir, it is our intentions that are what we are judged on. I said one does good deeds for other people, but NOT so that we can gain the approval of the PEOPLE. We do them for the sake of ALLAH only.
If you give money to charity, it is for Allah, not so that other people will think that you are good because you gave charity. Other people are not even supposed to know that you did.
[Continue - click here]
>DENNIS: There is strong evidence to support the Christian
>beliefs over Islam, but in religion there is never
>proof. Ultimately belief and obedience to God is not
>just a matter of logical persuasion but of spiritual
>insight. When people come to value God's
>overwhelming love and our freedom under Him they then
>will treasure the Christian teachings. I can point
>out serious flaws in Islam, but logical persuasion
>alone won't bring you the spiritual renewal necessary
>to be a Christian. GEORGE: > In Islam there is both, faith and proof. Spiritual insight is given to those Allah would choose to guide. I have experienced more of a lift in my heart through Islam and in comming to Islam than in any other event in my life, including the birth of my son. And I will, Inshallah, live to serve Allah.
GEORGE: > More later!
George
Did God creat evil too ?
Is God Pure, Good, Loving and Fair?
If so, then where does evil, hatred and injustice
come from?
Allah tells us He is Pure, Loving, and absolutely Just in every respect. He says He is the Best of Judges. He also tells us the life we are in here is a test. He has created everything existing and He created whatever happens as well. There is nothing in this existence except what He has created. He also says in the Quran He created evil (although He is not evil). He is using this as one of the many tests for us.
Consider people who do so much evil in the earth and then live to a ripe old age in the splendor and wealth of their ill-gotten gains and die without ever being taken to task for their deeds. Where is the justice or fairness in this? Allah provides a clear answer for us in Quran as to what is in store for these most evil of people:
A brief enjoyment in this world! - and then unto Us will be their return, then We shall make them taste the severest torment because they used to disbelieve [in Allah, belie His Messengers, deny and challenge His proofs, signs, verses, etc.] [Noble Quran 10:70]
That Day mankind will proceed in scattered groups that they may be shown their deeds.
So whoever does good equal to the weight of an atom, shall see it.
And whoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom, shall see it. [Noble Quran 99:6-8]
Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: "We believe," and will not be tested.
And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allah will certainly make (it) known (the truth of) those who are true, and will certainly make (it) known (the falsehood of) those who are liars, (although Allah knows all that before putting them to test).
Or those who do evil deeds think that they can outstrip Us (i.e. escape Our Punishment)? Evil is that which they judge!
Whoever hopes for the Meeting with Allah, then Allah's Term is surely coming. And He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.
And whosoever strives, he strives only for himself. Verily, Allah is free of all wants from the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns, and all that exists).
Those who believe [in the Oneness of Allah (Monotheism) and in Messenger Muhammad peace be upon him , and do not apostate because of the harm they receive from the polytheists], and do righteous good deeds, surely, We shall remit from them their evil deeds and shall reward them according to the best of that which they used to do.
And We have enjoined on man to be good and dutiful to his parents, but if they strive to make you join with Me (in worship) anything (as a partner) of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not. Unto Me is your return, and I shall tell you what you used to do.
And for those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah and other items of Faith) and do righteous good deeds, surely, We shall make them enter in (the entrance of) the righteous (i.e. in Paradise).
Of mankind are some who say: "We believe in Allah," but if they are made to suffer for the sake of Allah, they consider the trial of mankind as Allah's punishment, and if victory comes from your Lord, (the hypocrites) will say: "Verily! We were with you (helping you)." Is not Allah Best Aware of what is in the breast of the 'Alamin (mankind and jinns)?
Verily, Allah knows those who believe, and verily, He knows the hypocrites [i.e. Allah will test the people with good and hard days to discriminate the good from the wicked (although Allah knows all that before putting them to test)].
[Noble Quran 29:2-11]
Reward and punishment are definitely a part of the Next Life on a very permanent basis. Those who suffer in this life and seemly have nothing to show for all their hard works, good deeds and sacrifices and maintaining the faith can look forward to a far greater reward in a place where these things will not be temporary but rather they will be for eternity. Those who corrupt, violate, injure and do evil and destruction seem to escape any justice here, yet in the Next Life they too will see the fruits of their labors, and certainly they will be paid according to what they have done as well.
As regards oppression, this is something Allah forbids for Himself to do to anyone and He hates it when anyone oppresses someone else. He does have absolute power over everything. He allows sickness, disease, death and even oppression so we can all be tested in what we do.
If so, then where does evil, hatred and injustice
come from?
Allah tells us He is Pure, Loving, and absolutely Just in every respect. He says He is the Best of Judges. He also tells us the life we are in here is a test. He has created everything existing and He created whatever happens as well. There is nothing in this existence except what He has created. He also says in the Quran He created evil (although He is not evil). He is using this as one of the many tests for us.
Consider people who do so much evil in the earth and then live to a ripe old age in the splendor and wealth of their ill-gotten gains and die without ever being taken to task for their deeds. Where is the justice or fairness in this? Allah provides a clear answer for us in Quran as to what is in store for these most evil of people:
A brief enjoyment in this world! - and then unto Us will be their return, then We shall make them taste the severest torment because they used to disbelieve [in Allah, belie His Messengers, deny and challenge His proofs, signs, verses, etc.] [Noble Quran 10:70]
That Day mankind will proceed in scattered groups that they may be shown their deeds.
So whoever does good equal to the weight of an atom, shall see it.
And whoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom, shall see it. [Noble Quran 99:6-8]
Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: "We believe," and will not be tested.
And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allah will certainly make (it) known (the truth of) those who are true, and will certainly make (it) known (the falsehood of) those who are liars, (although Allah knows all that before putting them to test).
Or those who do evil deeds think that they can outstrip Us (i.e. escape Our Punishment)? Evil is that which they judge!
Whoever hopes for the Meeting with Allah, then Allah's Term is surely coming. And He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.
And whosoever strives, he strives only for himself. Verily, Allah is free of all wants from the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns, and all that exists).
Those who believe [in the Oneness of Allah (Monotheism) and in Messenger Muhammad peace be upon him , and do not apostate because of the harm they receive from the polytheists], and do righteous good deeds, surely, We shall remit from them their evil deeds and shall reward them according to the best of that which they used to do.
And We have enjoined on man to be good and dutiful to his parents, but if they strive to make you join with Me (in worship) anything (as a partner) of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not. Unto Me is your return, and I shall tell you what you used to do.
And for those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah and other items of Faith) and do righteous good deeds, surely, We shall make them enter in (the entrance of) the righteous (i.e. in Paradise).
Of mankind are some who say: "We believe in Allah," but if they are made to suffer for the sake of Allah, they consider the trial of mankind as Allah's punishment, and if victory comes from your Lord, (the hypocrites) will say: "Verily! We were with you (helping you)." Is not Allah Best Aware of what is in the breast of the 'Alamin (mankind and jinns)?
Verily, Allah knows those who believe, and verily, He knows the hypocrites [i.e. Allah will test the people with good and hard days to discriminate the good from the wicked (although Allah knows all that before putting them to test)].
[Noble Quran 29:2-11]
Reward and punishment are definitely a part of the Next Life on a very permanent basis. Those who suffer in this life and seemly have nothing to show for all their hard works, good deeds and sacrifices and maintaining the faith can look forward to a far greater reward in a place where these things will not be temporary but rather they will be for eternity. Those who corrupt, violate, injure and do evil and destruction seem to escape any justice here, yet in the Next Life they too will see the fruits of their labors, and certainly they will be paid according to what they have done as well.
As regards oppression, this is something Allah forbids for Himself to do to anyone and He hates it when anyone oppresses someone else. He does have absolute power over everything. He allows sickness, disease, death and even oppression so we can all be tested in what we do.
5 Pillars of Islam
- Faith: The declaration of faith or shahadah, is a simple formula which all the faithful pronounce.
- Prayer: Performed five times a day, Salat (or prayer) is a direct link between the worshipper and God .
- Fasting: The fact of abstaining from food, drink (including water), and sexual relations, each day from dawn until sunset, during the month of Ramadhan.
- Zakat: Giving a proportion of one's wealth for those in need.
- Hajj: The annual pilgrimage to Makkah.
Islam and Muslims and others "Core values"
Mercy that is eternal, universal, and unlimited, "And We have sent you as a mercy to all the worlds." (21:107)
Justice that does not tilt or swerve, "O you who have attained to faith be ever steadfast in upholding equity, bearing witness to the truth for the sake of God, even if it is against your own selves or your ancestors and kinsfolk. Whether the person concerned is rich or poor, God’s claim takes precedence over either of them. Do not then follow your own desires lest you swerve from justice. And if you distort [the truth] God is indeed aware of all that you do." (4:135)
Respect and Dignity is bestowed on the entire human race without discrimination. "Indeed, We have conferred dignity on the children of Adam, and borne them over land and sea, and provided for them sustenance out of the good things of life and favored them above all of Our creation." (17:70)
Freedom from tyranny, compulsion or intimidation. "There shall be no coercion in matters of faith. The right guidance has been made clear from error. So whoever rejects the powers of evil and believes in God has indeed taken hold of the most secure of support. And God is all-hearing and all knowing." (2:256)
Peace is the normal and basic foundation of human relations. Peace should not be violated unless the alternative will be tyranny and oppression that cannot be stopped by other means. "As for those who do not fight against you on account of your faith, and do not drive you away from your homes, God does not forbid you to show them kindness and to behave towards them with full equity for verily, God loves those who act equitably." (60:8) "And if they incline toward peace, then you too should incline toward it and place your trust in God for verily He alone is all-hearing, all-knowing." (8:61)
Participation and accountability. "And those who respond to their Sustainer and uphold prayers and their matters are handled through mutual consultation among themselves." (42:38). According to the Prophetic tradition, "Each of you is a Shepard and is accountable for your flock." And according to the precedence that was set by our master, Abu Bakr, upon succeeding the Prophet as the leader of the Muslim community, he made it absolutely clear in his first public statement to the people that he was accountable to the community and that they were to correct him if he ever fell into error.
Service to humanity. "Verily, those who have attained to faith, as well as those who follow the Jewish faith, and the Christians, and the Sabians-all who believe in God and the Last Day and do righteous deeds-shall have their reward with their Sustainer; and no fear shall they have and neither shall they grieve." (2:62) "And in whose wealth there is a rightful share for those in need and those who are deprived." (51:19)
Justice that does not tilt or swerve, "O you who have attained to faith be ever steadfast in upholding equity, bearing witness to the truth for the sake of God, even if it is against your own selves or your ancestors and kinsfolk. Whether the person concerned is rich or poor, God’s claim takes precedence over either of them. Do not then follow your own desires lest you swerve from justice. And if you distort [the truth] God is indeed aware of all that you do." (4:135)
Respect and Dignity is bestowed on the entire human race without discrimination. "Indeed, We have conferred dignity on the children of Adam, and borne them over land and sea, and provided for them sustenance out of the good things of life and favored them above all of Our creation." (17:70)
Freedom from tyranny, compulsion or intimidation. "There shall be no coercion in matters of faith. The right guidance has been made clear from error. So whoever rejects the powers of evil and believes in God has indeed taken hold of the most secure of support. And God is all-hearing and all knowing." (2:256)
Peace is the normal and basic foundation of human relations. Peace should not be violated unless the alternative will be tyranny and oppression that cannot be stopped by other means. "As for those who do not fight against you on account of your faith, and do not drive you away from your homes, God does not forbid you to show them kindness and to behave towards them with full equity for verily, God loves those who act equitably." (60:8) "And if they incline toward peace, then you too should incline toward it and place your trust in God for verily He alone is all-hearing, all-knowing." (8:61)
Participation and accountability. "And those who respond to their Sustainer and uphold prayers and their matters are handled through mutual consultation among themselves." (42:38). According to the Prophetic tradition, "Each of you is a Shepard and is accountable for your flock." And according to the precedence that was set by our master, Abu Bakr, upon succeeding the Prophet as the leader of the Muslim community, he made it absolutely clear in his first public statement to the people that he was accountable to the community and that they were to correct him if he ever fell into error.
Service to humanity. "Verily, those who have attained to faith, as well as those who follow the Jewish faith, and the Christians, and the Sabians-all who believe in God and the Last Day and do righteous deeds-shall have their reward with their Sustainer; and no fear shall they have and neither shall they grieve." (2:62) "And in whose wealth there is a rightful share for those in need and those who are deprived." (51:19)
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