7 Facts on Islam ...

“Islam” means “Peace through the submission to God.” “Muslim” means “anyone that submits themselves to the will of God. In no way, shape or form is Islam a cult. In fact, this religion has over 1.5 billion followers from throughout the world. It is considered to be one of the three Abrahamic traditions along with Christianity and Judaism.

Islam has five pillars of practice. These practices need to be taken in order to be considered a true Muslim. The practices include Shahadah, Formal prayer five times a day, fasting during the daylight hours during the month of Ramadan, Poor-due tax (2.5 % of one’s savings will be given to the needy each year) and pilgrimage to Mecca when one is financially able.

This is one of the fastest growing religions in the world. In order to become a Muslim, you can be of any race and you only need to say a simple statement, which is the shahadah.

If every single Qur’an in the world were destroyed, those original Arabic words are still going to remain. No, not in the heart – in the minds and voices of Hafiz. The Hafiz are the ones that have memorized the text letter for letter from beginning to end.

The killing of innocent people, violence and terrorism is forbidden in Islam. This religion is meant to bring peace to society, whether to people are Islamic or not. Those who are performing terrorist acts claiming that they are Muslims is a result of ignorance or uncontrollable anger. Look at David Koresh and Timothy McVeigh – their religion was Christianity – did they represent Christianity for what they did? Then those fanatical Muslims don’t either.

In the five daily prayers, Muslims will face the Kaaba in Mecca, Arabia. The Kaaba is a stone that is cube shaped and was built by Prophet Adam and rebuilt by Prophet Abraham. Islamic followers believe that this was the first house of worship. They do not worship the box itself. It serves as the central focal point for Islamic followers around the world. The Kaaba is actually empty.

In Islam, you eat with the right hand and wipe with your left hand. They say this is because Satan eats and drinks with his left hands – so you should eat and drink with your right hand. The left hand is reserved for removing dirt, washing stuff, blowing your nose and all that. Also, being clean is important in Islam – It’s a Sunnah – so imagine those rewards you get for eating and drinking with your right hand).

There you have 7 facts on Islam. I find this religion very interesting. What about you?

Top Photo Credit: askforislam2008