Understanding Islam

It is beautifully enshrined in our Constitution that:

"everyone has the right to freedom of religion"

What is Islam?

Islam traces its origin back to a little over fourteen centuries ago, when the Prophet Muhammed recieved the Revelation from God and proclaimed the Message "to believe in a single God\Allah". A Muslim believes that no other deity is worthy worship but God, and Muhammed is the Messanger of God. The Noble Quran, the Holy Book of God's Revelations, is the source of Muslim doctrine, which prescribes justice, peace, mercy and tolerance. The world of Islam is uniquely God-centred and Muslims are required to be God-conscious in all their activities in life. Islam is an Arabic word that means total submission to the will of God. A Muslim communicate directly with God. He\She confesses directly with God and no man or woman has the power confer or withhold forgiveness. Islam provides humankind with the purpose of creation, our final destiny and our relationship with our fellow - beings. A muslim duty-bound to profess belief, to perform the acts of worship, and to lead a virtuous life through his commitment to do as God wills. Islam prescribes five duties, which are obligatory on all Muslims. They are known as the five Pillars of Islam.

* The declaration of faith\ the attestation of faith.

There is no god worthy of worship but God, and Muhammed is the final Messanger of God.

*Five compulsary daily prayers- This is incumbent on the faithful to be performed at appointed hours. Muslims are urged to pray at all times in congregation.

*Welfare contribution_ mandatary donations paid by every Muslim to charity, to be shared by the less fortunate.

*Pilgrimage to Mecca- an anual event that inspires mass paticipation which all Muslims are obliged to make once in their lifetime. It brings together men and women of faith, rich and poor, black and white, young and old. The events of the pilgrimage are a mass commemoration of the history of the Prophet Abraham and lessons to be learned from it.

*Fasting during the month of Ramadan- It is the month in which the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammed. Ramadan is a form of corporate worship and a unifying experience in which all Muslims fast together in affirmation of their obedience to God.

These Five pillars of faith encompass the fundamental beliefs and practices common to all Muslims. Beyond the pillars of faith, there are further acts of worship that true believers undertake to show their love and obedience to God.