Islam is the
religion, the way of life of Muslims of the world. There are over one
billion Muslims
spread across the globe in all nationalities, languages and ethnic
backgrounds. Islam was the
religion of the first couple, Adam and Eve. It was also the religion of
messengers of God like Noah,
Abraham, Moses and Jesus. The essence of their message was: Believe
and obey the One true God and obey His messengers.
Jesus (peace
be on him) was the second-last prophet of God. He foretold the coming of
the last
Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him). While the message of the earlier
messengers, including
Jesus was limited, prophet Muhammad's message and mission is
universal and will remain so till
the end of this world. Belief in Islam means
-
Belief in
One God
-
belief in
all of God's messengers
-
belief in
all the books sent down to His prophets. These books include Torah and
Gospel
-
belief in
the existence of angels
-
belief in
the Day of Judgment and Life after Death, Heaven and Hell
-
belief in the
Divine Decree or Predestination, its good and its bad.
Muslims are
those who declare that there is no deity except Allah (Arabic for God) and
that
Muhammad is His messenger. They submit fully in obedience to Allah and
mould their lives
according to the teachings of the Holy Quran and prophet Muhammad. |