Post by WDustyPost by ErikPost by WDustyWhy do you have so much hate and anger at all muslims and the Islamic
faith? Is it because that they are different from you? or is it
because they believe in a different religon?
Nahh, it's not hate or anger on my part folks! See, what I have here
are a bunch of self-righteous politically correct Citizens Of The
World who are afraid to offend a culture or religion by criticizing
its failures. It is *Islam* that needs to come to terms with its
hatred and anger with the rest of the world. When their schools and
mosques stop preaching "death to the infidel" and "jihad" against the
world, then you can lecture me on issues of hate and anger. Islamic
Fundamentalism is an extremely violent global movement. And until the
*Muslim* community comes to grips with that fact and starts to deal
with people butchering others in the name of Allah, the killing of
innocents will go on unabated.
Your continued cry of "ignorance" everytime someone says something you
don't want to hear is not going to change anything. Nothing written in
that article is a lie. You may not *like* what is written, but nothing
there is untrue.
-WD
Let's understand Islam
What is Islam?
Islam is not a new religion, but the same truth that God (Allah)
revealed through all His Prophets to every people. For a fifth of the
world's population, Islam is both a religion and a complete way of
life. Muslims follow a religion of peace, mercy, and forgiveness and
the majority have nothing to do with the extremely grave events which
have come to be associated with their religion
What does Islam mean?
The Arabic word `Islam' simply means `submission', and derives from a
word meaning `peace'. In a religious context it means complete
submission to the will of God. `Mohammedanism' is thus a misnomer
because it suggests that Muslims worship Muhammad (PBUH) rather than
God. `Allah;' is the Arabic name of God, which is used by Arab Muslims
and Christians alike.
Who is Muhammad (PBUH)?
Muhammad (PBUH) was born in Makkah in the year 570, at a time when
Christianity was not yet fully established in Europe. Since his father
died before his birth, and his mother shortly afterwards, he was
raised by his uncle from the respected tribe of Quraysh. As he grew
up, he became known for his truthfulness, generosity and sincerity, so
that he was sought after for his ability to arbitrate in disputes.The
historians describe him as calm and meditative. Muhammad (PBUH) was of
a deeply religious nature, and had long detested the decadence of his
society. It became his habit to meditate from time to time in the Cave
of Hiraa near the summit of Jabal al-Nur, the `Mountain of Light' near
Makkah.
How did he become a Prophet and a Messenger of Allah?
At the age of 40, while engaged in a meditative retreat, Muhammad
(PBUH) received his first revelation from the Angel Gabriel. This
revelation, which continued for twenty-three years, is known as The
Qur'an . As soon as he began to recite the words he heard from
Gabriel, and to preach the truth which God had revealed to him, he and
his small group of followers suffered bitter persecution, which grew
so fierce that in the year 622, God gave them the command to emigrate.
This event, the Hijra, `migration', in which they left Makkah for the
city of Madinah some 260 miles to the north, marks the beginning of
the Muslim calender .After several years, the Prophet (PBUH) and his
followers were able to return to Makkah, where they forgave their
enemies and established Islam definitively. Before the Prophet (PBUH)
died at the age of 63, the greater part of Arabia was Muslim, and
within a century of his death Islam had spread to Spain in the West
and as far East as China.
Who are the Muslims?
Over one billion people from a vast range of races, nationalities and
cultures across the globe - from the southern Philippines to Nigeria -
are united by the common Islamic faith. About 18% live in the Arab
world; the world's largest Muslim community is in Indonesia:
substantial parts of Asia and most of Africa's population is Muslim,
while significant minorities are to be found in the Soviet Union,
China, North and South America, and Europe.
What do Muslims believe?
Muslims believe in One, Unique, Incomparable God; in the Angels
created by Him; in the Prophets through whom His revelations were
brought to mankind; in the Day of Judgment and individual
accountability for actions; in God's complete authority of human
destiny and in life after death. Muslims believe in a chain of
Prophets starting with Adam and including Noah, Ibrahim, Ismael,
Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Elias, Jonah,
John the Baptist, and Jesus, peace be upon them. But God's final
message to man, a reconfirmation of the eternal message and a
summing-up of all that has gone before was revealed to the Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH) through Angel Gabriel.
How does someone become a Muslim?
Simply by saying 'there is no god apart from God'and Muhammad is the
Messenger of God.' By this declaration the believer announces his or
her faith in all of God's Messengers and the scriptures they brought.
Why does Islam often seem strange?
Islam may seem exotic or even extreme in the modern world. Perhaps
this is because religion does not dominate everyday life in the West
today, whereas Muslims have religion always uppermost in their minds,
and make no division between secular and sacred. They believe that the
Divine Law, the Shariah, should be taken very seriously, which is why
issues related to religion are still so important.
Does Islam and Christianity have different origins?
No, Together with Judaism, they go back to the Prophet Ibrahim, and
their three Prophets are directly descended from his sons - Muhammad
(PBUH) from the eldest Ismael, and Moses and Jesus from Isaac, peace
be upon them. Ibrahim established the settlement which today is the
city of Makkah, and built the Ka'ba towards which all Muslims turn
when they pray.
Moments in American Muslim History:
1539: Moroccan guide Estephan participated in the exploration of
Arizona and New Mexico for the viceroy of New Spain.
1717: Arrival in North America of "Arabic- speaking slaves."
1900: Earliest recorded Muslim group to organize for communal prayers,
in Ross, North Dakota.
1934: First building designated as Mosque, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
1952: Muslim servicemen allowed to identify their religion as Muslim
by the Federal government.
Muslim Americans:
Population: Estimates vary, but The New York Times figure of 6 million
seems realistic. (The New York Times, Feb.21,1989)