Islam Explained , livre ebook

Marshall Cavendish International - Shaik Kadir

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118 pages

English

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Islam, a faith that embraces all races and cultures, has spread far and wide across the globe, and today about one in five people in the world is a follower of the Islamic faith. Few people have not heard about Islam or interacted with Muslims. But many, including some Muslims, do not know much about Prophet Muhammad or what the Qur'an actually teaches. Unfortunately, the focus on terrorism may have resulted in an inaccurate and biased view of Islam and of Muslims in general. Islam is not responsible for those Muslims involved in terrorism and violence; these Muslims make up only a tiny fraction of the vast majority of practicing Muslims who adhere to Islam and find peace and happiness in it. Islam actually promotes peace and harmony. Thus, it is important for the world to discover what Islam really is and what it teaches. This book explores the fundamental beliefs of Islam from its conception to what its adherents need to practise to be righteous and helpful to the peace and progress of one's country of residence and the whole wide world. Presented in an elegant and concise way, it explains the different aspects of the faith in topical form and clarifies misconceptions about Islam. Through this book, readers will be able to better understand and appreciate the truths and expectations of Islam for both Muslims and people of other faiths to work together to build a safer and more harmonious society for everyone.

Sujets

Philosophie et théologie

Islam

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Publié par	Marshall Cavendish International
Date de parution	19 juillet 2017
Nombre de lectures	1
EAN13	9789814779951
Langue	English

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,0450€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

Extrait

2017 Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Private Limited
First published 2006. This edition updated and revised 2017.
Published by Marshall Cavendish Editions An imprint of Marshall Cavendish International

All rights reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. Requests for permission should be addressed to the Publisher, Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Private Limited, 1 New Industrial Road, Singapore 536196. Tel: (65) 6213 9300 E-mail: genref@sg.marshallcavendish.com Website: www.marshallcavendish.com/genref
The publisher makes no representation or warranties with respect to the contents of this book, and specifically disclaims any implied warranties or merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose, and shall in no event be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damage, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.
Other Marshall Cavendish Offices: Marshall Cavendish Corporation. 99 White Plains Road, Tarrytown NY 10591-9001, USA Marshall Cavendish International (Thailand) Co Ltd. 253 Asoke, 12th Flr, Sukhumvit 21 Road, Klongtoey Nua, Wattana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand Marshall Cavendish (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Times Subang, Lot 46, Subang Hi-Tech Industrial Park, Batu Tiga, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Marshall Cavendish is a registered trademark of Times Publishing Limited
National Library Board, Singapore Cataloguing in Publication Data
Names: Shaik Kadir. Title: Islam explained : essential reading for anyone who wants to know more about Islam / Shaik Kadir.
Description: Second edition. | Singapore : Marshall Cavendish Editions, 2017
Identifiers: OCN 989867971 | eISBN 978 981 4779 95 1
Subjects: LCSH: Islam. | Islamic ethics. | Islam--Customs and practices.
Classification: DDC 297--dc23
Printed in Singapore by Markono Print Media Pte Ltd
CONTENTS
Introduction
Initial Notes
1 Intelligent Beings
Angels and Satan
Adam and Eve
Nature of human beings
2 God-guided Path
Establishment of Islam
The Straight Way
Six Articles of Faith
Five Pillars of Islam
3 The Creator
God s attributes
God s compassion
God s knowledge
God s guidance
4 Bearers of Good News
Prophets through the ages
Jesus Christ
Prophet Muhammad
Persecution
5 Divine Messages
Messages of prophets
The Qur an and the Hadith
Revelations of the Qur an
Role of the Qur an
Features of the Qur an
Eloquent and living language
Sound of the Qur an
Vowel Markings of the Qur an
Memorising God s Words
Translations of the Qur an
6 Spiritual Nourishment
The prayer call
The ablution
The prayer
The supplication
7 House of God
The mosque
Prayers in the mosque
8 Pilgrims Paradise
Mecca
The Grand Mosque
Medina
The Prophet s Mosque
9 Celebratory Occasions
The Islamic calendar
Islamic pilgrimages
Festival of Sacrifice
The Ramadan fast
Festival of Charity
10 Character Building
Virtues
Charity
Greeting of peace
11 Wholesome Lifestyle
Purity and cleanliness
Halal principles
Prohibition of certain items for consumption
Prohibition of alcohol and gambling
Halal food
12 Islamic Dress Code
Women s modesty
Total seclusion
Men s modesty
13 Marriage and Divorce
Marriage
Polygamy
Divorce
14 Human and Animal Rights
Rights of women
Rights of parents
Rights of neighbours
Rights of animals
15 Worship of God
Concept of Islamic worship
Significance of jihad
Reward for striving
Praise for working
Meaning of righteousness
16 Global Education
Formal learning
Informal learning
Reasoning
Science
17 Signs of God
Natural miracles
Miracles of prophets
The miraculous Night Journey
Prophet Muhammad s miracles
18 Relationship with Non-Muslims
People of the Book
Interaction with non-Muslims
Eating with non-Muslims
Attending non-Muslim functions
19 Human Failings
Wrongdoing
Punishment
20 Universal Code of Brotherhood
The Islamic Creed
Concept of Muslim
Muslim identity
Muslim names
Conversion to Islam
Conversion process
Spirit of Islamic brotherhood
21 Uniqueness of Islam
Islamic law
War and its rules
No images of God and prophets
Superstitious beliefs and practices
Offerings and visits to graves
Flexibility in Islam
Acceptance by own people
Freedom of religion
22 The Hereafter
Death
Resurrection
Judgement
Heaven
23 God s Compassion
Forgiveness
Reward
24 Muslim World
Islamic country
Schools of thought
25 Islamic Direction
Islamic religiosity
Heavenly bliss
Epilogue
Appendices
About the Author
INTRODUCTION
Islam expanded rapidly within the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad. The religion has travelled far and wide and continues to spread fast.
Today, one in five people in the world is a follower of the Islamic faith. Islam embraces the lives of various races and cultures across the globe, including the USA and Europe. This happens because of the religion s concept, teachings, rationality and beauty. Unfortunately, misinformed people might blame Islam for the indulgence of some misled Muslims, often as lone wolf, in violence and terrorism, ignoring the Qur anic instruction: Do no evil nor mischief on the (face of the) earth. (2:60). But, the vast majority of people, even if they do not know about Islam, will not blame Islam for the wrongdoings of the small number of evildoers as they recognise that all religions teach righteousness.
The Islamic religion provides comprehensive guidance in spiritual and social matters, with rules and regulations on everyday issues such as hygiene, diet, education, work, the roles of men and women, and positive work attitude.
Islam teaches its adherents to live a balanced life between seeking the bounties of this world and preparing for the bliss of the Hereafter. Islam does not preach terrorism, violence or any other obnoxious acts. On the contrary, the Qur an says: Who is better in speech than one who calls (mankind) to God, work righteousness, and says I am of those who bow in Islam. (41:33) This verse informs the Muslim that he ought to observe the following three main obligations:

To call people to God - that is, to call people to the Divine Path of Righteousness.
To work righteousness - that is, to carry out righteous deeds and actions.
To bow to Islam - that is, to completely follow the teachings of Islam.
There can be no greater or so sublime a duty than to undertake these three noble obligations in bringing and sustaining goodness, truth and beauty on earth. Indeed, undertaking such responsibilities would be the source of the Muslim s honour, pride and dignity.
Islam is not responsible for those Muslims involved in terrorism and violence, who completely ignored, or were unaware of, the clear-cut Qur anic command that if anyone kills an innocent person (Muslim or non-Muslim), it would be as if he had killed the whole mankind (5:32) for which the sin is enormous. However, these misguided Muslims make up only a tiny fraction of the vast majority of practising Muslims who adhere to Islam and find peace and happiness in it. People should know what Islam really is. They should explore Islam to discover its truth as can be seen from its concept - that Islam which started with moral teachings by the first man (Prophet Adam), developed with the advancement of human needs by succeeding prophets, like Prophet Abraham, Prophet Moses and Prophet Jesus (or Jesus Christ), and finally completed at the time of, and by, Prophet Muhammad. This concept is like the education system, from primary school level to tertiary level - the higher the level, the more rewarding is the magnitude because of its comprehensiveness, though each level has its own merit for spiritual enlightenment.
This book would certainly meet the demand of such a seeker of knowledge by providing him an insight into this beautiful, rational, dynamic and forward-looking religion.
When exploring Islam, it is vital to look at Islam from a total approach - from its concept to its moral and practical teachings. It is to provide an explanation of the foundation and substance of Islam that this book has been written very simply and concisely in topical form with numerous supporting quotations from the Qur an (Words of God) and the Hadith (sayings and deeds of the Prophet).
Indeed no one book is able to provide answers to all the imaginable questions or to thoroughly satisfy every seeker of knowledge. This book is no different. Anyone requiring an in-depth knowledge on any aspect of Islam may consult relevant books written in English by Muslim academics and scholars, and even approach local Muslim organisations for advice.
Finally, this handy book is dedicated to anyone and everyone, irrespective of race, religion or culture, who reads it to know and understand Islam and Muslims better so that together we can live harmoniously, respecting one another, and working towards making the world a better place to live in.

Shaik Kadir
July 2017
INITIAL NOTES
Some explanation is required for the way certain words, spelling and expressions are used in this book.
Special terms
All special Islamic terms are written in italics and their interpretation is given immediately within brackets, like khutbah (sermon) , instead of placing the words and their interpretation in a separate glossary at the end of the book.
The term solat (Islamic prayers) is used instead of the term prayers because solat is a very special and formalised activity totally different from prayer .
Salutation for prophets
When the name of Prophet Muhammad is mentioned, Muslims say Sallallah alaihi wasallam which means Peace be upon him , often abbreviated to PBUH in Islamic literature. This