Islam is an Arabic word meaning submission, it means that you totally submit to God, and worship Him only with no other partner.

Here also I must explain what does worship means? It doesn’t mean that you only pray, its meaning is much much wider, to worship God is that you look at Him as your master, no other master controlling you, so He is the ONLY one whom you are loyal to, He is the ONLY One whom you rely on, He is the ONLY One whom you fear, He is the ONLY One who judges you and puts rules for you, why? Because He is our Creator, He is the Creator of the Universe and Creator of everything, He is the Mighty, the Compassionate, the Merciful,the Omnipotent, the Omniscent. He is the One who created the Universe.

21. O ye men! Worship your Lord WHO created you and those before you, that you may guard against evil. (Holy Quran 2:21)

How did we know that? God sent prophets to us to teach us the right doctrine and to tell us the laws He gave for us to go along with in our life, and we shall be accounted on this in the Hereafter.

Don’t think that the beginning of Islam was only since Muhammad (Peace be upon him), no that’s wrong, Islam began from the beginning of creation, God created Adam (Peace be upon him) and Adam was a Muslim, because he really worshipped God only, and began to have a family, all the family were Muslims, and the life went on, then people began to deviate from this meaning and forgot God, began to worship idols, God sent the prophets: Noah, Hud, Saleh, Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon, Jesus, Muhammad and many other prophets (Peace be upon them all), the mission of all these prophets was to restore people back to the right way of God. Prophets may have different laws according to the time and place conditions, but at the end they have one belief.

25. And WE sent no Messenger before thee but WE revealed to him: `There is no god but I; so worship ME alone.’ (Holy Quran 21:25)

But at the end all these prophets are not gods, they don’t have any divine nature, because Allah is the ONLY God, so when Jews put very wrong concepts of God that made Him like a child they are deviating from concept of worshipping God, because they are insulting Him, and when Christians say that Jesus is God or God’s son, or that God is one in Trinity, they are really deviating from the concept. We in Islam refuse all these forms, if someone said that Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is our God, he is immediately a disbeliever, Allah is the ONLY God.

79. It does not befit a truthful man that ALLAH should give him the Book and Wisdom and Prophethood, and then he should say to men, `Be my worshippers instead of ALLAH; but he would say, `Be solely devoted to the Lord because you teach the book and because you study it.
80. Nor does it befit that he should bid you to take angels and Prophets for lords. What! Would he enjoin you to disbelieve after you have submitted to God. (Holy Quran 3:79)

This is generally What we Muslims believe in.


What does Islam tell us?



God ordered us to be merciful, treat people well, help people, He recommended us to treat our parents well, and to keep always on helping them.

23. Thy Lord has commanded that ye worship none but HIM, and that ye show kindness to parents. If one or both of them attain old age with thee, never say to them as much as ugh nor reproach them, but always address them with kindly speech.

24. And lower them the wing of humility out of tenderness. And say, `My Lord, have mercy on them even as they nourished me when I was a little child.’ (Holy Quran 17:23-24)

Even if they were not Muslims we must treat them well but we don’t obey them if they ordered us to disobey God.

15. And if they contend with thee to make thee set up equals with ME concerning which thou hast no knowledge, obey them not, but be a kind companion to them in worldly affairs, (Holy Quran 31:15)

God ordered us to keep always in contact with our relatives God said:
36. And worship ALLAH and associate naught with HIM, and show kindness to parents, and to kindred and orphans (Holy Quran 4:36)

Also the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: ” He/She who believes in Allah , the Almighty and Day of Judgment , must communicate , be good, courteous and kind to his kith and kin or relatives.” (Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)

Also we are also recommended to treat the neighbors well, even if they were not Muslims and even if they treated us badly as God said:

And to the neighbor who is a kinsman and the neighbor who is a stranger (Holy Quran 4:36)

Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “(Arch Angel) Gabriel, PBUH, pressed on reminding me with the right of the neighbor until I thought he is going to consider him an heir ( of mine) .” (Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)

He also says: “The best of neighbor s in the sight of Allah, the Almighty, is the one who is best to his neighbor“(Narrated by Tirmithee)

God also told us to take care of orphans as in the previous verse:

36. And worship ALLAH and associate naught with HIM, and show kindness to parents, and to kindred and orphans (Holy Quran 4:36)

There was a very severe punishment to those who take money of orphans as God said:

10. Surely they who devour the property of the orphans unjustly, only swallow fire into their bellies, and they shall burn in a blazing fire. (Holy Quran 4:10)

God ordered us to be completely fair with people even if we saw two people having a problem, one of them is Muslim, the other is non Muslim, and we found the right with the non-Muslim, I must judge for the non-Muslim.

135. O ye who believe ! be strict in observing justice and be witnesses for ALLAH, even though it be against yourselves or against your parents or kindred. Whether he, against whom witness is borne, be rich or poor, ALLAH is more regardful of them both than you are. Therefore follow not your low desires that you may be able to act equitably. And if you hide the truth or evade it, then know that ALLAH is Well-Aware of what you do. (Holy Quran 4:135)

God ordered us also not to commit adultery, because it is not a mess, and because it destroys the society and makes people deviate and spoil, that’s why God, ordered us to take all the reasons to prevent this to happen, so He ordered women to wear Hijab which covers their body and heads so as not to provoke men to look at her, but to let her appear in a respectful way, as her body is not for free to be seen by all people, but for only the one she accepts to be her husband. Actually Hijab was an old Christian tradition recommended by early church fathers:
Tertullian made a book specially for that issue, and said in its introduction:
Having already undergone the trouble peculiar to my opinion, I will show in Latin also that it behoves our virgins to be veiled from the time that they have passed the turning-point of their age: that this observance is exacted by truth, on which no one can impose prescription—no space of times, no influence of persons, no privilege of regions. For these, for the most part, are the sources whence, from some ignorance or simplicity, custom finds its beginning; and then it is successionally confirmed into an usage, and thus is maintained in opposition to truth. http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf04.iii.iv.i.html
See also the didascalia apostolorum, which is supposed to be a reliable source for the Orthodox: Thou therefore that art a Christian, (p. 9) do not imitate such women; but if thou wouldst be a faithful woman, please thy husband only. And when thou walkest in the street, cover thy head with thy robe, that by reason of thy veil thy great beauty may be hidden. And adorn not thy natural face; but walk with downcast looks, being veiled.
http://www.bombaxo.com/didascalia.html

Also Allah ordered women when talking with men, not to be soft in speech but to talk in a serious way.

31. And say to the believing women that they restrain their looks and guard their private parts, and that they display not their beauty or their embellishment except that which is apparent thereof, and that they draw their head-coverings over their bosoms ( Holy Quran 24:31)

So be not soft in speech, lest he, in whose heart is a disease, should feel tempted; and speak decent words. (Holy Quran 33:32)

As God ordered women to cover their body, he ordered men not to look at women, because this arises their sexual desire, and may lead them to adultery, or at least may them go astray from their duties in this life.

30. Say to the believing men that they restrain their looks and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Surely, ALLAH is Well-Aware of what they do. (Holy Quran 24:30)

God ordered us not to lie or to promise with something and don’t do, Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said that this is a sign of hypocrisy.

119. O ye who believe ! fear ALLAH and be with the truthful.(Holy Quran 9:119)

And fulfill the covenant; for the covenant shall be questioned about.

35. And give full measure when you measure and weigh with a right balance; that is best and most commendable in the end.(Holy Quran 17:34)

70. O ye who believe ! Fear ALLAH and say the straightforward word.

71. HE will set right you actions for you and forgive you your sins. And whoso obeys ALLAH and HIS Messenger shall, surely, attain a supreme triumph.(Holy Quran 33:70-71)

God ordered us to say good words and avoid bad words and emphasized much on this because the slip of the tongue may cause many problems.

24. Dost thou not see how ALLAH sets forth a parable of a good word ? It is like a good tree, whose root is firm and whose branches reach into heaven ?

25. It brings forth its fruit at all times by the command of its Lord. And ALLAH sets forth parables for men that they may be reminded.

26. And the case of an evil word, is like that of an evil tree, which is uprooted from above the earth and has no stability. (Holy Quran 14:24-26)

God ordered us not to be arrogant but to be modest.

37. And walk not in the earth haughtily, for thou canst not thus rend the earth, nor canst thou reach the mountains in height. (Holy Quran 17:37)

63. And the true servants of the Gracious God are those who walk on the earth humbly and when the ignorant address them, they avoid them gracefully by saying, `Peace !’ (Holy Quran 25:63)

Finally God orders us to do everything good and avoid everything bad.

90. Verily, ALLAH enjoins justice, and the doing of good to others; and giving like kindred; and forbids indecency and manifest evil and transgression. HE admonishes you that you may take heed. (Holy Quran 16:90)


Pillars of Islam



They are five:

1. Witnessing that Allah is the only God and that Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is His messenger: as I explained in the beginning.

2. Praying: We pray to God five times a day in the mosques, from the benefits of praying:

a. Having communication with God who created us

b. Meeting with Muslims periodically every day, connecting with each other, which strengthens the Islamic society.

c. Helps us to stop sinning.

45. Recite that which has been revealed of the Book and observe Prayer. Surely, Prayer restrains one from indecency and manifest evil; and the remembrance of ALLAH is the greatest virtue. And ALLAH knows what you do. (Holy Quran 29:45)

3. Zakat: Every mature able Muslim pays 2.5% of his income to help in building Islamic society, this is the minimum, God promised us with high rewards for paying more and more.

39. Whatever you lay out at interest that it may increase the wealth of the people, it does not increase in the sight of ALLAH; but whatever you give in Zakat, seeking the pleasure of ALLAH – it is these who will increase their wealth manifold. (Holy Quran 30:39)

4. Fasting: Every healthy mature able Muslim must fast Ramadan (one of the Islamic months), all Muslims fast together in this month by stopping eating and drinking along the day, they begin fasting at the dawn, they have breakfast at the Sunset. This really builds the Muslim character, trains him to control his desire and his passion, besides when all Muslims fast together, this gives a beautiful picture of the Muslims being uniform, and it also makes the rich feel the hunger and thrusts of poor and motivates them to help the poor.

183. O ye who believe ! fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard against evil.(Holy Quran 2:183)

5. Finally, the pilgrimage: Every healthy able Muslim must do it once in his life. It is the annual Muslim conference where about 2 million Muslims meet in leaving rest their countries answering God’s call, wearing simple clothes, declaring their total obedience to God.

The rites of the Hajj include circling the Kaaba seven times and going seven times between the hillocks of Safa and Marwa, as Hagar did during her search for water. Then the pilgrims stand together in Arafa and ask God for what they wish and for His forgiveness, in what is often thought of as a preview of the Day of Judgment.

The end of the Hajj is marked by a festival, Eid Al-Adha, which is celebrated with prayers. This, and Eid al-Fitr, a feast-day commemorating the end of Ramadan, are the two annual festivals of the Muslim calendar.

96. Surely the first House founded for all mankind is that at Becca, abounding in blessings and a guidance for all peoples. 97. In it are manifest Signs; it is the place of Abraham; and whoso enters it, is safe. And pilgrimage to the House is a duty which men – those who can find a way thither – owe to ALLAH. And whoso disbelieves, let him remember that ALLAH is surely Independent of all creatures. (Holy Quran 3:96-97)

Islamic Sources of legislation



We in Islam have three main sources of legislation:

1.The Quran:

We believe that Ouran is Allah’s final word to all humanity.

1. Blessed is HE who has sent down Al-Furqan to HIS servant, that he may be a Warner to all the worlds – (Holy Quran 25:1)

God sent the Quran to His servant and Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) through His angel Gabriel distributed within 23 years. It has been tought to the Prophet’s disciple, where some of them memorized it, others kept on writing it. Then it was collected in one book immediately after the Prophet’s death. And through all ages, there have been many Muslims who memorized the Quran, and those who memorized the Quran had tests to make sure that they thorougly memorized it. And it has been transmitted through generations that way, simultaneously with writing.

This is a link for a full Quran translation:

http://www.islam101.com/quran/yusufAli/

2. The Sunna (Hadiths):

Which is the documentation of the Prophet’s life, quotes and deeds, what he did, what he ordered us to do, and forbidden us not to do, and every Muslim must follow it as God told us in the Quran:

31. Say `If you love ALLAH, follow me; then will ALLAH love you and forgive you your sins.’ And ALLAH is Most Forgiving and Merciful. 32. Say, `Obey ALLAH and HIS Messenger;’ but if they turn away, then remember that ALLAH loves not the disbelievers. (Holy Quran 3:31-32)

The word “Say” here is directed to Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).

It had been transmitted through documenting narrations from the Prophet’s disciples to generations after them, and there were severe conditions for a hadith to be accepted, the documentation began nearly after 100 years from the Prophet’s death, but within this time, anyone who tells any hadith must be known within the Islamic society that he is righteous, that he doesn’t lie at all, that he memorizes well and doesn’t forget quickly, and he must say who told him that hadith to know what is his source and examine it and there must be evidence that these two narrators really met each other. There are many documentations about all narrators to examine them and know if they are really accepted or not. The result is that at the end of every hadith, we have a chain of narrators, for that chain to be accepted, it must be continuous (i.e. each narrator saw the one before him and heard from him), and the narrators must have the conditions mentioned before.

The main books of hadith, are Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim which have no false hadith, then there are Al Tirmithee, Ibn Majah, Al Nasa’i, Abu Dawood, Ahmad, Al Bayhaqi, and other books, these books may have weak or false hadith, scientists examine hadiths, and see if it is really right or good or weak or false, actually the science of Hadith is a huge science, and many books have been written about it.

Here is a link for translations of main hadith hadith books but not all:

http://www.searchtruth.com/hadith_books.php

3. Consensus:

Which means that all Muslim accepted scholars agreed on something, then we consider it a source of legislation, because Allah said in the Quran:

115. And whoso opposes the Messenger after guidance has become manifest to him, and follows a way other than that of the believers, WE shall let him pursue the way he is pursuing and shall cast him into Hell, and an evil destination it is. (Holy Quran 4:115)

And Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: “My ummah will never agree upon an error” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, ibn Majah and Abu Dawood.

islam is terrorism.
islam is from satan disguised.
continue to fool yourself.
no true prophet of God anywhere in the history of the bible used the sword or killed people not to talk of killing innocent people.
muhammed on the other hand was a mass murderer and a deceit.
please prove me wrong

Nigeria unrest: 'Boko Haram' in deadly attack on Damboa
Map showing location of Maiduguri in Borno state, Nigeria Continue reading the main story
Nigeria under attack

Vigilante war
Gunning for Boko Haram
'Cut off' under emergency rule
From preachers to slave raiders
Suspected Islamic militants have attacked a town in north-eastern Nigeria, killing at least 11 people, reports say.

Witnesses said gunmen shot civilians and police in Damboa, about 85km (52 miles) from the Borno state capital, Maiduguri.

The area is a stronghold of the Boko Haram militant group.

The group was blamed for the deaths of 44 people in a mosque in the nearby town of Konduga last Sunday.

Local official Ayamu Lawan Gwasha said security forces repelled gunmen who attacked the police station and a military post in Damboa on Thursday night.

Farmer Mustapha Aji said other militants gunned down civilians and firebombed about 20 homes.

He told the Associated Press that residents had feared an attack following the deaths in Konduga and had asked for more security, but it hadn't yet arrived.

Another witness, student Adamu Isah, blamed the attack on Boko Haram fighters.

Correspondents say details of the attack have been slow to emerge because of a communications blackout imposed by the military.

In May, Nigeria declared an emergency in three north-eastern states in order to battle the militants.

On Wednesday the army said it had killed Boko Haram's second-in-command Momodu Bama, also known by his alias "Abu Saad".

However, there has been no independent confirmation of his death and Boko Haram has not commented on the statement.

Boko Haram is fighting to establish an Islamic state in Nigeria's mainly Muslim north.

Thousands of people have died since it began its insurgency in 2009.