|
Bismillahir
Rahmaanir Raheem
In the Name of Allah,
The Compassionate Source of All Mercy.
Islamic Foundation of North America
http://www.ifna.net
Guide to Islam For New Muslims
By Yahiya Emerick
Assalamu 'alaykum, peace be with you.
We would like to welcome you to the world of Islam.
After receiving so many requests from new and potential Muslims for
Islamic information, we have decided to compile this resource guide to
further your search for knowledge and to put the resources of the
entire Muslim Ummah (community) within reach.
This resource guide covers four main areas:
o The first section is a summary of
basic Islamic teachings and practices.
o The second section concerns
advice for Muslims on the path to truth.
o The third section is a listing of
the best books for a Muslim to read.
o And finally, a listing of basic
Islamic terms that you, as a new Muslim, ought to learn is provided.
May your path to knowledge be fruitful and may your road
to truth lead you to the right way. Ameen (Let it be so).
To become a Muslim you
only have to sincerely believe in
and
say the following phrase:
"Ash hadu an la ilaha ill Allah wa ash hadu anna Muhammadar Rasul
Allah."
"I declare there is no god but Allah and I declare that Muhammad is the
Messenger of Allah."
Section 1
Basic
Islamic Teachings
I. Beliefs.
Islam has seven main beliefs. They are contained in the formula known
as the Iman ul Mufassal. It goes as follows, "Amantu bil lahi wa
mala-ikatihi wa kutubihi wa rasulihi wal yowm ul akhiri wal qadri,
khayrihi wa sharihi min Allahi ta'ala wal ba'ith ba'ed al mowt."
In English it means, "I believe in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His
Messengers, the Last Day, Measurement, both the good and the bad are
from Allah the exalted, and in life after death."
A. Allah.
This is the name for "God" in Arabic. Allah is not a human, not a male
and not a female. We only say the term "He" when referring to Him
because there is no "It" in Arabic. All nouns are automatically
masculine or feminine. Allah created everything and was never created.
He is never born, He never has children and the human mind cannot
encompass His magnitude and greatness. He is loving but just, merciful
but stern. Only by surrendering to His will can we come into accordance
with His universal will.
B. Angels:
They are not human, nor male or female. They are the servants of Allah
and never rebel against him. We believe in a devil-creature called
Shaytan (Satan) but he is not a fallen angel. He is a creature called a
Jinn who rebelled against Allah. Angels record our good deeds and bad
and are behind the events of nature and enforce Allah's will in the
universe, although He doesn't need their help.
C. Books:
Allah has sent revelation to thousands of humans throughout history.
Some of those revelations were organized bodies of teachings meant to
be recorded as "books" whether written or oral to be handed on to
future generations. We know the names of five of these books. They are:
the scrolls of Ibrahim, (Abraham), the Taurah of Musa, (Moses), the
Zabur (Psalms) of Dawud, (David), the Injeel of 'Esa (Gospel of Jesus)
and the Qur'an of Muhammad. Only the last book has survived until the
present day. All others have been lost or altered so much so that they
are all but worthless.
D. Messengers:
These are Allah's Prophets and Message-bringers to whom Allah gave
revelation. Every nation and race on earth received at least one in the
past. They all taught the same message: to surrender to Allah and do
right. Thus we say they all taught Islam. The first was Adam and the
last was Muhammad. The Qur'an mentions the name of 25 Prophets and
Messengers.
E. The Last Day:
Human history will end one day. Allah will end the earth at some future
date and all human beings that ever lived will be raised up for
Judgment Day. After each person's good and bad deeds as well as their
beliefs are examined, they will be sent to either Paradise (Jannah) or
Hell (Jahannam).
F. Measurement:
Allah has measured the length of our life in this world, our economic
status, where we will die, etc... The word "Qadr" is sometimes
translated as destiny or pre-destination or even fate. But the word
actually means "to measure."
G. Life After
Death: Eternal life in either Heaven or Hell for our souls based
on what we believed and did while we lived in the world. Some
people will be taken out of hell and admitted to heaven when the term
of their punishment is over.
II. Practices.
Islam has seven main practices in the life of a Muslim. Five of those
practices are grouped together and are known as the Arkan al Islami, or
Pillars of Islam. The following Hadith lists them as follows: "Buniyal
Islamu 'ala khamsin: Shahadati an la ilaha ill Allah wa anna Muhammadar
Rasul Allah. Wa ooqimus Salati wa i-ta azakati wa hajjil bayti wa saumi
Ramadan."
In English it means: "Islam is built on five things: Declaring that
there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
Establishing Prayer, paying the Charity, making a pilgrimage to the
House and fasting in Ramadan."
A. Shahadah.
Declaration of Faith. Saying, "Ash hadu an la ilaha ill Allah wa ash
hadu anna Muhammadar Rasul Allah." "I declare there is no god but Allah
and I declare that Muhammad is the Messenger of
Allah."
B. Salah.
Prayer. This is the ritual prayer that Muslims perform at five set
times each day. To neglect any one of them counts as a sin. The names
and times of each prayer are as follows:
1. Fajr. Before sunrise.
2. Zuhr. About a half an
hour after noon.
3. 'Asr. About two to three
hours before sunset.
4. Maghrib. Immediately
after sunset.
5. 'Isha. After the last
light of the departing sun is gone from the sky.
C. Zakah.
Purifying Charity. It is the annual payment of 2.5% of our yearly
economic accumulations, after expenses, for the benefit of the poor,
orphans, the needy, etc...
D. Saum.
Fasting. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims abstain from all food,
drink, anger, sex, smoking and bad deeds from just before fist light
until sunset. This is a training time for us to learn to control our
gluttony, anger and bodily needs. We learn our mind is stronger than
our urges, weaknesses and desires.
E. Hajj.
Pilgrimage. A once in a life-time trip to Mecca to purify your soul and
reconnect with our ultimate purpose in life. The month of Hajj is when
millions of Muslims all over the world arrive to serve Allah wearing
only simple, white clothes and no status or titles. We remember the
real poverty of this world and the severity of the Day of Judgment.
The other two practices are known as Da'wah and Jihad. Da'wah means
calling others to Islam and Jihad means to struggle in Allah's cause.
That struggling can be physical, spiritual or mental. The word Jihad
does not mean "Holy War."
III. Holidays.
There are only two official holidays in Islam. One comes at the end of
Ramadan and is called the 'Eid ul Fitr. (Festival of the Fast
Breaking). The other comes at the end of the Hajj and is called the
'Eid ul Adha. (Festival of the Sacrifice.)
Some Muslims celebrate such things as the birthday of the Prophet,
(Mawlud un Nabi), or the 'Eid ul Ghadir (which is a much later holiday
centered on 'Ali, the Prophet's cousin, whom a group of Muslims called
"Shi'a" revere), but standard Islam (Qur'an + Prophet's sayings and
example) doesn't seem to give any overt or tacit support to these
holidays. The Blessed Prophet said in authentic sayings that
there were only two holidays in Islam, 'Eid ul Fitr and 'Eid ul
Adha. The commemoration of the Prophet's birthday is
debated among Muslim scholars.
IV. Halal and Haram.
Halal items are allowed by Allah. Most foods in the world are Halal.
Haram means forbidden by Allah. Haram foods are alcohol and other
intoxicants, pork, carrion, most carnivorous animals, meat dedicated to
idols. For the meat of an animal, other than seafood, to be Halal
for a Muslim, it must be slaughtered in a specific manner. The
process is called Dhabiha. Basically it is a similar procedure to
the Jewish method of kosher preparation. Kosher meat is also
allowed for Muslims, as per the Qur'an. Some Muslims believe that
"supermarket" meat and fast food meat is also halal, but Allah said in
the Qur'an that the meat prepared by the Jews and Christians is
allowed, whereas almost no one in America practices Christianity
anymore, as it was practiced in ancient times. Modern
slaughtering techniques, with their attendant cruelty and unsanitary
nature, do not pass the halal test for us. It is a bit of a
hardship but we believe in the prevention of cruelty to animals and
modern slaughterhouses are places of tremendous cruelty. There
are detailed books on the subject.
There are also Halal and Haram ways to make money. Any business or
activity that involves Interest-money is Haram as is any business
involving gambling, alcohol, Haram foods or deceit.
V. Male/Female
Relations.
Islam provides a code of manners for male/female interaction outside
the home. It is impossible not to interact with the opposite sex
in daily life such as in the workplace, school or shopping
centers. Some very conservative Muslims have this silly and
misguided notion that men and women are forbidden to have any
interaction unless they're married. Reading the Qur'an and Hadith,
however, we get a different picture. The early Muslims, until
recent times, had a relatively egalitarian attitude towards male/female
relations. Muslims have only freaked out in the last two hundred
years with isolationism and ultra-conservatism becoming rampant.
Today's arch conservatives would have you believe that a woman's place
is in the kitchen and nothing more, but this is not what you will find
when you read about Muslim society in former times. Men and women can
interact in legitimate settings such as in a business, market, school
or social gathering provided they follow certain points of etiquette.
A. Women and men must be wearing clothes that
fulfill Islamic requirements of decency. Men must be covered from the
knees to the navel, and normal daily wear consists of some type of
robe, or pant/shirt combo. A turban or some other form of a
headgear is strongly recommended. Muslim men are required to have
some sort of a beard (if they can grow one). Many secular minded
Muslims do not wear a beard due to the influence of certain dominant
cultures in the world which look down upon beards.
Women must be covered from their ankles to their
necks and down to their wrists in loose fitting clothes. In addition, a
head covering must be wrapped over the hair. This is called the Hijab,
or scarf. (Khimar is a related term.) Face veils,
gloves and socks are not required, even though some very conservative
Muslims hold that it makes a woman more purified and sincere. (It
is more a cultural trend than an authentic religiously sanctioned
position.)
B. An unmarried man and woman should never be alone
together in a room. No person should ever be alone with someone of the
opposite sex unless they are married to that person.
C. Men and women are not to talk to each other in a
soft or intimate-sounding voice unless they are married to each other.
Women are to address men in a firm and even tone so that the men don't
get any false ideas.
D. When meeting and greeting: Men shake hands and
hug only other men. Women shake hands and hug only other women. (Unless
they are married to each other, of course.)
E. Men and women who are not married to each other
never touch.
F. If two people are interested in getting married,
the woman should arrange for a male relative to act on her behalf as
her representative. That way she doesn't have to feel pressured or
undignified. If a woman doesn't have any reliable male relatives
to represent her interests, she may choose another Muslim male, usually
an Imam or other trusted person to act on her behalf.
VI. Names.
Islam does not require a person to change his or her name. The only
case where a person should think about changing their name is if the
meaning of their name is offensive. (Once a man came to the Prophet and
introduced himself. The man's name meant "Downcast and somber." The
Prophet suggested he change his name to a better once such as Abdur
Rahman: "Servant of the Merciful.")
Many Muslims like to take on Islamic or Arabic-style names as an
expression of their affiliation, but this is not required. An Arab name
is not always an Islamic name. Names identified with Islam exclusively
usually have some relationship to being a servant of Allah or to the
Prophet and the most famous Muslims around him.
There are many books which give lists of names associated with both
Islam and Muslim culture. Some examples of currently available books
are:
1. A Dictionary of Muslim Names.
2. The Book of Muslim Names.
3. A Digest of Muslim Names. Amana Publications.
4. Names for Muslim Children.
VII. Islamic Phrases.
Islam has its own key phrases to use in daily life. Some of these are
listed below along with the times to use them.
1. When starting to do something: "Bismillahir
Rahmanir Raheem."
(In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the
Merciful.)
2. When mentioning something that will be done in
the future. "Insha'llah." (If Allah wills.)
3. When praising something say, "Subhanullah."
(Glory to Allah.)
4. When in pain or distress. "Ya Allah." (O Allah.)
5. When appreciating something say, "Masha-Allah."
(As Allah willed.)
6. When thanking someone. "Jazakullah." (Allah
reward you.)
7. When you see something bad. "Nowthzubillah."
(Allah protect us.)
8. When saying you're sorry to Allah for a sin.
"Astaghfirullah." (Allah forgive.)
9. After sneezing or when you're happy about
something. "Alhumdulillah." (Praise Allah.)
10. When meeting someone. "Assalamu 'alaykum."
(Peace be upon you.)
11. Replying to the above greeting. "Wa 'alaykum
assalam." (And upon you be peace.)
12. When hearing about a death or tragedy. "Inna
lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajiun."
(To Allah we belong and to Him we return.)
13. When giving in charity. "Fee eemanullah." (In
Allah's faith.)
14. When taking an oath. "Wallah." (I Swear to
Allah.)
15. If someone sneezes and they say,
"alhumdulillah," you reply with, "Yarhamakullah." (Allah have mercy
upon you.) The sneezer will reply back, "Yehdikumullah" which
means, "Allah guide you."
Section 2
Advice
for Muslims
Books for Learning
After reviewing hundreds of books, we have selected the following
materials as the best in quality, writing style, accuracy and content
for Islamic education.
Part A
The Best Qur'an Translations
1. The Meaning of the Holy Qur'an.
Translated by 'Abdullah Yusuf Ali. Amana Publications.
Strengths: It
is very easy to get, the deluxe edition contains the Arabic text and
has very nice commentary. It is a standard translation used all
over the world. You can also find this translation with a
transliteration sometimes.
Weaknesses:
The English translation is in old style English, some translated
passages are not clear. Cost: Between $10 and $20 depending on the size
and style of printing.
2. The Noble Qur'an.
Translated by Muhsin Khan and T. Al Hilali. Dar ul Ihya.
Strengths:
The English is sort of easy to read except for the annoying and endless
parenthetical notes. It has the Arabic text printed very
sharply. It's accuracy is good.
Weaknesses:
The translators have put some of their own opinions in the footnotes
and parenthetical notes in the translated text that are not
necessarily true. For example, they give the impression that
women are not allowed to pray in the Masjid (Mosque) and that
face-veils and gloves are required for Muslim women to wear. Both
of these things can be proven wrong by the sayings of the Blessed
Prophet. But besides a few seemingly anti-women oriented opinions, the
translation reads smoothly. Cost: The book comes in
many sizes from tiny to large. Prices vary from $10 to $30.
3. The Glorious Qur'an.
Translated by Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall.
Strengths:
It is available everywhere, oftentimes for free.
Weaknesses:
The English is so hard to understand that it's almost impossible to
read. Cost: Free up to $20.
4. The Noble Reading.
Translated by T.B. Irving.
Strengths:
It is in fairly modern English. It is attractively printed.
Weaknesses:
The English is often awkward and there are many unusual words used,
e.g. sprites, etc... Cost: $10-$30.
5. The Holy Qur'an as Explained by
Allamah Nooruddin. Translated By A. and A. Omar.
Strengths:
The book is nicely printed with a leather cover. It "feels" holy
because of its meticulously designed presentation. The
translation is very, very clear. Much clearer than any other
translation.
Weaknesses:
Some of the translated verses are not entirely accurate to the meaning
or understanding of the majority of Muslims. The translators belong to
a sectarian group outside of traditional Islam. Cost: $10-$20.
6. The Message of the Qur'an.
Translated by Muhammad Asad. Dar ul Andalus.
Strengths:
This is the most comprehensive, single volume translation and tafseer
you will ever find in one volume in English. It is excellent, to put it
mildly, if your interest is to understand the context of revelation and
the fine details behind Qur'anic teachings.
Weaknesses:
It is a hard to find book. Some of the tafseer glosses over more
difficult concepts making it harder to understand what is actually
being said. It is Hardcover only and is 8.5 X 11 inches in
size. Cost: About $50.00 on average.
7. Towards Understanding the Qur'an.
Multiple Volumes. Translated by A.A. Maududi and Zafar I. Ansari.
Strengths:
Very clear English. Very detailed commentary. Very accurate and
reliable.
Weaknesses:
It comes in multiple volumes. The cost is high and not all volumes are
available yet, but it is worth the money as far as detailed learning is
concerned. A one volume translation is now available.
8. El Coran. Spanish
Translation by Abdel Ghani Melara Navio. This is
one of the only
Spanish translations done by a Muslim. The other
Spanish translation with the same name is done by a Christian named
Julio Cortes. Only the Muslim translation should be used because Julio
Cortes declared that he wanted to distort the Qur'an in Spanish. (Read
his preface and Intro in Spanish.) A new translation by Amana is
now available. We will review it shortly.
9. The Qur'an.
Translated by Muhammad Farooq Malik.
(of Texas) This translation has been chosen as the easiest to
read by various groups of Muslim teenagers I have presented it
to. Although there is no index and the introductory notes are not
as detailed as other translations, it is probably the best translation
to give to native speakers of English and to Muslim teenagers.
Strengths:
Clear, easy to read style.
Teenagers prefer its language to any other.
Weaknesses:
No index, odd notes placed within
the text, odd style of numbering verses and over-wordy Surah
introductions. The organization is sometimes unclear and the size
of the book is too large and unwieldy.
10. The Qur'an.
Translated by M.A.S. Abdul Haleem.
Published by Oxford University Press.
Strengths:
This is a fairly clear translation
in English.
Weaknesses:
It reads a bit dryly at times, and
the grammar choices are sometimes awkward. There isn't really any
peripheral material such as a good index, glossary, etc...
11. The Holy Qur'an in Today's
English. Translated by
Yahiya Emerick.
Strengths:
This work, which is due to be
published in 2008, is in the easiest to read English yet (without being
simplistic or demeaning to the reader.) It has a huge amount of
commentary that gives reasons for revelation in detail, as well as
historical information on the development of doctrines, ancient peoples
referenced in the Qur'an and more.
Weaknesses:
It is not published yet, though
the manuscript is finished and is under review by Islamic scholars
arranged by ICNA.
There are other Qur'an translations available, but
they either suffer from choppy English and bad grammar or are difficult
to get. Examples include those by Shakir, Ahmed Ali, Ameer Ali,
Daryabadi, etc.. Beware of non-Muslim translations. They distort the
meanings of Qur'anic verses on purpose and even admit to doing it in
their introductions just so they can insult Islam. Some non-Muslim
translations are by N.J. Dawood, Rodwell, Sales, Arberry and others.
Part B
The Best Books For Learning Islamic Beliefs
1. What Islam is All About. By
Yahiya Emerick.
Covers everything. Need we say more.
2. Islam: Beliefs and Teachings.
By Ghulam Sarwar.
Good basic overview. PB
3. Revolution by the Book.
Imam Jamil Al Amin.
Good basic overview. PB
4. Fate and Predestination.
Sheikh Muhammad al Sharawi.
Best book on this difficult subject.
5. Ihya Uloom ud Din. Imam al
Ghazali.
An excellent classical work on Islamic beliefs and how the thinking
person lives them.
6. The Remembrance of Death and the
After-Life. Imam Abu Hamid Muhammad
al Ghazali.
Pretty much the best book for issues on life after death.
7. Let Us Be Muslims. Abul
A'la Maududi.
Explains the need for sincerity and also goes over the significance of
our practices.
8. Islam in Focus. Hamuddah
Abdel Ati.
Although the writing is a little dry, it is a good general reference.
9. The Complete Idiot's Guide
to Understanding Islam. By
Yahiya Emerick.
A complete overview of Islam from start to finish.
10. The Complete Idiot's Guide
to the Koran. Sheikh Sarwar.
A good overview of the Qur'an's major themes in modern terminology.
Part C
The Best Books For Learning the Prophet's Life
and the Lives of His Sahaba. (Companions)
1. The Life of Muhammad. M. H.
Haykal.
Extremely detailed and fun to read.
2. Muhammad. By Martin Lings.
Reads like an old-style novel. Not always entirely accurate.
3. The Life of Muhammad. Tahia
Ismail.
Very good book.
4. Al Raheeq al Makhtum. The
Sealed Nectar.
Very good, but HB only.
5. Companions of the Prophet.
2 Vols. Abdul Wahid Hamid.
The best books on the subject in English.
6. God-Oriented Life. Maulana
Wahiduddin Khan.
This book will change your life for the better. A must read.
10. Muhammad. By
Yahiya Emerick.
A bio that reads like a novel.
Part D
The Best Books For Learning Arabic
1. Easy Steps in Arabic. Abdul
Wahid Hamid. MELS. Beginner level.
Booklets, cassettes.
2. Access to Qur'anic Arabic.
Abdul Wahid Hamid. MELS.
Advanced Level. Books and cassettes.
3. Arabic Grammar Made Easy.
Abu Ameenah Bilal Phillips.
Intermediate Level. One book.
4. Arabic Writing Made Easy.
Abu Ameenah Bilal Phillips.
Intermediate Level. One book.
5. Mastering Arabic. J.
Wightwick and M. Ghaafar.
Intermediate to Advanced Level. Focuses on spoken Arabic more than
Qur'anic Arabic, though. One Book and two cassettes.
6. Elementary Modern Standard Arabic.
U. of Michigan. Available from
Kazi Publications. It is an organized course but a teacher is
required to get the full benefit of its broad scope.
Part e
The Best Books of Hadith (Prophet's Sayings)
Many Muslims like to get an entire set of the main hadith collections
such as Bukhari or Muslim, but there is a more cost-effective way to
get a lot of authentic ahadith. There are many collections put together
by different scholars that take Hadiths from all the six main
collections of Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, An Nisa'i and Abu
Dawud. They are listed as follows:
1. Riyadh us Saliheen.
Compiled By Imam An Nawawi.
2. Mishkat ul Masabih. A
hadith collection.
3. Summarized Bukhari. (Hadith
collection in one volume) by Al Hilali
and Khan.
4. A Study of Hadith. By
Khalid M. Shaikh. (For understanding Hadith
terms, etc...)
5. Hadith Literature: Its Origin,
Development and Special Features.
Muhammad Zubayr Siddiqui.
(The best book for those seeking an in-depth book into how the Hadith
were recorded and the sciences around it.)
Part f
The Best Books For Spiritual Reading
1. Inner Dimensions of Islamic
Worship. Imam Abu Hamid Muhammad al
Ghazali.
2. Thinking About God.
Ruqaiyah Waris Maqsood..
3. American Islam. Richard
Wormser.
4. On Disciplining the Soul and
Breaking the Chains of the Two Desires.
Imam al Ghazali.
5. Struggling to Surrender.
Jeffrey Lang.
6. Even Angels Ask. Jeffrey
Lang.
7. Jewels of Remembrance.
Camille and Kabir Helminski.
8. Living and Dying With Grace.
Trans. by Thomas Cleary.
9. The Alchemy of Happiness.
Imam al Ghazali.
10. The Road to Mecca. By
Muhammad Asad.
11. Remembrance and Prayer.
Muhammad al Ghazali.
12. Forty Hadith Qudsi. Imam
an Nawawi.
13. Daughters of Another Path.
Carol Anway.
Part G
The Best Books For Special Topics
1. How To Tell Others About Islam.
By Yahiya Emerick. (Da'wah, or
Islamic Outreach)
2. The Bible, Qur'an and Science.
By Maurice Bucaille. (Science and
Islam)
3. The Islamic Nation. Ali
Nawaz Memon. (Politics)
4. Islam, Black Nationalism and
Slavery. Adib Rashad. (History)
5. Imam Bukhari's Book on morals and
Manners. Imam Bukhari. (HB)
(Hadith)
6. The Proper Conduct of Marriage.
Imam al Ghazali. (Marriage advice
for men)
7. The Muslim Marriage Guide.
Ruqayyah Waris Maqsood. (Marriage advice
for women and to a lesser extent, men)
8. The Muslim Woman's Handbook.
Huda al Khattab. (Everyday women's
Issues)
9. The Evolution of Fiqh. Abu
Ameenah Bilal Phillips. (History of Fiqh)
10. The Child in Islam. Norma
Tarazi. (Children/Family)
11. Bent Rib. Huda al Khattab.
(Women's Issues)
12. Reliance of the Traveler.
Trans. by Nuh Ha Mim Keller. (Fiqh)
13. The Lawful and Prohibited in
Islam. Yusuf al Qaradawi. (Fiqh)
14. Hans/Wehr Arabic-English
Dictionary. (Its the most useful
Arabic/English Dictionary)
15. The Choice. 2 Vols. Ahmad
Deedat. (Comparative Religion)
16. Covering Islam. By Edward
Said. (Media and Islam)
17. Jesus a Prophet of Islam.
By M. Ata ur Rahim. (Comparative Religion)
18. The Myth of the Cross.
A.D. Ajijola. (Comparative Religion)
19. Subverting Islam. Ahmad
Ghorab. (Islam vs Misinformation in college)
20. Al Ahkam as-Sultaniyyah.
Abul Hasan al Mawardi. (Islamic Government
at Work)
21. Fiqh us Sunnah. 5 Vols.
Sayyid Sabiq. (Excellent Fiqh reference
books)
22. In Search of Islamic Feminism.
Elizabeth Fernea. (Women's Issues)
Part H
Videos for Learning
1. Living Islam. 6 Volumes.
Akbar Ahmad. Astrolabe.
2. Women in Islam. 2 Volumes.
Astrolabe.
3. The Message. Astrolabe.
4. The Book of Signs. Sound
Vision.
5. The Qur'an and Space Sciences.
Astrolabe.
6. The Guests of God.
Astrolabe.
7. Muhammad the Last Messenger.
Astrolabe.
8. Salat. Astrolabe.
9. Hamza Yusuf: On Islam and Muslims.
Astrolabe.
10. Jesus and Muhammad: A
Comparative Study. Ahmad Deedat.
11. Is the Bible the Word of God?
Hamza Abdel Malik. Astrolabe.
12. Islam: A Closer Look.
Astrolabe.
13. Pathways to Islam.
Astrolabe.
14. Christ in Islam. Ahmad
Deedat. Astrolabe.
15. The Making of the Last Prophet.
Yusuf Islam. Astrolabe.
16. Americans Becoming Muslims.
Aminah Assilmi. Astrolabe.
Part I
Audios for Learning/Enjoyment
1. We are Muslims.
(Children's' Songs) Astrolabe
2. The Most Beautiful Names.
(Very nice Islamic Chanting) Astrolabe
3. The Easy Way to Learn the Last 14
Surahs. Astrolabe
4. Adhan and How to Make Wudu and
Salat. Astrolabe
5. Choosing Islam: Sahaba and
Sahabiyat as Our Role models. Hamza
Yusuf/Yusuf Islam.
6. The Life of the Last Prophet.
Yusuf Islam. Sound Vision.
7. The Fundamentals of Islam.
Abu Ameenah Bilal Phillips. (Lecture)
Astrolabe.
8. What Every American Should Know
About Islam and Muslims. Jeffrey
Lang. Astrolabe
9. Islam in America: Past, Present
and Future. Imam Abdullah Hakim
Quick. (Lecture) Astrolabe.
10. Introduction to Islam and Muslims
in North America. Imam Abdullah
Hakim Quick. (Lecture) Astrolabe.
11. Deeper Roots: Muslims in the
Americas Before Columbus. Imam
Abdullah Hakim Quick. (Lecture) Astrolabe.
12. Muslim Character. Abu
Ameenah Bilal Phillips. (Lecture) Astrolabe.
13. Anything from Ahmad Deedat if
your interest is comparative
religion.Anything from Ahmad Deedat if your interest is comparative
religion. Anything from Ahmad Deedat if your interest
is comparative religion. Anything from Ahmad Deedat
if your interest is comparative religion.
Available
everywhere.
Section 3
Where to Find Learning Materials
Recommended Bookstores
2. Sound Vision
US & Canada: Orderline: 1-800-432-4262; Phone: 312-226-0205; Fax:
312-226-7537; email: info@soundvision.com
Mail: P. O. Box 4563, Chicago, IL. 60680, USA
3. Astrolabe
201 Davis Dr. Sterling, VA 1-800-392-7876
4. Noorart
Richardson, TX
National Islamic Organizations
1. ISNA (Oriented towards
organization of Muslims in North America)
PO Box 38, Plainfield, IN 46168 1-317-839-8157 www.isna.com
2. ICNA (Oriented
towards Indian sub-continent concerns)
166-26 89th Ave, Jamaica NY 11432 718-658-1199
Free Islamic Question/Answer service at 1-800-662-ISLAM
www.icna.com
3. ISC (Sufi oriented)
607A W. Dana St, Mountain View, CA 94041 1-888-ASUNNAH
www.sunnah.org
4. American Muslim Council
(Political-action oriented)
5. Islamic Assembly of North
America (Very conservative,
Salafi oriented).
6. World Ministry of W.D.
Muhammad (Oriented mostly towards
African-American concerns. Holds a major convention annually.)
7. Muslim American Society (MAS)
Magazines
1. Islamic Horizons (National
issues of concern to Muslims.)
PO Box 38, Plainfield, IN 46168 1-317-839-8157
2. The Message
(Da'wah-oriented with some emphasis on politics and
social issues.)
166-26 89th Ave, Jamaica NY 11432 718-658-1199
3. Al Jumu'ah (Conservative
approach, focuses on beliefs and Fiqh.)
PO Box 5387 Madison, WI 53705 608-277-1855
4. Crescent International
(Politics.)
300 Steelcase Rd West #8, Markham, Ontario, Canada L3R 2W2 905-474-9292
5. The Muslim Magazine (Cultural
and Spiritual side of Islam (Sufism)
with a nice variety of content.)
607A W. Dana St, Mountain View, CA 94041 1-888-ASUNNAH
One free sample copy upon request.
6. Azeezah Magazine.
(Women's magazine)
Section 4
Basic
Islamic Terms
Every way of life has its
own vocabulary. This enables people to communicate about detailed
topics using only a few key words. It is important that Muslims learn
the vocabulary of Islam so that we all know what we're talking about.
This unites us as Muslims and brings us closer to a sense of belonging
to the same community.
Abdul: This
means "Servant of." Many Muslims like to change their names
from non-Muslim names to Muslim names. A favorite choice is Abdul. But
who is the person a servant of? You must always have something after
"Abdul." The place to look is in the 99 Names of Allah. Allah has many
names, such as Wadud (the Loving), Malik (the King), Rahman (The
Merciful), Hakim (the Wise.) Just add one of those after Abdul and you
become "The Servant of _______". (For example: Abdul Khaliq: The
Servant of the Creator.) etc...
Adab: Manners.
Adhan:
(Athzan) The call to prayer.
Ahl al Kitab:
This means the "People of the Book." Allah uses this term
in the Qur'an to refer to the Jews, Christians and any other people who
received revelation from an authentic Prophet in the past. Because the
Ahl al Kitab lost their revelations and twisted the teachings they had,
Allah sent one last Messenger to the world, the Prophet Muhammad. He
brought the Qur'an from Allah. The Ahl al Kitab are called to believe
in Allah's last message. To repeat: their own message has been lost or
changed so much that there is very little of Allah's truth left in it.
The Bible is not the word of Allah. It is a book made up of people's
writings that was put together by Europeans in the year 325 at Nicea.
That's 300 years after the time of Prophet Jesus ('Esa).
Ahmadiyya: A
sectarian movement that began in India over one hundred
years ago. They believe that one man named Ahmed Ghulam is a new
prophet from God. Their worldwide headquarters are in
Qadian, India, and they have missions worldwide.
Akhee: My
brother.
Akhirah: The
next life.
Akhlaq: Your
character and behavior.
Alhumdu lillah:
All Praise is for Allah.
'Alim: A scholar. The plural is
'Ulema.
Allah: The
name for God in the Arabic language. (Literally: THE GOD).
Muslims prefer to say "Allah" no matter what language they speak
because in Arabic it is a stand-alone word. In other words, you can't
make it masculine or feminine, plural or whatever. In English you can
change "God" to Gods, Goddesses, Demi-God, etc... There is no way to do
that in Arabic to the name, Allah.
Islam teaches that Allah is not a male or a female, nor is He black or
white. He is not even a human like us. We only use the term "He" when
we refer to Him because their is no "it" in Arabic and it seems
disrespectful to call Allah an "it" in English. Allah sometimes refers
to Himself as "We" or "Us" but don't be mislead. In many languages,
(including English) a single being can call himself a "We" if he wants
to so that it emphasizes his power. Allah is everywhere and nowhere. He
is never tired and He never needs a "rest." He is Loving and the
upholder of justice and He is the Source of Creation.
Allahu Akbar:
"Allah is the Greatest." This is the universal catch-all
phrase of Muslims. When a Muslim shouts, "Takbeer" (Who's the
Greatest!) everyone replies with "Allah Akbar!"
Amir: This
means a leader. The Prophet said every group of Muslims must
make a leader among them, even if they were only three in number. An
Amir is not a dictator and can't just order people around, however. He
must also be elected by the consent of the majority. Because Allah said
believers consult each other in their affairs (shura), the Amir must
listen to the opinions of the Muslim group and take them seriously. If
an Amir begins to clearly go against Islamic teachings, then the
Muslims must elect a new one.
Angels: In
Arabic they are called the Mala-ika. They are created from
light energy. Their only purpose is to serve Allah. They are behind the
forces of nature. Some Angels are given the job of watching humans and
noting their deeds for judgment day. Angels can take on physical form,
sort of like a hologram, and can appear as humans or whatever. They are
all good and never disobey Allah. They are not male or female.
Christianity teaches that some angels went bad and that's where Satan
and the devils came from. Islam teaches that this is not true. Angels
are also not people running around in white robes with halos over their
head.
Ansar: The
helpers. The basic reference is to the new Muslims of Medina
who helped the Prophet and the Meccan Muslims after they fled Mecca.
Arabic: A
language which originated in the Middle East, specifically in
the Arabian peninsula. It is the language Allah chose to reveal His
last revelation to the world in.
Arkan al Islami:
This means the Pillars of Islam. There are five main
practices or "pillars" in the life of a Muslim.
Assalamu 'alaykum:
"Peace be upon you." This is the universal Muslim
greeting. The Prophet said that Muslims must use this greeting when
they meet. There are also verses in the Qur'an about it. If a person
approaches a group, the person should say it first. A younger person
should greet an older person first. The reply is "Wa alaykum assalam."
"And upon you be peace."
Ayah: A verse
of the Qur'an. The word literally means a "sign." The
plural is Ayat.
Bahais:
A sectarian movement that grew out of Shi'a Islam, but
then it broke away to form its own path. Bahaiism is basically a
hybrid of Islamic philosophy wedded to a universalist outlook.
Their headquarters are in Haifa, Israel.
Barzakh: The
time in between our death and the day we are raised up for
judgment. Our souls will be in "storage" or Barzakh. The word literally
means, "Partition" or "Dividing Line."
Bid'a: This
means "Innovation" or "Unauthorized Changes." The Prophet
forbade people from making any changes to the teachings or practices of
Islam. He said such things and people would go to the Hell fire.
Da'wah: This
means calling people (to Islam). If you're talking to
someone about Islam you're doing Da'wah. A Da'i is the person who does
Da'wah.
Deen: Way of
Life. Islam is not a religion, it's a way of life.
Dhikr
(Thzikr): This means to remember Allah. When you repeat words or
sentences over and over so you can meditate on Allah and cleanse your
mind, you are doing or making dhikr. Common dhikr phrases are: "La
ilaha illa Allah" (There is no god but Allah.) "Subahanullah wa
Bihumdeehee" (Glory to Allah and His is the Praise.) Saying that last
one 100 times gets all your sins forgiven according to the Blessed
Prophet. There are many more. Many Muslims like to get those prayer
beads to help them keep count but the Prophet said you get more reward
if you do it on your fingers alone.
Du'a: This
means to call on Allah. Whenever you ask Allah for
something, whether out loud or inside, you are calling on Him. You can
make du'a in any words, in any language and Allah has promised to
respond, although in a way we might not expect. Many Muslims like to
learn some of the du'as that the Prophet said, but you can use your own
words to talk to your Maker.
Dunya: This
world. "Hayatud Dunya": "The life of this world."
'Eid: (Or:
'Id.) The Muslim holiday. There are two Eid's. One at the
end of fasting in Ramadan is called Eid ul Fitr. The other after the
Hajj is over is called Eid ul Adh ha.
Fard:
Something you must do in Islam. Something that is required by
Allah for us to do.
Fatwa: A
scholar's opinion or judgment on an issue related to Islam. It
is not binding on a Muslim if there is doubt about it or it can be
shown to be faulty. Only a recognized scholar, or 'Alim can issue
Fatwas and other scholars must investigate the veracity of their basis.
Fiqh: The
science of understanding the Shari'ah. In the past small
groups of people with similar opinions about the Shari'ah joined
together and formed intellectual clubs called a Math-hab. Today there
are five big groupings of these Madh-habs. Shaf', Hanbali, Maliki,
Jafari and Hanafi. Not all Muslims accept the Jafari school as valid
due to technical reasons. A Muslim can follow the ideas of any one of
them or none of them at all. After all, we have the Qur'an, the sayings
of the Prophet, the sayings of his companions and our brains. Don't be
afraid to use them.
Ghusl: A full
shower. A Ghusl is required after any sexual discharge or
activity before prayers can be offered again. A Ghusl is highly
recommended on Fridays before going to Jum'ah prayers.
Hadith: A
saying or report by or about the Blessed Prophet. The most
reliable collections of Hadith are named after the scholars who
collected them in the early days of Islam and checked on them for
accuracy. They are: Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, An Nisa'i,
Ibn Majah. There are some good books that take Hadiths from the main
six and group them by topic. Those good resource books are as follows:
"Riyadh as Saliheen" "Mishkat ul Masabih" and "Al Muwatta."
Hafiz: (Hafithz)
A memorizer or guardian of the entire Qur'an.
Hajj: The
pilgrimage to Mecca.
Halal:
Allowed for a Muslim.
Haram:
Forbidden for a Muslim.
Hijab: The
scarf a woman wears over her head. Some Muslims who like to
compromise their beliefs say it's not required in Islam. It is,
however, required and all women must wear it. The face-veil (niqab) is
not required, but some women like to wear it. Islam does not require a
woman to wear gloves or socks but some very conservative Muslims try to
teach this. This is Bid'a. They didn't even have gloves, for example,
in the Prophet's time in Arabia.
Hijra: To
migrate. This term refers firstly to the great migration of
the Muslims in the year 622 from the hostile city of Mecca, which was
controlled by idol-worshippers, to the safer city of Madinah (then
called Yathrib) where Islam could exist freely. The Islamic calendar
begins with the Hijra as the first year.
'Ibadah: This
term is often translated as "worship" but it is not a
correct translation. The word worship in English just means praying and
bowing, like worshipping in a church. But the term 'Ibadah literally
means "service" and it comes from the root word, "to serve." When we
say that Islam considers all life to be 'Ibadah, we mean that our whole
life should be lived in the service of Allah. We are here to serve
Allah. In Islam, any good deed, action or thought, even just holding a
steady job or smiling at someone is considered doing 'Ibadah for Allah.
Iftar: The
meal you eat after sunset in Ramadan. Suhoor is the light
breakfast before first light in the morning during Ramadan.
Imam: Literally: leader. Although most Muslims take this term in the
sense of a leader of the prayers, it does apply to the group leader
outside of prayer as well. An Imam must be elected by the Muslims or at
least accepted by them if he is appointed from outside. If the
community rejects him, then he cannot be the Imam.
Eman:
(Eemaan) Belief or faith. The root word of Eman is Amuna. It
implies three meanings: 1) to believe, 2) to confirm that belief in
your heart, and 3) to feel safe. Eman is what makes a person a
Muslim. Often spelled "Iman".
Ihsaan:
Usually translated as "goodness". The Prophet (p)
defined it as knowing that Allah is watching you even though you don't
see Him.
Injeel: The
Gospel of Prophet 'Esa (Jesus). The New Testament of the
Bible is not the Gospel of Jesus. The New Testament was written by a
lot of different authors and contains stories about Prophet 'Esa, but
it is not 'Esa's message. The present New Testament was assembled three
hundred years after the time of Prophet 'Esa by a group of white men on
a Greek Island who voted on what their "holy" book should contain. Most
of the votes were hotly debated! The Roman emperor who ordered them to
do it then told all Christians to accept this new compilation of
writings. All other Christian writings were ordered to be destroyed.
The New Testament contains four books called Gospels: (Matthew, Mark,
Luke and John). Hundreds more "Gospels" from other authors were burned.
A few such as the Gospel of Barnabas and Thomas have survived. The
Gospel of Jesus was never written down and is lost.
Insha'llah:
If Allah wills.
Iqamah: The
second call to prayer just before the actual prayer begins.
Islam: To
surrender to Allah and find peace.
Jahannam:
Hell.
Jam'a:
Together, in a group.
Jannah:
Paradise, Heaven. It literally means "the Garden."
Jibra'il: The
angel that brought Allah's revelation to the Prophet.
Allah is so powerful and majestic that it is beneath him to reveal
Himself to humans. We are like an ant next to a star in comparison to
Allah. He sends the angels to do these small jobs, though He doesn't
need them. In English his name is Gabriel.
Jinn: These
are another type of creature Allah created. They are
invisible to us but they can see us. They were made from fire elements
and thus are pure energy. They are not like ghosts or weird monsters.
They can influence your thoughts, encourage you to do wrong, and
whisper fears into your mind. They can be good or bad. The good jinn
leave us alone. The bad ones, who are also called Shayateen, or Devils,
want to destroy you. Astrologers and fortune tellers get their
"predictions" and "readings" from them. Jinn spy on the Angels and
learn secrets about the future, then they whisper it into the minds of
the fortune tellers. Jinn live, die and have families like us but they
exist on another plane altogether. The Prophets could control the Jinn
but none of us ordinary people can. Although we believe Jinn can
possess a human body, Islam teaches that it's not very common. Don't
believe every "Jinn story" Muslim immigrants will tell you about their
aunt or second cousin's brother. Most of it will be superstitious
stories that are culturally based.
Jumu'ah: The
Friday Prayer in which all Muslims gather to hear a sermon
called a Khutba. It's time is in place of the Zuhr Salah, usually
somewhere between 12 pm and 2 pm. It is mandatory on all men to attend.
It is optional for women. The Prophet said if you miss three Jumu'ahs
in a row then hypocrisy will start to enter your heart.
Kafir: This
means a person who covers up the truth. Usually we say the
easier English word "unbeliever." The plural is Kuffar. (Unbelievers.)
The noun (unbelief) is Kufr.
Khalifah:
This word means Steward, Manager or Care-taker. Allah made
humans to be the Khalifah of the earth. In other words, we were given
the earth as a trust to take care of. We shouldn't ruin it or pollute
it. The head of the Muslim Ummah is also called a Khalifah because he
is to take care of the Muslim community. Muslims are supposed to elect
a Khalifah, but there hasn't been a world-wide Khalifah for a long time.
Khatib: The
person who gives the Khutbah, or Friday sermon. The
preacher during Friday services.
Kitabullah:
The Book of Allah. (The Qur'an.) The word Kitab means book.
Mahr: The
money (or whatever else) that the man has to give to a woman
in order to marry her. It is called the marriage-gift and a woman can
ask for whatever she wants. If it is money, it can be deferred and paid
gradually over time. The husband can never take it away for any reason.
Malik ul Mawt:
The Angel of Death.
Masjid:
Literally means, "the place of bowing." This is the name
for a Muslim prayer hall.
Madh-hab:
This means, "School of Thought." In Islam we have the Qur'an,
the example of the Prophet and the sayings and guidance of the
Prophet's companions. Through the centuries, various Muslim scholars
have tried to make those teachings easier for Muslims to live by
through organizing them, talking about them and trying to use those
tools to find answers to questions where those first three sources are
quiet.
Of course different opinions developed between different scholars and
some people chose to follow one scholar or the other. Those differences
in ideas about how to follow Islamic rules are called "Schools of
Thought." There are five main schools today. Some people say you have
to "follow" one of those schools to be a Muslim, but this is not true.
You have to follow Islamic teachings but you don't have to put some
label on yourself. Each of the five schools is named after the scholar
who founded or inspired it. The five are: Maliki, Hanafi, Hanbali,
Shaf'i and Jafaari. Most "Shi'a" Muslims follow the Jaafari school. The
books and writings of the schools are a good source of information
about the particulars of Islam, but our real label is, "I am a Muslim,
and only a Muslim." The Shaf'i school is considered the easiest school
and the Hanbali is considered the hardest in terms of social and
personal rules.
Mecca: (Also
spelled Makkah). A city in Arabia founded thousands of
years ago by Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham). At that time it was called
"Becca." Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, was born there in the
year 570.
Medina: (Also
spelled Madinah). A city about 200 miles north of Mecca.
The Prophet established the Islamic community there. He passed away
there and is buried there.
Mu'adhan: The
person who does the call the prayer.
Mujahid: A
person who does Jihad.
Mu'min: A
person with Iman. A true believer.
Mus-haf: The
Arabic text of the Qur'an. "Brother, hand me a Mus-haf."
(Qur'an with the Arabic in it).
Mushrik: A
person who commits Shirk (making partners with Allah).
Usually an idol-worshipper. A Hindu would be considered a Mushrik
because they bow down to statues.
Muslim: A
person who surrendered to Allah and is working at finding
peace.
Nabi: This
term means Prophet.
Nafs: This is
often translated as "soul" but it really means "the
self," i.e. "You and only you."
Naar: The
fire (of Hell).
Nikkah: The
wedding ceremony.
Qadr: This
term is often translated as "Destiny" or "Pre-destination."
This is not entirely accurate. It means literally "to measure." The
religious idea behind it is that Allah measured everything in the
universe. The length of your life is "measured," as is your fortune and
your life's circumstances. Because of the knowledge of Allah, He knows
if you will be a believer or a kafir but He doesn't make you be either
one of those.
Qadiani:
Another name for the sectarian Ahmadiyya
movement.
Qiblah: The
direction of Prayer. All Muslims make their prayers, or
salat, facing Mecca. Allah commanded us to do this in the Qur'an as a
show of unity and to remember Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) who built the
first shrine there in that place so many thousands of years ago.
Prophet Adam is said to have built an even older shrine many thousands
of years before that in that very place.
Qur'an: This
is the name of the Book Allah revealed to the Prophet
Muhammad from the years 610-632. Allah revealed it in stages, one
section at a time, as the Muslims were ready to follow it. It has 114
chapters called surahs. It was revealed in the Arabic language and has
never been lost, changed or edited, like the Bible or Buddhist books
have.
We have lots of translations of the Qur'an into English, but a
translation can never be as good as the original words and their full
meaning. All Muslims try to learn Arabic so they can read the Qur'an.
Be advised, there are two different types of Arabic. The first is the
language of the Qur'an, in other words, whatever vocabulary words are
used in the Qur'an. The second type of Arabic is everyday Arabic, in
other words, things that would help you talk about a sports game, a
vacation or a day at the office. Many Muslims get bogged down by
studying the second type of Arabic. You should work towards the first
type if your main goal is to understand the Qur'an.
Ramadan: The
ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims are required
to fast from before sunrise to sunset every day of this month. There
are many details concerning this so consult the section on beliefs and
practices.
Rasul: This
term means Messenger.
Ruh: Your
spirit or soul. Allah gave it to you on loan and thus you had
better not sin and dirty it up.
Sadaqah:
Charity.
Sahaba: A
companion of the Prophet.
Sahabiyat:
The female companions of the Prophet.
Sajda: Bowing
on the floor in prayer; prostration.
Salafi: This
is the name of a group of Muslims who try as hard as they
can to imitate the Blessed Prophet in every aspect of life. Their name
comes from Salaf, (ancestors) which is a reference to the Sahaba and
the generation immediately after them. The Salafis take them as models
as well. Sometimes it may seem that the Salafis emphasize the laws and
punishments of Islam so much that they make you feel there is no
Islamic love and mercy. This is because they are sometimes very zealous
in their views. Other Salafis know that the Prophet emphasized the
heart and soul more than outward rules. After all, if you don't have
love of Allah deep in your heart, you won't follow any rules, no matter
how harsh the punishments. The great advantage to listening to the
Salafis is that they can always be relied upon to be concerned about
what is correct and incorrect. They tend to be conservative on women's
issues. Not all Muslims accept many of their more extreme
positions.
Salat: (or
Salah) This means prayer, the prayer in which you stand, bow
and prostrate. The literal meaning of the word is: to make a
connection with.
Shahadah: The
Declaration of Faith. By believing in and declaring the
following phrase, a person becomes a Muslim: "Ash hadu an la ilaha
illallah, wa ash hadu anna Muhammadar rasulullah." "I declare that
there is no god but Allah, and I declare that Muhammad is the Messenger
of Allah." There are other ways to say this formula but this is the
most common one. When a person accepts Islam, all his or her past sins
are forgiven and his or her record is wiped clean and they start again
from that moment as if they were just born.
Shaykh: Literally:
Chief or Boss. It is the title that Muslims
sometimes give to their scholars. It is not required in Islam but many
people like to use this term.
Shari'ah: It
is usually translated as Islamic Law. It means the path of
Islam.
Shi'a: This
is the name of a sect or division in the Muslim community.
Shi'aism (Partisanship) began originally as a political protest against
the first Khalifah, Abu Bakr but it eventually grew into a
separate sect of Muslims with its own version of Islamic teachings.
About 10-15% of the world's Muslims are Shi'as. While they are still
Muslims and believe in almost everything that Sunnis do, there are some
serious differences in their understanding and practice of Islam
vis-�-vis the majority Sunni community.
The biggest group of Shi'as are known as the Twelvers, (they believe in
a line of 12 leaders) then there are the Seveners, Isma'ilis, Alawiya
and others. The Baha'is came out of the Shi'a community in Iran.
(Baha'ism is a religion created in the 1800's in Iran.) The
Druze of Syria and Lebanon also came from Shi'aism. All Shi'a
groups share a belief that the Prophet's cousin, 'Ali, should have been
the first Khalifah, not the fourth, and that only blood relatives of
the Prophet Muhammad can be Khalifahs.
Shirk: This
is the greatest and most terrible sin. It is the one sin
that can keep your soul out of Paradise and doom you to Hellfire. It
means making partners with Allah. If a person says that there are many
gods, or says that Allah is divided up into different people (such as
the Trinity teaching of Christianity) then they are committing Shirk.
Allah said it is the one sin He won't forgive if you die while doing
it. The Blessed Prophet Muhammad once mentioned also that a person who
likes to feel greatness in their heart was also committing a kind of
Shirk. This is because all greatness is for Allah and we should always
try to be humble. The Prophet also said, "La Yad khulu al Jannah min
kana fee qal beehee mith qalu habbatin min kibr." "They won't enter
Paradise, the one who has even a little bit of the love of greatness in
their heart."
Shaytan: (or
Shaytan) It means Satan. (The literal meaning is to
separate from.) Islam teaches that a Jinn named Iblis didn't want to
bow when Allah commanded a bunch of angels to bow down to Adam in
respect of his knowledge. Iblis thought he was better than both humans
and angels. Allah banished him to earth and let him have extended life
until the Day of Judgment. That is because Iblis challenged Allah and
said if he had time he would corrupt all human beings. Iblis's name
literally means "Frustrated." He is also known as the Shaytan, or Satan.
Siyam (or Saum) Fasting.
Subhanullah:
"Glory to Allah." This phrase is said whenever we're happy
or when we see something wonderful.
Sufi: This is
the name for a group of Muslims who want to be
super-spiritually oriented. Sufis tend to try and be as close to the
Sunnah as possible and they like to do group dhikr and chanting. While
most Sufis are okay Islamically, there are a few groups that go way out
and are close to being outside of Islam. Such far off groups sing,
dance, twirl around, drink wine, deny Salat, etc... Most Sufis you will
encounter are of the okay kind. They are distinguished by their
traditional Islamic dress and turbans. The word Sufi comes from the
term for wool cloth, which was a material early Sufis liked to wear to
emphasize how they didn't want to be captured by the love of fineries
in this world.
Sufis organize themselves into "orders" or groups, called Tariqas.
These groups are headed by a leader called a Shaykh who is considered
the most spiritual man with the most Taqwa among them. Some famous Sufi
Tariqas that operate all over the world are the Naqshabandis and
Qadiriyya. The most famous Sufi Muslim scholars that ever lived are
Jalaluddin Rumi, Muhammad al Ghazali and Abdul Qadir Jilani.
Suhoof:
"Scrolls." This is the name of the revelation given to Prophet
Ibrahim (Abraham) about 4,000 years ago. It was lost.
Sunnah: The
example or "way" of the Prophet. How he lived his life and
what his practices were.
Sunni: This
is the name of the largest sect or group of Muslims. This
group amounts to about 85-90% of all Muslims world-wide. Sunni's
believe in the mission of the Prophet as he taught it and try very hard
to adhere to the Prophet's example with no changes. This doesn't mean
that Sunni's are somehow the only 'true' Muslims, however, because the
Prophet never taught that we should even label ourselves Sunni's or
Shi'as.
Sunni Islam is just closer to real Islam. The best thing for a Muslim
to do is to drop all the labels and just say, "I'm a Muslim." But there
are many Muslims in the world who get emotional about wanting to call
themselves some kind of label besides the basic, "I'm a Muslim."
Have patience with them and do what is right. The term Sunni
comes from the title, "Ahl as-Sunnah wal Jam'a" which means, "People of
the Example (of the Prophet) and the Main Group (of First Muslims)."
Surah: It is
a chapter of the Qur'an. The word literally means "a step
up in progression" or a "fence."
Tafseer:
Commentary or explanation of the Qur'an. Many Qur'an
translations will have footnotes on the bottom of the page to help you
understand the meaning of an ayah. That would be called Tafseer.
Taqwa: This
term means many things at once. The first meaning is that
you are always aware that Allah is watching you. This brings you to the
second meaning and that is that you will try to be good always. Do you
see how the two things wrapped together can be so beautiful? When a
Muslim has Taqwa, we say they are "Aware of Allah" Conscious of Allah"
and striving to be righteous.
Tauhid:
Sometimes it's spelled Tawhid. It means the Oneness of Allah.
Allah has no partners, He is not divided up into parts and He is not in
need of anyone to help Him in anything whatsoever.
Taurah: The
revelation given to Prophet Musa (Moses). The first five
books of the old testament in the Bible are said to be the "Torah" of
Moses, but no serious Bible scholar, whether Jewish or Christian
believes that anymore. Musa's message was lost long ago. Just take a
look, everything about Prophet Moses in the Bible is written in third
person: "And Moses said this," and "Moses went there," Someone else
wrote those things, certainly not Moses!
Ukhtee: My
sister.
Wahy: This
word means revelation or inspiration. When Allah was
revealing His messages to the Prophet, we would say the Prophet was
receiving "Wahy." The Blessed Prophet once said that after him, all
Wahy from Allah was finished except for one thing: dreams that can come
true.
Wudu: Washing
for prayer.
Yowm ul Qiyamah: The Day of Judgment. (Literally: Day of Standing.)
Zabur: The
revelation given to Prophet Dawud (David). The Psalms in the
Bible are not the pure Zabur. Christian scholars admit that at least
half of the verses in Psalms were written by temple priests, government
workers, etc, in ancient Israel. And no one knows which half are from
Prophet Dawud and how many have been lost or altered.
Zakah: This
is often translated as "Charity" or "Poor-due" but the
literal meaning of the word is actually, "Purifying." Zakah is the
third pillar of Islam. It involves giving 2.5% of your yearly wealth,
after expenses, for the benefit of the poor and the needy. The
"purifying" part comes in by learning not to be greedy. If you give
some of your money for the sake of Allah to the poor, you make your
heart less prone to greed.
|
