Islam(/ˈɪslɑːm/;[note 1]Arabic:الإسلام,al-ʾIslāmIPA:[ælʔɪsˈlæːm]([image])[note 2]) is amonotheisticandAbrahamic religionarticulated by theQuran, abookconsidered by its adherentsto be theverbatimword ofGod[1](Arabic:اللهAllāh) and by the teachings and normative example (called theSunnahandcomposed ofhadith) ofMuhammad, considered by them to be the lastprophet of God. An adherent of Islam is called aMuslim.Muslims believe that God isone and incomparable[2]and thepurpose of existenceis to submit to and serveAllah(God).[3]Muslims also believe that Islam is the complete and universal version of aprimordial faiththat was revealed before many times throughout the world, including notably throughAdam,Noah,Abraham,MosesandJesus, whom they considerprophets.[4]They maintain that the previous messages and revelations have been partiallymisinterpreted or alteredover time,[5]but consider the Arabic Quran to be both the unaltered and the final revelation of God.[6]Religious concepts and practices include thefive pillars of Islam, which are basic concepts and obligatory acts ofworship, and followingIslamic law, which touches on virtually every aspect of life and society, providing guidance on multifarious topics frombankingandwelfare, towarfareand theenvironment.[7][8]Most Muslims are of twodenominations,Sunni(75–90%),[9]orShia(10–20%).[10]About 13% of Muslims live inIndonesia,[11]the largest Muslim-majority country, 25% inSouth Asia,[11]20% in theMiddle East,[12]and 15% inSub-saharan Africa.[13]Sizable minorities are also found inEurope,China,Russia, and theAmericas. Converts and immigrant communities are found in almost every part of the world (seeIslam by country). With about 1.62 billion followers or 23% ofearths population,[14][15]Islam is thesecond-largest religionand one of thefastest-growing religions in the world.[16][17][18][19]Etymology and meaningIslam is a verbal noun originating from thetriliteral roots-l-mwhich forms a large class of words mostly relating to conceptsof wholeness, safeness and peace.[20]In a religious context it means voluntary submission to God.[21][22]Muslim, the word for an adherent of Islam, is theactive participleof the same verb of whichIslāmis theinfinitive. Believers demonstrate submission to God by serving God, following his commands, and rejectingpolytheism. The word sometimes has distinct connotations in its various occurrences in theQuran. In some verses,there is stress on the quality of Islam as aninternal conviction: Whomsoever God desires to guide, He expands his breast to Islam.[23]Other verses connectislāmanddīn(usually translated as religion): Today, I have perfected your religion (dīn) for you; Ihave completed My blessing upon you; I have approved Islam for your religion.[24]Still others describe Islam as an action of returning to God—more than just a verbal affirmation of faith.[25]In theHadith of Gabriel,islāmis presented as one part of a triad that includesimān(faith), andihsān(excellence), whereislāmis defined theologically asTawhid, historically by asserting that Muhammad is messenger of God, and doctrinally by mandatingfive basic and fundamental pillarsof practice.[26][27]Articles of faithMain articles:AqidahandImanGodMain articles:God in IslamandAllahIslams most fundamental concept is a rigorous monotheism, calledtawhīd(Arabic:توحيد). God is described in chapter 112 of the Quran as:[28]Say: He is God, the One and Only; God, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him.(112:1-4) Muslims and Jews repudiate the Christian doctrine of theTrinityand divinity ofJesus, comparing it topolytheism. In Islam, God is beyond all comprehension and Muslims are not expected to visualize God.[29][30][31][32]God is described and referred to by certain names or attributes, the most common beingAl-Rahmān, meaning The Compassionate andAl-Rahīm, meaningThe Merciful (SeeNames of God in Islam).[33]Muslims believe that the creation of everything in the universe was brought into being by God’s sheer command, “‘Be’ and so it is,”[34]and that thepurpose of existenceis to worship God.[35]He is viewed as a personal god who responds whenever a person in need or distress calls him.[36]There are no intermediaries,such asclergy, to contact God who states,I am nearer to him than (his)jugular vein.[37]The reciprocal nature is mentioned in thehadith qudsi, I am as My servant thinks (expects) I am.[38]Allāhis the term with nopluralorgenderused by Muslims and Arabic-speaking Christians and Jews to reference God, whileʾilāh(Arabic:إله) is the term used for a deity or a god in general.[39]Other non-Arab Muslims might use different names as much as Allah, for instanceTanrı inTurkish, Khodā inPersianorXudāinUrdu.
Posted on: Tue, 28 Jan 2014 16:39:59 +0000
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