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Islam
The basic belief in Islam is the Oneness and Incomparability
of God the Lord of Creation. Except for God, everything
else is part of Creation. Islam teaches that only God
has the right to be worshipped. Worshipping others whether
they be Prophets, angels, sages or saints is a grave
sin. Muslims are however not allowed to revile other
objects of worship. In Islam, any good action is considered
part of worship.
A Muslim is one who submits to the Will and Laws of
God in order to establish peace within himself, his
family, society and the world. The revelations that
Muhammad received from God is collectively called the
Quran. It collates and restates the wisdom of past revelations
to Messengers of God who were sent to peoples living
in different parts of the world at different times in
history. Muslims learned how to worship God through
the teachings of Prophet Muhammad. To believe in Prophet
Muhammad is to believe in all the Prophets and Messengers
of God who preceded him. Muslims also believe that Prophet
Muhammad is the last of the mighty chain of Prophets
and Messengers of God.
For many centuries from the eighth century C.E. onwards,
Muslims demonstrated a creative and innovative zeal
by, categorically speaking, holding the torch of civilisation
and balanced science and knowledge. They believed that
humanity has reached a stage where humankind should
be mature enough to relate God’s Guidance to new
situations, new forms of knowledge, new discoveries
and to science and technology.
There
are five fundamental principles of Islam. They are:
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There is nothing
worthy of worship but God and that Muhammad is
the Prophet of God |
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Praying five
times a day |
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Fasting from
dawn to dusk during the month of Ramadan.
This is to teach self-restraint, empathy for the
poor and hungry and enables one to shun vices and
enhance one’s humanitarianism and spirituality |
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Paying the social
welfare (obligatory) tax on wealth known as Zakat |
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Performing the
pilgrimage to the House of God, “Ka’bah” in
Mecca, if able to do so. |
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Islam is also a religion of
peace and the Prophet has said that Muslims should pray
daily (constantly) for world peace. Islam only allows
wars in self-defence and to help a community that appeals
for help against oppression. All forms of aggression are
otherwise strictly prohibited. When the earlier Muslims
had to defend themselves they did so ethically by not
resorting to scorching the earth policy, damaging the
environment, destroying crops, mutilating bodies, attacking
non-combatants, women, children or monks.
Position of Women in Islam
Islam considers both man and woman as equals. God only
accepts taqwa or piety as the criteria for merit.
Islam values marriages and encourages family life. Monogamy
is the norm while polygamy is allowed under difficult
or special circumstances. A Muslim woman also retains
her maiden name after marriage and is free to enter into
contacts in her own name.
Today, Muslims form the majority in more than 50 countries. Muslims also have
their own collective organisation known as the Organisation of Islamic Conference
(O.I.C).
In Singapore, Muslims form 15 percent of the population and the Islamic Religious
Council of Singapore is responsible for the religious affairs of the Muslims
such as administrating more than 70 mosques, Islamic schools (“madrasahs”)
and endowments (“awqaf”). |
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