Islam
Islam, a name given by Allah to this religion (Quran 5:4), is an Arabic word which literally means obedience and peace. ISLAM is derived from the Arabic root "SALEMA": peace, purity, submission and obedience. So 'Islam' would mean the path of those who are obedient to Allah and who establish peace with Him and His creatures. Its follower are called Muslims.
Islam is not a new religion. It is, in essence, the same message and guidance which Allah revealed to all prophets before Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. Allah says in the Qur’ân:
"Say, `We believe in ALLAH and that which has been revealed to us, and that which was revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes, and in that which was given to Moses and Jesus and other Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them and to HIM we submit." (Qur’ân 3-85)
Six main Articles of faith in Islam
- To believe in the Oneness of Allah.
- To believe in all His Angels.
- To believe in all His Books.
- To believe in all His Prophets.
- To believe in the Day of Resurrection.
- To believe in the Decree of Allah
The Five Pillars of Islam (Declaration of the Islamic Faith)
In order to enter into the fold of Islam i.e. to be Muslim, one has to know, believe, accept totally and sincerely apply the five basic principles (Pillars) on which Islam is based: Ibn Umar narrated that the Messenger of Allah - Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said: Islam is based on the following five pillars (principles).
- Bearing witness that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah
- Observance of Prayer
- Paying Zakat
- Fasting during Ramadhan
- Pilgrimage to the house of Allah.
Why I believe in Islam
Some Books on Islam
- Islam - Peaceful Religion A Lecture by Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V, Supreme Head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community delivered at the University D'Abomey - C A L AVI Cotonou, Benin, During his successful visit to Ghana, Burkino Faso, Benin and Nigeria
- Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam:
- Essence of Islam: [ Vol. 1 ] [ Vol. 2 ] [ Vol. 3 (pdf) ] [ Vol. 4 (pdf) ] [ Vol. 5 (pdf) ]
- An Elementary Study of Islam
- Message of Islam
- Islam my religion
- Synopsis of Religious Preaching Part II: [ Islam (1) ] [ Islam (2) ]
- Muhammad in the Bible
- The Philosophy of Revival of Religion
- Victory of Prayer over prejudice
- Punishment of Apostacy in Islam
- Islam - Its Meaning for Modern Man (pdf)
- Why Islam is my choice? - Personal accounts of spiritual journeys (pdf)
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
An Overview
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a religious organization, international in its scope, with branches in over 193 countries in Africa, North America, South America, Asia, Australia, and Europe. This is the most dynamic denomination of Islam in modern history, with worldwide membership exceeding tens of millions.
The Ahmadiyya Community was established in 1889 by Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) in a small and remote village, Qadian, in the Punjab, India. He claimed to be the expected reformer of the latter days, the Awaited One of the world community of religions (The Mahdi and Messiah). The Community he started is an embodiment of the benevolent message of Islam -- peace, universal brotherhood, and submission to the Will of God -- in its pristine purity. Hadhrat Ahmad proclaimed Islam as the religion of man: "The religion of the people of the right path" (98:6)
With this conviction, the Ahmadiyya Community, within a century, has reached the corners of the Earth. Wherever the Community is established, it endeavors to exert a constructive influence of Islam through social projects, educational institutes, health services, Islamic publications and construction of mosques, despite being bitterly persecuted in some countries. Ahmadi Muslims have earned the distinction of being a law-abiding, peaceful, persevering and benevolent community.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Islam was created under divine guidance with the objective to rejuvenate Islamic moral and spiritual values. It encourages interfaith dialogue, and diligently defends Islam and tries to correct misunderstandings about Islam in the West. It advocates peace, tolerance, love and understanding among followers of different faiths. It firmly believes in and acts upon the Qur'anic teaching: "There is no compulsion in religion." (2:257) It strongly rejects violence and terrorism in any form and for any reason.
The Community offers a clear presentation of Islamic wisdom, philosophy, morals and spirituality as derived from the Holy Qur'an and the practice (Sunnah) of the Holy Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). Some Ahmadis', like late Sir Muhammad Zafrulla Khan (who served as the first Foreign Minister of Pakistan; President of the 17th General Assembly of U.N.O.; President and Judge of the International Court of Justice, at the Hague), and Dr. Abdus Salam (the Nobel Laureate in Physics in 1979), have also been recognized by the world community for their outstanding services and achievements.
After the demise of its founder, the Ahmadiyya Community has been headed by his elected successors -- Khalifas. The present Head of the Movement, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, was elected in 2003. His official title is Khalifatul Massih V.
