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 Prophet 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 people 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:
• There is nothing worthy of worship but God and that Muhammad is the Prophet of God
• Praying five times a day
• 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
• Paying the social welfare (obligatory) tax on wealth known as Zakat
• Performing the pilgrimage to the House of God, “Ka’bah” in Mecca, if able to do so.
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 contracts 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 (“waqaf”).
Source: http://www.nhb.gov.sg/PE/FOF_2003/religions_islam.html
