Common Questions

Jihad refers to the struggle or effort made by an individual in the pursuit of righteousness and the betterment of society. In Islamic terms, this concept carries a deeper connotation that involves spiritual, social, and physical struggles aimed at achieving a righteous and just society. Jihad is frequently associated with military campaigns waged against non-believers, but this is a misinterpretation. Islam emphasizes peace but acknowledges that self-defense is necessary in some situations. The greater Jihad in Islam is to strive towards individual spiritual development by engaging in regular prayer and participating in charitable activities for community improvement. Jihad does not include violence against innocent people or aggression towards non-Muslim communities. Instead, it promotes courage and determination to resist oppression and uphold the principles of justice and freedom for all individuals irrespective of their religious affiliation or background.

According to Islamic beliefs, the Quran is the revealed Word of Allah to Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Therefore, it has to be preserved in its original form. It is said that the Arabic language was chosen because of its significance in Islamic history and culture. Arabic was the common language among the people of Arabia who were the primary audience for Prophet Muhammad’s message. Furthermore, it is a language rich in vocabulary and grammar with no other language able to encapsulate such depth and beauty. Thus, it would not have been appropriate or just for other languages to be superior or preferred over Arabic. The eloquence and expressiveness of the Quranic Arabic enable readers worldwide to have access to an intellectually engaging text that employs numerous styles, including storytelling, narration, rational arguments, and ethical guidance. This plays a significant part in why Arabic remains an integral importance to Islam today.

The reasons why Muslim women wear hijab are primarily based on Islamic values. Muslim women who wear the hijab choose to do so out of deep faith and obedience to Allah (Exalted be He).  The Quran instructs both men and women to dress modestly, which is perceived differently by different cultures. Additionally, when a woman wears a hijab, she is protecting herself. Furthermore, hijab allows Muslim women to express their identity and independence while maintaining their faith-based values beyond outward appearances. While some argue that wearing the hijab is oppressive or subjugating, many Muslim women view it as empowering and fully endorse its benefits.

According to Islamic beliefs, Jesus (may the peace of Allah be upon him) was not crucified. Instead, he was saved by Allah and raised to the heavens. According to the Quran, in chapter 4 verse 157, it states that "they did not kill him nor did they crucify him, but someone was made to resemble him". This suggests that a person who looked like Jesus was crucified instead of him. Muslim scholars believe that this resurrection is part of Allah's plan for his life and reflects the ultimate power and mercy of God. The concept of Christ as God or the son of God is also rejected in Islam, where he is considered to be one of many prophets sent by Allah to guide humanity towards righteousness. Thus, while Muslims regard Jesus as a major figure in their faith tradition, their understanding of his life and death differs significantly from Christian beliefs about these events.

Muslims do not follow the Christian practice of baptism. In Islam, ablution or purification through water is a highly valued ritualistic practice that precedes prayer and is known as (Wudu’) ablution. However, it is considered different from baptism which symbolizes cleansing and rebirth in Christianity. Muslims purify themselves for prayers five times a day by performing Wudu’ which includes washing hands, mouth, nose, face, arms up to the elbows, wiping the head with a wet hand, and washing feet up to the ankles. Wudu’ is considered one of the fundamental means of attaining spiritual cleanliness as well as physical hygiene in Islamic daily life. While there are no sacraments similar to baptism in Islam or any requirement to achieve faith through any such symbolic gestures or actions because faith in Islam is generally based on personal inner conviction and deeds rather than external signs or ceremonies.

The first thing to understand is that the Quran does not promote or encourage violence against women in any way. In fact, Islam places a great deal of emphasis on treating women with respect, dignity, and kindness. The Quran explains that men and women are equal in the Eyes of Allah, and that both are entitled to equal rights and opportunities. The term “striking or beating” in the Quran is often used in a symbolic sense, rather than a physical one. In many cases, the word is used to describe the idea of giving a stern warning or admonition, rather than physical violence. The Quran discourages the use of harsh language or physical violence, even in cases where a husband may be deeply upset with his wife.

In reality, the overwhelming majority of Muslims condemn terrorism and seek peaceful coexistence with people of all religions. It is critical to recognize that terrorism does not discriminate based on ethnicity, religion or nationality; rather it is a result of multifaceted geopolitical issues fueled by extremism and lack of socio-economic opportunities in conflict-ridden regions. By educating ourselves on the true principles of Islam and rejecting harmful stereotypes, we can foster mutual understanding and constructive dialogue between different faiths, leading to a more peaceful world.

As a fundamental pillar of Islam, praying five times a day is considered essential for every Muslim. Prayer, or Salat, plays a central role in shaping the daily routine of Muslims and serves as a regular reminder of their devotion to Allah. The importance of prayer goes beyond fulfilling religious obligations; it also allows Muslims to deepen their spiritual connection with God, seek forgiveness for their sins, and gain peace and tranquility.  Furthermore, prayer facilitates social cohesion by bringing together communities in congregational prayers at mosques. It provides Muslims with an opportunity to reflect on the purpose of life and align themselves with the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Thus, Praying five times a day is not only important but also necessary for every Muslim to maintain strong faith and lead a peaceful life.

According to Islam, Jesus (may the peace of Allah be upon him) is not a son of Allah. Rather, he is the Prophet and Messenger of Allah, sent to guide the Children of Israel to the right path. Islamic beliefs hold that Allah’s Oneness is absolute; there is only One God. His Oneness cannot be shared or divided or broken into smaller entities, in the form of children or partners. While Muslims revere Jesus and apply his teachings, they reject the belief of him being divine or having any association with Allah in terms of kinship.  The Quran emphasizes that believing in the Trinity or the divinity of Jesus is a grave sin that goes against monotheism. Moreover, Muslims believe that Jesus was not crucified but instead raised directly to the heavens by Allah, and that someone else was executed in his place. Overall, while recognizing and respecting Jesus' significance as a prophet in their faith, Muslims do not consider him Allah’s son or part of a divine trinity.

In Islam, Jesus is considered one of the prophets and messengers of God. Known as 'Isa' in Arabic, he is revered for his teachings of love, compassion, humbleness, and righteousness. Muslims believe that he was born to the Virgin Mary through a miraculous birth that transcends human understanding. However, they reject the Christian belief that he is the Son of God or part of a Trinity. However, they regard him as a human being who was sent by God to guide humanity towards the path of righteousness. According to Islamic scripture, Jesus performed several miracles during his lifetime such as healing the blind and raising the dead - all through God's power. In fact, Muslims believe that Jesus will return in the end of time to restore justice to the world and defeat evil forces.  Jesus holds a pivotal position in Islam - his messages have been an integral part of shaping Muslim beliefs and practices until today.

As a fundamental pillar of Islam, praying five times a day is considered essential for every Muslim. Prayer, or Salah, plays a central role in shaping the daily routine of Muslims and serves as a regular reminder of their devotion to Allah (Exalted be He). The importance of Salah goes beyond fulfilling religious obligations; it also allows Muslims to deepen their spiritual connection with Allah (Glorified be He), seek forgiveness for their sins, and gain peace and tranquility. Furthermore, Salah facilitates social cohesion by bringing together communities in congregational prayers at mosques. It provides Muslims with an opportunity to reflect on the purpose of life and align themselves with the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Thus, praying five times a day is not only important but also necessary for every Muslim to maintain strong faith and lead a peaceful life.

According to Islam, Jesus (may the peace of Allah be upon him) is an honorable Prophet and Messenger of Allah. The belief of him being the son of Allah (Exalted be He) is rejected. This notion contradicts the Islamic belief in the absolute Oneness of Allah, which briefly states that there is only one God who created all things and protect and provide for all beings. Muslims believe that Jesus was born to the Virgin Mary through a miraculous birth with no father, which was a sign of Allah’s Power. According to Islamic teachings, Jesus performed miracles like healing the sick and raising the dead with the Permission of Allah, not by his own power or authority. Muslims also believe that Jesus was not crucified but was raised to heaven alive and will return in the last days. 

Jihad refers to the struggle or effort made by an individual in the pursuit of righteousness and the betterment of society. In Islamic terms, this concept carries a deeper connotation that involves spiritual, social, and physical struggles aimed at achieving a righteous and just society. Jihad is frequently associated with military campaigns waged against non-believers, but this is a misinterpretation. Islam emphasizes peace but acknowledges that self-defense is necessary in some situations. The greater Jihad in Islam is to strive towards individual spiritual development by engaging in regular prayer and participating in charitable activities for community improvement. Jihad does not include violence against innocent people or aggression towards non-Muslim communities. Instead, it promotes courage and determination to resist oppression and uphold the principles of justice and freedom for all individuals irrespective of their religious affiliation or background. In conclusion, Jihad is a multi-faceted and nuanced concept in Islam that includes both spiritual and physical dimensions. It is not a call for senseless violence, but a struggle to uphold Islamic values and principles, defend against oppression and aggression, and achieve personal and collective excellence. Understanding the true meaning of Jihad is essential for promoting peace, tolerance, and mutual respect between Muslims and non-Muslims, and combating extremist ideologies that hijack the concept for their own nefarious aims.

Islam is the name of the religion, or more properly the ‘way of life’, which God (Allah) has revealed  to his last Prophet Muhammad  (peace be upon him).  The root Arabic word from which Islam is derived implies peace, safety. Islam specifically means total submission and obedience to God, a single one God who has no partners nor sons and reverently accepting and obeying His Law.

Allah is the Arabic word for God. Islam holds that Allah is the Only True God worthy of worship and obedience, and that He is the creator of the universe and all that exists within it.