Brief Definitions of Major Islamic Terms?      s 

Allah: the proper name of the one true God, the Creator. Allah is the true God of all mankind Jews, Christians Muslims, Hindus, etc
Muhammad: the last Prophet of the one true God (Allah)
Islam: submission to the Will of the Creator, the true God (Allah). One can attain real happiness and peace of mind   only through submission and obedience to the true God
Muslim: one who submits to the Will of the true God, Allah (the Creator)
Qur’an: the Word of God revealed to Prophet Muhammad
Hadith: the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), also includes his actions and decisions

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Why do Muslims pray five times a day?      s

Allah has ordered the Muslims to pray the five daily prayers (Salah). It is something obligatory for every Muslim male and female. There are many virtues and benefits of the prayers
Among these benefits is that the prayer is obedience to Allah. When a Muslim obeys Allah and His Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him), Allah in turn shows mercy to that person. In the Qur-an, Allah says: "And obey Allah and the Messenger (Muhammad peace be upon him) that you may obtain mercy." [Surah Ali-Imran 3 : 132]
Allah’s mercy is something we are all in need of because it is the only way we will be saved from His punishment
By performing the Salah, the Muslim maintains a link between himself/herself and his/her Lord throughout the day. In the prayer, we can speak with Allah, and ask Him for guidance and make other duas. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Indeed, when one of you prays, he speaks privately with his Lord." [Reported by Al-Bukhari]
The prayer allows us to get closer to Allah and it prevents us from committing evil during the rest of the day
It is also a manner of thanking Allah for all the blessings He has bestowed upon us. Allah has given us everything we have and often we forget about the bounties we enjoy, thanks to Allah, our Creator and Sustainer. Allah says in the Glorious Qur-an: "Is then He, Who creates as one who creates not? Will you not then remember? And if you would count the graces of Allaah, never could you be able to count them. Truly! Allaah is oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." [Surah An-Nahl 16 : 17-18]
So we can see that it is Allah's right upon us that He be worshipped. And He, our Creator, deserves that we show gratitude to Him. If Allah had willed, He could have ordered us to pray all day long. But He has only ordered five prayers during the day. This really is not asking for much considering Allah has given us life, our health, our families, guidance to Islam, and countless other bounties!
There are many other benefits and wisdoms behind the prayers. The prayer in itself is a blessing from Allah

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 Why is the eating of pork forbidden in Islam?      s

The fact that consumption of pork is prohibited in Islam is well known. The following points explain various aspects of this prohibition:1. Pork prohibited in Qur’an
The Qur’an prohibits the consumption of pork in no less than 4 different places. It is prohibited in 2:173, 5:3, 6:145 and 16:115. “Forbidden to you (for food) are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked the name of other than Allah.” [Surah Al-Maidah 5:3]
The above verses of the Holy Qur’an are sufficient to satisfy a Muslim as to why pork is forbidden
. Pork prohibited in the Bible
The Christian is likely to be convinced by his religious scriptures. The Bible prohibits the consumption of pork, in the book of Leviticus “And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be cloven footed, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you”. “Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcass shall ye not touch, they are unclean to you.” [Leviticus 11:7-8]
Pork is also prohibited in the Bible in the book of Deuteronomy. “And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you. Ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcass.” [Deuteronomy 14:8] A similar prohibition is repeated in the Bible in the book of Isaiah chapter 65 verse 2-5.
.Consumption of pork causes several diseases
The other non-Muslims and atheists will agree only if convinced through reason, logic and science. Eating of pork can cause no less than seventy different types of diseases. A person can have various helminthes like roundworm, pinworm, hookworm, etc. One of the most dangerous is Taenia Solium, which is in lay man’s terminology called tapeworm. It harbours in the intestine and is very long. Its ova i.e. eggs, enter the blood stream and can reach almost all the organs of the body. If it enters the brain it can cause memory loss. If it enters the heart it can cause heart attack, if it enters the eye it can cause blindness, if it enters the liver it can cause liver damage. It can damage almost all the organs of the body. Another dangerous helminthes is Trichura Tichurasis. A common misconception about pork is that if it is cooked well, these ova die
In a research project undertaken in America, it was found that out of twenty-four people suffering from Trichura Tichurasis, twenty two had cooked the pork very well. This indicates that the ova present in the pork do not die under normal cooking temperature.
. Pork has fat building material
Pork has very little muscle building material and contains excess of fat. This fat gets deposited in the vessels and can cause hypertension and heart attack. It is not surprising that over 50% of Americans suffer from hypertension
. Pig is one of the filthiest animals on earth
The pig is one of the filthiest animals on earth. It lives and thrives on muck, faeces and dirt. It is the best scavenger that I know that God has produced. In the villages they don’t have modern toilets and the villagers excrete in the open air. Very often excreta is cleared by pigs. Some may argue that in advanced countries like Australia, pigs are bred in very clean and hygienic conditions. Even in these hygienic conditions the pigs are kept together in sties. No matter how hard you try to keep them clean they are filthy by nature. They eat and enjoy their own as well as their neighbour’s excreta
Source: Dr. Zakir Naik's book, "Non-Mulims' Common Questions About Islam".      Back to Top


 Why do Muslim women wear veil?      s

Allah says in the Holy Qur-an: “ And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons...” [Surah An-Nur 24:31]
A Muslim woman wears hijab for the reason that God has commanded it in the Qur-an and Sunnah. Allah told women to protect their modesty, beauty and their virtues. Muslim women only cover themselves in front of men who are not direct relatives (brothers, fathers, and uncles) to prevent indecent acts or thoughts. People have to understand that we (males and females) are not equal in body image but we should be equal in rights, in justice. A woman taking off her shirt will not make her equal to a man; it'll make her lower. Why? Because the woman's body is created differently.
It is also a benefit to society, as a protection for women, and as a source of inner peace. Several women, especially converts who started covering, felt men, even non-Muslim men, approached them more respectfully, did not try to flirt with them or make “leering” comments, and treated them as ‘persons’ not ‘sex-objects.’ Hijab is a mode of decorous behavior as well, when you're covered, you're not going to be a flirtatious person.
In the past women were degraded and used as objects of lust. The history says the fact that the status of women in earlier civilizations was very low to the extent that they were denied basic human dignity. Islam uplifted women and gave them equality and expects them to maintain their status
Suppose two sisters who are twins, and who are equally beautiful, walk down the street. One of them is attired in the Islamic hijab. The other sister is wearing western clothes, a mini skirt or shorts. Just around the corner there is a hooligan or ruffian who is waiting for a catch, to tease a girl. Whom will he tease? The girl wearing the Islamic hijab or the girl wearing the skirt? Naturally he will tease the girl wearing the skirt. Such dresses are an indirect invitation to the opposite sex for teasing and molestation. The Qur-an rightly says that hijab prevents women from being molested
Also, it will also reduce the rate of rapes. Hijab does not degrade a woman but uplifts a woman and protects her modesty and chastity. USA has one of the highest rates of rape. It is supposed to be one of the most advanced countries of the world. It also has one of the highest rates of rape in any country in the world. According to an FBI report, in the year 1990, every day on an average 1756 cases of rape were committed in U.S.A alone. Later another report said that on an average everyday 1900 cases of rapes are committed in USA. The year was not mentioned. May be it was 1992 or 1993. May be the Americans got ‘bolder’ in the following years. Western society falsely claims to have uplifted women. On the contrary it has actually degraded them to the status of concubines, mistresses and society butterflies who are mere tools in the hands of pleasure seekers and sex marketeers, hidden behind the colorful screen of ‘art’ and ‘culture’. Western talk of women’s liberalization is nothing but a disguised form of exploitation of her body, degradation of her soul, and deprivation of her honor
Note: The statistics shown here is from Dr. Zakir Naik's book, "Non-Mulims' Common Questions About Islam"

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 Who is Jesus in Islam?      s

Jesus "Isa" (peace be upon him) in Islam
Muslims do believe that Jesus or Isa (in Arabic language) was sent down as a Prophet of Allah (God), but he (Jesus) is not God or Lord, nor the son of God. Muslims do not believe that Isa, also known as Jesus by Christians and others, is dead or was ever crucified. We believe that he was raised to heaven and is there, and will descend at the appointed time, end all wars, and bring peace to the world. Like Jesus, Muhammad (peace be upon him) is also a Prophet and Messenger. Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the last Prophet, though, and there is none after him
What the Holy Qur'an says about Jesus
"That they said (in boast), "We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Apostle of God";- but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them, and those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) know ledge, but only conjecture to follow, for of a surety they killed him not. Nay, God raised him up unto Himself; and God is Exalted in Power, Wise." [Surah An-Nisa' 004:157-158]
As such, Muslims believe that Isa was raised to heaven. According to Hadith, he is on the second heaven. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) mentioned, "During the Mi'raj(Ascension), I met Isa on the second heaven. I found him of medium stature, reddish white. His body was so clean and clear, that it appeared as though he had just performed ghusl (ablution, cleansing of the entire body) and come." In another Hadith, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) mentioned to the Jews that, "Isa is not dead, he will most surely return to you before the Day of Judgement (Qiyamat)."
May Allah guide us to the Truth. Amin.      Back to Top
 

Why do Muslim men can marry up to four wives?      s

Allah permitted Muslim men to marry up to four wives, He said in the Holy Quran : “Marry women of your choice, two or three or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one, or (a captive) that your right hands possess, that will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice.” [Surah An-Nisa' 4 : 3]
World female population is more than male population. In the USA, women outnumber men by 7.8 million. New York alone has one million more females as compared to the number of males, and of the male population of New York one-third are gays i.e sodomites. The U.S.A as a whole has more than twenty-five million gays. This means that these people do not wish to marry women. Great Britain has four million more females as compared to males. Germany has five million more females as compared to males. Russia has nine million more females than males. God alone knows how many million more females there are in the whole world as compared to males. The average life span of females is more than that of males. By nature males and females are born in approximately the same ratio. A female child has more immunity than a male child. A female child can fight the germs and diseases better than the male child. For this reason, during the pediatric age itself there are more deaths among males as compared to the females. During wars, there are more men killed as compared to women. More men die due to accidents and diseases than women. The average life span of females is more than that of males, and at any given time one finds more widows in the world than widowers
Also, restricting each and every man to have only one wife is not practical. Even if every man got married to one woman, there would still be more than thirty million females in U.S.A who would not be able to get husbands (considering that America has twenty five million gays). There would be more than four million females in Great Britain, 5 million females in Germany and nine million females in Russia alone who would not be able to find a husband
Suppose my sister happens to be one of the unmarried women living in USA, or suppose your sister happens to be one of the unmarried women in USA. The only two options remaining for her are that she either marries a man who already has a wife or becomes 'public property'. There is no other option. All those who are modest will opt for the first
In Western society, it is common for a man to have mistresses and/or multiple extra-marital affairs, in which case, the woman leads a disgraceful, unprotected life. The same society, however, cannot accept a man having more than one wife, in which women retain their honorable, dignified position in society and lead a protected life. Thus the only two options before a woman who cannot find a husband is to marry a married man or to become 'public property'. Islam prefers giving women the honorable position by permitting the first option and disallowing the second.
There are several other reasons, why Islam has permitted Muslim men to marry up to four wives, but it is mainly to protect the modesty of women
Source: Dr. Zakir Naik's book, "Non-Mulims' Common Questions About Islam".     Back to Top

 Does Islam teach terrorism?      s

Islam does not teach any act of terrorism. Islam teaches submission to the will of one and only God (Allah), peace, love and charity. The Almighty Allah says in the Glorious Qur-an: "If any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people." [Surah Al-Maidah 5:32]
Although there are some Muslims who practice terrorism, it doesn’t mean that Islam tolerates this bad act. Someone who is truly aware of the world history will notice that the world’s worst acts of terrorism is not done by Muslims, here are just some of them
a. The estimated 21-26 million genocides of Nazi Germany under Hitler, including the Holocaust during 1933-1945.
b. The estimated 15 million of native Americans killed by Christopher Columbus’ 1492 arrival in the New World (America)
c. The estimated 6–30 million war crimes of Imperial Japan during 1930’s–1945.
d. The estimated 6-20 million Atlantic slave trade in Africa and America from 1600’s-1900s.
e. The estimated 27-40 million victims of political repression and forced labor in China during 1945-1975.
f. The estimated 4-20 million number of Stalin’s victim of Soviet Union during 1932-1953. This is Stalin’s act of genocide, Gulag, political repression
g. The estimated 3-8million victims of killings, forced labor, tropical diseases done by Leopold of Belgium in Congo from 1877-1908
h. The estimated 1-5 million killed Chinese Muslims from 1856-1873.
i. Who started the World War 1 and 2, which killed millions and millions of soldiers and destroys families and lives? It’s the Germany isn’t it?
And in this present time, what did America doing to Iraq? Afghanistan? They are destroying many lives and lives everyday, since America hasn’t proven that Osama bin Laden is the man behind the September 11 attack. And Israel’s acts of terrorism to Palestine? And to Lebanon? Have you also heard or read the history of Chechen?
All the terrorism acts mentioned above is very far away compared to what they are trying to claim that Muslims did this or did that, and remember that most of what they try to accuse to Muslims are still not proven until now like the September 11 attack.    Back to Top

  Why does beard important to Muslim men?      s

The beard is important to Muslim men since the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) enjoined them to do so, and it is one of his Sunnah. In Sahih Muslim, Ibn Umar
narrated: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Act against the polytheists, trim closely the moustache and grow beard.”    Back to Top
 

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BRIEF ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS  BY NON-MUSLIMS ABOUT ISLAM