Do We Really Understand Islam?
“Allah (SWT) has perfected our religion and completed his bounty and blessing onto us. He has accepted and chosen Islam as a religion for us.” —This day Allah (SWT) has perfected our religion. It is complete, it's perfect and Allah (SWT) has accepted it for us. We cannot try and change it, or say it is missing something. Islam is not to be judged by one or a few peoples actions. People debate this because they don't really understand what Islam is. Islam is a way of life. It's a beautiful religion that came to us to make our lives easy and give us happiness in this life and the Hereafter. It is a balanced religion. when we look at Islam, we have to look at the different views of what Islam is.
When you look at the first thing in Islam, it is Al-shahada (accepting) witnessing that there is only one God and Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) is the Messanger of Allah. Allah has made our lives easy by telling us that we only need to pray and please Him alone. We should be happy that we worship Allah (SWT) because Allah (SWT) is forgiving and merciful, just and generous. Why would you want your faith in anyone else's hands?
Second thing in Islam is Prayer. Prayer teaches us that anything we do in life can be put on hold or stopped so we can take time to worship Allah (SWT). Of course before we pray we have to cleanse oursleves by washing our bodies and wearing clean clothes. Prayer also teaches us equalilty and being humble. It brings together the poor, the rich, the young and the old. They all come together side by side to pray to Allah (SWT).
After prayer, Islam talks about fasting. Fasting teaches us that we can resist our urges. When we fast, we are refrained from certain things. So by fasting, we control ourselves and refrain from that which Allah (SWT)has forbidden us to do during our fast.
Then Islam talks about zakat (Charity). We all have to realize that the rich should help and provide for those who are less fortunate. If you give to a poor person and they pray for you, Allah (SWT) will give you the reward.
Last is Hajj. It's an annual conference that happens in Mina. It brings together muslims from all over the world. All which have come to pray to Allah (SWT) to forgive their sins.
Islam is a wonderful religion that we all need to learn and make us better. The best way to get answers to our questions in Islam is by reading about Islam and become more knowledgeable.
Islam is not neccessarily the habits that you were brought up on. Different cultures have different traditions. Traditions have nothing to do with Islam.
When we read about Islam, many times we highlight things about Islam but we misinterpret them. For example, you can't say Islam says cut the hand of a thief. Yes, it does say that but you have to use equal punishments. There are prerequisites and conditions.
Islam is so beautiful, but we don't stop to understand it. Islam is here to make our lives easy. If we follow the Quran, Allah (SWT) will provide for us. If you want to get a better understanding of Islam, read about the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). When we get a better understanding of Islam, we'll realize how fortunate we are that Allah (SWT) has given us Islam and he has perfected it.
“May Allah (SWT) forgive our sins and guide us all. Ameen!” —