The Religion of Islam Part Two

[Morgoth]

Unfortunately, the previous RoI thread got deleted by myself. It was purely accidential and not intentional. I do apologise to anyone who participated in the thread and found it useful. Hopefully this thread will be as useful and we can still offer so much information about Islam and hopefully dispel any misconceptions about this religion

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious,
Most Merciful

"Say (O Muhammad): He is Allah, (the) One. Allah the Eternal Absolute [Allah- the Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need]. He begets not, nor was He begotten. And there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him."

(Qur'an: 112: 1-4, Translation of the meaning)



ISLAM

"This day have I perfected your religion for you and completed My favor unto you, and have chosen for you as your religion Islam."

(Qur'an: Translation of the meaning, 5:4)

Islam is a religion based on the surrender to God who is One. The very name of the religion, AL ISLAM in Arabic, means at once submission and peace, for it is in submitting to God's Will that human beings gain peace in their lives in this world and in the hereafter.

'Mohammedanism' is thus a misnomer because it suggests that Muslims worship Muhammad (pbuh) rather than God. 'Allah' is the Arabic name for God, which is used by Arab Muslims and Christians alike.


Monotheism in Islam

The message of Islam addresses itself to humanity's most profound nature. It concerns men and women as they were created by God--not as fallen beings. Islam therefore considers itself to be not an innovation but a reassertion of the universal truth of all revelation which is God's Oneness.
This truth was asserted by the prophets of old and especially by Abraham (peace be upon him), the father of monotheism. Islam reveres all of these prophets including not only Abraham, who is the father of the Arabs as well as of the Jews, but also Moses and Christ (peace be upon them).

The Prophet and Messenger of God, Muhammad (pbuh) was the last of this long line of prophets and Islam is the last religion until the Day of Judgment. It is the final expression of the Abrahamic tradition.

One should in fact properly speak of the Judeo-Christian-Islamic tradition, for Islam shares with the other Abrahamic religions their sacred history, the basic ethical teachings contained in the Ten Commandments and above all, belief in the One God. And it renews and repeats the true beliefs of Jews and Christians whose scriptures are mentioned as divinely revealed books in Islam's own sacred book, the Qur'an.





The Five Pillars of Islam

1. FAITH (AQIDAH)

There is no god worthy of worship except God and Muhammad (peace be upon Him) is His messenger. This declaration of faith is called the Shahada, a simple formula which all the faithful pronounce. In Arabic, the first part is la ilaha illa Allah - "there is no god except God"; ilaha (god) can refer to anything which we may be tempted to put in place of God -- wealth, power, and the like. Then comes illa Allah:" except God, the source of all creation. The second part of the Shahada is Muhammadun rasulu Allah: "Muhammad (peace be upon Him) is the messenger of God". A message of guidance has come through a man like ourselves.

2. PRAYER (SALAT)

Salat is the word for the obligatory prayers which are performed five times a day, and are a direct link between the worshipper and God. There is no hierarchical authority in Islam, and no priests, so the prayers are led by any learned person who knows the Qur'an, chosen by the congregation. These five prayers contain verses from the Qur'an, and are said in Arabic, the language of the Revelation, but personal supplication can be offered in one's own language.

Prayers are said at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and nightfall, and thus determine the rhythm of the entire day. Although it is preferable to worship together in a mosque, a Muslim may pray almost anywhere, such as in fields, offices, factories and universities. Visitors to the Muslim world are struck by the centrality of prayers in daily life.

3. ZAKAH

One of the most important principles of Islam is that all things belong to God, and that wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. The word zakat means both "purification" and "growth". Our possessions are purified by setting aside a portion for those in need, and, like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth.

Each Muslim calculates his or her own zakat individually. For most purposes this involves the payment each year of two and a half percent of one"s capital.

A pious person may also give as much as he or she pleases as sadaqa, and does so preferably in secret. Although this word can be translated as "voluntary charity" it has a wider meaning. The Prophet said "even meeting your brother with a cheerful face is charity".

The Prophet (peace be upon Him) said:

"Charity is a necessity for every Muslim." He was asked: "What if a person has nothing?" The Prophet replied: "He should work with his own hands for his benefit and then give something out of such earnings in charity". The Companions asked: "What if he is not able to work?" The Prophet said: "He should help poor and needy persons." The Companions further asked "What if he cannot do even that?" The Prophet said "He should urge others to do good". The Companions said "What if he lacks that also?" The Prophet said, "He should check himself from doing evil. That is also charity."

4. FASTING (SAWM)

Every year, in the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from first light until sundown, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations. Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are pregnant or nursing are permitted to break the fast and make up an equal number of days later in the year. If they are physically unable to do that, they must feed a needy person for every day missed. Children begin to fast (and to observe the prayer) from puberty, although many start earlier.

Although the fast is most beneficial to the health, it is regarded principally as a method of self-purification. By cutting oneself off from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person gains true sympathy with those who go hungry as well as growth in one"s spiritual life.

5. PILGRIMAGE (HAJJ)

The pilgrimage to Makkah -- the Hajj -- is an obligation only for those who are physically and financially able to perform it. Nevertheless, about two million people go to Makkah each year from every corner of the globe, providing a unique opportunity for those of different nations to meet one another. Although Makkah is always filled with visitors, the annual Hajj begins in the twelfth month of the Islamic year (which is lunar, not solar, so that Hajj and Ramadan fall sometimes in summer, sometimes in winter). Pilgrims wear special clothes: simple garments which strip away distinctions of class and culture, so that all stand equal before God.

The rites of the Hajj, which are of Abrahamic origin, include circling the Ka'aba seven times, and going seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa, as did Hagar during her search for water. Then the pilgrims stand together on the wide plain of Arafa and join in prayers for God"s forgiveness, in what is often thought of as a preview of the Last Judgment.

In previous centuries the Hajj was an arduous undertaking. Today, however, Saudi Arabia provides millions of people with water, modern transport, and the most up-to-date health facilities.

The close of the Hajj is marked by a festival, the Eid al-Adha, which is celebrated with prayers and the exchange of gifts in Muslim communities everywhere. This, and the Eid al-Fitr, a feast-day commemorating the end of Ramadan, are the main festivals of the Muslim calendar.


The Qur'an

The Qur'an is a record of the exact words revealed by God through the Angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon Him) It was memorized by Muhammad (peace be upon Him) and then dictated to his Companions, and written down by scribes, who cross-checked it during his lifetime. Not one word of its 114 chapters, Suras, has been changed over the centuries, so that the Qur'an is in every detail the unique and miraculous text which was revealed to Muhammad (peace be upon Him) fourteen centuries ago.

The Qur'an, the last revealed Word of God (THE LAST TESTMENT), is the prime source of every Muslim's faith and practice. It deals with all the subjects which concern us as human beings: wisdom, doctrine, worship, and law, but its basic theme is the relationship between God and His creatures. At the same time it provides guidelines for a just society, proper human conduct and an equitable economic system.


---END---


So if you have any questions, now is the time to ask and I do apologise once again for deleting the thread. I do promise it was purely an accident.

[NYCwitch920]

Thanks for starting the thread again, Morgoth. Since we are fast approaching the end of Ramadan, I wanted to highlight something that usually occurs here in the United States around this time among Muslims. The following excerpt was taken from Islamicity.com. Here it is:

"North America, every year goes through the crescent-sighting debacle. Let alone the Muslims of the United States, or just one state (such as New York), even one city (such as New York City) can't have the month of Ramadan begin or end the same day. Some want to follow sighting of the crescent in their own neighborhood. For some, any sighting in North America is acceptable. For some, crescent sighting anywhere is in the world is fine. Some would follow their native country. Some would follow Saudi Arabia. Others would like to go by ISNA. And, then there are others who would like to go by predetermined calendar. One Ummah, one crescent, yet so many accents of schism."

This is very true. There's so much confusion as to when Islamic holidays should be celebrated in the United States. Many people rely on their local mosques and others call family members in other foreign countries to find out the date of a holiday. It can get extremely complicated and I know from personal experience that scheduling for religious holidays becomes convoluted. Last year, at the end of Ramadan, people I know celebrated Eid on the wrong day. My immediate family decided to wait until the next day because my parents called family members who lived in other countries to find out when they were celebrating. I was wondering if this problem is present in other countries as well?

[thinkpink38]

Morgoth, how could you!! You erased the thread, awww! Naw, im just kidding! I hope this thread clears up any misconceptions about Islam as well.

Here's an intro. to Islam:

The literal meaning of Islam is peace; surrender of one’s will i.e. losing oneself for the sake of God and surrendering one’s own pleasure for the pleasure of God. The message of Islam was revealed to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings on him) 1, 400 years ago. It was revealed through angel Gabriel (on whom be peace) and was thus preserved in the Holy Quran. The Holy Quran carries a Divine guarantee of safeguard from interpolation and it claims that it combines the best features of the earlier scriptures.

The prime message of Islam is the Unity of God, that the Creator of the world is One and He alone is worthy of worship and that Muhammad (peace and blessings on him) is His Messenger and Servant. The follower of this belief is thus a Muslim - a Muslim’s other beliefs are: God’s angels, previously revealed Books of God, all the prophets, from Adam to Jesus (peace be on them both), the Day of Judgement and indeed the Decree of God. A Muslim has five main duties to perform, namely; bearing witness to the Unity of God and Muhammad (peace and blessings on him) as His Messenger, observing the prescribed prayer, payment of Zakat, keeping the fasts of Ramadhan and performing the pilgrimage to Mecca.

Islam believes that each person is born pure. The Holy Quran tells us that God has given human beings a choice between good and evil and to seek God’s pleasure through faith, prayer and charity. Islam believes that God created mankind in His image and by imbuing the attributes of God on a human level mankind can attain His nearness. Islam’s main message is to worship God and to treat all God’s creation with kindness and compassion. Rights of parents in old age, orphans and the needy are clearly stated. Women’s rights were safeguarded 1,400 years ago when the rest of the world was in total darkness about emancipation. Islamic teachings encompass every imaginable situation and its rules and principles are truly universal and have stood the test of time.

In Islam virtue does not connote forsaking the bounties of nature that are lawful. On the contrary one is encouraged to lead a healthy, active life with the qualities of kindness, chastity, honesty, mercy, courage patience and politeness. In short, Islam has a perfect and complete code for the guidance of individuals and communities alike. As the entire message of Islam is derived from the Holy Quran and indeed the Sunnah and Hadith (the traditions and practices of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings on him) it is immutable in the face of change in time and place. It may appear rigid to the casual eye, in actual fact it is most certainly an adaptable way of life regardless of human changes.

Islam teaches that the path to spiritual development is open to all. Any individual who searches the One Creator can seek nearness to God through sincere and earnest worship; it is central to establishing a relationship with the Almighty. This positive message for humanity fills hearts with hope and courage.

At present there are 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide and they form the majority in more than 50 countries of the world. Today Islam is the fastest growing faith in the world - its beautiful message is reaching millions in the far corner of the earth.

[FirefightingMuggle]

I'm not a member of the Islamic faith, but I would just like to say that I am glad that someone has opened a thread that shows Islam in a positive light. It is a positive religion with great teachings, and it is a shame that some people are becoming so prejudiced against people who follow this faith.

I am Wiccan, and I feel that no positive religion should be discriminated against. It is a shame that because of a few extremists, many Muslim people are losing their rights (just take a look at France). Continue believing what you do, live a positive life, and do not loose faith.

Blessings on all of you!

[thinkpink38]

FirefightingMuggle, thats nice of you to say. I agree, Islam is displayed in a negative way. I think its up to the muslim society to bring it back to a, as you said it "positive Light".
Thats great advice, definetly taken. Thanks!


Salah or Prayer

Salah is the name for the obligatory prayers that are performed five times a day, and are a direct link between the worshipper and God. There is no hierarchical authority in Islam and there are no priests. Prayers are led by a learned person who knows the Qur'an and is generally chosen by the congregation.

Prayers are said at dawn, mid-day, late-afternoon, sunset and nightfall, and thus determine the rhythm of the entire day. These five prescribed prayers contain verses from the Qur'an, and are said in Arabic, the language of the Revelation. Personal supplications, however, can be offered in one's own language and at any time.

Although it is preferable to worship together in a mosque, a Muslim may pray almost anywhere, such as in fields, offices, factories and universities. Oftentimes visitors to the Muslim world are struck by the centrality of prayers in daily life.

[QueenMab1]

I live just south of Dearborn Michigan, which has the largest Arab community outside of the Middle East. I am also half Middle Eastern, although Christian. I have a copy of the Koran and I have spent some time reading and reflecting on it. I find it as interesting as the bible. I am not one of these bible thumpers, in fact until about seven months ago I was a completely lapsed Catholic. Circumstances have caused me to find my way back to Church fortunately. I find the Koran much more black and white than the Bible. The Bible is opened to so much interpretation and the Koran just basically says this is what it is. I find that very refreshing. While Christ uses parables for his messages, I like that the Koran is based on what Mohammed said solely. Parables are good but sometimes I find that the prayers in the Koran, as simple as they are, very powerful.

[auroroftheorder]

Hello, I am not Muslim, but am happy to see it thrown in to a good light, and am interested about the religion itself...One question I have is: Is it possible for Islam to have a leader of the whole religion? I am not sure if this contradicts with any of the teachings etc. I think it would be good for the religion to have a high power (similair but not exactly the same as the Pope). In times like these, when radical members of a faith can give a religion a bad name, I think it is necassary for the majority opposed to the minority radicals to band together and show the world strength and unity. I feel that peaceful Muslims, that want religious peace are not being heard in the world today. A high power would solidify there position as the real 'truth' of Islam, and show that not all Muslims harbor terrorism...any response would be graciously accepted.

[Daltervia]

I'm not Islamic either, but Hindu. It's good to see that members of Islam are trying to place thier religion in "good light", after all it is the second largest religion in the world, and the vast majority of Muslims are not terrorists. I agree with auroroftheorder, maybe there should be someone who is seen as the embodiment of worshipping Islam (a question: what is the name of an Islamic priest? (or equivelent...we sort of brushed past Islam in year seven, and never touched it again)) could show the rest of the world that Islam, like all religions, truely respects peace, etc.

It is unfortunate that people instead see Bin Laden as a leader of Islam instead, as he only represents a very small amount of muslims.

It is also important to know that all religions have extremists, not just Islam, it's just that Muslim extremists have been getting a lot of press attention at the moment...

[periwinkle-blue]

I find the Koran much more black and white than the Bible. The Bible is opened to so much interpretation and the Koran just basically says this is what it is. I find that very refreshing. While Christ uses parables for his messages, I like that the Koran is based on what Mohammed said solely. Parables are good but sometimes I find that the prayers in the Koran, as simple as they are, very powerful.

I'm glad that someone see the Qur'an in black and white view, in a positive way, thanks QueenMab1. For 1400+ years the Qur'an's contents never change, perhaps in my opinion, the main reason why Islam don't have many branches and the few mazhabs that we've got, though might offer slightly different practice, overall the major belief still the same. Personally, I think when an old book is open to more possible interpretations in nature, it's harder to get the basic opinions regarding it, in united favor.

One question I have is: Is it possible for Islam to have a leader of the whole religion? I am not sure if this contradicts with any of the teachings etc. I think it would be good for the religion to have a high power (similair but not exactly the same as the Pope). In times like these, when radical members of a faith can give a religion a bad name, I think it is necassary for the majority opposed to the minority radicals to band together and show the world strength and unity. I feel that peaceful Muslims, that want religious peace are not being heard in the world today. A high power would solidify there position as the real 'truth' of Islam, and show that not all Muslims harbor terrorism...any response would be graciously accepted.

I agree with auroroftheorder, maybe there should be someone who is seen as the embodiment of worshipping Islam (a question: what is the name of an Islamic priest? (or equivelent...we sort of brushed past Islam in year seven, and never touched it again)) could show the rest of the world that Islam, like all religions, truely respects peace, etc.

It is unfortunate that people instead see Bin Laden as a leader of Islam instead, as he only represents a very small amount of muslims.

It is also important to know that all religions have extremists, not just Islam, it's just that Muslim extremists have been getting a lot of press attention at the moment...

Well, one of the reason we don't have a sole, living Muslim leader of the current world at the moment, is because he lived more than a thousand of years ago :) Muslims today considered Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. (p.b.u.h.), the last of the 25 recognized prophets, as our leading guide of Islam, even if he's not around anymore, but his way of life as a true Muslim still guides us on.

I do understand your curiousity, auroroftheorder and Daltervia, in fact, it's really wonderful to have non-Muslims to regard this question in the light of concern for the better image of the rest of the Muslim populations, against the highlighted extremists whom comprised a lot of the people in the most popular modern terrorist lists. Yes, actually after Prohpet Muhammad s.a.w. (p.b.u.h.), there's 4 recognized khalifahs (Caliph in English, literally means 'successor' though generally we refer to a Caliph as the specific succesor of Prohpet Muhammad s.a.w. (p.b.u.h.) as the leader of the Muslim community), and they're Saydina Abu Bakar as-Siddiq r.a. (623-24), Saydina Umar al-Khattab r.a. (634-44), Saidina Uthman bin Affan r.a. (644-56), and Saydina Ali bin abi Talib r.a. (656-61).

After the era of the Caliphs, basically the world got familarise with the four Mazhabs in Islam, some considered as the more 'orthodox' of Islam's practices, alongside with the Syiah (Shia) and the Sunni. Mazhab Syafie (Shafi), Mazhab Maliki, Mazhab Hanbali and Mazhab Hanafi (I'm a mazhab Syafie follower, by the way, as what almost all Muslims in Malaysia follow). Each mazhabd is named after an Imam (which, by the way.. the loose term for Daltervia's question about the name of an Islam 'priest'). If I'm not mistaken, in Syiah belief the Imam refers to the Imamate of the Syiah sect of Islam, but in general terms, an Imam is a recognized religious leader or teacher in Islam. As I understand, a Muslim can't follow two or more than a mazhab at a go, and if he/she remains under one mazhab then he/she is required to follow that particular mazhab, so as not to create conflict of understanding in practises of faith.

Oh wait, I'm digressing from the main topic. Well.. actually, in my last sentence of the above paragraph, I was trying to present a personal point of view on why it is not practical to have a sole leader in the present Muslim community. As I myself have a lot to learn (and discover) as a Muslim, I might not be able to give you guys a definitive answer as to why we, the Muslims, don't have one globally recognized living leader of the Muslim community, but only can offer my own amateur reasoning of it :)

[auroroftheorder]

Peri-Winkle...Thank you for the explanation on my question. Your explanation has led to more though :P It is my understanding that when Caliphs 'ruled' there were no other branches of Islam, and the whole Islam world was united in one civilization (Ottoman Empire?) However as time progressed, it split up (compartive to the breaking up of Catholocism after the Roman Empire.) It would probably be hard then to bring all the different branches together...Thanks.

[Daltervia]

Cheers Per-Winkle for your explanation,

Yes, I think we learnt something around the lines of Islamic divisons in a history topic. I find it a pity and somewhat ironical that monosethic (can't spell), like Christianity and Islam divide into many different divisions, and so then often result in wars, battles and conflicts.

Yet, I think that it's true that Jews, Christians and Muslims are all united under Abraham, isn't it?

[periwinkle-blue]

It is my understanding that when Caliphs 'ruled' there were no other branches of Islam, and the whole Islam world was united in one civilization (Ottoman Empire?) However as time progressed, it split up (compartive to the breaking up of Catholocism after the Roman Empire.) It would probably be hard then to bring all the different branches together.

Well.. yes, there's no other 'form' of Islam under the rule of the Caliphs, but bear in mind that all four Caliphs were there side by side, getting firsthand Islam teachings from Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. (p.b.u.h.), thus there weren't any significant differences in the Muslim ruling at the time. If I'm not mistaken, the Western world called the Muslim empire as Ottoman, but their Turkish name is Osmanli, taken from the first ruler of the Ottoman state, Osman, who founded the empire in 1299. The Ottoman empire was a dynasty of Muslim rulers, few hundred years after the rule of the Caliphs. Syiah (Shia) however, was formed after the death of Saydina Ali bin abi Talib r.a., though I think it's better for a CoS member who is a Shia believer to explain more, and I'm not really sure much about the Sunni, maybe thinkpink38 can explained more on Sunni.

Generally, I might confuse people who read this, saying that Sunni and the four mazhabs are two different entities, because from my personal perspective, the teaching of a Sunni is somewhat like in terms of a muslim poet (yes, I am somewhat embarrassed now not knowing the difference :blush: ), but I think many others would regard that in Islam now, there are two major branches, the Syiah (Shia) and the Sunni (which comprise of the four mazhabs). Forgive me for not being able to be more specific and solid regarding this.

Taken from here (http://www.islamfortoday.com/shia.htm):

The Shia Imam has come to be imbued with Pope-like infallibility and the Shia religious hierarchy is not dissimilar in structure and religious power to that of the Catholic Church within Christianity. Sunni Islam, in contrast, more closely resembles the myriad independent churches of American Protestantism. Sunnis do not have a formal clergy, just scholars and jurists, who may offer non-binding opinions. Shias believe that their supreme Imam is a fully spiritual guide, inheriting some of Muhammad's inspiration ("light") . Their imams are believed to be inerrant interpreters of law and tradition. Shia theology is distinguished by its glorification of Ali.

Overall, though theological and practical differences can be noted, Sunnis and Shias agree on the core fundamentals of Islam (the Five Pillars) and recognize each others as Muslims. Again, in terms of unifying both under one leadership can prove to be quite hard, so both Sunnis and Shias have continually attempt in promoting unity amongst the two branches.

Yet, I think that it's true that Jews, Christians and Muslims are all united under Abraham, isn't it?

Well.. I might not choose the word united, Daltervia :) but maybe others or the Moderators of Spirit Division the can help me out here. All three of these religions do recognize Abraham (or Prophet Ibrahim a.s., one of the Prophets mentioned in the Qur'an) and I think Prophet Ibrahim a.s./Abraham was the origin point of similarities in Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Hope at least I gave enough clarifications to clear some of your questions, auroroftheorder and Daltervia :)

[auroroftheorder]

Periwinkle-Blue, thanks again for the response and discussion here...and don't be apolegetic about your knowledge...You seem to know a lot about Islam (all the Caliphs, the date of their rule etc.) It is impossible for one to know everything about one religion. One more question however: What do the intitials after Prophet Muhammad's name mean? (Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. (p.b.u.h.))
Thanks :)

[periwinkle-blue]

Thanks auroroftheorder :) Actually I know the names and basic knowledge of it, the exact dates and all I had to actually refer either from the internet or books I've got. But my opinions are still mine, I couldn't really point everything out and say those I've said are all black-and-white in Islam. It's not justified to present a religion with only an insufficiently-knowledgeable, singular point of view.

Anyway, back to the 'initials' question. Well, in spoken language, everytime one says the name of our Prophet, it is a mark of respect to continue with an Arabic phrase, Sallallahu'Alaihi'Wassalam, which loosely translated in English as peace be upon him. It's a form of selawat (or salawat) as a way to say our blessing upon our Prophet.

However, in written language, it is a practise for me and many other Muslims here to write s.a.w. after our Prophet's name, which refers to the abbreviations of the Arabic phrase (which I've bolded the capital letters in the previous paragraph), as a note of my regards to my Prophet, and since I'm writing in an international forum, it's more understandable to some if I add (p.b.u.h.), which refers to the English translation of the Arabic phrase.

Hope it's not too complicated. And oh, you all can call me Peri if you like :)

[auroroftheorder]

Thanks Peri (you can call me...auror? :P)

Nope, it is not that complicated, I understand it all...I am not the usual idiot 14 year old :P...
Hope you don't mind the questions, but I am also interested in the way Muslims view other religions. I live in the US as you have probably seen/figured out, and there aren't and Muslims where I live, so you are the only one I know :) The only view that I get is that Muslims hate and want to kill Christians and Jews from the news...I know that this is false, and I want to get your view about the tolerance in Islam of other religions...Thanks.

[periwinkle-blue]

Oh :lol: Sorry, I didn't mean to mock your age (in fact I didn't even think of it when I replied!). Just that I assumed people would have difficulties in understanding Arabic phrases and why we say this and that.

It's great to know that not all fell under the hypnotic media of how one should perceive a religion. Especially a sensitive issue when the top list of state enemies are those who claimed their cause for religious means. Islam is a religion of tolerance, the teachings of Islam are not forced to those who do not wish to embrace it, but to the one who does chose to embrace it, has the responsibility to follow and lead the life of a Muslim. There is no restriction for a Muslim to be only amongst Muslims and no other association with other non-Muslims. In fact, it is strongly against Islam's way of life to mock and downgrade other beliefs, especially if it's in such a distasteful manner. I myself am proud to have really good and close friends who are Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, agnostics and non-believers (atheists).

As Muslims we're to try our best to share our teachings, but it is a must for us to respect a non-believer/non-Muslim's decision when they declined to embrace Islam. It's more like an open invitation, Islam is not to be forced to be accepted. But it is binding to you once you accepted and embraced it, as a Muslim you have to be faithful to your belief in Islam, and that is why the tolerance for acceptance of Islam's way of life to non-Muslims.

Will try to answer with more indepth if time permits tomorrow :)

[Sherlock Holmes]

Well.. I might not choose the word united, Daltervia :) but maybe others or the Moderators of Spirit Division the can help me out here. All three of these religions do recognize Abraham (or Prophet Ibrahim a.s., one of the Prophets mentioned in the Qur'an) and I think Prophet Ibrahim a.s./Abraham was the origin point of similarities in Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
I would say that Abraham is claimed as a great spiritual ancestor to all three religions. Islam traces its roots to Abraham's son Ishmael, I believe (?), while Jews descend from Abraham's other son Isaac. Jesus Christ, of course, was himself a Jew and a descendant of Abraham.

So in that sense, they all have a common beginning. But there isn't too much love lost between the three, as a general rule.

[Liselle]

I'm just after reading the above posts and I have to agree first off with the general sentiments offered by other non Muslims (like myself) that its a huge positive to see Islam being portrayed in a positive light, with all the problems in the middle east and the growing terrorist fears, Islam's name has been sullied. I'll be the first person to put up my hand and say I am fairly clueless about the islamic faith but the above posts have given me a good background into the roots of Islam.

A question I am interested in though is if the rights of women have been asserted in tihe Koran/Qur'an then why are woman in <i>some</i> islsamic countries/nations/areas <i>forced/obliged</i> to wear the black habit whose name at this moment completely escapes me? Is this a "mis-interpretation" of someone's along the way? I know that some women do wear the veil of their own will....but from my perspective it seems that under islam women do not have as many rights as men and not as much respect....in short often women under islam are portrayed as second class citzens. As I say I'm curious and I'm not trying to provoke an argument or anything :)

[auroroftheorder]

Someone new checking out the thread-thats good...I am not Muslim and am not positive on my answer, but I will through out my opinion. I believe that the Islamic religion is no less demeaning/prejudiced towards women than any other faith...Its just that some religions have been somewhat changed by western civilization (modern thought); something (obviously) that hasn't had much of a direct affect on the Middle East. Look back a couple decades ago in the US- In a society in which the majority of people were Christian, women couldn't vote...However, a revolution changed that; something which I think societies dominated by Islam are not partial too.

When most religions were being formed, it was the thought of the time that women were inferior to men, and the thought carried over into the religion...In Rome, men worked and dealed with politics, and women cleaned and did housework. So you can see why only Rabbis and Priests are men, and why women take a backseat to men in an Islamic society.

[Liselle]

I can see your point alright, and from a personal perspective I find that the catholic church represses women and have done so for a very long time. Still though whilst we can't become priests and celebrate masses on most other aspects women are equal to men......funny thing religion *shrugs*

[Chrysalis]

I'm not a Muslim, but I think that the degree in which women are oppressed in the name of Islam really depends on the culture. For instance, women in Turkey are much more emancipated. I believe this was even true for Iraq. The Islam is, in my view, just like any other religion, in that it has liberals and fundementalists everywhere, just like Christianity and Judaism and other religions. I don't think that as a religion itself it is more or less oppressive than others. Remember, in Latin America, the Catholic church still wields a lot of power, with unpleasant consequences for women.

The Muslims I know are all very liberal.

[jellyjames]

A question I am interested in though is if the rights of women have been asserted in tihe Koran/Qur'an then why are woman in <i>some</i> islsamic countries/nations/areas <i>forced/obliged</i> to wear the black habit whose name at this moment completely escapes me? Is this a "mis-interpretation" of someone's along the way? I know that some women do wear the veil of their own will....but from my perspective it seems that under islam women do not have as many rights as men and not as much respect....in short often women under islam are portrayed as second class citzens. As I say I'm curious and I'm not trying to provoke an argument or anything :)

Dear Liselle, I would like to correct a misconception that many people have made. It seems that many think it is only the women who have to have a certain 'dress code' (for the lack of a better word). Both men and women in Islam have their own aurat ie the part of the body that must be covered for the sake of basic decency. For men their aurat is from the navel to the knees, and for women, the whole body except for the face, hands, and the feet.
If there are people who think that the women are getting a raw deal then I have to say you cannot be more wrong. A Muslim woman is the jewel of the family that commands the highest respect.It is said that heaven lies in the soles of a mother's feet (not literally of course). A Muslim man, no matter how religious, will not even get a whiff of heaven if his mother did not give him her blessings. She is the mother, the daughter and the sister that is cared for and protected. From her womb comes leaders of Islam; from her bosom are these leaders nursed; with her hands these leaders are raised and nurtured. Isn't that proof enough to show how precious the body of a woman is? The sacred cavity that houses this beautiful soul, should it not be veiled in modesty? For it is modesty that stops a woman from flaunting GOD's gift to others. Modesty is not a bad word, yet somehow it has often been linked to words like 'oppressed'. Modesty is honourable, it is humility. It is beautiful.

As to the part about women having less rights than men, well, GOD sees not if you are a woman or man when HE embraces you. What kind of rights are you actually referring to? It would be too lengthy if I am to cover all here. Suffice to say that a woman has a right to live, a right to agree or refuse to marry a man if she so chooses, a right to education, a right to work and a right to wear whatever she wants as long as it covers her aurat, just like a man.

To tell you the truth, I find being a woman much simpler than being a man in Islam, what with all his responsibilities. A Muslim man is the leader and provider not only of his immediate family but also of his parents and siblings. The bread winner, it is mandatory that he provides for his wife and children. On the other hand, if his wife draws income of her own, he has no right to use her money, unless she gives her permission. His income is his family's but his wife's income is her own. This is just the tip of the iceberg of course.

A guy friend of mine once said, "If you look deeper and harder, you'd find that between men and women, it is the men that get the rawer deal between the two".

[auroroftheorder]

JellyJames; Your point is well appreciated and it is good to have a view from inside Islam culture/society...however it is also good to have a view from the outside world. I have found some parts of your response that are hard for me to understand (and suspect most people outside of the Muslim world would too...)

As you said about how men have to support the family with their money etc...I will quote 'Spiderman'-with great power, comes great responsibility. Men have much more power than women, so it would seem as though they would have the responsibitity to provide for their family.

Also, if wearing a veil is modest, then why is it a law?...modesty is not something that can be forced upon a person-it is a natural character trait.

It is also quite strange that the views that people get from the outside world (of Islam) are totally different than the ones you express. A women is the most sacred in a family? In every book/report/essay/conversation I've read/had, it suggests the exact opposite-that if a family was given a choice, they would want a boy born into the family, rather than a girl.

[jellyjames]

As you said about how men have to support the family with their money etc...I will quote 'Spiderman'-with great power, comes great responsibility. Men have much more power than women, so it would seem as though they would have the responsibitity to provide for their family.

Power comes in many forms. Both men and women have powers of their own. For example, I would agree that most men have more power when it comes to physical strenghts. A woman on the other hand is more powerful emotionally. Who do you run to when you need comfort? Tell me, which one is more powerful, being a leader and provider of your family or being the nurturer of your future generation? If a woman so chooses, she could educate her children to hate their father because she spends more time with them anyway. Plus, I'd like to see a man who can carry a child in him for nine months and go to work and do his household chores at the same time. And then when the baby is born, I'd like to see him feed and change the baby, put the baby to sleep and then cook, clean and look pretty. I know many women can do that, Muslims or not.

Also, if wearing a veil is modest, then why is it a law?...modesty is not something that can be forced upon a person-it is a natural character trait.

Is there a law in your country that forbids nudity in public? You can choose to be nude in private but when you are in public you are expected to dress according to what the public deem as decent. If I am not wrong, the Western world has many ideas of what is decent dressing depending on the period of time you live in. The Muslims have that too, only thing is our idea has been consistent throughout time. At one point of time, short skirts ain't so decent, let alone fashionable in the Western world, is it.
I can choose to wear a miniskirt and tank top at home if I choose to but when I go out, I dress accordingly. A Muslim woman is not expected to dress in thick, black clothes and veiled from head to foot all the time, if at all. It matters not what she wears as long as she dresses decently according to the teachings of Islam.

It is also quite strange that the views that people get from the outside world (of Islam) are totally different than the ones you express. A women is the most sacred in a family? In every book/report/essay/conversation I've read/had, it suggests the exact opposite-that if a family was given a choice, they would want a boy born into the family, rather than a girl..
First of all, you have to understand that Islam is a religion devoid of culture. It is a teaching which is coloured by cultures of the people that embrace it. The whole thing about boys being better than girls is strictly cultural. Perhaps the books that you read or the Muslims that you speak to come from a culture that sees boys being superior than girls. Nowhere in the Qur'an is there a line or even hint that men are better than women. I come from a culture that sees no difference between boys and girls. Both are gifts from GOD and their arrival is always rejoiced by their family.

[auroroftheorder]

Thanks for your views, but I will clarify a misconception you have of Western culture...Most people here don't approve of miniskirts/obsene clothing. Western culture may not be as strict as a typical Middle Eastern culture (I assume that is where you live) but it is not indecent. Most girls/women that present themselves in that type of manner (really short skirts etc.) are frowned upon by the public.

Also, I did not mean to discredit a woman and their work-To carry and give birth to a child is an amazing and difficult thing. The point I was making is that a man has more power in the way he makes the money, clothes and feeds the children and wife. Of course, to a child a mother is a very important thing, but so is a father. In Western culture, fathers teach sons to be men, and also protect their daughters.

Lets see...one more thing. You have capatalized the whole word 'God' in your responses. To most people, to capatalize a whole word means that if spoken, you were to put emphasis on it (say it louder). It seems to suggest to me that you think I'm an Atheist (which I'm not) and am saying 'God' as if I don't believe in Him. I am not in any way trying to disrespect Islam...Thanks. :shrug:

[jellyjames]

Thanks for your views, but I will clarify a misconception you have of Western culture...Most people here don't approve of miniskirts/obsene clothing. Western culture may not be as strict as a typical Middle Eastern culture (I assume that is where you live) but it is not indecent.
No dearest, I am not Middle Eastern. I come from Singapore.

You have capatalized the whole word 'God' in your responses. To most people, to capatalize a whole word means that if spoken, you were to put emphasis on it (say it louder). It seems to suggest to me that you think I'm an Atheist (which I'm not) and am saying 'God' as if I don't believe in Him. I am not in any way trying to disrespect Islam...Thanks. :shrug:
Apologies. I meant no offense. I used caps for all the letters coz well, HE's GOD and I didn't think it would do to use the normal proper noun system. But, that's just me. Sorry, love. Won't do it again. *Makes mental note*

[kaz]

ramadan mubaraik! to everyone see this thread here (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?p=1427238&posted=1#post1427238)

[Erundur]

The Principals of Islam

I
Know child that God is only one,
He has made us and everything,
All beasts, all fowls, all birds that sing,
The Sun, the Moon, the Starry Sky,
The land, the sea, the mountains high.
He knows whatever we think or act,
By him is seen the real fact.
And only He does what He wills,
He makes, He keeps, He saves, and has some skill
Forever the same, no age, no youth,
He is Prefection, He is Truth.
Almighty, All-seeing, Wise,
He hath not form or shape or size.
But self-existing is our Lord,
And is always to be adored.

II
Our God is Just, and loves the right,
The wrong is hateful to His sight.
To all His Creatures He is Kind,
He gave us reason tha we might Know good from bad wrong from right.
This is the first to light our path,
To gain His grace and shun His wrath.
But gift of reason varies far,
Some wise and others foolish are.
The eyes of mind our passion dims,
And reason oft is quenched by whims

III
For second guide we have the men
Of larger mind and wider ken,
Who could from God a message get,
His Law before the people set.
We call them Prophets, know you well,
Coming events they could foretell.
No nation was without such guide,
To warn them and from sins to chide.
Each Prophet taught in his own sphere,
To worship God and Him to fear.
But thousands of such prophets came,
Of whom we know and not the name,
Of some well-known I mention make,
The Lord God bless us for their sake!
Job, Jacob, Joseph, Abraham,
Elias, David, Solomon,
Lot, Moses, Aaron, Ishmael,
Hod, Noah, Jesus, Daniel;
With Adam first and Muhammad Last,
Between the two all others pass.
Their minds were brighter than our own.
But otherwise all flesh and bone;
God did not in them incorporate.
They were but men and separate.

IV
The Books of God, a third guide form,
And us of His commands inform,
God sent them through His Prophets Great,
Repealing Older by the Late;
The Qur'an now the Law in force,
The other books have run their course.

V
In all these Books 'tis plainly said,
The graves will once give up their dead;
A new life God will give to men.
Who made us once will quicken again.
That day we shall, to judgement brought,
Be called to answer what we wrought,
And shall be judged by faith we had,
And work we did good or bad.
The good shall get a festive treat---
Everlasting bliss and a heavenly seat,
Where such the pleaseure, such the mirth,
We've never dreamt of on this earth.
The bad shall go to hell and fire,
And suffer pains and torture dire.
But snese of guilt to conscious mind
Is more than all the pains combined
While sense of having pleased our lord
Is greatest bliss and highest reward.

VI
The Qur'an teaches us to pray
Our lord God five times a day;
To fast the days of Ramadan lent,
To give alms to the indigent;
To visit Mecca one in life,
And to make for God every strife.
Find here the Muslim Laws in brief,
May God guide all to this belief.

----------Sayyed Muhammed

Happy Ramazaan to all the Muslims on Cos :tu: and god bless all. :)

[lily1993]

...::::...Selamat Hari Raya...::::....

May Allah bless you with his grace

[Sirius Seeker]

As a Christian, I admit that I do not know a lot about Islam. My question is regarding its origins, to see if what I have heard is accurate or incomplete or needs to be corrected.

Abraham has been mentioned several times on this thread. In Genesis, God promised Abraham that he and Sarah would have a son. While Abraham trusted God, he found the promise hard to believe since Sarah was old and past the age of childbearing. Therefore Abraham took things more into his own hands, slept with his servant Hagar, and was given a son, Ishmael. Later on, Sarah did conceive and was given a son, Isaac.

It is my understanding that the lines of Isaac and Ishmael resulted in the difference between Christianity and Islam, why Abraham is a common ancestor to both religions, and why the emnity during the Crusades between Christians and Muslims was a result of the original enmity between the two heirs of Abraham. God promised Abraham that through his son he would be the father of nations. By having two sons, essentially two nations (Christian and Islamic) were created, and the differences that have resulted in the two religions were set into motion at this point in history.

If this is in any way incorrect, please feel free to make changes, clarify points, or tell me where I'm wrong. Thanks for your time.

[Insanity]

Hello :)

I'm not sure what to say but I'm also Muslim so I decided to post something in the thread of my religion.

So hello :)

What do people say here?

[marauderlupin]

Sirius Seeker, I'm no expert but as far as I know Hagar gave birth to Ishmael who was the ancestor of the Arabs and Isaac, the son of Sarah, was the ancestor of the Hebrews. I think the story of the origins is more about ethnicity/nationhood than religion, but I could be wrong about that.

[atomant]

i live in turkey, so i'd like to tell you what is islam like around here.
in fact it is pretty much same about other religions. it is different every country.
ottoman empire ruled anatolia lots of years so most of the people are muslims. still there are jews and christians mostly in istanbul. there are all kind of muslims in turkey, there are some women still treated like vermin, people who aren't fasting are beaten in some cities in broad daylight. in july 1993, 37 people (writers, poets, musicians) are burned in a hotel and government couldn't do anything. in fact the lawyer of the murderers was the former minister of justice. he'd been banned from politics a few years later. a writer named aziz nesin who was saved from the burning hotel once said that 60% of the population were idiots. after the incident i think it's 90%.
these are extreme examples so don't be afraid. also there are people like me who are considered as muslim (in fact 99% is considered as muslim). i have never fasted, or never prayed regularly. in fact the only times i've ever been in a mosque were the funerals. youth is mostly like that but you can still see women dressed all in black head to toe (like cockroachs). you can't even see their eyes they walk a few steps behind their husbands.
it's mostly the fanatics that causes the bad reputation around the world. terrorism and killing is in fact a big sin. if you kill someone you can be sure to burn in hell (it's snowing right now and cold outside i might consider murdering my noisy neighbor).
i read what i wrote again and it must sound awful in turkey. it's not, you must come lots to see. i'll be delighted to answer all your questions about islam in turkey and everything about turkey.

edit: i felt a little bad about what i wrote. it really looks bad if you don't know about islam and turkey. islam in fact is a peaceful religion. i believe all of the major religions around the world are peaceful. i can't imagine a religion who tells you must kill anyone who doesn't share your faith.
i think it's about idiocy. an idiot muslim/jew/christian can do lots of things in the name of his/her god and religion. the result we get, people believing all muslims are terrorists. our problem is the worlds large population of idiots. they are everywhere you can't escape them. anyone who want to learn about islam can easily find sources, you can see there are learned people here who are happy to inform you as well as they can.
for turkey idiots are all around you. god how i hate them.
idiocy is the biggest sin.

[Midnightsfire]

Just a quick link to share:

Muslim Scientists, Mathematicians and Astronomers, before European Renaissance (http://www.cyberistan.org/)

[Liselle]

islam in fact is a peaceful religion. i believe all of the major religions around the world are peaceful. i can't imagine a religion who tells you must kill anyone who doesn't share your faith.
I'd like to think so too :) and I agree with you that any religion who tells you kill anyone who doesn't share your faith is not a religion.....its incitement to hatred.

i think it's about idiocy. an idiot muslim/jew/christian can do lots of things in the name of his/her god and religion. the result we get, people believing all muslims are terrorists. our problem is the worlds large population of idiots. they are everywhere you can't escape them. anyone who want to learn about islam can easily find sources, you can see there are learned people here who are happy to inform you as well as they can. for turkey idiots are all around you. god how i hate them.
idiocy is the biggest sin.

I wouldn't say idiocy is the biggest sin but ignorance and intolerance are. At the end of the day, its the same God.

[tonks442]

I'm Muslim, and I just want to ask exactly what opinions others on this forum have of Islam. For example, even if you don't agree with the religion, do you agree with any of the main points brought up by it?
I was also wondering just how educated people on the forum are about Islam. It seems that people in our world today don't really know much about Islam, and so I would like to know if you feel you know a lot about Islam. If you have any questions about it, I and I'm sure others on the forum would be happy to answer them.

[Insanity]

I'm so happy to see so many Muslims on the board. :D

[periwinkle-blue]

I'm Muslim, and I just want to ask exactly what opinions others on this forum have of Islam. For example, even if you don't agree with the religion, do you agree with any of the main points brought up by it?
I was also wondering just how educated people on the forum are about Islam. It seems that people in our world today don't really know much about Islam, and so I would like to know if you feel you know a lot about Islam. If you have any questions about it, I and I'm sure others on the forum would be happy to answer them.

Hi there tonks442 :)

I'm sure this forum overall is very tolerant on the idea of Islam, its faith and its practise, just as how it is very tolerant of the idea, faith and practise of Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and so on. As far as I am a member here, I haven't really remember coming across very offensive thoughts on Islam nor very uneducated comments regarding Islam in posts across the boards.

I've seen questions coming from curious non-Muslim members here and in the past thread of Religion of Islam. And I've seen a lot of explanations and defenses for Islam and its way of life from non-Muslim members, a surprisingly good effort of which sometimes made me feel that I am not doing enough from my own part in participating to give good name of my own religion. Which is also what made me really fond of this forum.

:)

[marauderlupin]

I second the above :) This forum's rules are so fantastic because they only bring out the curious who want to ask a question or have a discussion. Everyone pretty much follows the rules.

[tonks442]

I second the above :) This forum's rules are so fantastic because they only bring out the curious who want to ask a question or have a discussion. Everyone pretty much follows the rules.
Yep, thats why I love these forums. I was just wondering if anyone out there felt that they were really clueless about the religion, because I and others can help...plus, I wanted to bring this thread up to the top because it was at the bottom somewhere...:)

[Zorkwap]

I have a question, I know there are 25 prophets, and Muhammad is 25, but who are the other 24??

[auroroftheorder]

I have a question for the Muslims that post on this thread...for a Humanities (History) project, I have to debate in class whether democracy is the best idea in Iraq. I was wondering if the Islam faith said anything about what government is best for the followers of its religion...thanks :)

[marauderlupin]

I have a question, I know there are 25 prophets, and Muhammad is 25, but who are the other 24??



OMG. You know more than I do. I could've sworn there were 28, but anyway the list shows 25:

Qur'anic Name > Biblical Name

Adam > Adam


Idris > Enoch

Nuh > Noah

Hud > -----

Salih > Salih

Ibrahim > Abraham

Isma'il > Ishmael

Ishaq > Isaac

Lut > Lot

Ya'qub > Jacob

Yusuf > Joseph

Shu'aib > -----

Ayyub > Job

Musa > Moses

Harun > Aaron

Dhu'l-kifl > Ezekiel

Dawud > David

Sulaiman > Solomon

Ilias > Elias

Al-Yasa > Elisha

Yunus > Jonah

Zakariyya > Zechariah

Yahya > John

'Isa > Jesus

Muhammad > -----

[periwinkle-blue]

I have a question for the Muslims that post on this thread...for a Humanities (History) project, I have to debate in class whether democracy is the best idea in Iraq. I was wondering if the Islam faith said anything about what government is best for the followers of its religion...thanks :)

I'm not sure if this (http://www.messageonline.org/2002augsept/cover4.htm) might help, ironically I was thinking similar thoughts on Islamic rulings and its government, which made me create a thread in DoIMC after my last post in here. :)

[Zorkwap]

I really don't know how many there are, I just saw 25 earlier in this thread

[tonks442]

I have a question for the Muslims that post on this thread...for a Humanities (History) project, I have to debate in class whether democracy is the best idea in Iraq. I was wondering if the Islam faith said anything about what government is best for the followers of its religion...thanks :)
Well in Islam, the government is the Quran. Islam is the government as well as the religion. The religion doesn't support democracy. Here's a good site if you want to learn more about the Islamic government (to compare perhaps): http://www.shirazi.org.uk/isg.htm

Here's another really good site that answers your question: http://www.islamonline.net/askaboutislam/display.asp?hquestionID=2797
(http://www.shirazi.org.uk/isg.htm)

[periwinkle-blue]

There's a slight difference in Nabi and Rasul, the list of 25 prophets that marauderlupin has posted is actually Rasuls, and our Prophet Muhamad s.a.w (p.b.u.h.) is fondly referred to as Rasulullah s.a.w. (p.b.u.h.).

Hopefully I can sort some more information for easier understanding when I get back to this question tomorrow or over the weekend.

[smera]

hey, just wanted to say im a muslim too. I thought there were more then 24 prophets?

[XanFan]

I'm Muslim, and I just want to ask exactly what opinions others on this forum have of Islam. For example, even if you don't agree with the religion, do you agree with any of the main points brought up by it?

I'm a non-Muslim. I grew up in America, in a small town. I was raised Catholic, but was lucky enough to travel the world and meet people from other cultures and other religions.

Here's my opinion of Islam, since you asked :)

Islam is a way for its followers to express their belief in their God. I think the teachings of Mohammed are profound. I wish that we learned more about what he said, because his words are meaningful. What he said about charity (quoted earlier in the thread) is amazing. In my mind, it is "do what you can. All of your efforts, if done with a positive heart, are positive." It is similar to the passage in the Bible when Jesus said that the poor woman who made only a small donation was just as holy -- if not holier -- than the rich men who donated a lot of money, because the money meant more to her. It is the sentiment that counts.

To me, the majority of people who are Muslim are good, solid, wonderful people. As much as I believe people who are Hindu are good, solid wonderful people. I think it takes more than your religion to make you a good or bad person.

And I think people who judge all Muslims by the actions of the misguided few are wrong -- it would be like all people judging Christianity by what is going on in Northern Ireland.

I'm glad this thread is here. I hope a lot of people are reading it. It's been very informative for me. Thank you, all of you who are Muslim, for sharing your faith with us. It is a brave thing to do.

[tralalaOtralala]

I would say that Abraham is claimed as a great spiritual ancestor to all three religions. Islam traces its roots to Abraham's son Ishmael, I believe (?), while Jews descend from Abraham's other son Isaac. Jesus Christ, of course, was himself a Jew and a descendant of Abraham.

So in that sense, they all have a common beginning. But there isn't too much love lost between the three, as a general rule.

In Islam, we believe that all of the prophets were the descendants of Isaac (Ishaaq in Arabic :)), with the exception of Prophet Muhammed (p.b.u.h), who we believe to be the only prophet descended from Ishmael.
I would just like to say that I find these types of discussions to be quite refreshing and very needed in the today's world. Thanks for being such cool people! :)

hey, just wanted to say im a muslim too. I thought there were more then 24 prophets?

Salamz, I'm muslim, as well. I'm pretty sure that there were 25 prophets mentioned in the Qur'an.

[SGosling]

In Islam, we believe that all of the prophets were the descendants of Isaac (Ishaaq in Arabic :)), with the exception of Prophet Muhammed (p.b.u.h), who we believe to be the only prophet descended from Ishmael.
I would just like to say that I find these types of discussions to be quite refreshing and very needed in the today's world. Thanks for being such cool people! :)

Salamz, I'm muslim, as well. I'm pretty sure that there were 25 prophets mentioned in the Qur'an.
Twenty Five Prophets Mentioned in the Holy Qur'an all the other Prophets are unnamed but known to Allah
1. The leader of all the Prophets Sayyidina wa Nabiyyina Muhammad ibn 'Abdillah Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam. Prophet Muhammad .
2. Sayyidina Nabī 'Īsa ibn Maryam . Prophet Jesus son of Mary.
3. Sayyidina Nabī Yahya ibn Zakariyya .Prophet John .
4. Sayyidina Nabī Zakariyya .Prophet Zakarias .
5. Sayyidina Nabī al-Yasa' .Prophet Elisha .
6. Sayyidina Nabī Ilyas .Prophet Elias .
7. Sayyidina Nabī Yūnus .Prophet Jonah .
8. Sayyidina Nabī Dhu'l Kifl .Prophet Ezekiel .
9. Sayyidina Nabī Ayyūb .Prophet Job .
10. Sayyidina Nabī Sulayman ibn Dawūd .Prophet Solomon .
11. Sayyidina Nabī Dawūd .Prophet David .
12. Sayyidina Nabī Mūsa ibn 'Imran .Prophet Moses .
13. Sayyidina Nabī Harūn ibn 'Imran .Prophet Aaron .
14. Sayyidina Nabī Shu'ayb .Prophet Shu'ayb .
15. Sayyidina Nabī Yūsuf ibn Ya'qūb .Prophet Joseph .
16. Sayyidina Nabī Ya'qūb ibn Ishaq . Prophet Jacob .
17. Sayyidina Nabī Ishaq ibn Ibrahīm .Prophet Issac .
18. Sayyidina Nabī Isma'īl ibn Ibrahīm .Prophet Ishmael .
19. Sayyidina Nabī Ibrahīm ibn Tarikh .Prophet Abraham .
20. Sayyidina Nabī Lūt .Prophet Lot .
21. Sayyidina Nabī Salih .Prophet Salih .
22. Sayyidina Nabī Hūd .Prophet Hūd .
23. Sayyidina Nabī Nūh .Prophet Noah .
24. Sayyidina Nabī Idrīs .Prophet Enoch .
25. Sayyidina Nabī am .Prophet Adam .

[auroroftheorder]

Wow, thanks Peri and Tonks...both sights helped out a lot :)